Dear Friends,
Thanks to our own Jose Venzor for a wonderful message last Sunday showing the similarities and differences between the Masons and Swedenborgianism. While he made the point that Swedenborg wasn’t likely a Mason, a group of Masons who studied Swedenborg’s teaching created a Swedenborg Rite within the Masonic movement. Jose’s message pointed out Swedenborg’s focus on Love and Truth, while Masons include hope as their third value, taken from Paul’s phrase from Corinthians on faith, hope, and love.
The talk was fascinating, and what stuck with me the most came during his answer to a question during the Q&A. The Masons brought Jose back to faith after pretty much giving up on the faith of his childhood. The intellectual rigor and inclusion then led him to become interested in Swedenborg. In a time when the number one concern I hear from people is, “I’m so lonely,” the Masons created a community. This fits nicely into what Swedenborg describes as the New Church, where we will find new ways to gather, practice love, and grow in our spiritual wisdom.
You can listen to Jose’s message here.
This past week, Kelly and I held a follow-up for our Spiritual Entrepreneur Intensive that we hosted with Sheri Smith last spring. We were able to provide coaching and strategy to our entrepreneurs. It’s always been a dream of mine that we could be a space that incubates new spiritual leaders. It is great seeing this happen with the help of our own Spiritual Entrepreneur Fellow, Kelly.
We’ve scheduled our second Swedenborg House Spiritual Entrepreneur Intensive for October 24. If you or someone you know is interested, let me know. We expect seats for this will sell out.
Prayers
Please keep Cheryl Robinson in your prayers as she has just experienced the loss of her brother. Also, keep Christie in your prayers. Continue praying for Jason as he travels along the front lines of Ukraine. Read his latest piece here.
Offer a prayer of gratitude for Kateryna’s cousin Luke, who has completed his term of military service. One member of our community asks for prayers for God to bring a new friend into her life.
Coming Up This Sunday
This Sunday, we are looking forward to Kristina Savoy’s message, “The Power Within Us.” We hope that you can join us in person or online.
With gratitude and blessings,
Rev. Rich Tafel
Our Sunday Speaker: Kristina Savoy
Kristina Savoy is an energetic and driven organizational development professional with over eighteen years of experience in executive leadership coaching, organizational training and design, strategic development, and program management. Her specific passion lies in motivating and inspiring leaders and managers across all levels to incorporate transformational leadership strategies within the changing organizational landscape, aiming to re-energize learning and development across organizational lines.
Throughout her distinguished career, Kristina has played a pivotal role in designing the development of various mission-critical initiatives, utilizing both mentoring and coaching to drive organizational growth. She has successfully re-energized organizations by cultivating both leadership and culture, guiding the transformation of transactional business environments toward a more innovative and forward-thinking approach.
Kristina’s service to organizations includes supporting executives and emerging leaders through facilitated assessments such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Barrett Values, and The Leadership Circle Profile’s 360 Leadership Assessment. In every engagement, she brings a refreshing perspective to organizations managing critical transitions while striving to attain clear, mission-specific goals.
Armed with a Master of Arts degree in Education and Human Development from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Spelman College, Kristina underscores the values of community building through serving others. Her strategic focus on embracing organizations in their current state reflects a wealth of experience, positioning her as a rich practitioner and coach. Through each engagement, Kristina guides clients through strategies that stimulate emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and leadership embodiment.
Kristina’s strength lies in highlighting the tremendous impact empathetic and compassionate leadership has within the organizational psyche, directly influencing organizational performance, effectiveness, and overall success.
Readings for the Coming Sunday
Psalm 139:13–14 (NIV)
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Swedenborg Insights
Heaven and Hell §268–269
The intelligence and wisdom of one individual is shared with another… This is because the very nature of heavenly love is to want what is one’s own to belong to another.
Community Connection Form
We would love to celebrate birthdays and special moments with you! Please fill out our Community Connection Form, which helps us stay connected, recognize important dates, and support one another as a community.
The form also asks for your mailing address and a few other pieces of information. We are collecting this information to help update our records and send future printed materials. All information is optional, and access is strictly limited to designated staff members.
Having trouble with the form or prefer to respond by email? Contact Katy@SwedenborgHouseDC.org.
Upcoming Events
The Divine Cobbler with Dell Rose
Swedenborg Library of Chicago
Thursday, July 30 | 7:00 PM Eastern Time
Jacob Böhme (1575–1824), the “Divine Shoe Cobbler,” is one of the most enigmatic figures in Western mysticism. His visionary theology fused Christian, alchemical, and Neoplatonic thought, shaping later esoteric traditions. Fans of Swedenborg’s work may be surprised to find many parallels in Böhme’s and Swedenborg’s theology.
Dell Rose will discuss The Aurora (1612), the genesis of Böhme’s mystical thought, exploring the foundational themes of divine emanation, cosmic struggle, and spiritual regeneration within Aurora. Examining its symbolic structure and esoteric vocabulary, we will trace Böhme’s vision of creation, human will, and the interplay between light and darkness in the divine order.
Join via Zoom, or dial into the Zoom Room at 558 403 3057, password: Swedenborg.
To receive a PDF of Chapters 1–11 of Aurora before the discussion, email Info@SwedLib.org.
Spirit of Open Mic: A Night of Sacred Song and Spoken Word
With Rev. Kelly Crouch
Wednesday, August 19 | 6:30–9:00 PM
Humans have been sharing art together as a way of connecting to the transcendent ever since we lived in caves. This is a night to keep that tradition alive: a space to bring whatever is sacred to you and share it with others.
Join us at Swedenborg House for an evening of poems, songs, stories, art, and scripture. Anyone is welcome to share, and anyone is welcome to just come and listen.
The details:
- Sharing begins at 7:00 PM.
- Sign up for a five-minute timeslot.
- An acoustic guitar and grand piano are available to play.
- Leading something interactive, such as a group song or call and response? Bring printouts, or email your content ahead of time to events@swedenborghousedc.org and we’ll project it onscreen.
A few house notes:
- All spiritual traditions are welcome here.
- Please do not bring alcohol, out of respect for all traditions represented.
Swedenborg Salons: When Love Falls Apart (How to Break Up Well)
With Rev. Kelly Crouch
Wednesday, August 26 | 7:00 PM
Is there a loving way to break up?
Romantic separations are widely recognized as among life’s most psychologically painful experiences. Research suggests that roughly three in ten adults have experienced being ghosted, with even higher rates among younger adults. When relationships come to an end, how do we balance caring for ourselves with what we owe the other person?
If heartbreak is one of the deepest forms of human suffering, what would it mean to bring greater compassion, honesty, and care to the ending of relationships?
In this Swedenborg Salon, we’ll reflect on our own experiences, explore the ethics of ghosting, closure, forgiveness, and shared community, and consider what spiritual wisdom might teach us about letting go with love. Whether you’ve experienced a difficult breakup, supported someone through one, or are simply curious about the moral and spiritual dimensions of endings, you’re welcome to join the conversation.
Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP here.
Thought of the Week
