The Messenger Published by the Swedenborgian Church of North America Volume 231 • Number 4 • April 2009 in Memoriam the Rev
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the Messenger Published by the Swedenborgian Church of North America Volume 231 • Number 4 • April 2009 In Memoriam The Rev. Edwin Gould Capon (1924-2009) dwin Capon played a tremen- president, Rev. William Worcester, not reveal though, is the context in dously important role in the and a legendary Sunday School teach- which Edwin served as a church leader. modern history of the Swe- er who shepherded more than a thou- He provided exquisitely wise, tough, Edenborgian Church. In sand young people who and courageous leadership during one terms of leadership con- passed through her care of the most contentious periods of the tributions to, and ac- in her decades at the church’s life. As one who teaches Swe- complishments within, Fryeburg New Church denborgian Church history at our sem- the life of the Sweden- and the Fryeburg As- inary, I am well aware of the long and borgian Church in the sembly. She knew I had protracted “culture war” that dominat- second half of the twen- worked with Edwin ed the church from the mid-twentieth tieth century, very few at the San Francisco century through the early eighties. In a biographies compare church, and she told me nutshell, it was the great second event to Edwin’s. Recognized every single time I visit- of a liberal-conservative conversation early for his leadership ed her when she was an that pulled fiercely at the seams of uni- potential, Edwin was elderly shut-in during ty within the church. The first intense not only placed on the my time in ministry in clash, which unfolded in the latter de- teaching faculty but also Fryeburg, “Edwin Ca- cades of the nineteenth century, result- made vice-president of the Swedenbor- pon was the smartest stu- ed finally in the great gian School of Religion (forerunner of dent I ever had.” schism that created the Swedenborgian House of Studies) If we simply recited the the General Church. at the astonishingly young age of 31— litany of offices of leader- Concerning this and then made president at age 33. ship Edwin held, we would second great period He was a graduate of Harvard Uni- immediately ascertain his of division occurring versity, Andover-Newton Theological comfort with and skill in a half-century later, I School, and the New Church Theo- leadership: president of have heard and read logical School (as the Swedenbor- the seminary for 22 years many accounts and gian seminary was then called), had (1955–1977); president of tales from Sweden- already served two Boston area par- the denomination for two borgians who lived ishes (Bridgewater and Elmwood) as full terms (1992–1998); through the tumul- pastor with excellent results, and was chair of the Council of tuous decades of the viewed by many “to have the right Ministers for two terms; fifties, sixties, and stuff” for steering the church’s way into pastor of five churches, including a seventies. This period was marked by modernity. long pastorate in San Francisco (1979– doctrinal debates and by many organi- One of those who pegged Edwin as a 1990); and countless vital positions on zational moves that created a context hope for the future when he was young various official and special committees for contention, such as our denomina- was Margaret Worcester Briggs— at all levels of the church’s life. tion joining the National Council of daughter of the long-time seminary What such an external litany does continues on page 54 Misunderstood Stewardship: Using the Wrong conjunction • Nominees for Election 2009 Inside: Behold a New Thing: New Expressions of Faithfulness • Convention Registration Form LaPorte Celebrates Its Sesquicentennial • Resources for Church Renewal 50 the Messenger April 2009 we are the Lord’s agents in the natural fices. And don’t forget to register for The Editor’s Desk world, choosing whether to do good the annual convention (page 59). An- and acting on our choices by being nual conventions offer a respite from Stepping Up of use. Putting aside for the moment our daily lives while providing a venue he passing of the column inches we could devout ex- for church service and good fellowship. the Rev. Ed- ploring the theological dimensions of Now might be a good time to lock in win Capon that statement, we can simply focus on some reasonable airfares as well. T(page 49) reminds us how we can be of use. Whatever you are offering or choose how much he gave of We have lots of good articles that to offer to your church community, himself to the Sweden- touch on that concept this month. take a few moments to consider Ed- borgian Church and how much each Chris Laitner suggests a way to ap- win’s contributions, what they have of us benefitted from his dedication proach stewardship to help our church- meant for us, and how our actions and leadership. It also reminds us that, es flourish and grow (page 51). Sage might affect the next generation and although the Lord always provides a Currie and Andy Stinson offer an open- more—even unto eternity. church (as Swedenborg tells us, and minded attitude to change and putting Speaking of contributions, after Andy Stinson reminds us on page 57), new ideas in action (pages 56 and 57). more than a year and thirteen issues On page 60 the Laporte New Church as editor of The Messenger, I want to offers a model for connecting the his- thank everyone who has contributed Church Calendar tory of your church with your larger to it. I have received many kind com- April 15: Annual reports due at community, and John Maine vets some ments about the quality and vitality of Central Office for inclusion in the resources for learning about church re- The Messenger, as well as helpful sug- advance reports booklet newal on page 62. As you read about continues on page 55 the candidates offering their time and April 18: Earth Day Youth talents to serve in church governance Retreat • Kitchener (Ontario) on page 52, consider how you might Church of the Good Shepherd be of service to the larger church com- the Messenger munity by running for one of these of- © The Swedenborgian Church of North America May 9: Wayfarers Board of Man- Published monthly except July and August by The agers conference call meeting Communications Support Unit of The Swedenbor- gian Church of North America (founded 1817, in- June 24–28: Annual Convention corporated 1861 as the General Convention of the Letters to the Editor New Jerusalem in the United States of America). Seattle, Washington April 2009 Volume 231, No. 4, Whole Number 5339 UU Swedenborgian Lecture Contents Editor: Herb Ziegler Dear Editor, Design and production: Herb Ziegler In Memoriam: the Rev. Edwin In the March, 2009, issue of The Editorial assistance: Robert Leith Gould Capon ......................... 49 Messenger, I read with interest the ar- Printing: Town and Country Press The Editor’s Desk .......................... 50 Editorial Address: Church Calendar ........................ 50 ticle about the 2009 Swedenborg Herb Ziegler, The Messenger Letters to the Editor ..................... 50 Lecture Series at Urbana University. 2 Hancock Place Misunderstood Stewardship: Using Cambridge, MA 02139 (“2009 Swedenborg Lecture at UU”) Tel: 617.491.5181 the Wrong Conjunction ......... 51 I appreciated the excellent informa- Nominees for Election in 2009 .... 52 Email: [email protected] News from the tion about Dr. Kim Nielsen, professor Business and Subscription Address: The Messenger, Central Office Women’s Alliance .................. 55 or history and women’s studies at the 11 Highland Avenue SCYL Memorial Day Retreat ....... 55 University of Wisconsin, who will be Newtonville, MA 02460 Behold a New Thing: Emerging this year’s scholar. Email: [email protected] Expressions of Faithfulness ..... 56 Subscription free to members of the Sweden- 2009 Convention Registration .... 59 I found missing two pieces of in- borgian Church; nonmembers: $12/year; foreign: Laporte Celebrates formation that should be of interest to $15/year; gift subscription from a member: $5/ year; single copies: $1.00. Its Sesquicentennial ................ 60 the Swedenborgian Church in North Resources for Church Renewal . 62 Deadline for submissions is six weeks before the America. The first is that this program, first day of the month of issue. Passages ...................................... 63 more than a decade old, is financially The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect News in Brief ................................. 63 the views of the editor or the Communications 2009 Annual Convention supported by a yearly grant from the Support Unit, or represent the position of the in Seattle ................................. 64 Church. continues on page 62 the Messenger April 2009 51 The President Reflects Misunderstood Stewardship: Using the Wrong Conjunction d e e p , support of our churches. We each need ing next year? Financial stewardship can abiding to commit resources through regular never remain static; it should always under- financial giving to our churches. How look to how it can grow to support on- Astanding basic else will these wonderful, warm, spiri- going ministries, outreach and denom- to our theology tually nurturing places continue? How inational possibilities. and life prac- else will we be able to create houses of Financial stewardship is not a tice is that we worship and ministries of use and wel- choice; it is a commitment of necessi- are actively in- come? How else will we train a profes- ty. If we want to continue to have local volved in a pro- sional clergy or have opportunities to ministries, an active online ministry, cess of regener- worship, learn, share, and grow togeth- church camps, and other outreach pro- ation: a God- er? How can we be become more giv- grams, members and friends of those given ability to help ourselves achieve ing and less withholding of ourselves in ministries must choose to give regular- the “heavenly life” for which we are cre- supporting the work of our ministries? ly at helpful levels .