Leaving a Legacy

Nora standing next to former U.S. President George Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush at a WFWP event in Washington, DC in 1995.

Editor’s note:  Mrs. Nora Spurgin was the WFWP USA president from 1992-1999. We are very happy and honored to share her recently published memoir and her personal introduction to her life story.

Spiritual Connections: Living in the Flow of God’s Love is my story of living in the ever present and ever expanding love of our Heavenly Parent in a challenging, but rich journey. 

In this memoir, I have sought to capture the spirit of many authentic, real-life experiences I have had with WFWP’s Co-founders Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, as we interacted in conferences and meetings.  

Marshaling the personal strength that I had gained from my very conservative Christian background in service to a new and fuller awareness of God’s work on earth, I reflect on my 54 years of life in the Unification Church.

This memoir is an opportunity to pass on the depth of perspectives that I gained from WFWP’s Co-founders Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, and their representatives. Their example, advice, and inspiration gave me the courage and wisdom to serve as director of the Blessed Family Department of Family Federation for World Peace, as an Itinerary Worker in America and worldwide, as president of Women's Federation for World Peace USA, and as principal of Bridgeport International Academy.  

This is also the story of our Blessed marriage, as Hugh and I have shared a life full of love, deep companionship, travel, service and the joy of raising our four wonderful and creative children.  Furthermore, it has been a life touched and enriched by bonds of friendship with so many couples and friends with whom we have traveled this adventurous journey.

Nora with her husband Hugh

This memoir, I leave as a legacy for posterity.  

This book can be ordered through Amazon at

 https://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Connections-Nora-Martin-Spurgin-ebook/dp/B09Y7LLF53

“From a happy childhood growing up in a conservative Christian community in Pennsylvania to speaking at global conferences about God, love, peace and women's leadership around the world, Nora has led an extraordinary life of faith and substance. Her delightful memoir reveals the wealth of challenges and achievements she encountered after hearing the Divine Principle of Rev. Sun Myung Moon in the 1960s. This wise woman is known as a "super" connector to thousands of people, as well as an accomplished educator, counselor, social worker and author and devoted wife, mother and grandmother.  I highly recommend her memoir to anyone searching for greater meaning in life.”

Thomas P. McDevitt, Chairman, The Washington Times

“Born as the eldest child into a Mennonite farm family in rural Pennsylvania, Nora evolved to become the beloved elder sister in the global spiritual community founded by Korea’s Reverend and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon. This gripping memoir is a profound elaboration of the “path of light” Nora walked, and of the providential connections God made through her.” 

W. Farley Jones, Esq.  Former President of the Unification Church in America 

“As a seamstress, craftswoman, organizational leader, counselor, missionary, author, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Nora is the proverbial multi-talented and effective “woman of substance.” In every one of these roles, Nora has always followed God, and, in looking back, she discerns that God has also been following her. Her story helps us see the people and events of our lives in a new way—like lights that shine out in the darkness, revealing the certain path we have been on all along.” 

Anne Edwards, MSW, Social Services Administrator 

“Nora takes us on a rich spiritual journey that abounds with the warmth and heart of a person who is clearly a great woman of faith, gifted mother, and charismatic woman leader. She tells stories from her life that provide us with deep insights. I feel that Spiritual Connections is a must read in these uncertain times of global and personal crises, divides and disconnects. Nora leaves us with a sense of hope and renewed vision to navigate these challenging days.” 

Angelika Selle, President, Women's Federation for World Peace, USA