News & Announcements

News and Announcements

Portrait of a bearded man in 19th-century attire, showcasing a serious expression and historical significance.

A Tradition of Service

By Dr. Rebecca Esterson This past summer, the Department of Defense (DOD), under the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, dropped 180 faith groups from its official list of religious codes for service members. The list, which was reduced from 211 religions to just 31, is used for collecting information on the religious affiliation of

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Six members of the church’s executive board laid hands on Rev. Alison during the installation ceremony.

Rev. Alison Lane-Olsen’s Installation Ceremony at the Church of the New Jerusalem in Bath, Maine

By Gretchen Goodine On Sunday, June 21, 2026, the Church of the New Jerusalem in Bath, Maine, held an Installation Ceremony for Rev. Alison Lane-Olsen. Alison began preaching at the church as an interim minister beginning in October of 2024. While the congregation endeavored to search for a permanent minister, the desire to find a

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Convention 2026 Business Meeting Report and Election Results

By Beki Greenwood, Recording Secretary The annual convention business sessions of the Swedenborgian Church of North America convened at the Babson Executive Conference Center in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Many thanks to the Boston Church on the Hill for the gifts and hospitality they offered the attendees.  The Credentials Committee reported that there were a total of

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The Rainbow Church

By Rev. Colin Amato For decades, if not for centuries, Queer people and members of the LGBTQ+ community have struggled to find a safe space to inhabit that is intentionally sacred. Queer folk can find church congregations or other spaces that are open and supportive of LGBTQ+ people. However, two areas that are not always

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