Dear Friends,
Many thanks to Kristina Savoy for delivering our message this past Sunday. In her message, she reminded us that in these crazy and chaotic times, we need to figure out strategies to root and ground ourselves. Following her message, the discussion unearthed several strategies that work.
Here are a few:
- Find a quiet place in your home to serve as your retreat.
- Create a mini ritual, like having a special cup of tea.
- Use driving time without music or conversation to simply be and listen.
- Get outside yourself and find something you can do for someone else.
- Take a walk in nature.
- Garden.
- Use your time at the gym to reconnect.
- Join us for Sunday worship.
- Read the Bible.
- Find a regular time for prayer.
What practices help you reset and find your center? How are you navigating these chaotic times?
You can listen to Kristina’s message here.
I look forward to seeing you in church soon. Last week, I was at a gathering of the Tafels at an international family reunion in Maryland. There were visitors from Australia, Germany, and Canada. One interesting question they had was, “What is Swedenborgianism?” Even though my grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather were Swedenborgian ministers, most of them didn’t know much about the faith. There will be plenty of hosts at Swedenborg House to greet you.
Sunday, August 9th
This Sunday, we are looking forward to welcoming our very own Scott Smith for his message Faith, Finance, and the Common Good.
Swedenborg taught that true charity is expressed through useful service and seeking the common good. Join Scott for a thought-provoking presentation of the Financial Freedom Plan (https://www.thefinancialfreedomplan.us) and explore how economic systems can support human flourishing and lives of greater usefulness.
We hope that you can join us in person or online.
Birthday Celebrations
We wish Natalia Svelmoe (July 28) and Tom, the son of Ross and Louise (July 23), a very happy belated birthday and many blessings in the year ahead!
We’d love to celebrate birthdays and other special moments with you, too. Please fill out our Community Connection Form (see below).
With gratitude and blessings,
Rev. Rich Tafel
Donations
It’s the time of year when we have to apply for grants to help fund the church. One question they ask each year is the number of community members who give. Please help us out and make a small gift if you haven’t already done so this year. If you can make your donation by August 14, it will be especially helpful for our grant applications. This will help us in our proposals. While money is critical, thanks to all who volunteer their time and talents as well. I thought this article summed that up well.
Our Sunday Speaker: Scott Smith
Scott Smith began his career on Wall Street, where in 1993 he pioneered the first mixed-property commercial mortgage-backed security (CMBS) by securing a $1 billion line of credit from Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ). His groundbreaking structure remains a cornerstone of mortgage-backed securities today. He also played a key role in structuring the first phase of financing for Nelson Mandela’s Redevelopment Program in South Africa, delivering housing to over eleven thousand families in Soweto.
Later, Scott founded an educational publication for schools, Kidz Magazine, one of the first examples of user-generated content. The magazine was distributed exclusively in the classroom and grew to a readership in the millions in 30 nations. He also co-founded two top Colorado charter schools, Summit Middle School and Peak-to-Peak Charter School (K-12).
Today, Scott is the founder of FinaTech, where he is pioneering the use of patented structured finance solutions in private equity that reduce the cost of capital for fund managers while providing investors with a liquid investment vehicle. He is also a co-founder of Massively Parallel Technologies and Fathym. MPT has developed a patented parallelization technology that reduces the power
consumption of data centers, while Fathym’s agentic AI automates the development of software solutions for industrial automation. Scott is the director of The Foundation for a Better Economy and a managing member of C Squared Funds. He is the author of Fixing America and the visionary behind the Financial Freedom Plan—a bold legislative proposal designed to upgrade America’s financial operating system.
Readings for the Coming Sunday
Nehemiah 5:7-11 (NIV)
I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, “You are charging your own people interest!” So I called together a large meeting to deal with them and said: “As far as possible, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!” They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.
So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.”
Swedenborg Insights
Heaven and Hell §217
All the forms of government share a central focus on the public good as their end, and within that good, the good of each individual.
Helen Keller's Insights
Light in My Darkness
We might remember that in 1880 certain men knew that flying machines could be equipped and rendered safe; but few would listen to them because such a thing had never been done. So, flying came slowly, as the achievement of a small, faithful minority laboring in an atmosphere of ridicule.
There are other funds of knowledge building up. We know, for instance, that it is possible to plan the economic systems in the world so that we could all be much richer and freer and happier in producing comforts and pleasures than we are today.
Community Connection Form
We would love to celebrate birthdays and special moments with you! Please fill out this form (linked HERE) 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? Please contact Katy@SwedenborgHouseDC.org
Church News in Photos
New Sign Installed!
We have a new sign out front! Shown below is Jose Venzor installing the new sign for Swedenborg House DC.
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.
On Thursday, August 9 Dell Rose will discuss chapters 11–16 of Bohme’s Aurora (1612), the genesis of Böhme’s mystical thought, analyzing Böhme’s vision of divine manifestation, the dynamic interplay of wrath and love, and the soul’s path to regeneration. Through close examination of his imagery and symbolism, we’ll trace how Aurora lays the groundwork for his influence and later esoteric writings.
Join via Zoom using this link, or dial into their Zoom Room at 558 403 3057, Password: Swedenborg.
To receive a PDF of Chapters 1-16 of Aurora prior to 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 7pm
- Sign up for a 5 minute timeslot
- An acoustic guitar and grand piano are available to play
- Leading something interactive like 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 don't bring alcohol, out of respect for all traditions represented
RSVP and sign up HERE.
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.
Notes from the Pastor’s Desk
HERE is a thought-provoking article that shows that sometimes it is agnostics who lead the way in compassion. It tells the story of the 19th-century agnostic Robert Ingersoll and reminds us that compassion, kindness, and a commitment to serving others can sometimes be found in unexpected places. It challenges us to reflect on what it truly means to live out our faith.
Thought of the Week
