Journal of the Swedenborgian Church

2017 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church

No. 195 THE SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH UNITED STATES AND CANADA INCORPORATED 1861

THE GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE NEW JERUSALEM IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

ANNUAL SESSION “ROOTED IN OUR HISTORY, GROWING IN THE WORD” JULY 8 - JULY 12, 2017

WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY, WEST CHESTER, PA

ANNUAL THEME THE YEAR OF THE NEW JERUSALEM JULY 1, 2017-JUNE 30, 2018

RECORDING SECRETARY

KAREN CONGER 314 APOLLO CIRCLE BISHOP, CA 93514-7051 P: (760) 872-3392 E: [email protected]

CENTRAL OFFICE

SAMANTHA JOHANSON, OPERATIONS MANAGER 50 QUINCY STREET CAMBRIDGE, MA 02138-3013 P/F: (617) 969-4240 E: [email protected] W: www.swedenborg.org C The Faith and Aims of Our Church ...... 1 The Oﬃ cers of The Swedenborgian Church...... 3 General Council ...... 3 Council of Ministers ...... 13 Roll of Ministers ...... 16 Auxiliary and Associated Bodies ...... 28 Minutes From the One Hundred Ninety-Third Session ...... 30 Convention Preachers Since 1959 ...... 42 Memorial ...... 44 Reports of Oﬃ cers, Boards, Committees, Support Units and Associated Bodies ...... 48 Church Statistics ...... 93 Reports of Associations and Churches ...... 94 Act of Incorporation ...... 111 Constitution ...... 115 Bylaws of the Swedenborgian Church ...... 122 Standing Resolutions ...... 141 Seven Year Cycle of Annual Themes ...... 157 Bylaws of the Council of Ministers ...... 159 Council of Ministers Standing Resolutions ...... 168 Guidelines For Ministerial Conduct ...... 169 Bylaws of the Corporation of the New Church Theological School DBA Center for Swedenborgian Studies ...... 179 Bylaws of the Wayfarers Chapel ...... 190 Bylaws of the Swedenborgian Community ...... 196 Swedenborgian Bodies ...... 200 Directory of Associations ...... 208 Directory of Churches and Ministries ...... 212 Directory of Camps and Conference Centers ...... 226 Directory of New Church Libraries, Bookrooms and Publishers ...... 227 Directory of Church Personnel ...... 228 Index ...... 255 1

T F A O C The Swedenborgian Church believes that a new epoch is opening in the spiritual life of mankind. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, as he promised to do, has come again, not indeed in a physical reappearance, but in spirit and truth; not in a single event only, but in a progressive manifestation of his presence among people. Our Church regards as tokens of his coming the burst of scientifi c development, the rise of the spirit of inquiry, the progress toward political and intellectual free- doms, and the deepening sense of a national and international responsibility which have characterized the last few centuries. These are more remote signs, however, of epochal religious change. More directly denoting a move- ment of the spirit of God on the human spirit are the stirrings in world faiths, the revisions of thought and outlook in them, the searching after standards and spiritual power adequate to the needs and problems of the times, and this notably in the Christian faith. The Lord is everywhere at work, moving to the reestablishment of his kingdom, and specifi cally to the renewing of Christianity with the power and understanding to serve and speed his kingdom. In any coming of the Lord, he brings about many things which people are slow to see. Our unseen, spiritual environment is made over as well as our visible world. A greater awareness of the good that there has been, a fuller justice and truer peace off er themselves for us to realize. Today, in a world that has contracted into a neighborhood, the responsibility to the neighbor makes its demands on all people of good will. Evils that have been long established begin to look as though they could be conquered. We believe that the Lord in his second coming has “reordered the heavens and subjugated the hells” as he did at his fi rst coming. This coming of the Son of man, “as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west,” making the salvation of all people possible, is the direct and sole work of the Lord—a redemption of the world by the Redeemer of persons. Our Church is also convinced that the Lord has given his followers word of all this, and done so by means of a servant from among them. We 2

believe that Emanuel Swedenborg thus served the Lord. A person’s destiny beyond the earthly life needed to be placed in fuller light; the Scriptures needed to be reestablished as the Word of God; and the Christian message was in need of renewed and contemporary expression. To supply these needs Swedenborg devoted half a lifetime, and an insight born of a regenerating experience. He was enabled “by the Lord’s mercy” to inform the Christian hope of immortality with knowledge of the world of the spirit; in Old and New Testament he set forth a meaning which speaks timelessly of the spiritual life and can nourish it now; and he freed Christian teaching from many crippling errors and formulated it anew from the Word of God. In the theological works of Swedenborg the message of Christian- ity is restated to inspire the spiritual life of all anew. Its truths present themselves as truths of life here and hereafter. They invite inquiry and ask understanding. They open the door to spiritual renewal and urge upon everyone the personal responsibility to participate in this renewal. The Lord has taken initiative in his coming. We have our response to make. In that response three essentials are urged: that we acknowledge God in the Lord, and that he alone can bring about our redemption and regeneration; that we acknowledge the holiness of the Word and the inspiration which the Word gives us to seek and promote his kingdom; and that we live the life of charity, the exercising in all our relationships, large and small, the neighborliness enjoined by his commandments. The Swedenborgian Church believes, then, that under Providence the world has received, through the instrumentality of a man, a revelation which confronts it with the universally valid truth of the spiritual life of all human beings. It believes that the Lord Jesus Christ, availing himself of human agency to give us this explicit guidance, has done a sweeping if hidden work of redemption, and created a new heaven and a new earth about us. He is ushering in the epoch, if we will, which he foresaw and which he promised at his fi rst coming. In John’s vision on Patmos, the Ris- en Christ once more promised the dawn of this epoch in the descent of the Holy City, New Jerusalem, to earth. To signalize our conviction that the Lord is fulfi lling his promise, we originally organized under the name the Church of the New Jerusalem. The spirit and the humanity which longs to be united to the Lord alike cry, “Come.” We lift our voice and pray, “Come. Even so, come Lord Jesus.” Offi cers, Support Units, Representatives & Committees 3

T O T S C Rev. Jane Siebert, President Cell: (620) 727-2371 3450 N. Ridgewood St., Apt. 303 E-mail: [email protected] Wichita, KS 67220-4428

Tom Neuenfeldt, Vice-President Phone: (989) 285-2903 850 N. US 23 E-mail: [email protected] East Tawas, MI 48730-9534

Karen Conger, Recording Secretary Phone: (760) 872-3392 314 Apollo Circle E-mail: [email protected] Bishop, CA 93514-7051

Jennifer Lindsey, Treasurer Phone: (415) 706-6155 601 Carolina Street E-mail: [email protected] San Francisco, CA 94107 G C The General Council consists of the Oﬃ cers of the Swedenborgian Church and the elected members listed below. (Constitution, Article II, Section 2.) The chair of the Council of Ministers has traditionally been invited to participate in General Council meetings.

Numbers in parentheses are the terms currently being served for the positions so indicated, persons are limited to two consecutive three-year terms. Those fulﬁ lling unexpired terms are indicated by (*).

Term Expires 2018 Term Expires 2019 Term Expires 2020 Stan Conger (1) Deborah Dolley (2) Barbara Halle (1) (760) 872-3392 (207) 510-1900 (219) 363-0528 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Robert Lawson (1) Carl Helm (1) Lon Elmer (2) (802) 579-8585 (620) 792-4295 (206) 903-8043 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Rev. Dick Tafel (*) Rev. Betsy Coﬀ man (1) Rev. Junchol Lee (1) (239) 543-2263 (937) 631-0899 (415) 533-5714 [email protected] bcoﬀ [email protected] [email protected] 4 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

The Cabinet The Cabinet, composed of the chairs of Support Units, the chair of the Council of Ministers, and a General Council representative, is chaired by the President and entrusted with the task of integrat- ing the eff orts of all Support Units and the Council of Ministers so that the mission, priorities, goals, and objectives set by the General Council can be pursued and attained in a cost-eff ective manner. (Constitution, Article II, Section 5 and Bylaws, Article III, Section 4) S U (Constitution, Article II, Section 4 and Bylaws, Article X.) The President of the Swedenborgian Church serves ex-Offi cio without vote on all Support Units.

COMMUNICATION SUPPORT UNIT (COMSU): Chair: Katie Rienstra Pruiett 2020 (2) Rev. Elizabeth Blair 2018 (1)

Tammara Mounce 2019 (1)*

THE MESSENGER: Editor: Herb Ziegler

EDUCATION SUPPORT UNIT (EDSU): Chair: Karen Feil 2018 (2) Paul Deming 2020 (2) Rev. Dr. Jim Lawrence 2019 (1) Ex-Oﬃ cio (with vote): Representative of Center for Swedenborgian Studies, appointed by the CSS Board of Trustees Ex-Oﬃ cio (without vote): President, Swedenborgian Church Children’s Ministries Youth Director, Swedenborgian Church

SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH YOUTH LEAGUE (SCYL): Youth Director: Kurt Fekete President: Riley Tishma East Coast and Service Offi cer: Freya Montesanto Midwest and Fundraising/Finance Offi cer: Joey Kalinowski West Coast and Activities Offi cer: Liv Hackett Canada and Public Relations Offi cer: Peyton Proudlove Offi cers, Support Units, Representatives & Committees 5

Communications Oﬃ cer/CBS Editor: Lauren Doppke League Chaplain: Rev. Jenn Tafel

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SUPPORT UNIT (IMSU): Chair: Valerie Brugler 2018 (1) Rev. Kevin Baxter 2020 (2) open 2019

FINANCIAL & PHYSICAL RESOURCES SUPPORT UNIT (FPRSU): Chair: Treasurer, Swedenborgian Church Rev. Paul Martin 2018 (2)

BJ Neuenfeldt 2019 (2)*

MINISTRIES SUPPORT UNIT (MINSU): Co-Chair: Sharon Williams 2020 (2) Marjory Leas 2020 (2) Chris Laitner 2018 (1) Rev. Nadine Cotton 2018 (1) open 2019 B C

AUGMENTATION FUND COMMITTEE: The Augmentation Fund was established by vote of the Swedenborgian Church in 1912. It has as its purpose, “the support and extension of the New Church ministry and missionary ﬁ eld.” 1976 Jour- nal, Minute 49 (a). Members are appointed by FPRSU (Bylaws, Article X, Section 1).

Chair: BJ Neuenfeldt Carl Helm Rev. Paul Martin Ex-Oﬃ cio: President of the Swedenborgian Church Treasurer of the Swedenborgian Church 6 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Convention Bylaws, Article XVII. “...One member to be elected each year, but not from any Associa- tion from which his or her predecessor or any other member of the Committee shall be a member. The unexpired term of any member may be ﬁ lled from the same Association. A member moving to another Association shall continue to serve, and shall be regarded as coming from his or her former Association.” According to Minute 91 of the 1928 Convention, the Nominating Committee is to publish its report in the New Church Messenger at least three weeks before Convention.

Chair: Linda Tafel SE 2018 Sue Ditmire MID ATL 2019 Rev. Dr. David Fekete WCC 2020 Connie Helm KS 2021 Bill Coﬀ man OH 2022

COMMITTEE ON LIBRARY AND DOCUMENTS: “Resolved, That a Committee of three on Library and Documents, one of which shall be the Presi- dent of the Theological School, shall be appointed by the President of the Convention to see to the collecting, depositing and cataloging of books, manuscripts and other documents which may have been donated to or otherwise procured by the Convention; the Chairman of this Committee shall report to the Convention annually.” (1911 Journal, Minute 90)

The archives of the Swedenborgian Church are held in two places: histories of societies and committees at the Central Offi ce, and sermons/personal papers and CSS-related documents at the library of the Center for Swedenborgian Studies (CSS) at the Graduate Theological Union. Chair: Nancy Little Ben Phinney Ex-Offi cio: Rev. Dr. James Lawrence, Dean, CSS Offi cers, Support Units, Representatives & Committees 7

COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY: The General Council, at the request of the Council of Ministers, voted to form the Committee of Inquiry at its June 26, 1996 meeting. It was voted “that the Committee of Inquiry be under the aus- pices of General Council and that the committee consist of ﬁ ve (5) members to be appointed by the President of Convention in consultation with the Chair of the Council of Ministers of the Swedenbor- gian Church.”

Chair: Deane Currie Stan Conger Barbara Cullen Rev. Richard L. Tafel Rev. Dr. Wilma Wake Ex-Oﬃ cio: Chair, Council of Ministers

BOARD OF MEDIATION: Consists of fi ve members. “Two such members shall be lay persons appointed by the President, and two shall be ministers appointed by the Chair of the Council of Ministers, and their terms of offi ce shall be the same as that of the President of the Swedenborgian Church. The fi fth member shall be the Vice President of Convention who shall serve as chair” (Bylaws, Article XVI).

Chair: Vice President, Swedenborgian Church Kurt Fekete Bet Giddings Rev. Kit Billings Rev. Kathy Speas

SWEDENBORGIAN ONLINE COMMUNITY CENTRAL COMMITTEE: Chair: Elbert Smith (2018) William Rotella (2019) Rev. Thom Muller (2020) Ex-Oﬃ cio Members: Minister, Swedenborgian Online Community (without vote) Vice-President, Swedenborgian Church 8 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE NATIONAL CHURCH: “The Board of Trustees of the National Church, now holding the title to and having control of the Church property in Washington, D.C., shall continue to consist of fi fteen members who shall be citizens of any part of the United States and of whom a majority shall be chosen from some other place than the city of Washington, DC, and shall not be selected from any one association, and vacancies in their number shall be fi lled by the Board with approval of the President and the Secretaries of the Convention, having in mind the restrictions stated above, and fi ve members shall constitute a quorum” (Bylaws, Article XX).

Chair: Christine Laitner MI Polly Baxter VI Susan Wood FL Rev. Jenny Caughman TN Rev. Betsy Coﬀ man OH Stan Conger CA Lori Gayheart IN Carl Helm KS Jeannette Hille MN Rev. Randall Laakko DE Rev. Dr. Donna Keane MA Tom Neuenfeldt MI Dr. Malcolm Peck VA Rev. Ken Turley ME Herb Ziegler MA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WAYFARERS CHAPEL: (In 1983 the General Council set the number of appointed members of the Board at six (6). Three (3) must be from the Paciﬁ c Coast Association [indicated by *].)

Chair: Steve Mason 2019 *(1) Secretary: Amy Little 2019 (*) Treasurer: Shelley Dolley 2020 *(1) Members: Bette McDonnell 2020 (1) Todd Board 2020 (1) Peter Gottschalk 2020 *(*) Ex-Oﬃ cio Members: President of the PCA President, Swedenborgian Church Director of Administration (without vote) Director of Ministry (without vote) Director of Operations (without vote) Oﬃ cers, Support Units, Representatives & Committees 9

STRUCTURE REVIEW COMMITTEE: “Design, adopt and maintain an organizational structure that is directly responsive to Convention’s Purpose and needs, and that includes provisions for its own self-evaluation and growth.” (Standing Resolution 1, Objective 9, July 3, 1986)

Chair: Rev. Lisa Solwold Bill Coﬀ man Rev. Susannah Currie Kurt Fekete Alice Henderson Rachel Madjerac

COMMITTEE ON AMENDMENTS: Chair: Rev. Dr. George F. Dole Rev. Kevin Baxter

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE: “The General Council, at its ﬁ rst meeting following each annual session of the Swedenborgian Church, shall appoint an Investment Committee of not less than three members, one of whom may be the Treasurer of the Convention, which shall be charged with the general oversight and care of the investments and securities of the Swedenborgian Church Common Fund, with full power to purchase and sell and to invest and reinvest as in their judgment and discretion may seem advisable.” (By- laws, Article XVIII)

Chair: Jennifer Lindsay 2021 Herb Ziegler 2018 Barbara Boxwell 2019 Dan Dyer 2020 Pete Toot 2022 Bob Perry 2022

RETIREMENT COMMITTEE: Its duties are to administer the proceeds of Convention’s Permanent Pension Fund (1975 Journal, Fund 37) in accordance with the stated purpose of the Fund.

Chair: Rev. Richard L. Tafel 2018 John McIntosh 2019 Meredith Conant Piotti 2020 10 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

CENTRAL OFFICE REVIEW COMMITTEE: Standing Resolution 11, June 29, 1983: “...it is the responsibility of the Vice President, together with a committee he may appoint, to conduct an annual review of the Central Oﬃ ce, covering staﬀ , employees, organization, etc.”

Chair: Vice President, Swedenborgian Church Carl Helm

DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES: The President of the Swedenborgian Church, with the counsel and advice of the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers, shall make the various appointments of the delegation to the National Council of Churches, and then they shall be conﬁ rmed by the General Council.

Head of Communion: President, Swedenborgian Church Delegates: Rev. Dr. David Fekete Rev. Richard L. Tafel

SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE: The Social Concerns Committee is an ad hoc committee created by the General Council as a forum to discuss social concerns for the purpose of bringing information to the body of Convention through the Messenger and by other means

Chair: Rev. Nadine Cotton Secretary: Rev. Catherine Lauber Sue Ditmire Rev. Carla Friedrich Rev. Robert McCluskey Rev. Dr. Wilma Wake Oﬃ cers, Support Units, Representatives & Committees 11

TRUSTEES OF THE BUILDING FUND: The Board of Trustees of the Building Fund shall consist of three trustees who shall be appointed by the General Council...to serve each for three years. (Bylaws, Article XIX)

The “Trustees of the Building Fund of the New Church of America” were appointed by action of the General Convention in 1875, “for the purpose of aiding societies in erecting New Church places of worship in America; provided the assistance given shall be in the form of loans secured by mortgage on real estate, at such rate of interest and such time and mode of payment as the Trustees may in their discretion from time to time deem best.” (1875 Journal, Minute 107 and 1910 Journal, Minute 55)

The purposes of this Fund were broadened in 1946 “to aid New Church societies in purchasing, remodeling, or erecting places of worship, Sunday School Quarters and Parish Halls in America.” (1946 Journal, Minute 42 and 1947 Journal, Minute 38)

In 1983, Standing Resolution # 10 was adopted, enabling the Fund to “make low-interest loans to any minister on the Active Roll of the Council of Ministers, for a down payment on a residence, provided there is demonstration of practicality and need...”

Chair: Betsy Lau Aldrich 2020 Rev. Betsy Coﬀ man 2018 Rev. Sage Cole 2019

TRUSTEES OF THE IUNGERICH PUBLICATION FUND: The Fund to be used for supplying gratuitously the theological works of Emanuel Swedenborg to the Protestant clergy of the United States and Canada, including theological students and instructors in theology (see Journal 1882, pp. 89-97). The Board of Trustees is appointed by General Council.

Chair: Christine Laitner Trustees: Barbara Cullen Matthew Fleming Rev. Dr. Donna Keane David Viges 12 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

TRUSTEES OF THE TAFEL FUND: The Tafel Fund, established in 2011 to advance the mission and purpose of the Swedenborgian Church, is a permanent fund restricted to the use of income only. It is administered by a Board of Trustees: three appointed by General Council and those who are seated by virtue of having donated a minimum of $25,000. The fund was established to honor the service to the General Convention of past and present Tafel ministers.

: Linda Tafel Rev. Richard H. Tafel, Jr. Polly H. Baxter (Appointed) Barbara Boxwell (Appointed) Robert Lawson (Appointed) The Ministry 13

C M All ministers of the Swedenborgian Church, twelve constituting a quorum (Bylaws of the Council of Ministers, Article III) Chair: Rev. Dr. Gard Perry 2019 (1) Secretary: Rev. Jenn Tafel 2020 (1) Exec. Comm.: The Chair The Secretary Rev. Richard L. Tafel 2018 (1) Rev. Alison Lane-Olsen 2019 (1) Rev. Jonathan Mitchell 2020 (1)

MINISTERIAL PLACEMENT COMMITTEE: This is the sole proper channel of communication for churches or groups seeking to employ a minister, and for ministers seeking employment. Chair: President of the Swedenborgian Church Other Members: Chair of the Council of Ministers Dean of the Center for Swedenborgian Studies

COMMITTEE ON ADMISSION INTO THE MINISTRY: (Bylaws of the Council of Ministers, Article IV, Section 7) Chair: Rev. Kit Billings 2018 (1) Other Members: Rev. Kathy Speas 2018 *(1) Rev. Dr. Jonathan Mitchell 2019 †‡(*) Dr. Page Morahan 2020 †(*) President of the Swedenborgian Church

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: (Bylaws of the Council of Ministers, Article IV, Section 1) Chair: Rev. Carla Friedrich 2018 Rev. Jennifer Tafel 2019 Rev. Wilma Wake 2020

* Elected by the Council of Ministers † Filling an unexpired term ‡ Elected by Convention 14 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

COMMITTEE ON WORSHIP: (Bylaws of the Council of Ministers, Article IV, Section 4) : N/A

ETHICS COMMITTEE: (Bylaws of the Council of Ministers, Article IV, Section 6) Chair: Rev. Susannah Currie Rev. Betsy Coﬀ man Rev. Soloman Young-Min Kim

OUR DAILY BREAD: Editors: Rev. Dr. David Fekete Rev. Thom Muller

MINISTERS’ TRAVEL FUND: Chair: Chair of the Council of Ministers Secretary of the Council of Ministers Operations Manager, Swedenborgian Church

COMMITTEE ON PROGRAM: (Bylaws of the Council of Ministers, Article IV, Section 5) : Chair of the Council of Ministers Secretary of the Council of Ministers Dean of the Center for Swedenborgian Studies§

CHAPLAIN ON YOUTH AND THE MILITARY: Rev. Andy Stinson

ENDORSER OF MILITARY CHAPLAINS: Rev. Richard L. Tafel

COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF THE ROLL: (Bylaws of the Council of Ministers, Article IV, Section 8) Secretary of the Swedenborgian Church Secretary of the Council of Ministers Operations Manager, Swedenborgian Church

§ The dba of the Swedenborgian House of Studies changed to Center for Swedenborgian Studies on July 1, 2015. The bylaws of the Council of Ministers were not amended to reﬂ ect this prior to publication. The Ministry 15

MISCONDUCT DETERMINATION BOARD: (Bylaws of the Council of Ministers, Article IV, Section 9) Rev. Betsy Coff man Rev. Sage Cole Rev. Catherine Lauber Rev. Dr. F. Gardiner Perry Rev. Kathy Speas 16 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017 Inducted 1986 July 9, 1995 Cell: (734) 604-2444 June 29, 2013 Home: (603) 539-7843 June 1964 Cell: (425) 830-5616 July 3, 1977 Cell: (508) 857-6244 July 12, 2004 Cell: (513) 379-9771 June 25, 1972 Home: (219) 380-5180 Cell: (219) 380-4682 Cell: (650) 213-2914 July 4, 2014 [email protected] H F 416 Soule Boulevard MI 48103-4622 Arbor, Ann [email protected] Box 438 P.O. Ossipee, NH 03864-0438 [email protected] 5433 Leary Avenue NW, #412B NW, Avenue 5433 Leary 98107-4085 WA Seattle, breathofl 12845-7444 NY Lake George, [email protected] Royal Oak, MI 48073-5624 [email protected] 95473-0295 Sebastopol, CA [email protected] 1001 Madison Street LaPorte, IN 46350-4958 [email protected] R M Chaplain, Providence Park Active (ordained by and serving within the context of the Swedenborgian Church) by and serving within the context of Swedenborgian Active (ordained Hospital (Novi, MI) Christian Church of Freedom (NH) (LaPorte, IN) Bossdorf, Robert E. Pastoral Counselor/First NameAllison, Eric J. N. Retired Serving Presently Address Mailing/Email Ballard Landmark Telephone Ordination Baxter, Kevin K.Baxter, A Apartment 79 Middle Road, Billings, John K.Avenue Woodlawn 1119 Blair, ElizabethBlair, Box 295 P.O. Billings, Kit B. New Church Minister, W. Dagmar Bollinger, Staff Roll of Ministers 17 July 1, 2011 July 7, 2012 June 29, 2013 June 30, 2006 Home: (937) 653-5054 Cell: (937) 631-0899 Cell: (520) 247-7149 Skype: Gabriella G Cahaley Home: (865) 482-9319 Cell: (865) 256-1026 Cell: (617) 435-5262 2005 July 11, Cell: (310) 418-6533 (310) 377-1650 Work: Cell: (216) 401-0571 July 2, 1978 Home: (413) 549-8444 June 29, 2001 [email protected] 125B Montana Avenue 125B Montana TN 37830-8200 Oak Ridge, [email protected] Adell Drive 3156 Urbana, OH 43078-8732 bcoff Aldworth Street, #2 52 02130-2755 Jamaica Plain, MA [email protected] 1400 Herrington Road, Apt. 21105 1400 Herrington Road, 30044-1820 Lawrenceville, GA [email protected] [email protected] gabriellacahaley.net W: circlecommunity.net W: Parma, OH 44134-1642 [email protected] 22416 Anza Avenue Anza 22416 90505-2224 CA Torrance, [email protected] 998 East Pleasant Street 01002-1532 Amherst, MA [email protected] United Methodist Church (Oak TN) Ridge, Urbana New Church Minister, Society (Urbana, OH) (Cambridge, MA) Chapel (Rancho Palos Verdes, Verdes, Chapel (Rancho Palos CA) MA) Church (Hadley, Community/Bereavement Coordinator and Chaplain, Amedisys Hospice (Lawrenceville, GA) man, Elizabeth V. V. man, Elizabeth Caughman, Jenny Martin Minister of Spiritual Care, First Coff (Betsy) Cole, Sage Serene (Currie) Chapel Swedenborg Minister, Brugler, Ronald PaulBrugler, RetiredApt. 0529 5676 Broadview Road, NameBrown, David Wayfarers Director of Ministry, Serving Presently Buteux, Sarah Lynn First Congregational Minister, GabriellaCahaley, Address Mailing/Email Spiritual Direction/Circle Telephone Ordination 18 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017 July 2, 1989 June 30, 2006 ce: 780-475-1620 Cell: (215) 947-8917 June 29, 2015 Home: (513) 773-4074 June 26, 2010 Cell: (440) 954-2742 July 13, 1997 Cell: (207) 256-7529 June 26, 1999 Home: (207) 442-8323 June 16, 1960 Home: +44 (0)131 667 2518 Home: (780) 995-6063 Offi 702 Grant Avenue 702 Grant 19090-2619 Grove, PA Willow [email protected] Cincinnati, OH 45246-2033 [email protected] 2751 Sharon Copley Road Medina, OH 44256-9718 [email protected] 100 Silver Street Riverside, RI 02915-2939 [email protected] 876 High Street Bath, ME 04530-2423 [email protected] Edinburgh, Scotland, UK EH9 2EL Edinburgh, [email protected] #306, 9116 106 Avenue 106 #306, 9116 T5H 0M9 AB Edmonton, Canada [email protected] Our Daily Bread (King of Prussia, PA)/Pastoral (King of Prussia, PA)/Pastoral Creekside Independent Team, New Church TransitionsSpirit in (Cleveland, OH) 1655 East Crescentville Road Jerusalem Church (Bridgewater, MA) Studies Swedenborgian City (Edmonton, AB)/Senior City (Edmonton, Editor, NameConaron, Julie Sharon Dr. Connelly, Chaplain, Optum Palliative Care Louise (Sherrie) Serving Presently Cotton, NadineCurrie, Susannah L. Chapel Swedenborg Address Minister, Mailing/Email Bridgewater New Minister, Frederick George Dr. Dole, Center for Adjunct Faculty, KathleenEaston-Gilhooly, Telephone Ordination 18/16 Lauder Road Fekete, Dr. DavidFekete, Dr. Church of the Holy Minister, Roll of Ministers 19 July 11, 2005 July 11, July 1, 2000 July 9, 1995 July 12, 2004 Home: (651) 554-1452 June 28, 1992 Cell: (480) 707-7893 Skype: calalilygazpacho Cell: (781) 799-8097 July 4, 1986 Home: (718) 398-3989 Cell: (718) 316-8296 Home: 011-81-45-331- 4089 Home: (302) 994-4804 June 27, 1965 Cell: (620) 960-6748 Church: (207) 935-3413 [email protected] Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077-1245 erichoff 10 Captain Carlson Way 10 Captain Carlson 02379-1845 MA Bridgewater, W. [email protected] Hodogaya-ku 240 Japan Yokohama [email protected] DE 19805-1028 Wilmington, [email protected] PO Box 2562 NM 88062-2562 Silver City, [email protected] #13A Avenue, 309 Lafayette 11238-6901 Brooklyn, NY [email protected] 22 Elm Street ME 04037-1115 Fryeburg, [email protected] (Elmwood, MA) (New York, NY) York, (New ME) (Fryeburg, Sustainable Earth, Structures, Sustainable Lives/ New Church of the Minister, Southwest Desert (Silver City, NM) man, EricAshley Lane, #123 4970 Hoff Keane, Donna Dee Elmwood New Church Minister, Kuniyeda, Kin’ichi New Church Tokyo Minister, 30-5 Iwasaki-cho Laakko, Randall Edward Retired 1025 Dettling Road Kim, Solomon Young-MinKim, Solomon Korean New Church Minister, AlisonLane-Olsen, New Church Fryeburg Minister, NameFriedrich, Carla of Life/ -Tree HomeTribe Serving Presently Address Mailing/Email Telephone Ordination 20 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017 July 9, 1995 June 29, 2001 July 5, 2008 July 1, 1984 July 1, 2000 ce: (519) 240-2201 ce: (510) 849-8228 ce: (415) 346-6466 Cell: (207) 776-2627 June 26, 2009 Home: (248) 629-4273 Cell: (248) 229-5668 Church: (519) 743-3845 Home: (519) 742-2478 Home: (226) 240-1293 Offi Skype: catherinelauber Offi Home: (510) 531-6122 Home: (818) 754-1298 July 15, 1962 Cell: (415) 533-5714 Offi ext. 12 Home: (215) 947-2882 July 7, 2012 76 Troy Street Troy 76 ON N2H 1M1 Kitchener, Canada [email protected] 108 Vaughn Street Vaughn 108 Portland, ME 04102-3508 [email protected] www.cameronlinen.com W: Avenue Woodlawn 1119 Royal Oak, MI 48073-5624 [email protected] 4 Cavanagh Court 94610-1825 Piedmont, CA [email protected] 91601-3856 N. Hollywood, CA Road Tomlinson 404 19006-4818 PA Valley, Huntingdon [email protected] 121 Hilltop Drive ON N0B 1E0 Ayr, Canada [email protected] Avenue 2034 - 20th 94116-1203 San Francisco, CA [email protected] Shepherd (Kitchener, ON) Shepherd (Kitchener, City (Royal Oak, MI)/Beaumont Hospice Chaplaincy Dean, Center for Studies Swedenborgian CA) (Berkeley, DE) Holy City (Wilmington, (Cambridge, ON)/Secretary, (Cambridge, ON)/Secretary, Council of Ministers Jerusalem (San Francisco, CA) (Portland, ME) Maine, John Edward Church of the Good Minister, Machiniak, Renée Church of the Holy Minister, Lawrence, Dr. James Lawrence, Dr. Franklin Lee, Chungsun RetiredA.Lemole, Emily Jane Church of the Adjunct Minister, Magnolia Boulevard, #907 11035 Name CatherineLauber, Revelation of the Spirit Serving Presently Lee, JuncholAddress Mailing/Email Society of the New Minister, Linen, Cameron Telephone Licensed Pastoral Counselor Ordination Roll of Ministers 21 July 2, 1982 July 8, 2003 Center: (425) 844-9050 Home: (425) 788-6916 Home: (213) 245-9213 July 1, 1984 Cell: (310) 435-4907 July 13, 1997 Cell: (207) 751-8224 June 26, 2009 Home: (402) 423-8251 Cell: (402) 405-9425 Home: (650) 355-3203 2005 July 11, Cell: (267) 351-0172 July 1, 2016 @gmail.com ca, CA 94044-2422 ca, CA #110 90731-3938 San Pedro, CA [email protected] 20215 - 320th Avenue NE Avenue 20215 - 320th 98019-9707 WA Duvall, [email protected] Apartment 6 92116-5610 San Diego, CA [email protected] Apartment #5W 10011-3063 NY York, New pastoralison.longstaff 4500 Meadow Lane Lincoln, NE 68506-3370 [email protected] Terrace Vista 539 Loma Pacifi [email protected] 2317 LeConte Ave. 2317 LeConte #1A 94709-1387 CA Berkeley, [email protected] Swedenborgian Church of Puget Swedenborgian WA) Sound (Redmond, Plymouth United Church of Verdis Associate, Christ/ Senior Group Sacraments, Society of the New Jerusalem (San Francisco, CA) Church (El Cerrito, CA)/Editor, Church (El Cerrito, CA)/Editor, Our Daily Bread ) 21 Street W 311 McCluskey, RobertMcCluskey, 14th St. W. 900 NameMartin, Paul Mosswood Hollow/Minister, Serving Presently JonathanMitchell, Dr. Address Mailing/Email Telephone Street 4537 Georgia Ordination Moore, Alison (Longstaff Moore, Morrow, Kimberly C.Morrow, First Adjunct Minister, Moss, Doug Minister of Rites and Muller, Thom Muller, Hillside Community Minister, 22 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017 July 3, 1983 June 30, 2006 ) ce: (415) 669-9896 Please phone during Cell: (505) 819-7796 June 29, 2007 Home: (603) 662-9552 July 1, 1979 Cell: (302) 229-6901 June 27, 1965 Home: (425) 827-6113 July 5, 1987 Cell: (417) 989-1818 July 2, 1978 Home: (415) 669-7801 Offi Home/Cell: (415) 459- 3000 ( morning hours in North American time zones Santa Fe, NM 87508-8351 [email protected] Conway, NH 03818-1816 Conway, [email protected] Wilmington, DE 19806-4513 Wilmington, [email protected] Kirkland, WA 98033-8238 WA Kirkland, [email protected] Tecumseh, MO 65760-0488 Tecumseh, [email protected] V/5 Molnar Utca 53, Budapest 1056 Hungary [email protected] PO Box 926 94937-0926 Inverness, CA [email protected] Ministry/WHMP Radio Ministry/WHMP Arts Liminal Transformative Without Coaching/Ministry (Budapest, Hungary) Walls Teaching, Rites and Sacraments, Teaching, and Spiritual Direction Name SkyParadise, Dr. Serving Presently Address Mailing/Email Loop Verano 59 Telephone Ordination Perry, Dr. Gard Dr. Perry, Council of Ministers Chair, Box 1816 P.O. Poole, Jerome AldenPoole, Jerome 1005 N. Broom Street Pults, Stephen J. NE Avenue 7838 - 131st Rienstra, David Lee Retired PO Box 488 Roberts, W. HunterW. Roberts, Radio MATTERS WHAT Rivers, Dr. RachelRivers, Dr. Ministry of Pastoral Counseling, Roll of Ministers 23 June 30, 2006 6, 1981 Inducted July 1, 2016 Inducted 2006 July 5, 1987 ce: (415) 431-4100 Cell: (510) 685-0046 July 1, 2011 Home: (415) 437-1911 Offi Home: (519) 749-5401 Ordained June Home: (574) 222-0475 Ordained 2000 Cell: (620) 727-2371 July 12, 2004 Cell: (765) 491-6505 July 1, 2016 [email protected] 12 Margaret Avenue 12 Margaret ON N2H 4H2 Kitchener, Canada [email protected] Apartment 74 Trail, 31891 Chicago New Carlisle, IN 46552-8118 3450 N. Ridgewood Street Apartment #303 KS 67220-4428 Wichita, [email protected] 559 Vermont Street Vermont 559 94107-2404 San Francisco, CA [email protected] Apartment F 94804-4845 Richmond, CA infl Austintown, OH 44515-4151 [email protected] 32081-6026 FL Vedra, Ponte [email protected] Church of the Good Shepherd ON) (Kitchener, Church Chaplain Schnarr, Arthur W. (Terry)W. Arthur Schnarr, Retired/Associate Minister, Schrock, FreemanSiebert, Jane President, Swedenborgian Hamilton Grove NameSanchez, StevenSandahl, Lana Serving Presently Hospital and Palliative Care Address Mailing/Email Avenue, Alameda 5823 Sloan, Donna Telephone Retired Ordination 5627 London Drive Solwold, Lisa J. Elder Ministry Drive Wingstone 421 24 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017 July 12, 2004 June 21, 1964 Home: (403) 346-7160 July 4, 1986 Home: (707) 833-0733 Cell: (415) 308-9802 Cell: (508) 654-9798 June 26, 1999 (215) 840-1757Home: (781) 444-3334 July 2017 Fax: (781) 449-1331 Cell: (617) 921-0201 Home: (310) 539-0125 June 25, 1967 Cell: (517) 899-2281 June 29, 2007 Red Deer, AB T4R 2R3 AB Red Deer, Canada [email protected] 1357 Dawn Hill Road 95442-9704 Glen Ellen, CA [email protected] 278 River Road ME 04579-4216 Woolwich, [email protected] 90717-3125 Lomita, CA [email protected] 2424 Walton Road Walton 2424 19006 PA Valley, Huntingdon [email protected] 29 Fisher Street 02492-1424 Needham, MA [email protected] 5473 Okemos Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823-7799 [email protected] Developmental Center Church (Warren, ME) Church (Warren, (Wilmington) (Newtonville, MA) Word Lansing, MI) Name DavidSonmor, Retired Serving Presently Address Mailing/Email 92 Lister Street Telephone Ordination Speas, Katherine Protestant Chaplain, Sonoma Stinson, Andrew D.Stinson, Second Congregationl Minister, Alan Harvey Tafel, Retired 25837 Oak Street, #110 Sullivan, Shada Robert F. Tafel, Church of the Holy City Pastor, Church of the Open Minister, Jennifer MargaretTafel, Q-CROSS@MSU (East Roll of Ministers 25 July 15, 1962 Inducted July 12, 2004 July 3, 1988 July 1, 1990 Home: (239) 543-2263 Cell: (239) 560-6785 Home: (202) 365-7764 Jan. 22, 1988 Church: (386) 734-9257 Home: (386) 427-9452 Cell: (386) 478-9201 Cell: (603) 986-3609 June 29, 1985 Cell: (415) 244-3324 June 29, 1980 Cell: (707) 888-5585 July 5, 2008 Home: (207) 985-8776 Cell: (207) 329-9730 1611 16th St NW 1611 DC 20009-3001 Washington, [email protected] Fernery Road Mercer’s W. 825 32720-2310 DeLand, FL [email protected] Bridgton, ME 04009-0594 [email protected] 15484-2 Admiralty Circle 15484-2 33917-2248 N. Ft. Myers, FL [email protected] Olympia, WA 98513-5669 WA Olympia, [email protected] #207W 95404-6601 Santa Rosa, CA [email protected] 37 Branch Road Kennebunk, ME 04043-6401 [email protected] (Washington, D.C.) (Washington, (DeLand, FL) Church of Montgomery New (Cincinnati, OH)/Minister, Church of Southwest Florida (Ft. Myers, FL) Community.org Tafel, Richard L.Tafel, Thorhallsson, Skuli Church of the Holy City Pastor, Chrysalis Fellowship Minister, Kenneth OwenTurley, PO Box 594 Name Richard Hugo, Jr.Tafel, New Consulting Minister, Serving Presently Address Mailing/Email Susan GwenTurley, Retired Telephone Ordination 7321 85th Lane SE Vandergrift, M. JudithVandergrift, Pastoral CareThird Street 1050 Wake, Dr. Wilma Dr. Wake, Swedenborgian Minister, 26 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017 Aug. 5, 1956 Home: (781) 416-4738 June 29, 1980 Cell: (440) 241-8476 July 3, 1988 Cell: (720) 218-2045 July 4, 2014 Cell: (508) 927-2612 June 30, 1996 Home: (620) 665-8554 June 24, 1951 F F 1770 Massachusetts Avenue, #151 Avenue, 1770 Massachusetts 02140-2808 Cambridge, MA Apartment 1006 Parma, OH 44129-5838 [email protected] Victoria 3030 Werribee, Australia P.O. Box 5257 P.O. 90733-5257 San Pedro, CA [email protected] Apartment 504 82009-5158 WY Cheyenne, [email protected] #161 Hutchinson, KS 67502-5063 [email protected] Church of the Open Word)/ Church of the Open Associate Pastor Emerita (Cambridge Church of the New Jerusalem) (San Pedro, CA) NameWheaton, Gladys Pastor Emerita (Newtonville DeborahWinter, Serving Presently Address Mailing/Email TelephoneAmes Road 6871 TomasAquino, Ordination Estate Westgrove 13 Clyde Court, Woofenden, Anna Woofenden, LeeWoofenden, The Garden Church Minister, Foundation The Swedenborg 4724 Mountain Road Zacharias, Eric John Retired 2416 Brentwood Street Roll of Ministers 27 Oct. 30, 1994 added to Roll June 26, 2001 July 3, 1983 ce: 01-3822944 06-13-51-32-58 July 2, 1982 Home: 420651 634993 July 9, 1994 Offi Home: 01-3835107 Fax: 01-3822944 Home: 011-81-42-344- 6375 Home: (0) 21-23-78-77 Oct. 25, 1987 wedenborg Saorge, France Saorge, [email protected] 765 - 51 Zasová 193 Czech Republic [email protected] Kodaira-shi 187-0001 Japan Tokyo Rue Caroline 21 CH-1003, Lausanne, Switzerland Apollostrasse 2 CH-8032 Zürich Switzerland [email protected] Schweiz Name PatrickDuvivier, France Serving Presently Address Mailing/Email Ipialla 06540 Telephone Ordination Heger, PavelHeger, Czech Missionary New Church Mission Torita, KeiTorita, JeanVidil, Church Tokyo Lausanne, Switzerland 1-1-1-1-606 Onuma-cho c/o Nouvelle Eglise et Centre S Noack, ThomasNoack, Neue Kirche de deutschen 28 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

A A B The following organizations are legally independent bodies in which the Swedenborgian Church has an interest.

AMERICAN NEW CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION D/B/A SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES (SCCM): President: Rev. Alison Lane-Olsen Vice-President: Rev. Kit Billings Secretary: Rev. Kevin Baxter Treasurer: Deborah Dolley

NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF NEW CHURCH WOMEN: President: Marjory Leas Vice President: Rev. Jenny Caughman Secretary: Connie Helm Treasurer: Christine Laitner Mite Box Chair: BJ Neuenfeldt Religious Chair: Roslyn Taylor

TRUSTEES OF THE GRAY LEGACY: Wesley N. Gray Fund - Legacy held by three Trustees appointed by the Probate Court of Middlesex County, MA, on joint recommendation of the Massachusetts New Church Union and the General Convention. The Trustees are instructed to expend the net income for “such church and missionary uses, preferably in Massachusetts ﬁ rst, then in the United States of America, and then in the whole world, as shall seem to them most deserving and most useful towards the growth of the New Jerusalem Church;” and to render “a report of said fund and of the proceedings under it...each year to the said General Convention” for printing in its Journal.

Secretary/Treasurer: Rebecca Kline Esterson

Trustees: Bobby Buchanan Herbert Ziegler Auxiliary & Associated Bodies 29

CENTER FOR SWEDENBORGIAN STUDIES (CSS), FORMERLY SWEDENBORGIAN HOUSE OF STUDIES: (Incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on May 17, 1881, as the New Church Theological School)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Chair: Rev. Jenny Caughman Vice Chair: Robert Reber Clerk: Rev. Alison Longstaﬀ Moore Treasurer: Jennifer Lindsay Dean of CSS: Rev. Dr. Jim Lawrence Liasion (without vote): President, Graduate Theological Union Executive Committee: The Chair The Vice Chair Clerk Treasurer Ex-oﬃ cio with vote: Dean, Center for Swedenborgian Studies President, General Convention

ELECTED MEMBERS: Term Expires 2018: Karen Conger* (2) Jennifer Lindsey* (1) John Titus** (1) Robert Reber** (2)

Term Expires 2019: Nancy Little* (1) Robert Morrill* (1) Terrie Crenshaw** (2) Alan Kelchner** (1)

Term Expires 2020: Rev. Alison Longstaﬀ Moore* (2) Rev. Dr. F. Gardiner Perry* (2) Rev. Jenny Caughman** (2) Rev. Anna Woodfenden** (1)

*Trustees elected by Representative Class **Trustees elected by At-Large Class 30 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE NEW JERUSALEM IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, INC.

d/b/a The Swedenborgian Church M F O H N T S

WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY WEST CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA

Saturday, July 8 to Tuesday, July 11, 2017

1. OPENING: The Rev. Jane Siebert opened the Word, signifying the commencement of this annual meeting of the Swedenborgian Church. The Rev. Kevin Baxter presented a delightful power point program outlining the history of the fi rst meeting of the General Convention, which was held in Philadelphia, PA, 200 years ago in 1817. Recording Secretary Karen Conger read Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution, and Article II Section 2 of the Bylaws. President Jane Siebert favored the assembled with her address, expressing her sense of excitement and hope as she fi nishes her fi rst year as president, and welcomes all to the 200th anniversary of the fi rst convention.

Monday, July 10, 2017 9:15 am

2. The ﬁ rst business session was brought to order by President Rev. Jane Siebert at approximately 9:15am. There was a quorum present. Karen Conger read from the Gospel of Matthew 7: 7-8. Jane introduced the oﬃ cers of Convention including herself, President; Tom Neuenfeldt, Vice President; Karen Conger, Secretary; and Polly Baxter, Treasurer.

3. President Jane appointed the Credentials Committee, Colin Amato and Nancy Piorkowski, Rev. Dick Tafel as parliamentarian and Linda Tafel as Head Teller. Minutes of the 193rd Session 31

4. Karen Conger delivered the General Council (GC) report to the ﬂ oor, during which she introduced the Council members present and explained a little about how the GC processes through their duties. She further noted some of the business that had been transacted during the year, including approval of the website developer, approval of the sale of the San Diego property, working with boards of various of the denomination’s churches; extensive discussion of the current structure of convention governance, and other matters pertaining to the Church. It was Moved, Seconded and Carried (MSC) to accept the report as delivered.

5. It was MSC to accept the offi cers’ reports as distributed in the Advance Reports. Outgoing treasurer Polly Baxter briefl y clarifi ed some of the fi ner points of the Treasurer’s Report, reminding the assembled that there are several funds listed that are restricted. For instance, the funds from the sale of the San Diego property are capital gains, not a surplus, as the funds may not be accessed for 25 years (except by a qualifi ed group of people who wish to start a church in the San Diego area).

6. It was MSC to accept the Support Unit, Oﬃ cers and other Reports as distributed in the Advance Reports.

7. COUNCIL OF MINISTERS (COM) REPORT to Convention 2017 - Rev. Catherine Lauber, Secretary of COM, reported that there were 35 ministers and four Licensed Pastors in attendance at their meetings. They were pleased to hear a presentation of Visions of Ministry from Colin Amato and Nancy Piorkowski, as well as a plan of ministry from Shada Sullivan. COM is requesting changes to the Roll of Ministers as they note the passing of Rev. Ernest O. Martin and Rev. Adam Doyle Seward; in addition they passed a motion to remove the name of Rev. Kin’ichi Kuniyeda from the roll of former ministers and to reinstate it on the Roll of Ministers. In addition they received the following motions:

MOTION: The Council of Ministers recommends to the General Con- vention, that Karen Feil, after completing the basic module of Licensed Pastor studies at the Centre for Swedenborgian Studies, and on approval from the Committee on Admission into the Ministry, and with the Swe- denborg Library in Chicago, Illinois being an appropriate site in our un- 32 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

derstanding, that Karen Feil be given Licensed Pastor standing, serving at the Swedenborg Library in Chicago.

MOTION: At their own request, supported by a call from the Church of the Holy City in Wilmington, Delaware, and on the recommendation of the Committee on Admission into the Ministry, the Council of Min- isters recommends to the General Convention, that Shada Sullivan, who has completed a full course of study at the Centre for Swedenborgian Studies, be ordained into our ministry, and that the service of ordination be held at this session of Convention, their name after ordination, to be placed on our Roll of Ministers.

8. The Nominating Committee Report was presented by Linda Tafel as follows:

• Vice-President – 1-year term – Tom Neuenfeldt

• Recording Secretary – 1 year term – Karen Conger

• Treasurer – 1 year term – Jennifer Lindsay

• General Council layperson – for a 2nd 3-year term – Lon Elmer

• General Council layperson – for a 1st 3-year term – Barb Halle

• General Council minister – for a 1st 3-year term – Rev. Junchol Lee

• Communications Support Unit (COMSU) – for a 2nd 3-year term – Katie Rienstra Pruiett

• Education Support Unit (EDSU) – for a 2nd 3-year term – Paul Deming

• Information Support Unit (IMSU) – for a 2nd 3-year term – Rev. Kevin Baxter

• Financial & Physical Resources Support Unit (FPRSU) – for a 1st 3-year term – Carl Helm

• Ministries Support Unit (MINSU) – for a 1st 3-year term – Tory Hen- derson

• Ministries Support Unit – for a 2nd 3-year term – Marjorie Leas

• Committee on Admission to the Ministry – for a 1st 3-year term – Page Morahan Minutes of the 193rd Session 33

• CSS Trustee to Representative Class for a 2nd 3-year term – Rev. Ali- son Longstaﬀ Moore

• CSS Trustee to Representative Class for a 2nd 3-year term – Rev. Dr. F. Gardiner Perry

• Nominating Committee – 5-year term to 2022 – Bill Coﬀ man & Nancy Lears

MOTION: to receive the report of the Nominating committee; Sec- onded & Carried.

9. Tom Neuenfeldt introduced the following Bylaws Amendment for a ﬂ oor vote, the proposed amendment having been published in the December 2016 issue of the Messenger. Tom having made the motion, it was duly seconded and carried unanimously.

Bylaws Amendment on removal of inactive elected personnel:

1. Article VIII, Sec. 6: General Council. Any member of General Council, of any committee appointed by General Council, or of any Support Unit who fails to attend at least one duly called meeting during a calendar year may be deemed by General Council to have submitted his or her resignation, and shall be so informed by the Secretary. If no good and suffi cient reason for said absence is off ered, General Council may appoint a qualifi ed individual to serve until the next meeting of Convention.

10. The Rev. Kevin Baxter introduced the following Constitutional Amendment for a ﬂ oor vote, the proposed amendment having been published in the December 2016 issue of the Messenger. Kevin having made the motion, it was duly seconded and carried unanimously.

Constitutional Amendment on quorum procedures:

1. Article VI. Meetings of the Swedenborgian Church Section 1. Sessions of the Swedenborgian Church shall be held at least triennially, at such times and places as it may determine. Meetings of the Swedenborgian Church must be called with 34 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

90 days’ notice published in The Messenger or through a mailing to the members. 2. Article VI. Meetings of the Swedenborgian Church Section 2. A quorum to hold a convention shall consist of twenty percent of the number of persons qualifi ed to vote as defi ned in Article IV, Representation and Voting. 3. Article VI. Meetings of the Swedenborgian Church Section 3. A quorum to conduct business at the convention shall be a majority of the registered voters at the convention, as defi ned in Article IV, Section 1, Representation and Voting.

11. NOMINATIONS FROM THE FLOOR: President Jane solicited nominations from the fl oor, calling each offi ce one at a time; there were no nominations from the fl oor. It was MSC that the nominations be closed.

12. REPORT FROM THE STRUCTURE REVIEW COMMITTEE – Kurt Fekete shared that the Structure Review Committee (SRC) had processed the many responses to the survey that they distributed last year and decided that a useful way forward would be to ask the assembled at this year’s convention to take part in “break-out” groups to discuss and ﬁ ne-tune several of the ways forward. The break-out groups met and the following comments were received:

A. Question 1A, to merge EDSU w/ some functions of MINSU: 1. Rev. Kevin Baxter commented past attempts to merge support units had resulted in a drop in energy toward some of the facets of some of the units. 2. Tory Henderson commented that her break-out group had suggested a “talent pool,” which might mitigate Kevin’s concern.

B. Question 1B, to merge MINSU’s funding responsibilities, FPRSU, the Augmentation Fund Committee and other funding groups: 1. Concern was expressed over the group that would be formed as being too small to make such important decisions. 2. There are very speciﬁ c guidelines already established on some of these funds, which can’t just be removed/changed; some of these relevant committees are mandated. Minutes of the 193rd Session 35

3. Accountability/oversight of extreme importance. 4. The importance of the Treasurer remaining as chair of FPRSU. 5. Advocates to help navigate the funding process C. Question 1C, to merge IMSU w/ COMSU: 1. The importance of transparency/accountability 2. It was suggested that oversight (General Council) might be of particular importance to this merger, as well as reporting. D. Question 2 Nominating Committee role: 1. A detailed talent pool 2. The importance of oversight for whatever database in a talent pool is established. E. Question 3 Streamline governing process and address redundancy: 1. Merge Cabinet and GC 2. Cabinet chairs as members of the GC 3. Better to keep GC’s current oversight responsibilities? 4. Check out some other church models already in existence? 5. Swedenborg Foundation Board model of 16 members split into committees F. Question 4 Support the work of committee chairs: 1. Suggested that their way their way to convention G. Question 5 Review current committees: 1. Suggested that not everything should be Ad Hoc 2. It’s currently very easy to ﬁ nd out who’s doing what by looking in the Journal. If we replace some of these with an ad hoc setup there needs to be a quick way to ﬁ nd out who’s doing what.

13. President Rev. Jane Siebert reported on the successful and relatively simple sale of the San Diego property and commented that its ease highlights once again the importance of dissolution clauses. The San Diego folks had a very good clause, and the parameters that the established are being implemented so that the principle has been deposited in a fund for 25 years, while Convention may utilize the interest. The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Mitchell, former minister of the San Diego Church, rose to share that it was a sad decision, but handled beautifully and lovingly by the group. The purchasers are the Dharma Bum Temple, and the property was sold 36 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

in the spring of 2017 for $1.4 million. The temple is a Buddhist one, and named after the Jack Kerouac novel The Dharma Bums.

14. Steve David presented a short report on The New Christian Bible Study (newchristianbiblestudy.org), an online resource that enables one to read the Writings alongside of the Bible; some of the funding for the development and implementation of this website was made available by the Iungerich Fund.

15. The Rev. Kevin Baxter rose to report on the progress of the Digital Presence Group (DPG). The new website is under development, and among the points Kevin highlighted were that its design will make it easy to update, while being eminently readable on a screen as small as a cell phone. It will also be very interactive, and easily navigable, disseminating information to new people and regulars. The platform is Word Press, and it will be possible for each Support Unit to change its own page without going through the Central Oﬃ ce. Among other uses, it will also be possible for individual churches to print their own pamphlets and aﬃ x their own name to them. The DPG’s members include Val Brugler (Information Management Support Unit); Katie Rienstra Pruiett (Communications Mangement Support Unit); Chris Laitner, facilitator; The Rev. Kevin Baxter (COM); Polly Baxter (General Council); the Rev. Jenn Tafel (youth/progressive vision/LGBTQ+ community); Bekka Lange (teens/young adult) and Paul Deming (Education Support Unit). Launch is hoped for by the end of the year.

Tuesday, July 11, 2017 9:33am

16. President Jane reconvened the business session of convention at approximately 9:33am with a reading by Tom Neuenfeldt from the Gospel of Matthew: 7: 24-27.

17. THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE REPORT – Nancy Piorkowski & Colin Amato: MSC to accept. Minutes of the 193rd Session 37

ASSOCIATIONS DELEGATES DELEGATED ALLOWED ATTENDING Eastern Canada Conference 10 1 Illinois Association 11 3 Kansas Association 92 Maine Association 15 2 Massachusetts New Church Union 90 Michigan Association 85 Middle Atlantic Association 11 8 New York Association 41 Ohio Association 66 Paciﬁ c Coast Association 24 7 Southeast Association 41 Western Canada Conference 10 2 Members at Large 20 Swedenborgian Church Youth League 20 General Council 97 Ministers 91 36 TOTAL VOTES 306 81

18. CONTESTED OFFICE SPEECHES – The Nominating Committee having two candidates, Bill Coﬀ man rose to speak; Nancy Lears was not in attendance.

19. ELECTIONS – Head Teller Linda Tafel gave instructions for the voting process. Only the position of Nominating Committee was contested. Two ballots were districted, one for the contested oﬃ ce and one for the uncontested oﬃ ces. The ballots were collected, and counting commenced.

20. Rev. Dr. Wilma Wake presented a brief report on the Swedenborgian Community Online, during which she advised that Sunday services and Thursday chats continue, while vigorous involvement of growing numbers of people continues to infuse and inspire.

21. The Rev. The Rev. Dr. David Fekete and the Rev. Thomas Muller presented a report on Our Daily Bread, a publication which continues to be an important mission of the Church as well as an internal organ 38 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

for the Church’s members. Our Daily Bread is now an online resource exclusively, located at spiritualquesters.org, where one can sign up for a monthly newsletter. Facebook and Twitter are also being utilized, and the goal is that Our Daily Bread should reﬂ ect the broad diversity that is the Swedenborgian Church.

22. A collection was taken to help support the Swedenborgian Church Youth League on their planned trip to the U.K. in July of 2018.

23. The Rev. Catherine Lauber reported that the sixth annual Gathering Leaves weekend will take place in September, from the 21st through the 24th, in Puslinch, Ontario, CN. This year’s theme is “Waters of Life, Spirit of Love.” The assembled were invited to visit gatheringleaves. weebly.com for additional information.

24. President Jane reconvened the business session of convention, and Polly Baxter read from the Gospel of Matthew 6: 25-27.

25. To honor outgoing Treasurer Polly Baxter, she was presented with a toy cash register containing a toy coin symbolizing the over $4K that has so far been donated to the Saturday’s Children line item, which supports scholarships for children attending convention sessions. Much applause, laughter and joy was expressed to thank Polly for her seven years as a faithful servant of the Lord through the Lord’s Church.

26. Head Teller Linda Tafel reported the results of the election:

ELECTION RESULTS:

Vice President: Tom Neuenfeldt Secretary: Karen Conger Treasurer: Jennifer Lindsay General Council: Lay persons Lon Elmer Barb Halle Clergy Rev. Junchol Lee Minutes of the 193rd Session 39

Communication Support Unit: Katie Rienstra Pruiett Education Support Unit: Paul Deming Information Management Support Unit: Rev. Kevin Baxter Financial & Physical Resources Support Unit: Carl Helm Ministries Support Unit: Tory Henderson Marjie Leas Committee on Admission to the Ministry: Page Morahan Nominating Committee: Bill Coﬀ man Center for Swedenborgian Studies Board, Rev. Alison Longstaﬀ Moore Representative Class: Rev. Dr. F. Gard Perry

A. Motion to accept the report as given; seconded and carried.

B. Motion to destroy the ballots; seconded and carried.

27. The Rev. Anna Woofenden reported that The Garden Church continues to meet weekly to worship, work and enjoy fellowship. They are deeply involved in the local community; as an example, last year’s La Dia De Los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) celebration saw 1600 people visiting the Garden Church property. Anna noted that The Garden Church is no longer the newest church in North America (see following minute). The Garden Church has oﬃ cially been organized as a 501 c (3) known as Feed and Be Fed. Having recently married, Anna is moving East where her husband, David’s, job is located. Three local ministers, including Rev. Jonathan Mitchell, will be serving the Garden Church temporarily while the community adjusts to Rev. Anna’s departure in January of 2018. A search committee will undertake the quest for a full-time minister.

28. The Creekside Church, of Bryn Athyn, PA, having been voted into the Middle Atlantic Association earlier this year, was formally welcomed into the denomination on the ﬂ oor of convention. This newest Convention church was represented by the Rev. Julie Conaron and two of the members of the church being present to receive joyous applause.. 40 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

29. President Jane celebrated gifts to the denomination from the Michigan Association for $2000; from the La Porte Church for $1513; and from the Wayfarers Chapel for $5000.

30. Gifts to defray costs of convention were also recognized: Pawnee Rock church $500, Pretty Prairie church $500, Michigan Association for coff ee break, Women’s Alliance for coff ee break, Illinois Association for coff ee break, Swedenborg Foundation for reception, Massachusetts Association for COM breaks, CSS for break and ordination reception, Sanga Sisters for ordination reception, Wilmington Trust $1000, Michael Shone from Marquette Associates $4500 for keynote speaker.

31. The Rev. Dr. James Lawrence rose to extend a formal invitation from the Paciﬁ c Coast Association for convention 2018. The search committee hopes to have a venue secured by the end of July of this year.

32. Regarding conventions 2019, Tom Neuenfeldt reported that the Midwest Association, formerly known as the Illinois Association, is actively looking for a site. Bridgewater, Massachusetts, is a likely site for convention 2020.

33. President Jane adjourned the 193rd session of the General Convention at 4:35pm.

Respectfully Submitted, Karen Conger, Recording Secretary Minutes of the 193rd Session 41

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C P S 1959 1959 Ernest O. Martin Asilomar Conference Grounds, CA 1960 Owen Turley Lake Forest, IL 1961 Calvin Turley Washington, DC 1962 Richard Tafel Pawnee Rock, KS 1963 Paul Zacharias Miami Beach, FL 1964 Rollo Billings Philadelphia, PA 1965 Brian Kingslake Brockton-Bridgewater-Elmwood, MA 1966 Galen Unruh Urbana, OH 1967 Eric Zacharias Kitchener, Ontario, Canada 1968 George F. Dole Windsor, Ontario, Canada 1969 Randall Laakko Claremont, CA 1971 Erwin Reddekopp Urbana, OH 1972 Ernest L. Frederick Boston, MA 1973 Robert H. Kirven Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 1974 Andre Diaconoﬀ Urbana, OH 1975 George McCurdy Urbana, OH 1976 Richard H. Tafel, Jr. Philadelphia, PA 1977 Dorothea Harvey San Francisco, CA 1978 Ernest O. Martin Kitchener, Ontario, Canada 1979 Friedemann Horn Urbana, OH 1980 Edwin G. Capon Wellesley, MA 1981 Eric Allison Urbana, OH 1982 Andre Diaconoﬀ Irvine, CA 1983 F. Robert Tafel Wilmington, OH 1984 Ronald P. Brugler Center Harbor, NH 1985 F. Gardiner Perry III Windsor, Ontario, Canada 1986 Gladys Wheaton Boone, NC 1987 Jaikoo E. Lee Tacoma, WA 1988 David L. Rienstra Newton, MA 1989 David P. Johnson Urbana, OH 1990 Jerome A. Poole Olds, Alberta, Canada 1991 Robert E. McCluskey Kitchener, Ontario, Canada 1992 Stephen J. Pults St. Louis, MO 1993 Richard M. Baxter Wenham, MA 1994 George F. Dole Arlington, VA 1995 Carl Yenetchi San Francisco, CA 1996 Horand K. Gutfeldt Urbana, OH Convention Preachers Since 1959 43

1997 Robert H. Kirven Hutchinson, KS 1998 James F. Lawrence Leesburg, FL 1999 J. Theodore Klein Malibu, CA 2000 Paul Martin Urbana, OH 2001 Renée Billings Machiniak St. Paul, MN 2002 Paul Zacharias Gorham, ME 2003 Ken Turley Geneva, NY 2004 Wilma Wake Kitchener, Ontario, Canada 2005 Marlene Laughlin Berkeley, CA 2006 John Billings Urbana, OH 2007 Eric Hoﬀ man Holland, MI 2008 Sarah Buteux Bridgewater, MA 2009 Junchol Lee Seattle, WA 2010 John Maine St. Paul, MN 2011 Jonathan Mitchell Cincinnati, OH 2012 Andrew Stinson Bridgewater, MA 2013 Jane Siebert Urbana, OH 2014 Alison Lane-Olsen St. Louis, MO 2015 David Fekete Bridgewater, MA 2016 Solomon Young-Min Kim Urbana, OH 2017 Susannah Curry Bridgewater, MA 44 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

M R. E O. M Erni came into the physical world on November 11, 1923, in Brockton Massa- chusetts. He hails from hearty, New England, Swedenborgian stock. His early an- cestor, Isaac Stearns, arrived in Boston in 1630 on the Arabella, the boat right after the Mayfl ower. Erni used to joke that in over 350 years many of his relatives had never moved more than 30 miles from where the boat landed! He was born into a Swedenborgian family, in fact his great grandmother’s brother, George Stearns, was ordained into the Swedenborgian ministry in 1861, enrolled in the fi rst class of the newly –established theological school in 1866. While growing up, Erni attended church at both Mansfi eld and Brockton. The church and his family were the central, guiding loves of his life. Upon graduation from Oliver Ames High School in Easton, MA, Dad got a scholarship and chose to study business administration at Boston University. That all changed on December 29, 1941 when his six-year-old brother, Richie, tragi- cally drowned. In an eff ort to comfort them a minister told the family that on the ladder of life Richie had come to a rung where he was needed more in heaven than on earth. To our Dad this made no sense, it was not compatible with his understanding of a loving God. And so he switched paths and chose to enter the ministry, driven by the desire to equip people with a theology that would help them face tragedies such as the one his family had endured. He wrote that “his mission has been to bear witness to the reality of the transcendent, the spiritual dimension of life, and its integration with the here and now.” In so doing he also strove to learn everything there was to know about life after death, a passion he continued his entire life. In the midst of his education he, as did most able-bodied young men of that time, enlisted in the military service. Erni served from February 1943 until his discharge, on December 8, 1945. He was a Personnel Sergeant Major, participated in the Battle of Normandy, and received the Bronze Star Medal. On July 31, 1949 Erni married Perry Skinner in the church of the New Jeru- salem in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from both the New Church Theological School and the Harvard Divinity School in 1952 and was ordained into the Minis- try of the Swedenborgian Church on June 28, 1953. Along with his wife Perry and two sons, David and Paul, he moved to Wilmington, Delaware where he served his fi rst congregation, the Church of the Holy City from 1952 until 1959. From there he moved on, along with three more children, Ruth, Rachel and Ben, to the Church of the Holy City, Washington, D.C., where he served from 1959 until Memorial 45

1968. It was in Washington one last child, Jenny, joined the family. In Washington he organized the Washington, D.C. Area Chapter of the Spiritual Frontiers Fel- lowship, and served as the Chair from 1959 until 1968. He became friends with renowned psychic Arthur Ford, who told him his brother Richie was always close by. This led Dad to be convinced not only of the reality of the spiritual world, but of the closeness of this realm to our work-a-day world. In addition to serving many congregations Erni was also at the fore- front of many signifi cant innovative changes within the denomination. He was Chair (a position his daughter Jenny now holds) of the Board of Managers of the New-Church Theological School at the time of the sale of the school property to Harvard in 1966 and their transition to Newton. He initiated application of our denomination into the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. We were voted into membership in 1966, an accomplishment of which he was particularly proud, and he served on the Governing Board of the Council from 1968 to 1975. In 1968 he began his role as President of Convention and established and served as the Director of the Central Offi ce in Newton until 1975. After serving in these capacities Erni and his wife Perry, along with their two youngest children, moved to California where he, alongside Harvey Tafel, served at the Wayfarer’s Chapel. After nine years at the Chapel Erni and Perry, now empty nesters, moved to Pennsylvania where Dad served the First New Jerusalem Society of Philadel- phia. His goal and his dream, which he worked toward tirelessly and which he achieved, was to establish a denominational retreat center The Swedenborgian Church of Temenos, temenos meaning sacred space. Upon retirement from Teme- nos Erni, wanting to be closer to family, moved out to the Seattle area where he assisted his son Paul with his work at the Stonehouse Book Center, Mosswood Hollow and the Swedenborgian Church of Puget Sound. He lived with Paul and his family very happily for the last 17 years of his life. So now that he has made this fi nal transition, now that he has joined his brothers and sister, parents, other family members, friends and colleagues on the other side, we who are left behind thank God for the gift of Erni, our Dad, for his long full life, guided by love, fi lled with a good balance of humor and wisdom. We are left to be challenged by one of his favorite statements: “Well, this will be a true test of my good nature!” We are extremely grateful for the depth of his caring and his love, and how he demonstrated, through his words and actions, just what is most important in life. Respectfully submitted, The Martin Family 46 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

R. D A S, J. It was with sadness that I heard of the passing of Adam Seward. I remember Adam from the time we studied together at the Swedenborg School of Religion in Newton Corner MA. Adam identiﬁ ed as Native American and one of my most enduring memories of those years is the education I received from him on the native view of history, culture, and religion. After ordination in 1998, Adam brieﬂ y served the Pretty Prairie Society, but had to resign due to failing health. I lost contact with Adam after that, but I understand that he served in later years as a pet chaplain in Texarkana, Arkansas. Adam is a kind and gentle soul with a wry sense of humor. I still have the mug his family gave as ordination presents. Under the Convention logo it reads, “Hold the traditions which ye have been taught.” Ho! Respectfully submitted, Rev. Jonathan Mitchell

I remember being a faculty member at S.S.R. when Adam was a student. I had many conversations with Adam and Lynn, his wife. During their fi rst Thanksgiv- ing at S.S.R., I learned about Adam’s commitment to be in Plymouth on Thanks- giving to honor the “National Day of Mourning.” I learned a great deal from him about what the Pilgrims did to the Native Americans, and Thanksgiving has never been the same for me since. I, too, lost track of Adam for awhile after he had to leave Pretty Prairie due to heart problems. I did hear that he and Lynn had divorced, and I also lost track of her. But then I got an email from Adam asking if we could be peer ears. He was a chaplain for pets and knew of my deep love of animals – and the many cats and dogs I’ve loved through the years. His health was poor, and our peer ear contacts involved occasional emails. I loved hearing about his work with animals. I was pleased one day to hear from Lynn, but sad that she was dying. I was so honored when she came to see me on her trip around the country saying good-by to friends. Adam’s emails became less frequent, and then they stopped. And then I learned he had passed on. I’m happy for Adam – and for Lynn – knowing they are healthy and whole in the next world. I am certain that the pet population of heaven is very happy to have such a fi ne chaplain arriving to off er them his services. Rev. Wilma Wake Respectfully submitted, Rev. Wilma Wake Memorial 47

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Reports of Officers, Boards, Committees, Support Units and Associated Bodies

President

Rooted in Our History. Growing in the Word. Thank you again for all who are reading this and your presence at the 200th Anniversary of the First Convention in May, 1817. Convention has been designed with time to honor our past and time to plan for our future. As you all know we have been living through a time of change in our Swe- denborgian Church and religious institutions in general. As our keynote speaker at convention Diana Butler Bass writes in her latest book, Grounded: “The most significant story in the history of religion at this time is not a decline in Western religion, a rejection of religious institutions, or the growth of religious extremism; rather, it is a changed conception of God, a rebirthing of faith from the ground up.” To meet the future head on, as Swedenborgians, we need to be grounded: grounded in living our theology, grounded in sharing our faith, grounded in a personal and life-giving connection with God. Diana Butler Bass notes that there is a revolution going on in how people understand and experience God. There has been a shift from a God up in heaven to an individual experience of God within communities, nature and our world. We don’t want to miss the revolution, as I believe we have a Christ centered spirituality that many are seeking. At the recent Swedenborg and the Arts Conference, this was evident. There were many people that attended interested in art and the influence that Sweden- borg had on poets, artists, writers. And there were people there that had found Swedenborg through a variety of paths and just wanted to be around Swedenbor- gians. They were encouraged by what they read and wanted to see how Sweden- borgians lived their religion. I see this happening in our church structures as I visit around the US and Can- ada. Many are including discussion time after the message for people to share their thoughts and questions and making the worship service more personal. Some churches are working hard to reach out to their communities with refugee resettle- ments, soup kitchens, roadside cleanup, and flying rainbow flags of welcome. The uses of our church buildings have expanded to include education on varieties of religion, musical presentations, unhoused resource centers, reading groups, AA meetings, and gardening. A lot is going on and there is more that can happen. Reports of Officers & Committees 49

I am also encouraged with the new ministers being ordained and those preparing for ministry. As I told them, “When I see who God is calling into the ministry of the Swedenborgian Church, I know we have a purpose and a future to sustain. I will do all I can to support them and create a church structure that encourages church plants, restarts and growth.” Here is to the future. We do not know what it looks like. We know it will involve change. And we know with the Lord’s guidance, open minds, positive outlooks and hard work, we will be a vital part of the Lord’s landscape. Convention theme: Rooted in our History. Growing in the Word. Rev. Jane Siebert, President

Vice-President

I have been participating with the Executive Committee since the last General Council meeting to conduct the business of the denomination with monthly conference calls, and email and phone discussions as necessary. These are recorded in the minutes that are provided to all General Council members on a monthly basis. Highlights of the last six months include: I presented a status report of the discussions with the Washington DC Society about their building and membership with the National Church Trustees in No- vember. Evaluations of our Central Office staff were completed in December. I have very high praise for both Renee and Gina in the work that they do for the Denomi- nation. I have been involved with the Swedenborgian Online Community in our monthly phone meetings. This is a very strong ministry within our church family. Thank you to Rev. Wilma Wake for all she does in maintaining this ministry. I have been facilitating the discussions with the Transitions group for possible financial assistance for Convention 2017, with them helping Renee with some of the available jobs. As Jennifer Lindsay was conducting an internal review of Convention’s financial business, I asked her to expand her discussions and to review various processes and procedures with in Central Office. One of the areas that she and President Rev. Jane Siebert followed up on was CO’s involvement with the fi- nances of The Massachusetts New Church Union and the Cambridge Church. Both of these entities have taken back their books and are now conducting their own financial affairs. 50 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Finally, I have been trying to find a host for Convention 2019. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions for a host and site, please let me know. Respectfully submitted, Tom Neuenfeld, Vice President

Secretary

Per the duties outlined in the Journal I have taken minutes at all meetings of the General Council and Executive Committee. I have sent correspondence to organizations and individuals on behalf of the General Council as directed, and solicited and accumulated reports for the General Council meetings, as well as working closely with the President to create and manage the agenda for the above meetings. I have collected and compiled statistics from churches, associations, and conferences within the denomination in North America in order to present an accurate delegate count for voting purposes during convention meetings, and will be assisting the Central Office in compiling and editing the 2017 Journal. Respectfully submitted, Karen Conger, Recording Secretary

Treasurer

The reports contained on the following pages are a departure from the reports published in recent years. Generally accepted accounting procedures in the Unit- ed States required that organizations affiliated in the way that General Convention and Wayfarers Chapel are affiliated prepare consolidated financial statements.- Af ter lengthy conversations with our certified public accounting firm, it was determined that, due to the differences in the mission of the organizations, consolidation did more to obscure their respective financial condition than enhance it. For this reason, a decision was made to depart from general accepted accounting procedures for the presentation of the report The financial statements of both General Convention and Wayfarers Chapel appear in their entirety less the accountant’s notes on the following pages. An unreviewed consolidation is available from the Treasurer upon request. Respectfully submitted, Polly H. Baxter, Treasurer Reports of Officers & Committees 51

This page intentionally left blank. 52 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017 ------$- $- 2,644,673 2,651,713 2,651,713 $2,651,713 Restricted Permanently $ ------$- 209,111 209,111 $139,407 1,400,023 13,696,495 11,947,954 11,947,954 $13,696,495 emporarily Restricted T $ 11,821,560 - - - 920 4,527 2,000 1,282 11,442 11,442 43,068 46,696 19,658 $15,259 658,753 718,000 658,753 326,418 975,429 5,255,544 $161,721 4,541,192 3,051,266 $5,259,192 ASS ET S Unrestricted $ - - ASS ET S 920 2,000 4,527 1,282 11,442 11,442 43,068 19,658 658,753 $15,259 658,753 718,000 255,807 326,418 975,429 $301,128 1,400,023 ecember 31, 2016 D ecember 19,721,777 20,889,400 otal 17,650,933 $21,607,400 T S A ND NET L I AB ITIE S $ S tatement of F inan c ial Position General Convention of the N ew Jerusalem in U nited S tates A meri c a NET ASSETS NET liabilities and net assets Total Annuity obligation liabilities Total Total assets Total Deferred revenue Agency funds Accounts payable Accrued expenses Cash and cash equivalents L I AB ITIE S: Investments Agency funds Accounts receivable Notes receivable, net of allowance of $1,584,274 Notes receivable, related party Advances to affiliates Prepaid expenses Property and equipment, net Property available for sale Other assets Investment in Wayfarers Chapel Wayfarers Investment in Annuity Reports of Officers & Committees 53 ------$- $- 2,644,673 2,651,713 2,651,713 $2,651,713 Restricted Permanently $ ------$- 209,111 209,111 $139,407 1,400,023 13,696,495 11,947,954 11,947,954 $13,696,495 emporarily Restricted T $ 11,821,560 - - - 920 4,527 2,000 1,282 11,442 11,442 43,068 46,696 19,658 $15,259 658,753 718,000 658,753 326,418 975,429 5,255,544 $161,721 4,541,192 3,051,266 $5,259,192 ASS ET S Unrestricted $ - - ASS ET S 920 2,000 4,527 1,282 11,442 11,442 43,068 19,658 658,753 $15,259 658,753 718,000 255,807 326,418 975,429 $301,128 1,400,023 ecember 31, 2016 D ecember 19,721,777 20,889,400 otal 17,650,933 $21,607,400 T S A ND NET L I AB ITIE S $ S tatement of F inan c ial Position General Convention of the N ew Jerusalem in U nited S tates A meri c a NET ASSETS NET Total liabilities and net assets Total Annuity obligation liabilities Total Total assets Total Deferred revenue Agency funds Accounts payable Accrued expenses Cash and cash equivalents L I AB ITIE S: Investments Agency funds Accounts receivable Notes receivable, net of allowance of $1,584,274 Notes receivable, related party Advances to affiliates Prepaid expenses Property and equipment, net Property available for sale Other assets Investment in Wayfarers Chapel Wayfarers Investment in Annuity 54 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017 ------7,040 7,040 $7,040 2,644,673 $2,651,713 Restricted Permanently - - - - 6,047 11,170 11,170 581,066 341,183 341,183 (469,506) 1,874,935 1,533,752 11,821,560 11,821,560 $1,404,975 $13,696,495 emporarily Restricted T 13 (627) 6,540 10,001 80,259 80,259 902,952 $39,520 134,997 182,745 469,506 832,694 902,952 4,531,191 $4,541,192 Unrestricted - (627) 6,540 11,183 11,183 902,952 188,792 716,063 902,952 421,442 421,442 1,891,976 2,373,486 18,997,424 otal $1,451,535 $20,889,400 T ecember 31, 2016 E nded D ecember ear Y S tatement of Ac tivities T YE AR General Convention of the N ew Jerusalem in U nited S tates A meri c a NET ASSETS - BEGINNING OF YEAR ASSETS - BEGINNING OF NET OF ASS ET S - END OF Change in net assets Miscellaneous income Convention revenue (loss), net of expenses of $33,257 Program income Loan interest income Appeals and donations Investment income Net assets released from restrictions otal revenue and support otal revenue otal expenses otal other income otal other NET A ND SUPPOR R E V EN U T E XP ENSES Operating expenses T O T H E R IN COM (LOSS S) gains (losses) Realized and unrealized on investments T Reports of Officers & Committees 55 ------7,040 7,040 $7,040 2,644,673 $2,651,713 Restricted Permanently - - - - 6,047 11,170 11,170 581,066 341,183 341,183 (469,506) 1,874,935 1,533,752 11,821,560 11,821,560 $1,404,975 $13,696,495 emporarily Restricted T 13 (627) 6,540 10,001 80,259 80,259 902,952 $39,520 134,997 182,745 469,506 832,694 902,952 4,531,191 $4,541,192 Unrestricted - (627) 6,540 11,183 11,183 902,952 188,792 716,063 902,952 421,442 421,442 1,891,976 2,373,486 18,997,424 otal $1,451,535 $20,889,400 T ecember 31, 2016 E nded D ecember ear Y S tatement of Ac tivities T YE AR General Convention of the N ew Jerusalem in U nited S tates A meri c a NET ASSETS - BEGINNING OF YEAR ASSETS - BEGINNING OF NET OF ASS ET S - END OF Change in net assets Miscellaneous income Convention revenue (loss), net of expenses of $33,257 Program income Loan interest income Appeals and donations Investment income Net assets released from restrictions otal revenue and support otal revenue otal expenses otal other income otal other A ND SUPPOR R E V EN U NET T E XP ENSES Operating expenses T O T H E R IN COM (LOSS S) gains (losses) Realized and unrealized on investments T 56 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017 ------962 962 962 Fundraising $ $ ------116 276 948 6,398 1,375 3,463 3,393 5,710 2,374 11,781 68,380 28,420 12,210 20,634 21,826 24,200 264,945 146,021 172,365 General Management and $ $ ------22 109 734 301 895 8,750 1,974 2,960 3,825 1,509 1,292 1,292 10,262 14,877 31,125 474,443 127,977 171,562 227,942 130,381 Program Services Program $ 606,116 $ 22 276 734 962 ecember 31, 2016 E nded D ecember ear 6,507 1,974 2,960 3,463 3,694 3,825 7,219 3,666 11,210 11,781 10,125 14,877 28,420 43,335 21,529 21,826 25,492 Y 543,785 273,998 171,678 227,942 302,746 S tatement of F un c tional E x p enses otal E xpenses T $ 872,023 $ TED : : General Convention of the N ew Jerusalem in U nited S tates A meri c a Total expenses Total Total other Total Total personnel and related Total occupancy Total Bad debt Office Bank service charges Miscellaneous Training Postage and printing Fundraising Professional fees Depreciation Program Membership Insurance Travel Meeting Storage Payroll taxes Salaries Telephone/internet/telecom Fees and permits Computer Employee benefits Grant expense Rent L A ND R E LA P E RSO NNE L N C Y OCCUPA O T H E R: Reports of Officers & Committees 57 ------962 962 962 Fundraising $ - $ ------116 948 276 6,398 1,375 2,374 3,463 5,710 3,393 11,781 28,420 12,210 24,200 21,826 20,634 68,380 264,945 172,365 146,021 General Management and $ $ ------22 109 734 301 895 3,825 8,750 1,292 1,292 1,974 2,960 1,509 10,262 14,877 31,125 171,562 227,942 130,381 127,977 474,443 Program Services Program $ $ 606,116 22 276 734 962 ecember 31, 2016 E nded D ecember ear 3,825 6,507 3,666 1,974 2,960 3,463 7,219 3,694 11,210 11,781 10,125 14,877 28,420 43,335 25,492 21,826 21,529 Y 171,678 227,942 302,746 273,998 543,785 S tatement of F un c tional E x p enses otal E xpenses T $ $ 872,023 TED : : General Convention of the N ew Jerusalem in U nited S tates A meri c a Total expenses Total Total occupancy Total Total personnel and related Total Total other Total Computer Office Miscellaneous Postage and printing Professional fees Program Insurance Meeting Bad debt Fees and permits Bank service charges Grant expense Training Fundraising Telephone/internet/telecom Depreciation Rent Membership Travel Payroll taxes Salaries Storage Employee benefits O T H E R: N C Y OCCUPA L A ND R E LA P E RSO NNE L 58 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

THE WAYFARERS CHAPEL Statements of Financial Position December 31, 2016 and 2015 ASSETS 2016 2015 Current Assets: Cash & Cash Equivalents $ 545,193 $ 612,921 Investments, at Market Value 937,912 606,388 Prepaid Expenses 15,798 17,173 Inventory 35,227 42,913

Total Current Assets 1,534,130 1,279,395

Property & Equipment: Land & Building 427,812 427,812 Buildings & Improvements 588,122 557,934 Visitor Center 733,494 733,494 Grounds 168,964 168,964 Equipment 243,244 232,196 Furniture & Fixtures 107,949 107,949 Displays 119,056 119,056 Website Design 35,000 14,050 Work in Progress - Website Design 0 30,000 Work in Progress - Chapel Preservation 4,500 6,901 Total Property & Equipment 2,428,141 2,398,356 Accum. Depreciation and Amortization (380,293) (372,609)

Net Property & Equipment 2,047,848 2,025,747

TOTAL ASSETS $ 3,581,978 $ 3,305,142 Reports of Officers & Committees 59

THE WAYFARERS CHAPEL Statements of Financial Position December 31, 2016 and 2015 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS 2016 2015 Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable $ 34,668 $ 30,331 Sales Tax Payable 1,911 1,725 Accrued Payroll and Vacation 39,646 38,284 Prepaid Income Deposits 905,200 822,350 Note Payable - General Convention - Current 0 5,323 Portion

Total Current Liabilities 981,425 898,013

Long-Term Debt: Note Payable - General Convention 0 51,587 Less: Current Portion (0) (5,323)

Total Long-Term Liabilities 0 46,264

Total Liabilities 981,425 944,277

Net Assets: Unrestricted 2,522,588 2,271,527 Temporarily Restricted 0 11,373 Permanently Restricted 77,965 77,965

Total Net Assets 2,600,553 2,360,865

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS $ 3,581,978 $ 3,305,142 60 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

THE WAYFARERS CHAPEL Statements of Activities For the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 2016 2015 Unrestricted Net Assets: Unrestricted Revenues and Gains: Weddings $ 1,535,000 $ 1,245,675 General Contributions 2,952 3,940 Worship Activities 140,975 120,725 Donations & Grants 63,971 45,511 Photographic Services 12,000 12,921 Video Services (Schedule 1) 66,719 40,116 Visitors Center (Schedule 1) 44,630 47,033 Investment Return (Schedule 1) 61,891 3,667 Other Income 21,866 56,247 Total Unrestricted Revenues and Gains 1,950,004 1,575,835 Net Assets Released from Restrictions 11,373 25,176 Total Unrestricted Revenues, Gains, and 1,961,377 1,601,011 Other Support

Expenses: Operating Expenses (Schedule 1) 1,710,316 1,530,096 Increase (Decrease) - Unrestricted Net 251,061 70,915 Assets

Temporarily Restricted Net Assets: Support and Revenue: Music Fund 0 10,085 Garden Fund 0 2,277 Preservation Study 0 10,000 Net Assets Released from Restrictions (11,373) (25,176) Net Increase (Decrease) - Temporarily Restricted Net (11,373) (2,814) Assets Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets 239,688 68,101 Net Assets at Beginning of Year 2,360,865 2,292,764 Net Assets at End of Year $ 2,600,553 $ 2,360,865 Reports of Officers & Committees 61

THE WAYFARERS CHAPEL Statements of Cash Flows For the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 2016 2015 Cash Flows From Operating Activities Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets $ 239,688 $ 68,101 Adjustments to Reconcile Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities Depreciation and Amortization 21,735 19,442 Unrealized (Gain) Loss on Investments (22,892) 23,244 Changes in Operating Asset and Liability Accounts: (Increase) Decrease in: Coffee Table Books for Resale 1,259 1,314 Visitors Items and Brochures for Resale 6,427 (8,306) Prepaid Expenses 1,375 5,181 Advances to WCFFF 0 6,458 Increase (Decrease) in: Accounts Payable 4,338 12,893 Accrued Payroll & Vacation 1,362 6,981 Prepaid Income Deposits 82,850 150,400 Sales Tax Payable 186 (968) Total Adjustments & Changes in Operating 96,641 216,640 Activities Net Cash Flows Provided (Used) by Operating 336,328 284,740 Activities Cash Flows From Investing Activities Purchase of Investments - Reinvested Dividends (33,633) (18,596) Purchase of Investments - Cash Reserve Fund (275,000) 0 Purchases of Property & Equipment (11,049) (6,823) Payments for Work in Progress - Preservation Study (27,787) (6,901) Payments for Work in Progress - Website Design (5,000) (30,000) Net Cash Flows Provided (Used) by Investing Activities (352,469) (62,320) Cash Flows From Financing Activities Principal Payments on Long-Term Debt (51,587) (5,115) Net Cash Flows Provided (Used) by Financing (51,587) (5,115) Activities Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents $ (67,728) $ 217,306 Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year 612,921 395,615 62 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

THE WAYFARERS CHAPEL Statements of Cash Flows For the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 2016 2015 Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year $ 545.193 $ 612,921 Supplemental Disclosures: Interest Paid $ 1,594 $ 2,175 Reports of Officers & Committees 63

The Wayfarers Chapel Schedule 1 Statements of Activities For the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 2016 2015 Video Services: Video Income $ 116,145 $ 76,015 Video Expenses (49,426) (35,899) Total Video Services Income $ 66,719 $ 40,116 Visitors Center: Visitors Center Sales $ 86,047 $ 73,082 Visitors Center Donations 2,399 2,434 Shop Purchases (43,816) (28,483) Total Visitors Center Income $ 44,630 $ 47,033 Investment Return: Dividends $ 36,828 $ 24,923 Interest 2,171 1,987 Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments (22,892) (23,244) Total Investment Return $ 61,891 $ 3,667 Operating Expenses: Ministers’ Salaries $ 114,185 $ 106,215 Buildings & Grounds Salaries 101,428 96,453 Reservations Department Salaries 108,152 99,049 Director of Operations Salary 108,352 99,858 Wedding Directors’ Salaries 144,469 117,248 Office Salaries 138,384 115,317 Visitors Center Salaries 65.973 72,593 Advertising 64,990 60,445 Bank Charges & Credit Card Fees 43,518 41,446 Board of Directors’ Expenses 15,531 15,472 Coffee Table Book 1,259 1,314 Depreciation and Amortization Expense 21,735 19,442 Educational Activities & Staff Development 5,752 2,635 Convention/WCFFF Contribution - Related 5,000 20,000 Party Fundraising 5,306 10,574 IMS Expense 13,761 13,241 Insurance 106,416 96,648 64 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

The Wayfarers Chapel Schedule 1 Statements of Activities For the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 2016 2015 Operating Expenses, Cont’d: Interest 1,594 2,175 Janitorial Service & Supplies 10,835 10,133 Landscaping Maintenance & Supplies 79,531 73,552 Leases 10,215 11,027 Miscellaneous 2,910 2,255 Music & Recording 1,053 935 Office Supplies & Expenses 29,385 24,429 Payroll and Other Taxes 65,060 59,887 Pension Fund Contribution 37,098 33,511 Professional Services - Others 23,775 22,645 Property Protection 765 977 Repair & Maintenance - Chapel 39,481 23,742 Repair & Maintenance - WCW 2,082 2,262 Staff Travel 864 1,672 Utilities & Telephone 42,394 40,659 Visitors Center Expenses 10,098 6,556 Visiting Ministers 144,740 120,935 Worship Expenses 144,226 116,119 Total Operating Expenses $ 1,710,316 $ 1,530,096 Reports of Officers & Committees 65

THE AUGMENTATION FUND REPORT OF 2016 ACTIVITY Fund Balance 12/31/2015 Temporarily Restricted Investments $ 5,029,764 Permanently Restricted 668,456 Total Fund Balance 12/31/15 $ 5,698,220 REVENUE Investment Income 237,832 Total Revenue 236,878 EXPENSES Administrative and meeting costs $ 59,861 Grants: Bath, ME $ 6,667 Committee on Admission to the 10,046 Ministry Cleveland OH 10,000 Edmonton, AB 9,000 El Cerrito 6,000 Garden Church 16,500 Korean New Church 15,000 Portland, ME 3,000 Puget Sound 13,980 Revelation of the Spirit 0 San Diego 1,500 Southwest Desert 11,500 St. Paul 450 SwedenborgianCommuniity.org 19,500 Total Grants 123,142 Total Expenses 183,004 Operating Surplus $ 254,828 Other Fund Additions Unrealized capital loss on 139,647 investments

Change in fund balance $ (194,475) Fund Balance 12/31/2016 64 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

THE AUGMENTATION FUND REPORT OF 2016 ACTIVITY Temporarily Restricted Investments $ 5,224,239 $ Permanently Restricted Investments 668,456

Total Fund Balance 12/31/2016 $ 5,892,695 Reports of Officers & Committees 65

THE BUILDING FUND REPORT OF 2016 ACTIVITY Building Fund Balance as of 12/31/2015: Invested in Loans and Common $ 1,158,293 Fund Cash 68,893 Fund Balance 12/31/2015 $ 1,227,186

REVENUE Investment Income $ 36,674 Loan Interest 11,169 Total Revenue $ 47,842

EXPENSES Administrative Expenses 8,843 Surplus 38,999

Unrealized Capital Losses 21,534 Change in fund balance 60,533 Fund Balance 12/31/2016 $ 1,287,718

DETAILS OF BUILDING FUND NET ASSETS Cash $ 139,408 Building Fund Loan Balances 12/31/2016: Churches and Societies: El Cerrito, CA 16,302 Fryeburg New Church 85,225 Assembly San Diego, CA 10,847 St. Louis, MO 10,813 $ 123,187 Ministers: Rev. Kit Billings $ 6,502 Rev. Susannah Currie 21,775 Rev. Wilma Wake 25,249 66 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

THE BUILDING FUND REPORT OF 2016 ACTIVITY Rev. Lee Woofenden 16,962 Rev. Carl Yenetchi 17,710 88,199 Total loan balances 211,385 Allowance for Bad Debts (2,274) Common Fund Investment 939,199 Total Building Fund as of 12/31/2016 $ 1,287,718

Available for new loans 1,078,607 Reports of Officers & Committees 67

THE IUNGERICH FUND REPORT OF 2016 ACTIVITY Balance as of 12/31/2015 $ 903,724

Investment Income $ 37,719

Expenses: Grants: David Fekete 5,000 New Christian Bible Study Corp. $ 6,000 Swedenborg Foundation 17,000 Administrative Expenses 9,112 Total Expenses $ 37,112 Operating Surplus $ 607 Unrealized gains from investments 22,148 Change in fund balance 22,755

Balance 12/31/16 $ 926,478 68 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

THE LYDIA S. ROTCH LEGACY FUND REPORT OF 2016 ACTIVITY Balance as of 12/31/2015 $ - Temporarily Restricted (2,446) Permanently Restricted 201,957 Balance 12/31/15 $ 199,511

Investment Income $ 8,329

Expenses: Administrative Expenses 2,008 Grant: Swedenborgian Community.org 661 Total Expenses $ 2,669 Operating Surplus $ 5,660

Unrealized gains from investments 4,890 Change in fund balance 10,550 Temporarily Restricted 8,105 Permanently Restricted 201,957 Balance 12/31/16 $ 210,061 Reports of Officers & Committees 69

TRUSTEES OF THE TAFEL FUND REPORT OF 2016 ACTIVITY Balance as of 12/31/2015 Temporarily Restricted Investments 13,694 Permanently Restricted Investments 130,961 $ 144,655 Investment Income $ 6,038 Expenses: Administrative Expenses $ 1,468 Total Expenses $ 1,468 Excess of Income over expenses $ 4,569 Fund Additions $ 5,350 Unrealized gains from investments 3,545 Change in fund balance 13,464 Fund Balance 12/31/2016 $ 144,655 Details of Fund Balance: Temporarily Restricted 21,809 Permanently Restricted 136,311 158,120 66 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

General Council

No report was received at time of publication

Council of Ministers

Beginning with the 2016 Annual Session of the Council of Ministers in Ur- bana Ohio, the Executive Committee of the COM has met (Conference Calls) bi-monthly, and, beginning in February 2017, monthly. Highlights of the work include: Planning for the 2017 COM Annual Session (July 5-7) in West Chester, PA. Our plan is to have one full day devoted to connection, spiritual renewal, and learning. The theme is: “Journey to Wholeness: Joining Soul To Role.” There are eight colleagues who will present in four areas :a) Love and Growth, b) Loss and Response to Loss, c) Change and Transformation, and d) Divine and Human Interaction. The second day of our two-day meeting will concentrate on the Report from the Committee on Admission to the Ministry (Chair, Kit Billings), and Adminis- trative decisions and deliberation. A Communion Service will close our session (to which members of the General Council and others at Convention are cordially invited The COM Nominating Committee is at work to secure colleagues who are capable and available to serve on the Executive Committee for the coming term: Secretary of the COM, one Member at Large, and Convention Preacher. The Chair’s high priority is to maintain and enhance the traditionally excellent communication between the work of the Council of Ministers and the General Council. It is a privilege to serve as Chair of the COM, a foundational element of which is to support the vision, goals, and priorities of the President and the General Council. The Chair sees two important needs to be addressed by the COM in 2017 – 2018: a) to strengthen and enhance the COM Peer Supervision Program, and b) highlight and enhance accountability to our Guidelines for Ministerial Ethics. The former goal (a) will require ongoing communication with clergy in each of our three regions (East Coast, Mid West, and West); the latter (b) will require improved methods for updating the COM Roll of Ministers. The aim of these two priorities is full compliance with the ethical obligations inherent in ordained and Licensed Pastor leadership in the denomination. Reports of Officers & Committees 67

The Chair of the Council of Ministers looks forward to being on the General Council Spring Conference Call, and will be available to answer any questions at that time. Respectfully Submitted : Rev. Dr. Gard Perry Chair, COM

Communication Support Unit (COMSU)

The current members of The Communication Support Unit are myself (Chair), Elizabeth Blair, and Tammara Mounce. Tammara and I met in June 2016 and discussed the need for a standard “newcomer” packet that could be used by all churches. The ultimate goal is to have a majority of pamphlets digitized so they can be located and ultimately downloaded and customized by individual churches. We also discussed having a conference call with Elizabeth and a possible face to face meeting in the winter. Tammara, Elizabeth and I were able to have a conference call in early October. It was decided that Tammara would be in charge of contacting the chair of each Support Unit to have them write a short article on the function of their Support Unit. The hope was for this to begin in December and continue every other month. We also discussed a face to face meeting. Unfortu- nately due to extenuating circumstances, a face to face meeting was not able to be accomplished. We do hope to have one this coming Fall and look forward to contributing to the content with the new website. Digitizing pamphlets and as- sembling engaging “newcomer” packets is our number one priority. Respectfully submitted, Katie Pruiett, Chair Communication Support Unit

Education Support Unit (EDSU)

No report received at time of publication.

Youth Director

I am in my sixteenth year as your Youth Director. It’s wonderful to now be actively working with responsible, caring young adult youth leaders that were not even teenagers when I began this ministry! What remarkable youth, young adults, and youth workers we have in our church! I find myself overjoyed and extremely 68 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

grateful for the love and care our church has shown to our youth. Our preteen program that we call SPLATz (Super Powered Lovable Almost Teens) is growing. Our teens in the SCYL (Swedenborgian Church Youth League) are dedicated and enthusiastic. The youth are learning so much about our church and are building a wonderful, caring community. Our expanding young adult Transitions group continues to grow in numbers and is considering adding a second annual retreat. There is so much to be thankful for and thrilled about. The youth and young adults of our church are gaining insight, spiritual truths and valuable life lessons from talented ministers and mentors in our church. Here are the highlights of year 2016: LaPorte Splatz Retreat – In January I led a SPLATz retreat for youth aged 10 – 13. Our theme was Superheroes! Eighteen youth from Michigan, Ohio and Indiana gathered at Manna House in LaPorte to learn about superheroes from the Bible and how we all possess extraordinary gifts and talents. Almont Splatz Retreat – In April I led a SPLATz retreat for youth aged 10 – 13. Our theme was The Life Cycle of Plants. Thirteen youth assembled at Almont Re- treat Center to discuss plants and how they relate to human growth. The afternoon was spent working outside gardening and cleaning up the retreat center grounds. Memorial Day Weekend SCYL Retreat – Twenty teens gathered at Almont Retreat Center in May to explore the theme Color My World. We reflected on the colors of the rainbow through science, art, nature, theology and music and learned about how color relates to our spiritual and emotional wellbeing. Convention 2016 – In late June – early July, I led nine teens at Urbana Univer- sity at our annual Convention. The teens organized an afternoon worship service filled with music, drama and thought provoking interactions in a spiritual journey through our emotions. The teens also had the opportunity to go on an outing to Ohio Caverns, ate lunch at an authentic Ohio roadside diner and visited Splash Zone Waterpark! Almont Summer Camp – In the end of July I led the 7th—9th grade Almont summer camp class with group activities involving discussion, meditation and leading a worship service on the camp theme The Life of Joseph. Fryeburg New Church Assembly – I visited the middle weekend of summer camp and helped with travel coordination and transportation of a teen from the Midwest. Columbus Day SCYL Retreat at Cedar Hill Retreat Center – In October, I organized and led a SCYL teen retreat on the topic Teens in the Bible II. Sixteen teens from the East and Midwest gathered for interesting sessions and a second Reports of Officers & Committees 69 look at stories involving youth in the Bible. Other activities included glow bowling, beach combing, and an ice cream brownie movie night. LaPorte Splatz Retreat – In late October, I organized and led a SPLATz retreat on the theme The Four Basic Elements. Eleven youth attended a celebration, appreciation and quest for spiritual knowledge about the elements Earth, Air, Water and Fire. Almont Winter SCYL Retreat – In late December, I organized and led a SCYL teen retreat on the yearly Convention theme Divine Writings. Ministers led lively and thought-provoking sessions and activities for twenty-two teens looking at various major sacred scriptures and faiths of the world. The retreat closed with the traditional Exodus to Independence ceremony for four 18-year-old teens moving out of the SCYL. This was followed by a beautiful Communion Worship Service, a bowling pizza party outing and games at the “all-nighter”. Similar to previous years, I close with words of gratitude and requests for participation. Thank you to all the SCYL youth and especially League Officers for being an active part of our church community. Thank you to our amazing team of retreat leaders and ministers. I also thank all of you who generously give time and money to our church youth program and purchase merchandise sold by the SCYL teens. Without your support there would be no youth program. I value your involvement tremendously. For those of you not yet engaged in youth work, I encourage you to join us. So many of you have some talent, gift or expertise that can benefit the youth in our church. We need you! I look forward to another year of youth work and pray that my work is of use. I hope that you take the time to let me know how I am doing and how I can improve. Respectfully submitted, Kurt Fekete, Youth Director

Youth League

The SCYL has been hard at work since the last report at convention in Urbana, Ohio. For those who could not attend or those who have forgotten that convention, the part of the SCYL that was able to come created a worship service that had many different aspects of the talent of our group--music, drama, and art, just to name a few. Additionally, the worship service was a reflection on our spiritual journey and emotions, and included interactions with the audience to really bring the point home. It was particularly exciting to see how everyone reacted as our 70 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

main character travelled around the room. The audience was curious and interested, and everyone seemed very pleased with our message. Onwards in the year was the Columbus Day retreat on the East coast. This retreat was definitely an impactful one for all of us who attended, looking at how teenagers influenced others in the Bible. Seeing this inclusion of our own age group was enlightening and allowed everyone to see that we are all crucial in God’s plan, and that we are never too young to be called to make a difference. Most recently of course was the winter retreat in Almont. The teens took time to reflect on other cultures and read about their different holy texts and divine writings. The texts allowed us all to see different faiths and to appreciate the aspects of them, both different and the same. I had made some previous reflections on this in the February edition of the Messenger for this year, but, to summarize, it gave me some new reflections on the idea of oral tradition and texts. We all share things every day in our modern world over social media, and I think in a way that is our own form of oral tradition. Every religious text is full of lessons and discussions, showing high points and low points in our lives, much like our modern social media. Just as social media is engaging for the teens, I think that we all can and should engage in some face to face interaction as well. I encourage all of you here to sit down and speak with some of the teens in the SCYL. They all have a lot of very interesting things to say and I know that they all would love to learn from you as you learn from them. Establishing a connection between the younger of our Church and the older of our church is crucial in sharing our message and what our beliefs are. I hope that both the teens and the adults alike can find the conversations you have to be fulfilling and inspiring. Respectfully Submitted, Riley Tishma, President SCYL

Information Management Support Unit (IMSU)

The Information Management Support Unit (IMSU) has been diligently working on reviewing and updating the denominational web presence in cooperation with the Digital Presence Group. Over the past few months, we were active in interviewing and recommending Gail Snow Moraski to assist the group in seeking out vendors, doing the background checks, and interviewing. We appreciate all she has done. We both attended the web designer (vendor) interviews and believe DQuinn will be the best fit for us to work with on this project. Reports of Officers & Committees 71

As always, IMSU continues to be a resource for our churches and organizational partners who need advice and recommendations on all forms of electronic communication and technology. Please contact us for assistance or with your best practices and successes of the year. We must keep in mind that IMSU was founded back in the early 1980’s to help churches begin to implement digital record keeping. Its mission and purpose in our governing documents reflect the original focus. Sometime in the 1990’s the Unit morphed into a web and technology committee. As the denomination reviews it structure, the denomination should put serious consideration into whether or not IMSU should exist as an elected committee. Certainly, there is a need for the Church to have a webpage and other forms of social media; however, elected committee work may not be the most responsive and effective way to continue. Individuals available and hinder the Church from doing what it needs to do. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Baxter and Val Brugler

Financial & Physical Resources Support Unit (FPRSU)

Again, in late September, the Support Unit met for one day in Midland, MI in conjunction with the meetings of the Augmentation Fund Committee and the Ministries Support Unit. The budget as compiled from the requests of the Cost Center owners was reviewed and endorsed for submission to the Cabinet. No recommendations were made because the members of the Support Unit did not feel that there was sufficient guidance regarding the priorities of the Church to make them. It was hoped that when the Cabinet met face-to-face there would be greater opportunities to deal with the current deficit in light of the priorities of the Church. There was discussion of the purpose of the Support Unit and how it can best serve the Church as well as discussion of the impending sale of the church property in San Diego and the establishment of the San Diego Fund. Respectfully submitted, Polly H. Baxter, Chair 72 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

ministries support unit (minsu)

Since reporting to the General Council last fall (Nov., 2016), members of the Ministries Support Unit have connected with those ministries that needed to file end-of-year reports (for 2016) and have responded to questions from the denomination’s president and from ministers and congregations seeking information or counsel regarding denominational and MINSU procedures. Mission Grant and New Directions Grant Request Forms will be sent to ministries during April. While determination of New Directions applications is continuous throughout the year, Mission Grant applications are determined each Septem- ber for the following calendar year. The Ministries Support Unit will meet at the Almont New Church Assembly in September, 2017, concurrently with the Augmentation Fund Committee. These two ministry-funding bodies find that spending some time in joint conversation is very helpful to their specific purposes and also to the overall work of ministry within the denomination. Respectfully Submitted, Christine Laitner, co-chair Marjory Leas, co-chair Rev. Dick Tafel Rev. Nadine Cotton

Augmentation Fund Committee (AFC)

September, 2016, saw the meeting of the Augmentation Fund Committee return to East Tawas, Michigan. This group is appointed by FPRSU annually and is currently comprised of those members. (Polly Baxter, Rev. Paul Martin, Jennifer Lindsay and B.J. Neuenfeldt, chair) Convention President Rev. Jane Siebert was also with us. MINSU was meeting nearby at the home of Marjory Leas. We met together one of the two days to share information as we evaluated ministries that have requested denominational funding. Both groups are finding this to be very valuable. Meeting together allows the groups to learn more about each application and how we can best serve the churches while being good stewards of the endowments. This fund and its restricted uses were established in 1912. In this changing world it is the task of AFC to evaluate the applications sent in during the first half of the year for the funding to be distributed the following calendar year. The main purpose of the group is to fund ordained Swedenborgian Reports of Officers & Committees 73

(Convention) ministers in established congregations. We received nine requests for the 2017 calendar year, down from the last few years. Two of our former requesting groups have sold their buildings, in one case to disband the society and in another to lower expenses. One is trying to be self sufficient (always the goal) and another is seeking another source of funding due to the mission not falling under our guidelines. The denomination’s Investment Committee, in conjunction with the treasurer, determines the available funding for the Augmentation Fund. The Fund is also responsible for an annual maintenance fee that is paid to the denomination. Another established use of the fund is to help candidates for admission into the ministry complete requirements set forth by Convention. Respectfully Submitted, B.J. Neuenfeldt, chair Members: Polly Baxter(treasurer), Rev. Paul Martin, Jennifer Lindsay, Rev. Jane Siebert (President)

Committee on Library and Documents

In 2016 the Library and Documents Committee received inquiries from Rev. Jane Siebert regarding the New York city church, and Rev. Jonathan Mitchell, regarding the San Diego (CA) society. Rev. Jane Seibert and members of the New York church found several boxes of documents at the church. Jane was advised that the New York church can continue to keep their records as long as they are functioning as a society. In the event that the New York church is no longer a functioning as a society, they were advised on where to send certain types of records, following the guidelines of the Docu- ment Retention policy. In sorting through the boxes, records from several closed churches were discovered. Jane was advised on where to send documents from closed churches. Sue Ditmire offered to sort through the boxes. Rev. Jonathan Mitchell inquired about a wide assortment of documents, pho- tographs, pamphlets, church records, church newsletters, Messengers, Bibles, Books of Worship, church meeting notes, old bills, and “historical tidbits” pertaining to the San Diego, CA church. Jonathan was advised on where to send the documents from the now-defunct San Diego society, following the Documents and Retention Policy. Documents that are not kept will be destroyed. Jonathan delivered a few boxes of items to CSS in Berkeley in January 2017. As of May 2017, he was still dealing with boxes of documents from the San Diego society and was advised on where to send the documents. Due to the increasing cost of 74 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

using Iron Mountain for long-term storage of documents, Rev. Jim Lawrence, Dean of CSS, offered to take essential historical materials pertaining to San Diego at the CSS library in Berkeley. Addendum to the 2015 Report: In 2015 there was an inquiry from David Viges regarding the now-defunct Lansing, Michigan church. David was advised on where to send documents from the Lansing society per the Documents and Retention Policy. Respectfully submitted, Nancy F. Little, MSLIS Chair

Committee of Inquiry

No report received at time of publication.

Board of Mediation

No report received at time of publication.

Swedenborgian Online Community Central Committee

We’re pleased with the continuing energy in our on-line community. Rev. Jon- athan Mitchell and Rev. Wilma Wake will together confirm one of our registrants, Elbert Smith, later this month – live on Blog Talk Radio! Elbert will become a member of PCA at large and represent them at Convention. Another of our active registrants, William Rotella, will be coming to Convention to receive his certificate of Swedenborgian Studies. Our entire Central Committee will be there: Rev. Jonathan, Rev. Wilma, Tom Neuenfeldt, William Rotella, and Elbert Smith. Another active participant in the community and former committee member, Page Morahan, will be present. Our internet tech contractor, Val Brugler, will also attend. We look forward to an active presence with a table, a presentation on the floor, a luncheon gathering, and logo stickers! Our liturgical year is coming to a close. This year we’ve worked with the arts as ways of expressing scriptural messages. We’ve had an “artist of the month” most months during the year. Val Brugler, our internet tech, has done an incredible job of uploading art and music to make slide shows and videos of the works of our artists. Please visit some of the web pages she has created for: Page Mo- rahan, Paul Deming, Laurie Turley, Ken Turley, David Fekete, Elbert Smith, and Reports of Officers & Committees 75

Carolyn Judson. We have also honored some Swedenborgian artists of the past, including Richard Yardumian and William Keith. Our stats continue to show our growth. We are active on BlogTalkRadio, doing a prayer service live on radio every Sunday evening, and an hour chat or interview twice a month. Last year, we had an average of 83.4 listens per month, either live or by podcast. By October of 2016, the average listens per month was up to 100.5. From Jan. – April 2017, we have a monthly average of over 400 listens per month! Our website continues to draw visitors. From April through September 2016, we averaged around 4,000 visits to our site each month. In the past 6 months, we are averaging 5,800 visits per month. [A “visit” can include our regular folks visiting a number of times.] Here is a chart showing this growth:

We look forward to seeing our General Council friends at Convention this summer, and sharing our excitement about our community. Respectfully submitted, Swedenborgian Online Community!

Board of Trustees of the National Church

The Trustees of the National Church is the agency body of the General Council that holds the deed to the property located at 1611 16th St., NW in Washington, DC. Current ongoing conversations and negotiations regarding this property are in the hands of the General Council. The Trustees of the National Church met via conference call at the end of No- vember, 2016, to vote on a motion (brought to it by the General Council)to affirm the possible transfer of the deed to the Washington, D.C. Society. The Trustees, 76 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

with all fifteen present, voted unanimously to affirm the General Council’s work toward this transfer when all legal issues have been identified and resolved. Respectfully submitted, Christine Laitner, MI (Chair)

Board of Directors of the Wayfarers Chapel

“Pause for a moment, Wayfarer, on Life’s Journey. Let the beauty of holiness restore your soul. May the harmony of sky, water, leaf and rock nourish the creation and growth of your inner being as you fare through this life and on into the life beyond.” The Wayfarers Chapel continues to provide sacred space for the wayfarer and those who come for a wide variety of worship experiences. Our ministry continues to be a strong presence in the community and witness to God’s work in our world. The Chapel welcomes close to 500,000 visitors every year. The Board of Directors met three times during the year in 2016 to review and direct the ministry and Leadership of the Chapel. Meetings were held on site in February and September with an all-morning conference call in May. Occasional business by e-mail between meetings. Total revenue for 2016 was $1,995,000 which includes $1,535,000 in wedding income. One of our most successful outreach tools is our website helping prospective wedding couples and other wayfarers to find information about the services we offer. Our website redesign is even more informative and interactive. We are very excited about the final design. The Chapel’s worshipping community continues to thrive, with new participants joining long time participants for worship, coffee hour, and our spiritual discussion groups. With the help of volunteers from the informal congregation, the annual cycle of special worship services continues. 2016 services included: New Year’s Renewal (100 attendees), Palm Sunday Pageant (107), Holy Thurs- day Communion Service (0 – power outage), Easter Sunrise Service (153), three Easter Services (297), Blessing of the Animals in July (105), Marriage Renewal Service in June (36 couples), Carols and Candles (45), and Christmas Eve Cel- ebrations (295), Wednesday Noon Prayer Service (335). A Sunday or Special worship service was conducted every Sunday of the year with a total 3,288 wayfarers attending. In 2016 we celebrated 563 weddings, 124 baptisms, and 36 memorial services. We held 11 monthly Marriage Workshops with 47 couples participating. Reports of Officers & Committees 77

We also offer a variety of classes and workshops including Swedenborg 101 theology course, Being of Use, Pranic Healing, Gentle Yoga, and Kundalini Yoga. All classes and workshops were very successful. As reported in 2014, the Chapel invested in a state-of-the-art three-camera, high-definition audio/video studio. We now have video services available for couples to purchase as a wonderful keepsake of their special day. In 2016, 144 couples purchased this video option. These offerings continue to evolve and grow. We have incorporated this new video medium in our outreach programs, live- streaming of our Speaker Series and concerts. Our Speaker Series, five in 2016, attracted 101 people, and four concerts attracted 400. We also archive the Speaker Series and daylight concerts after streaming them live, and they can be viewed at: http://sundaystreams.com/go/wayfarerschapelspeakerseries It is a wonderful way to reach those who cannot be physically present at the Chapel, but still want to be engaged. The option for our wedding couples to purchase aisle flowers continues to go well. The package includes ten aisle/pew floral arrangements, five on each side. In keeping with the simplicity of the Chapel, each arrangement is made of white hydrangeas, white roses and greenery with custom designed fittings. This option has been popular. The music program continues to thrive under the incredible leadership of Mi- chael Waring, using the gifts of a talented pool of musicians who perform at weddings, memorials, worship and special concerts. An increasingly wide variety of musical styles ranging from Gregorian chant to rock, jazz and blues are incorporated into worship services. Rev. Robert McCluskey is on the grounds two days a week to greet the wayfarer with informed knowledge of our tradition and support to staff when needed. The Board of Directors made a strategic decision in the fall to not renew the contract for James Morgan. The Visitors Center continues to be an important part of the Chapel. Wayfarers come to the Visitors Center where they are greeted by staff and invited to explore the displays about the Chapel and the Church, browse among the bookshelves, and purchase Chapel gifts and remembrances. The book selection and inventory is constantly being researched and expanded. About 90 books were sold of Swe- denborg’s theological writings. A number of titles were added, offering books on prayer and meditation that reflect the Swedenborgian theological perspective. Literature on the Chapel Architect, Lloyd Wright, Chapel history, ministry and special services are available as well. 78 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

The Visitors Center is surrounded by beautiful gardens, including a serenity garden located behind the building where we host our weekly coffee hour after Sunday Service. In addition, guided tours continue to be popular. The Visi- tors Center Staff give a 30 minute talk covering the architecture, ministry, Lloyd Wright and Swedenborg. Most tours make a donation and purchase gifts from the Visitors Center. The gardens and grounds are as beautiful as ever. Our garden in front of the Chapel, previously ivy, has been transformed to its original Wrightian design, and it looks magnificent. It was paid for primarily through $1,000 donations for donors’ discrete names on new lights in the garden. The comprehensive Landscape Plan designed by Eric Lloyd Wright in 2004 continues to guide development of the gardens and grounds. This plan, utilizing native California plants, will take many years to fully implement and add to the beauty of the Chapel site. A new website redesign was launched in December of 2016 and it is full of social media capabilities. If you have not yet checked it out, please visit us at: www.wayfarerschapel.org The continued success of the Chapel is due in large part to the energy, commitment and dedication of our Board of Directors, Leadership and Staff. For this we are very thankful. A heartfelt thank you is extended to all the donors past and present who continue to contribute to the ongoing work and ministry of the Wayfarers Chapel. Through these donations and gifts we are better able to support our ministry outreach, sacred Chapel and beautiful grounds for generations to enjoy. Continuing our tradition to give back to the denomination, the Chapel donated $5,000 to Convention. Respectfully submitted, Steve Mason, Chair Shannon Reynolds, Director of Finance and Administration Rev. David Brown, Director of Ministry

Structure Review Committee

The Structural Review Committee was organized shortly after the 2016 Annu- al Convention and tasked by President Siebert to analyze and assess the efficacy of our current organizational structure. To achieve this, we devised and 5-part questionnaire that aimed to gather from members, the aspects of our organization that were generally supportive and appreciated, as well as those that were less so. We were pleased to have a large number of responses from a wide spectrum of Reports of Officers & Committees 79 members. While a wide range of needs were submitted, we worked to organize them into general categories that can be more easily addressed. In an effort to pro- ceed in manageable steps, we focused on the topics that we thought would offer “supportive change” and not simply “change for change sake.” During the business session portion of this year’s 2017 Annual Convention, members of the Structural Review Committee will present a summary of the responses to this survey. In addition, the Committee will also oversee breakout discussion groups to discuss proposed solutions. The input will be incorporated into the next steps for Structural Review, that of identifying where and how to implement constructive change. These will then be presented to the general organization to be voted upon before finalizing. Following are the areas of proposed changes for your review prior to Convention.

1. Streamline support units: • Merge EDSU & part of MINSU’s duties into Education & Resources for Ministries for development and dissemination of resources for worship, small groups, church growth, stewardship, board development & outreach. Add a compensated staff position; Ministry- Re source Development Consultant • Merge MINSU’s funding duties, FPRSU, AFC & other funding groups into Funding for Ministries to streamline funding, access, and coordination. • Merge IMSU & COMSU into Communication & Outreach Minis- tries to oversee the needs of the Convention website, association & church website assistance, networking and IT help. Add a compensated staff position; Communications, I.T.& Social Media Consultant

2. Expand Nominating Committee Role: • To Nominating & Talent Pool for Ministries to develop a qualified “talent pool” for future support unit, board and volunteer positions and clear job descriptions. 3. Streamline governing process and redundancy: • Merge Cabinet and General Council • Election General Council members to support units

4. Support the work of Committee Chairs: • Proposal to offer stipends to SU & Nominating Committee chairs

5. Review current committees: 80 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

• Assess if some could be appointed on an ad hoc basis to accomplish specific tasks, for example, the currently being discussed ‘Best Prac- tices Working Group.

These items were submitted to the May issue of The Messenger for general review prior to Convention discussions. In addition they will be available in print form during the gathering for anyone who has not yet been able to view them. It is our hope to have a wide range of voices heard during discussions so that any changes that are implemented are approved by and supportive to the growth and ministry of our General Convention organization. Respectfully submitted, Rev. Lisa Solwold, Chair Structural Review Committee Members: Rev. Susannah Currie Bill Coffman Kurt Fekete Rachel Madjerac Rev. Lisa Solwold, Chair

Committee on Amendments

No report received at time of publication.

Investment Committee

As usual, the Investment Committee met twice in Cambridge, MA at the Cen- tral Office and held quarterly conference calls as needed to conduct its business. At the Fall meeting, the distribution rate was again increased. For 2017, it will be $1.19 per unit per annum, a one-cent increase over the prior year. During the annual review of the Investment Policy Statement, it was decided to make some substantial revisions, primarily for clarity. The revised policy, after Committee approval, will be submitted to General Council for their endorsement. The Investment Committee continue to welcome new participants to the Com- mon Fund to allow more Convention-related bodies to take advantage of the higher quality investments the Common Fund provides. The gross rate of return for 2016 was 7.4%, the net return was 7.0%. Respectfully submitted, Polly H. Baxter, Chair Reports of Officers & Committees 81

Retirement Committee

No report received at time of publication.

Central Office Review Committee

No report received at time of publication.

Delegates to the National Council of Churches

This past year the NCC held a Muslim-Christian Dialogue meeting in Balti- more, May 26th, 2016. I represented our denomination and was asked to facilitate the second half of the meeting where Imam’s and ministers shared their concerns and common interests. Much of the discussion focused on the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment and there were specific requests to find a way to support each other. The annual Christian Unity Gathering which is usually held in the spring each year has been moved to the fall for 2017, November 7th through the 10th. This year the NCC asked the Swedenborgian Church of North American representative to serve as the chair of a working group to prepare for the event. This is a great honor for our denomination and leads to an incredible amount of education for us. The fall, the gathering will be in Washington DC and Church of the Holy City hopes to provide a venue for some events. In November, just after the election, the Executive Board of the NCC gathered at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, SC. I represented us at the historic worship service at the church, which witnessed the horrific murders of June 17, 2015. I also serve on the Interfaith Table that meets to discuss strategies for reaching across barriers. Though time-consuming, I do believe our representation in the NCC is highly educational for all participants. Rev. Rich Tafel, Denominational Representative to the NCC Governing Board

I represent our Denomination on the Faith and Order Convening Table. Our Convening Table investigates theological issues from the position of the various faiths who are member communions and observers. Over the past two years, the NCCC has been examining issues surrounding mass incarceration--i.e., the prison system in the US. Faith and Order was hard at work writing a book for clergy, congregations, and scholars 82 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

about mass incarceration. I contributed an article to it entitled, “An Introductory Prophetic Cry against Inequities in the American Mass Incarceration System.” Our articles were reviewed by our peers. My article will be the last article in the volume (so we get the last word) I am identified as a Swedenborgian minister. The volume will be released in the fall, and will be published on Paulist Press Over the upcoming two years, we will be studying issues of Violence in an Age of Terror; Climate Justice; and Christian Witness in an Age of Pluralism. I am on the Climate Justice study group. We have looked at the Pope›s encyclical on climate, and the work of the Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, called, The Green Patriarch. Currently, we are in the process of creating a bibliography and exploring best ways to impact the US on issues of climate justice. My inclination is to write about issues of greed and vanity in western consumption and production patterns, and alternative economic systems such as are already beginning to find expression in Europe that balance social, economic, and environmental needs. Respectfully Submitted, Dr. Rev. David Fekete

Social Concerns Committee

No report received at time of publication.

Trustees of the Building Fund

No report received at time of publication.

Trustees of the Iungerich Publication Fund

The four grants made for 2017 by the Trustees of the Iungerich Fund were reported to the General Council in the fall of 2016. (Recipients: the Rev. Dr. George Dole, the Rev. Dr. David Fekete, the Swedenborg Foundation, the denominational digital planning committee for content creation and transfer.) At this time, April 2017, the Trustees have received update reports from the Reverend Doctors Dole and Fekete about the current status of their (respective) books. The Swedenborg Foundation has sent its regular published reports to the Trustees so we are aware of the use of the grant as it assists the ongoing NCE translation project, supports the online distribution of Swedenborg’s writings and helps to support some of the Off the Left Eye work. Finally, the new website Reports of Officers & Committees 83 project for the General Convention is currently at the stage of selecting a final design/build vendor and as the next step(s) begin, content determination, migra- tion and creation will be a large part of the work. As that unfolds, the Trustees of the Iungerich Fund will receive reports of the work and use of the Fund grant in this process. A short reminder of the use of the Iungerich Fund as well as the process of applying will appear in the June issue of the Messenger. Respectfully submitted, Chris Laitner, Chair

Trustees of the Tafel Fund

No report received at time of publication.

Auxiliary and Related Bodies

Center for Swedenborgian Studies (Formerly Swedenborgian House of Studies)

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS Rebecca Esterson completed her Ph.D. and began work at the Assistant Professor rank, and concurrent with that a happy agreement has been reached to conclude George Dole’s 40-year run of teaching Swedenborgian Bible to semi- narians and shift his CSS work to lay education courses available to the church and world. CURRENT STUDENTS We are currently working with thirteen students in various paths this semester. Four students are in MDiv programs working towards ordination: Shada Sullivan, Cory Bradford-Watts, Rachel Madjerac, Colin Amato and Nancy Piorkowski. One student, Rev. David Brown, is in the DMin program at PSR. One student, Jeffrey Adams, is in the M.A. track at the GTU. In addition, on the ordination path are Dr. Devin Zuber and Joy Barnitz. In the non-ordained leadership category of Licensed Pastor (passed at the 2013 convention) enjoys four current students; Paul Deming and the St. Louis church; Karen Feil and the Chicago church; Christine Campbell and Temenos; and Linda Callander of the Silver City church. One students, William Rotella, is working on the Certificate path without specified vocational aspirations. 84 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

2017 JANUARY INTENSIVE ALL-CSS COMMUNITY CLASS CSS and CAM continued with the model of an all-community winter intensive at which CAM sits in and also holds its one F2F meeting with students who are in a consecrated leadership path with the denomination. All three CSS faculty members participated in the teaching team for “Spiritual Formation for Ministry,” which also included Rev. Anna Woofenden. Before the January 2017 planning was completed, new guidelines of participation were agreed upon (two January sessions are required for all paths except the Induction path, for which one session is now required). The CSS smart classroom is excellent for CAM sessions for those not in attendance. Eight CSS students were present for the Berkeley winter intensive this year. FACULTY WORK IN THE PRESENT TENSE Devin Zuber: (Associate Professor in Art and Religion and in Swedenbor- gian Studies): Devin has been teaching “Swedenborg in History” with three Swedenborgian students on campus and also “American Ecology and Literature” with several doctoral and masters students at the GTU. He continues working on his book that has been accepted at Univ. of Virginia Press and has been working closely with Hindu Studies scholar Rita Sherma and the new GTU Dean, Uriah Kim, on a Sustainability Initiative for which the GTU is applying to Luce for a big grant this June. He has drafted a “white paper” on CSS and Sustainability that will help secure CSS as a key partner in this. Devin will not be in Berkeley during the CSS BOT meetings since he is participating in the annual conference for the Society for the Study of Religion, Na- ture, and Culture (ISSRNC) that weekend in New York. The following weekend he will be part of a Sustainability conference @ the GTU that Prof. Sherma has organized. The conference that Devin has co-coordinated on “Swedenborg and the Arts” at Bryn Athyn College in June has become a juggernaut attracting top names and good attendance. Additionally, the Modern Museum of Art in Stock- holm invited Devin back (on their budget), for a panel on Marina Abramović (a Yugoslavia-born performance artist) and spirituality in May. Devin is active at the SF church and sits on the church council. He is also doing field education there.

Rebecca Esterson (Assistant Professor in Sacred Texts and Traditions and in Swedenborgian Studies): Since the last board meeting, in addition to completing the Ph.D. and beginning as Assistant Professor, Rebecca completed the fall course on Incarnational Reports of Officers & Committees 85

Theology. In January, she participated as co-teacher in the all-community intensive class. This semester she is teaching/co-teaching two GTU courses: her own course on “The History of Biblical Interpretation” and co-teaching with Prof. Rita Sherma of the Hindu Studies program the departmental PhD seminar for study of Sacred Texts. She has also completed her application for In-Residence Faculty status at the GTU. She has had a paper accepted at the annual meeting of the Society for Biblical Literature, titled: “What Do the Angels Say? Scripture, Identity, and the Ascents of Emanuel Swedenborg and Baal Shem Tov.” Among the courses she is planning for next year are: a Swedenborgian class on “Death and Immortality,” a Sweden- borgian class on “Swedenborgian Exegesis,” and a PhD level class on “Jews, Christians, and the Bible.” She is also active in the denomination by serving on Rev. Anna Woofenden’s start-up Garden Church board, serving as a Gray Fund trustee, and is very active locally at Hillside and often taking the pulpit in both SF and Hillside.

Jim Lawrence: Teaching. I am currently teaching “History of Christian Spirituality” with six students, two of whom are Swedenborgians. In addition, I am teaching “History of the Swedenborgian Church” with Nancy Piorkowski in a distance tutorial with Lancaster Theological Seminary and also doing guided studies with several PSR students, including Swedenborgian PSR D.Min. student Rev. Dave Brown. I continue as the second most active PSR faculty member supporting the Doctor of Ministry degree program. Scholarship. A) I’m anchoring the GTU concentration New Religious Movements for M.A. and Ph.D. students and continue as core faculty for the Christian Spirituality concentration. I have four current Ph.D. students and one M.A. student directly under my advisement. B) I will be a presenter at the June “Swedenborg and the Arts” conference in Bryn Athyn with a session titled “A Painter & a Pastor: The Spiritual Arc in William Keith’s Later Art.” For our customary education hour on Saturday morning, the board will be regaled with the work-in-progress. C) I continue to edit two blog series on the Swedenborg Foundation web site: “Scholars on Swedenborg” and “Spirituality in Practice.” This commitment has given me the chance to develop many new relationships, as well as to utilize CSS faculty, students, and board members in good public relations publishing. D) My introduction to the new translation of Swedenborg’s commentary on the Apocalypse, Revelation Unveiled, is still coming along. This now very long study has been an immensely enriching vein for my work in 86 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Swedenborgian theology and has changed my understanding to a certain extent of Swedenborg’s development of his theological understanding and vision. E) I also continue working as I can on a book the Swedenborg Foundation has agreed to publish – a critical edition of Ethan Allen Hitchcock’s 1859 Swedenborg, a Hermetic Philosopher, which would be a welcome addition in the field of West- ern esoteric traditions filling an important gap. E) I continue to build the online Studia Swedenborgiana, including a recent paper by student Colin Amato, which we continued working on long after the semester was over so it could achieve the standard as an academic article published online. It is titled, “Swedenborg’s Puzzling Codicil on Islam and Muslims.” F) I am under contract (unpaid) for a book review in Review & Expositor for Wisdom from Africa: Theological Re- flections on the Confessions of St. Augustine by Ronald D. Burris (a colleague here at the GTU).

George Dole: George is currently teaching three Swedenborgian students in the second of two semesters in “Swedenborgian Bible”: two are the only two second-year M.Div. students in our pipeline (Rachel and Cory) and one Licensed Pastor student, Linda Callendar. We have decided mutually that this will be the last year George will teach biblical studies geared strictly to CSS students. His work for next year will shift to community education projects in offering courses to the laity and church-at-large. His book-length manuscript The Big Bang and I is in production for publication at the Swedenborg Foundation. He is also working on a book project he has been calling for the past year-plus “the missing chapter” in Swedenborg’s biography, which is a close study of the great trial-and-error biblical exegesis project—the so-called The Word Explained (1745-1748, posthumously published in eight volumes)—before he launched into the Arcana (Secrets of Heaven).

BUDGET AND FINANCE PERSPECTIVE We are in a new period of deficit budgeting for the first time since we left Boston, though it appears that we are going to end the current year significantly better than budget. We see the current deficit as a temporary structural deficit that does not endanger the school as we solidify the new model in our higher visibility position as a significant Center at the Graduate Theological Union with our newly developed faculty. The deficit, which is partly shaped by a very frugal draw rate on a solid and growing endowment, may continue for a few years but the leadership foresees its end and believes it is necessary for ensuring the future Reports of Officers & Committees 87 of the school in its exciting evolving context as a leader in higher thought as well as a trainer of our future religious leaders. .DEVELOPMENT WORK We have declared a new emphasis on development work, and some new ini- tiatives are underway. Conversations with new possible major donors, planned giving, grant work, and a communications program are some of the elements involved in our efforts for a secure financial future. TASK FORCE ON RELOCATION (OR NOT) The facts and factors relating to physical site possibilities of the CSS program have continued to shift and evolve. Our task force has five scenarios under analysis, and nothing is imminent. One of the strong possibilities includes stay- ing put for the mid-term or long-term. STAFF Administrative Assistant: Francesca McCrossan handles effectively an eclectic array of tasks from HR support, to meeting support, to CAM support, to various staff support tasks, to student support on multiple levels, to development support, to brainstorming CSS business as needed, to web site support, to hospitality support. See her report for further details. Financial Manager: Alan Thomsen continues to manage our financial transactions and business with aplomb and has taken a more active role recently in helping plan development work. He plays a vital role in maintaining a good relationship with the GTU business office. He is also a key player in thinking through policy issues. Librarian: Michael Yockey keeps proceeding with cataloging new incoming items as well as finding time to catalog pieces in the rare collection that have never been properly catalogued. He also troubleshoots technical issues that arise with the online database. He is very helpful assisting a steady trickle of outside researchers on various projects. Respectfully submitted, Rev. Dr. Jim Lawrence, Dean 88 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

center for swedenborgian studies Statements of Financial Position as of june 30, 2017 and 2016 - unaudited ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 2017 2016 Assets: Cash & Cash Equivalents $ 164,745 $ 214,334 Accounts Receivable 12,800 1,484 Long-term investments 12,341,882 11,416,716 Funds held by others 305,632 282,722 Annuity Investments 22,696 21,210 Collections (Note 1): Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $9,039 Total Assets 12,847,755 11,936,466

Liabilities: Accounts Payable and Accrued 2,487 2,924 Expenses Accrued Vacation 11,791 7,560 Annuity Payable 11,377 11,677 Total Liabilities 25,655 22,161

Net Assets: Unrestricted Current Funds 9,191,396 8,544,413 Board-designated 817,025 756,126 Total Unrestricted 10,008,421 9,310,539

Temporarily Restricted Current Funds 668 2,000 Donor Restricted Funds 1,524,823 1,338,374 Annuities 11,320 9,534 Total Temporarily Restricted 1,536,811 1,349,908

Permanently Restricted Endowment Funds 1,276,868 1,253,858

Total Net Assets 12,822,100 11,914,305 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET $ 12,847,755 $ 11,936,466 ASSETS Reports of Officers & Committees 89

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Swedenborgian Church Children’s Ministries

No report received at time of publication.

National Alliance of New Church Women

No report received at time of publication.

Trustees of the Rotch Legacy

No report received at time of publication.

Trustees of the Gray Legacy

Any Convention-recognized organization can request financial aid from the Gray Fund. Typically the grants do not exceed $3,000, and are limited to single- year requests. Copies of the request should be mailed to each of the Trustees and accompanied by a detailed description of the proposed programs for which the requested funds will be utilized. In addition, the Trustees require that the requesting organization submit proof of financial need. A monthly balance sheetor project budget will generally suffice. We request this background information because proper stewardship of a will trust such as the Gray legacy should not be used by organizations as a “reserve fund” to be tapped in order to protect current assets. The following is a list of grants for the year 2016-2017. These grants were made under the Trustees’ interpretation of the will of Wesley N. Gray to fulfill programs and forms of ministry in Massachusetts, the United States, and the world.

Grants 2016-2017 The Garden Church $3,000 Swedenborgian Community Online $1,056 Bath Church of the New Jerusalem $1,500 Revelation of the Spirit $3,000 Respectfully submitted, Rebecca Kline Esterson, Secretary/Treasurer Reports of Officers & Committees 93 2 2 9 9 8 4 6 4 11 11 10 10 15 24 n/a 125 D elegates umber of N umber 0 6 75 40 86 61 22 otal n/a 111 114 114 127 247 141 403 1547 T 0 0 0 2 40 21 15 65 20 13 16 32 n/a 115 492 153 I nactive Members 0 6 87 93 75 25 76 66 98 45 20 82 n/a 132 225 1030 Active 0 0 9 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 3 0 1 n/a Retired Retired 1 2 3 1 1 7 8 4 5 6 2 1 14 82 13 n/a Active Ordained Ministers 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 n/a n/a n/a I nactive Churches 2 6 2 2 3 4 1 3 3 7 2 3 31, 2016 38 n/a n/a n/a Active Church Statistics Association otals T he S weden b or g ian Chur c h tatisti s — as of D e em er At Large Unknown SCYL T Eastern Canada Conference Illinois Kansas New York Maine Massachusetts Michigan Atlantic Middle Ohio Pacific Coast Southeast Canada Conference Western 94 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

R A C

EASTERN CANADA CONFERENCE

In 2016, the Church of the Good Shepherd started to put change into practice. This year, the Board wanted to put the issue of whether we would stay in this building or set off in a new direction to rest, at least for the near future. To this end, we asked Carl Heck to look at the fi nancial aspect. Carl researched what we might expect to be off ered for the building, and analyzed how our budget would look if we were to sell the building and rent other space. Carl’s recommendation to the board, which was communicated to the congregation at our meeting at the end of November, was that we should stay because, simply put, we cannot aff ord to sell. The church building generates a large percentage of our income, both through renting space in the building and renting parking spaces during the week. Without that income, we would not survive long. However, even though that answers one question, it does not mean that we become complacent. The building generates a large amount of income, but it also requires care. We do not have an endowment fund to help us pay for building maintenance. Our attendance is still declining, though the members and friends of Good Shepherd still contribute enough in contribution envelopes and the Sunday plate to meet, and even exceed our budget. We are attracting some new members, but we will need to grow more in the future. We need this, not just for contributions, but for the time and energy needed to keep the Church operating. In October, Rev John Maine announced that he would be retiring in April 2017. On January 29, the Church members approved the new Pastoral Selection Committee members. In addition, the Church members have voted to accept the Board’s recommendation that we hire an interim minister to provide our spiritual leadership for a one to two years until we are ready to select a new permanent minister. This is my last Annual Meeting as the president of the Board of Good Shep- herd. With deep gratitude, I would like to thank the Board members for their support and dedication through this past year. Thank you also to everyone who contributed time, money and energy to help keep Good Shepherd going strong. Your dedication speaks to the love you have for your church. I am honoured to have been able to serve you. Respectfully submitted, Phil Longstaff , President of the Board Reports of Associations & Churches 95

REVELATION OF THE SPIRIT

Cambridge, Ontario

No report was received in time for publication.

CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Kitchener, Ontario

No report was received in time for publication.

ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION

No report was received in time for publication.

THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH CENTER

The Swedenborg Library in Chicago continued with its mission of expanding awareness of Swedenborg’s works within Chicago. In 2016, we were blessed to receive some regular volunteer support with pre-program hospitality. Our programs included: • A series on the Parables of Jesus, discussion material prepared by Karen Feil handled by Rev. Robert McCluskey of Wayfarer’s Chapel, in Spring 2016, via Google Hangouts. • A series titled Overview of the Bible from a Swedenborgian Perspec- tive,” developed and led by Rev. Robert McCluskey, in Autumn 2016, via Google Hangouts. (Members of the St. Louis Society also participated in these programs via Google Hangouts.) • A series of video program with discussion on Mindfulness was held over a period of 12 weeks in the Spring 2016 in the Library, led by Karen Feil. The Swedenborg Library also continued hosting monthly two-hour lecture programs oﬀ ered by Common Ground, a 40+ year old NFP that presents ecumenical programs, whose topics at the Library included: • “Dreams, Healing & The Self” (Jungian perspective) (26 attendees) • “Jesus/Paul” (17) 96 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

• “The Didache–The Teaching of the Twelve Disciples” (27) • “Europe & Islam/ Fears & Realities” (15) • “The Religions of Ancient Persia & the Abrahamic Faiths” (15) • “The Gospel of Mary Magdala” (30) • “Buddhism & Christianity–Contemplation & Action” (19) • “Sunnis & Shi’ites: Two Faces of Islam” (20) • “Religion & Terrorism in the 21st Century” (22)

In September, the Library rented a booth at TheosoFest (the Theosophical So- ciety in Wheaton, IL) and loaned eight books and DVDs to fi ve attendees, and visited with many more. This is purely a evangelical eff ort as Wheaton is an hour train ride away from downtown Chicago, and it is unlikely that we will draw many from that area to our downtown programs (other than the very devoted Amy Pappageorge.) In October 2016, the Library once again hosted an Institute of Noetic Sciences program, on its past president’s Marilyn Schlitz’s book and video, “Death Makes Life Possible.” In January 2016, Karen Feil was invited back a second time to speak to a class of approximately 30 freshmen at DePaul University on the topic of Swedenborg and New Thought. In June 2016, the Library donated eleven of its folio copies of Swedenborg’s work to the Center for Swedenborg Studies in Berkeley, for the seminary library. We circulated approximately 50 volumes during the year, including books by Swedenborg, on spiritual topics, and others related to our programs. We accom- modate requests for books outside of Chicago but within the continental U.S. with mail service. We off ered public access Wednesday and Friday afternoons (1-5 pm), and many Thursday afternoons, throughout the year, in addition to before and after evening programs. The Library promotes its programs via Vertical Response e-blasts, Facebook ads, postcards to past attendees and occasional “Literary Event” ads in the Chi- cago Tribune, and on our web site, SwedLib.org. Future tests are planned for MeetUp.com and other event listing sites. The e-blasts and postcards have been the most eff ective outreach to date. We renewed our lease for our current downtown location in the Methodist Church through 2019, and plan to test hosting some programs in the neighbor- hoods in 2017 to determine how it aff ects participation. Whereas in the past, we had been able to use the larger spaces of the Methodist Church for some of our programs free of charge, beginning in 2016, the Methodist church changed its Reports of Associations & Churches 97 policy, and we must rent those spaces when we expect more than twenty people for a program. During 2016, Library also provided support to The Garden Church in its endeavors, CSS, and continued our support to Little Brothers/Friends of the Elderly, a local charity that reaches out to lonely seniors. Respectfully submitted, Karen Feil, Director, Swedenborg Library

GOOD SHEPHERD COMMUNITY CHURCH

Des Plaines, Illinois

No report was received in time for publication.

LAPORTE NEW CHURCH

LaPorte, Indiana

Led by our devoted pastor, Rev. Kit Billings, 2016 was a year of continued hope and faith as LaPorte New Church continues to strive to reach the hearts and minds of the community. Our church, as do many today, faces the challenge of declining attendance and an aging congregation. Blessed with a core group of dedicated people who realize the value of our progressive-insightful theology and community presence, we are looking at fresh, appealing ways to off er ministry. Since this 157-year-old church is located on a busy, rumbling highway, the interior and exterior walls are in near-constant need of repair. The congregation voted to have the sanctuary’s plaster-over-lath walls bonded with a mesh coat- ing, skim-coated, then painted in warm shades which refl ect the peace and light felt here. And Manna House got a fresh face with new paint on its shutters and porches. We held weekly worship services; it has worked well having two contemporary and two traditional services per month. When Rev. Kit is away, the congregation has Charity Sundays consisting of a short worship service followed by a project helping the community or others in need. We followed each service with a coff ee hour provided by rotating teams. Our pastor led a “Swedenborg 101 Class” last winter, as well as a discussion group on the “Spiritual Meaning of the Book of Exodus,” with special applications to marriage. We enjoyed our annual Journey Program in the Fall titled 98 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

“Mindful Communication Challenge,” where our small groups looked deeply at the words we choose: are they true, kind and useful? Ordination student Lisa Solwold completed her Field Education here. One of our community outreach projects was to share the history of our church and host a luncheon for a local Antiques group. The church was also open as part of the community’s annual historical Christmas tour with 600 people visiting the sanctuary, Fellowship Hall for refreshments, and the decorated garden. Our Sunday School is small but active with three teachers. The Teen League meets at Manna House twice a month (we welcomed one teen into our membership) and the Tween League meets in the church Fellowship Hall once a month. We continue to be honored to host SCYL Tween Retreats at Manna House twice a year, and an annual Convention-wide Transitions Retreat. Manna House is also used by a weekly AA group, Board meetings, rummage sales, and spiritual growth classes. It is also open for community meetings. We strive to keep our church in the eyes of the community and to create a space for people to connect and grow. Respectfully submitted, LaPorte New Church Executive Board

LENOX TOWNSHIP CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM

Norway, Iowa

No report was received in time for publication.

VIRGINIA STREET SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH

St. Paul, Minnesota

No report was received in time for publication.

CHURCH OF THE OPEN WORD

St. Louis, Missouri

No report was received in time for publication. Reports of Associations & Churches 99

KANSAS ASSOCIATION

No report was received in time for publication.

CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM

Pawnee Rock, Kansas

No report was received in time for publication.

NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH

Pretty Prairie, Kansas

No report was received in time for publication.

MAINE ASSOCIATION

As I write these words, I am feeling so happy about the fact that we are welcoming new ministers into our Maine Association fold. I am so thrilled to have Rev. Sky Paradise joining us as new minister here in Portland; and I am also glad that the Bath church has been able to ﬁ nd a worship leader and minister in Rev. Dr. Reuben Bell, who I am sorry to miss seeing at the meeting. So there is new energy afoot! As President, I organized and participated in one conference call with our board this past summer regarding convention travel reimbursement. I’m sorry to say that this is about the extent of my leadership as President this year. If I continue in the position, I hope we can hold some clergy gatherings in the coming year. And, if there is some way in which you would like to see the As- sociation grow in the future, please share your ideas and thoughts.

BATH NEW CHURCH

Bath, Maine

No report was received in time for publication. 100 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

FRYEBURG NEW CHURCH

Fryeburg, Maine

The Fryeburg New Church remains active with regular worship services, Sun- day School, Bible Study and/or small groups (book study), and regular events throughout the year, including a Renewal of Vows ceremony, a Blessing of the Bicycles event, a Craft Fair and Yard Sale, participation at the Assembly and George Dole 3 Miler, keeping our doors open for trick-or-treating, Christmas Cupboard and ecumenical events. Our ecumenical activities include a Thanks- giving Service, Christmas Eve Service, Good Friday and an Easter sunrise service with area churches.

Our largest fundraiser continues to be our presence at the booth at the Fair, serving breakfast lunch and dinner for eight days in a row. It is a huge eﬀ ort on the part of the church community, and we are glad this last fair was successful. I had the privilege of leading worship at the Fair this year, and it was a joy to worship outdoors near the animals and with the community.

We have had some new attendees, including a family that started coming after we held our Invite a Friend to Sunday School Sunday in the spring. While we are able to continue our activities and have many joys, our overall attendance, including our children’s program, is in decline. Being open to new possibilities will be important for us going forward. Respectfully submitted, Rev. Alison Lane-Olsen

NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH

Fryeburg, Maine

No report was received in time for publication.

PORTLAND NEW CHURCH

Portland, Maine

No report was received in time for publication. Reports of Associations & Churches 101

MASSACHUSETTS NEW CHURCH UNION

No report was received in time for publication.

NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

No report was received in time for publication.

CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM

Cambridge, Massachusetts

No report was received in time for publication.

ELMWOOD NEW CHURCH

Elmwood, Massachusetts

No report was received in time for publication.

CHURCH OF THE OPEN WORD

Newtonville, Massachusetts

No report was received in time for publication.

MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION

The Michigan Association held its annual meeting on October 1, 2016 at the Almont New Church Assembly. Fourteen members were present. Almont New Church Assembly and Retreat Center: Retreats were again held at Almont New Church Assembly and Retreat Center, sponsored by MI Association, for women, teens, and tweens. The traditional spring Flower Fest, a work weekend to beautify the Almont Retreat Center grounds, was again held. 102 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Our week-long Almont Summer School family camp session continued another year of capacity operation, with 140 as the daily average attendance! Our new retreat center manager, Lori Patana, has moved into her residence on the grounds and is working to supervise maintenance, schedule retreats, and spread the word of our facility in the area. The Royal Oak Swedenborgian Church: Work and worship continue under the leadership of Rev. Renee Machiniak, who serves the church ¾ time, along with her part time work as a hospital chaplain. Sunday School and adult discussion groups are ongoing, as well as local mission projects and fundraising. The church promotes fellowship and spiritual community by off ering an annual all-church retreat, women’s social and spirituality groups, and by participating in Michigan Association events held at Almont. A new community outreach program on sharing ideas from diff erent spiritual perspectives was off ered in October and November. Lansing Area Ministry: Rev. Jenn Tafel continues to be in touch individually and through electronic communication with youth and young adults who were associated with the former Lansing Swedenborgian Church. She continues her work as religious advisor to the Q-CROSS organization on the campus of Michigan State University. Rev. Dagmar Bollinger continues as a full-time staff chaplain at Providence Park Hospital in Novi.

The Association is exploring ideas that have been suggested, such as a Midwest regional gathering/retreat of Swedenborgians, and the possibility of re-activating “satellite” gatherings, that were a much-loved staple of our out-state members, providing fellowship, food, and discussion during the 1980’s. Respectfully submitted, Marjory Leas, Secretary Reports of Associations & Churches 103

CHURCH OF THE HOLY CITY

Royal Oak, Michigan

Church of the Holy City Annual Meeting November 20, 2016 Pastor’s Report: Rev. Renee Machiniak The Church of the Holy City is blessed with God’s love in so many ways. Our congregation enjoys an average attendance of 12-15 people per Sunday with 44 active members and 14 inactive members. We are able to continue to meet at the Royal Oak Women’s Club during the months of October through June and, during the summer months of July through September, we met Under the ‘Ole Crabapple Tree with the same average number of attendees. Our close-knit church remains active in our community; we are grateful that Barb and Ian Barber, Rhett and Karen Billings, Mary Kleiss, Brian and Bree Darling and Alan Goldstein assisted with our Community Service Sundays at the Madison Heights Methodist Church serving hot lunches for local veterans and Dan Linna assisted with the collection and processing of our coins to raise money to bless veterans with canine companions who are at risk for suicide. This past year, we very much felt the loss of dear friends, Maynard and Joey Zimmerman, as well a our aging members who attend less often, Irma Guest and Edna Wilson. Our Sunday School, led by Barb Barber, continues to minister to our children; however, the focus and planning is now on off ering a monthly youth group to any older children/youth who might attend and to connect them with our denomination’s Youth Director, Kurt Fekete, to participate in the annual Tween retreats. Barb envisions additional leadership to assist with this new focus and we are currently looking for anyone who might feel called to help with this eff ort. We continue to off er our Sunday morning Adult Discussion Group before the worship services, average attendance this year has been 3-4 people, and, earlier in the year, our Sunday sermon messages were synchronized according to the Biblical themes and Swedenborgian concepts sourced from the Dole Notes. Doctrinal/Member- ship classes were off ered on Sunday mornings before worship services. This fall, we continue to off er a 7 Sunday sermon series on the 7 Angels of Revelation and post them as outreach to isolated members and seekers on our church website. Our Adult Discussion Group focuses now on a parallel theme: “Angels in our lives I continue to serve as a part-time Oncology chaplain at Royal Oak Beaumont Hos- pital, continuing to earn health benefi ts at a reasonable cost to help ease the church budget expense for the minister’s health insurance. I serve the Royal Oak Church of the Holy City % time; one Sunday a month, I take a Sunday and weekend off for rest and renewal, while Community Service volunteers assist veterans at the 104 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Methodist Church as previously mentioned. During the Christmas season, some of our volunteers will sing Christmas carols at a local nursing home/senior home. The Royal Oak Church off ered our third annual All-Church Retreat at our Gladwin lake house rental property September 9-11,2016, providing the opportunity for community and faith building. There were eleven people who attended the entire weekend retreat and two additional Sunday guests who attended our September 11th Healing Worship Service. The church continues to off er our Women’s Alliance & Women’s Spirituality groups, as well as participate in the annual Almont spring Women’s Retreat, Flowerfest and Summer Camp. I lectured at Memorial Day Teen Retreat and plan to lecture at Teen Winter Retreat on Decem- ber 28th. I attended our annual Convention in Urbana, Ohio. Our church took a break this year from off ering our annual Musical Extravaganza fundraiser and we hope to plan a new fundraising eff ort this winter/spring until our 2017 Extrava- ganza next autumn. This October and November, we advertised a new community outreach program in local papers: “Timeless Wisdom” - sharing ideas from different spiritual perspectives to help alleviate stress in everyday life. {See sample advertisement) We drew seven new people throughout the series, three people through our printed ads and four through Nancy Gehringer’s personal invitation. For my personal and professional development, I underwent training for a government research project on cancer survivorship at Beaumont Hospital, as well as facilitator re-certifi cation for “A Time to Heal” cancer survivorship program. I continue to write, and prepare for, national certifi cation for chaplaincy. I trav- eled to Cincinnati, Ohio, to fi ll the pulpit on August 13 and 14,2016, to assist our sister church, The New Church of Montgomery, presently without a minister. I am grateful to Rochelle Ballard of the Mohawk Nation, arrange, by member Mary Kleiss, who fi lled the pulpit for me in Royal Oak on the fi rst Sunday in May while I was away participating in the annual Almont Women’s Retreat. RITES & SACRAMENTS PERFORMED IN 2016 Weddings: 3 Baptisms: 2 New Members: 0 • *June 17, 2016 Tamara Durgan & Steven Hundich Wedding (Rochester Hills) • *June 18, 2016 Jax Christian Schmidt Baptism (Romeo) • *June 20, 2016 Cathy Kleiss and Andrew Bartley Wedding @ Starr Jaycee Park (Royal Oak) • *July 22, 2016 Ryan Dearing Baptism @ Almont New Church Assem- bly Chapel • *August 28, 2016 Kathleen Walters and Robert Miller Wedding @ Maria’s Restaurant (W. Bloomfi eld} Reports of Associations & Churches 105

Resurrection/Memorial Services: 6 • *January 16, 2016 Resurrection Service @ Sullivan Funeral Home, Royal Oak: Charles Detherage • *March 3, 2016 Resurrection Service @ Beaumont Hospital: Marina Sarinov • *April 22, 2016 Resurrection Service @ Sullivan’s Funeral Home for W.Club member: Norma Matthias • *June 19, 2016 Resurrection Service @ Beaumont Hospital for Pamela Pickhard • * August 27,2016 Resurrection Service @ A .N.C.A. Chapel for May- nard & Joey Zimmerman • *October 15, 2016 Resurrection Service @ A .N.C.A. Chapel for Pat- rick 0. Zimmer Faithfully submitted, Rev. Renee Machiniak, Minister

MIDDLE ATLANTIC ASSOCIATION

Nothing to report.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY CITY

Wilmington, Delaware

In spite of facing the challenges of being without a full- time pastor, the Church of the Holy City is alive and well! We have several projects, along with a number of goals we are working towards for the coming year. We continue to hold weekly worship services, thanks to the Reverends Jerome Poole and Emily Jane Lemole ; guest ministers, and lay worship leaders. The Board of Trustees continues to meet monthly to address the business of the church. There is in place an active search committee, who is are looking to calling a minister to join us as we strive to continue our mission of providing a spiritual sanctuary for those who are searching for guidance and growth in their lives. In planning ahead, we are anticipating the beginning of a Capital Campaign to help us address the restoration of areas of our Church building and Sanctuary. As a congregation, we continue to provide programs and projects which serve and make us a viable presence in the community at large. In December, we held our Annual Lobster and Wreath Festival, which was well attended by Wilming- 106 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

ton, and the outlying community. We continue to host the Copeland String Quart who performs concerts in our lovely sanctuary four times a year, and continue to provide space for a weekly ACOA meetings. The Emmanuel Dining Room, a locally run soup kitchen, continues to beneﬁ t from our monthly presence of supplying a complete noon day meal served by faithful volunteers from our congregation. At Christmas, we joined with a neighboring church to help stock its food closet through a program called “The Magi Project”. We also participated in the Adopt-A-Family program, by providing gift cards for the purchase of much needed food and gifts for those less fortunate. With the calling of a Pastor, we are hopeful that we can expand on what we are already doing to serve others , while at the same time strengthening and increasing our own membership. Respectfully, Nancy A. Piorkowski, Treasurer

CHURCH OF THE HOLY CITY

Washington, District of Columbia

No report was received in time for publication.

SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH AT TEMENOS

West Chester, Pennsylvania

No report was received in time for publication.

NEW YORK ASSOCIATION

No report was received in time for publication.

KOREAN NEW CHURCH

New York, New York

No report was received in time for publication. Reports of Associations & Churches 107

NEW YORK NEW CHURCH

New York, New York

No report was received in time for publication.

OHIO ASSOCIATION

No report was received in time for publication.

NEW CHURCH OF MONTGOMERY

Cincinnati, Ohio

We continue to rent space from the Glendale New Church on Sunday mornings for all but one Sunday a month, on which the Glendale Church congregation has their monthly worship service. It has been 2 years now and is continuing to work out well. The two congregations maintain separate but coordinated calendars, and we have occasional combined activities for both congregations. Our Sunday program includes visiting ministers, lay led services, and view- ing on-line worship material from New Church Live and other Swedenborgian services. We are thankful for the experience of having several diff erent visiting ministers this past year, including Reverends Terry Schnaar, Ron Brugler, Betsy Coff man, Renee Machiniak, Jonathan Mitchell, and Catherine Lauber. Rev. Sherrie Connelly has led several services this year, and Rev. Clark Echols from Glendale also led one. We had a really good turnout for Easter with a pancake breakfast, dressing of the altar and fl ower procession for the end of Lent, and an Easter egg hunt for a crowd of kids. We continue our Swedenborg Study Group before church, have completed study of Sacred Scripture and are beginning White Horse soon. We continue to volunteer three quarters at Matthew 25 Ministries and at Op- eration Give Back at Christmas-time, and we have regular and irregular social events. On behalf of Connect Montgomery we organized a volunteer session for Make-A-Diff erence-Day at A Child’s Hope, a local organization which pack- ages food for disaster relief and overseas shipment to Africa. We had our second Annual Toy Swap last fall, which didn’t involve as much toy swapping as it did manage to collect toys for Bethany House shelter. Just recently we prepared and served a brunch for the Bethany House residents, about 30 women and children, 108 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

and now have plans to do this on a regular basis. This year we harvested a little from our 4’ x 8’ garden, and are in the process of enlarging it and involving community folks and the local schools kids and their families. Oﬃ cers elected for 2017 are Board Chair Maggie Panyko, Treasurer Gloria Toot, and Secretary Pete Toot who serves on the Board ex oﬃ cio. Other Board members are Rev. Sherrie Connelly, Eileen Franz, and Brenda Helton. Respectfully submitted, Pete Toot, Secretary

SWEDENBORG CHAPEL

Cleveland, Ohio

No report was received in time for publication.

URBANA SOCIETY OF THE NEW CHURCH

Urbana, Ohio

No report was received in time for publication.

PACIFIC COAST ASSOCIATION

No report was received in time for publication.

HILLSIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH

No report was received in time for publication.

SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH OF SAN FRANCISCO

No report was received in time for publication.

THE GARDEN CHURCH

San Pedro, California

No report was received in time for publication. Reports of Associations & Churches 109

NEW CHURCH OF THE SOUTHWEST DESERT

Silver City, New Mexico

No report was received in time for publication.

SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH OF PUGET SOUND

Redmond, Washington

No report was received in time for publication.

SOUTHEAST ASSOCIATION

No report was received in time for publication.

THE CHRYSALIS FELLOWSHIP

Deland, Florida

No report was received in time for publication.

THE NEW CHURCH OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

Ft. Myers, Florida

No report was received in time for publication.

WESTERN CANADA CONFERENCE

No report was received in time for publication.

CALGARY NEW CHURCH SOCIETY

Calgary, Alberta

No report was received in time for publication. 110 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

CHURCH OF THE HOLY CITY

Edmonton, Alberta

No report was received in time for publication.

CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM

Rosthern, Saskatchewan

No report was received in time for publication. Act of Incorporation 111

A I An act to incorporate the General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the United States of America. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois represented in the General Assembly.

Section 1. That Rev. Thomas Worcester, D.D. of Boston, Massachusetts; Rev. J.R. Hibbard of Chicago, Illinois; Rev. T.B. Hayward of Brookline, Mas- sachusetts; Robert L. Smith, Esq. of Jamaica, Long Island, New York; J. Young Scammon, Esq. of Chicago and I.S. Britton, Esq. of Springﬁ eld, Illinois; Hon. Jno. B. Niles of LaPorte, Indiana; Dr. Charles Shepherd of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Rev. Chauncey Giles of Cincinnati, Ohio; David Snyder, Esq. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; N.F. Cabell, Esq. of Warminster, Virginia; Hon. Jno. H. Wilkins and Sampson Reed of Boston, Massachusetts; Oliver Gerish of Portland and Hen- ry B. Hoskins of Gardiner, Maine; their associates and successors, be, and they are hereby constituted a body Corporate under the name of the General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the United States of America; under which name they shall have perpetual succession, with power to receive, take by gift, purchase, devise or otherwise, property and real estate, real, personal or mixed, for educational or religious purposes, and to hold, lease, and sell or convey the same at pleasure.

Section 2. The business Aff airs of said Convention shall be managed and controlled by its Executive Committee, (or General Council) subject to the direction of the Convention, when in session. Said Committee (or Council) shall be chosen or appointed from time to time, in such manner as the Constitution of said Convention may direct, and act in conformity to its votes. Said Committee (or Council) may create such offi ces, and appoint such Offi cers as they may see fi t, and remove the same at pleasure; and may change its business aff airs in such a manner as a majority of said Committee (or Council) may determine, subject to the control of the Convention.

Section 3. Said Convention may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, prosecute and defend, in all courts and places, in its corporate name, by Attor- ney or otherwise. All deeds, conveyances, or leases of the property held by said Convention, for the purpose of leasing or conveying such property, shall be made under the hands of the President and Recording Secretary, and under such seal as said Executive Committee (or General Council) may adopt; but all such deeds must be approved by a majority of said Committee (or Council). 112 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Section 4(a). The purposes for which this Convention exists are: religious, charitable and educational as follows:

1. The specifi c and primary religious purpose is to aid the teachings of Christianity as taught by Emanuel Swedenborg. 2. The specifi c and primary charitable purpose is to aid the poor and unfortunate by collection and disbursement of funds, food, clothing and shelter. 3. The specifi c and primary educational purposes are to distribute funds for scholarships, to help organizations present education programs of general public interest and to disseminate educational material in the public interest. 4. The general purposes and powers are to have and exercise all of the rights and powers conferred on Convention under special charters under the laws of Illinois. However, this Convention shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the primary purposes of this Convention. 5. No substantial part of the activities of this Convention shall consist of the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempt- ing to infl uence legislation, nor shall this Convention participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public offi ce or perform any act that will disqualify the Convention for tax exempt status conferred by any local, state or federal government which has jurisdiction over the Conven- tion. 6. This Convention is incorporated and exists not for pecuniary profi t and no part of any net earnings shall inure to the benefi t of any person, private shareholder or individual.

Section 4(b). The property of this Convention is irrevocably dedicated to religious, charitable and educational purposes and no part of the net income or assets of the organization shall ever inure to the benefi t of any director, offi cer or member thereof or to the benefi t of any private persons. On the dissolution or winding up of the Convention, its assets remaining after payment of, or provision for payment of, all debts and liabilities of this Convention, shall be distributed to a nonprofi t fund, foundation, or corporation which is organized and operated ex- Act of Incorporation 113 clusively for religious or charitable or educational purposes and which has established its tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and/or any future provisions amending, succeeding, supplementing or replacing this section.

If this Convention holds any assets in trust, or the Convention is formed for charitable purposes, such assets shall be disposed in such a manner as may be directed by decree of a court with jurisdiction over such trust, its assets or the Convention, on petition therefrom by the Attorney General or by any person concerned in the liquidation, in a proceeding to which such Attorney General is a party.

Section 4(c). All the property of the Convention held or located in the State of California is irrevocably dedicated to religious or charitable or educational purposes meeting the requirements for exemption provided by Section 214 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and/or any future provisions that amend, supple- ment, succeed or replace such section, and upon dissolution or winding up of the Convention such property shall be distributed to a nonproﬁ t fund, foundation, or corporation with religious or charitable or educational purposes meeting the requirements for exemption provided by Section 214 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. In all other respects, property in the State of California shall be subject to Section 4(b) above.

Section 5. Nothing in this Act contained, shall be so constructed as to interfere with the right of said Convention to alter, amend or abolish its Constitu- tion, or to form a new one whenever it shall see ﬁ t to do so.

Approved January 29, 1861

The original Act of Incorporation is on fi le in the Offi ce of the Secretary of the State, Springfi eld, Illinois; and it has also been recorded on page 1 of Record 48 in that Offi ce. By vote of a number of members of the New Church from various parts of the United States, assembled in Philadelphia on January 1st, 1817, a call was issued for a convention of the receivers of the doctrines of the New Jerusalem Church to be held in Philadelphia on May 15th of that year, “for the purpose of consulting upon the general concerns of the Church.” The fi rst meeting of the General Convention occurred as planned on May 15-17, 1817. 114 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

The General Convention was incorporated, under the laws of Illinois, on January 29, 1861. Its legal oﬃ ce is at the rooms of the Chicago Society of the New Jerusa- lem, 77 W. Washington Street, Room 1700, Chicago, IL 60602-2901. The Constitution of the Swedenborgian Church 115

C of the General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the United States of America, Inc.

Article I. Name, Purpose and Membership

Section 1. This body shall be called the General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the United States of America, Inc., commonly known as the Sweden- borgian Church.

Section 2. The Swedenborgian Church exists to help people be open to the Lord’s presence and leading, especially by fostering personal and ordained ministries which facilitate the spiritual well-being of people, and which have in common a working for the Lord in bringing in the New Age, the descent of the Holy City, New Jerusalem.

The light in which we seek to walk shines from the Lord Jesus Christ in His second coming, available to us through the divine presence in our hearts and minds, and through revelation in the Holy Scripture and in the life and teaching of the Lord’s servant, Emanuel Swedenborg. This section shall hereinafter be referred to as the PURPOSE of the Swe- denborgian Church.

Section 3. Constituent bodies of the Swedenborgian Church shall be those collective bodies which subscribe to this Purpose and which unite with the Swe- denborgian Church in performing the distinctive uses of a church. All bodies entitled to voting delegates at the time of adoption of this article shall be considered to be constituent bodies. Additional bodies may be admitted to membership on recommendation of General Council and vote of the Swedenborgian Church.

The members of the Swedenborgian Church shall be those persons who are adult active members of a constituent body or who have been accepted as members at large through Rite of Conﬁ rmation and by vote of the Swedenborgian Church. For membership in the Swedenborgian Church, an adult active member is one who is at least eighteen years of age and who has been accepted by a constituent body through conﬁ rmation or by transfer, and who within the calendar year 116 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

immediately preceding a session of the Swedenborgian Church has shown an active interest in his or her membership by joining in programs of worship and work or by contributing physically or ﬁ nancially.

Article II. Oﬃ cers, Councils and Administrative Functions

Section 1. The offi cers of the Swedenborgian Church shall be a President, Vice President, a Recording Secretary and a Treasurer, all elected by ballot. The President shall be elected for a three year term, the Vice President, Recording Secretary and Treasurer shall each be elected for one year terms. The President shall assume the duties of the offi ce at the close of the next annual meetings after his or her election and the other offi cers shall assume the duties of their offi ces at the close of the annual meetings at which they are elected.

The election for President shall be held at the annual meetings of the Swe- denborgian Church in the year previous to the beginning of each such term. In the absence of such session the term of offi ce of the President shall be extended for one year following the succeeding session in order that the succeeding President may be elected one year previous to taking offi ce. In the event of the death, resignation or incapacity of the incumbent President, the successor shall be installed for a full term immediately after the successor’s election. A President who served for two successive terms shall not be eligible for election to the next succeeding term. The other offi cers shall be eligible for re-election without limitation.

Section 2. There shall be a General Council consisting of the President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer ex-oﬃ ciis, together with three ministers and six laypersons to be elected by ballot by the Swedenborgian Church, one minister and two laypersons to be elected annually for terms of three years. Members who have served for two consecutive three year terms shall not be eligible for immediate re-election.

Section 3. There shall be a Council of Ministers consisting of all the ministers of the Swedenborgian Church, of whom twelve shall constitute a quorum. This Council shall elect a chair who shall be a member of the Cabinet.

Section 4. There shall be Support Units as specifi ed in the Bylaws. Sup- port units shall consist of three members, one to be elected annually for a three The Constitution of the Swedenborgian Church 117 year term, or of six members, two to be elected annually for three year terms, together with such ex-offi cio members as the Bylaws shall require. Members who have served two consecutive three year terms shall not be eligible for immediate re-election. Each Support Unit shall have specifi c focus as defi ned in the Bylaws and unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws shall elect a chair who shall be a member of the Cabinet.

Section 5. There shall be a Cabinet composed of the Chairs of all Support Units, the Chair of the Council of Ministers, a representative from General Coun- cil, and the President of the Swedenborgian Church who shall serve as Chair.

Section 6. All elected persons shall hold oﬃ ce for the respective terms for which they are elected, or until their respective successors shall have been elected or qualiﬁ ed, provided, however, that the terms of all such elected persons shall be automatically extended for one year for each year in which because of national emergency or other compelling reason no annual meetings of the Swedenborgian Church are held.

Section 7. The term ‘year’ or ‘years’ as used in the Article shall mean, unless otherwise speciﬁ ed, the periods between elections at succeeding annual sessions of the Swedenborgian Church.

Article III. Duties and Powers

Section 1. The President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer shall perform the duties implied by the names of their several oﬃ ces, the duties listed in the Bylaws and such other duties as the Swedenborgian Church may require of them.

Section 2. The General Council shall serve as the Executive Commit- tee of the Swedenborgian Church, shall have superintendence of the business of the Swedenborgian Church, and shall exercise the powers of the Swedenborgian Church in the interim of its sessions. It shall be responsible for all corporate, legal and fi nancial functions of the Swedenborgian Church and shall act as a Court of Appeals as defi ned in the Bylaws. The President, the Vice President and the Recording Secretary of the Swedenborgian Church shall be ex-offi cio Chair, Vice 118 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Chair and Secretary, respectively, of the General Council. The General Council may fi ll any vacancy in the General Council or in any offi ce or position regularly elected by the delegates; provided, however, that any such appointment to fi ll a vacancy shall last only until the next session of the Swedenborgian Church.

The General Council shall annually review reports from all Support Units, and shall recommend to the church any necessary revisions or clariﬁ cations of fundamental principle or priority. It shall receive the budget recommendations of the Cabinet, revise them as its wisdom shall indicate, and adopt a budget.

Section 3. The Council of Ministers shall have as its central focus the facilitating of ordained ministries serving the Swedenborgian Church’s PURPOSE. It shall have primary responsibility in matters pertaining to doctrine and worship of the church and shall have charge of the ministry. This council shall oversee the pastoral, teaching, liturgical and administrative dimensions of the ordained ministry; it shall practice and support disciplined and creative theological research and reﬂ ection, and it shall oversee the provision of ordained ministry of the Sweden- borgian Church and its collective bodies. It also bears responsibility for the pastoral support of all ministries and for providing them with clear ethical standards. It shall exercise such disciplinary functions over the ordained clergy as it may in its collective wisdom adopt, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws.

Section 4. The Cabinet shall coordinate the Support Units’ activities, set priorities thereof and ensure that the criteria adopted by the Swedenborgian Church and used for evaluation are applied as uniformly and equitably as possible. The Cabinet shall be directly accountable to and report to the General Council. The Cabinet shall receive the preliminary budget from the Financial and Physical Re- sources Support Unit and shall negotiate and make such adjustments as it deems necessary. The budget shall be submitted to General Council for its review and approval by a date which Council shall determine. The Cabinet shall also serve as an Advisory Board to the President of the Swedenborgian Church.

Section 5. The primary duties of a Support Unit shall be to facilitate, ini- tiate and evaluate activities relevant to its focus. Its primary means shall be the provision of supportive supervision for the planning, realization and evaluation of such activities, such supervision to function under criteria approved by the Swedenborgian Church. It shall be responsible for annual review of its eﬀ orts The Constitution of the Swedenborgian Church 119 with explicit reference to the Swedenborgian Church’s PURPOSE, Objectives and Strategies as listed in the Standing Resolutions.

Persons or groups desiring denomination support for new or existing activities shall communicate their desire to the President, who shall refer the request to an appropriate Support Unit. This Unit shall then appoint a supervisor acceptable to the requesting persons or groups to assist in the planning and the evaluation of the activity. Within the limits of its budget, a Support Unit shall enlist the services of resource persons as supervisors, make decisions concerning the funding of activities in its care and receive and evaluate reports therefrom, submitting to the Cabinet and to the General Council at least annually a report of its decisions and the activities in its care. The Chair by virtue of his or her Cabinet position shall bear primary responsibility for coordinating these activities with those of other Support Units.

Article IV. Representation and Voting

Section 1. All members of the Swedenborgian Church shall have the right to be present at its meetings and to take part in its deliberations. They may be eligible for election or appointment to any offi ce or position in the Swedenborgian Church as the Constitution and Bylaws shall provide. But the right to vote shall be limited to the members of the Council of Ministers, to the lay offi cers of the Swedenborgian Church, to members of the General Council during their terms of offi ce and to the delegates of constituent bodies entitled to representation at the annual meetings. No member shall be entitled to more than one vote.

Section 2. Every constituent body of the Swedenborgian Church shall be entitled to two delegates and an additional delegate for every ten members, such delegates to be members of the body which they represent.

Membership is to be determined as of the 31st day of December of the calendar year immediately preceding the date of the Swedenborgian Church annual meetings. For this purpose, only adult active members as deﬁ ned in Article I, Section 3 shall be counted. It shall be the joint responsibility of the members and the bodies involved to ensure that no member is counted by more than one body for delegate strength. 120 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Section 3. In determining delegate strength and in selecting delegates, only those bodies shall be included which are in good standing with the Sweden- borgian Church.

Good standing of constituent bodies shall be forfeited if such body, without express consent of the Council of Ministers, employs a minister on an annual basis who is not on the Roll of Ministers as deﬁ ned in Article XII, Section 1 of the Bylaws.

Article V. The Ministry

Section 1. The Swedenborgian Church shall at its discretion, on recommendation of the Council of Ministers, and subject to the provisions in Article XII of the Bylaws, authorize the ordination and induction of qualiﬁ ed individuals to serve as its ministers. Such ordination and induction shall confer the privileges and responsibilities of leading in worship, administering the rites and sacraments, teaching, and pastoral care, together with those of full membership in the Council of Ministers.

Section 2. The Swedenborgian Church’s interest in education for its ministers shall be exercised through the General Council in its role as the representative class of members of the Corporation of the New Church Theological School. It is the denomination’s interest that such education focus on the spiritual growth of its participants by development in understanding of our theology, sensitivity in human relations, appreciation of other traditions and the technical skills required for eﬀ ective ministry.

Article VI. Meetings of the Swedenborgian Church

Section 1. Sessions of the Swedenborgian Church shall be held at least triennially, at such times and places as it may determine. Meetings of the Sweden- borgian Church must be called with 90 days’ notice published in The Messenger or through a mailing to the members. The Constitution of the Swedenborgian Church 121

Section 2. A quorum to hold a convention shall consist of twenty percent of the number of persons qualiﬁ ed to vote as deﬁ ned in Article IV, Representation and Voting.

Section 3. A quorum to conduct business at the convention shall be a majority of the registered voters at the convention, as deﬁ ned in Article IV, Section 1, Representation and Voting.

Article VII. Amendments This Constitution may be amended at any session of the Swedenborgian Church by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting, provided that the proposed amendment shall ﬁ rst have been referred to the General Council, and public notice of the substance thereof shall have been given at least three months before the time of such meeting. Such notice may be dispensed with for any special occasion by a three-fourths vote of those present and voting. Revised June 28, 1996 122 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

B S C

Article I. Religious Observances of the Annual Meeting Section 1. The annual business meeting of the Swedenborgian Church shall include each day a reading from the Word and prayer. Section 2. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper shall be administered at an appropriate time during the annual meetings of the Swedenborgian Church.

Article II. Enrollment of the Swedenborgian Church Section 1. A Committee on Credentials, to consist of three persons, shall be appointed prior to the opening of each session of the Swedenborgian Church, to examine the credentials of the delegates, and to make up the Roll of the Swe- denborgian Church; said Committee to sit during the whole of that session and to add to and correct the Roll, as may be proper. Section 2. Friends of the Swedenborgian Church, who are in attendance at any session of the Swedenborgian Church, are invited to inscribe their names and residences in a register to be kept for that purpose and to take seats in the meetings. Such registry shall entitle them, without vote, to participate in its deliberations by addressing the Chair for permission to speak from the ﬂ oor. Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution and Article II, Section 2 of the By- laws shall be read by the Recording Secretary immediately after the opening of the session of the Swedenborgian Church.

Article III. Order of Business Reports and Communications shall be presented in the following order: 1. Reports of the Oﬃ cers of the Swedenborgian Church 2. Report of the General Council 3. Report of the Council of Ministers 4. Reports of the Support Units 5. Reports of the Committees 6. Reports of the Associations 7. Reports of Churches not aﬃ liated with Associations 8. Reports of Trustees 9. Reports of Auxiliary Bodies 10. Special Reports Bylaws of the Swedenborgian Church 123

11. Unﬁ nished Business 12. New Business When any report called for is not ready, its presentation shall be postponed until all other reports have been presented in their order. This rule shall not apply to the reports of the Council of Ministers or of the General Council, which may be presented as soon as prepared. No debate shall be allowed on any of the above reports until all of them have been presented; but a motion to refer, or to adopt a recommendation without debate, shall be in order. The above Order of Business may be suspended at any time by a two-thirds vote.

Article IV. Annual Meeting Planning and Operation Section 1. Planning for Sessions of the Swedenborgian Church. The President shall appoint a committee representing the Swedenborgian Church body for each year’s session for the purpose of planning the overall program, including selection of theme, specifi c programs, allocation of times for these programs and development of the published program. Section 2. Local Arrangements. The President may appoint a committee representing the local church or association where the sessions are to be convened for the purpose of planning and coordinating with the Central Offi ce and the host institution such matters as transportation, housing, meals, meeting room requirements, audio-visual equipment, special event requirements, and any other arrangements appropriate for the planned program. Section 3. The Swedenborgian Church Business. The Executive Committee of the General Council shall serve as the Com- mittee on Business for each year’s session. It shall be the duty of this committee to assign the order under which diff erent subjects shall be presented and the time allotted to each subject, and to prepare and print the program for that session; but such program may be changed at any time by majority vote of the delegates. Any item of new business wished to be placed on the fl oor for the session must be submitted in writing to the Recording Secretary of the Swedenborgian Church. To ensure an agenda position in the Order of Business, the items must be submitted in advance. 124 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Article V. Parliamentary Procedures Section 1. The provisions of Robert’s Rules of Order, so far as they are consistent with the Bylaws, shall govern the proceedings of the sessions. The President shall at the beginning of each session appoint an advisor on parliamentary matters. Section 2. The yeas and nays shall be taken whenever they are called for by one-fi fth of the persons voting. Section 3. No member shall speak more than fi ve minutes at one time, nor more than twice upon any subject, without affi rmative vote of the delegates present.

Article VI. Duties of the President Section 1. The President shall perform the duties required by the Act of In- corporation, the Constitution and these Bylaws. The President shall preside over sessions of the Swedenborgian Church, shall address the Swedenborgian Church setting forth the state of the Church and shall ensure that the activities of the Cabi- net are reported to the Swedenborgian Church. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall fulfi ll these duties. Section 2. All Committees shall be appointed by the President of the Swe- denborgian Church, unless otherwise ordered by the Swedenborgian Church, or provided in the Constitution or Bylaws; and vacancies in Committees so appointed shall be fi lled by the President. Section 3. The President shall have the privilege of participating, ex-offi - cio without vote, in the meetings of all Support Units.

Article VII. Duties of the Recording Secretary Section 1. The Recording Secretary shall perform the duties required by the Act of Incorporation, including the execution of deeds, conveyances or leases, provided by the Act of Incorporation; and any duties that may be prescribed by the Constitution, the Bylaws, the Swedenborgian Church or by the General Council. Section 2. The Recording Secretary shall be responsible for securing reports from the bodies below named, to be received at least four weeks prior to each annual session of the Swedenborgian Church, or if any such session is not held in any one year, not later than June 30th of such year. The Recording Secre- tary shall see that copies of such reports, so prepared, are mailed to each minister Bylaws of the Swedenborgian Church 125 and association of the Swedenborgian Church, and to such offi cers or interested persons as may be deemed desirable at least ten days prior to each session, and distribute them to members at the annual session. Reports received after the deadline may be presented to the Swedenborgian Church orally or in print, in full or in summary. Such reports are to be requested from: Offi cers, General Council, Council of Ministers, Support Units, Committees, Associations, Trustees, Auxiliary Bodies and Churches not affi liated with Associations. Section 3. The Recording Secretary shall be responsible for providing the Committee on Credentials with a list of the number of delegates to which each constituent body in entitled, as defi ned in Article IV, Section 2 of the Constitution. The necessary information shall be solicited from the constituent bodies in the January preceding the session. Any constituent body failing to comply with this requirement by April 1 shall forfeit the right of its additional delegates (as defi ned in Article IV, Section 2 of the Constitution) to vote at that session. Should such body submit the necessary information after the deadline, this forfeiture may be waived by a three-fi fths vote of the Swedenborgian Church. A numerical table of the maximum delegation shall be published in The Messenger not less than one month before each annual session. Section 4. The Recording Secretary, with such persons as may be appointed by the General Council, shall constitute a Committee on the Journal, to procure each year the publication of the Journal of the Swedenborgian Church. Said Journal shall include the Act of Incorporation, the Constitution and Bylaws, the minutes of the session of the Swedenborgian Church held during the current year; the names of the offi cers, General Council members, administrative bodies and members of committees of the Swedenborgian Church, current membership statistics, and any other matter that is required by the Constitution or Bylaws to be included; together with any reports presented to the Swedenborgian Church as provided by these Bylaws in such forms as such committee shall deem proper, together with any additional information which the Committee shall deem appropriate. Such Committee shall cause to be printed such number of copies of the Journal as it may deem necessary, and arrange for the distribution thereof. Section 5. The Committee on the Journal shall publish in a supplemental or special Journal every fi ve years such matters of information of a permanent nature, not required to be published in each Journal, as it may deem suitable; and shall distribute such supplemental or special Journals in the same manner as the Journals. 126 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Article VIII. The General Council Section 1. The General Council shall meet without notice within forty- eight hours after the fi nal adjournment of the Business Session of the Swedenbor- gian Church. The Council shall also hold two other regular meetings, an interim meeting and a meeting just before the convening of a session of the Swedenbor- gian Church. Twenty days’ notice of these meetings and of any special meetings called by the Chair or by any fi ve members of the Council, shall be given by letter to all members of the Council at their last known address, the time to be computed from the mailing of the letter. The notices of special meetings shall contain brief statements of the purpose of the meetings. At all meetings of the Council seven shall constitute a quorum. Section 2. There shall be an Executive Committee of the General Coun- cil consisting of the President, Vice President and the Secretary of the General Council, and the Treasurer of the Swedenborgian Church, which shall deal with any matters referred to it by the General Council. In routine matters not involving policy decisions, the Executive Committee may act for the General Council between General Council sessions, all such actions to be reported to the next meeting of the General Council. Section 3. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a regular meeting of the Council may be taken without a meeting if two-thirds of the members of the Council consent to the action in writing and the written consents are fi led with the records of the General Council’s meetings; provided further that if any member entitled to vote on such action shall so request, the Secretary shall notify all members of the General Council in writing of any objections to the action and allow two weeks from the date of such notice before the count of the vote is fi nally made. Section 4. The General Council may, in its discretion, appoint such offi cers or employees not otherwise provided for, as it may deem necessary or desirable; and it shall defi ne the duties of such offi cers and employees, and such offi cers and employees shall hold offi ce at the pleasure of the General Council. Section 5. The General Council shall serve ex-offi cio as the representative class of members of the Corporation of the New Church Theological School, and in accord with the provisions of the Bylaws of said Corporation shall represent the denomination’s interest. Section 6. Any member of General Council, of any committee appointed by General Council, or of any Support Unit who fails to attend at least one duly called meeting during a calendar year may be deemed by General Coun- Bylaws of the Swedenborgian Church 127 cil to have submitted his or her resignation, and shall be so informed by the Secretary. If no good and suffi cient reason for said absence is off ered, General Council may appoint a qualifi ed individual to serve until the next meeting of Convention.

Article IX. The Cabinet The Cabinet shall meet at least once yearly and at the call of the President as required and shall have the duties and powers set forth in Article III, Section 4, of the Constitution.

Article X. The Support Units (Provided by Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution) Section 1. Financial and Physical Resources Support Unit. There shall be a Support Unit for Financial and Physical Resources, whose central focus shall be on the wise use and development of such resources as are directly under the Swedenborgian Church’s control, and the provision of advice and counsel in such matters to the Swedenborgian Church’s collective bodies. This Unit shall oversee the management of the Swedenborgian Church’s properties and investments, shall seek new sources of material support and shall provide consul- tants for the Swedenborgian Church’s collective bodies toward the best coordinated and wisest use and development of their fi nancial and physical resources. This Support Unit shall work in close cooperation with the Common Fund Investment Committee. This Support unit shall consist of three members plus the Treasurer of the Swedenborgian Church, ex-offi cio, who shall serve as its chair. Based on its assessment of the overall needs of the denomination, this Sup- port Unit shall make recommendations to General Council as to how best to manage its funds and properties. This Unit shall appoint annually a committee to administer the Augmenta- tion Fund, to include the President and Treasurer of the Swedenborgian Church ex-offi ciis. This Unit shall receive preliminary budget requests from the General Coun- cil, the Council of Ministers, the Cabinet and all Support Units and shall prepare therefrom a preliminary budget for submission to the Cabinet, including clear indications of any necessity it may see for adjustment. The President and the Recording Secretary as specifi ed in Section 3 of the Articles of Incorporation are authorized and empowered, on approval of the Gen- 128 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

eral Council, to execute and deliver, and whenever necessary attach the seal of the Swedenborgian Church thereto, all deeds, bonds and mortgages, contracts and obligations of the Swedenborgian Church; all assignments, power of attorney and instruments for the transfer of stocks, bonds and other securities owned by the Swedenborgian Church; and any other instruments in the conduct of the Sweden- borgian Church business. Section 2. Education Support Unit. There shall be a Support Unit for Education, whose central focus shall be on facilitating activities that enhance the understanding and the skills needed for the realization of the Swedenborgian Church’s PURPOSE. This Unit will be concerned with resources, personnel and programming, and will strive to foster excellence in both content taught and in technique of teaching. This Support Unit shall consist of three members plus a representative appointed by the Swedenbor- gian House of Studies’ Board of Trustees. Section 3. Communication Support Unit. There shall be a Support Unit for Communication consisting of three members, whose central focus shall be on coordinating, initiating and promoting communication both within and across the boundaries of the denomination in all variety of media. It will seek to foster coordination among the Swedenborgian Church’s publishing activities. This Unit will be alert to the climate of opinion both within and beyond the boundaries of the Swedenborgian Church, and will also be alert to developments in communication technology. The offi cial organ of the denomination, The Messenger, shall be under the supervision of this Support Unit. Section 4. Support Unit for Ministries. There shall be a Support Unit for Ministries, whose central focus shall be on facilitating ministries within the Swedenborgian Church and facilitating activities that increase the number of individuals and groups consciously committed to the realization of the Swedenborgian Church’s PURPOSE. This Unit shall be concerned with resources, personnel, programming, and the provision of administrative and spiritual support to our ministries, and will foster supportive communication among like ministries so that pastoral care will be available as needed. It shall be particularly alert to congenial trends in thought and activity outside the Swedenborgian Church, and shall conscientiously monitor the eff ects of its eff orts on both the size and the usefulness of the Swedenborgian Church. This Unit shall consist of six members, including at least one minister with fi ve or more years of pastoral experience, and at least one lay person. Bylaws of the Swedenborgian Church 129

This amendment shall take eff ect at the close of the session at which it was adopted. The initial members of this Support Unit shall be the duly elected members of the former Pastoral Ministries Support Unit and Growth and Outreach Support Unit, who shall complete their terms as members of this Support Unit. Section 5. Information Management Support Unit. There shall be a Support Unit for Information Management whose central focus shall be on gathering, storing and distributing data pertinent to the fulfi llment of the Swedenborgian Church’s PURPOSE. This unit will, within the limits of its budget, oversee the purchasing and maintenance of necessary equipment and the hiring of appropriate staff , and in cooperation with the denomination’s collective bodies, will devise effi cient, equitable, and acceptable principles and means of access and distribution of information, primarily within the boundaries of the Swedenborgian Church.

Article XI. Electronic Meeting Guidelines Section 1. General Council, Cabinet, and other boards, committees, and support units of the Swedenborgian Church may use telephone conferencing and electronic communication to conduct business when not in regular session, or when face-to-face meeting is impractical. Such communication must follow procedures adopted by the denomination to ensure an orderly deliberative process is honored. Section 2. It is critical to the deliberative process that all members of a body participate in discussion and votes at the same time (synchronous meetings). Thus, business requiring voting must be done by phone conferencing or “real- time” electronic conferencing (e.g., instant messaging or chat). Section 3. All deliberations conducted by telephone or electronic means shall be duly recorded and fi led with other records of the body. These minutes shall be reviewed and approved at the next meeting of the body. Section 4. Procedures for using phone conferencing and electronic communications will be the responsibility of a standing committee, appointed by the President. Such committee will present to the General Council proposed procedures for the General Council’s approval. This committee shall also be responsible for proposing to General Council from time to time revisions that may be desirable for the effi cient and orderly operation of the church’s business. Section 5. The procedures approved by General Council under this Article shall be communicated by the Central Offi ce to all members of all boards, committees, and support units of the Swedenborgian Church at least once a year, fol- 130 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

lowing the close of the annual convention sessions. They shall also be published in the annual Journal of the Swedenborgian Church. Section 6. Nothing in this Article is meant to prohibit the use of e-mails, faxes, or other electronic media for communication and information sharing purposes.

Article XII. The Council of Ministers Section 1. Application for ordination or other matters relating to the offi ce of the ministry shall fi rst be received and considered by the Council of Ministers. Its report on such matters as require immediate action shall be privileged at any session of the Swedenborgian Church. Section 2. The Council of Ministers shall revise the denomination’s Roll of Ministers annually, and shall report such revision to the Swedenborgian Church for its actions. Section 3. Every minister ordained or inducted by authority of the Swe- denborgian Church, and not serving any church, ministry, or other collective body acting under the rules of the Swedenborgian Church, shall report his or her offi cial acts to the Council of Ministers. If the minister shall have performed no offi cial acts, he or she shall report that fact, and shall signify whether he or she desires to be retained on the denomination’s Roll of Ministers.

Article XIII. The Ordained Ministry Preamble: Jesus said unto his disciples, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” (John 15:16) The ordained ministry exists to facilitate the spiritual well-being of people, helping them to be open to the Lord’s leading and enabling them to live useful lives. Resources for the ordained ministry in serving the church include the Holy Word, the doctrines of the church, the rites and sacraments, experiences of worship, and growth-oriented skills insofar as they promote the process of regeneration. Section 1. A member of the Swedenborgian Church shall be ordained into or inducted into its ministry by recommendation of the Council of Ministers and by aﬃ rmative vote of the Swedenborgian Church. The Council of Ministers shall have ﬁ rst received a written vision of ministry from the applicant, and determined that one of the following requirements has been met; Bylaws of the Swedenborgian Church 131

1. He or she shall have earned a Master of Divinity Degree from the Pacifi c School of Religion, the Certifi cate in Swedenborgian Theology from Pa- cifi c School of Religion, and passing evaluations on all denominational requirements. 2. He or she shall have earned a Master of Divinity Degree or equivalent degree from an accredited institution, the Certifi cate in Swedenborgian The- ology from Pacifi c School of Religion, and passing evaluations on all denominational requirements. 3. After preparation recognized by the Council of Ministers as adequate, and he or she shall have served as an Authorized Candidate for the Ministry for one year. 4. After preparation recognized by the Council of Ministers as adequate, a minister ordained in another communion who accepts the doctrines of the Swedenborgian Church and expresses allegiance to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Swedenborgian Church may be inducted into our ministry. Those persons applying for ordination or induction shall also have a request for employment from a church or other employing body of the Swedenborgian Church, or shall have a proposal for ministry approved by the Council of Minis- ters. Upon recommendation by the Council of Ministers, and affi rmative vote of the Swedenborgian Church, upon ordination or induction his or her name shall be added to the Roll of Ordained Ministers. Section 2. The Ordaining Minister. (a) A Minister who is elected President of the Swedenborgian Church shall be invested with the offi ce of Ordaining Minister during his or her term as President. The Ordaining Minister shall be empowered to ordain duly qualifi ed candidates for the ministry (cf. Section 1), to authorize for one year Candidates for the Ministry (cf. Section 3), to confer upon suitable persons, at the request of the church to be served and in accordance with the provisions of Article XIII (below), the title Lay Leader, and to consecrate as Worship Leaders persons selected by their congregation or group to provide leadership for public worship (cf. Article XIII, Section 2). b) In the event that a lay person is elected as President of the Sweden- borgian Church, then the Chair of the Council of Ministers shall be invested with the offi ce of Ordaining Minister, during his or her term as chair. (c) When the President is the Swedenborgian Church’s Ordaining Min- ister and is adjudged by the General Council to be incapacitated, the Chair of the Council of Ministers shall be invested with the offi ce of Ordaining Minister until such time as the President is recovered. In the event of resignation of the Presi- 132 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

dent, the investiture of the Chair of the Council of Ministers shall be for the duration of his or her term of offi ce, until such times as the Swedenborgian Church shall again have a minister as its President. (d) In the event that subsequent to the invoking of the provisions of section 2(c), or when the President of the Swedenborgian Church is a lay person, the Chair of the Council of Ministers should resign, or become incapacitated or die, the Secretary of the Council of Ministers shall be invested with the offi ce of Ordaining Minister, such investiture to terminate upon the recovery of the chair, or in the case of the chair’s death or resignation, upon the election of a new chair of the Council of Ministers, or on the election of a minister as President of the Swedenborgian Church. (e) In the event that it is not possible for the Ordaining Minister to travel to a suitable place for the ordination of candidates for the ministry, he or she may appoint an ordained minister to act as the Ordaining Minister pro tem for a specifi c ordination. Section 3. The Authorized Candidate for the Ministry. (a) A member of the Swedenborgian Church, after preparation recognized by the Council of Ministers as adequate, may upon recommendation of the Council of Ministers, and after affi rmative vote of the Swedenborgian Church, be authorized by the Ordaining Minister as an authorized candidate for the ministry and for one (1) year. He or she may lead in worship, teach the doctrine of the Church and offi ciate at resurrection services. Such persons shall be known as Authorized Candidates for the Ministry. Where authorization does not lead to ordination at the end of one year, the candidacy may be reviewed by the Council of Ministers. (b) The Ordaining Minister of the Swedenborgian Church may empower an Authorized Candidate for the Ministry or a Swedenborg School of Religion student intern to perform a marriage where the laws of the state or province permit and in specifi c instances may empower him or her to administer the Sacrament of Baptism and/or the Holy Supper. Section 4. Special Circumstances. The Swedenborgian Church by a three-quarters vote may, in individual cases, dispense with limiting requirements, outlined in Article XIII, upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers showing the need or desirability thereof, such recommendation to be made only on the agreement of at least three-fourths of the members of the Council of Ministers present and voting at the Council Session. Bylaws of the Swedenborgian Church 133

Section 5. The Swedenborgian Church’s Roll of Ordained Ministers is the record of all those who have been ordained or inducted into the ministry of the Swedenborgian Church.

Article XIV. The Ministry of Lay Persons Preamble: Every Christian is called to minister. Jesus said that inasmuch as we minister to one another, we minister unto Him. “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” (Matthew 25:35-36) The Apostle Paul declared that “there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spir- it; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. To teach is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (I Corinthians 12:4-7) The church encourages all members to exercise their unique talents and gifts in assimilating the spiritual and well-being of people. Some are called to ordained ministry within the framework of the Swedenborgian Church. Others are called to specifi c, part-time service in the church and are recognized and consecrated as Lay Leaders and Worship Leaders. Other men and women are called to minister to the world and around them, in their homes, and in their chosen vocations. In addition, some wish to off er their gifts through programs and services in the church. The Swedenborgian Church encourages these ministries and recognizes them as manifestations of the Spirit of God. Section 1. Lay Leader. (a) The Swedenborgian Church commends the eff orts of lay people throughout our church who have served in many ways and ministered to the needs of local churches. Out of this experience, the Swedenborgian Church sees the potential for even greater service to the church by trained qualifi ed lay persons to augment the work of its ordained ministry. (b) In order to meet ongoing needs of local churches, suitable persons may be consecrated as Lay Leaders to serve particular congregations or to serve within clearly defi ned geographical areas. For such consecration, the following requirements must be met. (1) The candidate must apply to the Swedenborgian House of Studies for enrollment in its Lay Leadership Education program. This application must be supported by the endorsement of the individual’s congregation or appropriate supervisory body, granted on the basis 134 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

of leadership ability, knowledge of the Church’s teachings, character, and devotion to the Church. Neither acceptance into the program nor completion of the program guarantees approval by the Council of Ministers. (2) On satisfactory completion of the fi rst year of this program, duly certifi ed by the School, the individual must request of the Ordain- ing Minister and be granted status as a Probationary Lay Leader, this request to be supported by the recommendation of the Council of Ministers. With this status, the candidate is authorized to lead in worship, teach the doctrines of the Church, and offi ciate at resurrection services. The expected duration of this status shall be two years. The Committee on Admission Into the Ministry or other committee recommended by the Council of Ministers will be responsible for monitoring the progress of Probationary Lay Leaders. The Ordain- ing Minister may rescind the status of Probationary Lay Leader if the candidate fails to keep pace with the educational requirements, if the congregation or appropriate supervisory body requests such rescission, or for other due and weighty cause. If for good and suffi cient reasons the person is unable to complete the prescribed training within the normal period, the Ordaining Minister may extend the authorization for one year. Extensions of more then one year will require review by the Council of Ministers. (3) Consecration as a Lay Leader, administered by the Ordaining Min- ister, shall take place when the following conditions have been met. a) The Swedenborgian House of Studies shall certify to the Council of Ministers that the educational program has been satisfactorily completed. b) The congregation of the candidate shall reaffi rm to the Council of Ministers its desire for such consecration. c) The Council of Ministers shall recommend the consecration to the Swedenborgian Church. d) Said Church shall authorize the consecration. The consecration itself shall take place in a public service held in the congregation or area to be served. (c) Henceforth, the title “Lay Leader” shall be reserved for individuals so consecrated. (d) Following consecration, the Lay Leader may administer all the rites and sacraments to the congregation or in the area Bylaws of the Swedenborgian Church 135

served. This authorization shall include the right to perform marriages where the laws of the state or province permit. Lay leaders are expected to comply with the guidelines for ministerial conduct. (e) Lay leaders shall be accountable to the Ordaining Minister of the Swedenborgian Church, who shall be responsible for providing appropriate supervision. If the Lay Leader serves a congregation which employs an ordained minister, said minister shall act as the immediate supervisor and the Lay Leader shall not oﬀ er pastoral or liturgical services without the knowledge and consent of this minister. The local congregation or other supervisory body shall have the right to terminate the services of the lay leader. A lay leader may not serve in another congregation or geographical area without a request from the new congregation or other supervisory body, and the approval of the Council of Ministers. (f) Administrative details of the above procedure shall be available in writing from the Swedenborgian House of Studies and the Council of Ministers. Section 2. Worship Leader. Nothing in this Article shall in any way be interpreted to place restrictions on those lay persons selected by their congregation or group to provide leadership for public worship. Indeed, an appropriate service of consecration for such persons functioning as worship leaders is recommended. Following consecration, such persons shall be known as Worship Leaders. Section 3. Special Circumstances. The Swedenborgian Church by three-quarters vote may, in individual cases, dispense with limiting requirements, outlined in Article XIV upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers showing the need or desirability thereof, such recommendation to be made only on the agreement of at least three-fourths of the members of the Council of Ministers present and voting at the Council session. Section 4. The Roll of Lay Leaders. Any person consecrated as a Lay leader shall have his or her name listed on the Roll of Lay Leaders with indication of the church or area which each serves. The names shall appear on the Roll so long as the persons continue actively to serve the church or area for which they were consecrated. 136 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Section 5. Licensed Pastors Upon application by a member of the Swedenborgian Church and an eligible and recognized body of the Swedenborgian Church of North America, and with preparation recognized by the Council of Ministers as adequate, the candidate upon recommendation of the Council of Ministers, and after aﬃ rmative vote of the Swedenborgian Church, may be given license to pastor a society by the Or- daining Minister for two (2) years. Said license empowers the bearer to provide all sacerdotal duties and to fulﬁ ll the pastoral role. Such persons shall be known as “Licensed Pastors.” The license may be renewed by vote of the Council of Ministers upon recommendation of the Committee on Admission to the Ministry. A Licensed Pastor must maintain a mentor relationship with an Ordained Minister of the Swedenborgian Church and follow the Guidelines for Ministerial Conduct. The two year license period will have educational objectives that will prepare the “Licensed Pastor” for Ordination over an extended period of time if the licensee wishes to apply to the Committee on Admission to the Ministry for Authorized Candidacy for Ordination. A licensee may make application to the ordaining minister to become a “Lay-Leader” if they wish to not renew a license.

Article XV. Theological School Section 1. The Swedenborgian Church shall by majority vote nominate annually the number of nominees for election by the Board of Trustees of the New Church Theological School, commonly known as the Swedenborgian House of Studies, as provided for, or allowed, by the Bylaws of the Corporation of the New Church Theological School, and shall forward these nominations to the Gen- eral Council, in its role as the representative class of the Corporation of the New Church Theological School, for consideration for election to the Board of Trust- ees.

Article XVI. Board of Mediation There shall be a Board of Mediation consisting of fi ve members. Two such members shall be lay persons appointed by the President, and two shall be ministers appointed by the Chair of the Council of Ministers, and their terms of offi ce shall be the same as that of the President of the Swedenborgian Church. The fi fth member shall be the Vice President of Convention who shall serve as Chair. Whenever any dispute or irregularity shall arise which aff ects the fulfi llment of the PURPOSE of the Swedenborgian Church or any of its constituent or sub- Bylaws of the Swedenborgian Church 137 sidiary bodies, if the eff orts of the ministers or offi cers immediately concerned have not proved eff ective, the President or the General Council shall refer the situation to the Board of Mediation; or any member, collective body, or subsidiary body may apply to said Board for relief or determination. The Board shall then use its best endeavors to resolve the matter through the voluntary agreement of those concerned, or failing to eff ect such resolution shall render a judgment as to the disposition thereof, after hearing the complaints and considering the facts. Should the Board be unable to eff ect a resolution or settlement, it shall render its report or judgment to the General Council, together with such recommendations as it may deem appropriate. The General Council as the Executive Com- mittee of the Swedenborgian Church shall then take such actions and issue such directions as it shall deem suitable. Anyone aggrieved by said report or judgment shall have the right of appeal to the General Council, as a fi nal resort to seek re- consideration by the delegates at the annual session of the Swedenborgian Church. Any member of the Board of Mediation may decline to participate in the consideration of a specifi ed situation due to confl ict of interest. In this case, the President of the General Convention or the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, as may be appropriate, shall appoint a substitute, who shall serve as a full member of the Board during its consideration of that issue only.

Article XVII. Nominating Committee Section 1. There shall be a Nominating Committee of fi ve members to serve for fi ve years each; one member to be elected each year, but not from any Association from which his or her predecessor or any other member of the Com- mittee shall be a member. The unexpired term of any member may be fi lled from the same Association. A member moving to another Association shall continue to serve, and shall be regarded as coming from his or her former Association; but no retiring member shall be eligible for immediate re-election. Whenever possible, the Nominating Committee shall propose slates representative of the Swedenbor- gian Church’s overall constituency. It shall be the duty of this Committee to present, at each session of the Swe- denborgian Church, nominees for the Swedenborgian Church offi cers (where ap- plicable), vacancies in the elective members of the General Council and all other Boards, Support Units and Committees. Each year the member whose term is next to expire shall act as Chair of the Committee. Section 2. No person shall be nominated to serve on more than one Sup- port Unit at any one time. This order shall be observed by the Nominating Com- 138 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

mittee, and shall be kept by the chair when accepting nominations from the ﬂ oor. It is further recommended that no individual serve on more than two administrative bodies or more than two committees of the Swedenborgian Church, the Nominating Committee and the Chair being similarly instructed. This does not apply to persons serving ex-oﬃ cio as provided by the Constitution and Bylaws.

Article XVIII. Common Fund Investment Committee The General Council, at its ﬁ rst meeting following each annual session of the Swedenborgian Church, shall appoint an Investment Committee of not less than three members, one of whom may be the Treasurer of the Convention, which shall be charged with the general oversight and care of the investments and securities of the Swedenborgian Church Common Fund, with full power to purchase and sell and to invest and reinvest as in their judgment and discretion may seem advisable. Any members constituting a majority of said Committee may exercise all of the authority and powers hereby granted to or conferred upon said Com- mittee. This Committee is authorized to make investments and reinvestments in such bonds, notes, debentures, corporate stocks and other securities and such real estate, real estate mortgages, interests in real estate mortgages, and other property as the Committee, in the exercise of reasonable intelligence and caution, shall deem best. This Committee shall work in close cooperation with the Financial and Physical Resources Support Unit. No provision of this Article shall violate the Act of Incorporation. No one who is or has been at any time in the past either a beneﬁ ciary of or a donor to the Swedenborgian Church Pooled Income Fund shall be eligible to serve as a member of the Investment Committee.

Article XIX. Board of Trustees of the Building Fund The Board of Trustees of the Building Fund shall consist of three trustees who shall be appointed by the General Council, to serve initially for one, two, and three years, respectively from July 1, 1956; their successors to serve each for three years. They shall make loans from time to time from the Building Fund as heretofore provided, or as hereafter provided from time to time by the Sweden- borgian Church. In case of a vacancy on the Board, the General Council may ﬁ ll the vacancy for the unexpired term. Bylaws of the Swedenborgian Church 139

Article XX. The National Church The Board of Trustees of the National Church, now holding the title to and having control of the Church property in Washington, D.C., shall continue to consist of fi fteen members who shall be citizens of any part of the United States and of whom a majority shall be chosen from some other place than the city of Wash- ington, DC, and shall not be selected from any one association, and vacancies in their number shall be fi lled by the Board with approval of the President and the Secretaries of the Convention, having in mind the restrictions stated above, and fi ve members shall constitute a quorum. Revised June 30, 2007.

Article XXI. Application for Admission as a Constituent Body The application of an Association, Church or other body of the Church to be received by this body and represented in the Swedenborgian Church, may be made through the General Council, and upon their recommendation shall come before the annual session. When the session has voted to receive such Association or other body, the President shall announce the names of its delegates, and invite them to come forward. The President shall then inform them of the vote, and all rising, shall give the new delegates the right hand of fellowship, and welcome them to all the privileges enjoyed by other delegates.

Article XXII. Indemnifi cation To the extent now or hereafter permitted by the laws of the State of Illinois, the corporation shall indemnify its offi cers and directors against all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or arising out of any claim, action, suit or proceeding of whatever nature in which he or she may be involved as a party or otherwise or with which he or she may be threatened by reason of his or her having served as an offi cer or director of the corporation or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by him or her as such offi cer or director, whether or not he or she be such offi cer or director at the time of incurring such cost or expense, including amounts paid or incurred in connection with reasonable settlements (other than amounts paid to the corporation itself) made with the approval of the General Council and with a view to curtailment of costs of litigation. 140 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Article XXIII. Amendments These Bylaws may be amended at any session of the Swedenborgian Church by a three-ﬁ fths vote of those present and voting, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been ﬁ rst referred to the General Council, and public notice of the substance thereof shall have been given at least three months before the time of such meeting. Such notice may be dispensed with for any special occasion by a three-fourths vote of those present and voting. Dated May 3, 1985 Typed July 2, 1985 Revised July 10, 1985 Delegate Version Revised October 31, 1985 Revised December 7, 1985 Revised General Council, February 1, 1986 Revised May 27, 1986 Revised June 26, 1992 Revised July 8, 1994 Revised July 7, 1995 Revised June 28, 1996 Revised June 26, 1998 Revised July 9, 2005 Revised July 1, 2006 Revised June 28, 2013 Revised June 28, 2013 Adopted as amended July 1, 2017 Standing Resolutions 141

S R

1. (Adopted by the General Convention July 3, 1986)

THE PURPOSE OF CONVENTION The General Convention exists to help people be open to the Lord’s presence and leading especially by fostering personal and ordained ministries which facilitate the spiritual well-being of people, and which have in common a working for the Lord in bringing in the New Age – the descent of the Holy City, New Jerusalem. The light in which we seek to walk shines from the Lord Jesus Christ in His second coming, available to us through the divine presence in our hearts and minds, and through revelation in the Holy Scriptures and in the work of the Lord’s servant Emanuel Swedenborg. With the purpose of creation being a heaven from the human race, we see the central purpose of the church as the promotion of the process of regeneration. External forms such as buildings, liturgies and organizational structures are valid only insofar as they are useful to this end. It is especially vital for an “organized religion” that its life of piety be constantly grounded in a life of charity. In the case of our Convention, constant accountability to the standards of Scripture and doctrine is the primary warrant for our existence as an organization. In particular, we are oﬀ ered a vision of a New Age, a New Church radically diﬀ erent from the old, by which we can evaluate our present practices and directions.

OBJECTIVES 1. Facilitate the formation and growth of groups of people who support each other in understanding, loving and living “the life that leads to heaven.” We will work to bring together such individuals and groups in a network which ampliﬁ es the creative spiritual energy that emerges when we work together. 2. Bring doctrine and life together constructively. We will support this being done in a way that allows them to challenge and enrich each other and that encourages the diverse activities of Convention to express Convention’s Purpose consistently. 3. Provide for the discovery, development and evaluation of excellence. 4. Commit ourselves to growth in the number of active members. 5. Continue our commitment to the cause of religious unity. 142 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

6. Clarify and intensify our participation in and contribution to the Lord’s New Age. 7. In accordance with our Doctrine of Use and in cooperation with Convention’s constituent bodies, improve the management and use of the physical/ fi nancial resources available for the fulfi llment of our Purpose. 8. Design and implement eff ective means of communication: means which will ensure an open and timely fl ow of information and will promote Convention’s Purpose. 9. Design, adopt and maintain an organizational structure that is directly responsive to Convention’s Purpose and needs, and that includes provisions for its own self-evaluation and growth.

Objective 1 The Formation and Growth of Groups – Facilitate the formation and growth of groups of people who support each other in understanding, loving and living “the life that leads to heaven.” We will work to bring together such individuals and groups in a network which ampliﬁ es creative spiritual energy that emerges when we work together. Regeneration, or the life of charity, takes place in connection with other human beings, and is impossible in isolation. The spiritual model we are oﬀ ered, one of individuals gathered into societies which in turn are gathered into provinces, is inseparable from that individual’s relationship with others in his or her immediate society; and the spiritual well-being of the society is inseparable from its relationship with the larger church, and with the world in which it is living. Healthy relationships are characterized by both love and wisdom, which means that neither uncritical acceptance nor unsympathetic criticism is truly constructive. As even love of self is necessary and good in its proper place, so particular interests, talents and skills contribute to the health of the whole as they are appropriately and appreciatively related to each other.

Strategies A. Provide administrative, material and advisory support for the formation and growth of such groups. B. Provide training and resources for eﬀ ective acts of worship, both individual and collective. C. Provide for the training of appropriately skilled leaders. D. Clarify criteria for membership in Convention in accord with Convention’s Purpose and suggest ways for people to become members. Standing Resolutions 143

E. Foster an understanding of networking, particularly as it applies to Convention. F. Establish and maintain communication among individuals and groups who share particular interests in common, or who face the same circumstances. G. Establish and maintain inventories of the available talents, skills and resources that are necessary for the formation and growth of groups, and provide for the best possible ways of meeting these groups’ needs. H. Design and implement a means of evaluating the eﬀ ectiveness of these strategies as they contribute to the formation and growth of groups within the church.

Objective 2 Doctrine and Life – Bring doctrine and life together constructively. We will support this being done in a way that allows them to challenge and enrich each other and that encourages the diverse activities of Convention to express Convention’s Purpose consistently. This objective rests in the principle that doctrine alone, like external worship alone, does not make the church, but a life according to it. It looks toward a rejoicing in the fact that there are some of us who start from the books and some of us who start from involvement with people. For doctrine and life to come together, these need to be experienced as complementary rather than competitive approaches, each acknowledging its own incompleteness and therefore its needs for the other. Like the ﬁ rst objective, it assumes that the church cannot ﬁ nd an inner or spiritual well-being without trying to contribute to the spiritual well-being of the world in which it is living, and it further assumes that this contribution will not be made by conforming to that world but by seeking to understand and live our own distinctiveness.

Strategies A. Bring people of diff erent perspectives together for specifi c purposes such as: worship, team ministries, workshops, camp programs, committees, music and writing projects. B. Support thinking that encourages diff erences of opinion, that acknowledges both the value of a variety of diff erent approaches and the need to continue an on-going process, and that recognizes the beauty of fi nding inward coherence in a diversity of outward forms. C. Develop the ability to use everyday language to express theological ideas. D. Develop supportive procedures and resources for program planning and 144 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

evaluation. These procedures and resources must insist that theological presuppositions be made clear, that results be honestly evaluated, and that our primary concern be the relation between our central Purpose and the actual results of the program. E. Accept and fulfi ll our responsibility to express a spiritual perspective on contemporary issues in local, national and global aff airs. F. Provide for the discovery, nurture and integration of diversity in all levels of structure. G. Design and implement a means of evaluating the eff ectiveness of these strategies.

Objective 3 Excellence – Provide for the discovery, development and evaluation of excellence. The Lord has created each one of us with quite extraordinary potentialities, and the church evades its responsibility if it falls into that common pitfall of volunteer organizations, becoming a haven for mediocrity. For example, we somehow expect people to become eﬀ ective church treasurers by virtue of election, providing neither resources nor training, and then lament the sad state of local accounting procedures. It is the committee’s sense that we are, as a church, already doing many of the “right things,” and that we could do them more eﬀ ectively if we worked toward providing appropriate training for available talent.

Strategies A. Develop and maintain an accessible inventory of available talents and skills. B. Develop and maintain an accessible inventory of needed talents and skills. C. Develop and maintain an accessible inventory of training possibilities. D. Facilitate the acquisition of needed talents and training in skills. E. Develop means for identifying and improving criteria of excellence. F. Update Convention’s understanding and appreciation of excellence. G. Design and implement a means of evaluating the eﬀ ectiveness of these strategies.

Objective 4 Numerical Growth – Commit ourselves to growth in the number of active members. This is the “let’s fi nally face facts” objective. It is not an end in itself, and Standing Resolutions 145 must not be achieved to the detriment of other directives, any more than an individual should focus on physical health to the neglect of regeneration. But it also follows that just as physical health for the sake of use cannot be neglected, and must be given specifi c attention, so we need to give specifi c attention to numerical growth for the sake of use. Given the intense need for the New Church in the world around us, we cannot avoid our responsibility to fi nd means of outreach that really work, and the clear, objective criterion lies immediately to hand.

Strategies A. In cooperative eff ort with associations, societies and other constituent bodies, develop programs intended to achieve growth. B. Develop centralized eff orts that both encourage a desire for growth among Convention’s constituents and strengthen our self-image. C. Develop centralized eff orts that create interest among non-Swedenborgians and thus stimulate growth. D. Create programs that off er assistance and incentive to ministers and constituent bodies so that they develop the skills and programs necessary to increase growth. E. Design and implement a means of evaluating the eff ectiveness of these strategies.

Objective 5 Religious Cooperation – Continue our commitment to the cause of religious unity. With the Lord working through all religions to provide the means for the life that leads to heaven, we are again called to a relationship of critical supportiveness. The committee is not recommending any notable increase in our national involvement, but the strategies are intended to relate that involvement more clearly to our purpose and to our other objectives.

Strategies A. Continue our involvement in the National Council of Churches and make signiﬁ cant contributions to the policies and programs of the Council. B. Improve upon the reporting of our Council representatives to Convention and make resources and services of the Council available to our churches. C. Support our ministers’ and laity’s regional and local involvement in councils of churches and in interfaith activities. D. Foster among our church membership an attitude of appreciation and open- 146 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

mindedness toward the religions of the world. E. Provide for the ongoing evaluation of our participation in ecumenical activities, with a view toward focusing that participation in areas most closely related to our central purpose. F. Design and implement a means of evaluating the eﬀ ectiveness of these strategies.

Objective 6 The New Age – Clarify and intensify our participation in and contribution to the Lord’s New Age. There are strong indications in the world around us that the whole climate of thought is beginning to change. Speciﬁ cally, the materialistic, mechanistic, “either-or” mentality so hostile to our message is under attack from within the scientiﬁ c community itself, and there is a widespread resurgence of interest in spirituality. Again, the committee recommends a policy of critical supportiveness, with a strong sense that there are major opportunities in this area for both internal and external growth. The phrase “critical awareness” is intended to convey our belief that not everything new is necessarily in accord with our purpose, and that we have a great deal to learn about how the Lord is working for the new church in the world around us.

Strategies A. Foster an awareness of the freshness of our theology and its implications for our activities. B. Foster critical awareness of the congenial trends that occur in thought and activity outside Convention. C. Make ourselves and our theology known and available to persons involved in such thought and activity. D. Encourage and support involvement in New Age activities. E. Encourage the participation of “New Age” persons in Convention events and programming. F. Design and implement a means of evaluating the eﬀ ectiveness of these strategies.

Objective 7 Use Our Resources – In accordance with our Doctrine of Use and in cooperation with Convention’s constituent bodies, improve the management and use of the physical-ﬁ nancial resources available for the fulﬁ llment of our Standing Resolutions 147

Purpose. We are per capita a startlingly wealthy church, and yet we seem to have trou- ble fi nding the money to do what needs to be done. Given growth in the clarity of our sense of purpose, we need to be candid with ourselves about our use of resources, and foster a motion from less eff ective to more eff ective uses. The committee recognizes and values the distribution of responsibility inherent in our present situation of local autonomy, and insists that this motion cannot be healthy unless it is voluntary; but it also insists that the principle of local autonomy must not be used to evade accountability to the principle of use.

Strategies A. In cooperation with Convention’s constituent bodies, create and maintain an inventory of these physical and fi nancial resources. B. Create and implement a system to improve the management of Convention’s resources. This system should include provisions for: resources evaluation, cost/benefi t fi nancial planning, accounting and other necessary items. C. Create and implement a system to aid Convention’s constituent bodies in the management of their resources, and provide guidelines, standards, education and other assistance. D. Create and implement a system to aid Convention’s fi nancial resources. This program will take advantage of the breadth of our current support base and will seek new sources of income. E. Keep Convention’s constituent bodies aware of the programs and persons involved in the eff orts to accomplish this objective. F. Design and implement a means of evaluating the eff ectiveness of these strategies.

Objective 8 Communication – Design and implement eﬀ ective means of communication: means which will ensure an open and timely ﬂ ow of information and will promote Convention’s Purpose. The technology is available for the body of Convention to have a “central nervous system” that will overcome many of the liabilities of our wide geographical distribution, and both within and outside the church there is the expertise to design a system that will suit our particular needs. This objective relates closely to the “networking” strategy under Objective 1, as providing the means by which information resources may be made available when and where they are needed, and kindred individuals and groups kept in touch with each other. 148 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Strategies A. Provide means for the on-going evaluation of Convention’s communication activities. Make sure that they are consistent with Convention’s central Purpose. B. Establish and maintain a central information exchange to collect, store, correlate and disseminate information both within and beyond Convention. This central exchange will: • Incorporate a relational structure rather than a hierarchical one. • Take advantage of advancing technology. For example, comput- ers, video, communications satellites, etc. • Be the hub of a “distributed information system” (see Strategy C) • Administer this “distributed information system.” C. Design and implement a “distributed information system.” This system will provide for the open, direct and timely fl ow of information among the various constituent groups and individuals of Convention. D. Design and implement means to coordinate Convention’s various publications and productions. This way we will strive for greater eff ectiveness and economy. E. Establish and maintain means to ensure that our communications to the world at large are coordinated and considered, and foster an appreciation of Convention’s purpose and objective. F. Recognize and promote clear and precise communication. G. Design and implement a means of evaluating the eff ectiveness of these strategies.

Objective 9 Organized Structure – Design, adopt and maintain an organizational structure that is directly responsive to Convention’s Purpose and needs, and that includes provisions for its own self-evaluation and growth.

Toward a Theology of Polity The writings of our Church do not describe for us a particular form of church organization. Swedenborg insists that there must be order in the church; but since the possibility of a separate “Swedenborgian” ecclesiastical organization was not signifi cant enough to mention, he was content to leave us with a few observations about church government based on eighteenth century European models. Heavenly government is also a less useful model than we might expect. Since Standing Resolutions 149 heaven is characterized by essential unanimity, its “political system” can be described as democracy, aristocracy, oligarchy, anarchy, dictatorship, communism, socialism or what you will. Our own polity has evolved pragmatically. It began from the desire of separate societies to get together on some regular basis, and has grown and changed in response to changing circumstances. It is largely a traditional pattern: though if one sees democracy as a result of the Second Coming, this would then be a major “New Age” feature. Essentially though, our own polity rests on Newtonian, Euclidian mechanical models. That is, it seeks to promote order and eff ectiveness by such devices as marking off areas of responsibility – drawing a single territorial map, as it were - and by a system of checks and balances. This leads to such anomalies as having the Board of Education responsible for Leaguers’ travel to convention, the Board of Missions’ virtual exclusion from the fi eld of missionary publication, and cumbersome procedures for the guidance and support of any venture that does not fi t some existing category. It also means that it is quite possible for an individual to have been a lifelong member of one of our societies without being able to identify one thing that Convention has done for the welfare of that society. In order to distribute responsibility as widely as possible under this system, we need our policy that a single individual not serve on more than two Conven- tion boards or committees at once. This means, however, that it is rare for members of one board to have an appreciation of the problems and labors of another; and General Council depends for its information largely on minutes which are not designed for such communication. Essentially, the Ad Hoc Committee sees a pressing need that we reconcep- tualize our organizational presuppositions on a more profound and more realistic model, looking at patterns of relationship that are actually productive. We see three basic essentials in this – clear and direct lines of mutual communication and accountability, the ready gathering of compatible interests, skills and resources for particular tasks, and a constructive accountability to our common theological convictions. The model that we have in mind may be unfamiliar in terms of physical models, but it is immediately recognizable in terms of personal experience. It involves seeing the identity of an individual or group as essentially determined not by fi xed boundaries or “externals,” but by a particular center; and by the relationships of that center to other centers. Boundaries or circumferences may then expand or contract as we generalize or specialize; and the overlaps, rather than be- 150 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

ing problems to be eliminated, are the utterly necessary ﬁ elds of mutual support, enlightenment and cooperation. In this model, the primary function of the centralized administration would be to administer decentralization. This central body should be granted such power, and only such power, as it needs to accomplish this task, and should be held accountable by Convention to policies and priorities determined by Convention.

Strategies A. Design an organizational structure that is directly responsive to Convention’s Purpose and needs, and includes provision for its own self evaluation. B. Create an ongoing process which ensures that the organization exercises self evaluation, is open to change, and encourages growth. 1. Generate criteria for self evaluation and prepare a plan for adapt- ing to change and growth. 2. Generate feedback and data annually and encourage continual feedback. 3. Assess and review the organization annually. 4. Revise and adapt the plan each year and revise the structure as necessary.

2. (Adopted by the General Council, July 18, 1949) Resolved: With regard to properties of local societies in which Convention has a contingent interest through conveyances providing that, in certain circumstances, the title would come to Convention, it is the policy of Convention not to make contributions toward the cost of maintenance of such properties, such maintenance being the sole responsibility of the Society in whose hands the title to the property is vested.

3. (Adopted by General Convention, June 1960, Min. #58) (Amended by General Convention, July 1, 1989, Min. #61) (Amended by General Convention, June 30, 2015, Min. #20) A Standing Resolution to Swedenborgians Everywhere: Resolved: The General Convention/Swedenborgian Church assembled at Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts for Convention June 30, 2015 reaﬃ rms its belief that the Church Universal includes those of diverse origins. Standing Resolutions 151

In its ever-growing desire to serve all of God’s children, the General Con- vention (aka The Swedenborgian Church), urges Swedenborgians everywhere to acknowledge that the Church Universal is inclusive and to act in this spirit. Let no Society of the Church exclude any from membership on such considerations as ethnic origin, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, condition of health, handicap or economic status; but seeking those who accept our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as Redeemer of the world and who accept the essentials of faith of the Church, welcome all with joy and aﬀ ection into the full and free community of the Church.

4. (Adopted by General Convention, August 3, 1969) Resolved: That the Secretary of Convention maintain a register of young men and women within the fellowship of the Swedenborgian Church who are recognized by the Selective Service System as conscientious objectors to war, and that the President of Convention appoint a minister to serve as spiritual counselor and advisor to these young men and women and to others who may apply to the Selective Service System for recognition as Conscientious Objectors; the purpose being that the Church might in this way show its sympathy with those whose conscience dictates such a step and may be of some assistance to them as they struggle with all of the implications and legal problems which such classiﬁ cation brings.

5. (Adopted by General Convention, August 3, 1969) Resolved: That the General Convention support the legalization of abortion in cases where it is responsibly applied for the physical and emotional welfare of those involved. Be it also resolved that such therapeutic abortion shall be considered primarily a matter of concern between the patient, attending physician and personal counselor.

6. (Adopted by General Convention, July 2, 1976) Resolved: That General Council be given a standing order to recommend to the Convention the names of such persons who in its opinion should qualify for emeritus status, for a vote by Convention. 152 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

7. (Adopted by General Council, January 22, 1977) Resolved: It is recognized that the establishment of the requirements for membership is the responsibility of the individual society or other body, and that various types of membership are utilized by diff erent bodies. However, for the purpose of determining delegate strength for the voting at Convention sessions only adult active members defi ned as follows shall be counted: An adult active member of a society is one who is eighteen years of age or older and who has been accepted by the Society through Confi rmation or other appropriate service of introduction, or by transfer from another Society, and who within the year has shown active interest in his/her membership. This is demonstrated by joining in the programs of worship and work or by contributing toward its needs physically and fi nancially. It shall be the joint responsibility of members and Societies involved to ensure that the member is not counted in more than one Society’s count for delegate strength.

8. (Adopted by General Convention on recommendation of its Council of Minis- ters, July 1, 1978)

SWEDENBORG’S REVELATION Perspectives of the General Convention The Lord’s Second Coming promised in the Gospels is described in True Christian Religion 779 as a process of spiritual reawakening, beginning with a cosmic event in which Swedenborg was called to play a key role. Through spiritual experiences while reading the Holy Word, he received truth from the Lord into his understanding. From this enlightenment he worked out and published teachings for a new church to serve the new age of the Lord’s Second Coming. The truth of these teachings revealed by the Lord to Swedenborg is presented to us with the authority of the Holy Word from which they are drawn, and by which they are confi rmed. This new revelation teaches us three essential things to believe and do. The fi rst of these is to worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as the one God in whom is the divine Trinity. The second is to hold to the conviction that the Word of God is holy, not only in its plain sense, but also because of the deeper meanings lying within it. The third is to commit ourselves to a life em- bodying love to the Lord and the neighbor. In living these three essentials, each of us must search with discernment for critical meaning in Swedenborg’s theological writings. Any written form of revelation can be misunderstood if it is insisted that Standing Resolutions 153 a single interpretation is fi nal and prescriptive. However, we are convinced that if love to the Lord and the neighbor permeate our perceptions, our church will be unifi ed despite any number of particular diff erences of opinion as to interpretation and application of doctrine. In former times, when Christian doctrine was hammered out by theologians or determined by church councils, unity depended on obedience to creed, with reason subservient to faith. But in this new age, the spiritual freedom of the individual has been restored. Now it is permitted to enter with understanding into the mysteries of faith.

9. (Adopted by General Convention, July 2, 1982) Resolved: It is recognized that it is the responsibility of the church to voice its conviction on ethical and moral issues that arise from time to time in our nation and in our world. Where the issue is one of long-term relevance, and where opportunity has been aff orded to societies and associations for prior discussion, a member of Convention may submit to the President, in time for announcement on the fi rst day of a Convention session, a written proposal for a Standing Resolution. The President shall at that time accept motions to refer or to place on the agenda with time for discussion. Should the issue be one of immediate urgency only a member of Convention may submit to the President, in time for announcement on the fi rst full day of a Convention session, a written proposal that a particular resolution be adopted as “the sense of this meeting.” The President shall at that time accept motions to refer or to place on the agenda with time for discussion. Should such resolution come to a vote, the vote shall be counted and the tally included with any use of the resolution.

10. (Adopted by General Convention, June 30, 1983) “The Building Fund may make low-interest loans to any minister on the Ac- tive Roll of the Council of Ministers, for a down payment on a residence, provided there is demonstration of practicality and need under criteria adopted by General Council. Should such minister cease to be on such Roll, the balance of the loans shall be due and payable within ninety days.”

11. (Adopted by the General Council, June 29, 1983) Resolved: That it is the responsibility of the Vice President, together with 154 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

a committee he may appoint, to conduct an annual review of the Central Oﬃ ce, covering staﬀ , employees, organization, etc.

12. (Adopted by General Council, January 30, 1983) Resolved: “Whereas: The American New Church Tract and Publication Soci- ety has indicated its desire to turn over its assets to the General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the U.S.A. to continue the purposes for which the Tract Society was established, and Whereas: these purposes are included within the broad purposes of General Convention; now therefore, be it Resolved: that General Convention agrees to accept the funds of the Tract Society, and if when off ered, to be held for the purposes given and specifi cally that the income of those funds be used fi rst: for the publication and distribution of Our Daily Bread and second: for other publications eff orts; and further be it Resolved: that the Treasurer of General Convention be directed to assist the Tract Society in the orderly transfer of these funds.”

Addendum, May 12, 1988 Selection and appointment of the Editor of Our Daily Bread, its format, con- tents and distribution shall be in the hands of the Council of Ministers. The publication of Our Daily Bread shall not be terminated without a vote of the full Council of Ministers.

13. (Adopted by General Convention, June 28, 1989) That the AIDS Ministry Committee appointed by the Cabinet continue to carry out its task which shall include support of Swedenborgian Ministries to HIV persons, their families and friends; facilitation of ecumenical involvement in these ministries; and the provision of educational materials. Standing Resolutions 155 S R To Associations, etc. Each Association, or other collective body of the Church, is requested to report annually a list of its ministers. Associations are recommended to make such speciﬁ c rules, under the general rules for the regulation of the ministry, as they may consider necessary or desirable. Associations are requested to furnish the Secretaries with copies of all their printed Journals of past years, and also copies of their future proceedings, from time to time, as they may be published. (Journal of 1900, Minute 163.) In the apportionment of delegates to the Convention, the Association shall try to secure a proportionate representation of the societies constituting them, and to that end shall consult the wishes of the various societies. (Journal, 1937, Minute 50.)

To Isolated Societies To establish Sabbath school and to give it watchful care in which the truths of the Church shall be distinctly taught. To adopt as rules of discipline, or laws of charity, what is taught by the Lord in Matt. v.23, 24, and xviii. 15-17. To establish free libraries of the theological works of Swedenborg for loan to all who are interested.

To Ministers To keep a record of names, ages, residences, etc. of all persons baptized by them.

To the Standing Committee of the American New Church Sunday School Association To report annually to the Convention such statistics and such action by the Association as may be of general interest.

As to Collections of Convention Collections at the Sunday morning service of the Convention to be for the general use of Convention. (Journal of 1913, Minute 6.)

Procedures of Appointments to the National Council of Churches The President of Convention, with the counsel and advice of the Executive 156 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Committee of the Council of Ministers, shall make the various appointments to the National Council of Churches, and that these then be conﬁ rmed by the General Council.

The Nominating Committee It is recommended to the Nominating Committee, that when preparing a slate of nominees to fi ll the elective offi ces of The General Convention, the slate be of such order that if elected, a nominee shall not serve on more than two Boards or Committees or a Board and a Committee simultaneously. “No individual who has accepted nomination for an offi ce shall accept nomination for another offi ce if election to one would invalidate election to the other.” It is further recommended that this order be kept by the Chair when accepting nominations from the fl oor of Convention.

To the Convention To submit (to the President or Treasurer), in advance of the business session of Convention, any request for appropriation of funds. Seven Year Cycle of Annual Themes 157

S Y C A T It is part of the Lord’s Providence that in every challenge there is an opportunity and the bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity. That’s a good thing for us, not least because, as a church, we are facing a very big challenge indeed. The Education Support Unit (EDSU) proposes a way to meet that challenge, one that can off er us a considerable opportunity to grow and move forward as bearers of a new message of hope for the world. A regular cycle of thematically-unifi ed, denomination-wide programming, built around the key beliefs of our faith, will go far in restoring our church’s confi dence and capacity to play its proper part in the building of the New Jerusalem. As Swedenborgians we are blessed in many ways but especially with a love of learning. This is our strength and our opportunity. Let’s learn and grow into a new future.

The Seven-Year Cycle of Annual Themes 1. THE YEAR OF THE LORD (2011-2012) the primacy of Spirit: • the one Lord, Love & Wisdom, Creator & Life • the unifying truth, hope and power, known by many names • revealed for us in Jesus, as friend, mentor, model 2. THE YEAR OF THE SPIRITUAL WORLD (2012-2013) the nature of Life: • the diverse, multi-dimensional & eternal nature of life • the reality of the spiritual world; heaven, hell & world of spirits • our journey with angels & demons, from this life to the next 3. THE YEAR OF PROVIDENCE (2013-2014) the assurance of Purpose: • the universe makes sense and we have a special, angelic purpose • the laws of Providence are Love & Wisdom at work for us • our call to “choose life” and become who we (really) are 4. THE YEAR OF REGENERATION (2014-2015) the way of Change: • spiritual life as intentional, committed, relational • the journey of transformation & the second birth • the work of repenting, reforming & regenerating 158 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

5. THE YEAR OF SPIRITUAL USES (2015-2016) the call to be a Blessing: • true faith as the life of charity, what we actually do, not just think or say • discerning our gifts through love in action (charity) • becoming our true use for the building of the New Jerusalem 6. THE YEAR OF THE WORD (2016-2017) the power of holy Scriptures: • correspondences & the Lord’s presence in the Word • the story of our lives in the Word • the sacred character of all holy texts 7. THE YEAR OF THE NEW JERUSALEM (2017-2018) the emergence of a New World: • the Second Coming in the Spirit now • the new world & new consciousness emerging now • building the future: the unity of the human family in justice and peace Bylaws of the Council of Ministers 159

B C M

PREAMBLE The Council of Ministers is established by Article II of the Constitution of the General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the United States of America which reads in part as follows: “The oﬃ cers of the Convention shall be…a Council of Ministers, consisting of all ministers belonging to the Convention, of whom twelve shall constitute a quorum…” In order that it may in more orderly fashion exercise the powers and perform the duties committed to it by Article III, Section 3, and Article V, Section 1, of the said Constitution, and Article XII of the Bylaws of the said General Convention, the Council of Minister, establishes these Bylaws as a guide to its procedure. Article I. Categories of Membership

Section 1. Internal Categories of Clerical Standing with COM shall be: Active: defi ned as any ordained minister that: 1. is employed as a minister by a constituent body of Conven- tion, or 2. is involved in a ministry recognized as valid by COM, or 3. is present at COM annual or regional meetings. Inactive: defi ned as any ordained minister who does not meet the above requirements, but who has submitted an annual accounting of ministerial activity to the COM Secretary in accordance with denominational Bylaws, Article XII, Section 3. Not in Good Standing: A member who has not met the professional standards of ministry in the Swedenborgian Church. Lapsed: defi ned as any minister that has not met any of the above requirements and has been not in good standing for a period of three years. Retired: defi ned as any minister that has drawn on his or her retirement benefi ts and who has requested to be considered as retired on the Council’s Roll. Only those members that have retired in good standing shall be eligible for supplemental retirement benefi ts. Severed: defi ned as any minister who has been removed from the Roll of 160 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Ministers by request or as a result of disciplinary action. Deceased: deﬁ ned as any minister who has died.

Section 2. Defi nitions of Clerical Standing “Good Standing” is defi ned as a member of the Council that: participates in continuing education on a biennial basis for the purpose of building and maintaining professional competence, in accordance with COM Standing Resolutions, paragraph 2, and participates in supervision on an ongoing basis for the purpose of maintaining a personal system of emotional support, in recognition of “Guide- lines for Ministerial Work in the General Convention,” Section III, preamble, and is not under disciplinary action by the Council of Ministers. “Not in Good Standing” is defi ned as a member of the Council that has not met the above requirements.

Amended 2008, Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Section 3. Credentials All members of the Council who are not retired are requested to communicate with the COM Secretary before the end of May regarding their continuing education and supervision activities during the time since the last COM annual meeting. Those who do so shall be recorded as in good standing. The names of those who have not done so will be shared with the Executive Committee, who shall respond as follows.

Procedure for Changes in Clerical Standing A member of the Council’s Executive Committee shall contact any member of the Council whose standing is in jeopardy at least thirty days before the Coun- cil convenes for its Annual Meeting. The Executive Committee shall take into account such member’s speciﬁ c situation and shall suggest reasonable rectifying measures before any change in standing is considered. If the member in question is unwilling to comply with such measures, he or she will be considered temporarily “not in good standing” until such measures are taken. The Executive Com- mittee shall continue to support and encourage an individual who is not in good standing throughout a restorative period. A member who is not in good standing and who is in disagreement with such a standing may make an appeal to the Council as a whole, whose majority vote shall determine the standing of the member in question. The name of a member who is not in good standing for a period of three years shall be presented before Bylaws of the Council of Ministers 161

COM. They shall decide by vote whether or not to designate such member in the Roll of Ministers as “Lapsed.” A person whose membership has lapsed and who wishes to become active again may make a written appeal to the Council’s Execu- tive Committee.

Amended July 8, 2005, Berkeley, California

Amended June 2008, Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Article II. Sessions and Meetings

Section 1. Sessions of the Council of Ministers shall be held in connection with every session of the General Convention, at such times as may be assigned to it by the Business Committee of the Convention.

Section 2. Special meetings of the Council may be held at any time at the call of the Executive Committee or by letter vote initiated by petition of at least seven members. Public notice shall be given of the time and place of the proposed meeting.

Section 3. “Meetings of the Council of Ministers shall be of three types: public meetings, open to anyone who may be interested; business meetings, at which the business of the Council shall be transacted, attendance at business meetings being limited to members of the Council, the President of Convention if said person is not ordained, the Dean and full-time faculty of the Swedenbor- gian House of Studies, if said persons are not ordained authorized candidates, theological students, and others who may be admitted by vote of the Coun- cil; and executive session, for which all persons who are not members of the Council shall withdraw at the request of the Chair. Any guest may be invited to remain for executive sessions at the request of a Council member, together with a three-quarters vote of the Council.”

Amended July 9, 2004, Waterloo, Ontario. 162 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Article III. Oﬃ cers

Section 1. The oﬃ cers of the Council of Ministers shall be a Chair, a Secretary and three at large membesr of the Executive Committee.

Section 2. At its 1993 sessions, the Council of Ministers shall elect a chair for a two-year term, and a secretary for a three-year term. In subsequent years, when the oﬃ ces become vacant, the chair and secretary shall each be elected for a three-year term. Oﬃ cers who have served two consecutive full terms shall not be eligible for immediate re-election.

Amended June 27, 1992.

Section 3. The Chair of the Council shall preside at all meetings, and shall, unless in any case it be otherwise ordered by the Council, appoint all members of committees, except the Executive Committee and the Program Committee. The Chair shall designate the chairmen of such committees as he may appoint. The Secretary of the Council shall perform the usual duties of a secretary, and in addition shall present to the Convention a report of all meetings of the Council, including the titles of all papers presented, a summary of the important business transacted and a statement of all matters referred by the Council of Ministers to the Convention and of all recommendations made to said Convention. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chair, the Secretary, and three members to be elected initially by the Council for terms of one, two, and three years, and thereafter one member to be elected annually by the Council for a term of three years. Executive Committee members who have served two consecutive full terms shall not be eligible for immediate re-election. It shall be the duty of the Committee to ﬁ ll vacancies and to consider and act on matters connected with the business of the Council in the interim of its sessions. It shall have no power, however, to make decisions in the name of the Council with reference to any matter within the province of the Council’s Standing Committees.

Amended June 2008, Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Section 4. In the interim between the sessions of the Council of Ministers matters requiring the immediate decision by the Council may be acted upon by Bylaws of the Council of Ministers 163 vote recorded by the Secretary through a letter, e-mail, or conference call, to be determined by the Executive committee. For such votes to be valid, at least twenty ministers must cast ballots. If by letter, ballots must be received within 30 days from the date of issuance. If by e-mail, ballots must be received within 7 days from date of issuance. If by conference call, the ballots shall be recorded orally at the time of the call. Every reasonable eﬀ ort will be made to contact every active member of the Council.

Amended July 9, 2004, Waterloo, Ontario.

Article IV. Committees

Section 1. There shall be a Nominating Committee of three persons which shall present to the Council at each annual meeting a full slate of nominees including two nominees for Convention Preacher. At the meeting at which this Bylaw is adopted, one member shall be elected for a three-year term, one for a two-year term, and one for a one-year term, with the member whose term is next to expire to serve as chair.

Section 2. The Standing Committees of the Council shall be the Commit- tee on Worship, the Committee on Program, The Committee on Ministerial Eth- ics, the Committee on Admission into the Ministry, the Committee on Revision of the Roll, the Misconduct Determination Board, and the Advisory Placement Committee. In addition, the Chair of the Council upon the decease of any member thereof shall appoint a committee to prepare a memorial to be oﬀ ered for presentation before the Convention. The Council may from time to time order the appointment of such special committees as it may deem necessary.

Amended June 2012, Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Section 3. Members of Standing Committees shall serve until their successors are appointed.

Section 4. The Committee on Worship shall consider and report on all matters connected with the worship of the Church, as well as proposed changes in or additions to its liturgical books. 164 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

The Committee will explore and develop new forms, style and materials of worship and liturgy to meet the expanding needs of Convention Worship Lead- ers. The Committee, or an appointed individual by the Committee, will oversee and coordinate, in conjunction with the host group and/or the Convention Plan- ning Committee, the worship and music expenses of our annual convention.

Amended June 2009, Seattle, Washington

Section 5. The Committee on Program shall consist of the Chair of the Council of Ministers, the Secretary of the Council, and the Dean of the Swe- denborgian House of Studies. Its duties shall be to prepare the program for each session of the Council.

Amended June 2008, Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Section 6. The Committee on Ministerial Ethics shall consist of the council appointed by the Chair for their depth of pastoral experience and background in the study of ethics. This committee shall: 1. periodically present issues for reﬂ ection and discussion for meetings of the Council and shall consist of three members of the council. 2. be available for consultation and advice in cases of need, and 3. propose such revisions in the Guidelines for Ministerial work in the General Convention of Swedenborgian churches as it may deem useful.

Section 7. The Committee on Admission into the Ministry shall consist of a chair, who will be a member of this council who has served at least one complete term (3 years) on the Committee on Admission to Ministry and shall be elected by the council for a three year term; two at-large members who are ministers with at least fi ve years ministerial service within the denomination, one to be elected by the Council of Ministers and one to be elected by Conven- tion; one lay person to be elected by Convention; and the President of Conven- tion. The three elected members are to be elected for three-year terms, one to be elected each year. At-large members who have served two consecutive full terms shall not be eligible for immediate re-election. The chair may not serve more Bylaws of the Council of Ministers 165 than two consecutive terms as chair and is not eligible to serve as an at-large member following a term as chair. Members of the regular faculty of the theological school shall not be eligible for election, and should either the President of Convention or Chair of the Council of Ministers be a member of that faculty, said offi cer shall designate a member of the Council of Ministers as replacement, subject to the approval of the Council. The primary duty of this committee shall be to oversee the maintenance of high standards for Convention’s ministry. To this end, it shall interview all candidates for ordination or induction into our ministry, and make its recommendations to the Council of Ministers. It shall also annually grant or deny the status of candidates for ordination to all Swedenborgian affi liated theological school students or applicants who request it, confer regularly with such students, and report its decisions to each student concerned, to the faculty of the School and to the Aug- mentation Fund Committee. It shall also confer with the candidate before ordination, to the end that the candidate may be mindful to the task ahead, and approach the Rite of Ordination truly prepared for consecration to the Lord’s service.

Amended July 9, 2004, Waterloo, Ontario; Amended June 25, 2015, Bridgewa- ter, Massachusetts

Section 8. The Committee on Revision of the Roll shall consist of three members; to it shall be referred without further action by the Council all matters of record involving changes in the Roll of Ministers of the General Convention, for report and recommendation to the Council. It shall also be the duty of this Committee to keep a Roll of Former Minis- ters of Convention, to which the names of those who have ceased to be minister thereof, through death, resignation, or removal, shall be transferred in accordance with the rules of Convention.

Section 9. The Misconduct Determination Board shall consist of ﬁ ve members, three of which will be from the Executive Committee and two from the Ethics Committee. It shall be the duty of this Board to review charges and evidence given it from the Board of Inquiry and determine: i) if misconduct occurred, and ii) what actions should be taken. The Misconduct Determination Board is to follow the polices laid out in the misconduct procedures adopted by the Council of Ministers and General Council. 166 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Added June 2012, Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Section 10. The Advisory Placement Committee shall consist of three members; the Chair of the Council of Ministers, the Dean of the Swedenborgian House of Studies, and the President of Convention who serves as Chair. It shall be the duty of this committee to provide resources and advise ministers who are seeking employment within the denomination and also societies that are seeking to call ministers.

Added June 2012, Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Article V. Business

Section 1. The business of the Council shall be considered in the executive meetings in the following order: 1. Call to order 2. Address of the Chairman 3. Adoption of report of the Program Committee 4. Appointment of special committees for the session 5. Communications 6. Report of the Executive Committee 7. Reports of Standing Committees 8. Reports of Special Committees 9. Old Business 10. New Business 11. Election 12. Adjournment The Standing Committees shall report in the order in which they are named in Article III, Section 1. If a report is not ready, it shall be passed over until all other committees have had an opportunity to report, unless the Council set a spe- ciﬁ c time for hearing of a report. No debate shall be allowed on any of the above reports until all of them have been presented, but a motion to refer or adopt a recommendation where there is no desire to debate shall be in order.

Section 2. The parliamentary procedure of the Council of Ministers shall be governed, in all cases not speciﬁ cally covered by the Constitution and Bylaws of Convention or by these Bylaws, by Roberts Rules of Order. The Secretary of Bylaws of the Council of Ministers 167 the Council shall keep a copy of these Rules available for ready reference.

Section 3. All requests for appropriations in connection with the work of any of the committees of the Council, as being beyond the power and authority of the Council of Ministers, shall, if the Council of Ministers approves, be presented to the General Convention. Article VI. Amendments These Bylaws may be amended or suspended by a three-fourths vote of those present at any regular meeting. They may be suspended at special meetings by a three-fourths vote of those present at such meetings. 168 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

C M S R Whereas ministry as a professional endeavor requires continuous development and personal growth, and, whereas education is a lifelong process not end- ing with ordination; therefore, be it resolved that the Council of Ministers of the General Convention of Swedenborgian Churches affi rms that planned continuing education is not an elective but is a necessary process to build professional competence. (Preamble, adopted at General Convention, June 28, 1988) Periodically during its history, Convention has faced issues of suitability for ministry. It has dealt with questions of social class, race, divorce, and gender, as it currently faces the issues of sexual orientation and may in future years face questions presently unseen. Its decisions have in each case affi rmed a consistent principle, which the Council of Ministers expresses as follows: (Adopted at General Convention, July 3, 1986) “In light of the inclusiveness of the vision of the Holy City, New Jerusalem, from which our theological perspective is drawn, the Council of Ministers believes that the central consideration in evaluating requests for ordination is the quality of the ministry that it believes the individual is capable of providing. “It is the responsibility of the Council of Ministers, using the good offi ce of its Committee on Admission to the Ministry, to evaluate the readiness and suitability of individual candidates in accord with the general principles outlined in Article V, Section 2 of the Constitution, and in the Preamble to Article XIII of the Bylaws of the General Convention. “Article V, Section 2 reads: ‘Through its Board of Managers of the New Church Theological School, commonly known as the Swedenborg School of Religion, the General Convention shall within the limits of available resources, provide for the thorough professional training of individuals seeking ordination, such training to focus on the spiritual growth of its participants by development in understanding of our theology, sensitivity in human relations, appreciation of other traditions, and in the technical skills required for eff ective ministry.’ “The Preamble of Article XIII reads: ‘Jesus said to his disciples, you have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.’ (John 15:16) “The ordained ministry exists to facilitate the spiritual well-being of people, helping them to be open to the Lord’s leading and enabling them to lead useful lives. Resources for the ordained ministry in serving the church include the Holy Word, the doctrines of the church, the rites and sacraments, experiences of worship, and growth-oriented skills insofar as they promote the process of regeneration.” Guidelines for Ministerial Conduct 169

G F M C G C S C

The Constitution of the General Convention (Article III, Section 3) assigns to the Council of Ministers “responsibility for the pastoral support of all ministries and for providing them with clear ethical standards.” It adds, “It shall exercise such disciplinary functions over the ordained clergy as it may in its collective wisdom adopt, subject to the provision of the Constitution and Bylaws.” Given the importance of our purpose—to facilitate the spiritual well-being of people—and the variety of ministries devoted to this end, the task is both urgent and diffi cult. Our theology points to clear principles of spiritual well-being which do not change. It recognizes also that there are outward behavioral expectations which we ignore at our peril, but which do change with the passage of time, and which vary from region to region. Accordingly, we have tried in the following revision to distinguish these two aspects of ministerial ethics, in an eff ort to be uncompromising in devotion to the Lord’s service and responsibly fl exible in the means used for that service.

Theological Basis For the Swedenborgian, spiritual well-being is a state of oneness of heart, mind, and life. The most adequate ministry will therefore lead by aff ection, pre- cept, and example. Our theology also insists that human life is a process, that we do not achieve perfection, but can move toward it to eternity. As ministers, we need both self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others. Since charity is “acting with prudence to the end that good may result” (The New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine 100), we are called in all circumstances, with¬out exception, to consider not just what has happened, but what we can do for actual betterment. When we fail to hear or to heed this call, as we all do at times, then the call simply comes again, asking us to recognize our failure, and not to dwell on it but to consider what we can do about it. In this eff ort, we cannot stand alone. Our very being is constituted in part by the aff ection and understanding we receive from each other, and our common involvement in ordained ministry gives special weight to our treatment of each other. Genuine aff ection, clear understanding, and unfailing fi delity within this fellowship work strongly for our purpose, and their lack brings a profound distress. Under the Lord’s providence, something could emerge from this distress 170 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

which would recommend itself to everyone. There are times, however, when we fail to discover that ideal solution, and must resort to the discipline authorized by the Constitution. This may be freely accepted by all parties; but even when it is not, the imposition of discipline may be the best course of action available. We must then accept our imperfections and focus our eﬀ orts on minimizing the harm. It is at such times that the distinction between fundamental principle and local, human tradition is most critical, and when the spirit of the discipline is as important as the discipline itself. As concerns ministry in particular, doctrine, history, and experience point up the perils of reliance on the authority of the clergy. It is particularly tempting to try to solve diﬃ cult problems by clerical pronouncement, ignoring the fact that to the extent that any course of action is taken under compulsion, it is not conducive to spiritual growth. At the heart of the following guidelines is the conviction that our choices as ministers need to be informed by the central purpose of our church, to facilitate the spiritual well-being of those who rely on us.

I. Personal and Interpersonal Conduct We are unanimous in our acceptance of the law of love, but not necessarily in our understanding of it. Our understanding of the word “love” is demonstrated primarily by our behavior, which is at least as instructive as our words. We communicate by the way we act that the good life is diffi cult or easy, joyous or bitter, fl exible or rigid; and no amount of talking eff aces these messages. It is vital that we recognize that we ourselves are in process, being open about our failings and about our ideals alike. 1. Persons live only as they receive life itself from God. We have made public acknowledgment of that life by seeking and accepting the laying on of hands of ordination. We have a special responsibility to open ourselves to our own emotional, intellectual, and spiritual depths, to the wisdom and power of the Bible, to the theology of our church, and to the Lord in meditation and prayer. To work toward our goals, we need also to keep abreast of current developments in the religious and secular worlds around us, with a special responsibility for attention to currents of thought and feeling within Convention. 2. However diff erently understood and accepted, the Divine is equally present in all People, regardless of such outward attributes as race, class, sexual orientation, creed, gender, physical capabilities/limitations or age. Prejudice or discrimi- nation of any kind is a denial of this central tenet of our theology. 3. As we are drawn to become more intimately connected to persons in our communities, it can be that a pastor fi nds a real friendship developing. Choosing Guidelines for Ministerial Conduct 171 friends from among those one serves and leads has inherent complications. There is a diff erence between being friendly and being a close friend who shares confi dences. It is better to fi nd friends among colleagues and through organizations that promote your values and interests. However, if you develop a close friendship with a congregant, the following steps must be taken. • Discuss the diffi culties of being both spiritual leader and friend. • Avoid discussing the business of the congregation with him or her. • Avoid spending time together at congregational events. 4. Pastors who are single must often decide whether to date someone in their congregation. It is, after all, a place to meet someone with similar values and commitments. To date a congregant, however, introduces myriad complications and opportunities for misunderstandings. If you fi nd yourself attracted to a member of your congregation, you must take the following steps. • Inform him/her that you cannot be his/her spiritual leader and have a romantic involvement. Therefore, if the person wants to pursue a dating relationship, he/she should fi nd someone else to serve as spiritual leader. • Tell your governing body and supervisor about the relationship. 5. Human sexuality is a gift from the Lord, providing an avenue to the deepest and most abiding of human relationships. It is also an avenue to our deepest vul- nerabilities, and its misuse can have tragic personal consequences, and can lead to severe legal consequences. We are called to fi delity in all our relationships, and particularly to the utmost respect for the sexual integrity of all persons. Sexual contact or sexualized behavior between a faith leader and a congregant, client, student, or employee with whom the faith leader has a pastoral or professional relationship is an abuse of power and constitutes sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct is defi ned as sexual contact (not limited to intercourse) that violates the trust developed by the congregant, student, client or employee in the context of the pastoral or professional relationship. 6. The community in which we live is our neighbor, and our constructive participation in its aff airs is an essential element in religious life. As ministers urging others to live by the Lord’s commandments, we make a special commitment to live consistently ourselves. It is important that we be unquestionably fair in our fi nancial dealings and reliable in keeping commitments made. This includes such matters as preparation for and attendance at meetings, clear and adequate reports, and prompt attention to correspondence. We should neither ask nor expect special favors or immunities because of our ministerial status. Where discounts, privileges, or special fees are off ered, they may be accepted with appreciation, and with the acknowledgment that we are to give as freely as we receive, though not 172 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

necessarily in kind. Under no circumstances should special favors or immunities be off ered or accepted in exchange for any ‘gift.’ 7. In keeping with our sense of the holiness of all life, we are aware that excessive drinking and other forms of substance abuse, obscene stories and expres- sions, and raucous behavior diminish our eff ectiveness, as do the other extremes of prudery and self-righteousness. Both extremes betray a narrow egocentricity that renders us insensitive to the feelings and needs of those around us. 8. Personal appearance is one of the ways in which we communicate with each other, and excessive concern with and willful disregard for appearance are equally damaging. Our dress and grooming should refl ect our interest in and concern for the human situations in which we engage and should be in general accord with local traditions. 9. Clergy use of social media for personal and professional use contribute to the public face of our denomination, and therefore constitutes clergy conduct. Decisions about what to post must conform to the ethical standards set forth in these Guidelines. Decisions on how and who to e-mail need careful attention, with thought given to include all who should be included, and not communicating electronically in ways we would not consider communicating in person or on the phone. 10. There are no quantitative measurements of spiritual well-being, and therefore no simple standards of evaluation of ministerial eff ectiveness. It is necessary that we be fully honest with ourselves and our employers, neither inventing un- necessary tasks nor avoiding necessary ones, fulfi lling the terms of our employment in the spirit as well as in the letter. It is permissible to take other remunera- tive work with the knowledge and consent of the employer; but again, there is need of honest evaluation of the eff ect this has on our ministry. 11. The personal nature of ministry can allow it to intrude on the minister’s personal and family life. It is vital that the family not feel engulfed by the church and that the minister have time that is genuinely free for family involvement. Regular days off and complete vacations are necessities, and should be openly negotiated with the employing body. 12. As human service professionals, we are accountable for a self assessment of our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.. When mental health issues, stress due to family discord, and any other factors interfere with our daily lives and ability to minister to others, we have the responsibility to address our concern with peers, and when warranted, to contract for appropriate professional support. We also have the responsibility to be aware of signs of depression, substance abuse, domestic violence, mental illness, etc. that may arise in congregants, fam- Guidelines for Ministerial Conduct 173 ily members or colleagues, and to assist them to access appropriate assistance.

II. The Relationship to the Group Served The relationship of employee to employer can be ambivalent in the ministry. We are enjoined to lead our “employers” by truth to the good of life, a good which is genuine only if it is freely chosen. There are times when it seems that the welfare of the institution is at odds with the welfare of one or another of its members, or of its minister, and the available alternatives seem equally painful. Devotion to our central purpose is essential at all times, and never more than in times of diffi culty. 1. Professionals in all the helping professions receive confi dences, and are both legally and ethically bound to respect them. Ministers especially tend to be trust- ed, and a constant sensitivity to that trust is vital. Confi dences, whether explicitly labeled or not, are not to be shared, even with colleagues and spouses. However, if individuals give us reason to believe that they are intending harm to themselves or others, we are obliged to weigh carefully the resources we have to prevent such harm, and to act according to our most prudent and compassionate judgment. We are responsible as well to know and to abide by the laws that apply in the particular regions of our ministries. We are to be guided at all times by a pastoral concern for those who trust us. 2. We recognize the trust placed in the therapeutic relationship, its unique power, and the inherent danger of exploitation in any dual role relationship. The role of Pastor and Congregant develops a ‘dual’ aspect when there are additional roles played by either party; i.e., committee chair/member, offi cer/employee , counselor/counselee, etc. These relationships need careful ethical attention. It is unethical to enter a counseling relationship with anyone with whom we have sexual, family, business, or friendship relationships. 3. Diff erent ministers respond to diff erent aspects of our theology. We should not make our own special interests into idols, but should try to present the full depth and breadth of our teachings and to foster an appreciation of colleagues whose special interests diff er from our own. 4. We do not exist in a vacuum, but are sustained in our mental and emotional growth by our communications with each other. Our open acknowledgment of our inter-dependence upon each other is of critical importance to the health of our church. 5. Our belief in the Divine of the Lord entails rather than precludes the presence of that same Divine in all religions of the world. We are true to this principle only as we seek the best in and for all faiths; and we are false to it whenever we try 174 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

to exalt our own religion by demeaning others. Our task is not to try somehow to make our own understanding universal, but to discover the universality to which it points 6. Ministers are responsible to whole congregations or groups, and have a responsibility to nurture a fabric of healthy relationships. Ministers employed by hospitals, hospice organizations, schools, non-profi ts, etc. have a call to see these organizations as sacred community, and have the responsibility to support the relationships within these communities in the same manner as described for church communities. In all our communities, the fabric of healthy relationships is damaged by any form of favoritism toward individuals or subgroups, and by involvement in political games. Such issues require particular attention when critical decisions must be made, as when a group is relocating, or a minister is leaving. 7. The health of a society depends not only on its internal relationships, but on its relationships with the community and world in which it fi nds itself. Ev- ery eff ort should be made to nurture the conviction that the church is not a self- righteous enclave in a world of sin, but a participant in the process of community, nation, and world, called by virtue of its gifts to special service. 8. The minister’s relationship to an employing body has personal, professional, and moral dimensions. A formal contract can be helpful in making unspoken as- sumptions explicit. No agreement, however informal, is to be terminated without adequate notice, except by mutual consent. We should be freely accessible to the employing body for discussion of continuation or termination of service, and should, unless explicitly invited to remain, absent ourselves from further discussion and from the actual voting procedure. 9. The minister’s self-evaluation is essential to growth in service. An annual report to the employing body, with an open review of it by that body, is an excellent means of improving the eff ectiveness of the minister and the group, and of discovering hidden expectations. 10. A group grows far more by making decisions than by having decisions made for it. Ministerial leadership encourages general involvement in the understanding and formulation of policy and in the choice of particular courses of action. 11. Our spouses, while under no professional obligations, may come into positions of signifi cant infl uence. It is incumbent upon us to do our best to communicate to them both the substance and the importance of these guidelines, and to nurture an appropriate sense of accountability to them.

III. Relationship to Other Ministers Ministry as a profession is suffi ciently diff erent from most others in that we Guidelines for Ministerial Conduct 175 look particularly to each other for understanding and support. We are not only professionals, but professionals dedicated to a common service to God in a calling that points beyond our human strength. For this we need relationships with our fellow ministers of comradeship, frankness, mutual respect, cooperation, mutual help, and recognition of a spiritual imperative over and above any professional standards. We need to hold ourselves ready to off er aff ection, understanding, and assistance, defending our colleagues against misunderstanding or injustice, and being with them in loving concern in times of need or distress. When support and understanding are forthcoming, this is especially mean- ingful, and when they fail, the sense of lack is especially severe. Our geographic isolation intensifi es the signifi cance of every communication, both for better and for worse. 1. Our ministries are tending increasingly to take diff erent forms, and there is a risk that this may provide occasions for dispute. Given the principle that a form is the more perfect as its constituents are distinctly diff erent, and yet united (Divine Providence 4), we are called to see these diff erences as complementary rather than competitive, and to enrich our own limited understandings by insights that come from endeavors outwardly unlike our own. 2. As professionals, we are responsible for normal professional standards. This means a respect for the integrity of the professional work of fellow ministers, doing nothing directly or indirectly to interfere with that work (e.g., performing ministerial services in another parish without its minister’s permission). This is in no way to be construed as a license for possessiveness or defensiveness, and calls us to support any eff orts that further our central purpose (e.g., welcoming the participation of another minister in any such service, or the performance of tasks complementary to our own). Because we identify so closely with each other, we may well overreact when opinions or policies diverge. In cases of serious professional or personal misconduct, we should in virtually all instances refer the concern to the responsible offi cials. In most instances of disagreement, however, the most sympathetic interpretation is also the most constructive. Unsympathetic criticism of another minister, particularly one’s predecessor or successor, is contrary to the central principles of a life of charity. 3. The relationship between a minister and an employing body is a sensitive one. It is unethical to make overtures to a church or employing body whose minister has not expressed the intent to resign or retire; and if overtures are received from such a body, the well-being of the incumbent minister should be of primary concern. 4. A pastorate, particularly a long one, builds strong bonds of aff ection which 176 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

can place an incoming minister at a serious disadvantage. Resignation or retirement should be handled with special sensitivity in this regard. Every eff ort should be made to enable the church to make its own free choice, to create a favorable climate for the successor, and to leave the fi eld free by avoiding anything that might be interpreted as interference with the successor’s work. It should be made clear to the church before departure that, however painful it may be, a decisive break in the relationship is necessary. If an invitation is received to perform ministerial services for a former parish, the present minister’s permission must be sought and the participation of that minister encouraged. 5. An affi rmative attitude needs to be expressed in visible forms. A depart- ing minister should demonstrate his or her acceptance of the successor by some form of public welcome and by cordial introductions to as many of the members as possible. Personal notes and any materials of a confi dential nature should be destroyed; but the successor should have free and immediate access to all offi cial records; including membership and address lists, minutes, fi nancial records, and legal and constitutional materials. Every eff ort should be made not to perpetuate divisions by prejudicing the successor against any individual or group within the church. 6. The best use of our limited ministerial resources requires constant attention. A minister contemplating a change should seek the best information possible concerning current areas of need, using the Ministerial Placement Committee as the most appropriate resource. 7. In the search for ministerial employment, if a minister should feel aggrieved, or should feel that the well-being of another is put at risk, by the conduct of another minister, the fi rst step is to raise the issue privately with the individual concerned. If this eff ort fails, the good offi ces of the ordaining minister of Convention should be sought. Should this not provide a resolution, the Council of Ministers may be asked to render assistance.

IV. Relationship to Convention and Association The essence of the church is the Divine presence with us as individuals and collectively. This essence is therefore the Infi nite; but it works through forms of human design, for which we must take responsibility. Our highest loyalty in regard to Convention and the Associations is to their essential purpose, and this, to be eff ective, must be expressed in the most critical and caring participation in the organizations themselves. 1. The larger collective bodies of the church have provided the foundation on which current ministries rely, with signifi cant contributions to the local churches, Guidelines for Ministerial Conduct 177 to theological education, and to resources for ministry. Ordination therefore involves pledges to uphold the Constitution of Convention and be mindful of its welfare; and these pledges should be remembered and fulfi lled at all times. We should stand ready to serve Convention, the Council of Ministers, and our Asso- ciations gladly as our particular abilities are needed, with the knowledge that their health contributes to the health of our own local eff orts. 2. The wisdom and eff ectiveness of the collective bodies can be no fuller than we make them. Regular attendance at meetings of Convention and the Council of Ministers, responsive participation in them, and regular and accurate reporting of activities, developments, and statistics are the necessary foundations of a supportive larger church 3. For the sake of the unity of the larger church, it is vital that its individual members share in its essential values. It is the responsibility of the minister on the local level to admit into membership to all who do so share, and not to admit those who, so far as can be ascertained, do not. The irreducible essentials of our faith— the Divine of the Lord, the holiness of the Word, and the life of charity—should be clearly presented, and a genuine commitment to them expressed. 4. Many of us work in relative isolation from each other, and the Supportive Peer Supervision program has been instituted to compensate in some measure for that isolation. It is left to individual ministers to stress the supervisory or the supportive aspects of the program; and this freedom entails a responsibility to exercise it well. Whether through the program or in some other way, it is our duty to periodically review our fi tness for Convention’s ministry. Should such a review raise serious doubts, the course of greatest wisdom is to seek the help and counsel of laypersons or clergy with whom there are bonds of aff ection and respect. 5. Standards for “Good Standing” as a Member of the Council of Ministers, and the requirements for Continuing Education and Professional Supervision, are outlined in Article I of the Bylaws of the Council of Ministers. “Good Standing” membership in the Council gives ministers an external affi rmation, in the same manner that upholding these ministerial conduct guidelines gives an internal affi rmation, of our appropriate living of our ministerial call from God. 6. Convention and its collective bodies are human institutions, and true loyalty to them includes the duty of thoughtful and constructive criticism. Experience indicates that if such criticism is addressed to the body’s will to improve, without a prejudgment as to the best response, the result will be affi rmative. The ideal is an unswerving devotion to fundamental principles, with a willing openness to the process of change. 178 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

V. Ministerial Misconduct 1. If an issue of ministerial misconduct arises, persons are required to follow the reporting process outlined in “Procedures for Handling Allegations of Mis- conduct Against Our Ordained Ministers Or Our Lay Leaders” from the Council of Ministers Handbook (dated July 2012).

Epilogue For our own sakes, the Lord expects and wants our very best. The preceding guidelines are an eff ort to defi ne that “best” in the context of our own times and culture, and they are off ered in the knowledge that there will be failures and short- comings. As we try to live up to them, there will be needs for clarifi cation and change, and it is the responsibility of the Council of Ministers to keep us working on the subject of ethics for our ministry. Only to the extent that we are in agreement in principle will the guidelines be felt as supportive of our best rather than as threatening, and it is therefore crucial that any disagreement with them be openly expressed. They are not valid for all time, and will be eff ective only as they are truly an ongoing part of our collegial process. Bylaws of the Corporation of the New Church Theological School 179

B C N C T S DBA C S S

Article I. Name, Purpose and Location

Section 1. The Corporation of the New Church Theological School op- erates the Center for Swedenborgian Studies, an institution serving the General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the United States of America and Canada (hereafter referred to as General Convention). The Corporation was incorporated in 1881 as the Corporation of the New Church Theological School under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a non-proﬁ t, tax exempt institution operating for religious and educational purposes.

Section 2. The address of the principal of the Corporation shall be as follows: Center for Swedenborgian Studies, 50 Quincy St., Cambridge, MA 02138- 3013.

Article II. Members of the Corporation

Section 1. The membership of the Corporation shall consist of two classes:

A. At-large Members Any person who (i) has been accepted as a member at large of Swedenborgian Church pursuant to the Constitution of the General Convention or (ii) is a member of any Association or Society constituent of the General Convention, who is 18 years of age or older, may become an at-large member of this Corporation by signing these Bylaws and he or she shall cease to be an at-large member hereof upon ceasing to have the qualiﬁ cations above named, or upon ﬁ ling with the Clerk a written withdrawal of membership.

B. Representative Members Each member of the General Council of the Convention shall be a representative member of the Corporation upon election to the General Council and each shall cease to be a representative member of the Corporation upon expiration of 180 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

his or her term of oﬃ ce on the General Council or upon his or her resignation therefrom.

Section 2. An adequate and current alphabetical ﬁ le of the active membership of the Corporation shall be established and maintained in the oﬃ ces of the Corporation by the Clerk, and shall be available for inspection at all reasonable times to the Trustees and members of the Corporation.

Article III. Meetings of the Members

Section 1. Place for Meetings. All meetings of the at-large and representative members shall be held at the principal offi ce of the Corporation in Mas- sachusetts unless the Articles of Organization permit the holding of meetings of members outside of Massachusetts and unless a diff erent place is fi xed by the Trustees or the Dean and stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the members shall be held during the annual convention of the Swedenborgian Church. If no annual meeting is held in accordance with the foregoing provisions, a special meeting may be held in lieu thereof, and any action taken at such meeting shall have the same eﬀ ect as if at taken at the annual meeting.

Section 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the members may be requested by the Chair or by the Trustees, and shall be called by the Clerk, or in the case of death, absence, incapacity or refusal of the Clerk, by any other Oﬃ cer, upon written application of three or more members entitled to vote thereat.

Section 4. Notice of Meetings. A notice of every meeting of the members, stating the place, day and hour thereof and the purpose for which the meeting is called, shall be published by the Clerk in accordance with the provisions of Article V, Section 4 of these Bylaws.

Section 5. Quorum of Members. Ten at-large members and a majority of the representative members as shown on the records of the General Convention shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the members of the Corporation. Bylaws of the Corporation of the New Church Theological School 181

Section 6. Adjournments. Any meeting of the members may be adjourned to any other time and to any other place permitted by these Bylaws by the members present at the meeting, although less than a quorum; or by any Oﬃ cer entitled to preside or to act as Clerk of such meeting if no member is present. It shall not be necessary to notify any member of any adjournment. Any business which could have been transacted at any meeting of the members as originally called may be transacted at any adjournment thereof.

Section 7. Voting. Each member of each class of the Corporation shall be entitled to one vote on all matters before the members, and at-large and representative members shall each vote as a separate class. When a quorum is present, a majority vote shall decide any matter except where a larger vote is required by the law, the Articles of Organization, or these Bylaws. Any election of Trustees by the members of a class shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by members of that class present and entitled to vote at the election.

Article IV. Board of Trustees

Section 1. The business and aff airs, including all academic aff airs, of the Corporation shall be managed by the Board of Trustees, who shall have and may exercise all the powers of the Corporation except such as required by law or the Corporation’s Articles of Organization or Bylaws to be otherwise exercised. Ex- cept as so limited, the powers and duties of the Board of Trustees shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 1. to determine and review periodically the purposes and the mission of the institution. 2. to select the Dean of the institution, and to support the Dean in the exercise of his or her responsibilities. 3. to recommend, review, and approve changes in the educational programs of the institution, consistent with its mission. 4. to establish policies and procedures regarding salary schedules, appointment, and dismissal of each class of employees. 5. to oversee and approve the budget of the institution, and establish policy guidelines for the endowment and for all investments and major fundraising eff orts. 6. to authorize the purchase, management and sale of all land, buildings or 182 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

major equipment for use by the institution. 7. to authorize the construction of new buildings and major renovations of existing buildings. 8. to authorize the incurring of debts by the institution and securing thereof by mortgage and pledge of real and personal property tangible and intan- gible. 9. to authorize any changes in tuition and fees within the institution. 10. to authorize oﬃ cers or agents of the institution to accept gifts or bequests on behalf of the institution. 11. to ensure that adequate due process policies and procedures exist.

Section 2. Election and Tenure. A Board of Trustees shall consist of twelve (12) elected members and four (4) ex-offi cio members, possibly six (6) ex-offi cio members in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 2 hereof. At- large members and representative members shall each, voting as a separate class, be entitled to elect six (6) of the members of the Board of Trustees; PROVIDED THAT at least four (4) of the members of the Board of Trustees elected by the at-large members of the Corporation and at least fi ve (5) of the members of the Board of Trustees elected by the representative members be members of the Cor- poration. Other than as hereinafter provided, Trustees shall be elected for a term of three (3) years. Upon these Bylaws becoming eff ective, the twelve (12) incumbent members of the Board of Trustees will form the Board of Trustees. The terms of the incumbent members will expire in rotations as follows: (a) Four (4) members of the Board of Trustees (consisting of two (2) of the at-large elected members and two (2) of the representative elected members) shall be elected to hold offi ce for a term of three (3) years from the date of their election or until the third annual meeting after such date, whichever shall fi rst occur. (b) Four (4) members of the Board of Trustees (consisting of two (2) of the at-large elected members and two (2) of the representative elected members), shall be elected to hold offi ce for a term of two (2) years from the date of their election or until the second annual meeting after such date, whichever shall fi rst occur. (c) Four (4) members of the Board of Trustees (consisting of two (2) of the at-large elected members and two (2) of the representative elected members), shall be elected to hold offi ce for a term of one (1) year from Bylaws of the Corporation of the New Church Theological School 183

the date of their election or until the fi rst annual meeting after such date, whichever shall fi rst occur. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, any Trustee who fails to attend at least one meeting of the Board of Trustees during the calendar year (provided that more than one meeting was held in such year), shall be deemed to have submitted his or her resignation as a Trustee, with no further act on his or her part, to the Board of Trustees as of December 31 of such year; PROVIDED THAT the Chair, in the exercise of his or her reasonable discretion, may waive such resignation requirement (either before or after said December 31 but prior to the fi lling of the resulting vacancy), upon the receipt of a written notice from such absentee trustee providing good and suffi cient reasons for his or her absences. In the event that a Trustee shall be deemed to have submitted his or her resignation in accordance with the preceding sentence, the vacancy thereby created shall be fi lled in accordance with Section 3 of this Article IV below. Upon these Bylaws becoming eff ective the twelve incumbent members of the present Board of Managers and Directors together with two newly elected Trust- ees from each class, elected for terms of three years, will form the Board of Trust- ees. The terms of the incumbent members will expire as originally scheduled. As the terms of these Trustees expire, their successors shall be elected by at-large and representative members of the Corporation. The President of the General Convention of the Swedenborgian Church and the Dean of the Swedenborgian House of Studies shall be ex-offi cio members of the Board of Trustees with a vote. If the Clerk and Treasurer elected by the Board are not members of the Board, they shall become ex-offi cio members of the Board without vote. One representative from Pacifi c School of Religion shall sit on the Swedenborgian House of Studies Board of Trustees without vote.

Section 3. Vacancies. Any vacancy in the Board of Trustees, however occurring, may be fi lled by appointment by the Board of Trustees until the next annual meeting provided, however, that a vacancy resulting from the enlargement of the board shall only be fi lled by election by the members of the Corporation. In the case of a vacancy occurring other than by enlargement of the Board of Trust- ees such vacancy shall be fi lled at the next annual or special meeting only by the Class of Members who had elected the prior Trustee.

Section 4. Enlargement of the Board of Trustees. The number of the Board of Trustees may be increased or decreased at any annual or special meeting 184 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

of the members provided however that the number of members of the Board of Trustees shall always be set at an even number.

Section 5. Trustees’ Meetings. The Board of Trustees shall meet at least three times each year. One of these meetings shall be held without notice as soon as practicable after the adjournment of the annual meeting of members.

Section 6. Notice of Trustees’ Meetings. Meetings of the Trustees may be called by the Dean, the Chair or any three or more Trustees by a request in writing addressed to the Clerk. Notice of the time and place of all regular meetings of the Trustee shall be given by the Clerk and of any special meeting of the Clerk or the Offi cer calling the meeting. Notice may be given orally, by telephone, telegraph or in writing; and such notice given in time to enable the Trustees to attend, or in any case, notice sent by mail or telegraph to a Trustee’s usual or last known place of business or residence, at least ten days before the meeting, shall be suffi cient. Any meeting of the Trustees shall be a legal meeting without notice if each Trustee, by a writing fi led with the records of the meeting, waives such notice. Every Trustee who attends a meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement the lack of notice to him or her, and every absent Trustee who shall before or after meeting waive notice thereof by a writing fi led with the records of the meeting or who shall sign such records, shall be deemed to have been fully notifi ed of the meeting.

Section 7. Quorum of Trustees. At any meeting of the Trustees, a majority of the trustees then in oﬃ ce shall constitute a quorum. Unless otherwise provided by law, the Articles of Organization or these Bylaws, a vote of a majority of those present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be suﬃ cient to transact business or to take any action by the Trustees.

Section 8. Action Without a Meeting. The Board of Trustees may conduct business and take action via conference call and email, provided at least 72 hours’ notice of the action is given to all members, and that minutes of the action are recorded by the Clerk. Minutes and records of email votes will be printed and kept on ﬁ le at the Oﬃ ce of the Corporation.

Section 9. Student Representative. At the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees held at the annual meeting of the General Convention of the Sweden- borgian Church each year, one student of the Paciﬁ c School of Religion enrolled Bylaws of the Corporation of the New Church Theological School 185 in the Masters of Divinity Program with the Swedenborgian House of Studies will be asked to serve on the Board of Trustees as a representative of all of the students enrolled with the Swedenborgian House of Studies. Such student representative is to attend all, or at least a portion, of any and all meetings of the Board of Trustees. The Executive Committee will determine in advance of each meeting whether such student representative is to be in attendance for the entire meeting or portion thereof. If attendance of only a portion of the meeting is required, the Executive Committee will also determine the parameters of attendance. Such position is an ex-oﬃ cio representative with no vote. Such student will be expected to make a report to the Board of Trustees at each meeting with regard to concerns of the students currently attending the Swedenborgian House of Studies.

Article V. Oﬃ cers of the Board of Trustees

Section 1. The Offi cers of the Board of Trustees shall be the Offi cers of the Corporation and shall consist of a Chair, a Vice Chair, a Clerk, a Treasurer, and other such offi cers, including one or more Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Clerks, as the Trustees may determine. These Offi cers shall be elected annually at the meeting of the Trustees following the annual meeting of the members by the Board of Trustees and shall serve until their successors are elected and assume the duties of their respective offi ces. The Chair and Vice Chair must be Board members but the Clerk, Treasurer, Assistant Clerks and Assistant Treasurers, need not be. Offi cers are eligible for re-election.

All Offi cers of the Board of Trustees shall serve at the discretion of the Board of Trustees and shall be subject to removal by the affi rmative vote of two-thirds of the Trustees present at a meeting of the Board of Trustees. A vacancy in any of the offi ces of the Board of Trustees may be fi lled at any meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Section 2. Chair. The Chair of the Board of Trustees shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Trustees and at the annual Corporation meeting, serve as Chair of the Executive Committee, and appoint all committees and their Chairs in consultation with the Dean of the Swedenborgian House of Studies. The Chair shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law or by the action of the Board. 186 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Section 3. Vice Chair. The Vice Chair of the Board of the Trustees shall perform such duties as shall be assigned by the Board. In case of death, absence, or inability of the Chair of the Board of Trustees to act, the Vice Chair shall discharge the duties of the Chair until such time as a new Chair is elected by the Board.

Section 4. Clerk. The Clerk shall serve as the Clerk of the Corporation and shall keep the records of the Corporation and the Board of Trustees, and shall give notice of all meetings of the Board of Trustees and of the members. The Clerk shall be responsible for the maintenance of the fi le of the membership of the Corporation. He or she shall provide the notice of the Annual Meeting of the Corporation to be published in The Messenger at least 60 days prior to the date of the meeting. If The Messenger is not published at a convenient time, notices of the Annual Meeting shall be sent by fi rst class to each member at least ten days before such Annual Meeting. Notice of special meetings of the Corporation shall be issued in the same manner. It shall be suffi cient notice if mailed to the last and usual place of residence of each member in accordance with the records in the membership list. The Assistant Clerks shall have such powers and duties including any and all of the powers and duties of the Clerk as the Board of Trustees may prescribe.

Section 5. The Treasurer shall be responsible for carrying out the man- dates of the Board of Trustees in overseeing the ﬁ nancial resources of the Cor- poration, including cash securities, stocks, bonds and all other property, personal or real, owned by the Corporation. The Treasurer shall assure that all books and accounts are accurately kept, and furthermore, shall present a full and detailed statement properly audited by an independent certiﬁ ed public accountant to the Corporation at its annual meeting and, if requested, at any other meeting of the Board of Trustees or any meeting of its committees. The Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and duties including any and all of the powers and duties of the Treasurer as the Board of Trustees may prescribe.

Article VI Committees of the Board

Section 1. Executive Committee. There shall be an Executive Commit- tee consisting of the Oﬃ cers of the Board of Trustees. The Dean shall be an ex-oﬃ cio member of the Executive Committee with a vote. The President of the Bylaws of the Corporation of the New Church Theological School 187

General Convention shall be an ex-offi cio member of the Executive Committee with a vote. The Executive Committee shall have authority to act on behalf of the Board of Trustees on all matters except for the following which shall be reserved for the Board as specifi ed elsewhere in these Bylaws: Dean Selection; Trustee and Board Offi cer Selection; Charter and Bylaws Amendment; Review of Insti- tutional Mission and Purposes; Incurring Corporate Indebtedness; Expenditure of Funds Not Provided for in the Budget; Approval of the Annual Budget; the Conferral of Degrees; and the Purchase and Sale of Real Estate.

Section 2. Nominating Committee – At-Large Class. On or before March 1 every year the Chair shall appoint a Nominating Committee to select at-large nominees for the Board of Trustees. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of three at-large members of the Corporation at least one of whom shall not be a member of the Board of Trustees. The Nominating Committee shall make its report to the Annual Meeting of the Corporation.

Section 3. Nominating Committee – Representative Class. General Convention shall present nominees to the representative class at the Annual Meet- ing of the Corporation. Other Committees. At the discretion of the Board of Trustees, other committees may be formed and discharged as needed.

Article VII. Oﬃ cers of the Institution

Section 1. The Dean shall be the chief educational and administrative offi - cer of the institution. He or she shall exercise general responsibility for the overall aff airs of the institution and shall bring those matters to the attention of the Board of Trustees that are appropriate and necessary to keep it fully informed and to enable it to meet its policy-making responsibilities. The Dean shall be an ex-offi cio member of the Board of Trustees and of all committees thereof.

The Dean shall appoint all other administrators, staﬀ members, and temporary faculty members. Regular faculty appointments shall be presented to the Board for prior approval. 188 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Article VIII. Indemniﬁ cation

Section 1. Each person now or hereafter a Trustee or Offi cer of the Cor- poration (and his or her heirs, executors and administrators) shall be entitled, without prejudice to any other rights he or she may have, to be reimbursed by the Corporation for, and indemnifi ed by the Corporation against, all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or arising out of any claim, action, suit or proceeding of whatever nature in which he or she may be involved as a party or otherwise or with which he or she may be threatened by reason of his or her having served as a Trustee or Offi cer of the Corporation, or by reason of any action alleged to have been omitted by him or her as such Trustee or Offi cer, whether or not he or she be such Trustee or Offi cer at the time of incurring such cost or expenses, including amounts paid or incurred in connection with reasonable settlements (other than amounts paid to the Corporation itself) made with the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Corporation and with a view to the curtailment of costs of litigation. No such reimbursement of indemnity shall be paid or made for any expenses incurred or settlement made by such Trustee or Offi cer in connection with any matter as to which he or she shall be fi nally adjudicated in any such action, suit, or proceeding not to have acted in good faith and in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interest of the Corporation, nor shall the amount of any such reimbursement or indemnity paid or made to any Trustee or Offi cer in respect of any matter on which settlement or compromise is eff ected, including the amount paid by such a Trustee or Offi cer in such settlement, exceed the expense which might reasonably have been paid or incurred by such Trustee or Offi cer in conducting such actual or threatened litigation to a fi nal conclusion. Payment by the Corporation of expenses incurred by such Trustee or Offi cer in defending any claim, action, suit or proceeding in advance of its fi nal disposition may be made upon receipt of an undertaking by the person indemnifi ed to repay such payment if he or she shall be adjudicated to be not entitled to indemnifi cation under the laws of Massachusetts. The Corporation and its Trustees and Offi cers shall not be liable to anyone for making any determination as to the existence or absence of liability, or for making or refusing to make any payment hereunder the basis of such determination, or for taking or omitting to take any other action hereunder, in reliance upon the advice of counsel. Bylaws of the Corporation of the New Church Theological School 189

Article X. Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 1. Parliamentary Authority. The parliamentary procedure shall be governed, in all cases not speciﬁ cally covered by these Bylaws, by Robert’s Rules of Order.

Section 2. Fiscal year. Except as from time to time otherwise determined by the Trustees, the ﬁ scal year of the Corporation shall end on June 30th.

Section 3. Seal. The seal of the Corporation shall, subject to alteration by the Trustees, bear its name and the year of its incorporation.

Section 4. Execution of Instruments. All check, deeds, leases, transfers, contracts, bonds, notes and other obligations authorized to be executed by an of- ﬁ cer of the Corporation on its behalf shall be signed by the Chair or the Treasurer except as the Trustees may generally or in particular cases otherwise determine.

Section 5. Evidence of Authority. A certiﬁ cate by the Clerk or a temporary Clerk as to any action taken by the Trustees or any oﬃ cer or representative of the Corporation shall as to all persons who rely thereon in good faith be con- clusive evidence of such action.

Section 6. Articles of Organization. All references in these Bylaws to the Articles of Organization shall be deemed to refer to the Articles of Organiza- tion of the Corporation, as amended and in eﬀ ect from time to time.

Article XI. Former Bylaws

Section 1. All former Bylaws will be revoked and repealed immediately prior to the Annual Meeting following the adoption of these Bylaws, provided that General Convention, by appropriate votes, supports the provisions therein. Amendments approved summer 2016. 190 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

B W C The Wayfarers Chapel is a national memorial to Emanuel Swedenborg and its services and programs bear witness to the vision of Christianity set forth in the teachings of Swedenborg and in the tradition and practices of the Swedenborgian Church. Honoring and respecting a variety of approaches to the religious life, the Cha- pel welcomes all people. The Chapel gardens and grounds are to be maintained beautifully, so that the whole site may be consecrated to the worship and love of God, nurturing the experience of the Divine presence among us. The uses of the Chapel are many, providing a unique experience for individual wayfarers, couples, groups, and families as a place to meditate and commune with God; a place to nourish the soul and spirit unfettered by the usual man-made structural separations from the natural world that God has created. The Chapel and grounds provide an inspirational background for the celebration of worship; sacraments and special services to commemorate our Lord’s birth, the Last Supper, and resurrection; and the celebration of marriage, baptism, and the transition which is called death. The educational ministry of the Chapel can be carried out in the Visitors Cen- ter including the sale of books, classes and discussion groups, exhibits, lectures and ﬁ lms. Marriage counseling, personal growth enhancement programs and community events are also an integral part of experiencing the Wayfarers Chapel. In summary the Chapel’s uses are: solace and meditation for the wayfarer, celebration of the Christian rites and sacraments, educational programs and exhibits, personal growth programs, and community involvement in an environment as harmonious with God’s own natural beauty as the imagination can envision.

BYLAWS

PREAMBLE The Board of Directors was established by a vote of the General Conven- tion of the New Jerusalem in the USA, Inc., currently known as and hereinafter referred to as The Swedenborgian Church, at its session in June 1950. The vote at that time read in part as follows: “Resolved – That the use, maintenance, and management of the property at Palos Verdes now known as ‘The Wayfarers Cha- pel: a National Memorial to Emanuel Swedenborg,’ be placed in the hands of a Committee consisting of fi ve members, a majority of whom shall be members of this Convention, who shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the General Council, and in addition the President of Convention and the President of Bylaws of the Wayfarers Chapel 191 the California Association (now known as the Pacifi c Coast Association) both ex offi cio:…the initial appointment of said fi ve members to be for terms of one, two, three, four, and fi ve years each; three of said members to be residents within the limits of the Pacifi c Coast Association.” At the annual session of The Swedenborgian Church in June 1979, the Gen- eral Council increased Board membership from fi ve members to seven. At the annual session of The Swedenborgian Church in June 1983, the Gen- eral Council reduced the number of appointed members from seven to six.

ARTICLE I

MEMBERSHIP ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Section 1. In accordance with the action of the General Convention cited above, the appointive members of the Board shall consist of six persons, two appointments to be made each year by the President of The Swedenborgian Church with the approval of General Council. Board members shall be appointed for a term of three years. Those members who have served three consecutive three-year terms, including ex-offi cio members, shall not be eligible for immediate reappointment. A member who is chairperson of the Board at the completion of the third year of his/her membership term shall have that membership extended to the close of the next fall meeting of the Board. A person appointed to fulfi ll an unexpired term of two years or longer is eligible for reappointment to only two additional consecutive three-year terms. Va- cancies on the Board shall be fi lled by appointment by the President of The Swe- denborgian Church with approval of General Council. Section 2. Ex offi cio members of the Board shall include the President of The Sweden- borgian Church, the President of the Pacifi c Coast Association, and the members of the Leadership Team. In the absence of the President of the Swedenborgian Church, the President’s designated representative may represent the President and be accorded full voting privileges. In the absence of the President of the Pacifi c Coast Association, or when a Leadership Team member is President, a designated representative may be appointed to represent him/her, and be accorded full voting privileges. The Leadership Team members shall serve without vote. 192 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Section 3. Three or more of the appointive members of the Board must reside within the limits of the Paciﬁ c Coast Association. All voting members of the Board must be members of The Swedenborgian Church.

ARTICLE II

OFFICERS Section 1. The offi cers of the Board of Directors shall be a Chairperson, Treasurer, and Secretary. Section 2. The Chairperson of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board and its Executive Committee. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Secretary will convene the meeting and preside over the election of a Chairperson, Pro Tem- pore. Section 3. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chairperson, Secretary, Treasur- er and one other Board member (called a Member at Large) plus the Leadership Team serving ex-offi cio, without vote. The Executive Committee shall have the power to act for the Board in the interim between Board meetings with the limitations set forth in Article IV, Section 2. Section 4. The Offi cers and other members of the Executive Committee shall be elected by the Board at the fall meeting and serve for one year.

ARTICLE III

MEETINGS Section 1. There shall be three regular meetings of the Board, to be held normally in Janu- ary, May, and September, open to all members of The Swedenborgian Church. The September meeting shall be the annual meeting. Special meetings of the full Board may be called by the Executive Committee or any three members of the Board, two of whom shall not be part of the Leadership Team. With the approval of the Board, any meeting can be held via telephone conference call. Votes taken by letter or the internet shall be confi rmed at the next regular meeting of the Board. Minutes of the Board meetings shall be distributed to Board members and Bylaws of the Wayfarers Chapel 193 shall be approved at the next meeting of the Board. A quorum shall consist of four voting members. Section 2. In the interim between Board meetings, the Executive Committee may meet if necessary. The Chairperson shall schedule an Executive Committee meeting upon request of any two members of the Executive Committee, one of whom may be an employee of the Board, or at the request of three members of the full Board, one of whom shall not be part of the Leadership Team. The Executive Committee minutes shall be distributed to all Board members. Actions of the Executive Com- mittee shall be confi rmed at the next meeting of the Board. Section 3. Between meetings of the Board, votes may be taken in any written form with the same eff ect as if taken at a regular meeting of the Board, except that in such written votes a two-thirds vote of the whole Board shall be necessary to decide the matter, and provided further that if any member of the Board requests its Chair- person in writing to delay action on the request under consideration, the Chairper- son shall notify in writing all members of the Board of all objections made and reasons therefore, and shall allow two weeks for reversal of votes before the count of the vote is fi nally made. Section 4. The provisions of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used as a guide for the conducting of business. Section 5. Meetings of the Board or Executive Committee may be conducted by conference call, computer conference, or face to face.

ARTICLE IV

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Section 1. The Board of Directors shall have superintendence of the services, programs, and activities of the Chapel. It shall employ the Leadership Team and evaluate their performance annually. Members of the Board shall make themselves available to listen to problems and concerns of the Leadership Team and either individually or as a group, but decisions can only be made by the full Board or the Executive Committee as outlined in Article III. The Board of Directors shall establish the general policies of the Chapel and 194 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

develop long-range plans for improvements. The Board shall adopt the annual budget, submit copies to the General Coun- cil for their information and approval, and require a fi nancial audit on the same schedule as the General Convention’s audits, with a fi nancial review in the years audits are not conducted. The Board shall submit an annual report of The Wayfarers Chapel to the Sec- retary of The Swedenborgian Church for inclusion in the annual Journal of The Swedenborgian Church. In carrying out its duties, the Board is responsible to The Swedenborgian Church and its General Council. Section 2. The Executive Committee shall act for the Board of Directors in the interim between Board meetings. Between Board meetings it shall have the authority to amend the budget so long as expenditures do not exceed the anticipated income. The Executive Committee shall carry out the directives of the Board and act on all matters referred to it by the Board. It shall evaluate the eff ectiveness of the Leadership Team members and make recommendations to the full Board regarding their employment and salaries and other matters germane to Chapel operation. Section 3. The Leadership Team shall implement policies of the Board through day-today administration of Chapel activities as designated in the Responsibility Ma- trix. They shall employ, supervise, and evaluate Chapel staff . They shall keep the Board and Executive Committee informed of services, programs, activities, capital improvements, and the fi nancial status of the Chapel. Section 4. The Leadership Team, working with the Treasurer, shall annually prepare a preliminary budget for the Board. In carrying out their duties, the Leadership Team is responsible to the Board of Directors and its Executive Committee.

ARTICLE V

AMENDMENTS These Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Board of Directors by a two-thirds vote of the Directors present at the time the vote is taken provided that notice of the proposed amendment shall ﬁ rst have been sent to Board members at least two weeks before the Board meeting. This notice may be dispensed with Bylaws of the Wayfarers Chapel 195 for any special occasion by a unanimous vote of the Board members present and voting, provided a quorum exists. Amendments to these Bylaws are subject to approval of the General Council. Revised September 21, 2007. Approved by General Council July 2, 2008. Revised January 8, 2010. Approved by General Council September 5, 2013. Revised September 21, 2013. Approved by General Council November 1, 2013. 196 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

B S C A fully online, minister-led outreach and connectional ministry of the General Convention of the New Jerusalem, Inc. The mission of this ministry is to create: • a community where members are known to each other, feel free to share openly their personal journey of faith, and feel nurtured and supported in their walk with the Lord. • an open and welcoming community for new spiritual seekers, introducing the Swedenborgian faith in an accessible way through powerful testimony and life experience with it.

BYLAWS

PREAMBLE – HISTORY At its fall meeting in 2004, the General Council of the Swedenborgian Church (General Convention) determined to research the idea of an online ministry that would connect distant Church members and also be an outreach ministry to the world. A Research Committee was appointed for this project. The Research Committee reported regularly and in the summer of 2005, the General Council accepted a proposal to establish an online-only outreach and connectional ministry. The Research Committee was discharged with thanks and a Steering Committee was appointed to organize and create this Internet Ministry, with initial funding from the denomination. In the fall of 2005, the Steering Committee brought a complete proposal to establish www.swedenborgiancommunity.org along with a request to fund a dedicated part-time minister. The General Council approved both requests and the search for a minister was opened. The General Council approved a part time contract for the fi rst denominational “cyber minister” in the early spring of 2006, supported the design and implementation of a dedicated website for this new ministry and www.swedenborgiancommunity.org was offi cially launched at the denomination’s annual convention at Urbana University on June 26, 2006. The Steering Committee continued to serve through June 27, 2008, when it was offi cially thanked for its diligent, excellent work and discharged. The General Council appointed an oversight committee for www.swedenborgiancommunity.org at its meeting on June 27, 2008. This committee is appointed annually by the General Council and has been named The Central Committee since 2011. The General Council affi rmed www.swedenborgiancommunity.org as a specifi c, recognized ministry of the denomination at its post-convention meeting Bylaws of the Swedenborgian Community 197 on July 8, 2012, in Bridgewater, MA.

ARTICLE I. CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

Number and terms. The Central Committee of www.swedenborgiancommunity.org shall consist of three appointed members. Central Committee members will serve three-year terms, with one consecutive renewal possible. Terms of service will be staggered so that the entire committee membership is not new each year.

Central Committee Member Functions. The types of expertise and experience that the Central Committee will consider in recommending new members for the appointment include: familiarity with the functions of the General Convention, writing, ministry, ﬁ nancial budgeting and reporting, Internet technology, program creation and presentational skills. All Central Committee members will be/become registrants of the ministry, and at least one should be selected from the online community. At least two must be members of a General Convention ministry.

Appointment Process. Upon ratiﬁ cation and implementation of these Bylaws, the Central Committee will recommend Committee appointments to the General Council annually for aﬃ rmation by the General Council at its post-convention meeting.

Ex offi cio members. The minister of www.swedenborgiancommunity.org will serve ex offi cio without vote on the Central Committee, and is not counted toward a quorum. The Vice-President of the General Convention will serve ex offi cio with vote on the Central Committee.

Quorum. A quorum is achieved with one less than the number of voting Com- mittee members at the time. If the Committee size should be reconﬁ gured to six or more members, one more than half of the number of voting members will constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE II. OFFICERS The Central Committee will self-select its internal organizational structure regarding facilitator, fi nancial overseer and secretarial position from within its membership. If the Committee size should be reconfi gured to six or more members, the Committee will formally vote to fi ll offi ces. 198 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

ARTICLE III. MEETINGS AND DECISION-MAKING Regular and special meetings will be held via telephone conference call or computer-generated voice or video conference. As is possible, the Central Committee will meet in person during the annual convention of the Swedenborgian Church. Generally, the Central Committee will make decisions through consensus. The Committee will have formal votes on legal matters such as the minister’s annual contract recommendation, ﬁ nalization of the annual budget for www.swedenborgiancommunity.org and on any major changes to the ministry’s website.

ARTICLE IV. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CEN- TRAL COMMITTEE

Section 1. General responsibilities The Central Committee shall establish the general policies and have superintendence of the services, programs and activities of this ministry. Individual members of the Committee shall make themselves available to listen to problems and concerns of the Minister or other employees, but decisions and/or adjudications can only be made by the Central Committee as a whole. The Central Committee shall submit a report on the work of the online ministry to the General Council at least annually. The Central Committee will also submit a report for inclusion in the annual Journal of the Swedenborgian Church. Other reports will be prepared and submitted as necessary.

Section 2. Personnel Responsibilities The Central Committee, following the denomination’s open search process, will select the Minister for www.swedenborgiancommunity.org from the Roll of Ministers of the General Convention and recommend the hiring of that minister to the General Council of the General Convention. The contract will be between the selected Minister and the General Convention. The Minister is responsible to the Central Committee and the Central Committee will evaluate the Minister annually. The Minister will implement policies of the Central Committee through day-to-day programming and services of www.swedenborgiancommunity.org. The Minister will report regularly to the Committee (frequency to be determined by the Committee and the Minister), and will direct/supervise and evaluate any part time technical/administrative assistant Bylaws of the Swedenborgian Community 199 if one should be in place.

Section 3. Financial responsibilities The Central Committee, in consultation with the Minister, shall annually prepare a budget for the needs of www.swedenborgiancommunity.org. The Committee shall adopt the annual budget and submit it to the General Council for its approval. The annual budget for this ministry will be part of the complete annual budget of the General Convention, but the budget for www.swedenborgiancommunity.org will be administered by the Central Committee. All fi nancial transactions for www.swedenborgiancommunity.org will be handled through the General Convention’s Central Offi ce. As long as the day-to-day fi nancial transactions are handled through the denomination’s Central Offi ce, and the ministry’s annual budget is an identifi ed part of the denomination’s annual budget, audits and fi nancial reviews of the fi nances of www.swedenborgiancommunity.org will be part of the overall audit/review process of the denomination as established by the General Council.

ARTICLE V. AMENDMENTS These Bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Central Committee by a two-thirds vote of the members present at the time the vote is taken, provided that notice of the proposed amendment shall ﬁ rst have been sent to Committee members at least two weeks before the Committee meeting. This notice may be dispensed with for any special occasion by a unanimous vote of the Committee members present and voting, provided a quorum exists. Amendments to these Bylaws are subject to the approval of the General Council of the Swedenborgian Church in North America.

Approved by the General Council of the General Convention, June 25, 2013

Adopted by Central Committee of www.SwedenborgianCommunity.org , July 13, 2013 (Central Committee membership at time of vote: Dr. Page Morahan, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Mitchell, Ms. Christine Laitner; Rev. Dr. Wilma Wake, ex oﬃ cio w/o vote) 200 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

S B The following Swedenborgian organizations are independent of our organization but wish to maintain a close relationship with us. We welcome them in our fellowship.

UNITED STATES: The General Church of the New Jerusalem Mailing Address: Box 743, Bryn Athyn, PA 19009 P: (215) 914-4900 Exec. Bishop: Rt. Rev. Brian W. Keith Website: www.newchurch.org

The Lord’s New Church Which is Nova Hierosolyma Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7 Bryn Athyn, PA 19009-0007 Physical Headquarters: 1725 Huntingdon Road Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 P: (215) 947-4242 Email: [email protected] Website: www.thelordsnewchurch.org

GREAT BRITAIN: The General Conference of the New Church of Great Britain First Conference 1789; General Conference Deeds enrolled 1822. Incorporated,1872

Headquarters: 20 Bloomsbury Way, London, WC1A 2TH Spiritual Leader: Rev. D.E. Gaﬀ ney david.gaﬀ [email protected] Chair: Mr. D. R. A. Friend Web Site: www.generalconference.org.uk

THE CONTINENTAL (EUROPEAN) ASSOCIATION OF THE NEW CHURCH (Organized in 1965 by the French Federation, the Swiss Bund, the New Church in Ger- many, the New Church in Vienna, and the New Church in Italy.) Swedenborgian Bodies 201

Secretary: Rev. Jean Vidil c/o Nouvelle Eglise et Centre Swedenborg Rue Caroline 21 CH-1003, Lausanne, Switzerland P: (0) 21-23-78-77

AUSTRIA: The New Church Society of Vienna President: Mr. Werner Prochaska Soesergasse 4, A-1010 Vienna Secretary: Mrs. Gerda Scholz Untere Augartenstrasse 1/3 A-1025 Vienna Services: Intermittently at the home of Mr. W. Prochaska

DENMARK : Den Nye Kirkes Menighed Vice Pres: Mr. Oliver Boolsen Nansensgade 7 1 tv., 1366 Copenhagen V. Tel: 31 13 52 39 Secretary: Miss Inger Ullrich, Osterpark 1, 2630 Tastrup Tel: 43-99 25 59 Treasurer: Mr. Manfred Ullrich Valbyholm 33, 2, 292 Skellet, 2500 Valby Tel: 36-45 00 30 Board Member: Mrs. Laura Boolsen Osterbrogade 228, 1.th. 2100, Copenhagen O Denmark Tel: 369-27 04 15 Pastor: Rev. Gudmund Boolsen Osterbrogade 228, 1.th. 2100 Copenhagen O Denmark Email: [email protected]

FRANCE: Association Cultuzelle La Presle Secretary: Colette Gagnon Gvaude Rue, 71520 Tramayes Treasurer: Ginette Bezujard Chemin desmonts, 42110 Feurs 202 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Chrysalis Centre (Workshops and Seminars) Leader: Rev. Patrick Duvivier Ipailla 06540 Saorge, France Phone: 06 13 51 32 58 Email: [email protected] Website: www.chrysalis.infos.st

GERMANY : Neue Kirche in Deutschland President: Mrs. Barbara Schmidt, Rosbaumweg 21D-78 Freiburg i Br.

Berlin President: Mr. Peter Keune Schmarjestr. 2, D – Berlin – 37 Secretary: Mr.Werner Podlich Falkenseer Chausse 207, D-1 Berlin 20 Treasurer: Mrs. Gertrude Engling Services: Fontane Str. 17 A, Berlin 33, Grunewald

Berlin-Grunewald Lay Leader: Mr. Peter Keune Nordrhein Westfalen, Heuverstrasse 16, D-463 Bochum President: Mr. Horst Moelleken Im neuen Weg 34, D-5480 Remagen Secretary: Rekha Moelleken Im neuen Weg 34, D-5480 Remagen Treasurer: Bernhard Willimzig, Detmold

South West Germany President: Frau B. Schmidt Rosbaumweg 20, 79110 Freiburg, Germany Secretary: Mr. Friedmann Schmidt Keferstrasse 3, Villigen D-7730 Lay Leader: Mr. Friedmann Schmidt Swedenborgian Bodies 203

ITALY: Italian Society of the New Church Secretary: Signor Fabio Barzelatto Casella Postale 34, 30035 Mirano (VE), Italy

SWEDEN : Nya Kyrkans Svenska Forsamling President: Mr. Milan Pokorny Tallvagen 11, 12163 Johanneshov Secretary: Mr. Nils-Sture Jansson Distingsgrand, 37, Hagersten, Stockholm C Treasurer: Mr. Erick Lindberg Eknesvag 3, 112-64 Stockholm Vice-Treas: Mr. Werner Jansson Krokvag 63, 122-32 Enskede, Stockholm Services: Tegnerluden 7, Stockholm (Occasionally at Gothenburg) Pastor: Rev. Daniel Fitzpatrick Lay Leader: Mr. Nils-Sture Jansson

SWITZERLAND : Neue Kirche Der Deutschen Schweiz Apollostrasse 2, CH-8032 Zurich www.swedenborg.ch President: Rev. Thomas Noack Apollostrasse 2, CH-8032 Zurich Secretary: Mrs. Anke Noack Treasurer: Mrs. Miriam Barduhn Schwarzwaldstrasse 107, D-79117, Freiburg, Germany

Nouvelle Eglise de Lausanne Treasurer: Mr. Philippe Galland Rue du Flon 1, case postale 6263 1002 Lausanne, Switzerland Pastor: Jean Vidil Rue Caroline 21, CH-1003, Lausanne Tel: (0) 21-23 7877 204 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

PHILIPPINES: The National Convention of the Swedenborgian Churches (Philippines), Inc. Incorporated in 1952. Consists of nine congregations totaling approximately 500 members.

General: Rev. Tomas C. Aquino President: Dr. Simplicio de los Santos Vice-Pres: Mr. Danilo D. Francisco Secretary: Miss Ida C. Aquino 82 Leono St., Tanong, Malabon, Rizal Auditor: Mr. Simplicio P . Javier Ministers: Rev. Tomas C. Aquino, Francisco Guzman, Rev. Amos C. Aquino, Simplicio de los Santos

AUSTRALIA: The New Church in Australia President: Rev. J. C. Duckworth 4 Shirley Road, Roseville, N.S.W 2069 Hon. Treas: Mr. G. St. Quintin 5 Alura, 81 Gerard Ln., Cremorne, NSW 2090 Hon. Sec: Mr. K. Attwater 2 Power Parade, Mount Tamborine, QLD 4272 Website: www.newchurch.org.au

NEW ZEALAND Auckland, Society of the New Church, 5 Ballarat St., Ellerslie Minister: Rev. R. J. Keyworth 15 Dunkirk Rd., Panmure, Auckland Phone: 527 6401, E-mail: rkeyworth@newchurch. co.nz Secretary: Mrs. E. Keal 46 Daﬀ odil St. 1, Titirangi, Auckland For further information consult the General Conference. Swedenborgian Bodies 205 O N C O A A A

SOUTH AMERICA Argentina, Buenos Aires Christian Wildner Sante Fe 1183, 3er Piso Bolivia, La Paz Richard Lago Casilla 901 Ecuador, Quito Hugo E, Happacher, c/o Lista de Correo Paraguay, Chaco Henry S. Bergen Colonia Menno, Gruental Surinam, Lilydorp John Bosdorf

EAST INDIES Java, Batavia Ir. F. E. Eijken, Theresiahertweg 76

WEST INDIES Cuba, Santiago Dr. J. Cos Oramos Dominican Republic, St. Domingo Mr. E. Juliao Abreu Calle 5A, No. 14, Los Minas Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Mrs. Velma B. Ramirez 2 Bosque Avenue, P.O. Box 848 00708 St. Kitts, Basseterre George Herbert College Street 206 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

ASIA (Burma) Myanmar, Rangoon Mr. John Tin Myint 93 Hrinsi Road, Alon P.O. Box 11121, Yang’oon China Swedenborg Society of China, Central P.O. Box 1063, Tokyo, Japan James Wang Sum (MA, LLB, CCA), Honorary Secretary Madras New Church Society, David Arul, Secretary Swedenborg & Worldwide Publications 5-98 Butt Road, St. Thomas Mount, India Pin 6000016 Mr. David Samuels, 5-23, 7 Wells Street Madurai The New Church 34, Shaulti, Nagar LTC Colony, 18 Tamil Nadu, India Pin 625018 Japan, Tokyo Rev. Yoshii Yanase, Igusa 5-6-12, Suginami-Ku, Tokyo 167 Rev. Kei Torita, 1-170-3-1-606 Onuma-Cho, Kodaira-Shi, Tokyo 187- 0001 Tokyo New Church, Rev. Kin’ichi Kiniyeda 30-5 Iwasaki-cho, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, 240 Japan Phone/Fax: 011-81-45-331-4089 Seoul Rev. Young K. Lee, IPO Box 1707 Sri Lanka, Rajagiriya The New Church of Sri Lanka, Walter Jayewardene, Secretary 6 1/3, Old Road, Nawala, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka

AFRICA South Africa Mooki Memorial College, P.O. Box 592, Orlando 1803, Republic of South Africa Nigeria, Ondo The New Church in West Africa Conference Secretary: Rev. Lawrence Wariboko Headquarters: Owo, Ondo, Nigeria 46 Fajuyi Road, P.O. Box 22, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria Swedenborgian Bodies 207

Mauritius, Curepipe The New Jerusalem Church, Rue Remono Port Louis Rue Champ-de-Lort row 2 208 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

D A

Please notify the Secretary of the Swedenborgian Church and the Central Oﬃ ce of any changes to this list.

EASTERN CANADA CONFERENCE

OFFICERS President ...... John McIntosh Vice-President ...... Pamela Kesselring Secretary ...... David Ingard Treasurer ...... Grace Sudden Member Churches and Camps: Church of the Good Shepherd (Kitchener, Ontario); Revelation of the Spirit (Ayr, Ontario)

MIDWEST ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS President ...... Rev. Kit Billings Vice-President ...... Dr. Robert Phillips Secretary ...... Paul Deming Treasurer ...... Jeannette Hille Member Churches and Camps: The Swedenborg Library & Spiritual Growth Center (Chicago, Illinois); Good Shepherd Community Church (Des Plaines, Illinois); La Porte New Church (La Porte, Indiana); Lenox Township Church of the New Jerusalem (Norway, Iowa); Virginia Street Church (St. Paul, Minne- sota); Church of the Open Word (St. Louis, Missouri)

KANSAS ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS President ...... Carl Helm Vice-President ...... Rev. Eric Zacharias Secretary ...... Veneta Z. Lane Treasurer ...... Linda Kraus Member Churches and Camps: Church of the New Jerusalem (Pawnee Rock, Kansas); Pretty Prairie New Jerusalem Church (Pretty Prairie, Kansas) Directory of Associations 209

MAINE ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS President ...... Rev. Alison Lane-Olsen Vice-President ...... Rev. Dr. Gard Perry Secretary ...... Susan McCormick Treasurer ...... Robin Thurston Member Churches and Camps: Bath New Church (Bath, Maine); Fryeburg New Church (Fryeburg, Maine); Fryeburg New Church Assembly (Fryeburg, Maine); Portland New Church (Portland, Maine)

MASSACHUSETTS NEW CHURCH UNION

OFFICERS President ...... Herb Ziegler Vice-President ...... Rev. Susannah Currie Secretary...... Kelly Milne Treasurer ...... Polly Baxter Member Churches and Camps: Bridgewater New Jerusalem Church (Bridge- water, Massachusetts); Cambridge Swedenborg Chapel (Cambridge, Massachu- setts); Elmwood New Church (Elmwood, Massachusetts); Church of the Open Word (Newtonville, Massachusetts)

MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS President ...... Dorie Laitner Litchﬁ eld Vice-President ...... BJ Neuenfeldt Secretary ...... Marjory Leas Treasurer ...... Barbara Boxwell Member Churches and Camps: Almont New Church Assembly (Allenton, Michigan);Royal Oak Church of the Holy City (Royal Oak, Michigan) 210 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

MIDDLE ATLANTIC ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS President ...... Rev. Richard L. Tafel Vice-President ...... Rev. Christine Campbell Secretary ...... Elfa Halloway Treasurer ...... Robert W. Tafel, Jr. Member Churches and Camps: Church of the Holy City (Wilmington, Dela- ware); Church of the Holy City (Washington, District of Columbia); Swedenbor- gian Church at Temenos (West Chester, Pennsylvania)

NEW YORK ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS President ...... Rev. Young Min Kim Vice-President ...... open Secretary ...... Anna Martinian Treasurer ...... Young Chon Min Member Churches and Camps: Korean New Church (New York, New York); The New York New Church (New York, New York)

OHIO ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS President ...... Bill Coﬀ man Vice-President ...... Rev. Ron Brugler Corresponding Secretary ...... Valerie Brugler Recording Secretary ...... Robbin Ferriman Treasurer ...... Frank G. Doyle III Member Churches and Camps: New Church of Montgomery (Cincinnati, Ohio); Swedenborg Chapel (Cleveland, Ohio); Urbana Society of the New Church (Urbana, Ohio) Directory of Associations 211

PACIFIC COAST ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS President ...... Rev. Dr. Jonathan Mitchell Vice-President ...... Linda Browning Callander Secretary ...... John Gwynn Treasurer ...... Robert Carr Member Churches and Camps: Hillside Community Church (El Cerrito, California); Society of the New Jerusalem (San Francisco, California); The Gar- den Church (San Pedro, California); The New Church of the Southwest Desert (Silver City, New Mexico); Swedenborgian Church of Puget Sound (Redmond, Washington)

SOUTHEAST ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS President ...... Rev. Skuli Thorhallsson Vice-President ...... open Secretary ...... Dorothy Burnside Treasurer ...... open Member Churches and Camps: The Chrysalis Fellowship (DeLand, Florida); The New Church of Southwest Florida (Ft. Myers, Florida)

WESTERN CANADA CONFERENCE

OFFICERS President ...... Dianne Roesinger Vice-President ...... Lillian Epp Secretary ...... Taunya Semken Treasurer ...... Justin Runka Member Churches and Camps: Calgary New Church Society (Calgary, Alber- ta); Church of the Holy City (Edmonton, Alberta); Paulhaven Camp; Church of the New Jerusalem (Rosthern, Saskatchewan); Saskatoon Swedenborg Society (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) 212 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

D C M

*Indicates name of church as listed in the local telephone directory. Please notify the Secretary of the Swedenborgian Church and the Central Oﬃ ce of any changes to this list, including area codes.

CALIFORNIA

EL CERRITO HILLSIDE COMMUNITY CHURCH 1422 Navellier Street, 94530-2255 (510) 235-3646 E: [email protected] W: www.hillsideswedenborg.org Minister ...... Rev. Thom Muller President ...... Peter Gottschalk Vice-President ...... Sandy Wright Secretary ...... Rev. Dr. James Lawrence Treasurer ...... Lesley Ferguson

RANCHO PALOS VERDES WAYFARERS CHAPEL 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South, 90275-5950 (310) 377-1650 W: www.wayfarerschapel.org F: (310) 541-1435 Chair ...... Steve Mason Secretary ...... Amy Little Treasurer ...... Shelley Dolley Member ...... Bette McDonnell Member ...... Peter Gottschalk Member ...... Todd Board Director of Administration: Shannon Reynolds ...... E: [email protected] Director of Ministry: Rev. David Brown ...... E: [email protected] Directory of Associations 213

SAN FRANCISCO SOCIETY OF THE NEW JERUSALEM *SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH 2107 Lyon Street, 94115-1611 (415) 346-6466 Mailing Address: 3200 Washington Street, 94115-1622 E: oﬃ [email protected] F: (415) 346-8218 W: www.sfswedenborgian.org Minister ...... Rev. Junchol Lee President ...... Tom Murphy Vice-President ...... Nick Leras Secretary ...... John Gwynn Treasurer ...... Aaron Kahlow

SAN PEDRO THE GARDEN CHURCH Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5257, San Pedro, CA 90733-5257 (424) 224-7551 W: gardenchurchsp.org E: [email protected] Minister ...... Rev. Anna Woofenden Chair ...... Jana Carter Vice-Chair ...... Rev. Dr. Jonathan Mitchell Secretary ...... Rev. Dr. Amanda Riley Treasurer ...... Tamara Johnson

DELAWARE

WILMINGTON *CHURCH OF THE HOLY CITY 1118 North Broom Street, 19806-4315 (302) 654-5014 E: [email protected] W: www.churchoftheholycity.org Minister ...... Rev. Shada Sullivan President ...... Jean Dougherty Vice-President ...... open Secretary ...... Melissa Blank Treasurer ...... Nancy Piorkowski 214 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

WASHINGTON CHURCH OF THE HOLY CITY 1611 16th Street NW, 20009-3001 (202) 462-6734 W: www.churchoftheholycitydc.org F: (202) 328-7380 Minister ...... Rev. Rich L. Tafel Acting President/Secretary ...... Dr. Malcolm C. Peck Acting Vice-President ...... Adrienne Black Acting Treasurer ...... Elfa Halloway

FLORIDA

DELAND THE CHRYSALIS FELLOWSHIP 825 Mercer’s Fernery Road, 32720-2310 (386) 734-9257 E: [email protected] Minister ...... Rev. Skuli Thorhallsson President ...... Connie Sjölie Treasurer ...... Mark Vivino

FT. MYERS THE NEW CHURCH OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Mailing Address: 15484-2 Admiralty Circle, N. Ft. Myers, FL 33917-2248 (239) 560-6785 E: [email protected] Secretary ...... Dorothy Burnside Treasurer ...... Linda Tafel Directory of Associations 215

ILLINOIS

CHICAGO THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY & SPIRITUAL GROWTH CENTER 77 West Washington Street, Room 1700, 60602-3182 (312) 346-7003 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] W: www.SwedLib.org Library Hours: Wed. & Fri., noon-4pm President ...... Catherine Laakko Vice-President ...... Melinda Jester Secretary/Treasurer ...... Karen Feil

DES PLAINES GOOD SHEPHERD COMMUNITY CHURCH President/Treasurer ...... Dr. Robert (Bud) Phillips Secretary ...... Carol Phillips

INDIANA

LAPORTE NEW CHURCH (SWEDENBORGIAN) 812 Indiana Avenue, 46350-3406 (219) 362-1959 E: [email protected] W: www.laportenewchurch.org Minister ...... Rev. Kit Billings President ...... Pat Tukos Vice-President ...... Dawn Fox Secretary ...... Jane McFeaters Treasurer ...... Barb Halle

IOWA

NORWAY LENOX TOWNSHIP CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM President ...... Thomas Hart Vice-President ...... David Uthoﬀ Secretary ...... Barb Hart Co-Treasurers ...... Mike and Eileen Weaver 216 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

KANSAS

PAWNEE ROCK *CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM (SWEDENBORGIAN) P.O. Box 2, 300 Santa Fe, 67567-0002 (620) 982-4520 W: www.facebook.com/PawneeRockNewChurch President ...... Connie Helm Vice-President ...... Zac Wilson Secretary ...... Anita Wilson Treasurer ...... Howard Bowman

PRETTY PRAIRIE NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH 106 North Maple, 67570-8615 (620) 899-2200 Mailing address: P.O. Box 212, 67570-8615 W: www.prettyprairiechurch.org E: [email protected] W: www.facebook.com/NewJerusalemChurchPrettyPrairieKS President ...... Vernon Kraus, Jr. Vice-President ...... Veneta Lane Secretary ...... Ron Graber Treasurer ...... Debbie Siebert

MAINE

BATH BATH CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM 876 Middle Street, 04530 (at the corner of Middle & Winter St.) (207) 389-4080 Mailing address: P.O. Box 1139, Bath, ME 04530-1139 W: tinyurl.com/BathNewChurch President ...... Robert Lawson Vice-President ...... Kippy Rudy Secretary ...... Robin Cruz Treasurer ...... R. Wesley Seekamp Directory of Associations 217

FRYEBURG *FRYEBURG NEW CHURCH 12 Oxford Street, 04037-1218 (207) 935-3413 E: [email protected] F: (207) 935-3643 W: www.fryeburgnewchurch.org Minister ...... Rev. Alison Lane-Olsen Chair ...... Jon Crowe Vice-Chair ...... Stew Frost Secretary ...... Dede Frost Treasurer ...... Cindy Priest

PORTLAND PORTLAND NEW CHURCH 302 Stevens Avenue, 04103-2628 (207) 536-4228 E: [email protected] W: TBD President ...... Linda Matthews Vice-President ...... Karen St. Peter Secretary ...... Susan Hougaz-McCormick Treasurer ...... Lorraine Kardash

MASSACHUSETTS

BRIDGEWATER NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH 2 Bedford Street, 02324-2503 (508) 697-3068 W: www.bridgewaternewchurch.org Minister ...... Rev. Susannah Currie Moderator ...... Bet Giddings Secretary ...... Kelly Milne Treasurer ...... Merrilee Phinney 218 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

CAMBRIDGE *CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM 50 Quincy Street, 02138-3013 (617) 864-4552 W: www.swedenborgchapel.com Minister ...... Rev. Sage Cole President ...... P.J. Buehler Vice-President ...... Denyse Daurat Secretary ...... Paulina Mirenkova Treasurer ...... Polly Baxter

ELMWOOD *ELMWOOD NEW CHURCH Mailing Address: 20 West Street, Box 127, 02337 (508) 378-2981 Minister ...... Rev. Dr. Donna Keane President ...... Richard Campbell Secretary ...... Priscilla Ebbs Treasurer ...... Roland Locke

NEWTONVILLE *CHURCH OF THE OPEN WORD 11A Highland Avenue, 02460-1852 (617) 332-6590 W: http://tinyurl.com/NewtonvilleOpenWord Minister ...... Rev. F. Robert Tafel President ...... Gary Hicks, Sr. Vice-President ...... Dr. Gretchen Frauenberger Secretary/Treasurer ...... Pamella A. Hicks Directory of Associations 219

MICHIGAN

ROYAL OAK ROYAL OAK CHURCH OF THE HOLY CITY Royal Oak Women’s Club, 404 S. Pleasant St., 48067 Mailing Address: PO Box 1415, Royal Oak, MI 48067-1415 E: [email protected] (248) 229-5668 W: www.churchholycity.org F: (248) 629-4273 Minister ...... Rev. Renée Machiniak President ...... Rhett Billings Vice-President ...... Charley Gehringer Secretary ...... Dan Barber Treasurer ...... Barbara Barber

MINNESOTA

ST. PAUL VIRGINIA STREET CHURCH 170 Virginia Street, 55102-2116 O/F: (651) 224-4553 E: [email protected] W: www.virginiastreetchurch.org Pastor...... Gordon Meyer President ...... Jeannette Hille Vice-President ...... Jeremy Rose Secretary ...... Lisa Solwold Treasurer ...... Carla Abler-Erickson

MISSOURI

ST. LOUIS CHURCH OF THE OPEN WORD 1040 Dautel Road, 63146-5504 (314) 872-7124 E: [email protected] F: (314) 872-7112 W: www.openwordchurch.com Licensed Pastor ...... Paul Deming President ...... Debbie O’Reilly Vice-President ...... David Currall Secretary ...... Joan McNair O’Neal Treasurer ...... Duane Beougher 220 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

NEW MEXICO

SILVER CITY THE NEW CHURCH OF THE SOUTHWEST DESERT 1302 Bennett Street, 88061 (575) 519-2579 Mailing address: P.O. Box 3053, 88062-3053 E: [email protected] W: www.newchurchswdesert.com Minister ...... Rev. Carla Friedrich President ...... Corinne Millar Vice-President/Licensed Pastor ...... Linda Browning Callander Secretary ...... Carley Preusch Treasurer ...... Tim Bowersox

NEW YORK

NEW YORK KOREAN NEW CHURCH 114 East 35th Street, 10016-3807 (718) 316-8296 Mailing address: c/o Rev. Young Min Kim, 309 Lafayette Avenue, #13A, Brooklyn, NY 11238-6901 E: [email protected] Minister/Chair ...... Rev. Solomon Young Min Kim Secretary ...... open Treasurer ...... Young Chon Min

NEW YORK *THE NEW CHURCH *SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH 114 East 35th Street, 10016-3807 O/F: (212) 685-8967 Mailing address: P.O. Box 1478, Murray Hill Station, 10156-1478 E: [email protected]. W: www.newyorknewchurch.org President ...... Anna Rich Martinian Vice-President ...... William Linden Secretary ...... open Treasurer ...... Cheryl Bryant Directory of Associations 221

OHIO

CINCINNATI NEW CHURCH OF MONTGOMERY Mailing Address: P.O. Box 42466, 45242-0466 E: [email protected] (515) 630-8777 W: www.newchurchofmontgomery.org Chair ...... Maggie Panyko Secretary ...... Pete Toot Treasurer ...... Gloria Toot

CLEVELAND *SWEDENBORG CHAPEL Call for meeting locations (216) 262-0056 Mailing address: 2439 Abington Rd., Fairlawn, OH 44333-4016 E: churchoﬃ [email protected] W: www.swedenborgchapelcleveland.com Minister ...... Rev. Nadine Cotton President ...... Jack Cashin Vice-President ...... Lois Krebs Secretary ...... Janie Dzeba Treasurer ...... Steve Dzeba

URBANA URBANA SOCIETY OF THE NEW CHURCH 330 South Main, 43078 (937) 653-6810 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 840, 43078-0840 W: weddingchapel-urbana.com Minister ...... Rev. Betsy Coﬀ man President ...... Albert Cowen Secretary ...... Anna Clem Treasurer ...... Bill Coﬀ man 222 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

PENNSYLVANIA

SOUTHHAMPTON CREEKSIDE NEW CHURCH 710 Gravel Hill Road, 18966 (267) 229-7123 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1232, Bryn Athyn, PA 18966 Minister ...... Rev. Julie Conaron

WEST CHESTER SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH AT TEMENOS 685 Broad Run, 19382-1705 (610) 696-8145 Mailing Address: 1564 Telegraph Rd., West Chester, PA 19382-1501 E: [email protected] W: www.temenoscommunity.org Minister ...... Rev. Christine Campbell Acting President ...... Julia Norbutt Vice-President ...... Donna Moran Secretary ...... Nina Tafel Treasurer ...... Robin Tafel

WASHINGTON

REDMOND SWEDENBORGIAN CHURCH OF PUGET SOUND Danceworks Studios, 16641 Redmond Way, 98052 Mailing Address: 20215 - 320th Ave., NE Duvall, WA 98019-9707 E: [email protected] (425) 844-9050 W: www.swedenborgianspiritualcommunity.org Ministers ...... Rev. Paul Martin Licensed Pastor ...... Helen Barler President ...... Michael Robbins Vice-President ...... Sandy Howard Secretary ...... Bettina Muench Treasurer ...... Garry Kersten Directory of Associations 223

SWEDENBORGIAN ONLINE COMMUNITY W: www.swedenborgiancommunity.org Minister ...... Rev. Dr. Wilma Wake Committee Member ...... Rev. Dr. Jonathan Mitchell Committee Member ...... Tom Neuenfeldt Committee Member ...... William Rotella Committee Member ...... Elbert Smith

CANADA

ALBERTA

CALGARY NEW CHURCH SOCIETY President ...... Hartmut Lipski Vice-President ...... Susan Hulcher Secretary ...... Sharon Williams Treasurer ...... Garry Loewen

EDMONTON CHURCH OF THE HOLY CITY (SWEDENBORGIAN) 9119-128 A Avenue, T5E 0J6 (780) 475-1620 E: [email protected] C: (780) 995-6063 W: www.edmontonholycity.com Minister ...... Rev. Dr. David Fekete President ...... John Ventura Vice-President ...... Linda Reid Secretary ...... Ardith Francis Treasurer ...... Barry Reed 224 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

ONTARIO

CAMBRIDGE REVELATION OF THE SPIRIT Mailing Address: c/o 7 Thorne Street, Cambridge, ON N1R 1S3 (519) 240-2201 E: [email protected] W: www.revelationofthespirit.org Minister ...... Rev. Catherine Lauber President: ...... Pamela Kesselring Secretary/Treasurer: ...... Lorraine Cuthbertson

KITCHENER CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD 116 Queen Street North, N2H 2H7 (519) 743-3845 E: oﬃ [email protected] W: www.shepherdsway.ca Minister ...... Rev. John Maine President ...... Judy Pidgeon Vice-President ...... Phil Longstaﬀ Secretary ...... Deb Smith Treasurer ...... Tracey Sanders Directory of Associations 225

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D C C C

ALMONT NEW CHURCH ASSEMBLY AND RETREAT CENTER 1513 Cameron Road, Allenton, MI 48002-2201 (810) 798-8487 W: www.almontretreats.com President: Heidi Barnaby A family camp. Modern facilities and a pond for swimming and ﬁ shing make this camp outstanding, but the keynote of Almont is Camp Spirit! From the ﬂ ag raising ceremony and the singing of “Fling to the Breeze Our Glorious Banner!” to the evening vesper service, Almont campers of all ages are alive with projects, classes, games and skits – helping one another, working and playing together as a big family.

FRYEBURG NEW CHURCH ASSEMBLY Route 302, 84 Main Street, Fryeburg, ME 04037-1147 (207) 935-2338 (summers only) W: www.fryeburg.org Director: Jason Greenwood (413) 539-4809 E: [email protected] About the Fryeburg New Church Assembly: The FNCA is a family camp for people of all ages. The purpose of the Assem- bly is the study and instruction in the doctrines of the Christian Religion as revealed in the Lord’s Word and explained in the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. The FNCA is located in an especially beautiful setting along the bank of the Saco River. The large, extended front porch of the main building oﬀ ers space for conversation and enjoyment of the mountain views. There is ample room adjacent to the main building for volleyball, horseshoes and other outdoor activities. Ma- jestic white pines cover the property. The water of the Saco River is clear, clean and perfect for swimming and canoeing. The nearby mountains in Maine and New Hampshire oﬀ er plenty of prime hiking trails. Program: The morning schedule includes chapel, two lectures and classes for children and teens. On-site childcare is provided during lectures. Afternoons are free of formal schedules. Swimming and canoeing are available in the Saco River. In addition, there are planned activities for children and teens as well as special programs for adults. Directory of Associations 227

Accommodations: Meals are served in the dining hall of the main building. There is a full size kitchen run by professional cooks. Teenagers serve on the dining room staff and dishwashing crews in return for a tuition reduction. Overnight accommodations include rooms on the second fl oor of the Main Building with public bathrooms and wheelchair accessible rooms with private bathrooms on the fi rst fl oor. In addition, there are 13 cabins with river views. Teen boys have a bunkhouse and dressing room with shower. Teen girls have a dorm and dressing room with shower in the main building. There are also Tent and Camper sites with electric and water hookups and access to a nearby bathhouse and shower.

PAULHAVEN c/o The Church of the Holy City 9119-128 A Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5E 0J6 Canada For more information: Dawna Epp (306) 384-9538 Paulhaven children’s camp is held at a wooded site on a lovely lake. Accom- modations are primitive. The children are housed in cabins, but there is no run- ning water, so this is a true camping experience. Adults do the cooking, but the children share in the chores of housekeeping. The religious program is staﬀ ed by members of the Western Canada Conference, which sponsors the camp. Swim- ming, boating, crafts, sports, hiking and group activities are enjoyed by campers and staﬀ together. Campers come from widely scattered places, and camp is a high point in the lives of youngsters who often get only this opportunity to be with other New Church children.

TEMENOS AT BROAD RUN RETREAT & CONFERENCE CENTER 1564 Telegraph Road, West Chester, PA 19382-1501 (610) 696-8145 E: [email protected] W: www.temenoscommunity.org 228 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

D N C L, B P

UNITED STATES

CALIFORNIA

P V: W C 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South, 90275-5950 (310) 377-1650

S F: S L 3200 Washington Street, 94115-1622 (415) 346-6466

DELAWARE

W: N C B R 1118 North Broom Street, 19806-4315 (302) 654-5014

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

W: B G 1611 16th Street NW, 20009-3001 (202) 462-6734

FLORIDA

D: N C B R 825 West Mercer’s Fernery Road, 32720-2310 (386) 734-9257

ILLINOIS

C: T S L S G C 77 West Washington Street, Room 1700, 60602-3182 (312) 346-7003 E: [email protected] F: (312) 346-7004 E: [email protected] W: www.SwedLib.org Directory of Associations 229

INDIANA

LP: M H B 812 Indiana Avenue, LaPorte, IN 46350-3406 (219) 362-1959

MASSACHUSETTS

C: M N C U 50 Quincy Street, 02138-3013 (617) 864-4552

MINNESOTA

S. P: V S C 170 Virginia Street, 55102-2116 (651) 224-4553

OHIO

U: U U L College Way, 43078-0840 (937) 484-1301

PENNSYLVANIA

W C: S F 320 North Church Street, 19380-3213 (610) 430-3222 E: [email protected] W: www.swedenborg.com

CANADA

K, O: C G S 116 Queen Street North, N2H 2H7 (519) 743-3845 E: oﬃ [email protected] 256 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Act of Incorporation ...... 111 Admission into the Ministry, Committee on (CAM), Oﬃ cers of ..13 Africa ...... 206 Almont New Church Assembly and Retreat Center ...... 226 Amendments, Committee on Members ...... 9 Report ...... 80 American New Church Sunday School Association (ANCSSA). See Swedenborgian Church Children’s Ministries Annual Themes ...... 157 Asia ...... 206 Augmentation Fund Committee (AFC) Members ...... 5 Report ...... 72 Australia ...... 204 Austria ...... 201 Auxiliary and Associated Bodies ...... 29

Bath, ME (Bath Church of the New Jerusalem) Directory ...... 216 Report ...... 99 Boards Members Center for Swedenborgian Studies ...... 29 Misconduct Determination ...... 15 National Church Trustees, The ...... 8 of Mediation ...... 7 Wayfarers Chapel, The ...... 8 Index 257

Reports Center for Swedenborgian Studies ...... 83 National Church Trustees, The ...... 75 of Mediation ...... 74 Wayfarers Chapel, The ...... 76 Boards and Committees ...... 5 Bookrooms ...... 228 Bridgewater, MA (New Jerusalem Church) Directory ...... 217 Report ...... 101 Building Fund, Trustees of Members ...... 11 Report ...... 82 Bylaws Center for Swedenborgian Studies ...... 179 Council of Ministers ...... 159 Swedenborgian Community ...... 196 Wayfarers Chapel, The ...... 190

Cabinet, The ...... 4 Calgary, AB (New Church Society) Directory ...... 223 Report ...... 109 Cambridge, MA (Church of the New Jerusalem) Directory ...... 218 Report ...... 101 Cambridge, ON (Revelation of the Spirit) Directory ...... 224 Report ...... 95 Camps ...... 226 Center for Swedenborgian Studies Board of Trustees ...... 29 Bylaws...... 179 Report ...... 83 258 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Central Oﬃ ce Contact Information ...... i Review Committee Members ...... 10 Report ...... 81 Chaplain on Youth and the Military ...... 14 Chicago, IL (The Swedenborg Library & Spiritual Growth Center) Directory ...... 245 Report ...... 95 Cincinnati, OH (New Church of Montgomery) Directory ...... 221 Report ...... 107 Cleveland, OH (Swedenborg Chapel) Directory ...... 221 Report ...... 108 Committees Members Admission into the Ministry ...... 13 Amendments ...... 9 Augmentation Fund ...... 5 Central Oﬃ ce Review ...... 10 Ethics ...... 14 Investment ...... 9 Ministerial Placement ...... 13 Ministers’ Travel Fund ...... 14 Nominating (Council of Ministers) ...... 13 Nominating (Swedenborgian Church) ...... 6 of Inquiry ...... 7 on Library and Documents ...... 6 on Program ...... 14 on Revision of the Roll ...... 15 on Worship ...... 14 Retirement ...... 9 Social Concerns ...... 10 Structure Review ...... 9 Swedenborgian Online Community Central ...... 7 Index 259

Reports Amendments ...... 80 Augmentation Fund Committee (AFC) ...... 72 Central Oﬃ ce Review ...... 81 Investment ...... 80 of Inquiry ...... 74 on Library and Documents ...... 73 Retirement ...... 81 Social Concerns ...... 82 Structure Review ...... 78 Swedenborgian Online Community Central ...... 74 Communication Support Unit (COMSU) Members ...... 4 Report ...... 67 Conference Centers ...... 226 Constitution ...... 115 Continental (European) Association Of the New Church, The ....200 Convention Preachers Since 1959 ...... 42 Council of Ministers, The Bylaws...... 159 Chair ...... 13 Chaplain on Youth and the Military ...... 14 Committees Ethics Committee ...... 14 Misconduct Determination Board ...... 15 on Admission into the Ministry ...... 13 on Program ...... 14 on Revision of the Roll ...... 15 on Worship ...... 14 Executive Committee ...... 13 Ministers’ Travel Fund ...... 14 Our Daily Bread ...... 14 Secretary ...... 13 Standing Resolutions ...... 168 Cyberministry. See Swedenborgian Community Cycle of Annual Themes ...... 157 260 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

DeLand, FL (The Chrysalis Fellowship) Directory ...... 214 Report ...... 109 Denmark ...... 201 Des Plaines, IL (Good Shepherd Community Church) Directory ...... 215 Report ...... 97 Directory Church Personnel ...... 230 of Associations ...... 208 of Camps and Conference Centers ...... 226 of Churches ...... 212 of New Church Libraries, Bookrooms and Publishers ...... 228

Eastern Canada Conference Oﬃ cers ...... 208 Report ...... 94 East Indies ...... 205 Edmonton, AB (Church of the Holy City) Directory ...... 223 Report ...... 110 Education Support Unit (EDSU) Members ...... 4 Report ...... 67 El Cerrito, CA (Hillside Community Church) Directory ...... 212 Report ...... 108 Elmwood, MA (Elmwood New Church) Directory ...... 218 Report ...... 101 Endorser of Military Chaplains ...... 14 Ethics Committee ...... 14 Index 261

Faith and Aims Of Our Church, The ...... 1 Financial & Physical Resources Support Unit (FPRSU) Members ...... 5 Report ...... 71 France ...... 201 Fryeburg, ME (Fryeburg New Church) Directory ...... 217 Report ...... 100 Fryeburg New Church Assembly (Summer Camp) ...... 226 Ft. Myers, FL (The New Church of Southwest Florida) Directory ...... 214 Report ...... 109

Garden Church, The. See San Pedro, CA (The Garden Church) General Church, The ...... 200 General Council Oﬃ cers and Members ...... 3 Report ...... 66 Germany ...... 202 Gray Legacy, The Report ...... 92 Trustees ...... 28 Great Britain General Conference of the New Church of ...... 200 Guidelines For Ministerial Conduct ...... 169

Illinois Association Oﬃ cers ...... 215 Report ...... 95 Information Management Support Unit (IMSU) Members ...... 5 Report ...... 70 262 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Inquiry, Committee of Members ...... 7 Report ...... 74 Investment Committee Members ...... 9 Report ...... 80 Italy ...... 203 Iungerich Publication Fund Report ...... 82 Trustees ...... 11

Kansas Association Oﬃ cers ...... 208 Report ...... 99 Kitchener, ON (Church of the Good Shepherd) Directory ...... 224 Report ...... 95

LaPorte, IN (LaPorte New Church) Directory ...... 215 Report ...... 97 Libraries ...... 228 Library and Documents, Committee on Members ...... 6 Lord’s New Church Which is Nova Hierosolyma, The ...... 200

Maine Association Oﬃ cers ...... 209 Report ...... 99 Martin, Rev. Ernest Memorial ...... 44 Index 263

Massachusetts New Church Union Offi cers ...... 209 Report ...... 101 Mediation, Board of Members ...... 7 Report ...... 74 Messenger, The ...... 4 Michigan Association Offi cers ...... 209 Report ...... 101 Middle Atlantic Association Offi cers ...... 210 Report ...... 105 Military Chaplains. See Endorser of Military Chaplains Ministerial Placement Committee Members ...... 13 Ministers, Roll of ...... 16 Ministers’ Travel Fund ...... 14 Ministries Support Unit (MINSU) Members ...... 5 Report ...... 72 Minutes From the One Hundred Ninety-Third Session ...... 30 Misconduct Determination Board ...... 15

National Alliance of New Church Women Oﬃ cers ...... 28 Report ...... 92 National Church Trustees Members ...... 8 Report ...... 75 National Council of Churches Delegates ...... 10 Report ...... 81 Newtonville, MA (Church of the Open Word) Directory ...... 218 Report ...... 101 264 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

New York Association Oﬃ cers ...... 210 Report ...... 106 New York, NY (Korean New Church) Directory ...... 220 Report ...... 106 New York, NY (New York New Church) Directory ...... 220 Report ...... 107 New Zealand ...... 204 Nominating Committee Council of Ministers ...... 13 Swedenborgian Church ...... 6 Norway, IA (Lenox Township Church of the New Jerusalem) Directory ...... 215 Report ...... 98

Oﬃ cers of the Swedenborgian Church ...... 3 Ohio Association Oﬃ cers ...... 210 Report ...... 107 Online Community. See Swedenborgian Community Our Daily Bread ...... 14

Paciﬁ c Coast Association Oﬃ cers ...... 211 Report ...... 108 Paulhaven (Summer Camp) ...... 227 Pawnee Rock, KS (Church of the New Jerusalem) Directory ...... 216 Report ...... 99 Philippines...... 204 Placement Committee. See Ministerial Placement Committee Index 265

Portland, ME (Portland New Church) Directory ...... 217 Report ...... 100 Pretty Prairie, KS (New Jerusalem Church) Directory ...... 216 Report ...... 99 Publishers ...... 228

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (Wayfarers Chapel) Board of Directors ...... 8 Bylaws...... 190 Directory ...... 212 Libraries, Bookrooms & Publishers ...... 228 Redmond, WA (Swedenborgian Church of Puget Sound) Directory ...... 222 Report ...... 109 Reports Associations and Churches ...... 94 266 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Oﬃ cers, Boards, Committees, Support Units, & Associated Bodies Augmentation Fund Committee (AFC) ...... 72 Board of Mediation ...... 74 Board of Trustees of the National Church ...... 75 Building Fund, Trustees of ...... 82 Center for Swedenborgian Studies ...... 83 Central Oﬃ ce Review Committee ...... 81 Committee of Inquiry ...... 74 Committee on Amendments ...... 80 Committee on Library and Documents ...... 73 Communication Support Unit (COMSU) ...... 67 Council of Ministers ...... 66 Delegates to the National Council of Churches ...... 81 Education Support Unit (EDSU) ...... 67 Financial & Physical Resources Support Unit (FPRSU) 71 General Council ...... 66 Gray Legacy,Trustees of ...... 92 Information Management Support Unit (IMSU) ...... 70 Investment Committee ...... 80 Iungerich Publication Fund, Trustees of ...... 82 Ministries Support Unit (MINSU) ...... 72 National Alliance of New Church Women ...... 92 President ...... 48 Retirement Committee ...... 81 Rotch Legacy, Trustees of ...... 92 Secretary ...... 50 Social Concerns Committee ...... 82 Structure Review Committee ...... 78 Swedenborgian Church Children’s Ministries (SCCM) .92 Swedenborgian Online Community Central Committee 74 Tafel Fund, Trustees of ...... 83 Treasurer ...... 50 Vice-President ...... 49 Wayfarers Chapel ...... 76 Youth Director ...... 67 Youth League ...... 69 Index 267

Retirement Committee Members ...... 9 Report ...... 81 Revelation of the Spirit. See Cambridge, ON (Revelation of the Spirit) Roll of Ministers ...... 16 Rotch Legacy, The Report ...... 92 Royal Oak, MI (Church of the Holy City) Directory ...... 219 Report ...... 103

San Francisco, CA (Church of the New Jerusalem) Directory ...... 213 Libraries, Bookrooms & Publishers ...... 228 Report ...... 108 San Pedro, CA (The Garden Church) Directory ...... 213 Report ...... 108 Seven Year Cycle of Annual Themes ...... 157 Seward, Jr., Rev. Doyle Adam Memorial ...... 46 Silver City, NM (New Church of the Southwest Desert) Directory ...... 220 Report ...... 109 Social Concerns Committee Members ...... 10 Report ...... 82 South America ...... 205 Southeast Association Oﬃ cers ...... 211 Report ...... 109 Standing Recommendations ...... 155 Standing Resolutions of the Council of Ministers ...... 168 of The Swedenborgian Church ...... 141 268 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Statistics ...... 93 St. Louis, MO (Church of the Open Word) Directory ...... 219 Report ...... 98 St. Paul, MN (Virginia Street Church) Directory ...... 219 Libraries, Bookrooms & Publishers ...... 228 Report ...... 98 Structure Review Committee Members ...... 9 Report ...... 78 Support Units ...... 4 Sweden ...... 203 Swedenborg Foundation, The ...... 229 Swedenborgian Bodies ...... 200 Swedenborgian Church Children’s Ministries (SCCM) Offi cers ...... 28 Report ...... 92 Swedenborgian Church, The Act of Incorporation ...... 111 Auxiliary and Associated Bodies ...... 29 Boards ...... 5 Bylaws...... 122 Cabinet, The ...... 4 Committees ...... 5 Constitution ...... 115 Faith and Aims Of Our Church, The ...... 1 General Council ...... 3 Minutes From the One Hundred Ninety-Third Session ...... 30 Offi cers ...... 3 Standing Recommendations ...... 155 Standing Resolutions ...... 141 Support Units ...... 4 Swedenborgian Church Youth League (SCYL) Offi cers ...... 4 Report ...... 69 Youth Director Report ...... 67 Index 269

Swedenborgian Community Bylaws...... 196 Central Committee ...... 7 Directory ...... 222 Switzerland ...... 203

Tafel Fund, The Report ...... 83 Trustees ...... 12 Temenos at Broad Run Retreat & Conference Center ...... 227 Themes ...... 157 Trustees Building Fund, The ...... 11 Gray Legacy, The ...... 28 Iungerich Publication Fund ...... 11 National Church, The ...... 8 Tafel Fund, The ...... 12

Urbana, OH (Urbana Society of the New Church) Directory ...... 221 Report ...... 108 Urbana University Libraries, Bookrooms & Publishers ...... 229

Virginia Street Church. See St. Paul, MN (Virginia Street Church)

Washington, D.C. (Church of the Holy City) Directory ...... 214 Libraries, Bookrooms & Publishers ...... 228 Report ...... 106 270 Journal of the Swedenborgian Church, 2017

Wayfarers Chapel. See Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (Wayfarers Chapel) West Chester, PA (Swedenborgian Church at Temenos) Directory ...... 222 Report ...... 106 Western Canada Conference Oﬃ cers ...... 211 Report ...... 109 West Indies ...... 205 Wilmington, DE (Church of the Holy City) Directory ...... 213 Libraries, Bookrooms & Publishers ...... 228 Report ...... 105 Womens’ Alliance. See National Alliance of New Church Women