UTS Tribute Celebrates True Father
Dining room concerts, fishing trips, and fireside chats — just a few of the cherished moments Unificationist couples conveyed during a special Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) tribute program honoring the 10th anniversary of True Father’s seonghwa.
On Sept. 1, part two of the three-part online program featured testimonies from Dr. Theodore and Sumie Shimmyo, Dr. Tyler and Hyeyong Hendricks, Dr. Franco and Chizuru Famularo, and Dr. Thomas Walsh, who all recalled fond memories of True Father and the early days of the Unification movement.
The couples relayed stories of spiritual inspiration and heavenly influence as they journeyed through their courses of faith. Dr. Shimmyo, a UTS professor and former president of the seminary, described a humbling personal experience he had with True Father.
“In 1984, I was rejected from UTS,” he said. “I prayed in tears.” Dr. Shimmyo surrendered in prayer to God’s Will and asked that the best leader for UTS be found. “My prayer reached True Father, who was in Danbury Prison at the time,” he said. “True Father told me that my self denial made me the next president of UTS.”
The couples detailed how having a selfless heart and mind connected them more deeply with True Father. With a kind and parental nature, True Father’s love for people was felt wherever he went, and this had a lasting impact on many, including Mrs. Hyeyong Hendricks.
“My own father led me to the Blessing,” she said. “He joined the movement, and his spiritual mother was Lady Dr. Kim.” However, Mrs. Hendricks explained that her father eventually left the movement. “This was painful for me,” she said. “But I was always so humble and grateful to True Father; he forgives, and he forgets. True Father’s love is beyond the human level. True Parents are parents to everyone.”
The couples also shared their admiration for True Father’s unwavering determination and resilience with any challenge. “He worked tirelessly throughout the night putting together a fishing net,” recalled Dr. Hendricks in awe.
“True Father sacrificed himself so much,” said Dr. Shimmyo. “Even in prison. He carried the cross for all of us.”
With incredible care and investment, True Father’s legacy endures through his many extraordinary accomplishments — as well as the treasured memories of the countless people he touched. “True Father would come to the UTS campus and speak with all of us,” recalled Dr. Hendricks. “Students would struggle with whether to go to class or go see him.”
“These [anniversary] occasions are not about mourning,” said Dr. Walsh. “It’s a time to remember our beautiful experiences and pay our respects, while we strengthen our resolve and efforts of advancing the providence as we move ahead.”
Stay tuned for part three of the UTS tribute. Part one of the program was held Aug. 19 and featured Dr. Thomas and Lynn Walsh, Dr. Hugh and Nora Spurgin, and Rev. Farley and Betsy Jones. You can see the full recording of part one here.