Spring Fest Draws Hundreds of Young Unificationists
Photos courtesy of Resfred Arthur
A “youth reunion” was the inspiration behind the recent Spring Festival held at the Belvedere property in Tarrytown, New York. The April 22 regional event also honored Earth Day with an on-site greenhouse cleanup project and special video message from Dr. Sun Jin Moon.
“Our main purpose was to have fun and celebrate spring together with this major outdoor event,” said Resfred Arthur, FFWPU USA Northeast secretary general, who coordinated the festival. “Many people from all over the subregion of all ages were able to come out.”
It’s been four years since the last Spring Fest, which members this year welcomed with great excitement as more than 500 Unificationists participated. “We started the day reviving the Belvedere garden,” Resfred said during an April 25 leaders’ meeting report. “We put together a raised bed box, filling them with soil, planting seeds, and painting flower pots. There were a lot of different vegetables planted as well.”
Resfred said the cleanup project, led by Belvedere Family Church Pastor Justin Okamoto, Mika Rothstein, and Gregg Jones, was “very engaging” and “fun and exciting” — but that was only the beginning.
A video message from Dr. Sun Jun Moon, executive director of the Hyo Jeong Foundation for the Unity of the Sciences (HJIFUS), highlighted the current state of the environment and our need to respond in a caring manner. She discussed True Parents’ vision to solve environmental problems — such as pollution and deforestation — through acting responsibly by loving nature and healing the earth.
“Our members were very inspired by her message,” said Resfred. “They felt very enlightened ... about what they can do to be able to help alleviate [planetary] concerns that are arising.” Dr. Chung Sik Yong, FFWPU North America regional president, and Rev. Naokimi Ushiroda, FFWPU USA president, shared words on the importance of preserving the earth as well.
A sports tournament led by Denthew Learey and Jake Levina drew a large turnout of young people later on. More than 200 youth either competed or cheered for players during volleyball, basketball, and chess games that had intergenerational participation.
Heavenly USA members performed musical entertainment, and pony rides, face painting, and bouncy castles were available for kids throughout the day. “Spring Fest was a great opportunity to connect with so many people again,” said one parent whose young children enjoyed the range of activities. “Spending some quality time in nature and with each other was my biggest takeaway.
The festival concluded with an evening talent show that featured a number of skilled youth. “It was an incredible show with a warm, intimate setting,” said Resfred. “There was a lot of joy and camaraderie inside the building.”
Both community members and FFWPU USA leaders expressed their immense gratitude for the successful return of Spring Fest. “[A youth reunion] is something Dr. Yong asked the New Jersey community to organize back in October,” said Rev. Naokimi. “I’m truly grateful for Resfred and the whole team who put this together.”
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