Fryeburg New Church Assembly is a retreat center of the Swedenborgian Church of North America in Fryeburg, Maine. Every year, Swedenborgians from around the country, and all branches of the movement, gather for two weeks of lectures, activities, spiritual practice and contemplation in this scenic New England setting. If...
In this sermon, given at the Almont New Church Assembly, Rev. Kit Billings explores the biblical narrative of Ruth, and a Swedenborgian understanding of its inner meaning. Click below for a PDF version of Rev. Billing’s sermon: Ruth: A Woman to Remember Always Rev. Kit Billings, his wife Penny and...
In this essay, Rev. Hannah R. Hill discusses the subtle and not-so-subtle influences of the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg on the ideas and works of the great psychologist William James, author of The Varieties of Religious Experience. Click below for a PDF version: The Psychologist and the Mystic...
In this sermon, Rev. Hugh Odhner, minister at the Philadelphia Society of the Lord’s New Church, discusses the spiritual importance of doubt, as illustrated by a Swedenborgian reading of the Gospels. Click below for a PDF version of Rev. Odhner’s sermon: Doubt and Grow Spiritually – Rev....
In this sermon, delivered at the Garden Church in San Pedro, CA (gardenchurchsp.org), Rev. Anna Woofenden discusses a key subject in the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg: The intersection of spirituality and relationship, and the idea of friendship as a spiritual state. Click below for an audio recording of...
In this sermon, delivered at Hillside Swedenborgian Church in El Cerrito, CA, Rev. Thom Muller explores the deeper message in the imagery of John the Baptist, one of the most intriguing characters of the Gospel narrative. Click below for a PDF version of Rev. Muller’s sermon: St. John...
In this article, Birrell Walsh, PhD, a religious scholar who recently discovered the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, reflects on the experience of engaging the Swedish mystic’s prolific work, and how it resembles, in many ways, the act of mining, which Swedenborg himself was very familiar with. Click below...
In this sermon, delivered at the Swedenborg Chapel in Cambridge, MA, Rev. Sage Cole addresses the need to be spiritually realistic and content with our imperfections. Click below for a PDF version of Rev. Cole’s sermon: Upside Down, Feet Up, and Head Down Rev. Sage Cole is the current pastor at he historic...
In this sermon, delivered at the San Francisco Swedenborgian Church, Rev. Junchol Lee discusses the inner meaning of some common biblical narratives around the character of David, and how leardership dynamics pan out in our own inner lives. Readings: 1 Samuel 16 1-30 Matthew 18 1-5 Listen to Rev. Lee’s...
Although one can find disparaging passages in Swedenborg’s writings about Paul, we need not assume prejudice against him ourselves. We will attempt to be a fair reader of both Paul and Swedenborg. When we find doctrinal opposition, we will lay out both sides of the argument. In this way, one...
