On June 18, the Minneapolis Family Church hosted a Parents Matching Preparation (PMP) seminar for Unificationists interested in the matching process. 19 participated at the Minneapolis Family Church and were inspired to learn more about the matching process. Some of the participants have younger children or do not yet have children, but wanted to learn about the matching process and how to prepare.
Presentations by John Abelseth, BFM Director of Canada, included The Family Matching Process, Matching Resources, and Deepening the Parent-Child Relationship. These presentations were intended to provide a basic and fundamental introduction to the matching process for families. The presentations offered parents an introduction to the process of the matching, including how to get started, how to access the Matching Application, and how to find other resources on the Blessing & Family Ministry website, as well as how to enable their child to post a profile on various matching websites and how Parents can search for possible candidates.
An introduction to the Family Matching Plan Worksheet and the many resources in the Family Matching Handbook were discussed, as well as other possible sources for support in the process.
One breakout session included lively discussions on various topics centered on the Family Matching Process, various issues and difficulties parents experience, and some ideas on how to proceed when children are not certain if they are ready for the process.
Another presentation discussed specifics to be aware of when considering an international matching, as well as how to access the International Matching Website for Blessed Children, and some tips for parents to filter potential candidates to be more in line with the Family Matching Plan they have developed together with their adult children.
Participants were very inspired by the testimony of Mrs. Eri Pheling and her daughter-in-law Shizuoka Pehling, who both shared deeply about the matching process they experienced and some of the issues that they worked through.
Parents who attended this one-day seminar were encouraged to participate in the Matching Advisor Training workshop held the next day on June 19. Of the 19 participants of the PMP, 17 of them returned to participate in the Matching Advisor Training, and 12 of those 17 have committed to participate actively as new Matching Advisors and three are already active Matching Advisors.
Thanks to Pastor Hyungtae Ha, Pastor Denise To, and Senior Matching Advisor and BFM leader Rosemary Yokoi for organizing the seminars and supporting the participants, all were well fed and felt taken care of during the two-day event.
