By Beki Greenwood, Rev. Jane Siebert, and Rev. Rich Tafel
After over a decade of service as the Recording Secretary of the Swedenborgian Church of North America, among many other responsibilities, after careful thought and prayer, Karen Conger decided it was time to pass on the role of secretary and tendered her resignation in mid-November 2025. Though there could never be enough words to thank Karen for her years of dedicated service to the Church we all love, here are a couple of reflections from those who worked closely with her.
New York and DC
Two of the most significant challenges facing the denomination during Karen Conger’s tenure as secretary were the future of the New York New Church and a new vision for the Church of the Holy City in Washington, DC. To both, Karen brought her characteristic combination of Love and Wisdom.
In New York, Karen carefully built bridges between the denomination and a local community that had mixed feelings about denominational involvement. Working with then-President Rev. Siebert, she promised to bring resources to help an embattled community imagine a new future. The plan that emerged was bold: sell the building and create a foundation that could serve those in need throughout New York City while also supporting Swedenborgian communities across North America. Karen’s reassuring presence throughout this complex transition proved essential to realizing this new vision.
As head of the national church trustees, Karen worked closely with the Washington, DC, community as they decided to relocate to a setting better suited for their evolving work. This was particularly difficult for Karen, who had grown up attending the 16th Street church. Yet once again, her commitment was to serve God’s greater purpose. She became a trusted ally to the local community and provided the crucial connection between local and national interests that enabled the remarkably successful launch of the DC society’s new location at the Swedenborg House in Dupont Circle.
Many people contributed to these transformations at key moments. But Karen played an irreplaceable bridging role that made these opportunities for denominational usefulness possible. Her unique combination of Love and Wisdom in service to the church created pathways that might not otherwise have existed.
—Rev. Rich Tafel, Chair of the Council of Ministers
A Gift
Karen, a gift to many over decades of devoted, quiet, loving service to our denomination and the world around it. The list is long and laced in our history with her documentation.
Karen, never seeking accolades for her work or compensation for hours of toil, just loyally preserving the records with a simple: Karen Conger, Secretary of The General Convention, The Swedenborgian Church of North America.
Karen, striving to make the words shared in meetings meaningful, inclusive, educational, without bias or hint of her own convictions. The symbol of a good secretary and team member.
Karen, a friend I will always cherish for her gentle support and willing spirit that took on the many challenges of keeping peace on boards, speaking out when necessary, and living her Swedenborgian heritage of acceptance and love for one another.
—With love and deep appreciation, Rev. Jane Siebert, past President 2016–2022
Karen’s resignation was read to the General Council at their November meeting with much shared emotion. The Council then voted to appoint Beki Greenwood, former editor of the Messenger, as recording secretary with full voting rights on General Council and the Executive Committee for the remainder of the year until the election at Convention 2026. Karen will be continuing in some of her roles throughout the denomination, as well as supporting the secretary transition as needed. We thank and celebrate her for an exemplary tenure as the denomination’s recording secretary. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Read the full issue of the January/February Messenger.
