London, United Kingdom, 30th September 2012
by Mrs Patricia Hartley
On Sunday 30th September, 2012, around 600 people gathered for the memorial service which was held for Rev. Moon at the Friends House in London. It was significant that this particular venue was the very same hall where Father Moon had first spoken in public to a British audience in March 1972, when he delivered three speeches on three consecutive evenings. A few of the members present could recall that time forty years ago.
At five minutes to 2 o’clock in the afternoon, candles were lit on either side of the official picture of True Father, where colourful flowers adorned the altar. At 2 o’clock, welcoming remarks were given by the UK national leader and MC for the event, Mr Jack Corley. A reflective atmosphere was created when the headquarters music ministry led the singing of a few carefully chosen songs such as, Spring Song of Eden, Heart of the Father and The Father’s Dwelling Place.
Opening prayers were offered by Ambassadors for Peace representing the Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh and Unificationist faiths. A beautiful Power Point presentation accompanied by the soundtrack of Amazing Grace was shown of Father Moon, which touched the hearts of everyone attending the service. This was followed by a wonderful testimony from the European Vice Chairman of the Unification Movement, Mr Timothy Miller. He was one of those who had attended one of Father Moon’s speeches at the same location forty years earlier.
The service continued with offerings of songs, poetry readings and testimonials from many Ambassadors for Peace who had met Father Moon over the years and who admired his tireless work for peace and his vision for a new future for people of all faiths. One inspiring segment was the showing of testimonies by video. These included a recording of the moving eulogy given by Lord Tarsem King of West Bromwich at Father Moon’s Seonghwa ceremony in Korea, Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, Mr Virendra Sharma MP and Mr Keith Bennett, a business consultant working in North Korea.
The programme was interspersed by beautiful musical pieces including a beautiful rendering of An Ephesian Prayer, by the trio of Betty and Cathleen Moloney and Hannah Huish, a rousing and moving rendition of Amazing Grace and Abide With Me by famous Nigerian-born singer, Mrs Patti Boulaye. Also included was a performance of, This is what Faith Can Do by the South London Community band, Harmony of Youth, a solo performance of her own song, World Above, by Mrs Louise Rawlence and a Japanese and Korean song, performed by 15 Japanese sisters who live in the UK.
The UPF European Secretary General, Mr Mark Brann and the WFWP UK Director, Mrs Mitty Tohma, spoke briefly about the vital work now being done in nations all over the world thanks to the vision of the founder and co-founder of these two organizations, Father and Mother Moon.
One particular testimonial to True Father was from a young British second generation pastor, Matthew Huish, who struck a chord with those present, when he explained that he owed his very existence to Father Moon because his parents had been selected by Father Moon from different nations, giving birth to children like himself and that later, his wife had been selected for him and now they too have children. A similar testimony was shared later by Christa Kamga, the daughter of an African father and a German mother.
Towards the end of the service, Ambassadors for Peace and Unification Movement representatives each took a flower and reverently placed it beside the picture of True Father. After this had taken place, everyone stood to sing, Blessing of Glory after which the MC gave the closing remarks and then asked everyone to continue their conversations outside the building. Due to the desire of so many wishing to pay their respects and despite repeated requests to limit their presentations we went way over our allotted time, something which True Father himself would have thoroughly understood.
Ambassadors for Peace Comments
Bianca Madison, Ambassador for Peace
The best Memorial Service I ever attended. I cried throughout as I was very moved. I will read Father Moon's autobiography again.
Dr. Sarah Lewis, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David
I'm so glad I came; it felt like a family gathering, although there were hundreds of people. When I think of Rev. Moon and that he's not with us, tears come to my eyes.
Dr. Iftikhar Ayaz, Ambassador for Peace
The world has lost a beacon of peace and unification of entire humanity. We must remain united to continue to strive to carry on his mission.
Mr Edwin Shuker, Vice President, International Sephardic Congress - Dr. Sarah Lewis, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David - Mr Tim Miller, Vice Chair UC Europe - Prof. Harbhajan Singh reciting a poem in honour of Father – Mr. Matthew Huish, pastor UK – Bromley community
Music Ministry band – Interfaith representatives
Dr. Naznin Hirji, Ismailei Community
I feel very emotional looking at this audience seeing people of all cultures and backgrounds, and this work of Father Moon alone moves me very much.
Edwin Shuker, Vice President of the World Sephardic Council
The most dignified, most beautiful Memorial Service and I've been to many that touched the hearts of people. You can see why Rev. Moon is such a great man. Thank you for giving me and other AFPs the opportunity to speak; it was such an honour. Sometimes I felt Rev. Moon was like my father because of his embracing heart and smile. I've met some of his children and they're great because of their father. Rev. Moon did activities not because he was a business man but because of his love for God. I hope his works will continue with his heart and Spirit.
Keith Bennett, Business Consultant to China and North Korea (on video)
Father Moon was a truly unique figure, who has left his mark on the world, on history and on the future, through his more than nine decades of service and sacrifice, based on living for the sake of others as a peace-loving global citizen.
Father Moon's work and example touched all continents and countries and there are so many people better qualified than myself to reflect on different aspects of his unique contribution.
However, Father Moon's teachings of peace, reconciliation and love are nowhere more relevant and needed than in his own beloved home country of Korea.
Father Moon felt the acute pain and agony of the divided Korean people every day of his life on this earth and in every fibre of his being. What he did to help resolve this needed courage, vision and wisdom. These he possessed in great measure.
When Father Moon ventured to Pyongyang and met with President Kim Il Sung, he amazed the world and changed the course of history. All subsequent positive steps that have occurred on the Korean peninsula, every ray of hope, had its genesis in Father's brave steps more than two decades ago. On my own numerous visits to North Korea, I have seen ample evidence of the fruits harvested by Father's work and that of the Unification movement, from the cars assembled, to the hotels renovated, to the buildings and facilities constructed, but above all in the appreciation and love felt by people in North Korea from many walks of life for Father Moon, for Mother, for the members of the family and for the Unification movement.
One might say that in the friendship that has now been established between the Moon and Kim families over generations we see in microcosm the future unity not only of the Korean people but of a single human family. For this, and for so much else, I bow in humble reverence before Father Moon.
Lola Ayonrinde, former mayor of the London Borough of Wandsworth (1994-2006)
I discovered that the Unification Movement presented a unique opportunity to promote and achieve peace within individuals, and between the wider communities. It is an agenda that I believe Christians, Moslems, Buddhists and politicians are trying to achieve. Rev. Moon's approach effectively addressed the root cause of a lot of problems in today's Britain, which starts from dysfunctional family life. He did not live in the present or future, but in the eternal! I am left with a memory of my visit to Jerusalem as part of European delegation organised by Rev Moon's organisation, to see first-hand the reconciliation and peace programmes between the Israelis and Palestinians.
Rev Moon has returned to his Father, the God of all, irrespective of race religion faith culture and nationality
Thank you and Adieu Father Moon
Khadija Hussein, Founder and Leader of Sudanese Mothers for Peace
I had the honour of meeting Father Moon at an Interfaith Workshop in the New Yorker Hotel for 40 days. I was inspired by Father's values and systems and principles. This opened a better way for me for my work of peace in Sudan. He will be living in our hearts forever. I was deeply moved by this afternoon's Memorial Service.