Final major event planning happens
between January and May, and class reunion
planning begins in February/March. Selection
of the banquet menu – which was a big hit this
year – takes place in the late spring or summer,
with representatives of the reunion classes
joining administrators and Advancement
Office staff for taste testing and choosing the
menu.
Göran Winqvist in the Cathedral
distinguished visitor
Göran Winqvist, a direct descendant of one of
Emanuel Swedenborg’s brothers, paid a special visit to Bryn Athyn on October
8.
Göran contacted the Cathedral a few days before coming. He was visiting
New York City with a friend, Maria, who wanted to attend a service at the
Old Swede’s Church in Philadelphia and he wondered if they could fit in Bryn
Athyn as well. Julia Schmucker, administrative assistant at the Cathedral, and
Michelle Rose, head of New Church Audio, set the wheels in motion.
Michelle and Christine McDonald, Education Coordinator at Glencairn
Museum, picked up Göran and his friend at the Trenton train station and
brought them to the 11 o’clock service, which was followed by tours of the
Cathedral, Glencairn Museum and the Swedenborg Library Archives.
The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Rose and Carroll Odhner, Director of
Swedenborgiana and New Church Research, led the tour of the Library, where
Göran was especially interested to hear about Sweden’s Queen Sylvia’s visit
for the dedication. Michelle later sent him a recording of the event, plus talks
about Swedenborg from New Church Audio, and he was most appreciative.
Göran left a gift for the Library of a commemorative coin of Swedenborg,
with his garden house on the back. When he returned to Stockholm, he sent
Carroll and Jonathan a photo of a
letter written by Swedenborg, in
Swedish, which has been added to
the Library’s collection.
He was very appreciative of the
tours and was impressed that Bryn
Athyn has schools from elementary
grades through college dedicated
to the revelation in Swedenborg’s
Göran with a portrait of his forbear
Writings. He is a world traveler,
in the Swedenborg Library
newly retired, and looks forward to
543