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Report from New Jersey, U.S.A.
Lunar New Year
Retreat and Celebration
[New Jersey] Fellow practitioners from the northeastern United States celebrated the coming of the Lunar New year with a two-day retreat on February 9 and 10, 2002 at the New Jersey Center. Undeterred by the cold weather, more than 200 fellow practitioners attended this activity. Including several Canadian fellow practitioners who drove for over 12 hours to join in the occasion.
The Center was beautifully decorated by the working team, with colorful lanterns, New Year's paper cutouts and potted flowers creating a highly festive atmosphere. For this event, we especially arranged drawing and handicraft competitions for young fellow practitioners of different ages, and the children were eager to earnestly display their artistic talents. Also, to wish Master a happy Lunar New Year, fellow practitioners sent Her a beautiful greeting card signed by everyone.
After the retreat ended at noon on the second day, the celebration program started with a lion dance featuring a pair of lively lions. Amid the thunderous sound of drums and gongs, we all prayed together for a better year. The performances that followed included dancing, singing and musical recitals, all of which expressed our best wishes to Master and the world. In between, there were quiz contests during which the winners were awarded red envelopes (traditional Chinese New Year's offerings containing money).
The program reached its climax with a tea party. Brewed in a Heavenly Dragon gold teapot designed by Master, the tea was extremely fragrant and delicious, and impressed everyone, including our guests, each of whom also received a red envelope fully charged with Master's love and blessing. Thanks to Master's blessings and the selfless devotion of working team initiates, we enjoyed a wonderful and unforgettable two-day New Year's retreat.
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