6. Author Hyung Jin Moon Speaks At UTS (May 31, 2005)

Hyung Jin Moon
May 31, 2005

Hyung Jin Moon, author of the photo essay "The Moment" and collection of reflective essays, "A Bald Head and a Strawberry," spoke at UTS on May 30...

Mr. Moon, a student in the Masters of Theological Studies program at Harvard University, shared his thoughts on theology and its study with UTS students, faculty, staff and local community.

Moon extolled the simple life, explaining how he, though the youngest son of Reverend and Mrs. Moon, practices his spirituality by cleaning floors and doing laundry. He reminded students of the Founder's continued call for the study of theology, as the subject matter that is closest to God, and his emphasis upon the simple but beautiful spiritual environment of Barrytown.

He told the students to connect their future with the world, to realize that they are not separate from the world. "Listen to the grassroots; tap and release the creativity in everyone."

He called the members of the audience to deepen and broaden their perspectives. "We have Unificationists all over the world, who practice Muslim, Buddhist and all sorts of traditions. They all are blessed, so we have many religious traditions in our community. We have to balance ecumenism and evangelicalism, to maintain our identity and also develop it. Abonim (his father) has held both together. Religious unity is essential in our age, and this is an integral part of our mission."

In response to a question regarding his personal spiritual experiences, he said that every day is a mystical experience. "The sunset, seeing your children growing, doing potty for the first time, or the first time they try to speak to you. It is more a miracle to walk on the ground than on the clouds."

After his talk, Mr. Moon, with his wife Yeon Ah and two of their four children, walked the UTS grounds, sharing the lovely spring afternoon with students and local families. As he has created an interfaith meditation garden surrounding his home at East Garden, he encouraged President Hendricks to add statues of the Buddha, Confucius and other faith traditions to the UTS collection of Christian statues.

3. Hungbu and Nolbu -- The Graceful Swallow (October 30, 1989 - Children's Day)

October 30, 1989
Children's Day

Hyung Jin Moon and Jeung Jin Moon receive flower bouquets and applause after their performance on Children's' Day

Hyung Jin Moon and Jeung Jin Moon receive flower bouquets and applause after their performance on Children's' Day

True Mother requested that 'Hungbu and Nolbu', the well-known Korean play about two brothers, be performed in Korean at Children's Day entertainment in the Manhattan Center, New York.

True Mother requested that 'Hungbu and Nolbu', the well-known Korean play about two brothers, be performed in Korean at Children's Day entertainment in the Manhattan Center, New York.

The cast consisted of Hyung Jin Nim, Jeung Jin Nim and 22 blessed children from the East Garden and Belvedere Staff.

The cast consisted of Hyung Jin Nim, Jeung Jin Nim and 22 blessed children from the East Garden and Belvedere Staff.

2. Hyung Jin Nim's Birthday (Leslie Halliday - September 1, 1984)

Leslie Halliday
September 1, 1984

Happy Birthday, Hyung Jin Moon

Happy Birthday, Hyung Jin Moon

Happy Birthday Shin Goon Nim August 8, 1984

Happy Birthday Shin Goon Nim August 8, 1984

It was a cool, autumnal first of September morning. The sun was just beginning to rise at six am as leaders and members gathered at East Garden for Hyung Jin Nim's fifth birthday. Since it was also the day to renew our dedication for the new month, Mother asked that everyone arrive early,

Lots of gaily wrapped presents had found their way into the living room, including a bicycle decorated with streamers. The Ceremony began with prayer, and ended with True Children and members sharing food from the offering table. Mother presided with grace and ' authority. As members were finishing breakfast, Mother began to speak in the lovely, glass-paneled dining room.

Hyung Jin Nim is the last male child born to True Parents, she said. His name means, "everything goes well, according to the Will," and is like a helpful slogan for our movement at this juncture. Although there were many reports that could have been made about our activities, Mother explained that she was anxious to travel to Danbury. For the last 40 days she had been visiting Father regularly to bring him comfort and report, and she wanted to maintain her schedule.

Mother spoke briefly but poignantly about the significance of our movement's accomplishments during the 40 forty days of Father's incarceration. As she tried to describe what they meant to Father, she could not help dying.

The Korean leaders sitting by her nodded sympathetically or humbly bowed their heads. Our hearts reached out to Mother as she tearfully upheld her leadership role, representing Father to all of us.

At the conclusion of her talk, Mother urged the blessed couples to become the center of ceaseless prayer, and to conduct a prayer vigil schedule with real vigor during the next 40 day period. She explained that during the first 40 day period, True Children formed the center for conditional offerings at East Garden, but that now, although they would continue their Spiritual work, they had to focus on school, She called our efforts in 'all of the rallies truly commendable, but stressed that in order to move on, and harvest the substantial food of our undertaking we should seriously connect to this responsibility.