By Rev. Dr. Amanda Adams Riley, Rev. Dr. David C. Brown,
Pastor Connie McOsker and the 2024 PCA Planning Committee
It was October 2018, in the toasty warm fireside room of the Swedenborgian Church of San Francisco, Nancy Richardson stood up and invited everyone to cruise on a tall ship. The decision was being made as to where to hold the following year’s Pacific Coast Association (PCA) meeting. The New Church of the Southwest Desert was selected to host in 2019. Now, after a pandemic, several hybrid meetings, and one in-person meeting back in San Francisco, The Garden Church was honored to host the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Pacific Coast Association in San Pedro.
Harbor Jazz Ensemble.
The weekend meeting kicked off with a welcome dinner in the Garden. The meal was served by a local chef and friend of The Garden Church and Feed and be Fed. The three-course meal included a Garden Church Salad, Crispy Skin-On Salmon, paired with baby Bok choy and red sauce, finished with caviar. The vegetarian entrée was a beautifully cooked cauliflower steak. Dessert was a bread pudding with crème anglaise, and for those who are vegan or gluten free there was a vegan chocolate mousse with berries. If the outstanding food was not enough, members of PCA were treated to live music from the Harbor Jazz Ensemble, a local favorite. Liz, who organizes the Harbor Jazz Ensemble, is one of our Garden volunteers and has been helping the garden grow and making compost into soil for nearly all nine years we’ve been open on 6th Street.
The following morning, members of the Pacific Coast Association were invited to meditation in the Garden lead by Pastor Connie McOsker and Dr. Linda O’Brien Rothe. It was a gentle way to start the day for those who took part. Breakfast was served at The Grand Annex Music Hall, a black box theater space located across from the Garden, where the morning session and afternoon business meeting were also held. The Annex is owned and operated by a neighboring non-profit, and a good friend to The Garden Church. Breakfast and lunch were provided by our neighbors on the block at Blend and Befriend, a juice and smoothie shop which is branching out into catering. All were nourished by their overnight oatmeal-chia seed bowls, with pick your own toppings including nuts, berries, coconut, and vegan chocolate chips!
Our morning session was led by Rev. Dr. David C. Brown titled “Antiquissima Ecclesia” (The Most Ancient Church). Rev. Brown spoke about Swedenborg’s understanding of the most ancient church connecting it to us today in our modern churches and ministries.
The Word in the Most Ancient Church, which was before the flood, was not a written Word, but was revealed to everyone who was of the church; for they were celestial men, and so were in the perception of good and truth, like the angels, with whom also they had fellowship. They thus had the Word inscribed on their hearts. Arcana Coelestia §2896
His talk was followed by a robust discussion centered on where we see the New Jerusalem coming into the here and now.
The discussion time concluded with some Taiko drumming of chant and rhythm lead by Pastor Connie. Then the group headed to lunch across the street in the Garden. By lunchtime the morning marine layer had burned off and the garden was replete with sunshine. All enjoyed the warm sun and fellowship together in our beautiful communal garden and outdoor sanctuary.
Following Lunch, the official business of the Pacific Coast Association took place Rev. Junchol Lee, President of PCA moved us through the agenda and delegates from San Francisco and Pastor Helen Barler joined remotely.
After some time for a quick rest and change of clothes members of the group joined by members of the Wayfarers Chapel Board gathered at Berth 84 for a sunset sail on the Exy Johnson through the organization Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI). Nancy’s promise of a tall ship sail from six years earlier came to fruition. Nancy is deeply involved with LAMI and told us about the two ships they have—both built at three-quaters size with the intention of bringing middle school students aboard for a time of teamwork, friendship, and fellowship on the tall ships. We too felt that camaraderie as members of PCA jumped in to raise and lower sails on the cruise. You can’t sail a ship that size on your own and it was a gift to be on it together.
Sunday morning the group gathered at St. Francis Episcopal in Palos Verdes for morning worship with the Wayfarers worshiping community. Over the course of the weekend, we had representatives from five of the congregations and ministries in the Pacific Coast Association. We are thankful for the time together and the connections made and nurtured.
Read the full issue of the November/December 2024 Messenger
