Messenger Articles Archives | Page 11 of 21 | The Swedenborgian Church of North America

Where is the Line Between Church and Politics?

A Message from the President At our upcoming convention two proposals will be put on the floor for consideration as “Standing Resolutions” in our official denominational proclamations. These are published on our website (https://swedenborg.org/community/diversity-equity-inclusion/denominational-statements/) and in our annual Journal of the Swedenborgian Church. The Social Justice Committee (SJC) is proposing a Standing Resolution on Climate […]

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Following Up to “How Do We Grow?”

the Messenger editor

Editor’s Corner Following Up to “How Do We Grow” I have received and overwhelming amount of positive feedback about my recent editorial titled “How Do We Grow?” and I want to thank everyone who took the time to either write to me or talk with me about it. I am really pleased that my recent

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The Good Life

the Messenger editor

By Rev. Dr. George F. Dole This discussion is taken from Rev. Dr. George Dole’s book, A Thoughtful Soul: Reflections from Swedenborg (West Chester, PA: Chrysalis Books, 1995) in a chapter titled, “The Good Life.” Swedenborgians have shied away from labeling Emanuel Swedenborg as a mystic, largely, one suspects, because he does not hold out

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Trusting Our Shepherd: An Inner Sense Meditation on the 23rd Psalm

the Messenger editor

By Jim Lawrence Regularly meditating upon a classic text, prayer, or hymn enacts a time-honored practice used in many faiths that I have enjoyed for many years on dog walks. Last year I became curious about the spiritual sense of the 23rd Psalm and so ventured to see what Swedenborg wrote about its inner meaning

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The Wilson Van Dusen: Usefulness as a Practice for Spiritual Growth

the Messenger editor

By Jim Lawrence When Wilson Van Dusen’s Uses: A Way of Personal and Spiritual Growth was released in 1981, it rapidly soared as a runaway favorite in all quarters of Swedenborgiana. Without doubt, Uses is the most beloved short work in Swedenborgian spirituality of the last half-century. The explanation of how Van Dusen’s essay lifted

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Dealing with Grief

the Messenger editor

Editor’s Corner In the year of forty-four—mid-life (am I really mid-life?) and it is bringing up emotions. My whole childhood, and early adult life, I was convinced that I would be the one going early… and I could avoid dealing with all the grief. Here I am, mid-forties. Still here. Now dealing with griefs that

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Summer is a State of Spirit

the Messenger editor

A Message from the President Swedenborg says the correspondence of summer signifies the height of formation. It is when nature is in full bloom and maturity, and so spiritually speaking summer means the height of charity and happiness, and it even means the fullness of the Church (see Secrets of Heaven §935 and Divine Love

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Convention 2024 Accommodations – Explained!

the Messenger editor

There are several new things happening this year as we prepare for the 200th Convention, and I wanted to take this opportunity to explain one of the biggest changes we have, which is the accommodations. Please note, that the following information is for regular Convention attendees, and may not apply for Ministers, Licensed Pastors, and

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Creation Care

the Messenger editor

Four-Part Webinar for the Month of May Tuesdays in May: 7, 14, 21, and 285:00 – 6:30 PM PT / 8:00 – 9:30 PM ET In this four-part free webinar offered by the Center for Swedenborgian Studies (CSS), we explore how Genesis and other sacred creation stories can inform contemporary environmental ethics. The Swedenborgian tradition

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