Pastoral Installation Held Gracefully
Joshua & Takao Holmes, Co-Pastors Installed
on February 4 at L.A. Family Church
On a sunny winter day in Southern California, a special Service was held at the Los Angeles Family Church. Prior to the Service, the chapel was open for the congregation to be able to offer full bows and offerings for the True Parents’ Birthday. A beautiful offering table with flowers, fruits, and a birthday meal for the True Parents, was carefully made by the volunteers led by Mrs. Kazumi Oya. They offered full two days to set the table with sincere devotions.
Jasmine Santoro, an emcee, announced the opening of the special Evening Service at 5 pm. Part I of the program was the True Parents’ Day Celebration. The L.A. Band led the singing of the Cheon Il Guk Anthem. Rev. Kevin Thompson led the standing bow where the congregation shows love and respect to the True Parents, and the Family Pledge was recited in Hangul (Korean language) led by Miss Sae Oishi, a Sun Moon University student, and missionary. After a Representative Prayer by Miss Jasmine Santoro, a message “The Significance of True Prents’ Birthday” was given by Rev. Kevin Thompson, Director of FFWPU Western Subregion5 Director, Senior Pastor of churches of Bay Area Family Church and Los Angeles Family Church. Cake cutting was done by the leadership over the joyful singing of Happy Birthday to True Parents by the congregation of over 200 in the chapel.
Program Part II “Pastoral Installation Ceremony” followed immediately. Rev. Kevin Thomson stated “a great day of Los Angeles Family Church”. He also gave an update on the current pastor, Rev. Mark Tengan, who had surgery the day before for his colon cancer, with the update about successful surgery and the expectance of swift recovery. Rev. Naokimi Ushiroda, President of FFWPU-USA, who came from New Jersey for the Installation Ceremony on behalf of Dr. Chung Sik Yong, Regional President, presented “Los Angeles Family Church Vision for 2023”. After a warm greeting, President Naokimi asked, “What is the purpose of our church?” He spoke by showing the PowerPoint screen with the purpose of our lives from the Divine Principle, “The ultimate purpose of the universe with the human beings as its center, is to return joy to God”. He mentioned that the mission of the Family Federation can be accomplished through the Blessed Family culture.
Joshua and Takayo Holmes were invited to the stage, welcomed by thunderous applause from the audience, and presented bouquets by Kengo Kawa and Suzuka Shigeta, representing the congregation. They gave greetings with gratitude for accepting the new mission as co-pastors at L.A. Family Church, which is their hometown. He moved to New York Cith in February 2020, by answering to the call to serve the church couunity af the Family Church of New York City as an assistant pastor. He also had an important role to take care of the youth as Young Tribe Coordinator for the Youth and Young Adult Ministry (YAYAM), and the director of Young Christian Leadership Conference (YCLC). His wife Takayo, has joined him in New York City and worked actively in Campus witnessing and outreach by serving at the World Christian Leadership Conference (WCLC).
Benediction of the Pastoral Installation was given by Rev. Kevin Thompson, joined by President Naokimi, Rev. John Jackson, Subregion 4 Director, Rev. Naoko Hiraki, Rev. Nate Windman, and some ACLC Clergy who came to congratulate them. The finale was the four cheers of Eog Mansei led by Minister Pasquale Santoro. The ceremony was truly a moment of joy and new hope for the community.
After taking group photos, everyone was invited to the celebration dinner with Korean catered food and cake. A sense of new life began this evening, which we all believe that an abundant harvest will be offered to Heaven in time from this community.
Watch the recorded video of the Service: https://www.facebook.com/LAfamilychurch/videos/688191453076966
Photos: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=563092322512363&set=pcb.563111409177121