Tim Read
May 16, 2011
First Day: Arrival and Settling in
True Parents surely had great expectations for the success of their three-night, four-day visit to London after the wonderful experience of their last visit six years previously.
On arrival at London’s Luton Airport, they transferred to the Hilton London Metropole on Edgeware Road, just half a mile from the scene of two much earlier visits, in 1974 to the Royal Lancaster Hotel for the 3rd International Conference for the Unity of the Sciences and in 1978 to the Unification Movement Headquarters in Lancaster Gate at the time of the Home Church Campaign.
True Parents were greeted in their hotel suite by Simon and Chieko Cooper, National Leaders for the United Kingdom, who along with other European and UK leaders were blessed with a nearly three hour intimate interaction with True Parents.
“Are all Blessed Families distributing 430 copies of my autobiography? Where does tradition come from? You must resemble your parents! People say they are the sons and daughters of God, but are they really acting like that and then making their tribe just as True Parents are making 12 tribes? What are you doing with the Blessing? Are you doing better than your parents? True Parents blessed Jesus and the religious founders – they are your brothers and sisters. There should be only one tradition! People must read the textbooks and come to resemble True Parents through even seven or fifteen generations. You received the Blessing, but the tradition is now enshrined in the eight textbooks.”
This first meeting in True Parents’ suite ended with a duet: Mother’s dulcet soprano tones, as always, contrasting with the earthy bass rendering by Father of the lyrical Korean folk songs which they have made their trademark. This was followed by a late lunch in the hotel.
Second Day: Exploring Britain’s Religious and Nautical Traditions
Upon the second day, the party left the hotel on Edgware Road, swung by Buckingham Palace, and took a walk in the beautiful St. James Park, full of flowers, birds and squirrels. The services of a Korean tour guide very knowledgeable in British history enhanced the visit to Westminster Abbey, the site of the coronation of Kings and Queens since 1066.
The party went on the London Eye [the tallest Ferris wheel in Europe] where they enjoyed the fantastic views over London on this clear blue sky day, then to Blackfriars Pier on the Thames River.
The trip up and down the river for two hours from twelve midday was graced with very pleasant weather, delicious food, and the very best company! Everyone started off inside the boat eating lunch but then went outside to the stern where True Parents were relaxed and smiling, joining in singing the children’s song “London Bridge is falling down,” and taking lots of photographs.
Third Day: Parliament Taken by Storm and a Sell-out Evening Programme
The third day began with a special event in the Houses of Parliament. True Mother was the honored guest of Lord Tarsem, King of West Bromwich, who received her party at the Peers entrance to the House of Lords and took them on a 40 minute tour of the impressive public rooms and the Chamber where the Queen opens Parliament and the members of the House of Lords meet to debate legislation.
By 10:45a.m. they entered the largest Committee Room in the House of Commons, over-looking the Thames, for a gathering organized by Member of Parliament, Dave Anderson, who has supported the work of UPF from the Middle East Peace Initiative to proposals to launch a low cost housing project. In his speech he reported how pressure had been brought to bear on him to try and prevent the meeting:
“I will be very clear, because there have been attempts in the past 24 hours to attack the UPF for what they are trying to do here. I am not, never have been, and probably never will be a member of the UPF. I don’t support its political or religious philosophy or believe that the only way of peace is through God, but what I do believe is that it will be one way for some people to support peace, and I believe that that is good thing. I believe that if other people with responsibility in the press and the media and other parts of this country were at least to say what is true, to reach out to people, find and build peace through dialogue, through listening to people and not through attacking people, that this would be only for the good. I believe that is the responsibility of people who genuinely want to find a light for the future. And that’s why I am really, really pleased to help this event today. You all know as well as I do the tensions that are in the world today, the only answer is when people of good faith come together and start to find the way forward. I do wish you all success here today.”
Next spoke Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake who has responsibility in government for “the whole agenda of community cohesion, in other words faith communities in the UK, working together to identify common ground, and common purpose, and get an understanding of where they stand on different issues, and perhaps dispelling some of the myths that exist around the different religions.” Hence the reason for his presence at the meeting to support the work that UPF is doing through racial and interfaith dialogue. He wished UPF well for its further development, to make sure that we have stronger working relationships between the faiths, at a time that this is so much needed nationally and internationally.
A welcome address was also given by Lord Tarsem King, the Patron of UPF in the UK and the first representative of the Sikh faith to become a member of the House of Lords:
“Father Moon has worked all his life to create peaceful situations. His autobiography came out recently; I understand it was a best-seller in South Korea. I am sure that when it reaches here, that it will become a best seller in this country too. The sooner we realize and take advantage of the teaching of the Reverend Moon, the better off we will be. Dr. Moon is very special, and I think he has a unique vision in the world to influence for good what is happening. If the slogan One Family under God really takes off, we will avoid the difficulties that we are going through now, so I am really looking forward to our special guests’ speech this afternoon, and once again I welcome you.”
As well as offering a welcome, Lord King offered an apology to the Rev. and Mrs. Moon for the inconsiderate treatment they had received at the airport two days previously when their entry had been delayed, due to the failure of the British Home Office to communicate assurances given to British Parliamentarians that Father Moon would be allowed to enter without any need for prior clearance. Lord King assured True Mother that he had already made a complaint to the Border Agency and would continue to press for an explanation and apology for this lack of courtesy to an honored guest to our nation.
True Mother was introduced to offer her keynote address by her daughter In Jin Moon, who spoke movingly of her personal experience, but also of True Mother’s mission and early life, the important organizations such as the Women’s Federation for World Peace in which she played a leading role, and the significance of her position as True Mother. In particular she hailed Mother as a liberator for all women and cited this as one of the most important achievements of True Parents for which she expects them to be remembered in 200 years’ time.
The Founder’s Special Address
In the evening it was her younger brother Hyung Jin Moon’s opportunity to do the honors by introducing his father’s Founder’s Address. This was preceded by a build-up of a wonderful combination of congratulatory addresses, ceremonies and musical performances which had the packed audience of approximately 1,500 people enthralled waiting for the arrival of the great man himself.
The proceedings began with an exquisite rendering of the famous Flower Duet by two young British second generation sopranos, which brought an early spirit of tranquility to the convention hall. A water ceremony was conducted by representatives of the faith traditions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Each spoke (or chanted) to share their understanding of the importance of water in their respective traditions, in particular its symbolism of healing and cleansing, a goal shared by all the faith traditions, as was expressed symbolically by each pouring water into a common large vessel.
The European UPF Chairman Dr. Yong Cheol Song gave the first congratulatory address, encouraging all Ambassadors for Peace to take on board principles expounded by the Founder. His words were taken to heart by the two Ambassadors for Peace who followed him.
Mr. Edwin Shuker, Vice-President of the World Sephardic Congress, spoke of how at an International Leadership congress in Seoul he saw the visible manifestation of the achievements of the Founder: hospitals and seminaries dedicated to serving others; many races and creeds were present but he only saw one - a single family under God. Society, he said, is controlled by fear of the unknown, of the other. Confusion in the world reflects our individual confusion. We are unclear
on right and wrong. But UPF shows clearly the right way - common hope not fear. We share our dreams, aspirations and ideals, not following transient trends but rather our holy books.
Mr. Anton Rop spoke next, a leading economist who served two years as Prime Minister of Slovenia 2002-4, during which time he took his country into NATO and the European Union. He now works as Vice-President of the European Investment Bank. He spoke of the financial crisis starting in 2007, the economic and social crises all around the world, and the various environmental crises, citing the statistic that 22,000 children die each day because of poverty.
Too much pursuit of short-term profit cannot continue to drive us. We must behave as one family and make things better for all. Father Moon, he said, points out that these crises arise from a single human crisis caused by selfishness. “We need to live for others. We changed many things in the EU to increase material prosperity but we need more social improvement and solidarity. Father Moon's message should move from heart to heart and from family to family, and from strength to strength.”
Two musical performances followed, the first by a young male duet whose more regular territory is the Lovin’ Life Ministries of Rev. In Jin Moon. They performed a new song entitled “Sailing Ships” followed by a classic romantic ballad from the ‘70’s entitled “She,” exquisitely performed in a more modern setting. Next was a mother and daughter combination with Mata Williams accompanying her daughter Julia’s vocal performance of the classic “The Impossible Dream,” a fitting musical introduction to the Founder.
Hyung Jin Moon in his introduction to his father spoke profoundly and engagingly of the value of human beings primarily being secured by their lineage as the children of God. He also candidly revealed how his own understanding of his parents’ role as Messiah, Lord of the Second Advent and True Parents had developed over recent years. He had struggled to understand the meaning of these terms, noting that God too has many titles, but that at core He is the Parent of the universe bringing love to His children and that True Parents stand as the corporeal counterpart to this role.
Finally at 8:20 p.m., the time came for Father Moon to give his speech. The lights were strong so he couldn't see the audience at first, but he certainly could hear the strength of numbers when he invited all present to show their interest in the speech by applauding; also when he offered the choice between a long speech or a short one, a unanimous shout came back requesting the long one. The audience was warned that the material might be a challenge to digest but the reward would be great since it was a summary of his life-long teaching.
The speech followed along the lines of the prepared text but with additional explanations and ad lib asides to challenge the translator and audience. A continuing theme was whether, based on their history, many accomplishments and the great academic tradition of Oxford and Cambridge, British people are qualified to victoriously enter the next stage of life, the Spirit World. His answer was a very clear ‘No!’ Even being buried in Westminster Abbey doesn't give you such a qualification, it is merely a church built on top of a cemetery!
Only True Parents, he continued, can understand and explain the things you need to know. He cited that 450 volumes of his speeches have been published but that his intention is to publish 2,700 and that already they are in libraries in 43 countries. So there is an indestructible foundation. Even a professor in Oxford, he said, would have trouble making headway on 2,700 speeches even with 10 years at his disposal. That was why we were privileged to have a head start with the text of his keynote address which summarized all the key points. And we should certainly read his biography too, as many of the VIPs present insisted on various occasions that they had (and had not been disappointed).
Suddenly at the stroke of 10p.m., with 4 pages of the 12-page text still to read, True Father asked all to study the speech themselves and brought his Founder’s Address to a conclusion. A standing ovation from an audience amazed by his stamina and undiminished ability to fascinate and engage an audience was accompanied by bouquets and a beautiful gift to congratulate True Parents on this the fifth stage in the European leg of their World Tour. It was a poignant moment, many in the audience wondering if they would have the chance to see their remarkable and precious True Parents in London again.
Final Day: Savouring Success
After the warm reception at a packed hall the previous evening there was little left to do but celebrate. So the last study period at 5a.m. the following morning, with the two hundred faithful who turned out to offer a final send-off, was a joyful, informal affair. True Father bombarded the front rows with sweets and chocolates, followed by a demonstration of his dexterity catching sweets in his own mouth and downing a cup of tea in a single sip. He will be much missed by those he left behind as he accompanied True Mother upstairs to prepare for his imminent departure to the next destination, Geneva.
