HDHC Small Group Leaders Meeting - 12/16/07

Mrs. Feddema commented that Rev. Jenkins announced that the name “HDFC” would be officially changed to “Family Fellowship” meetings. Internally we will continue using the same name HDFC among ourselves, but publicly we should use the new name. People can relate to it more easily.  She was very inspired by Rev. Jenkin’s sermon.

Mrs. Ellen Moon read the HDH selection for the week. “Mind & Body, High Noon Settlement”

High Noon Settlement- the principle that we can stand under the light and truth of God, unchanging in our daily life and make our mind and body come into unity… (Ellen will send out the HDH selection by e-mail)

Then a report was given by Mrs. Feddema about the conference held by the Blessed Family Department. The meeting was led by Mr. Jim Stevens.  He shared that in Korea, they were asked to have official Blessings, not just giving the Holy Wine.  They had a Blessing on 11/17 with 396 couples. There were more pre-blessed couples than singles blessed. True father was disappointed  because he expected to have more singles blessed. He asked them to have two more Blessing Ceremonies in a national lever. After that they should have a Blessing Ceremony every month on the 17^th  in each district.

Mr. Stevens thinks that eventually True Father will ask America to follow the same pattern. We should be prepared. Right now we have an ICF conference on the 17^th of each month but that might be replaced in the future by Blessing events.  True Father pushed the second generation to reach out to singles and combine with the efforts of the 1^st generation.

At first, Mrs. Feddema felt overwhelmed by this news but then she realized we have a better foundation because Rev. Geller already mentioned to her when they got the new church that they could have Blessing Ceremonies in the sanctuary. Whatever we pray for will happen, as Rev. Jenkins said in his sermon. 

Rev. Oppenheimer was asked to speak about AFP and the upcoming AFP Banquet (12/22) Rev. Oppenheimer emphasized that we need to work together to make a successful event (the 38 Family fellowship group, AFC and ACLC.)

He introduced an alternate method of getting AFP. He encouraged the leaders to reach out to their neighbors, co-workers. And other contacts, even go door-to-door, AFP can provide the certificates. We just need to get the person to read and agree to the 5 principles of AFP. We can even go to their homes, offices, or churches to present the certificates. He wants to make 1,000 new ambassadors by the end of the year.  He is willing to go out with members and help them in any way he can. Rev. Oppenheimer said we can even use each of the 5 principles of the AFP to teach Divine Principle. We should go out and witness by two’s. Rev. Oppenheimer expressed that we should learn to tap into the foundation of the people we nominate. We may find someone who has great contacts.

Mrs. Feddema asked if we could use this alternative method (of nominating people where they live or work) all year around. Re. Oppenheimer said yes.

Rev. Geller spoke about the preparations for the event (tables and seating). Then he went on to say they we devoted a lot of time to build up the foundation of the (HDFC) organization That is why we had good results (150-200 guests came to the last event, True Mother’s speech.)  More guests came from small groups.

Rather than create an education system and invite guests, we want to form an education system around the needs of the guests. On Friday 12/13, Rev. Geller gave the lecture and Mr. Servito played the guitar for the first introductory program. January 11^th will be the next introductory program, at 7pm. We will invite the guest from the introductory meetings to the retreat. They

had 2 guests sign-up for the retreat from the first introductory meeting. They were Mrs. Igarashi’s and Mrs. Shirato’s guests.  The retreat will be at St. Alfonso. The fee is $50 including food and lodging. We want to know more about the guest background so we can give effective lectures. This program is tailored more for married or adults not young college age or single people.

Rev. Geller said we need to learn how to introduce these ideas to the guests.  We can have movie night with a discussion or Karaoke. After they attend a 2- Day workshop (Retreat) they can attend Sunday Service.

 Our goals for the guests are that they:

1.   Join and go to Sunday Service (learn tithing tradition)

2.   Help in one of the ministries

3.   Receive more education about the blessing

Mrs. Feddema interjected that there is a lot of potential for families as we can bless married couples (who join our small groups).

Rev. Geller emphasized that we need to get more people to receive the Blessing through educating them. We also need to become experts at loving people. What we take to spirit world are our spiritual children.

Then Mrs. Feddema gave out special gifts to all the leaders, to express her appreciation for their hard work. She commented that the number of small groups grew to 38 in New Jersey and 45 in the region, over the one year period. She also saw the growth in leadership among the group leaders.  Leaders gained more confidence. She always uses Christine as an example. She has become very confident in her leadership and consistent in reporting the weekly activities of her group.

Mrs. Feddema shared that, although she receives a lot of energy when she sees True Father, she knows that it cannot comfort his heart.

In 2008, let’s bring something substantial to True Parents. 300 couples, BCFs in East Garden! Then True Father will be happy to see many new faces. We have the new church facility and the education system. We should utilize it to the maximum. Let’s work together to bring great results!

Once new members start small group activities they should gather 5-6 families. Then multiply. All the members of the group should eventually become leaders whether they lead one group or they are over 10 groups.

Members always look for leadership. When they make a mistake they feel they are just members. However, they expect the leadership to be perfect. Someone who really practices DP and TF teachings is a leader.  Even if you really work hard, but don’t practice a DP lifestyle you can not succeed. Qualification of leadership is to practice a principled lifestyle. Without changing to a principled lifestyle you can not make one consensus and vision.

Education is crucial. We must repeat (the vision and goals) until everyone gets it. We must empower the membership to know and live the standard of a BCF as their daily lifestyle.  They should attend HD school. Once members bring guests we must guide them to become BCF. Just giving them Holy Wine   is not enough. That is why we create DP School to be able to teach new members. The church is one wing and the HDFC (small groups) is the other. They have different responsibilities. HDFC small groups deal with people with love as the base. However, they are not able to provide a conversion experience at this time. That is why the church needs to build up the education track. Through the education track they can become BFC. They will eventually work in the small groups. Most of the Small Group Leaders went to HD School but how many of them are aligned with the vision of HDFC?  We must teach them to align.

Questions, Answers & Comments:

Q. There is a guest coming to the small group who is ready for one – on – one DP. However, there isn’t a certified lecturer in the group. Can the spiritual parent just teach that person? She is a UTS graduate and has lecturing experience. There is concern from past experiences where the guest was not dealt with a parental heart. The personality and heart of the lecturer may be different if it isn’t their own guest. They may not teach the guest with a parental heart of love.

A. Rev. Kim suggested that we should build up really good lecturers.  It is important to have standardized lectures. It is not realistic that every small group have very skillful lecturer. We must be careful. Anyone may be able to give lectures. But the main point of lecturing is for the guest to have a conversion experience.

Mrs. Feddema suggested using the monthly one-day workshop as a way to educate guests.

Members may struggle if they bring guests and there is no one to teach them. We should strengthen the Education system. She will discuss a plan with Rev. Geller. They need more manpower to create an effective Education system. She recalled that many guests from the Cultural Nights were lost because we didn’t have a system to educate them.

Comments:

This year, over 270 guests have come to meetings and social gatherings of the small groups. If we really love and serve the VIPS, they will be ready to be educated. Once we build up a clear vision with all the HDFC membership (240 families) as well as all the leaders. Then 100’s of guests will come (Rev. Geller).  Rev. Kim said if we don’t set-up a good education system we may lose those 270 guests. 

Mrs. Des Lauriers testified that Rev. Tamelessio has been teaching in their group. He remembers what section of DP each guest is studying. When they come to the meeting the group studies that section together with the guest. He is a good lecturer.

Mr. Accolatse shared the challenge he is facing with his group members. Although they have 3 or 4 regular guests, it is difficult to get the members do outreach to bring new VIPs. They are just eating, reading HDH and having discussions. How do we get into the heart of the members? They also have financial struggles. How can he give them hope?

Mr. Shirato commented that people who want money need love. Most people think only of themselves. We need our spouse, children and brothers and sisters more than money. He continued by saying that True Father explained that when we walk, one leg goes up and then down. That can be applied to life too. If we think too much about money we will go in circles. We must believe that money will come if we take care of others.

Mr. Rogers asked if Rev. Kim could enlighten us on how to breakthrough in being able to practice a Principled life.

Rev. Kim responded that when we met the church we felt God and True Parents are with us.

We felt happy. However, long time members are not happy. What happened? There is no connection between the DP and our daily life. My spirit and my life are not aligned with the DP. We look at the DP and we realize that we have to give up many things. We need to do something to change ourselves to have a Divine Principle lifestyle. Most members did fundraising when they were young members. However, after starting their family their lifestyle went back to that prior to the church – a secular lifestyle. We became accustom to a secular lifestyle. Members didn’t find happiness in the DP lifestyle for the past 20 years because they felt they dedicated everything already (before they started their family) so they went toward a secular lifestyle. We must train ourselves to the point where we feel joyful to live a principled lifestyle. If we don’t find happiness in living DP then we will just be teaching the guests the DP. We must feel joy from True Father’s words. Some members still feel pain. We should feel so much happiness and joy that the atmosphere will affect others. Then, we are not just teaching DP.  

If the leaders are doing everything from a sense of mission they will not get results. You must do it with joy and be crazy about what you are doing then others in your group will become crazy too.  Rev. Kim had many friends when he joined the church. His friends thought that he had become crazy. They didn’t want to be with him (a crazy person.) He found more joy being with church members. The love and concern was much more than in his own family. Divine Principle is not the main point, the spiritual atmosphere is.

3 elements are needed to gain spiritual children: 1/3 Jung Sung conditions, 1/3 love & service, and  1/3 truth.  When these 3 elements become one, a spiritual child can be born. The small group mission is to love and serve the guests. The church is responsible for the truth. If the small groups try to take care of all three elements it will not work. Small groups should make the guests feel that the love and care they receive from the small groups members is more than that which they receive from their own husbands, wives and family members. If leaders cannot change their lifestyle they will struggle spiritually. HDFC is a lifestyle not a campaign!

We need to know the HDFC Providence to keep the vision!

<< SMALL GROUP PAGE     TOP OF PAGE