n e w c h u r c h l i f e : m ay / j u n e 2 0 1 6
The Rev. Kenneth J. Alden asks another provocative question: Does the
Lord want you to join the church organization? “The answer that will mean
the most to you,” Mr. Alden says, “is the one you hear from the Lord.” His is a
kingdom of uses so the question of joining should relate to how useful we can
be as a result. (Page 251)
The Rev. William H. Clifford offers a theory that the Lord’s redemption is
accomplished through a series borne out in the way the revelation is revealed
to us in the successive volumes of the Writings – through the subjugation of
the hells, the ordering of the heavens, and the establishment of a new church.
(Page 254)
“How do we love God?’ asks NewChurch LIVE pastor the Rev. Chuck
Blair. It can be a complex theological question, but can be as easy as showing
love to a stranger. God’s love is made real in the world when we see it, hear
it, witness it, experience it, share it. A simple photo of workers at a fast-food
restaurant praying with a woman who had just lost her husband captures more
powerfully what a whole sermon might strive to do. (Page 260)
“Emanuel Swedenborg and the Popol Vuh: The Myth of the Ancient
Word.” What’s that all about? Dylan C. Odhner explains it all in a paper written
as part of his PhD program – how the revelation given through Swedenborg
helps to bridge our understanding between mythology and the truths of the
Word. (Page 261)
Modern technology is not only a wonderful tool for spreading information
but also for storing it. Marvin Clymer, head of Digital Collections in the
Swedenborg Library in Bryn Athyn, describes the electronic collection of
pamphlets and publications that help to write the rich history of the Church.
(Page 269)
Church News (page 273) includes:
• Tributes to retiring pillars of the Academy of the New Church
Secondary Schools: Girls School Principal Susan O. Odhner; Athletic
Director Shawn Synnestvedt and his wife and partner, Aileen H.
Synnestvedt; School Nurse Allyn E. Simons; and Registrar and teacher
Kyle Genzlinger
• Election of three new members and nine incumbents to the General
Church Board at the May meeting of the General Church Corporation
• A regional meeting of European ministers in Sweden
• The commissioning of five new Stephen Ministers in Bryn Athyn
• Touching remembrances of the Rev. Douglas Taylor from his native
Australia
• A day-long workshop in Bryn Athyn on domestic violence, trauma/grief,
suicide and addiction which was well attended and greatly appreciated
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