MARRIAGE AND FAMILY AS PARTNERSHIPS FOR PEACE
In society today, differences between people are often merely excuses to separate and divide. Some of these differences include where you live, your religion, your education, and your political beliefs. In Pennsylvania, through the initiatives of the local WFWP chapter, activities aimed at overcoming these differences and barriers have been growing.
Working together as a diversified team, on September 19, the Pennsylvania Chapter of WFWP held a peace project centered on the idea of uniting with people in our diverse society, particularly in the area of marriage and family. Thirty-nine people, including media representatives, faith leaders, community leaders, young and old, and the Honorable Margo Davidson, Pennsylvania State Representative, joined in a monumental Bridge of Peace ceremony. This Bridge of Peace ceremony was also held as a precursor to Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia, who advocated for breaking down the barriers that divide people, especially by strengthening families in each community.
The guest speaker on the occasion was Mrs. Katarina Connery, Vice President of WFWP USA, who is currently in training to become future President of WFWP USA. She spoke on the value of waiting for marriage before engaging in sexual activities from the viewpoint of her own life experiences. She explained that the morals taught to her by her parents reinforced her desire to develop relationships in which her true value is seen and appreciated.
Denneze Nelson giving her talk
Building on Mrs. Connery’s words about personal morality in preparation for marriage, Mrs. Denneze Nelson, WFWP New Jersey Chairwoman, gave a beautiful vision of marriage as a partnership for peace. She shared applications of the Peace Principles taught by WFWP Co-Founder, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, including one poignant quote about the nature of true love which gives, forgets that it has given, and gives again unconditionally. It is in building strong lasting families, Mrs. Nelson said, that we can go beyond the barriers that divide people and establish sustainable peace.
There were other great speakers including Bishop Ricky Sutton who discussed the topic “Why Do We Get Married?" He explained the original form of the ideal that God the Creator envisioned when he created humankind. He stressed that the oneness of the Creator’s divinity will be reflected in people if the dual aspects of man and women are united through unbreakable marriages.
The program was very educational in nature and after the speeches; everyone expressed their eagerness to cross the Bridge of Peace. As each person crossed the bridge, each made an affirmation to the values of marriage and family expressed by the speakers and embraced the person on the other side with a commitment to practice them in their own lives—beginning by seeing each other as part of a global family.
