Contributed by Harumi Muranaka
Turning Point Workshop
On January 3-5, CARP LA hosted the annual Turning Point Workshop at the Los Angeles Family Church. This regional-level CARP workshop provides an opportunity for new and long-time CARP members to hear more in-depth contents from the Divine Principle, and about the life and mission of CARP’s founders, Father and Mother Moon — who we call True Parents.
The first day covered topics from the Divine Principle, including the Principle of Creation, the Human Fall, and Rebirth & the Trinity. The second day covered more topics from the Divine Principle, including the History of Restoration and God’s Preparation for the 2nd Advent, and as well as True Parents’ Life course. The third day was a continuation of True Parents’ Life course.
Testimonies:
“The part that stood out to me was the theme that was found in everything: God's true love. In POC [Principles of Creation], everything God did and envisioned was out of His true love. In the Fall, what we lost was God's true love. Since then, we haven't had it or seen it in the world. Then, through Jesus and Rebirth, it's about finding and inheriting God's true love. That is what Jesus showed us. I appreciated the guidance from Naoko-san [CARP LA director] that more than the number of vitality elements or what makes us "good", the important part is how much we can experience and feel God's love. I felt this is the most important for me to focus on.”
“What stood out to me was the heart of Jesus Christ. Even from a young age he had a sad story path. His parents weren’t fully there for him and weren't giving the love he was supposed to receive. When he was 30 years old going out to do his mission, John the Baptist failed to proclaim that Jesus was the son of God. Because of that Jesus had to do a 40 day fast in the wilderness where Satan tried to tempt him 3 times. Then there was the betrayal and denial part. Even through all that struggle Jesus was still able to forgive and continue to have faith in God. Jesus really embodied the love of God and I came to appreciate him a lot more.”
“After hearing Jesus’ course, I reflected during the lecture and asked myself, do I truly know Jesus? Do I know his heart? I told myself that I still had much to learn about understanding Jesus' heart and having that same heart for the rest of the world. This flows well with one of my fallen nature of having a closed heart. When meeting others, I find it hard to have an open heart for others and make myself vulnerable. With my discussion from Naokosan, we understood that we need to put our faith in God since having a closed heart falls under Failing to take God’s Standpoint. Personally, I need to work with my relationship with God to overcome this fallen nature and share God’s heart with others.”
“I feel like this day was really a time of reflection for me to understand my relationship with God and to learn of my identity. Even though we recognize that God is our Heavenly Parent, because of this fallen lineage, we are bound by sin and depravity. I felt that unless we truly realize that we must change and work on my relationship with True Parents, rebirth will not happen. I cannot change unless I connect with God and True Parents. And it is not only intellectual or conceptual understanding, like Madoka [CARP LA leader] said, we must feel God in our core and innermost heart. People cannot live for the sake of others without realizing God’s love, heart and truth.”
Peace Cup
CARP LA participated in the Peace Cup LA 2024 held on January 5-7 which hosted youth from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, the Bay Area, and Colorado. The purpose was to build community and culture through friendly sports competitions and to build momentum towards hosting an international Peace Cup in North Korea.
Junior Clippers representative, Brandon Chen, and LA Galaxy Park Manager, Tyler Champion, gave congratulatory remarks and a Famous K-Pop artist offered 2 songs at the opening ceremony.
Tyler Champion and the LA Galaxy Park staff researched LA Galaxy’s participation in previous Peace Cups one week before our initial visit to their facility. Upon our arrival, he thought it was a great coincidence, saying “meeting you guys is the highlight of my week,” and happily supported the program and vision.
Day 1 Photos:
Day 2 Photos:
Day 3 Photos:
