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 . . . and the choice ated. Living our lives “as if of ourselves” How can we possibly think that what cannot be to give “the last $10 of the is to feel that we are always in freedom, has called to each of us will exist be- month.” The hard reality that we never that we choose our own paths. While yond us without our ongoing support? say enough is that if we want to see our we might think that our choices occur Too many of our board meetings be- churches, camps, the ordained minis- only at big, major, life-altering decision gin with the treasurer’s report or some try, and our presence in the world con- points, the truth is that we are always sort of financial accounting. Too often tinue, we need to pay for it. making these choices and that they are our meetings start with worried state- I don’t live near a Swedenborgian based on the belief systems we have, on ments about some potential new ex- church, so I attend a church in my local the “highest good we know.” pense. Too often we reflect our denom- community. Every year in that church, Our churches—our ministries in all inational history of not asking for hon- I’m given the opportunity to pledge of their forms—are the places where we est, regular financial commitment from and use a weekly envelope system for are nurtured spiritually through wor- all of our members and friends—and giving. But I also always give to my ship, sermons, classes, and other expe- we must change that old paradigm. We own Swedenborgian church of mem- riences to create that “highest good.” cannot succeed in this century on orga- bership, to one of our church camps, Each of us as members, friends, and nizational structures from the past. We and, because I am currently able to, ministers of the church also share that need to provide solid, regular financial I contribute to some of our other de- spiritual nurturing with others as it giving. It’s simple: we need to pay for nominational ministries and needs. shows through our lives in the world. our ministries. Every single General Convention min- It is in this context that we need to If you give regularly, weekly, ev- istry is supported by a relatively small think of our churches and to make the ery other week, or even monthly to number of people, so each of us has to conscious choice to support them fi- your local church (it takes an average make certain that our giving is mean- nancially. Supporting our churches of $700 to $1100 annually from each ingful (which is a euphemism for “as should be as primary as is our choice giver to support the needs of most of large a humanly possible”) and contin- to buy groceries to sustain our physi- those churches), thank you for choos- uous. We need ongoing, regular finan- cal bodies. Our church and its minis- ing to give at a truly helpful level! cial help to support our work. We need tries sustain our souls, and we need to That’s what it takes. If you don’t have to pay for it. support those programs. Too often, I a local church, but you give regularly There is no place for “or” in the believe, we put church on the bottom to your regional association programs equation that we sometimes use. There of the “ought to support” pay-out list and churches, or you give to one of is no “time, talent or treasure.” We rather than at the top of the “must sup- our church camps, or you give to our need to give all of those things. The port” list. I have been guilty of this oc- various denominational needs, thank conjunction is “and.” We need to step casionally, and I’m trying to do better. you! And then, the question is, by how up to stewardship and give our time, We need to step up to the financial much can you increase your financial giv- continues on page 55 52 the Messenger April 2009 Nominees for Election in 2009

erations manager and currently serve The nominating committee has nominated the following candidates for of- on the personnel committee. fices, boards, support units, and committees: I am particularly interested in our Convention President for 2010 Ken Turley: Fryeburg, Maine youth, education, resource manage- Vice-President Lori Steinhiser: Michigan City, Indiana ment, and denominational structure Treasurer Susannah Currie: Providence, Rhode Island and processes. I consider it a tremen- Recording Secretary Susan Wood Ashton: Fort Myers, Florida dous honor to be nominated for the General Council (layperson) David Viges: Michigan position of vice-president. The busi- Education Support Unit (EDSU) Sue Ditmire: Maryland ness and healthy growth of our church is of great interest to me, and I intend Ministry Support Unit (MinSU) Barbara Boxwell: Midland, Michigan to be usefully involved in some capac- Junchol Lee: Cleveland, Ohio ity or another long into the future. SHS Board of Trustees, Robert Leas: Fort Wayne, Indiana Thank you for your consideration. (representative class) Herb Ziegler: Cambridge, Massachusetts Nominating Committee Wilma Wake: Portland, Maine Treasurer: Susannah Currie Having served as treasurer for the The nominating committee is still • COMSU past eight months, I have discovered accepting candidates for nomination • FPRSU that there is to all positions. Any member wishing • IMSU a lot to learn, to contribute to life and work of the • MinSU and I hope to denomination is encouraged to con- • Nominating Committee continue to tact Matthew Fleming (matthewmal- grow in my Elections will be held at the 2009 [email protected]). The nominating awareness and Annual Convention in Seattle. Nom- committee is still seeking candidates expertise if inations from the floor of the con- for the following open positions: elected for an- vention will be called for before an • General Council (clergy) other one-year election is conducted. • General Council (layperson) term.

Recording Secretary: Susan Wood-Ashton The Messenger has received the I began attending services at LaPorte following candidate statements New Church in 1994 and became a My name is Susan Wood-Ashton, to date: member in 2000. Since that time, I and for the fifth year I am honored to have been actively involved on the accept the nomination for the office of Vice-President: Lori Steinhiser board, serving as president from 2002– recording secretary of General Con- I am a member of LaPorte New 2005 and secretary from 2006 to the vention. In the Church, LaPorte, Indiana. My hus- present. I also enjoy working with our 37 years that band Alan and I have three children: children very much, serving as the Sun- I have been a Cody (16), day School superintendent since 2002 member of the Scout (8), and and youth leader since 2006. Beyond Swe d e n b o r- Wyatt (4). We our local church, I have served on the gian Church, live in Michi- executive committee of the Illinois As- I have been on gan City, In- sociation, and I am the vice-president General Coun- diana, and I of ANCSSA (American New Church cil, FPRSU, am the ad- Sunday School Association). AFC and the ministrator I was elected to General Council at retirement committee; I’ve also served at Renaissance Academy, a Montes- Convention 2006. On the Council, I as president of the Ohio Association as th sori Preschool and K–8 grade charter most recently was an active member of well as board president of the Kemper school. our search committee for the new op- Road Church in Ohio, now known as the Messenger April 2009 53 the New Church of Montgomery. Af- feel that we have found a home in the mitted and active member of the board ter leaving Ohio and moving to Flor- Church and the denomination. through the early years of adjustment ida in 1985, I became a member of to new challenges and opportunities in the New Church of Southwest Flori- SHS Board: Robert Leas our California home. da although my distance from Ft. My- I am a graduate of Indiana Univer- We have many challenges ahead: ers classifies me as an isolated mem- sity with a Master of Divinity degree the performance of our endowment; ber. I am currently an active mem- from McCormick Theological Semi- the hurdles to studying on campus that ber of the Swedenborgian Communi- nary, and I am face many students; implementation ty, the online ministry of the Sweden- an honorably re- of our long-range plan; and, of course, borgian Church, where I serve on the tired minister of those challenges yet unknown that will steering committee appointed by Gen- the Presbyterian emerge in the next three years. I feel eral Council. The position of record- Church (USA). ready to represent your interests and ing secretary is one with a wide vari- In my career as wisdom in facing these challenges. ety of duties, and I have found my four a certified super- years as secretary to be both enriching visor of the Asso- MINSU: Barb Boxwell and rewarding. I would be honored to ciation for Clini- I am Barb Boxwell, president of serve my church for another year in cal Pastoral Education, Inc., I taught Michigan Association of the Sweden- this capacity. seminary students and clergy in the- borgian Church. I became a member ology and pastoral care for 32 years. of the church through the member-at- General Council (layperson): Prior to that, I spent twelve years as a large process of the Michigan Associa- David Viges pastor in three Presbyterian churches. tion in 1986, having stumbled across I would consider it an honor to be I am married to Marjory Leas, a life- Swedenborg in college. I love the teach- elected to the General Council. I be- long member of the Swedenborgian ings and enjoy being a member of this lieve both my work and general life ex- Church, and I am active with her at the church. periences give me the knowledge and Almont New Church Assembly. This would be my second term on ability to be of service to the General As a current member of the Board of MINSU. I have been shepherding the Convention in this Trustees of the Swedenborgian House ministry of the New Church of the capacity. of Studies at Pacific School of Religion, Southwest Desert since its inception, I have worked I am completing my ninth year of ser- as well as being a liaison to seven other for the State of vice. My responsibilities on the board churches within the denomination. It Michigan, Bureau have included terms as vice chair and is exciting to see the churches take on of Construction clerk. new ventures and succeed. Codes for over I bring to the tasks of the board my What I bring to this position is a 34 years. My ma- years of experience as a teacher and ad- background in business, having owned jor function has been to be in charge ministrator working with theological and operated several businesses as sole of the bureau’s $25 million budget. I students, seminary faculty, and inter- proprietorships, a corporation, and a also supervise an office of eight persons ested lay people. I would be happy to partnership LLC. I also bring to this who handle IT and web functions for continue to serve the Swedenborgian church a background of spirituality the bureau, purchase computers, and Church as a member of the Board of deeply rooted in Swedenborg. issue construction permits. Trustees. I hope that you will elect me to a Currently, I am president of the second term on MINSU so that I may board of directors for the Lansing SHS Board: Herb Ziegler continue the work we have started. Swedenborgian Church. We are pres- I gladly accept nomination to serve ently trying to expand and grow our another term on the SHS Board of MINSU: Junchol Lee church by making it known through- Trustees. I perceive that my pres- It has been my privilege to serve out the community. I also have experi- ence on the board has contributed to MINSU this past year, fulfilling a one- ence being on the council of my previ- its success in setting goals and priori- year unexpired term, and I am excited ous church. ties for management and stewardship about the opportunity to serve MIN- My wife Julie and I have four chil- of our small but vibrant seminary and SU for a full term. dren and seven grandchildren. We both school of theology. I have been a com- continues on page 62 54 the Messenger April 2009

Edwin Capon tive to me this week in an email: stead), encouraging student formation continued from page 49 Probably the single most out- process through the National Training Churches, our seminary moving into standing feature I remember is Laboratory in Bethel, Maine, and de- a close relationship with a mainline that Edwin always attempted to veloping the legendary field education seminary (Andover-Newton), the ad- be fair, objective, and impartial in program with the Puget Sound minis- vent of modern psychology as an im- his decision making. He was able try in their Project Link. portant aspect of theology and minis- to look at all sides of a given situa- As a pastor, Edwin was especially try, the ordination of women, and the tion, trying to see what was in the noted for his philosophical sermons on best interests of all the parties in- beginnings of the conversation about current topics, his kindly pastoral style, volved, and then decide according- ordination of openly gay candidates, and his close attention to administra- ly based on the spiritual principles tive detail. All of his churches, from all of which were played out in vari- involved. I didn’t agree with all of his early days in Elmwood and Bridge- ous ways of interpreting Swedenborg his decisions, but I came to trust for the contemporary context. that he had thought about the water to his latter parishes in Detroit, Edwin Capon played a prom- San Francisco, and St. Paul pros- inent and significant leader- pered under his leadership. ship role all through this period. In his personal life, Edwin Though identified intellectually found happiness in his second as a “liberal,” I think most would marriage. In 1975 he and Esther agree that Edwin was by nature began a wonderfully rich and a very conservative person and full marital journey that would very deliberate about change. At last 34 years. They jumped in the same time, however, he had together, supporting each oth- a characteristic inclination to- er in their careers and running a wards utilizing progressive new household with their combined tools, rather than simply rely- eight children (six with Esther ing on the treasured procedures and two with Edwin, most of of the past. That combination whom were still at home at the of intellectually progressive but time of their marriage). Along constitutionally conservative the way, Esther earned a law de- was a winning formula for effec- gree and then worked in a firm tive leadership. Edwin developed and performed much pro bono a style of restraint, patience, and work in eldercare issues. After compassion that led to a reputa- Edwin finished his tenure at the Edwin and Esther Capon tion for being able to broker res- seminary and served three par- olutions and compromises that could matter from all angles and that he ishes, he served two terms in the nine- stand up and live forward in the real had rendered an honest, fair judg- ties as president of the denomination, world. George Dole put it this way to ment. He had high moral and eth- during which Esther, then retired, was me: ical standards, and these were not able to be a regular companion on his compromised. It was a privilege to I always appreciated the ex- trips. They especially treasured their have known him, and I learned a tent of the burden and respon- July and August retreats at their Kezar great deal about ministry from Ed- sibility Edwin carried in helping Lake cottage in western Maine. win Capon. the church move forward during I worked with Edwin for two years a lengthy and painful polarization. The Rev. Erni Martin noted to me (1986–1988) in a team ministry con- He had a talent not only for find- that as the leader of the theological cept at the San Francisco Church, and I ing the center stripe, but for find- school, Edwin advanced a number of was also able to visit Edwin and Esther ing the center of the center stripe. progressive ideas, such as moving the frequently over the past several years The Rev. Paul Zacharias, who was school to Berkeley in 1963 (though in their retirement home less than an Edwin’s student both in the classroom the plan fell through, it had been shep- hour away from the seminary. I learned and in his field education in the Elm- herded to a unanimous vote by both many of Edwin’s loves over time: he was wood Society, offered a similar perspec- the seminary faculty and the board, a Civil War buff; his favorite theologian and the school moved to Newton in- the Messenger April 2009 55 other than Swedenborg was Berdayev; gether. In marrying her I also ac- he loved football but not so much oth- quired a second family which has SCYL Memorial er sports; he liked to hike; he liked an- enriched my life, as have my two tique rifles; and he enjoyed building a boys (Peter and Jonathan) and my Day Retreat library of mostly secondhand books. granddaughter. The 2009 Memorial Day Week- Most of all, he took a deep interest in I am acutely aware how inadequate- end Swedenborgian Church Youth the affairs of the church. He was always ly this memorial tribute captures the League (SCYL) Teen Retreat is May eager for church news, and each piece extent of Edwin’s uses and contribu- 22–25 in Fryeburg, Maine. Our re- of information that I would share he tions. He touched countless lives in treats are open to teens ages 13–18 would ponder and consider. personal ways, and he also made a con- of all faiths and beliefs. At our re- But in the end, family was perhaps tribution of historical note to the Swe- treats we offer life skills and spiritu- the most cherished part of his life. denborgian movement in North Amer- al sessions based on the principles Shortly before Edwin passed away, as ica. I am grateful to have worked with of the Swedenborgian church. We we went through items in his study him, to have learned from him, to have strive for a safe, secure and inclusive that he wanted to give to the library shared ideas and interests with him, environment to discuss and share and archives, we discovered that four and to have been one of his friends relevant and meaningful ideas and years ago he had written a brief mem- along his way. challenges that teens face today. We oir. He concluded it with these words: —Jim Lawrence work, play, and learn together as a community. We have fun! In my eighty years there have been many more pluses than mi- Stewardship For teens and parents new to nuses. . . . I cannot rank the plus- continued from page 51 SCYL retreats, please don’t hesi- tate to contact youth director Kurt es in order of importance, with talent and our treasure to everything Fekete with any and all questions one exception. For some thir- that we hold dear in this, our beloved and concerns (email: kfekete@ho- ty years Esther has been the most Church. We need to honor what we be- important part of my life. She is tmail.com or call 802.345.0169). lieve and give decent, consistent finan- thoughtful, kind, loving, and wise. Kurt will answer your questions cial support. It’s definitely worth it! We have had many good times to- or, if appropriate, put you in con- —Chris Laitner tact with a league officer in your re- gion to help give you as much in- formation and encouragement as News from the Women’s Alliance you need! Visit us online at: youthleague. In past years, the Women’s Alliance has mailed the annual appeal letter to hun- blogspot.com dreds of women and got very little response. Last year at Annual Convention, the executive committee decided to print the fundraising letter in The Messenger and eliminate the mailing, thus saving hundreds of dollars in postage and printing The Editor’s Desk costs. In place of being mailed to you, the annual appeal letter was printed in the continued from page 50 February issue of The Messenger and is being distributed to our member churches. gestions for improvement. But I could This is your opportunity to pay your annual dues and send a donation, which not manage this every month without helps the Alliance in our many efforts to support various programs within Con- the articles others so helpfully provide. vention. If you haven’t had a chance to read the letter, please do. I invite you to consider submitting an —Nancy Little, president article for The Messenger—news, a re- Checks should be made out to: North American Alliance of Swedenborgian flection, theological musings, connec- Women and mailed to our treasurer Jeannette Hille, 4240 Larch Place North, tions, poetry, photos, art, research, his- Plymouth, MN 55442 tory, or anything you feel ready to con- Name:______tribute. Contact me and we can dis- Address:______cuss your idea. The readers would love to hear from you. If an article inspires Email Address:______some thoughts, write a letter; we have Member Church/Society Affiliation:______room for vibrant exchange of ideas. Amount Donated: Dues ($5.00):______General Fund: _____Mite Box:_____ —Herb Ziegler 56 the Messenger April 2009 Behold a New Thing: Emerging Expressions of Faithfulness: Reflections on the 2009 Earl Lectures and Leadership Conference at Pacific School of Religion

By Sage Currie in New York City and Karen Ward, the or halleluiahs, no fire and brimstone. very day as a hospice chaplain “abbess” of the Church of the Apos- This type of informal community is I meet thoughtful, loving, spiri- tles in Seattle, would be speaking re- what has emerged as Jay has listened to tual people who do not consid- ally intrigued me. These are leaders what church might and could look like Eer themselves church people. I work of two emergent church communities in his community of Brooklyn, New with them. I pray with them. They are that are living, growing, and worship- York— listened to how God may still my peers, my patients, my colleagues. ing together. I wanted to know what be able to create church in the world They are nurses and social workers who, made what they were doing “emer- for Christians who have given up on when sitting with the dying man who gent,” what made them different, and church. reaches out above speaking the names how they were reaching the many peo- Karen Ward’s call to create Apos- of loved ones who have passed on be- ple out there who, like my friends and tles’ Church is just as authentic, just fore him, assure him confidently that colleagues, had no idea anymore what as emergent but has taken her com- his family has come to welcome him church had to do with them. munity in a very different direction. to heaven—nurses and social workers So I had a lot of questions. And I At the conference, Karen and her wor- who do not attend church or profess a wish I could report that I left the con- ship team offered a prayer service like particular faith, and when pressed ask ference with a lot of answers, instead of those at their community in Seattle. the question, “What does the church more questions, but . . . . Multimedia images, art, ambient mu- have to do with me?” Well, that’s not entirely true; I did sic, chanting, poetry, and prayer, along I carried their question with me when come away with a few answers. with strips of duct tape that worshipers I decided to use my vacation time this First, the emerging church is not a were invited to place over their mouths January to attend PSR’s Earl Lecture specific thing, a specific way of- wor to experience the feeling of being si- Series “Behold a New Thing, Emerg- shiping, or a specific organization. The lenced, made this worship service a ing Expressions of Faithfulness.” Prom- best definition for emerging church full-bodied sensory experience—noth- ising myself to explore this new move- that I found was that we do and create ing like Jay Bakker talking from a bar ment that has come to be known as the emergent church anytime we listen for stool. From the Church of the Apostles emerging, or emergent church, I was in- how God might call us to speak, cre- website: trigued, and hopeful that this confer- ate, or organize in a new way in our If you say go—a new way to ence would be a place for me to answer communities. walk that’s crazy beautiful church the questions that so many of my col- For Jay Bakker, Revolution Church of the apostles (a.k.a. “cota” or just apostles) is a new church, not leagues were asking. Where is church is emergent in that he feels called to only in “years in existence,” but in relevant? In what new ways is church reach out to Christians who, like him, mindset. We seek to be a real and thriving and living? And how are new have been burned. As their fliers read: authentic community, at home in churches reaching out to people who As Christians we’re sorry for be- today’s culture and in our Fremont don’t understand the first thing about ing self-righteous judgmental bas- neighborhood as “artisans of a new what church has to do with them? tards. Revolution, NYC, A church humanity.” I had been hearing blips about the for people who have given up on Karen Ward and the community she church. emergent church for some time. I helped create hear God calling them to even had a couple of books about it His church meets in the back of a do something new by using music, me- on my shelf I had yet to crack open. bar where people sip beer and coffee dia, art, and technology to bring their And more than anything, what attract- while he preaches. There is no music, whole bodies and senses into the wor- ed me to this conference was a real ex- which, as Jay says, is a “button” for ship experience. citement seeing PSR bring to its cam- him; there is no liturgy to speak of, and So it’s not just one thing, one way pus people who were not just theoriz- he is not what you would call a charis- of worshiping, and the differences be- ing or theologizing about church, but matic preacher. He is unassuming as he tween Karen and Jay were a great re- doing it. Looking at the schedule to see sits atop a bar stool and ponders life, that Jay Bakker of Revolution Church scripture, and God’s grace—no amens continues on page 61 the Messenger April 2009 57 Behold a New Thing: Emerging Expressions of Faithfulness: Reflections on the 2009 Earl Lectures and Leadership Conference at Pacific School of Religion

By Andy Stinson music, fosters community, and launch- for the gay community within the es people into faith in a profound and evangelical community, earning him a The Lord Always Provides a deep way. Her community offers a wor- lot of hate mail. Church . . . ship and art experience that offers real At his core of experiencing the very All this is like a house and its foun- possibilities for what congregational best and worst of “church,” he is seek- dations. The actual house is heaven, and life in a post-Christian, postmodern ing to transcend it with God’s love. I it is also Divine Truth there such as the framework might look like. Karen is came to admire him, not because he is Word is in its inward sense, while the not abandoning old forms, but rather a great thinker but because he has truly foundations are the world and also Di- making them new in a way that invites taken on the charge of living his faith vine Truth there such as the Word is in its people who may not know, understand, in a dramatic and authentic way. When outward sense. Just as the house rests on or recognize the traditional elements of he brought his ministry front and cen- its foundations, so too heaven rests on the worship to engage in a worship experi- ter as gay-affirming, he lost substantial Church, and consequently Divine Truth ence that is not about a person up front financial support and came very near in heaven on Divine Truth on earth. For disseminating the “truth,” but offers an to closing the door on his ministry. through the Word a continuous link ex- experience where they might come to When I asked him about this, he ists from the Lord by way of heaven right “do truth” in their lives. Find out more said he has come to believe that he down to people in the world. This is the about Church of the Apostles at www. was prepared for this ministry. Having reason why the Lord always provides for apostleschurch.org the experiences of growing up front the existence of a Church on earth, where and center in the best and worst of Divine Truth may exist on its lowest lev- Jay Bakker the evangelical tradition allows him to el. —AC 9340 “I’m just here to preach Grace . . .” speak to the 65 million Americans that One of the pleasures of the lectures hen I learned that the Pacif- identify themselves as evangelicals with was the opportunity to hear and meet ic School of Religion (PSR) an authority and conviction that is un- Jay Bakker. If the name sounds famil- was hosting the likes of Jay rivaled. It’s one thing to be a liberal WBakker and Karen Ward (we’ll get to iar, it should, as he is the son of Jim and gay-affirming; it is quite another to and Tammy Faye Bakker, founders of them in a minute) for the 2009 Earl come from and stand in the evangelical the PTL Club, who in the eighties dis- Lectures, I knew I wanted to be there. tradition and endure persecution from graced themselves in scandal. Jay is both A lot of what the New Church is about that community while proclaiming the a departure from and an extension of is being worked out by people on the “radical grace” of the Gospel. The walk his parents and his experience in that fringes of the church, without bricks of the prophet is a hard one, and Jay cauldron that was the indictment of and mortar and bylaws, working to see seems to be doing it with a lot of grace the PTL Club and its ministries. Com- the New Church come into a new rela- and humility. Find out more about Jay ing from the free church tradition, he tionship with the world. I want to be- and Revolution Church at www.revo- is not seminary trained and his talks re- gin by talking about three of the speak- lutionnyc.com. ers at the lectures and then offer some veal a foundational grittiness. reflections on the conference. Bakker is a rubber-meets-the-road Gerardo Marti Karen Ward preacher who was shaped by those ear- “I am not the minister, and you are ly experiences in the evangelical world. not the church that I am here to serve; to- I have been a fan of Karen Ward for He is still very much from the conser- gether we are the church and we are here a while, downloading podcasts of her vative and evangelical tradition, but to go out and serve the world.” (as quot- worship services, messages, and talks with a lip piercing and tattooed sleeves ed by Gerardo Marti) about the Church of the Apostles for he represents a new way that seeks to Gerardo is a sociologist from the a few years now. A self-proclaimed “ab- reach those who have seen and been world of academia. He is a professor bess,” she leads a community in Seattle burned by the excesses of the church at Davidson College in North Caroli- from the Episcopal and Lutheran tra- and who have rejected the church. His na, where he studies the American re- ditions that gives expression to art and greatest work has been taking a stand continues on page 58 58 the Messenger April 2009

Reflections: Andy Stinson volve. In this movement there is a lot forward into the world. continued from page 57 of goodness still to be had from the There is not a right way, but there is, forms of the institutional church, but ligious scene. Truly, Gerardo was the it seems, a right spirit, a spirit of rad- that church has to be ready to move highlight of the event for me. It was ical hospitality, a spirit of God’s Love closer to the ultimate forms to which amazing to have someone from outside versus God’s judgment, a spirit of new- the New Church points us. the church looking at the grand sche- ness. This does not mean tradition is re- ma of church in America and saying Those forms are about freedom: jected but rather offered in a form that “this is what I see happening,” without freedom of exploration, freedom of ex- invites people to take part instead of preconceptions or theological or philo- pression, and a fundamental willing- ostracizing them with words that have sophical biases. His scholarship is fas- ness to follow Divine Providence. The lost their meaning and actions that no cinating—he is following some of the new expressions of Christianity com- longer make sense. most influential movements in religion ing from these emergent groups are The unique attribute these and oth- in America. nimble, responsive, and outside the er new churches and leaders share is confines of what “institutional church” He maps out a growing religious that they are doing church their way. might mean. Now I am not anti-insti- movement (and growing quite fast) They are not voting on it or setting up tution and neither are these new incar- that is nondenominational and based committees to study it; they are sim- nations, but they are attentive to what on hyper-awareness of media and cul- ply finding direct and powerful ways is wine and what is the chalice, what ture. For the actors in that movement, to share God’s love with their imme- actually feeds and what is simply there the Christian message is not sepa- diate communities, the people that to hold that which nourishes, and gen- rate from the cultural personas of the live to the left and to the right of them erally the chalice is very simple. church leaders. They are highly me- everyday. dia focused and media savvy, and they Just Do It Culture as Friend bring to bear not the falsity of the old A lot of the talk about the church A common concept among all the school televangelist, but a conscious- and the emergent church at the begin- speakers was the church as an extension ness of the authenticity that media ex- ning of the conference settled on the of culture, not opposed or appended to posure makes possible. idea of a “silver bullet.” Not just Swe- it—working within the cultural milieu. I encourage anyone interested in denborgians, but every tradition in Bakker in New York, Ward in Seattle, church in America and where it is go- America is trying to discern how to and Mosaic Church in North Carolina ing to read Professor Marti’s books communicate its message in a high- (one of Marti’s subjects) are all friends or read his blog: http://praxishabitus. ly competitive culture. There must be to the culture they inhabit. They trust blogspot.com. something or some things that those enough in the transformational nature I share snapshots of these three with who are flourishing are doing right—a of the Gospel to let it do its work in a you in the hope that you will be in- praise band, cool clothes, proxima pro- culture that may appear hostile or dis- spired to read more from them and to jectors—something that we can adopt tracting. Their churches are highly dig- lay some groundwork for the observa- that will allow us to attract serious peo- ital, highly conscious of their message, tions with which I came away from the ple of faith. and they are stewards of the perception lectures. The bold truth is that form matters of their message in the world. They are Without a Temple much less than function. How people conscious of ideas such as “branding” are worshipping, whether with a bar their churches. These are churches that The church is devolving, and this stool and a microphone as Jay Bakker are communicating to people who oth- is good thing. The ultimate vision of is or with serious production values as erwise would never hear things of God the church that God offers us is a place in the Mosaic Church studied by Ge- or the Gospel preached. They craft their residing in people’s hearts and not in rardo Marti, matters little. What mat- message to communicate God’s love to temples; as we have often heard, the ters is that they are “doing truth,” that the world in a holistic way, with aware- Holy City has no temple. While I be- the churches and leaders are minister- ness of the highly competitive world of lieve this, I also believe it’s going to be ing to the world and to its wounds in a media frenzy. many more generations on this earth myriad of ways, not any old ways, but The Gospel before we live that reality. And yet we their ways, the ways they are uniquely are moving toward New Church struc- and powerfully called by God to bring Meeting these people, I found my- tures as the old church structures de- continues on page 61 the Messenger April 2009 59

185th Session of the General Convention of the Central Office before the end of the registration period for rates and to se- cure a permit. Commuters must pay for parking each day when entering the New Jerusalem, June 24-28, 2009 campus. Council of Ministers: June 21-23 Cancellations: If you do not cancel on or before Wednesday, May 27, you 2009 Registration Form will forfeit your registration fee. If you cancel less than 24 hours before your Convention 2009 will be held in Seattle, Washington on the campus of The check-in, you will forfeit your registration fee, as well as the cost of one day University of Washington. To learn more about UW, visit www.washing- of room and board (plus tax) or ten percent of the package rate, whichever is ton.edu. To learn more about the 2009 Convention and view a list of greater. If you fail to show up, you will forfeit your full prepayment. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), please visit www.swedenborg.org You may choose from the following room packages only: or call the Central Office at 617.969.4240. 1. Package A (June 21 -28, seven nights), Council of Ministers: Lodging: Haggett Hall’s rooms are arranged corridor-style with one bath- $458.50 per person, double occupancy room per floor. Every two floors share a lounge. $602 single occupancy Childcare: The childcare program will run during meetings and receptions Includes seven nights of lodging, seven breakfasts, six lunches, and for children ages 3–12. If you will be bringing children to Convention, seven dinners. please read the Convention FAQ or contact the Central Office for details, 2. Package B (June 23-28, five nights), General Council: rates, deadlines, and to obtain the necessary forms. Note that dorm rooms $327.50 per person, double occupancy will not have extra cots or cribs, so please plan accordingly. $430 single occupancy Teen Program: The youth program runs from Wednesday, June 24 through Includes five nights of lodging, five breakfasts, four lunches, and five Sunday, June 28, and is supervised by Kurt Fekete, youth director. If you want dinners. your teen age 13–17 to attend without a parent, please see the FAQ or contact 3. Package C (June 24-28, four nights): the Central Office for details. $262 per person, double occupancy All guests staying off campus will have to pay for meals when entering $344 single occupancy the dining hall. Please read the FAQ for details. Includes four nights of lodging, four breakfasts, three lunches, and four Parking permits are available for those staying on campus. Please contact the dinners.

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Please print any additional names or information on the back or on a separate sheet Registration Amt # People Total Payment Information Adult $105 All prices are in US currency. If you pay with Canadian funds, Teen (13-17) $90 please add $5 for handling of each Canadian check. All bills Child (3-12) $55 must be paid in full before May 27. No registration refunds after May 27. Bills may be paid by Visa or by MasterCard. You may Under 3 years old Free call the Central Office to make a secure credit card payment at *Family maximum $300 617.969.4240. One Day Registration $40 Visa MasterCard Expiration Local Volunteer $55 Date:

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*Family maximum price applies to immediate family members only. 60 the Messenger April 2009 LaPorte Celebrates Its Sesquicentennial

and growing the town of LaPorte. • James Andrew, local businessman LaPorte feels the historical presence and wise, generous donor; of many past New Church members • Rev. Eugene Daniel, who served the who were influential in the forming of church 1893–1908 and wrote a his- the city; many streets bear their names: tory of LaPorte in 1904 that is still a James Andrew and Judge William An- valuable tool for researching family drew, Ferdinand Roberts, George Sey- history; mour, Judge John B. Niles, Emmet The LaPorte New Church in earlier times • Sebastian Lay, local businessman Hoyt Scott and his wife, Mary Relief and restaurant owner; Niles Scott, Dr. Abraham Teegarden, n January 31, 2009, the • Abraham Teegarden, physician and Sebastian Lay, and Rev. Henry Weller. Laporte (Indiana) New abolitionist; Later, Florence Andrew and the Cof- Church held the first event feens were prominent members of both • The Rev. Henry Weller, who served Oin a yearlong celebration of its 150th the church and this community. the church 1857–1868 and created anniversary. Weller’s Grove, a New Church re- Mary Hedge, LaPorte County Pub- Upon entering the sanctuary doors treat center along Stone Lake near lic librarian and New Church musician of LaPorte New Church, LaPorte Sym- his home on Pennsylvania Avenue; for the past ten years, presented the phony member Florence Long whis- early history of the church, describing • Emmet Hoyt Scott, LaPorte mayor pered in a soft voice after viewing the how the early sermons and services by (1889–1894) whose children Em- sunlit River of Life altar window for the Rev. George Field were presented met Scott and Fannie Scott Rumely the first time, “This . . . is heavenly.” on the Court House lawn in 1842 and donated the aforementioned River The Rev. Freeman Schrock, -pas the first meeting of the New Church of Life Tiffany-style altar window in tor since 2004, shared that while this congregation was posted in 1850. Ear- memory of their mother, Mary Re- is an old church, the theology is not lier, John Chapman (Johnny Apple- lief Niles Scott, in 1916. In 2007, “old church”; it is a relatively new way seed) had been planting seeds of faith the altar window, which has four of understanding God’s message to us. as well as those of apples in Michigan, layers of stained glass, was repaired Rev. Schrock spoke of the teachings Indiana, and Ohio by handing out “the and restored to its original beauty that tell how we can find heaven on good news fresh from heaven”—pages and integrity. The sunlight filters earth when we live spiritual lives: that of the writings of Emanuel Sweden- through these layers to create a sense our time spent on earth is our journey borg, to those who opened their cabin of peace, tranquility, and knowing. to our eternal life, what we choose to doors to him. The LaPorte Society of To learn more, visit www.laporte- do here affects our eternal life, and that the New Church was incorporated on newchurch.org. God in his infinite love and wisdom July 2, 1859. wants all people to choose heaven. Af- A lot at the corner of what is now ter the program, guests spoke quietly Maple and Indiana Avenues was trans- about this message and how deeply it Teen Travel Assistance ferred to this new society from New touched them. And they mentioned Church member James Andrew. He to Convention that, while unintentional, this church and many other New Churchmen The annual convention is an impor- was the best-kept secret in LaPorte. erected the building that is still used tant aspect of church life and a won- Ms. Long, with fellow LaPorte today for worship every Sunday. The derful opportunity for teens from all Symphony member Isabel O’Connell, building was completed in just three our churches to meet. Limited finan- filled the church with beautiful violin months, with the first worship service cial assistance for teens traveling to and cello baroque and classical music held on September 11, 1859. Convention 2009 in Seattle is avail- to the appreciation of the audience, Fern Eddy Schultz, LaPorte County able. The deadline for requesting as- who came to learn about the histori- historian, shared a biographical over- sistance is May 1, 2009. Please con- cal ties between the beginning of the view of six prominent members and tact Kurt Fekete at kfekete@hotmail. New Church in LaPorte and the peo- ministers of the church who had strong com to apply for scholarship funding ple who were instrumental in founding connections within this community: for your teen. the Messenger April 2009 61

Reflections: Sage Currie to see what church has to do with me all. And the answer for one communi- continued from page 56 when I see people in positions of lead- ty might be almost abhorrent to anoth- minder of that. ership with whom I can identify. er—and that’s okay. Is this not our very New Church theology, that heaven is But there was one common denom- One more take-away from this con- made of countless communities, each inator that did unify them and the ference was that when emergent church unique and different and each adding other emergent leaders that were men- comes from people standing authenti- its unique qualities to the beauty and tioned at the conference. They each cally and transparently in the world lis- perfection of God? hold a deep commitment to authen- tening to God, and doing something ticity and transparency. They are who new that speaks to them, it will speak For Jay Bakker, the church is emerg- they are, Jay with his tattoo sleeves and to others—not to everyone, but to ing as the bar back room conversa- Karen with her messy hair and self- some. tion. For Karen Ward, the church is proclaimed poor fashion sense. They As members of the Swedenborgian emerging as a rave-like artist com- have brought their full selves to their Church we often look for the silver bul- munity. What might it be for you? If ministries. let that will save our churches, that will you were to bring your whole self to church, what would it look like? May- Let’s return to the original question, bring in new members and revive us. be it would look a lot like the church “What does church have to do with But if what is happening in the world you already attend. Maybe it would me?” As these church leaders bring right now that is being called emergent look quite different. their full selves to positions of leader- church tells us anything, it is that there ship within a church, they allow people isn’t a silver bullet. There are too many For my colleagues and friends here to identify with them, to see them as people who have been hurt different- in Maine who I meet in my work with human. It is possible to see yourself in ly, loved differently, and operate in the hospice, I wonder what it might be. A Karen and Jay, and in seeing them walk world differently. There are too many church that affirms the continuity of this life with God one can more eas- different ways to experience God. We life, that believes in the spiritual pres- ily imagine doing the same. It’s easier will not find one answer that applies to continues on page 63

Reflections: Andy Stinson in this world. My time spent with these dom coming together, whether it hap- continued from page 58 emergent voices continues to open me pens in Berkeley or Tashkent, when to the reformation of the church that is it takes place people change and the self thinking about the numerous ways currently underway. world changes. It is the very salvation of Swedenborg talks about the Lord re- the world. I experienced it in that wor- forming the church, and particular- A Final Thought ship, the stuff of the lectures becoming ly (but not exclusively) the Christian The final worship at PSR was led by manifest, a deep and residing passion Church in the world. Swedenborg gives the new moderator of the Presbyteri- for God coming into relationship with many historical examples where God’s an Church in the United States (PC- an understanding of what that actual- action is to work with the church to USA). He is a 38-year-old Korean- ly might mean, in scholarship, in liv- make it better by influencing it from American by the name of Bruce Reyes- ing, in the church, and in the world. As both within and from outside, to re- Chow. The PSR community was as ex- we of so many different traditions wor- form it so that it might more clearly be cited and enlivened as I have ever seen shipped together in a powerful and co- a home for the New Church descend- it, as PSR, the home of deconstruction hesive way, dancing, clapping, think- ing in the world. Swedenborg can be and liberal historical critical thought, ing, and praying, we got a glimpse of seen as an agent of that reform, and I whose “tradition of boldness” has been a church that is not just about ideas or think it is powerful when we find these taken seriously by many of their new old forms or new glitzy forms, but is agents of reform preaching the Gospel. students who, while gay or gay affirm- about a heart of worship to the Lord Whether in the form of a Luther to re- ing, come from homes in the more and a preaching of the Gospel, which define the church from within or the evangelical traditions. I saw that day a is the only thing that has ever changed form of another religious movement bit of what the future might look like the world and ever will. After all, the to reform the church from without, for us in the liberal church and in Swe- Lord always provides a church. the church, which the Lord provides, denborgianism in particular, a bit of is constantly being guided to becom- The Rev. Andy Stinson is Chairperson of the divine marriage. the Council of Ministers. ing a better receptor of the Holy City The divine marriage, love and wis- 62 the Messenger April 2009 Nominees continued from page 53 Resources for Church Renewal

I have been the By John Maine Matthew Fox (and yet in a very Swe- pastor at Sweden- The Church of the Good Shepherd denborgian way, too). borg Chapel in in Kitchener, Ontario, is engaging in Finding Our Way Again: The Re- Cleveland, Ohio an extended process of discerning its turn of the Ancient Practices, Bruce since 2000 and core values, vision, and mission. McLaren, (Thomas Nelson: 2008), this is my sixth In preparing for this exercise, and to 214 pages. year serving the help guide our thinking about This is the first in what is Council of Min- it, I have found the following to be an eight-book series, isters as a member four books on church renewal each by a different author, on of its executive committee. With these and transformation to be in- the ancient Christian spiritu- experiences, I am fully aware of how spiring and exciting. All are al practices. Foundational is most ministries in the General Conven- relatively short and highly the thesis—a la Diana Butler tion are doing and what the practical readable. In case they haven’t Bass—for the call to the local needs of our ministers are. My prayer is crossed your desks, I want to church to become an active that MINSU continues to evolve into share them with you: “center for spiritual transfor- a real center for resources and guidance Behold I Do a New Thing: Trans- mation” in the world. for the ministries in Convention. forming Communities of Faith, A New Reformation: Creation Spir- Nominating Committee: C. Kirk Hadaway (Pilgrim Press: ituality and the Transformation of Wilma Wake 2001), 140 pages. Christianity, Matthew Fox (Inner I cannot recommend this book Traditions: 2006), 134 pages. I was raised Baptist and Presbyteri- highly enough: an excellent primer This little book is in many (all?) an, so it was a long journey that led me on the church in the twenty-first cen- ways a manifesto for the realization to the writings of tury and the issues and challenges for of the New Church. It is a fascinating Emanuel Sweden- transformation. read and quite incredibly Swedenbor- borg and to the gian in scope and purpose. Swedenborgian The Emerging Church: A Model Church. Once I for Change and a Map for Renew- I think these books have much to discovered this re- al, Bruce Sanguin (Copperhouse: offer our conversation regarding the markable group, 2008), 224 pages. renewal and transformation of our de- however, I knew I Despite the title, this is not about nomination and our local churches. had found my spiritual home. I was or- the “emergent church” movement; The Rev. John Maine is pastor of the dained in 1990, and have been blessed Sanguin uses “emerging” in an evolu- Church of the Good Shepherd in Kitch- to serve Convention in various roles tionary, “creation theology” sense a la ener, Ontario. since then. Currently I am minister at the Port- land (Maine) New Church and minis- Letters to the Editor arly research, educational connected- continued from page 50 ter with the online community (www. ness and ecumenical outreach—all of swedenborgiancommunity.org). I love General Council of the General Con- which are the reasons that the General both parish ministry and cyber minis- vention) and the second is that the Council voted a decade ago to support try. I especially value getting to know scholar who is invited will be using this yearly academic and public process the isolated Swedenborgians and new the Swedenborgian resources available through Urbana University. seekers from all over the world who in the Urbana University Swedenborg —Chris Laitner worship with our online community. Collection for a research project. (This Midland, Michigan If elected to the nominating commit- is a special collection of books and oth- The last line of the above-referenced tee, I would be particularly interest- er resource material that are kept in a article, which identified the General ed in finding ways to get our isolated climate-controlled setting.) Convention as the funder, was inadver- members more involved in the work of The annual Swedenborg Lecture Se- tently omitted. Chris Laitner is president of the Swedenborgian Church. Convention. ries is a wonderful connection of schol- the Messenger April 2009 63

Robert (Bob) Elwell, passed away Anna (nee Letkeman) and Peter Hep- Passages February 9, 2009, in Andover, Massa- ner Wiens. In 1947 he married the chusetts following a brief illness. Bob, a love of his life, Thelma Swanson and Deaths lifelong member of the Boston Church in 1948 moved to the Okanagan Val- Mary E. Bécherel passed into the of the New Jerusalem, was the son of ley where together they shared 58 years spiritual world on February 9, 2009, Ann Orr, a lifelong Swedenborgian of marriage and raised seven children. in Ottawa, Ontario at age 75. Born who grew up in the New Church in Harold was a vibrant, strong and in- Mary Judson, she became a member Scotland, and Adrian Elwell. telligent person who worked hard and of the Toronto New Church society af- Dr. Frederick Howe made his tran- thought deeply. He was a union leader ter meeting the late Rev. Reynalds E. sition on February 20, 2009. He and for much of his working life, and em- Bécherel, who eventually became her his sister Marion grew up in the Swe- braced the values of socialism. Harold husband. (Reynalds passed away on denborgian Church in Los Angeles held fast to New Church beliefs and May 17, 2008.) Mary and Reynalds and went to the summer camp. Both was especially appreciative of Rev. Er- later moved to Ottawa, where they of them had a keen sense of the divine win Reddekopp. A celebration of life subsequently became active members and completely trusted the universe. took place on February 16, 2009 at Summerland United Church, the Rev. of the Ottawa New Church (General Harold Wiens died January 29, 2009. Michael Gladish officiating. Church). She leaves behind her daugh- He was born near Chaplin, Saskatche- ter Jennifer and her grand-daughter wan, the last of eight children born to Marisa. Reflections: Sage Currie continued from page 61 Swedenborg’s UU ence of angels among us, and that rec- News in Brief ognizes and supports our unique voca- Birthday Party LaPorte New Church (Indiana) is tions? Hmmm. Sounds like a church offering classes at its Manna House: On January 29, 2009, the Ohio As- I know. “Afterlife” (reading Heaven and Hell) sociation of the Church of the New Je- Maybe the only thing that makes and “Women’s Journey—Realizing rusalem hosted a birthday party in hon- it challenging is that what is authen- Spiritual Freedom.” or of Emanuel Swedenborg in the Stu- tic keeps changing. Rituals can quickly On March 28, New York New dent Center of Urbana University. This become rote and empty. What does it Church in Manhattan hosted a concert is an annual event that reminds UU take to listen continuously, to risk and by Missing Rachel, an a cappella group students of the relationship between strike out, and to allow some things— comprised of Sarah Buteux, Rebekah the university and the Swedenborgian many things—to fail? (This was anoth- Maddock, Leah Goodwin and Rebec- Church. It also provides an opportu- er common factor, casting a wide net ca Esterson. They performed a mix of nity for the students to become famil- with the knowledge that only a few traditional hymns, spirituals, and folk iar with Swedenborg and his work. Pat fish will be caught.) To listen some songs, both a cappella and with accom- and Dick Sommer, from the Urbana more and try again. I’d say that foun- paniment from guitarist Thane Glenn. Church, represented the Ohio Associ- dationally it requires deep faith and ation as hosts. They served a birthday To hear two selections from Miss- trust, the other common factor among cake and punch and provided hand- ing Rachel’s 2004 CD, The Thundered these church leaders, not in themselves outs detailing Swedenborg’s contribu- Word, visit their website: www.swebo. or their theological training, or their tions. addr.com/Missing_Rachel.htm. ideas, but in God. Wayfarers Chapel Eleventh Annual I wish I had more answers. But I Art Show is Sunday, April 26. Special the New Jerusalem (unaffiliated) to set- have taken away from this conference a guest Eric Lloyd Wright will be speak- tle a suit and countersuit over appoint- renewed faith that the Lord always pro- ing about his father, Wayfarers Chapel ment of trustees to the Gray Fund, vides a church. I look forward to lis- Architect Lloyd Wright, as well as sign- which grants funds to projects that tening with all of you to how the Lord ing books. promote the growth of the Church of may be calling us in all our authenticity the New Jerusalem in Massachusetts, to bring the Good News to the world. The Massachusetts New Church the United States, and the world. De- Praise the Lord! Union has reached an agreement in tails will be available when the court principle with the Boston Church of The Rev. Sage Currie is a chaplain in approves the settlement. Portland, Maine. 64 the Messenger April 2009

About the Swedenborgian Church Annual Emanuel Swedenborg was born Convention January 29, 1688 in Stockholm, 2009 Sweden. Although he never in- tended a church denomination to University be founded or named after him, a of society was formed in London fif- teen years after his death. Washing- Mt. Rainier from the campus. American groups eventually ton founded the General Conven- tion of Swedenborgian Churches. Seattle As a result of Swedenborg’s spiri- tual questionings and insights, we as a church exist to encourage Be There that same spirit of inquiry and Registration personal growth, to respect dif- ferences in views, and to accept Form: Page 59 others who may have different traditions. Ariel view of the campus. Swedenborg shared in his theo- logical writings a view of God as infinitely loving and at the very center of our beings, a view of life Spring Online Courses from SHS as a spiritual birthing as we par- Making Sense of It All: ticipate in our own creation, and Swedenborg’s True Christian Religion a view of scripture as a story of Rev. Dr. Inese Radzins inner life stages as we learn and April 13–June 1, 2009 grow. Swedenborg said, “All reli- gion relates to life, and the life of Fostering a Personal Relationship With God religion is to do good.” He also Rev. Dr. David Fekete felt that the sincerest form of April 13–June 1, 2009 worship is a useful life. For more information, please go to www.shs.psr.edu.

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