CHICAGO HONORS WFWP FOUNDER ASCENSION ANNIVERSARY

Chicago WFWP members and friends honoring Father Moon

On Thursday, August 22, Chicago held a memorial event at the Best Western Plus Schaumburg Hotel in honor of the one year anniversary of Father Moon's ascension into the spirit world. Our goal for this event was to not dwell in sorrow, but to celebrate his victories and to carry on his will. The event was called "A Legacy of True Love: Honoring the Life of Rev. Sun Myung Moon Through a Celebration of Our Memories."

The program had two components: a local program and a live feed from Korea. The local program was emceed by Rev. Fannie Smith, WFWP National Executive Board, Chicago Chapter Events Coordinator, and Ambassador for Peace. The program consisted of musical offerings from a Chicago band and personal testimonies.

A special display area was set up in the banquet hall by young volunteers. Among them were: Soo Gin Ogden, Karina Sutker, Kuni Ohama, Alan Taka Cooper, Lana Sutker, and Carie Arline.

The area honored Father Moon with displays of Father Moon's photos, a handmade timeline of significant events of his life, trophies and plaques that were presented here in Chicago, albums that people brought from their own homes, a map for people to pin where they joined, and a box where we put our personal memories of Father Moon. This display area created an atmosphere where we could learn and share how his life had impacted and strengthened people's lives.

The second part of the program was a live broadcast of the celebration in Korea. All the participants watched together on a large screen in the seating area. The live feed helped people feel connected to brothers and sisters beyond nationality and culture centering on Father and Mother Moon.