By Rev. Dr. Jim Lawrence
We continued to evolve how we gather for our annual convention in three strategic ways this year: staying in a hotel for in-person, advancing our IT support for virtual attendees, and shortening our overall schedule. Early assessments from participants have been quite positive on all these directions. For the first time since the late sixties, convention goers did not dwell in rather frugal dorm rooms with bunk style beds and shared bathrooms. Those taking advantage of attending only virtually also found themselves in better accommodations with our virtual prowess continuing to improve for supporting high quality connecting and participating from afar. We have continued to focus on hosting excellent hybrid capacities for virtual attendance for all programmed events including special services, business sessions, and Mini Courses. Additionally, by shortening the overall length of time for those attending from the beginning of the ministers and pastors’ meeting by two days was met with general acclaim. The reduced time frame relieves both convention fatigue and overall convention costs.
I want especially to call our staff whose professionalism that included Central Office Operations Manager, Brittany Price, and Digital Communications Manager, Rudy Caseres, who were helped by an assisting team of Beki Greenwood and Emily Tergliafera, as we move forward in honing our annual “pop-up” summer gatherings as a denomination in a different place every year.
Rev. Dr. Jim Lawrence, Rev. Junchol Lee, Rev. Rich Tafel,
Rev. Jane Siebert, Rev. Dr. Devin Zuber, Dr. Rebecca Esterson,
and Rev. Shada Sullivan.
The substance of our programs and events proved effective. The Council of Ministers, chaired by Rev. Rich Tafel, met for only one day that concluded its efficient business strategy before dinner. The opening of convention happened right after dinner and featured a keynote talk by futurist and Swedenborgian Dylan Hendricks (see p. 58 or the post) who was brought virtually into the auditorium on a giant screen that was far more personal and engaging than if he had been on the auditorium stage behind a microphone. Each of the first three evenings during convention featured speakers that included Convention Preacher, Rev. Betsy Coffman (see p. 62 or the post) during Convention Worship and communion with the elements being served by the Youth League. An inspiring Induction Service for Rev. James Barry in the historic Alumni Chapel at Michigan State University capped the third evening with inspiring talks not only by the inductee (see p. 73 or the post) but also by Rev. Junchol Lee (see p. 71 or the post), the preacher for the occasion.
The Mini Courses were a big hit again this year, half of which were offered in a hybrid format. These explored topics of applied Swedenborgian spirituality, Swedenborgian ministry in the present context, our rich trove of history, and views toward the future. Rev. Jane Siebert anchored another highlight occasion by designing a special midday service to remember, celebrate, and grieve Wayfarers Chapel in terms of its “first life” with numerous brief speakers accompanied by a coordinated stream of images. And a review of special services must conclude with the youth. Adults that led the Children’s program were Heidi Barnaby, Alexa Eisenberger, with volunteer help on Monday’s Children’s Service from BJ Neuenfeldt and Amy Little. The SCYL teen program and service were guided by Heather Oelker and Youth Director Kurt Fekete.
Lastly, a special banquet held in a Kellogg Hotel ballroom supported the fourth and final evening that was the closing of convention featuring Michigan Fare cuisine, a terrific local band, “Betty B and the Rope Walkers,” booked and paid for by the Michigan Association, that inspired much dancing. At the banquet we shared the convention raffle results bestowing to ticket winners various prizes of Wayfarers artifacts—engraved couples champagne goblets, necklaces, and more—donated from the former Wayfarers gift shop to benefit the Wayfarers Chapel reconstruction.
Read the full issue of the July/August 2024 Messenger
Meet Jim Lawrence
Rev. Dr. Jim Lawrence is the president of the Swedenborgian Church of North America. He was the dean of the Center for Swedenborgian Studies for 21 years prior to being elected President in 2022.
