"Seeds of Victory - 1975 Missionary Appreciation at UTS," May 27, 2017

[Michael and Maria Kiely]

​Dear 1975 Missionaries,

Our church community has extended a very special invitation to those of us living in the United States who went out as original foreign missionaries in 1975. On the weekend of the UTS graduation (May 26-28) we are invited as guests of FFWPU to a missionary reunion and to a missionary recognition and award ceremony as part of the UTS commencement program. (We will need to provide our own transportation.)

Please read the invitation below and then email me at [e-mail]. In addition to your spouse, your family is welcome but please limit additional family members to three people because accommodations are limited. Whether you plan to attend or not, it would be very helpful for you to respond so that we can get an accurate head count.

Maria and I are really looking forward to seeing you, to revisiting wonderful memories and to inspiring each other in further attending heaven and True Parents.

Sincerely,
Michael and Maria Kiely
[e-mail]
845-893-2305​
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FFWPU
481 8th Ave. Box A-12, New York, NY 10001 | t: 212.997.0050 | f: 212.997.0051 | www.familyfed.org
March 22, 2017

Invitation to the 1975 Missionary Awards Ceremony and Reunion at UTS

Forty-two years ago, in the Spring of 1975, our True Parents made two momentous decisions on the Barrytown campus of what would become the Unification Theological Seminary. They called together the best and the brightest members of the American movement to participate in two great initiatives: the establishment of the first UTS class, which graduated in 1977; and the training of candidates who had been chosen for the international missionary outreach to 120 nations.
This Memorial Day Weekend, from Friday May 26, through Sunday, May 28, UTS and FFWPU are hosting an inspiring Awards Ceremony and Reunion for all 1975 missionaries and their families. We would like to invite you to join this special gathering, which will be held at UTS in Barrytown and then later at East Garden in Irvington, NY.

We will start with dinner on Friday evening and gather again on Saturday morning to connect with old friends, share testimonies, hear news and learn about our new generations. We’ll break bread together, walk on Father’s trail, and pray and study in the newly-updated chapel.

On Saturday afternoon, UTS President, Dr. Hugh Spurgin, and the Board of Trustees invite you to join the 41st UTS Commencement (Graduation) ceremony to be held in the Chapel at 2pm. In addition to the presentation of degrees to UTS Masters and Doctoral candidates, the special “Missionary Recognition Certificates” will be awarded at that time.

The following day, Sunday, May 28, we will hold the grand opening of the Hyojeong East Garden Museum dedicated to the life and work of True Parents in the United States. Last year on December 6, True Mother cut the ribbon and offered a heartfelt prayer at the Dedication Ceremony. Today, under the guidance of True Parents and the hard work of museum director Michael McDevitt and his team, the buildings are spruced up, the grounds manicured, and the first permanent exhibits are on display. We will travel down from UTS to attend the opening and take a special tour. Departures can take place directly from East Garden, but a further night of accommodation at UTS is available for those who are interested.

You will be our honored guests during your stay, including two or three night’s accommodation at UTS, and all meals from evening dinner on Friday, May 26, through breakfast on Monday, May 29. If needed, transportation to East Garden on Sunday, May 28, can be arranged. To RSVP and to receive a link to the registration page, please email Michael Kiely, head of the Missionary Host Committee, at [e-mail] with information for which nights you will need accommodations and for which meals you will be present.

Once again, thank you for your many years of service to True Parents and God’s providence in America and around the world.

Dr. Ki Hoon & Mrs Tamme Kim, Continental Director
Dr. Michael & Mrs. Fumiko Balcomb, President
Dr. Michael & Mrs. Maria Kiely, Missionary Host Committee