Recently I read in the Arcana that the bracelets given to Rachel represent
the power of the affection for truth. (Arcana Coelestia 3099) This gives me
great delight. Every society we have visited is beautiful and strong in its love
for the truth of the New Church. Some may be small, but the place they hold
in the big world is important. Our Lord, the Sower, is at working planting His
truth everywhere and the people are responding with love for the truth.
APPRECIATION FOR JEREMY AND ALLYN SIMONS
At the 19th of June picnic at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral, the Rev. Jeremy F.
Simons was honored with his wife, Allyn, for his 17 years as assistant pastor
and pastor of the Bryn Athyn Church. He officially retired on June 30th but will
remain part time on the Bryn Athyn staff, serving as Cathedral Chaplain, with
an office in the Cathedral.
Jeremy, who grew up in Bryn Athyn, has also served in Glenview, Illinois,
and Kempton, Pennsylvania, as well as serving in the Peace Corps in West
Africa before entering the ministry. He said how much he and Allyn love the
community and look forward to many years of continuing service. Allyn is the
school nurse for the Academy of the New Church.
A SUDDEN CHANGE
The Rev. Alan M. Cowley was ordained on May 26 and was ready to move with
his wife, Susan, to Oak Arbor to take up an assignment with the pastor, the
Rev. Derek P. Elphick, as was announced in the May/June issue of New Church
Life. But that changed suddenly when word came that the Rev. Kamenan Jean
Atta, and his wife, Tekedra, were unable to accept his call to be pastor of the
Michael Church in London, England. After a bit of scrambling and reviewing
options, Alan was asked if he would accept appointment as acting pastor. He
and Susan enthusiastically agreed and are moving this summer.
Because there was not time for a full pastoral selection process, this is an
episcopal appointment. During the year the Michael Church is expected to go
through the procedure so that an official call can be made.
CELEBRATION IN COLCHESTER
Anne Glover of the Colchester New Church in
England reports that their new pastor, the Rev.
Howard A. Thompson, was ordained into the
second degree of the priesthood by the Rt. Rev.
Brian W. Keith.
A group of society members went out to
dinner with Bishop and Mrs. Keith, and the next
Debra Thompson, right
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