By Rev. Dr. Jim Lawrence
In addition to seeing old friends and meeting new ones, the annual convention gathering of the Swedenborgian Church of North America is also a time to highlight exciting developments in the life of our community. There will be reports on a surprising array of projects and ministry visions. There will be creative Mini Courses available to people in-person and participating virtually. There will be display tables presenting events and faithful work in many programs around our denomination, such as our camps, the Social Justice Committee, and Swedenborgians in Action Against Racism.
So many of our groups, organizations, and committees have worked steadily this year toward impressive goals and exciting futures. We will learn about the surprising plans for reconstructing Wayfarers Chapel, in possibly an even more stunning setting. We will discover the impressive effort accomplished by the New York New Church group to launch the New York New Church Legacy Fund. And we will encounter new developments evolving with the Helen Keller Spiritual Life Collaborative, now as a new legal entity, offering impressive programs. We will see our youth enjoying their spiritual life programming and putting on a service for the rest of us. We will worship and sing, we will socialize and play, and we will discuss and explore.
My quick history search indicates our annual convention has never been held in Oregon, the state whose motto is “She Flies with Her Own Wings.” That’s us too, as Swedenborgians, and we still have many destinations awaiting us.
—Rev. Dr. Jim Lawrence
Read the full issue of the June 2025 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.
