In Memory of Mrs. Hyun Sook Choi Park
In Memory of Mrs. Hyun Sook Choi Park
Mrs. Hyun Sook Choi Park
Spouse: Dr. Joon Hyun Pak
Birthdate: March 10, 1944
Blessing: February 22, 1968
Ascension: October 3, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our beloved elder sister, Mrs. Hyun Sook Park, ascended to the spiritual world on October 3, 2021 at 12:15 PM.
Mrs. Park is the wife of former Continental Director, Rev. Dr. Joon Hyun Pak, and mother of In Sup Nim.
While preparations are being made for a Seonghwa Ceremony in Korea, a Seonghwa Memorial Service will be held in America on Thursday, October 7, at 4:00 PM (EST) at the Belvedere Training Center.
The live stream will be broadcast at: https://belvederefamily.com/live
Let us pray for Mrs. Park and for her family at this important time, as she makes her final journey to her new life in the Heavenly Spiritual world.
Sincerely,
Naokimi Ushiroda
President
In Loving Memory of Mrs. Hyun Sook Choi Park
Hyun Sook Choi was born on March 10, 1944 in 19 Gyo-dong, Daegu, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. She attended Samdeok Elementary School and Shinmyung Middle School for girls in Daegu, and graduated from Gyeongbuk Women's Commercial High School.
In March 1955, she joined the elementary school under the guidance of mother, deaconess Maria Park, as a third-grade student, member of the Daegu Unification Church.
In 1960, she participated in the ‘1st 7-Year Course, 40-day Summer of Enlightenment Witnessing’ as a 2nd-year middle school student. And in 1963, she was part of the 7th group of Sunghwa Students, who completed the 16th National Witnessing Workshop at the Cheongpa-dong Church (Former Church HQ). Upon completion, she then led a pioneering Unification Church planting in Sandong-myeon, Gyeongsan-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
On February 22, 1968, Hyun Sook Choi received Blessing with Pastor Joong Hyun Park in the 430 Couples’ Blessing Ceremony. With Rev. Park, they led the Sokcho Unification Church Trade Headquarters in Yangyang. She then supported Rev. Park in leading the ‘National CARP House in Namsan.' They pioneered CARP chapters in Dongguk University, Dankook University, Chung-Ang University, and Sungjeon University.
In 1971, Hyun Sook Choi became an evangelist of Mokpo Unification Church in Mokpo, Jeollanam-do as part of the ‘National Mobilization of Blessed Wives.’ She then became an evangelist of Samsong Unification Church in Samsong-uep, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do during the ‘National Mobilization of Blessed Wives’ 3-year period.
In 1975, Mrs. Park established the ‘Hwagok Unification Church’ in their home area in Hwagok-dong, Gangseo-gu in Seoul. She organized the purchase of the church building, and conducted the dedication ceremony. (The Hwagok Unification Church building was later sold and a new ‘Gangseo Church Headquarters’ was constructed in Mokdong, Gangseo-gu).
During these years, Mrs. Park fulfilled her responsibilities as the wife of the 14th eldest grandson of the Hoeungongpa of Hamyang Park Clan. She organized and managed the service of the clan’s ancestors, and took care of Rev. Park’s grandparents, siblings, and relatives.
On October 20, 1979, with the permission of True Parents, Mrs. Park, and her four young children joined Rev. Park in America, and immigrated to the US as missionaries.
Upon arriving in America as a new immigrant, Mrs. Park established several businesses to support her family. She established and managed 'Oriental Fair’ an oriental grocery, 'Sun Up’ a stationery store, and 'Sun City’ a health care center. These businesses allowed Mrs. Park to gain economic independence.
At the same time, Mrs. Park supported her husband, Rev. Park in various leadership positions. In 1982, she served as the pastor’s wife in New York and then Washington D.C. KEA new church plant. As a leader’s wife, Mrs. Park participated in the annual fishing tournament in Gloucester, MA, and caught a 1,000 lb (453kg) bluefin tuna with True Parents.
In 1989, Mrs. Park served as wife of the New York, New Jersey Regional Pastor, and in 1994, when Rev. Park was appointed as the North American Continental Director, she continued to support this central position in America.
On April 15, 1995, Rev. and Mrs. Park attended the ‘Holy Marriage Blessing Ceremony’ of Sun Jin Moon with their son In Sup Park.
In 1996, Rev. and Mrs. Park were appointed as National Messiah of Switzerland. They have been committed to this role. They contributed to the development of the Providence in Switzerland, and were dedicated to the construction of the Peace Embassy in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Mrs. Park and Rev. Park led the 'True Family Values' education and 'Blessing Expansion Movement' for Christians and religious communities in the US and Europe. In 2000, Mrs. Park supported the organization of the Blessing Ceremony at the 'One Million Family March' in Washington D.C.
That year, 2000, Mrs. Park received an honorary doctorate in humanities from the Springfield Theological Seminary.
In 2003, Rev. and Mrs. Park returned to Korea to continue their mission. That year, Mrs. Park was inaugurated as the president of the Korean Association of Religious Women, and participated in the ‘Asian Religious Peace Conference’ in Manila, Philippines.
In 2004, Mrs. Park participated in the ‘Israel Peace March’ with Korean religious women leaders in Jerusalem.
Mrs. Park has been devoted to her family. While managing the businesses and supporting the missionary work of Rev. Park, Mrs. Park was dedicated to the well-being and education of her children. Rev. and Mrs. Park have five children, two sons, and three daughters, all educated in Ivy League and top-tier schools.
Mrs. Park was honored with several awards, ‘Over 33 Years of Public Mission Achievement Award,’ ‘Owner of Cheon Il Guk Award’ on Cheon Il Guk Foundation Day, and the ‘Excellent Mother Award.’
Mrs. Park is survived by her loving husband, Rev. Joong Hyun Park, sons and daughters-in-law, In Ho (Andrew) Park and Eun Jin (Grace) Moon, In Sup (Alexander) Park and Sun Jin (Selena) Moon, daughters, and sons-in-law, So Young Park and Juno Kang, So Jeong Park and In Guk Bang, and Soon Hwa Park and Michael Benham, and her grandchildren, Won Young Park, Drew Jun Young Benham, Shin-Ae Kang, and Ae-Jin Bang.
The meaning of the calligraphy by True Mother is:
'Awarded to this couple as an inducted CheonBo Blessed Couple that has fulfilled the mission of citizens of Cheon Il Guk'
Seonghwa Memorial Service
While preparations are being made for a Seonghwa Ceremony in Korea, a Memorial Service in America will take place on Thursday, October 7 at 4:00 PM (EST) at the Belvedere Training Center (723 S Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591)
If you are attending in person, please observe the Seonghwa Ceremony attire:
Men: Dark suits and white tie
Women: White or cream color clothes
Everyone is invited, but please note that there will be an overflow space as we will observe social distancing seating during the ceremony.
The Memorial Service will also be live-streamed on the Belvedere Family Community's live channel: https://belvederefamily.com/live
The video will also play directly to their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNC5YZ04aN39i_a4GswmISQ
Flowers for the ceremony can be sent to:
Belvedere Office
723 S Broadway
Tarrytown, NY 10591
