How to Start a Sunday School: Children's Characteristics

by Vicki Henry-Minneapolis, MN

Church experiences for all children should be success-oriented. No child should need to struggle to the point of frustration in a skill or knowledge area. The way children learn best is through relationships-perhaps even more than through the lesson itself. Therefore, the primary responsibility of the teacher is being able to relate to each child. When teachers treat children with dignity, love, acceptance, understanding and respect, they build a foundation that makes it possible for children to see themselves as people who are loved by God.

In order for a teacher-pupil relationship to be established, two things are necessary. First, one person should teach a Sunday School grade level every Sunday for several consecutive months, if not a year. Don't rotate Sunday by Sunday, as that destroys continuity and makes relating to the children in a meaningful way almost impossible. The second thing that is necessary is an understanding of children's characteristics at their various age levels.

The chart shows 6-11 year olds' characteristics physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually and spiritually as well as types of suggested activities that are best for each age.

Special Considerations for Pre-School Children

If a Sunday School is on a limited budget, and a choice has to be made as to which class gets the furniture, space and equipment, it should go to the pre-school class. The atmosphere that is created by the physical surroundings and the teacher are the most important aspects of the curriculum for babies to 5 year olds. Pre-schoolers need plenty of room, as well as sturdy, safe, attractive and educational equipment and furnishings. All of that costs a lot of money.

The church can best serve babies by providing safety, security, love and acceptance. When the church provides these things, the parents will naturally feel that the church is concerned for them. This, I might add, is true for parents of children of all ages. If the children are being taken care of physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually, then the parents will know the church cares about them and, therefore, will return.

Above all, toddlers and pre-schoolers need room. They should have opportunities to climb, jump, pull, explore and move around. In addition to active play, they need quiet times and lots of rest. It is also an age where they are not only active but noisy, curious, talkative and somewhat self-centered. A balance of structure and freedom is needed to provide security and self-confidence. Praise and appreciation for the child's accomplishments should be expressed freely and sincerely.

Teaching pre-school is not babysitting. Those who teach this age have a tremendous challenge and obligation because children's attitudes about the church and their feelings about God are set during these early years.

The Needs of Teenagers

Teenagers have difficulty talking to their parents-even when the teenagers are good kids and the parents are genuinely concerned and loving. Sunday School teachers who can meet students on their own level, who can be a friend and not a judge, will be the adult whom teenagers will choose to talk to about their problems.

Teens need self-understanding and acceptance as well as understanding and acceptance from adults. They need to discover who they are (particularly blessed children) as well as being able to be independent of their families as they prepare to be married and start a family themselves. Sunday School teachers who are secure in their own beliefs, but not dogmatic and judgmental, are the best kinds of teachers for this age group.

There is also a big difference between a 13 year old and a 17 year old. The younger teenager still prefers more action and doing as opposed to sitting and listening to a lecture. Older teenagers ask more mature and abstract questions which would bore a younger teen. If at all possible it is best to have this age group separated in junior high (7th-9th grades) and high school (10th-12th grades) levels.

The following are some ways that teenagers can contribute to the life of your local church:

1. sing in the choir
2. ushering
3. assist in the nursery (perhaps with special-needs students)
4. visit nursing home residents
5. participate in family nights at church such as doing skits or talent shows
6. contribute financially from their allowance or jobs
7. help during the children's church summer camps
8. service projects
9. help parents in other church-related campaigns

Make the Effort

Children are not miniature adults, so they should not be expected to think and act like adults. I always cringe when I see an adult getting after a 3 year old for not sitting completely still and silent during part of a Sunday service. Children are naturally full of energy. They are noisy, restless, messy and extremely active. They can't help being self-centered. They are still growing. They are not being bad; they are being children.

Successful teachers take advantage of these characteristics by providing plenty of activities allowing children to participate as fully as possible. They go with the flow even when things seem messy and noisy. But they also know that children need quiet times, too-a time for a story and a prayer. The trick is to alternate active times with quiet times.

Children also need teachers who will make the effort to get to know each one as an individual. For teachers to be able to plan effectively for their students, they must know their children's needs, problems, abilities, limitations and family situations. They need to take into account the individual personalities of each and every child.

New Sunday School Teaching Materials!

"How to use Creative Dramatics in Religious Education" (includes tips on the best way to use drama as a learning tool for students, how to make stage scenery and sample plays and resources for plays) $18.50 (incl. s&h)

Knowledge Bowl Game (ages 7-18) (a file card format with names and terms surrounding Bible stories and events, people of the Bible, and Divine Principle; use it for practice lecturing, as a game, or for essay topics) $21.50 (incl. s&h)

Send check payable to Vicki Henry to: 827 6th Ave. N., St. Cloud, MN 56303. Please indicate which item you are ordering.

Vicki Henry is the Minneapolis U.C. Sunday School Director Next month: Inclusion of Special-Needs Children

Father Comes to Costa Rica

by Roshan D'Souza-Costa Rica

I came to Costa Rica just over two years ago to work with my husband while preparing him for the Blessing. I was one of those ladies who was told to find a husband and bring him to the Blessing. When it all started I never imagined it would be so exciting. I come from India which is wall-to-wall people and have lived for years in the United States. Moving to Costa Rica was more of a cultural shock than I could describe. I have to thank Father's training.

Costa Rica is considered the "most democratic country in the world," a thought expressed by Father and applauded by the audience. Costa Rica has only about 3 million people. It has become a retirement haven for many North Americans and is often referred to as the Switzerland of East. There is no standing army and violent crime is minimal. Panama is immediately to the south and Nicaragua to the north. This is one of the few places Columbus actually visited in his attempt to find my homeland of India.

I have been working with the Women's Federation for World Peace for more than a year, and when we were told that a banquet was being organized for the Association for Latin American Unity, I was only too anxious to help. People who have not seen the reality of how unique our Church and its programs are would be amazed to see a woman from India speaking Spanish with some Japanese women. We managed somehow to get our thoughts out and programs organized. This through English, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese and of course sign language. The organizational office should have been called the "Office of Babble."

When I was in New York City, I faithfully attended Father's speeches every Sunday and everybody who knows me knows I sat prominently in the front row. It was such a joy to know Father was coming here. I have been practicing Spanish since I came and it took every bit I could speak to invite those from my neighborhood to attend. My husband and I have been attending the Unity Church here and we invited many of the congregation to attend as well.

We invited about 40 people ourselves and were reluctant to invite more, as we knew that there were only 400 seats. The day Father arrived, he insisted we invite however many the hall would hold, which was 500 souls. I spent most of the day on the phone as did all of the other members, and that evening we all showed up at the Herradura Hotel banquet room to see what the results would be.

We were not surprised that the room was filled, but it was filled with such a diverse group of people that it was a pleasure to be there. My husband and I had invited bankers and business professionals as well as our butcher and my hair dresser, as did everyone else. It turned out to be an event of unequaled proportions. Father, long known by people here as everywhere, could easily have charged a great deal considering the amount of interest. People wanted to see for themselves the Reverend Moon. They were not disappointed.

The event began a little after 7pm and we saw the video explaining Father's lifetime achievements. The minister from Unity Church of Costa Rica said, "I never knew he (Rev. Moon) had done so much, I mean so many programs." Many of my contacts were happy to attend because it is the nicest hotel in the country. People mentioned that if we had not invited them, they would never have had a good enough reason to be there. One person even admitted that he and his wife had wanted an excuse to have a night out together and had never experienced anything like what they got from Father.

It came as a real shock to people that the few Japanese Women's Federation members here could afford to put on such a lavish banquet. It gave them a whole new perspective. When the Women's Federation began inviting people, they were concerned that they would not be able to afford the expense, as the average income here is a little over $10 a day. Imagine finding you were invited to the nicest banquet hall in the country for a steak dinner, and to hear the world-famous Reverend Sun Myung Moon. Your only responsibility was to actually get yourself there.

Father began by expressing how beautiful the countryside was, and how wonderful it was to find such a democratic country. To these people it was such a compliment to hear from a man who had spent his life traveling the world. It was not hard for them to listen to his speech concerning the mission of the Messiah and how we could come to God only through the Messiah. I was impressed to hear from my contacts after the message and banquet that two of my contacts who had been reluctant had decided to go to the next Blessing. I was further warmed by Father when after giving his speech he invited us up to his hotel room and spent almost three hours more comforting us and expressing his interest in blessing the members and all the people of Costa Rica. If anyone had doubts about what Father came to do it is clear now. He came to bring the Blessing to everyone. I was deeply moved.

The press as usual was not positive, which is not surprising, since the country is 90% Catholic and the Roman Catholic Church has a great deal of influence. There are three English language papers here; two said nothing, but one had to make some comments. They included the fact that the North American guests were not told that Rev. Moon was the main speaker, but we had only had invitations in Spanish, so I am afraid many did not know. The paper made note of this as well as Father's claim that because of his (Father's) influence, atheistic communism failed. My husband helped me out to get a response that showed how Mother Teresa in India, now famous throughout the world, had been badly shunned and scolded for her efforts, and that Rev. Moon received the same unjust treatment. There were no further arguments against Father's visit and those who know us and saw the letter agreed that it was the best way to stop any negative responses.

I enjoyed pointed out to the English reading public that Father is 74 years old and though he may be a bit eccentric, he is not now nor has he ever been a threat to those who love and live for God.

This was Father's first visit and I hope not his last. It is a miracle that, at his age, he can still speak to us with such vigor, and that he can perform with such stamina covering over 20 countries in his Central and South American tour. I have always admired Father's way of doing things and was not disappointed nor were any of the others who attended True Parents on their visit here.

Deerpark Family Festival 1995

by Mark Turegano-Port Jervis, NY

The Second Annual Deerpark Family Festival took place this year at New Hope Farms from July 6th through the 9th. Over 15,000 people came to the fair and enjoyed a wide variety of amusement rides, entertainment, and, of course, food.

Because of the large turnout and the magnitude of the event, this festival has become the main celebration not only for the Town of Deerpark but for the entire tri-state region. As such the Organizing Committee for the event is comprised of all the local political leaders, both Democrat and Republican, as well as of the main service groups in the town.

All who worked on the committee, which began its preparations in August of last year right after the first festival, shared a common vision, namely, that it is absolutely essential to reinforce family values and to promote wholesome entertainment that an entire family can enjoy together. Because of this all the volunteers set aside political and personal interests and worked public-mindedly and tirelessly for the event, which is the main reason it has become so successful.

Some of the special guests who addressed the crowd at the Festival's Opening Ceremonies were Congressman Ben Gilman, County Sheriff Frank Bigger (a Deerpark resident), and the Speaker of the Orange County Legislature Roberta Murphy. Mrs. Murphy, a very energetic political figure who is in her seventies, got into the spirit of the Festival and encouraged one of the younger members of the legislature who was also at the opening ceremonies to start dancing to the featured Country Western Band right in the spectator pavilion, while she and the wife of the County Sheriff clapped out a rousing dance beat.

Recognition of the significance of the festival did not end at the county level, however. A congratulatory letter praising the festival and its spirit was sent from the White House; it was signed by Bill Clinton, who along with Hillary Clinton sent their best wishes for the event.

The centerpiece of the festival was the carnival, which featured rides for both kiddies and teenagers. There was also a craft and food vendor area where over 100 vendors set up games, clothing & jewelry boutiques, every imaginable type of food, and even a trout pond, where would-be fishermen could catch and take home rainbow trout, some of which were almost a foot long. Country Western Music rounded out the main attractions and played to the two covered spectator pavilions. It was here that Grandma and Grampa and even Mom and Dad could relax while the kids enjoyed the rides and fun.

Fun came in many forms. Saturday night featured a spectacular fireworks display that was watched by over 5,000 people. In preparation for the show, the Carl Richards Band played to an excited, swelling crowd. The celebration spirit was infectious and about two dozen children between the ages of 1 and 10 came up to the stage and danced right up to the start of the fireworks show. The fireworks, which were presented by Legion Fireworks from Wappingers Falls delighted all and even intrigued some of the horses on the property who watched the show through their stall windows.

In addition to the main attractions, a vast array of shows, demonstrations, and contests filled the four days. A Classic Car Show that featured Model T's, Model A's, '57 Chevy's, and the immortal 1966 Mustang brought car enthusiasts from the entire tri-state region. The Mid-Hudson Rescue squad demonstrated state-of-the-art equipment that enables them to rescue victims trapped inside mangled automobiles. There was a synchronized Harley Davidson Motorcycle exhibition done by a renowned Motorcycle drill team. An appearance was also made by the United States Soccer Team who set up a goal and challenged daring spectators to better the speed of their kicks that were measured by radar guns provided by State Troopers.

Local talent was also in abundance for proud parents and friends as both local Dance and Karate Schools put on first class shows. The Port Jervis High Cheerleaders also showed their spirit and entertained the crowds with their latest cheers and acrobatics. A "Love Our Kids" Contest was sponsored and judged by the Lions Club who offered ribbons and Certificates to "adorable" youthful competitors in age categories that ranged from 0 to 10 years old.

Finally, an essay contest was held in the local schools in conjunction with the festival. The theme that the students were to write on was "What Family Means to Me." All the essays submitted were very touching and inspiring and revealed how vastly important the security of the family unit and love is to all children.

One first grader said it very succinctly, "Your family loves you best, so love them good too." A high school competitor put her feelings about family more humorously. She wrote, "My family are the people I can have a bad hair day around and not be the least worried." The winner of the contest summed it up best; she affirmed, "All the money in the world won't make up for missing out on family. You can't buy love. Money can't buy you a family or their love."

Overall, the event was viewed as an unqualified success by everyone, not just in the turnout, which was substantial, but in the spirit and tone of the event. Even the carnival management said the festival was the cleanest and most wholesome event they have come to. "Kind of like Sunday School ...," one of the carnival's coordinators commented, "compared to other places we have gone." Ultimately, the reason for the success was that the entire committee of townspeople and officials were all united around the theme of the family and putting the whole before self. These are values that are the essence of the vision of Rev. Moon, and when they are applied, they work-and work well they did at the Second Deerpark Family Festival.

Camp Harmony is the Hottest Ever!

by June Orland Kiburz-Westchester, IL

Little did we know how hot our 7-day Principle workshop was going to be. Without thermometer, TV or newspaper we couldn't know exactly, but we later discovered that we were participating in a heatwave with record-breaking highs of upwards of 106 degrees. Regardless of that, campers and staff found many creative ways in nature to beat the heat and we all grew closer through the shared experience.

This year we sponsored a 7-day Principle experience at Camp Harmony, Illinois, from July 9th through July 15th for those children between the ages of 10 and 14. Though we missed the younger age children, we realized we could teach inner content to this age group that is not usually received by the little ones. We invited all the children from both Region 5 and Region 6 and had a very good response of children attending. Our difficulty was that we could not find enough adult staff this year. We had to limit the number of children, since the child to staff ratio was not acceptable to allow for the personal attention the children need for a high quality and safe camp experience.

My parents, Drs. Frank and Phyllis Orland, extended their help with the preparations for the camp, as Camp Harmony was held at our family farm in northwestern Illinois on a bluff overlooking beautiful Lost Lake. Mrs. Kathleen Sometani, along with my husband and myself, coordinated the camp program. We are so grateful to the five adult staff members for all their fine help.

We received 29 children this year, ranging in age from 10 to 14, with a team of younger age children (the younger children of the staff members). We feel that the internal unity of heart of the staff provided a clear spiritual foundation for the camp experience where all the three kingships could be represented: grandparents, parents and children.

Children attended from six states: Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Kathleen and I team-taught the Divine Principle lessons and together with the staff of five we all helped with team leading, morning exercises, craft instruction, kitchen work and water safety. Alanna Kim and my mother gave their hearts in food preparation; John and Claudine Wojtiewicz led the boys' team; and Kathleen Sometani, assisted by Susan Edwards, led one of the two girls' teams while I led the other.

We creatively adapted our formal teaching styles to this mixed age group by using objects from the creation, flannelboard pictures, illustrations and stories from various books, the markerboard, and videotapes on aspects of the Principle. With the expertise of two Montessori teachers and two Sunday School teachers, we had a wide range of teachings styles and experience to rely upon. This 7-day camp allowed us the time to teach more in-depth on the Principle of Creation, the Fall, the Mission of Jesus, the Principles of Restoration, the courses of Jacob, Joseph and Moses, True Parents' lives, and projects of the Unification Movement, enhanced by staff members sharing their personal experiences in the movement.

Morning service was always a fresh and vital time with several unique and creative approaches to offering our day to God. Kathleen Sometani nearly lost her voice by the end of camp because she gave so enthusiastically with her talents in instruction, singing and guitar playing. My mother, Dr. Phyllis Orland, enjoyed teaching the children a nature lesson on the native plants and animals, including poison ivy and deer and wood ticks. She's wonderful to have on hand, not only because she's my mom and a physician, but because she lovingly cares for each child's scrapes, slivers and homesick or hurt feelings that do come up.

To help encourage building heavenly relationships, we developed two fresh, new teaching aids. The first was the "validation board" and the second was "secret pals," which some campers who attended Camp Sunrise last year highly recommended. The validation board consists of a poster board with a business envelope attached for each person, including the staff. Each person decorated their envelopes in their own unique way. Then we filled out special slips of paper telling another person how we appreciate and love them, such as "I cherish you because..." or "I applaud you because..." and placed these in another's envelope. What a boost at the end of a day to check our envelopes and receive admiration and support. Sometimes it's so rare that we affirm one another directly, adults included! The children and staff particularly enjoyed picking a "secret pal" and serving that person for two days. I heard many campers received meals and drinks served to them without my asking, along with special notes and treats in their envelopes. Then came the excitement of revealing the secret identities. It was tough work for most of us to figure out our secret pals-we all did a great job of serving secretly.

This year we involved the teams in the set-up and take-down of the meals and overall cleanup. This helped immensely and allowed our youngsters the opportunity to participate in taking responsibility. Other activities included swimming every day and more unique outings such as hiking in Clear Creek, climbing Castle Rock (which overlooks the Rock River), nature trails, T-shirt painting, various crafts with yarn and popsicle sticks, still-life painting, bead loom work, volleyball and berry-picking. Two raccoon families even visited us! One set of raccoon babies was so unafraid that we could get very close to them. They were very sweet!

We had a great time getting to know one another. Shared experiences such as creative ways to beat the heat during lessons (lots of fans, freeze-pops-so sweet-and face splashes with cold well-water along with daily swims cooling off in Lost Lake) allowed us to feel close, like a family. One evening closed with a songfest around a roaring campfire at which we indulged in the melted chocolate-marshmallow-graham cracker stickiness of s'mores, a favorite American camp treat. Too sweet!

Our graduation ceremony with parents attending was highlighted by delightful skits that each team presented. The boys' play was called "The Battle of the Thoughts," where armies of "good thoughts" and "bad thoughts" battled it out on stage. The boys began to understand the inner conflict as well as their control over it. The older girls' team produced two plays: "Praying" which taught that prayer is a conversation with God, and "I'm Nice to Everybody" which showed us that what we learn about kindness must be practiced before it becomes real. My team of girls performed "Hilda the Good-for-Nothing Bunny" which illustrated that differences in looks and abilities are positive and part of what makes everyone special. It also taught how damaging put-downs are. Watching the performances and the ways the children creatively expressed their roles with costumes and props was everything from charming to hilarious!

Camp Harmony 1995 was organized through the combined foundations of Kathleen Sometani's Sunday School program and the Kiburz's Tribal Messiah work, and offered to all church members and families of Regions 5 and 6 and their guests. In many ways, the summer camp was truly a Family Federation event, with parents working together and with my family (the Orlands) participating. The parents paid all the fees to cover the expenses of the camp, and staff members stayed free of charge.

I marvel each year at how the children change and grow and develop their relationships with one another. Many maintain pen-pals to keep the friendships alive from camp. I believe these relationships will sustain them as they meet their challenges during the year.

Through this summer camp experience offered to the children, I could understand that now is the time for us to take creative initiative to support one another in relationship. Our True Parents have given a great vision, and now our heavenly desires, expressed with strong, clear intention, can manifest in a world of pure love. The key principle learned from the children is the building of reciprocal relationships with God and with one another.

My husband and I have made a videotape of Camp Harmony 1995. The tape contains selected, memorable scenes from the lessons, crafts and outings. If you would like to receive a copy, send $12.00 (includes shipping and handling). Likewise, at your request, we can send you camp materials to help prepare a camp in your local area. Make checks payable to: Jack Kiburz, 1801 Buckingham Ave., Westchester, IL 60154.

Angelenos Celebrate National Parents' Day

by Sally Brownlee Imoto-South Gate, CA

South Gate may be a small city within the metropolis of Los Angeles, but it's very big on the subject of kids and families. This past Sunday, National Parents' Day, residents of many races and national backgrounds gathered together to celebrate America's newest holiday and to honor 12 local couples as outstanding South Gate parents.

Uniting to plan the joyful celebration were Police Chief/City Administrator Ronald P. George, Mayor Albert Robles, Marcos Vega, a volunteer for the Commission on South Gate Youth, and Godwin D'Silva and Susan Janer from the South Gate Parents' Day Coalition.

Across the board, the couples honored demonstrated a commitment to their children. They bothered to become active and involved in their children's lives, at their schools, in the PTA and on committees, and were faithfully present at most school activities. In addition, many also did volunteer work with young people through churches, Scouting, and sports activities. Some have even opened their homes to foster children in addition to their own birth children.

"Across the religious and political landscape we are seeing something fundamentally wrong that cannot be solved by government alone, but only by the love of parents," said Godwin D'Silva. The parents honored in South Gate are actively trying to right that wrong, and for all of South Gate's children, not just their own. They give generously of their time and of themselves, and they are the glue that binds the community together.

Henry and Teresa Gonzalez, for example, were nominated for the award by South Gate High School because "they always give freely of their time and energy to assist academic and extracurricular activities at the high school." Mr. Gonzalez has served as president of the South Gate High Booster Club for the past 25 years, and Mrs. Gonzalez has coordinated the C.A.P. testing and homecoming activities. Together they sponsor the annual football kick-off dinner.

In his 29 years in law enforcement, Chief George said he has talked to hundreds of young people who committed every possible type of crime. "If you trace back serious trouble with young people, you'll find that there's a lack of parental concern somewhere along the line," he said.

"It just shows you what a powerful thing it is in a family when parents are not there," he added.

George said several years ago he got interested in finding out what kept the good kids good, and he began asking honor students and award winners what kept them away from drugs, gangs, sex and alcohol. "The answer invariably was, `I didn't want to hurt my parents'."

"That's how much you influence the future success or lack of success of your children," George added. "That's how much power and control parents have."

George said parents today are facing challenges unheard of when he was growing up in the late '50s and early '60s, when the major school problems were such offenses as chewing gum in the classroom or "the felony" of smoking in the bathroom.

By contrast, he said, what we're seeing today is kids bringing guns, knives and drugs to school, and assaulting teachers, staff and each other.

"Today there are school that instead of having a fire drill have a drive-by-shooting drill," he said. There are schools in the L.A. Unified School District in the Valley in which "when the teacher yells a certain command, the kids drop to the floor and hide."

"Fears can have a great hold on kids in those situations," he added.

George quoted Ephesians 4:29, which reads, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only that which is helpful to the listeners, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." He warned that parents' offhand comments can cripple a child's self-image and limit his possibilities. For example, when the teachers says your child has a "charming personality," don't destroy the compliment by saying, "I wish he'd show some of that charm around here."

And above all, he said, quoting Oliver Wendell Holmes, "Don't take away the dreams of your children."

George said the pressure parents put on kids can prevent them from realizing their full potential.

He observed that parents are usually pretty involved with their children at the grade school level, but back off when the youngsters hit middle school. "Don't do it," he said. "Hold them even tighter. Be involved in their lives. Find out who their friends are, and where they're going, what they're doing." George said in high school parents should be closer yet. "Hold onto your children with your hands, and put your arms around their shoulders and don't let go."

Marcos Vega of the Commission for South Gate Youth said one of the things that's wrong with America today is that we have lost the value of families as very important. "No success in the world can compensate for failure at home," he said. "Either we are successful in nurturing our young people in the home, or we pay for it at some point in the future."

South Gate Middle School Principal Tony Sandoval stressed the value of fathers in children's lives. "We all know the value of mothers, but fathers are equally important." Sandoval said in his work as a principal he handles discipline matters, and often within two to three minutes of meeting a young man adorned with tattoos, buzz haircut and chains, he sees the very tough-looking young man's eyes well up and then start to cry when he says, "You haven't seen your father in a very long time, have you?"

And invariably this is the case.

A Purity Pledge Ceremony To Empower Our Second Generation

by Kathleen Burton-New Haven, CT

When I was a Divinity student studying for the ministry at UTS, I came across an article in a Christian ministry magazine that captured my attention. Ministers were inaugurating A Chastity Pledge from their children by giving them a special ring as a symbol of their pledge to maintain their purity until marriage. What a breath of fresh air this article was in view of the state of youth in society today and its denigrating attitude concerning chastity and the sacredness of intimacy.

My daughter, Nurie, was only 10 at that time, yet the idea was planted in my mind, and only a few months later True Father visited UTS and gave money to be divided among the children in Barrytown. It was this money that I had Nurie keep as the seed money for her Purity Pledge Ceremony ring when she would turn 16. How the time flew by! She is attending Sacred Heart Academy, a Catholic Girls' High School, and the news traveled fast about the special ceremony Nurie was having on her 16th birthday. David and I went with her to choose the ring and she was so excited! One day, it will be replaced by her Blessing ring. She decided to invite four of her friends from school to attend the ceremony we had at our home. Nurie is one year older than most of her friends (since she stayed back a year upon our return from years in France), and now I can see how God had planned this, because now many of her friends want to plan a similar ceremony next year in their homes and in their religious traditions for their 16th birthday!

I have included a copy of the short service we planned and a photo we took afterward (Nurie is at the top right). In my Easter letter to our tribe across the country, I spoke about The Purity Pledge Ceremony and now stories are coming back to me of how family and friends have spoken to others of the idea. Multiplying goodness is such a great feeling!

I don't know if other blessed couples would find this idea a good one to incorporate into their family tradition. All I can do is share the deep experience the ceremony was for myself, my husband and our daughter. Each of her friends asked if they could share their thoughts at the end and one of them was moved to tears.

Our young people today, Unificationist or not, need all the encouragement we can give them when they make this kind of commitment. The opposition is unrelenting, so we are grateful to have had this chance to let God and our daughter know that we believe in her, in her convictions and in her example to other young people.

Purity Pledge

On this my 16th birthday,
Before Heavenly Father and True Parents,
I make this solemn pledge.

Heavenly Father, I know your heart was broken
When Eve betrayed your Commandment.
I wish to take this pledge of purity until the Blessing
To comfort Your heart
and to fulfill my responsibility,
To my future spouse,
To our future family,
And to our future descendants,
To realize the 3 Blessings of Your Original Ideal of Creation
I wear this ring as a symbol of my pledge
As I wait in purity and faith until my Blessing.
This I pledge and swear
In True Parents' Names,

Amen.

8th Annual Jin-A Graduation Ceremony

by Simon Tuffnel-Long Island City, NY

On June 28th of this year, Jin-A Child Care Center held its 8th annual graduation ceremony. It was a marvelous experience for both parents and children, to see the beautiful and innocent smiling faces of the 32 graduates who would become the class of 95. They are ready to go to Kindergarten with a wonderful preschool education as their foundation.

The teachers at Jin-A do their very best to help these special children uncover their unique gifts from God. Because of this, they are confident the children will always remember their wonderful school on the hill, their friends and teachers, and leave with many precious memories.

The day was blessed with good weather, the sun was shining all day and a tent had been prepared for the festivities. Everyone enjoyed watching the children sing and dance and even demonstrate their Karate skills. Following this was the raffle organized by Mr. Ken Hendricks, the outgoing JPA president and Mrs. Sue Ferabolli. There were many excellent prizes, not least of which was a trip for two people to Niagara Falls and also a TV/VCR combo. We were especially grateful to the many business's and individuals who donated prizes, without whom the raffle could not have been so successful.

Although she was still packing for her long journey to her husbands hometown in Australia, Mrs. Mamiko Rattley was able to attend the graduation and give a farewell speech. This was a touching moment because it was Mrs. Rattley who, along with the support of HSA leaders, had founded Jin-A Child Care Center in 1986. She shared with us some of the difficulties of the past eight years, but told us that the victory of seeing the smiles and hearing the voices of the laughing children who were graduating makes all the struggles worthwhile. Since 1986, more than 300 children have graduated from Jin-A and over 500 have attended the program.

Jin-A has a beautiful environment for children, deep in Gods creation. It is a pioneer for a new approach in teaching; "Shim-Jung Education", or education with heart. This program embraces children from all races and religions and provides a variety of experiences to nurture and educate the whole child; heart, mind and body.

Goals of our program:

* Promoting self-help, independence and decision making.

* Building self-esteem and a positive self concept.

* Encouraging each child to express their unique creativity; providing opportunities for development of their potential, while supporting their own style of learning.

* Focusing on social readiness and making healthy relationships with family and peers.

* Developing basic concepts and thinking skills as the foundation for future education. Inspiring the child's natural curiosity and inquisitiveness, to encourage lifelong learning.

* Fostering an appreciation of traditional family values.

* Our religious goal is to provide a foundation for each child to live, grow and pray in their own faith and in harmony with other faiths. The virtues of love, faith and hope are our unifying goals and are the basis of loving and caring relationships.

Jin-A Child Care Center is committed to strive for the highest standards in Early Childhood Education.

Mrs. Christine Brunkhorst, the director of Jin-A, and herself a mother of two, told us what an enormous foundation Jin-A has given to her children. She went on to say that the most precious part of all is that the relationships and friendships started here can grow throughout the years to come. It becomes especially important during the teenage years to have friendships with other blessed children to help stay pure and connected to the True Family. It is such a great blessing when children can be in a protected environment in their early years of life.

Next September Jin-A is proud to start its first Kindergarten class. Please call for information about any of the programs at 201-279-1203.

"I Can't Believe It's Snowing In June!"

by Kristina Seher-Berkeley, CA

The Sunshine School took its annual camping trip to spectacular Yosemite National Park in Northern California June 6-9. Twenty seven students in grades 2-8, along with their teachers, Brenna Iredale, Susan Liebermann, Poppy Richie and I, and several volunteer dads, Jan DeGoede, Nicholas Buscovich, Bill Bechtel and Richard Zinke, made the trip.

We were expecting balmy June weather. Last year the temperature at Yosemite the same week in June had reached over 100 degrees! Everyone packed shorts and tee shirts and we even brought our bathing suits (even though the crystal clear waters there are formed from the melting snowpack and are just above freezing temperature). The first day we set up our tents and arranged our campsite. We camped in a beautiful spot, nestled among majestic redwoods, just beside a spectacular mountain meadow filled with songbirds and wildflowers. There have been several incidents this spring in Yosemite with bears in the campsites, so the rangers warned us not to leave even a candy wrapper in our pockets or in a locked car. Some bears had destroyed cars in order to get food inside. We spent the first evening "bear- proofing" our camp. We carefully stored our food in special metal "bear boxes" and carried every last little scrap of candy wrappers to special bear-proof garbage cans. I even got up in the middle of the night, remembering in horror that my daughter had smeared marshmallow on her pancho while roasting s'mores. I had visions of bears slashing apart her tent, smelling the marshmallows. I hiked up the hill in the dark with the pancho and washed it in freezing cold water to insure that no bears were attracted.

The next day we all woke up, alive and in one piece! No one had seen a bear in camp-although several students thought they saw something big and furry which they were pretty sure was a bear! We didn't see one all week, as a matter of fact.

Each day was packed with wonderful experiences. We had morning service and meditation time in the beautiful meadow, bathed by the warm sun. Breakfast and dinner were cooked over the campfire, with students whittling their own roasting sticks for marshmallows and hot dogs. During the day we took long and exciting hikes. The first day we hiked around Mirror Lake, at the foot of Half Dome.

The second day we had a thrilling climb up a very narrow and steep trail along the side of a rushing, roaring waterfall-Vernal Falls. There was so much snow melting in the peaks (which we could see all around us) that the river was fuller than it had been in decades. The water roared past us, over us, and down our necks and shoes as we valiantly climbed and climbed. Though it was very long and steep, I am so proud of the Sunshine School kids-not one person complained or wanted to quit. Finally, we reached the top. We stood right next to the river and touched the wall of water as it plunged over the cliff. Then we sat in the warm sun and ate our lunches, soaked but totally victorious!

As we began our descent (just as wet and dangerous as the ascent), clouds rolled in, chilling us. By the time we made it down the mountain, it appeared that we were in for a Sierra storm. To our amazement, as we approached our campsite, not rain, but snow began to fall! It piled up on the tree branches, gilding them with white. It lay thick enough on the ground to make snowmen and (of course) snowballs! We stopped long enough to have a good snowball fight and then rushed back to camp to change into dry clothes. For some kids, it was the first time they had ever touched snow! That night we built up a blazing campfire and after dinner we had a hilarious game of "Creation Charades," bathed in its warmth.

Another day we spent just playing "Pinecone Baseball," coached by Nicholas Buscovich, and doing watercolor paintings of the beauty all around us in the meadow. We visited an authentic Ahwahnee Native American village, still used by the Ahwahneechees, to learn how they had successfully lived off the land. We visited the gift shop and kids bought special souvenirs of the trip. Each night we ended with song, circle, and prayer.

It was a wonderful trip. No one wanted to return to civilization at the end of the week. We all felt closer to Heavenly Father through the drama and exquisite beauty of His Creation.