Announcing National Seonghwa of Dr. Edwin Ang
National Seonghwa of Dr. Ang
Monday, January 25 @6 am Pacific Time
January 23, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our beloved elder brother, Dr. Edwin Ang, ascended peacefully to the spirit world on January 21, 2021, at 1:21 pm, due to Covid-19 and heart-related complications.
Dr. Ang is one of our most elder brothers here in America, having joined our Unification Family in 1962. Dr. Ang has always been considered the rock in our American movement, thanks to an unwavering conviction of the truth of the Divine Principle, Heavenly Parent, and our True Parents. Edwin and Marie were Blessed in 1969 as one of the first 13 couples to be Blessed in America, as part of the 43 Couple’s Blessing. As beloved elders and a CheonBo couple, their example shines to all of our brothers and sisters.
Let us take this time to honor and celebrate the life of an incredible pioneer for God’s Kingdom, and offer our heartfelt support to the Ang family. Let us join together to offer our prayers for Dr. Ang’s victorious transition to a new eternal life in the spiritual world.
Please see below a full biography and the special calligraphy awarded to Dr. Ang as a CheonBo couple. There will be a national level Seonghwa, and we invite you to join virtually from across the nation. Please see the information below.
Sincerely,
Naokimi Signature.jpg
Rev. Naokimi Ushiroda
President
-----------
Everyone is invited to join in the virtual part of the Seonghwa Ceremony on Monday, January 25, 9:00 a.m. EST
You can join by zoom at https://zoom.us/j/92509271256
Please observe the Seonghwa ceremony attire:
Men - dark suits and white tie
Women - white or cream color clothes
Following Dr. Ang's bio is further information about the Viewing, Wonjeon, and Seonghwa ceremonies.
-----------
Dr. Ang.png Edwin Kian-An Ang.jpg
Victorious Life of Dr. Edwin Ang
July 29, 1926 - January 21, 2021
On January 21, 2021, at 1:21 pm, Dr. Edwin Ang peacefully passed on due to Covid-19 and heart-related complications. His son and grandson were present with the rest of his family attending through video.
Dr. Edwin Ang was born in the small village of Bowerno, East Java, Indonesia on July 29, 1926, and was raised in the Confucian tradition. Being of Chinese ancestry, he was named Kian An Ang, which means “to establish peace after the flood” (which he felt was significant). Edwin firmly believed he was guided by God through every step of his life.
He graduated from St. Stephen’s College, a high school in Hong Kong in 1949, at which time he was baptized in the Anglican church. Following graduation, Edwin received an Associate degree in Accounting from the International Institute of Accountants. He received a full scholarship to attend the International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Economics in 1958.
Based on Edwin’s desire to help developing countries, he applied for a scholarship at several American universities and was accepted at the University of California, Berkeley where he earned his Ph.D. degree in Economics in 1972.
While a student at Berkeley, Edwin joined the Unification Church, then known as the Unified Family, in 1962 as one of the first 20 members in America. He was Blessed in 1969 in Washington, D.C. to Marie Leckrone as one of thirteen couples that are part of the 43 Couples Blessing. During his ten years in Berkeley as a pioneer church member and leader, Edwin saw the church center grow to about 70 members. He was known for sitting one-on-one with new members and holding long conversations while educating about the Divine Principle.
In 1972, True Father appointed Edwin to be Regional Commander of New England, and then State Commander of Massachusetts in 1973. After much growth and activity in Boston, True Father reassigned him as Regional Director of the Mid-western States, where he worked for a brief time in Colorado, Oklahoma, and pioneered in Houston, Texas. He was assigned to Chicago, Illinois in 1975 where he led witnessing and fundraising as the center director.
In January 1977, Edwin was appointed to the newly formed Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) to assist as Dean of Students, eventually serving as Executive Vice President under President David S.C. Kim. During that time, he was instrumental in securing the provisional and absolute charters for the seminary.
Over the years, he served on the UTS Board of Trustees, the HSA-UWC Board of Directors, and the Korean Cultural and Freedom Foundation (KCFF) Board of Directors. He proudly served as President of the International Chinese Association from 1984-1997, where he cultivated the Chinese member fellowship and community in America. In 1996, Edwin received the mission of the Abel National Messiah to Egypt.
During the last 17 years, he was an active member of the Clifton Family Church community, helping and praying for Blessed families and members that came to his attention. Edwin spent much of his time researching the relationship between science and the Divine Principle. In 2020, Edwin and his wife Marie were inducted as a Cheon Bo couple. He also enjoyed living with his son’s family in New Jersey and spending time with his other children and grandchildren.
Edwin joins his son David on the spirit side of life, and is survived by his wife Marie, and children Joni (Blessed to Jin Man Choi), Dohi (Blessed to Jin Hee Kang), Jennifer (Blessed to Namhi Hwang), and his nine grandchildren, Chan Woo, Yejin, Yesun, Lia, Eric, Eva, Taewon, Taesung, and Taehoon. Edwin is also survived by three of his nine siblings: Kian Hoo, Ertha, and Jeanne.
-----------
Viewing (location: New Jersey)
In-person Viewing hours will be held at the Clifton Family Church on Sunday, January 24 from 5:00-9:00pm EST. A brief Viewing ceremony will be held from 5:00-6:00pm, with the opportunity for a limited number of short testimonies and memories to be shared for those who are inspired to. From 6-9pm visitors may come and go freely to pay their respects and offer prayers.
Due to the limitation of time and space, all those wishing to share a memory, reflection or testimony about Dr. Ang are encouraged to do so by video message or typed document. Messages can be sent by email to Dohi Ang at: dohi03@yahoo.com.
Safety
Due to concerns surrounding Covid-19, a maximum number of 70 people can be in the chapel at any given time, as social distancing is being strictly enforced. Seating will be every other pew, with parties seated 6 feet apart. As such, we ask all those wishing to pay their respects to be flexible and come prepared to wait in the Fellowship Hall or Lobby if necessary before proceeding to the Chapel if the maximum occupancy of the Chapel is reached.
All visitors must wear a mask while in the building and kindly follow the directions of the ushers.
Seonghwa and Wonjeon
Dr. Ang’s National Seonghwa and Wonjeon Ceremonies will be held on Monday, January 25 at 6:00 am Pacific Time.
Although the Ang family wishes that all those wishing to come in person to the ceremonies could do so, for the sake of everyone’s safety the Seonghwa and Wonjeon services will be held virtually for all those wishing to participate, as well as, for a limited number of in-person participants by invitation only at the Clifton Family Church. Visitors are required to adhere to the safety measures listed above.
To participate in the ceremony by Zoom Please click this link at the day and time of the ceremony.
Please note that all participants will be muted.
Attire: In-person or Virtual participants are asked to wear the following attire: white dress/suit for ladies, dark suit, white shirt, and white tie for men.
To Offer a Donation
If you would like to offer a donation to support the Ang family in covering the costs for the burial services, please click on this gofundme page. Checks can be made payable to the Ang Family and sent to the address below.
Flowers and Condolences for the family may be sent to:
Clifton Family Church
c/o Mrs. Eriko Endo
78 DeMott Ave.,
Clifton, NJ 07011