Dear Friends,

Thank you to everyone who joined last week’s discussion on navigating uncertainty (click here for the recording). For me, finding peace comes from knowing that God is in control.

Together, we explored strategies like drawing strength from hindsight, practicing mindful breathing, walking, and embracing solitude. The surprise favorite, however, was washing dishes—so much so that I playfully suggested all Swedenborgians consider ditching their dishwashers to get closer to God!

This Sunday: Are You Saved?

This Sunday, I’ll dive into the question, "Are you saved?" We’ll explore the unique way our faith understands this concept, one of the most beautiful teachings of our tradition. Hint: It’s not what you might hear from other churches.

Thank You to Katie and Jose Venzor

A special thanks to Katie and Jose for hosting me last week, even during a tough time as they grieved the loss of their beloved cats, Duchess and Zorro (see the photo below). Despite their loss, they graciously opened their home and shared a lovely dinner after the service. I’m also grateful for the thoughtful feedback from those who stayed for communion, which we’ll be offering more often.

This Sunday’s Host: Kelly Moltzen

This week, Kelly will host us in her home in Adams Morgan. If you’d like to join in person and for dinner afterward, please email Kelly at kellyamoltzen@gmail.com to RSVP.

Building Update

I officially attended the closing for the church on Thursday. As our Church "patriarch" and Board Vice President Dr. Malcolm Peck said: "A long and eventful chapter in the life of the Washington, DC, Society of the New Jerusalem is closed. An equally eventful new one is about to open."

Now we are fully ready to continue our search for a new location in earnest. Feel free to stay after church Sunday and ask any questions.

Have a blessed week!

Rev. Rich

Readings for the Coming Sunday

Luke 23:39-43 NIV 

The Crucifixion: The Two Criminals

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 19:1-10 NIV 

Jesus and Zacchaeus

1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd.

4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Sweedenborg Insight:

Doctrine of Life 1

All religion has relation to life and the life of religion is to do good. We should perform the uses of our daily employment conscientiously and to the best of our ability, from love to the Lord and as a service to our fellows. It is by our daily work from year to year that we can best prepare ourselves for our future life in Heaven.

Divine Providence §211

There is a reason why divine providence works so subtly that hardly anyone knows it is there—to keep us from dying. That is, our own self-importance, which is what motivates us, never cooperates with divine providence. Our self-importance has an inborn hatred of divine providence.

 Save the date for the 2025 Convention of the Swedenborgian Church!

Join us in Portland, Oregon, for the 2025 Swedenborgian Church Annual Convention! Mark your calendars for June 27 - July 1, where we’ll gather at the University Place Hotel and Conference Center at Portland State University. This year’s convention will feature a blend of hotel and university facilities, making it a unique experience.

Stay tuned for more details this winter, and visit swedenborg.org for updates. We look forward to seeing you there!

Thought of the Week

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