by By Rev. Dr. Jim Lawrence
The surprisingly green urban spaces of downtown Portland, Oregon look lovely in hindsight as we move forward from our 201st annual meeting held in a conference hotel adjacent to Portland State University for those in person, and we also again maintained virtual participation for people to join us from wherever they are for our business sessions, our mini courses, and our special services.
In practical terms, we addressed and engaged some very big projects promising significant potential for future ministry outreach from the Swedenborgian Church of North America. We heard how quite realistically Wayfarers Chapel will be rising again in an even more stunning fashion than its original version, which already has worldwide recognition. We learned how the team running the New York New Church transition is converting bricks into people through its visionary New York New Church Legacy Fund that has geared up to support numerous worthy projects and ministries. We heard how the historic Washington DC church has transitioned from its traditional church edifice on 16th Street to a seminar and small meetings style space rich with ambience and surrounded by the Dupont Circle thriving culture of young professionals. We also connected with the vision of the team building the Helen Keller Spiritual Life Collaborative, along with all our longstanding virtual ministries such as Spiritual Questors and Spiritual Sunshine.
As is our delight every year, we enjoyed many powerful and enriching mini courses that allowed us to abide in our extensive and deep Swedenborgian spirituality, to meet new people and relish longstanding friendships, and to worship, pray, and play together.
In an exceptionally delightful moment, we cheered the official return of a prodigal son ministry, the historic Boston Church on Beacon Hill, at the 20th anniversary of its, shall we say newsworthy exit, and we received from them a joyous invitation to host our 202nd convention next summer. See you next summer in Beantown!
Read the full issue of the August 2025 Messenger
Meet Rev. Dr. 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.
