TURNING UP THE HEAT IN TEXAS: PRESIDENT SELLE’S VISIT TO DALLAS
On Friday, May 18, WFWP USA President Angelika Selle arrived at the Dallas Fort-Worth (DFW) airport and began a three-day visit with WFWP members and friends. While here, she spoke to four different audiences, explaining new and exciting areas of activity and offering deep insight on important topics. "Revival" is a good word to describe the results. Over and over, participants in the meetings with Angelika described themselves as hopeful and inspired to renew their commitment to the ideals of WFWP.
Her challenge to women was paired with encouragement: The mother's heart is sorely needed at this time. As women, we must step forward to pull society back from the brink of self-destruction.
With just a little time for sightseeing in the Dallas area, Angelika was asked what she knew about Dallas. Not surprisingly, she was familiar with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. While in Dallas, she was able to see sites she had viewed at that time with her family in Germany on their small black-and-white television.
Besides such a historically tragic location, there are many beautiful things to see in the Dallas area, including art museums, shopping centers, sporting arenas and parks. Angelika expressed surprise at all the lakes and lush greenery viewed from her airplane window during the approach to DFW airport. She was also surprised at how windy it was. She knew Chicago was the "Windy City," but she learned that Dallas could be called by the same name on many days of the year. Overall, the weather cooperated nicely. There were no thunderstorms (always a possibility) and the temperatures were mild and comfortable.
Among other things, Angelika learned about the historical geographical separation between racial groups in Dallas. African-Americans and Hispanic people have traditionally lived mostly in the southern sector. De facto segregation still prevails in many areas, based largely on economics now. Division and separation among ethnicities is something Angelika has felt called to challenge. Both she and her husband, Bob, have worked together in reconciliation programs in Maryland, a topic she spoke about several times in Dallas.
On her first evening here, dinner and conversation were shared at the Dallas Lovin' Life Ministries building, a spacious, two-story building that was once the regional headquarters for the Boy Scouts of America. All of the public gatherings with Angelika were in various rooms of this friendly, comfortable building. Ten people came together that evening, including Laura Hornbeck, outgoing WFWP Dallas chairwoman; ACLC representative Jeannette Walker; Rev. and Mrs. Mark Hernandez, Lovin' Life Director; and local Korean Evangelical Association pastor, Rev. Jin Hyung Lee, along with Erling and Laura Lea, and Jack and Meggie Toren.
Mrs. Yuri Hernandez and several other Japanese women helped prepare the delicious salmon, rice and vegetable dinner. Throughout the weekend, these women were quietly and efficiently cooking, cleaning up, and serving the needs of others. Rev. Mark Hernandez was also very supportive of WFWP's activities, and has been since the earliest days. He was a key supporter of the Japanese-American Sisterhood Ceremonies, one of which was held in Houston in 1996.
Angelika stated that the only way to move forward from here is to bring success. To show our appreciation for all that has been done in WFWP over these past 20 years, including all the sacrifices of the Japanese members, we must bring about substantial change in the American culture. How do we do that? How do we bring a foundation of substance for the next generation? She has confidence that God is now working through women to achieve these goals.
Rev. Lee was very inspired by Angelika's sharing that night and invited her to take his place the following Sunday morning to speak to his congregation about WFWP. That Sunday morning, Angelika spoke about her commitment to the American founding spirit and to the ideals of the founders of WFWP, Reverend and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon. She also explained how she came to be chosen to replace Alexa Ward, WFWP USA president from 2000 to 2010. It was not an easy decision for her to accept the job, as she felt called to be the pastor of the church she was serving in Maryland at the time. But, as she described it, through prayer and discussion with her husband, she became convinced that God was indeed calling her to this new arena.
On Saturday, May 19, twenty-five members and 10 guests of WFWP gathered for a general meeting. After sandwiches and refreshments, emcee Laura Hornbeck opened the program. A beautiful rendition of the song "God Bless America" was presented by three WFWP women, Lucie Muleki, Jeannette Walker, and Kimie Stana who embody the lovely cultural diversity of this organization.
Angelika expressed how moved she was by that song, which set a very appropriate tone for the meeting. She strongly stated that the sadness and breakdown in American culture must be changed, and that God is central to that change.
God, she said, has not only a masculine side but a feminine one, which allowed Him to create human beings "in His image, male and female," according to the Genesis account. Thus, she said, women truly have equal value and stature in this world. When women stand beside men in loving partnerships, we can fully reflect the image of God.
But the moral and social fabric in America is ripping apart. Old-style, confrontational feminism has failed. "Change is necessary," Angelika said. "People don't know how to do relationships anymore!" bringing a round of applause. For instance, "How can a woman feel special to a man when she might be number 51 in his series of lovers? Or vice-versa."
Angelika stressed the importance of Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon's guiding influence, which comes from her heart as a mother of 14 children and grandmother of 45. Dr. Moon's famous direction that current times require all of us to "live by the logic of love" was explained. Only by such logic does it make sense to "love your enemy." Sometimes that enemy is right in your own home. It may be easier to love the enemy out there somewhere, but when it's your own spouse, your own relative, then "loving your enemy" really gets difficult.
In other points, Angelika stressed that women bring balance into families and communities, seeking harmony between quarreling factions. While WFWP is not a religious organization, it definitely is a spiritual one. Peace and reconciliation can never come about through human effort alone, she said, no matter how well-intentioned. As women, we reflect half of God's image and must work together with men—not against them—to change ourselves and our society.
One guest, Mr. Joe Chow, a former mayor in the Dallas area, is running for U.S. Congress. He had originally planned to spend a short time meeting and greeting WFWP members, but he decided to stay for the whole event. Afterward, he said his mother has always been one of his greatest inspirations and he credits her with holding him to high standards of achievement. He expressed great admiration for WFWP and its ideals.
Some comments from participants:
"I am so delighted to have been at the meeting to hear and meet such a wonderful woman of God, and to see all of you. I can hardly wait to see you all again. Thank you."
"Now there is an opportunity to touch the lives of others for effective change around the world—through the WFWP..."
There was also a Mary Kay beauty consultant who made one sale on the spot because of her incredibly youthful appearance at the age of 78, which she attributed to a particular Mary Kay product! One young woman who is interested in ministry came with her mother. An interfaith activities organizer attended and invited everyone to her next program. Local talk show host Ester Davis, long-time friend of WFWP and an Ambassador of Peace for Universal Peace Federation, helped with the coordination and outreach for this meeting.
On Sunday morning, after speaking to the Korean congregation, Angelika spoke for a few minutes at the Lovin' Life Ministries service, inviting all those interested to a deeper discussion after lunch. About 20 people came to the discussion, entitled, "Tune In to Tune Up."
The primary purpose of Angelika's visit to Dallas was achieved that afternoon when four women volunteered to join the "Leadership Team," with continuing help from Laura Hornbeck. Those women, Meggie Toren, Naomi Royal, Lucie Muleki, and Atsuko Kirst will be working together to develop plans for WFWP meetings and activities, with support from others, especially Kimie Stana and Jeannette Walker.
The team decided that some sort of activity is needed at least once a month in order to keep the spirit alive, even if it's just a small, casual get-together. Members expressed enthusiasm for attending the upcoming 20th anniversary celebration in Las Vegas.
Finally, on Sunday evening, Angelika and three local members enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Japanese restaurant Hanasho. The following morning, she was served a delicious, healthful breakfast at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Mark Hernandez, who drove her to the airport so she could continue her journey of American revival with the WFWP team in Las Vegas.
Dallas was most fortunate to host such a gifted and spiritually guided woman as Mrs. Angelika Selle. With a new vision of teamwork, rather than top-down organization, WFWP members will certainly be able to move Dallas toward the direction of peace—starting with ourselves and moving outward into our families and community.