17th Seonghwa Memorial Festival Held Beautifully
17th Seonghwa Memorial Festival – A Celebration of Love and Legacy
The 17th Seonghwa Memorial Festival was held on Saturday, November 8, at the Los Angeles Family Church, bringing together families and friends in a heartfelt celebration of life, love, and legacy. With elegantly arranged white tables adorned with pastel-colored flower centerpieces, the cafeteria was filled with a warm and cozy atmosphere, setting the tone for a beautiful and uplifting program.
Mr. Kenny Oiwa, a Seonghwa Ministry representative and one of the founding members, warmly welcomed participants and introduced the new emcee. Serving as emcee for the first time, Yoshihito (Yoshi) Takagi, a second-generation young adult member of the LA Family Church, opened the program with a warm welcome and a introduction to the meaning and history of Seonghwa—a term symbolizing ascension, derived from the words “holiness” and “harmony”, which was given by the True Parents.
During the memorial segment, Keith McCarthy read the names and short biographies of community members who recently ascended, accompanied by lovingly prepared photo and video slides. Among those honored were Julia Dover and Curtis Martin. Julia’s husband, Mike Dover, drove hours from Northern California to attend the ceremony. He shared family photos, a video capturing Julia’s radiant smile and joyful dance, and heartfelt testimonies about their life together—a life, he reflected, “truly filled with love.”
Following this tribute, all names of the ascended members of the Los Angeles community were displayed on screen, each face representing a cherished son or daughter of God, a hero or heroine who left behind a legacy of love, expressed through their unique characters of passion, courage, kindness, and story. At the close of the program, surviving family members came forward to offer flowers at the offering table—a quiet, moving gesture of remembrance and love. The evening continued with dinner and fellowship, as attendees shared stories and testimonies of their beloved family members.
True to its spirit, this year’s Seonghwa Memorial was not just a memorial—it was a festival, a celebration of life, and a reaffirmation of the eternal bond that unites all families in love and faith.
Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the Seonghwa Ministry volunteers for their dedicated efforts and loving preparation, keeping this cherished tradition alive for 17 years in our community.
Special thanks to: Mr. & Mrs. Kenny Oiwa and their family members, Keith & Katrin McCarthy, Kodai Abe, John Holmes. Rebecca Zinke, Shigeko Lograsso, Shoko Wema. And a warm welcome to our new emcee, Yoshi Takagi, for his wonderful service.
Finally, we express our deep gratitude to all families and members who participated, offered contributions, and shared their hearts. Together, we continue to honor the lives of those who have ascended—and celebrate the love that forever connects us all.
Watch recorded video: https://www.facebook.com/LAfamilychurch/videos/1339587834567843
View photos of the program: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1249078177247104&set=pcb.1249079090580346