1. How to Hold a Blessing Ceremony
By: Mrs. Crescentia Degoede, Rev. Ernest
Patton, Mrs. Jessica Sattinger

2. Value of the Blessing Ceremony
“The Unification Church mass wedding ceremony is not just a wedding ceremony of a man and a woman to make a family. Until now, marriage was centered on the individual self, but our wedding ceremony is holy and has the content to make God happy and the condition to indemnify history. Our marriage ceremony is to liberate God's grief caused by Adam and Eve's fall and fulfill what Jesus could not, which is to pass through the standard of the bridegroom and bride. This is explained clearly in the Divine Principle.”

3. A Few Quick Facts When can ceremonies happen? Who can host a ceremony?
Anytime for married couples
At the time of the Cosmic Blessing for matched couples
Who can host a ceremony?
Any community that registers with the BFM (registration on BFM website)
Blessed Clergy approved by ACLC leadership
Who can officiate a ceremony?
District Pastors or HQ Approved Recommendations from District Pastors
ACLC approved Blessed Clergy
Who can participate?
Married couples (UC or non-UC) who have completed the online registration
Explain about matched couples
Use poll

4. Preparing Married Couples Internally for the Blessing
Important Education
Meaning and value of the Blessing
Role of True Parents
What does it mean to be Blessed Couple and raise Blessed Children
Change of Blood Lineage Process
Methods of Education
1 day seminar
Short segments, small group study style over a period of several weeks
Pre-Blessing program (day of or day before)

5. Process to Change Blood Lineage and Become A Blessed Couple
Holy Wine Ceremony (prior to the Blessing, or as part of the Blessing Ceremony)
The Blessing Ceremony
Chastening Ceremony (immediately following the Blessing Ceremony)
Separation Period (40 days of abstinence, renewing their relationship and spiritual intimacy from the inside, beginning from the Blessing Ceremony)
3-day Ceremony of Renewal (the first 3 nights after the separation period)

6. Key Components for Blessing Ceremony Success
Start Planning Now!
Secure an Officiating Couple
Register your community as a Blessing Ceremony host on the BFM website
Form a Blessing Ceremony Planning Team and meet regularly
Read through the Blessing Ceremony Guide
Have Blessing Ceremony participants register on BlessingAmerica.org

7. Approval Process for Blessing Officiators
Qualifications for Candidacy:
—Ordained Unification minister/pastor; or
—a couple recommended as officiators by both the BFM and a District pastor,
—and approved by the FFWPU President
Key Components of the Application:
—List Ministry Training received and experience with teaching the Divine Principle and related content
—Oral/Written Divine Principle Examination administered by a District pastor
—Signed Statement of Commitment
—Proof of having received the Blessing
—District Pastor’s recommendation form
Application available online at BFM website

8. Registering as a Blessing Ceremony Host

9. Essential Components of the Blessing Ceremony Program
Holy Wine Ceremony
Holy Water Ceremony
Affirmation of Blessing Vows
Prayer for Couples by True Parents (officiators)
Proclamation of the Blessing by True Parents (officiators)
Congratulatory Remarks
Chastening Ceremony
Celebratory Reception
Receive guidelines
Option to use video

10. Key Roles Needed for the Ceremony
Event Coordinator
Officiating Couple
Emcee
A/V Coordinator
Registrar
Attendees to sprinkle holy water
Ushers/Greeters
Meal Coordinator
Entertainment Coordinator
Photographer

11. Creating a Nice Celebration
Great location
Modern, elegant, with enough space to seat all guests comfortably and serve food
Options: church building, banquet hall, hotel conference space, country club
A tasty meal, presented in an elegant way
Options: professional caterer, or someone in your community with professional food preparation/service experience
Quality entertainment and testimonies
UC or non-UC local performers
DJ & dance floor
Testimonies about blessings experienced in marriage, value of receiving the Marriage Blessing
Words of encouragement to newly Blessed Couples
A gift/favor for each couple

12. Funding Your Ceremony
Reimbursement from HQ – Up to $500 per married couple that offers $2000
To cover the amount not covered by Blessing Offerings, you can choose to:
Subsidize part of the cost and charge couples and guests for the remainder
Subsidize all the costs and charge couples and guests nothing
Charge the couples and guests for the full amount of the costs
Ask couples and guests to make a donation of their choice, be prepared to subsidize the rest

13. Couple Registration for the Blessing
All married couples seeking to become Blessed Couples should register online at blessingamerica.org
Only couples that register online will be:
Reported to True Mother and recorded as Blessed Couples
Eligible to receive holy handkerchiefs
*Registration process for married couples participating as Blessing Couples should be handled locally

14. Mobilizing the Community
By: Rev. Earnest Patton

16. The Blessing Ceremony Kit
By: Mrs. Jessica Sattinger

17. Q & A