HDHC Group
Leader’s Meeting << BACK TO SMALL GROUPS PAGE
02/18/07
Mrs. Feddema started the meeting by asking “Do you feel like a new person
after the amnesty ceremony?” Everybody
responded by loud and strong “Yes!”
Mrs. Feddema felt that evil spirits may have covered the Symphony Hall, to
try to prevent the event, because it was so important. It was a very big challenge. She had to fight
to make it through (just to get in the building with all the ceremonial
supplies). Perhaps it was because of the value of the program. It was the most
difficult event she had to prepare for.
When it would become too intense she would look at Dae
Mon Nim. She was so calm like the eye of the storm.
There were small mistakes. DMN just forgave them and laughed. When there is
such an important event –evil spirits come. We must stay calm like DMN. Forget
about ourselves and focus on the importance of the event. If you get upset
Satan will invade.
Rev. Geller offered a few words as he
was leaving for
DMN made so many conditions that is
why she can be so calm. She stands on a foundation of a lot of conditions. David
Eaton was also very much aware of what was going on and assisted based on
his previous experiences.
Many unexpected situations came up during the
event. We had to use the Robert Treat
Hotel for 150 people who came from
Then Rev.
Geller addressed another area of concern.
He expressed that, 3 areas in our church need to grow HDHC, ACLC and
AFC. Among those 3, is the grassroots effort being made through HDHC. Many people
will come that way. The other 2, ACLC and AFC are in the public sphere. The
basic way to meet True Father is through HDHC.
Rev. Goo, set-up a very good method, in his group. All the members
shared about their VIPs and then as a group, they chose one VIP to work with
first. Then they built up the plan for the meeting centered on the person they
chose (i.e. She liked cooking. They let her teach a cooking class for them.)
We should prepare well and guide the meeting. The
guest should not be the subject who asks questions and the members respond. The
next step is to get the VIPS to come back again. Be careful to focus on one VIP
at a time Establish a pattern of how to raise up the
person to a certain level of commitment. Then you can think about the next
person to focus on.
Mrs. Feddema asked if any of the leaders could give a testimony of what
their groups have been doing this year; if they used the HDHC manual and how
have they been inviting guests.
Christine Libon was the first one to report. She reported that she had used
the manual. The topic was Changing Thoughts. They reflected on how they joined
the church. They ended up talking about spiritual world and what helped them to
become close to the church. Some members responded because of their ancestors
vertical conditions. There were situations where a member was witnessed to by
one person and raised by another person.
Her idea for an activity was to have a bowling
party. They had a party for Mr. Nitro’s family and invited his family’s VIPS.
The VIPs already know about TF, so they will just have a social event.
Mrs. Des
Laurier
reported next. She shared that every Saturday they had guests except for last
week. Two weeks ago they discussed (in
her group) how to invite guests. Some of the ideas were to invite them to TF
speech, introduce Family Values using Dr. John Williams as a lecturer. Other
ideas were to watch a DP by DVD.
Two weeks ago they invited 3 guests (one couple
plus one single person.) They know about the movement and its purpose. They
introduced themselves. Then they read True Father’s speech. After reading the speech, they discussed the
questions. One question was about lineage. The guests could not understand the
question.
Rev. Alan Tamelessio gave
them a lecture.
On Saturday (2/17), they had only members so they
shared testimonies about the DMN event. Then they talked about the 3 guests.
What they should do as the next step. They decided to have a simple dinner.
Then read True Father speech and have a DP lecture. One of the guests is a
retired IBM worker. The husband is a Baptist (minister?). The single person is
Mrs. Des Laurier’s co-worker. She plans to take her to the Japanese Tea Party,
sponsored by WFWP on 3/10. Mrs. Feddema said that it
is a good gateway program.
Mr. Acolaste was the third leader to give a report. He reported
that he hasn’t used the HDHC manual yet. He is studying the manual since he is
not sure that the TF speeches are appropriate for their guests at this point.
The last 5 meetings they have had guests. The first meeting they read a speech
about spiritual world and DMN(?) The guest didn’t say
anything. At the next meeting Mr. Acolaste used a
Bible quote (about the 1st Commandment). The guest got involved. She
spoke for about 40 minutes. The following meeting he used Matt... “Do unto
others as you would have them do unto you… They shared deeply. The guest
realized how selfish she had been. The Bible says that we should live for the
sake of others. He realized that he
should analyze and study what part of the manual he can use for VIPS.
Saturday (2/17), fortunately they didn’t have any
VIPs so he could give a report on the leadership seminar to his group. He spoke
about the importance of good food for the meetings; money to be used for the
small group activities; allowing more members to participate in making the
meeting; sharing our lifestyle with guests so they would be curious about who
we are.
He emphasized what Rev. Kim said that we must
become healthy individuals to multiply. Then they discussed how to become
healthy cell. They went back to the 4 absolutes (HDH, Sunday Service, Ahn Shi IL, and 3 kinds of Tithing).
Mrs. Feddema commented that this was the reason why she wanted to get
feedback. She really appreciates feedback. This is the first manual, we want to
improve it. This is the reason we want you to try it. We want to make a second
one.
Mrs.
Francisco
was the last leader to report on the progress of the small groups. She has been reaching out to the members in
the community to get them involved in the small groups. Right now she is focusing on one guest, Rev.
Harrison. Although she doesn’t like cell phones, she could see the benefit of
it when he suggested they study DP by cell phone, one hour a day. He knows the
Bible well. Her husband talked with him. He wants to go to the blessing. He
also wants to teach in the small group.
Also the wife of one minister comes to the small group.
Mrs.
Francisco
has a few singles in her group. She is thinking about making a small group for
them. She expressed that she learned that the way to bring guests is to give
love, make relationships and then teach DP (as a foundation for bringing them
in the group.)
Last week they used the HDHC manual. Her group
liked it because it was just one topic with discussion questions. They read and
discussed. It worked well so far. She
plans to use the manual for the meeting (2/18).
Mrs. Feddema commented that the reason for using only one page was so that
the group could focus on sharing more. The discussion is more important than
the HDH. The format for each lesson is modeled after the HD School method of
Rev. Kim. Also, you may notice that
there are only 2 or 3 questions for each HDH.
You can ask the group to pick one or you can pray beforehand and then
pick one for the meeting. If you pick
right questions, the discussion will become very deep and people will open up
their heart honestly and sincerely.
Then Mrs. Feddema asked the leaders to divide up for group
discussion. The topic was how to introduce guests to the small group
meetings. She emphasized that we need to
build gateway programs in the groups. We cannot bring a guest directly to the
group. The leaders were asked to discuss
how to make a step by step plan to bring the guests to their group.
Reports from discussion groups:
One leader in Rev.
Sato’s group emphasized that it is important for the group to be ready to
receive guests or the guest might take over (dominate the meeting). Through
constantly meeting as a group the members should become one unit. Another
leader pointed out there must be potential guests to invite to the meeting. He
suggested people whom we meet on a regular basis and our neighbors or distant
members. Another possibility is to invite people through your children’s
friends. Ask them to bring their parents.
He met 2 or 3 parents in this way. He invites them for his children’s
birthday party and then shares with them individually. He invites the neighbors to various
celebrations too. The 2 or 3 parents he mentioned earlier know about TP now
through sharing deeply during the parties and celebration he has.
Another leader shared the method she uses to bring
guests. She first builds a relationship
with them and then invites them to dinner and a discussion. Next she teaches
them DP and finally she invites them to attend the group meeting.
She also mentioned that it would be a good idea to
bring the single members among the groups together to form their own group as
they have similar situations. They may feel uncomfortable in a group where
everyone is a couple and has children, while they are not married yet.
Another group led by Eva Naito expressed that it is
important to build personal relationships with the guests. Show real interest
in them as a person and in their life.
In her discussion group they felt that they should
reach out to people they know or at least had previous contact with. They would
use WFWP activities, Tea Ceremonies or the 4 talks of Happiness as Gateway
programs. They also felt it is important
to be sensitive to the type of guest. Whether they are a more religious person
or interested more in social activities. Then the meeting would center on
religious or social content depending on the nature of the guest.
Another issue that was brought up in the discussion
was how to help everyone in the group to make effort to bring guests. They realized that some members may have more
difficulty to bring guest than others. However, they could make effort to help
take care of the guests that come.
Other comments from Mr. Simon’s discussion group were:
(Good) food and honest sharing are important.
Guests may feel more comfortable if there is a
guest speaker for the meeting (gateway event).
A good spiritual foundation is necessary to
accomplish the goal
Unity and openness among the members in the group
so that they feel comfortable to bring guests
The group should have a common condition (rather
each individual making condition for their own guests)
Put all the guest's names on one list and do a
common condition for all of them (i.e. 40 minutes prayer or Kyung Baes). Prepare materials
– DVD, tapes, etc., TF’s words.
Every family in the group is important to bring
success.
After the reports Mrs. Feddema stressed that we need to
concentrate more on the small group activities now that the Amnesty Event is
over. We should not get confused, and
always remember our priorities. HDHC is the grassroots activity, through which
we can build a solid foundation for CIG by 2013.
Find people –parents of your children’s friends,
bring single guests, too. There will be a blessing ceremony in July. Take care
of the guests personally. They are not a number. Let’s not have a campaign
mentality. Build heartistic relationships. We should
introduce TP’s heart to them. Connect them to TP’s heart and blessing.
Mr. Ottoson supported Mrs. Feddema’s comment by sharing the inspiration he
received through Dr. Yang’s speech during DMN’s
event. Dr. Yang’s comment: The essence is to value our way of life &
faith – how precious and valuable it is: and share it with other people.
Mrs. Feddema continued by saying “Don’t get carried away by external
things. CIG is a totally different era. The guests who come now will get more
grace than we did. Share with them the value of our life of faith.”
Mrs. Compton closed the meeting with
prayer.