Respect and Gratitude for Mother Nature
Written by : Fatou Sarr
On May 10th, the Ohio chapter of the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) celebrated Mother’s Day with heartfelt joy and reflection. The event welcomed approximately 30 participants, including special guest speakers Mr. and Mrs. Greg and Kyoho Jones, who joined via Zoom.
The program commenced with an opening prayer led by Pastor Gloria Laurent of the Ohio Family Church. WFWP Ohio Chairperson, Mrs. Fatou Gaye Sarr, followed with a warm welcome address. She acknowledged the presence of mothers, grandmothers, and four male attendees, emphasizing the broader meaning of Mother’s Day—honoring not only biological mothers but all who embody a nurturing, maternal spirit.
Mrs. Sarr shared a personal reflection from the day before the event. Her two young adult daughters and teenage daughter had joined her late into the evening to help set up and decorate the venue. Their willingness to support her with love and enthusiasm made a deeper impact than any material gift could. Witnessing their joyful contributions, she said, was one of the most meaningful parts of the celebration.
A video was then shown, highlighting the legacy of WFWP founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon—affectionately known as Holy Mother Han. Following the video, a prayer was offered for the meal, and guests enjoyed a delicious lunch lovingly prepared by Mrs. Sarr.
The highlight of the event was a powerful presentation by guest speakers Mr. and Mrs. Jones on the theme "Respect and Gratitude for Mother Nature in Our Wedding Ceremony." Mr. Greg Jones, an Associate Research Director with a B.S. in Biology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and former research assistant at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, shared insights from his daughter’s unique, nature-centered wedding ceremony.
Held in a serene garden, the ceremony featured meaningful rituals, such as tree planting and prayers to honor Mother Nature. One symbolic act involved their daughter selecting a root from the ground for her mother to taste—after first expressing appreciation and asking permission from the tree. This gesture reflected her deep respect for the Earth. The couple’s daughter and son-in-law, both with backgrounds in environmental studies, share a passion for nature and sustainability.
Another moving tradition included the couple wearing Hawaiian lei garlands—symbols of love, respect, peace, and celebration. After the presentation, attendees engaged in a lively Q&A session.
The messages shared during the event beautifully echoed the heart of parenthood and the divine intention of our Heavenly Parent, who created a world full of beauty for humanity to cherish. As mentioned in Genesis 1:28 (often referred to as the Three Great Blessings), God encourages us to be fruitful, multiply, and have dominion—reminding us of our sacred role as stewards of life and nature.
Before the Jones’ departed, a group photo was taken to commemorate the moment. The event concluded with an engaging activity: attendees were invited to write down a nugget of wisdom—either a piece of advice for their younger selves or guidance for their future selves on personal growth and self-improvement.
The day was a meaningful celebration of motherhood, nature, and the spiritual connections that guide us toward love and gratitude.