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Editorial: Identity

By Brittany Price Who am I? What do I believe in? Who do I love? What do I value? Answering these questions helps shape our identities as individuals, communities, and organizations.  It is tempting to answer these questions with negatives. Who am I not? What do I not believe in? Who do I dislike? I

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The Big Question

By Dell Rose “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15) Though this question was given to Simon Peter, it is a question at the heart of the Christian tradition and our tradition in general. It has been over three hundred years since our illuminator Emanuel Swedenborg proclaimed the descent of the New Jerusalem,

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What is Our Polity?

By Rev. Dr. Jim Lawrence Some might say there’s even a prior question to ask, which is “What is a polity?” And the simple answer is that polity is a governance theory. From its Greek roots (poleis), we get the common word “politics,” and in governance theory, it refers to the specific form of political

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CSS 2026 Winter Intensive

By Tamra Hunter and Pastor Paul Deming This year we offer two different perspectives on the same event: The CSS Winter Intensive. This is a gathering of CSS students that includes those on the ordination track, those training to be Licensed Pastors, and those earning a certificate in Swedenborgian Studies while still discerning their path

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It’s a Banner Year!

2026 Marks a Return to Convention Banners! This year, we will have a traditional procession of banners at the Convention opening ceremony! We are asking those who are attending Convention in person to bring their ministry’s banners with them. This will be the first time we have done this since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down

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