CALIFORNIA DIGEST 2017 A Newsletter for New Church residents and friends of California www.californiadigest.org March light, and made day and night, evening and morning. Then on The Real Creation Story the fourth day God created the sun, the moon and the stars. If the sun wasn’t created on the first day, then obviously the by Rev. John Odhner light on that day was not sunlight. So what kind of light was New Church Connections Magazine 2013: Issue 4 there in the beginning? The answer is in John chapter 1. “In beginning,” it says with obvious reference to Genesis 1:1, The argument “was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word In the media we have seen stories of conflict between was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were atheists claiming the authority of science and creationists made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that claiming the authority of the Bible. The basis for this was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. argument is a literal interpretation of the story of creation in And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not the Bible. Some say that this universe had to have been comprehend it” (John 1:1-5). So the light which was in the created literally in six days as stated in the Bible. Others beginning was not physical light, but the creative Word of claim that scientific evidence points to the universe being God which gives life and light to all people. 13.7 billion years old. A minority of Christians insist that the only valid Which creation? interpretation of the Bible is a literal one (Gallup). The larger Another indication that the story of Creation is portion of Christians believe that the Bible is the Word of symbolic is the fact that there are two creation stories in God, but not always to be taken literally. Setting aside Genesis. The first chapter has all kinds of plants on the third various opinions and scientific observations, it is worth day, birds and fish on the fifth day, animals on the sixth, and considering what the Bible itself says about how to interpret last of all human beings, male and female. Chapter 2 has a it. different order of creation: first Man, then plants, next animals and birds, and finally Woman. This reminds me of How does the Bible interpret itself? Jesus’ words, “Many who are first will be last, and the last Many passages in the Bible suggest that it contains a first” (Matthew 19:30). Spiritual creation changes our deeper meaning. Jesus’ own words were symbolic. In fact, priorities and the order of our lives. “He didn’t speak to the people without a parable” (Matthew Taking these two stories as literal, historical 13:34, Mark 4:34). He said to His disciples, “These things I descriptions, we have to stretch and twist them to reconcile have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is the conflicts. Looking a little deeper we see that the Bible coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative was not intended either by God or by the original inspired language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father” (John writers as a scientific treatise. Rather, it focuses on a 16:25). Paul, too, warned us not to take everything literally: different level of creation. All created things are “We should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the manifestations of the invisible qualities of God: “For since oldness of the letter” (Romans 7:6). “The letter kills, but the the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6). seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His These statements in the Bible itself direct us to look eternal power and Godhead” (Romans 1:20). Those invisible for a deeper meaning, as if the literal meaning were a attributes of God are what create and sustain our spiritual container holding precious contents, with a label that says, life. As Paul wrote, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new “Open me.” Now on the other side, there is not a single creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things passage anywhere in the Bible that directs us to take have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is the creation everything literally. There is nothing on the box that says, Isaiah saw: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new “Do not open.” earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for What kind of light? behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, and her people The first chapter of Genesis has all the marks of a symbolic story. For example, on the first day God created a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people. 1 The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, nor the Many of us are familiar with the creation story, but voice of crying” (Isaiah 65:17-19). John describes it as well can it make us wise? Paul goes on to say, “All Scripture (Revelation 21:1-5). inspired by God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the The deeper truth person of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for If everything in creation is symbolic of God’s work every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Scripture being within us, the new creation of our spiritual life, does the “inspired by God” literally means that it has the breath or Bible tell us what each thing represents? Consider these spirit of God within it. It doesn’t mean that we get truth from passages: the Bible by taking a purely literal approach, and still less The first does it mean that the Bible will settle scientific debates. creation The deeper truth in the Our new Rather it means that by virtue of the spirit within it the Bible story Bible creation has teachings that help us become better people. The Bible becomes profitable when we see it as spiritual and apply it God created becoming better people in our daily lives. The truth in the the heavens creation story is the truth that makes each of us a new and the creation. earth. Anyone in Christ is a new

(Genesis creation. (2 Corinthians Become a new 1:1) 5:17) person. Announcement from the Bishop I have decided to step down from the office of the God said, Executive Bishop in June of 2019. At that time I will have “Let there be served in this office for six years. Added to my eight years light” In Him was life, and the life (Genesis was the light of men (John Acknowledge as Assistant Bishop, that will be fourteen years in the 1:3) 1:4). God. episcopal office. Also, at that time I will be 68 years old – past the retirement age of any Executive Bishop in over 50 God divided years! the waters At the 2017 June meetings the Council of the beneath from Clergy will re-examine the selection process they used last the waters time and will have the opportunity to take formal counsel above My teaching will drop as the (Genesis rain, My speech distill as the Learn from His with the General Church Board of Directors. During the next 1:7). dew (Deuteronomy 32:2). Word. year the clergy will take counsel throughout the church and come to the 2018 June meetings with candidates to consider God made so that they can make a nomination to the church. plants with The sower sows the Word. From June 2018 through June 2019 the church-wide seeds and The ones sown on good confirmation process will take place. The nominee will also fruit ground are those who hear consider who should serve as his assistant. And I will also (Genesis the Word, accept it, and bear Practice what the work with him to prepare him for the office of Executive 1:11-12). fruit (Mark 4:14, 20). Word teaches. Bishop. God made Your sun shall no longer go It is an honor and privilege to serve the Lord’s New sun, moon down, nor shall your moon Church and the General Church in the episcopal office, and I and stars withdraw itself; for the Lord look forward to the two-plus years remaining in my tenure as Be guided by (Genesis will be your everlasting light Executive Bishop. 1:16). (Isaiah 60:19). higher values.

Jesus called His disciples to God made be fishers of people the fish and (Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17). the birds Those who wait on the Lord (Genesis shall mount up with wings 1:28) like eagles (Isaiah 40:31). Grow in faith.

2 Save the Date: (Eastern) for the adult service every Sunday, for example, Glencairn Museum Mythology Summer Camp even if it is at 8am on the West Coast

This camp is for children ages 9 and 10, and there Peace of a tooth are two weeks to choose from. by Sasha Silverman · Session One: June 19 to 23 · Session Two: June 26 to 30 What can a broken tooth teach me? This past winter, when my living room view offered Daily hours are 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. The cost is only bare trees and gray skies, I practiced anything but peace. $125 per student. Registration brochures will be mailed out I practiced some anxiety, a bit of crankiness, the occasional on Monday, March 13th. cry, and a quite a bit of corn-chip munching while staring out Each day of summer camp will start with a short the window. I was really savvy though; I knew that peace worship service including a Bible story. Students will explore was right around the corner, and I just needed to wait. the mythologies of the ancient Egyptians, Native Americans, So I waited. Waited for my next nap. Waited for Greek, Romans, Mesopotamians, and Celts. Daily activities dinner. Waited for the kids to fall asleep. Waited for them to include cooking, storytelling, crafts, and archery. The overall get over their colds. Always with the hope that surely THEN theme of the summer camp is to show how the moral lessons the peace would descend on me, like petals from heaven. taught in Bible stories are reflected in the myths of ancient And of course, whenever the anticipated moment arrived, peoples. something other than petals would fall. An extra large cup of Please contact Christine McDonald with any orange juice would crash to the floor, maybe, and the questions at 267-502-2995 or following week of squeaking shoes would remind me of my [email protected] insufficient mop job. Bedtime would stretch long past the expected 8 o’clock. When I finally had a quiet house, I would Useful and Interesting Links on the Web sink into the couch with my computer and a cup of tea, and Taken from Palo Alto News by Jonathan and get lost in internet oblivion. Of course, I did not feel great Hannah Cranch afterward. The deep peace I craved kept dodging my grasp. The New Church (and Swedenborg) has quite a Finally, a great idea came to me. What would REALLY offer presence on the Internet, from written material, to peace and happiness? A beach vacation. With a full week of discussions and worship, both live and archived. Here are a no responsibilities, feet buried in the sand, face in the few: sunshine, I’d be ME again. I’d be the cheerful, loving, productive creative Sasha that was just waiting to break free www.newchurch.org is a hub that allows you to explore again. virtually all facets including doctrine, discussion, resources, Eager to make this dream come true, I booked a structure, worldwide congregations, etc. flight – my first vacation without family members – and joined a friend in her Florida beach house. I arrived late at www.heavenlydoctrines.org offers searchable collection of night and fell asleep on the shell-patterned guest bed, visions most, if not all, translations of the Writings plus some of myself with a gorgeous tan dancing in my head. When collateral works. Great for doing your own research! morning finally dawned, I saw nothing but a cold, gray sky, with palm trees bent low in the wind. It couldn’t be true! In https://www.youtube.com/user/offTheLeftEye is a very flip-flops and a summer dress I stepped outside. The cold interesting youtube channel featuring an ongoing series of wind whipped away all my illusions and I turned right fast-paced videos about Swedenborg and his teachings. around and headed back for a sweatshirt. The second day didn’t offer anything better. www.swedenborg.com is the site of the Swedenborg So the third morning, when I woke up to sunshine, I Foundation, with a host of useful links. headed right to the condo pool deck with towel in hand. Not a moment of sun would be wasted. When my friend www.ustream.tv/channel/brynathynservice live streams suggested I wear some sunscreen to mitigate the intensity of services from the Cathedral in Bryn Athyn, and archives past the Florida sun, I gently reminded her that I have a very olive services. There are many who tune in regularly at 11am complexion. Clearly, I could handle a lot of sunlight. “Are 3 you sure?” my deeply tanned friend asked, “I burned pretty from awakening to the loving connections and sweet badly the first week I was here.” I was sure. moments that are abundantly available. A few hours later, my face, shoulders, arms and legs had a deep, pinkish glow. By nighttime, I was in so much Philippines News pain I could barely sleep. Around midnight, when I got up to apply more aloe vera gel to my tender skin, I began to see New Christian Church School Events stars and headed to the bathroom for water. The next thing I Contributed by Franklin Rogers knew, I was lying on the bathroom floor. I had fainted from NCCS happenings in the Third Quarter concerned dehydration. Looking up into that bathroom mirror after routine government requirements, such as periodical reviving, I saw my hair a mess, a swollen pink face, a broken academic testing. front tooth, a bleeding lip, and a wild, scared look in my own In connection with this, there was an awards eyes. What had I done? It hit me that this was the result of assembly to recognize students for academic achievement my attempt to chase a shallow vision of peace. My friend had and for exemplary conduct during the quarter. heard me fall and had come to help. As she wiped my head Awards ranged from Most Polite or Most with a cool towel and offered me sips of water and words of Cooperative in conduct, to excellence in Academic subjects reassurance (without a hint of “I told you so!”) I felt including Science, Math, Reading, and Languages. Some extraordinarily grateful to her, and humbled. students received two, three, or even four certificates. There For the next few weeks, as my newly-glued yet still- were some who were also named "Apple of the Class.” sensitive tooth healed, I had the opportunity to eat my meals (Note from Franklin Rogers: Head Teacher Veron explained at the pace of a picky three year old. If I didn’t, or I happened to me that was for the top overall student in a class.) to bite down wrong, anyone standing behind me was in I doubt it has any connection with the American danger of a head-butt. I was practically forced to savor each expression, “An Apple for the Teacher,’ although it might bite. And the surprising benefit was that while eating slowly, seem an appropriate designation.) I began to breathe more. And as I breathed more, I began to feel more connected to my food and to those around me. And as I did this, I actually began to feel…yes…peaceful! The relationship between love, awareness and peace is one that is beautifully described by Emanuel Swedenborg in his work Secrets of Heaven. “Before we are regenerated, or created anew, we are in an anxious and restless state. . . . but as soon as the good of love has been implanted, the fighting stops, and rest ensues. Thus we are in peace” (Secrets of Heaven 8893). Swedenborg goes on to explain how the process of moving from anxiety to peace is a hallmark of the human condition. Beginning in darkness and ignorance we eventually awake to the presence of love, and discover a new ability to prioritize. This is followed by various states of Students with their awards learning and change, and culminates in a day (state) of peace and rest. He explains how these stages parallel the Biblical Meeting another government requirement was the story about the “days” of earth’s creation. local Health Department conducting the annual deworming, As I type this today, I still feel the sensitivity in my also attended by parents. A video was shown and Health right front tooth. Despite my dentist’s careful work, I can see Department workers gave the pills to the five year old the crack when I get close to a mirror. But instead of seeing Kindergarten students. that tooth as an irritation or eyesore, I have been trying to use The deworming is conducted simultaneously it as a reminder of the value of slowing down, being present, nationwide by the Department of Health. Their aim is to and appreciating the peace that is always available. Peace reduce the burden of soil-transmitted helminthiasis that doesn’t necessarily come through achieving the best tan, (STH) infections which cause poor physical growth and the fewest responsibilities, or the perfect environment, but intellectual development.

4 Unfortunately, no class educational trip was held this Central California News year in reaction to a number of highway accidents during Our next Central California service is set for March 26, class trips nationwide that resulted in the deaths of several 2017 at 10 am in Stockton. This will be a Palm Sunday children. service. We hope you will join us for worship. Please spread Examinations will be held during March in advance the word around. of graduation on March 31st. Classes will also be held on Love, Saturdays during the month to make up these days and meet Jean the number of class days required by the DepEd. -Teacher Carla Caranog Los Angeles News We look forward to a service with Jean Atta on March 5th.

San Diego News A big welcome to Lourdes and Dr. Jim de Maine who arrived from Seattle to spend the Spring here – lovely to see you both again! Our thoughts and prayers go out to our beloved Bettie Seckelman and to all the Seckelman family, as Bettie has been experiencing some ongoing health challenges. Bettie’s days have been brightened with many of her family visiting; these have included Jim and Nancy and Wendy and Luke from Chicago and Leslie form Oregon. We love you Bettie and know that the Lord and His angels are with you. -Lyn Perry

Church Refreshment Schedule

March 5 Jess and Demi Lagman 858-748-1701 12 Ray and Anna Lagman 858-361-5298 19 Hilton and Chandra Perry 858-472-1511 26 Errol and Robin Ovid 760-464-3779

Students take tests monitored by Aide Libay and Teacher Carla April 2 Jesper and Nellie Jensen 646-519-1024 Palo Alto News 9 Ron and Irma Fabular 619-869-6243 Our next service in Palo Alto is March 5th when we 16 Orly and Lesly Novicio 858-943-1347 will welcome Rev. Jean Atta, followed two weeks later when 23 Ed and Elwie DeLaCruz 858-484-2620 Mark will give us our service on March 19th. 30 Joe and Aya Seckelman 858-883-4100 The next service for Central California is March 26th in Stockton. Editor’s Note: In April, we welcome Jean Atta for our Palm I’m always looking for news about marriages, Sunday/Holy Supper Service on April 2nd and Mark Perry babies, cool vacations and visitors. Please e-mail me with will give us our Easter service on April 16th. articles and pictures. We look forward to seeing you at Church this Sunday! God Bless! Catie Jungé Hannah & Jonathan California Digest Editor

5 California Digest Los Angeles New Church San Diego New Church Publisher: California New Church Board Services temporarily held at the Manse: 2701 Meadowlark Drive Editor: Catie Jungé 5022 Carolyn Way, La Crescenta, CA San Diego, CA 92123 Tel: 949-916-9436 91214. Sunday Filipino Service 9:15 (email: [email protected]) a.m. (Tagalog) Donations: in US: $15; other countries CURRENLTY TAKING A BREAK Sunday 10:30 a.m. (English) Joint service first Sunday each $22 USD Visit our website for more info: Editorial Content: articles, letters, comments month at 10:30 a.m. welcome. www.newchurchla.org Pastor: Rev. Mark Perry Please submit to editor by 25th of the month. Email: [email protected] Tel: 858-610-WORD Contributions printed as space permits. Facebook: www.facebook.com/newchurchla (e: [email protected])

Palo Alto New Church Central California New Sunday services are held at the First Baptist Church Church, NE corner of Bryant and California Brent Schoeder: in Palo Alto, CA 209-966-3423 (For Mariposa) Children's class at 3:30 pm; worship at 4:00 God Micheline Lungerich: Discussion/class at 5:00; Dinner/Social at Is 209-470-0079 (For Modesto) 6:00 pm Contact: Jonathan & Hannah Cranch Good! T: 650-327-2788 e: [email protected]

"We are not born for the sake of ourselves, but for the sake of others."

- Emanuel Swedenborg, True Christian Religion 406

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