The world\u2019s most dedicated Scientologists cast off for a week-long cruise to celebrate successes and set the agenda for an expansive year across the seven seas.<\/em><\/p>\n In all, the evening encompasses a parade of monumental accomplishment in the name of a better world, courtesy of the IAS.<\/p>\n The mighty Freewinds returns to her work, setting her humanitarian course in the ports, countries and outer islands of the majestic Caribbean.<\/p>\n The sky lights up as fireworks send the most dedicated Scientologists from around the world off to the Freewinds Maiden Voyage Anniversary, June 10-18 in the Caribbean. The convocation is held each year aboard the Church\u2019s religious retreat\u2014Scientology Motor Vessel Freewinds.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a festive send off in beautiful Castries, Saint Lucia, as musicians, dancers and locals turn out to witness the Freewinds set sail from Port Seraphine, in celebration of the 29th Maiden Voyage Anniversary Cruise. An island tourism executive said, \u201cEven though we don\u2019t say it often enough or loud enough, just remember, the Caribbean appreciates the Freewinds.\u201d<\/p>\n The Freewinds sets sail on its Maiden Voyage Anniversary Cruise. The annual week-long convocation, attended by Scientologists who have attained the highest spiritual levels in the Church, presents a midyear review of recent successes and charts a future course for expansion.<\/p>\n The Scientology Religious Retreat Freewinds casts off from Saint Lucia for her week-long Maiden Voyage celebration. Hundreds of the most dedicated Scientologists wave goodbye to Castries and set out to review the year\u2019s successes, and plan for even more.<\/p>\n The fireworks and fanfare continue above and aboard the Freewinds, as she sets off on the first night of an extraordinary week of celebration.<\/p>\n Each June the Church celebrates the Freewinds\u2019 Maiden Voyage and this year is no exception, as an array of extraordinary events highlights the ongoing expansion of the religion.<\/p>\n Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, is greeted with enthusiasm by an audience of passionate Scientologists, as he takes the stage for the opening night presentation.<\/p>\n Mr. David Miscavige officially commences the series of events with an opening night presenting 12 months of monumental Scientology growth.<\/p>\n \u201cSince last we met, our solar system of Churches now includes: Budapest, Hungary; Harlem, New York; San Diego, California; and, the rim of our terrestrial world in Auckland, New Zealand,\u201d he said, before moving on to detail the most recent Church grand openings in the San Fernando Valley, California; Miami, Florida; and Copenhagen, Denmark. But the convocation is not just about looking back, Mr.\u00a0Miscavige told the assembled. This is the week that sets the agenda for Scientologists around the world to continue the record-breaking expansion that has made the religion a thriving, upward-moving worldwide phenomenon. \u201cSo, let us now fare forward with our annual salute.\u201d<\/p>\n In reviewing the history of the Freewinds and its humanitarian missions, Mr.\u00a0Miscavige outlined some of the appreciation she and her crew have received from dignitaries and civic leaders around the\u00a0Caribbean.<\/p>\n THE SHIP AND HER CREW receive greetings and gratitude everywhere they go. \u201cThe Freewinds doesn\u2019t just come in, spend some time and leave,\u201d said a Caribbean community activist. \u201cThey look for areas where the Freewinds can help.\u201d In all, the Freewinds has earned over 400 awards and recognitions.<\/p>\n Mr.\u00a0Miscavige shares vivid stories of the Church\u2019s amazing year of accomplishment around the world, each one raising the bar on success.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2017 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n \u00a9 2017 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n Daytimes are filled with strategy sessions and plans for continued expansion with representatives on hand from each geographic zone.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2017 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n Each night the passengers gather in the Freewinds\u2019 seemingly star-lit ballroom for captivating presentations. The second evening event is one dedicated to the timeless legacy of Founder L.\u00a0Ron\u00a0Hubbard.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2017 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n Mr.\u00a0Miscavige sparks off a night in honor of L.\u00a0Ron\u00a0Hubbard. It is an evening informing and astounding those present with countless previously untold tales of Mr. Hubbard\u2019s legacy, tales that tell of his kindness and his vision.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2017 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n Dan Sherman, Biographer of L. Ron Hubbard, regales the audience throughout an evening with rich stories from the life and legacy of the Scientology Founder.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2017 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n Mr. Sherman presents a biographical presentation of Mr. Hubbard\u2019s kindness at different ports, his vision and his literary skills, and of his expertise not just as a writer, but as a musician and photographer as well.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2017 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n Twenty-two-time Grammy Award Winner, Chick Corea, thrills the crowd with a virtuoso performance of his original jazz classics.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2017 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n \u00a9 2017 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n Mr.\u00a0Miscavige launches an evening in honor of the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) and the humanitarian impact they inspire across every corner of society, from major metropolitan centers to remote tribal villages.<\/p>\n Mr.\u00a0Miscavige presents an evening recapping the humanitarian action made possible by the IAS and their social mission across every level of humanity.<\/p>\n Over the course of two hours, Mr.\u00a0Miscavige details a midterm report full with social achievement and focused on renowned IAS-sponsored initiatives.<\/p>\n As announcements of accomplishments come to a close, a monumental one is unveiled, thanks in large part to the social betterment campaigns sponsored by the IAS, the Grand Opening of the IAS-sponsored National Church of Scientology in Bogot\u00e1 and outreach by the Freewinds staff, which has led to millions of copies of The Way to Happiness, The Truth About Drugs and The Story of Human Rights being distributed throughout Colombia. The impact has been miraculous, with a 96-percent drop in human rights violations supporting the peace accord reached between Colombia\u2019s national government and FARC troops, ending 50 years of civil war. So it was, on the 5th of May, 2017, the Church of Scientology was awarded full religious recognition from the nation of Colombia.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2017 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n In all, the evening encompasses a parade of monumental accomplishment in the name of a better world, courtesy of the IAS.<\/p>\n The mighty Freewinds returns to her work, setting her humanitarian course in the ports, countries and outer islands of the majestic Caribbean.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2017 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.<\/i><\/p>\n The sky lights up as fireworks send the most dedicated Scientologists from around the world off to the Freewinds Maiden Voyage Anniversary, June 10-18 in the Caribbean. The convocation is held each year aboard the Church\u2019s religious retreat\u2014Scientology Motor Vessel Freewinds.<\/p>\n Saint Lucia\u2014an Eastern Caribbean island nation famous for its pair of dramatically tapered mountains, volcanic beaches, reef-diving sites, fishing villages, and an interior rainforest that leads to cliff-edge waterfalls\u2014was the postcard-perfect scene for the convergence of several hundred of the world\u2019s most dedicated Scientologists. They gathered for a week-long convocation aboard the legendary 440-foot Motor Vessel, Freewinds<\/a>,<\/em> a religious retreat for the Church of Scientology, in celebration of the 29th Anniversary of the ship\u2019s Maiden Voyage.<\/p>\n Indeed, this was no ordinary cruise, in fact, those on board form a stellar group who have collectively spearheaded the Church\u2019s expansion through the creation of new Churches of Scientology in their respective zones.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, the week-long gathering is helmed by the religion\u2019s ecclesiastical leader, Mr. David Miscavige, so again, this is no ordinary cruise.<\/p>\n The week launched with Mr. Miscavige\u2019s recap of just some of the highlights from the year\u2019s\u00a0progress:<\/p>\n \u201cSince last we met, our solar system of Churches now includes: Budapest, Hungary<\/a>; Harlem, New York<\/a>; San Diego, California<\/a>; and, the rim of our terrestrial world in Auckland, New Zealand<\/a>,\u201d he said, before moving on to detail the most recent Church grand openings in the San Fernando Valley, California<\/a>; Miami, Florida<\/a>; and Copenhagen, Denmark<\/a>.<\/p>\n But the convocation is not just about looking back, Mr.\u00a0Miscavige told the assembled. This is the week that sets the agenda for Scientologists around the world to continue the record-breaking expansion that has made the religion a thriving, upward-moving worldwide phenomenon.<\/p>\n For the rest of the year, the Freewinds<\/em> is an extraordinary vessel of benevolent distribution, as she logs and charts adventures that bring humanitarian and educational programs to the Caribbean and Latin America; as well as providing spiritual services for the most advanced Scientologists all year\u00a0long.<\/p>\n But for this week, the guests on the annual cruise will not only celebrate their own good works on behalf of the Church, but will target, plan and put into action future expansion while participating in extraordinary evening events, each with a unique and striking focus.<\/p>\n When Mr. Miscavige greeted the audience the first night, he also paid homage to the Freewinds<\/em>, whose crew\u2014including five master mariners and 133 survival craftsmen\u2014has compiled a staggering 5,000 years of cumulative experience at sea. The ship, he said, has been virtually rebuilt since her Maiden Voyage, making her \u201cthe safest ship on seven seas.\u201d<\/p>\n But her safety is not her only hallmark, and not her particular calling card. It is in fact her ongoing mission for humanity as she plies the azure Caribbean waters.<\/p>\n From human rights campaigns reaching island inhabitants across the windward isle of Saint Vincent; to drug education proliferation over Bonaire\u2019s TV and radio airwaves to counteract endemic drug abuse; and morals education by way of The Way to Happiness<\/em>, which earned exuberant praise from Aruba\u2019s Ministry of Justice.<\/p>\n In fact, the value of the Freewinds\u2019<\/em> mission was repeatedly acknowledged in testaments from grateful island officials who have personally witnessed the benefits.<\/p>\n The interaction of the Freewinds<\/em> and her crew with society shows \u201cnot just merely extending a hand, or granting a favor, but a social responsibility,\u201d said the Saint Lucia Minister over Infrastructure and Ports, in a video tribute. \u201cThat passion is one of love, one of sincerity, and one of true friendship and happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n A scholar from Barbados added, \u201cThe Freewinds<\/em> doesn\u2019t just come in, spend some time and leave. They look for areas where the Freewinds<\/em> can help. And it\u2019s not about helping financially. It\u2019s about helping find solutions to issues, to concerns, to problems.\u201d<\/p>\n While finally, a Ministry of Tourism representative from St. Kitts and Nevis declared: \u201cEven though we don\u2019t say it often enough or loud enough, just remember, the Caribbean appreciates the Freewinds<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n The next night, guests were treated to a biographical presentation in honor of L.\u00a0Ron\u00a0Hubbard (LRH). It was an evening informing and astounding those in attendance with countless previously untold tales of Mr. Hubbard\u2019s legacy. Tales presented by the LRH Biographer, Dan Sherman, that spoke to both Mr. Hubbard\u2019s kindness and his vision.<\/p>\n At the heart of the evening were on-camera interviews featuring vivid personal accounts of those who had encountered L. Ron Hubbard and were forever changed.<\/p>\n There was the Spanish cabin steward who went on to become a \u201cbetter person with my fellow man, and that\u2019s all thanks to Ron.\u201d Similarly, the Portuguese entrepreneur who spoke of \u201cthe power\u201d from LRH \u201cthat made my life what I am today.\u201d Followed by the Caribbean synagogue president who told of Mr. Hubbard \u201ccapturing the mood and atmosphere\u201d of the New World\u2019s oldest synagogue in their cherished photo journal. Concluding with the island radio personality and architect who recalled one Captain L. Ron Hubbard urging his Caribbean classmates to empower themselves through education and thus whom he called \u201ca Captain not only for a ship, for me, he\u2019s a Captain that helps us direct our\u00a0lives.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr. Sherman concluded his presentation with a message, \u201cWhatever you do, emulate L. Ron Hubbard. His competence and proficiency sufficient to produce an emotional impact\u2014emulate it. And thereby sow his compassion and kindness through the lives you, too, encounter.\u201d<\/p>\n Passengers aboard for the Maiden Voyage also attended a formal event honoring the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) and its stellar commitment to not only protect and support the religion, but accelerate the betterment of mankind, through the myriad international humanitarian campaigns. They include:<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/f.edgesuite.net\/imagecache\/cropfit@w=3000@h=1200@cr=863,656,2142,1432@qa=85\/data\/www.scientology.org\/files\/mv2017\/scientology-freewinds-send-off_04C3803R.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHONORING A HUMANITARIAN SHIP OF STATE<\/h3>\n
AN EVENING IN RECOGNITION OF FOUNDER L. RON HUBBARD<\/h3>\n
A NIGHT IN CELEBRATION OF HUMANITARIAN ACTION<\/h3>\n
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