BCSF 2023 Concludes an Era
Photos courtesy of BCSF
The 19th Annual Blessed Culture and Sports Festival (BCSF), held from August 9 through 13, concluded an era of youth activities organized at the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) campus in Barrytown, New York. The property is being sold under structural changes within the Unification movement.
“[UTS has] been such a meaningful place for so many of my generation, and the younger generation,” said BCSF Director Denthew Learey in a personal testimony during Sunday service at the Barrytown property on Aug. 13. Learey recalled first participating in 2011 at a camp there, and countless activities organized on the campus since then.
“The fact that I’m able to host this amazing [BCSF] event ... seeing so many people from around the country and the world come and make friends and be here together as a family — no matter what they believe in, or where they are at in their own life of faith — it means so much to me, and it would not be possible without a place like this,” Learey said.
“The youth spent so many winters and summers [at the property] for workshops,” added Resfred Arthur, FFWPU-USA Northeast secretary general, as he noted the recent festival brought together some 600 young participants from across the US, as well as the UK, Austria, and Poland.
Launched in 2004, BCSF has been a hub connecting Unificationists and their friends for nearly two decades as they celebrate the values of the movement through sports and culture. The festival includes basketball, soccer, volleyball, and frisbee tournaments; intramural activities; a talent night; fashion show; singing and other musical entertainment; a range of vendors, and a palpable spirit of teamwork and unity. And despite this year’s festival being the last one organized on the Barrytown property, the event’s legacy of camaraderie and friendly competition endures.
“Just seeing all the smiles on all the participants’ faces ... there’s so much joy and so much love,” Learey said. “I really feel the foundation, the spirit that is here is so precious. But it’s not really contained within the building or the property, it’s within all of us, and we have to keep that in mind wherever we go and stay united ... to create something beautiful for the future.”
Learey noted BCSF’s volunteer staff has also been instrumental to its success and long-standing operation. About 70 volunteers helped with setting up, running the BCSF cafe, coordinating activities, and more. “[The staff] really helped create this environment for everyone,” Learey said. And even though the future location of BCSF and other youth events is uncertain, he stated, “I know God has something planned, something even greater, and I’m ready for it.”
“I’m ready to be guided to where [we] will go, and hopefully I can continue to really support and be that vessel that God can use so that I can continue creating this culture that True Parents have given us,” Learey said. “This culture that is so beautiful and can touch so many people’s hearts, as it touched my heart ... I am really excited for the future and grateful for this last opportunity.”
You can view the BCSF XIX final championships and other key festival moments here.