Dear Friends,

Thank you to everyone who joined us last Sunday for Kelly's sermon on the prodigal son and understanding shame. The message was heartfelt and relatable to all.

You can watch Kelly's message HERE.

One special addition this past week was Kelly singing and playing guitar to "O Fount of My Desire," (see photos below). At one point, a member harmonized along, transforming the room into a truly magical space. Be sure to tune in for Parts 2 and 3, as Kelly explores the other two characters in the story.

Last Sunday, Kelly also hosted a meditation teacher. It was our first time using the meditation room, and it worked out very well.



Coming Up This Sunday

We look forward to welcoming Dr. Stacey Guenther (see bio below) this Sunday, as she guides us through her message, Shifting from Me to We.

What happens when we intentionally shift our focus of awareness and spiritual practice from vertical (between me and God) to horizontal (between all of us and God)? We traditionally think of spiritual practice as a means to build a relationship with the Divine while learning to know and love ourselves fully. Dr. Stacey invites us to build on that foundational practice by widening it to include finding deep connection with other people – all people, regardless of who they are and what they believe, even if it is different from us. As with meditation and prayer, it’s a practice, which means it is something we can learn and deepen into.

Board Meeting

A reminder that the Board's monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 16, at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Let me know if you need anything and I hope to see you on Sunday.



With gratitude and blessings,

Rev. Rich Tafel

An Opportunity: Mid-Atlantic Treasurer Needed

Our church is part of the Mid-Atlantic Association within our denomination, and I serve as its president. The association includes churches in Delaware and Pennsylvania, and soon New York will be joining as well.

We are looking for a treasurer to oversee the bank account and participate in our biannual meetings. Please email me at revtafel@holycitydc.org if you would be open to serving in this role, and I would be happy to share more details.

Our Sunday Speaker | Dr. Stacey Guenther

Dr. Stacey Guenther is a contemplative scholar, leadership coach and consultant, and an assistant professor of organization development at George Mason University. Her research centers on groups and how they can enter a state of magic called coherence. She is passionate about helping groups cultivate their beingness and open themselves to new forms of relating.

A committed seeker, a large part of Dr. Stacey’s past 25 years has been devoted to personal and spiritual development. She is a long-time meditator, and after completing training with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, she became a certified meditation teacher. Dr. Stacey co-edited and contributed chapters in two recent books: Leadership at the Spiritual Edge (Routledge, 2024) and Redefining Spiritual Spaces in the Age of Technology (Springer, 2025). The latter of the two is available as an open access (free-of-charge) eBook. Chapters can be downloaded through the Springer website.

A native of Northern Virginia, Dr. Stacey now lives with her spouse and two rescue dogs, Bodhi and Gracie, in Asheville, NC, where she enjoys being close to nature and hiking on trails that allow her to be one with the All There Is.

HERE is her website.

Readings for the Coming Sunday

Isaiah 58:6-10

New International Version

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice

and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free

and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—

when you see the naked, to clothe them,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness[a] will go before you,

and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;

you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

If you do away with the yoke of oppression,

with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like the noonday.

Ephesians 4:1-4

New International Version

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called

Swedenborg Insights

New Jerusalem and Its Heavenly Doctrine §103

Everyone is our neighbor... A community, whether small or large, is more of a neighbor than an individual is; the country is still more; the Lord's kingdom still more.

Upcoming Events

The Gospel According to Jesus Christ Superstar Discussion Series

Wednesdays - Biweekly, Starting on May 27 | 7:00 PM

The Swedenborg House warmly invites you to our discussion series, The Gospel According to Jesus Christ Superstar, led by Rev. Kelly Crouch, in which we’ll study Jesus Christ Superstar song lyrics as if they were sacred text and explore the ways they invite us to see the story of Jesus with new eyes.

The discussion series will take place biweekly on Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM on:

* June 10

* June 24

* July 8

* July 22

The Book of Job with Dell Rose

Thursday, June 11th | 7:00 PM EST | Zoom Event

The Swedenborg Library of Chicago is offering a series of classes via Zoom.


Tomorrow night, Thursday, June 11th, they will host a Zoom meeting on The Book of Job.

"The Book of Job is a challenge to any conventional understanding of the inerrant goodness of God, and to the idea that the Lord always honors those who do good, and punishes those who do not."

On Thursday, they will discuss Chapters 15–22 of The Book of Job. Dell is using Edward Greenstein's Job: A New Translation, as a touchpoint.

Join us via Zoom by dialing into the Zoom Room at 558 403 3057, Password: Swedenborg.

A Brief History of Church of the Holy City Book Launch Party

Sunday, June 21st | Service at 5:00 PM, Book Party at 6:00 PM



Our very own Dr. Malcolm Peck will deliver his message during Sunday service, June 21st, on the principal themes and revelations of his new book A Brief History of Church of the Holy City. The service will be followed by a book launch celebration, where signed copies will be available.

Dr. Peck has expertly prepared the history of Church of the Holy City, from the creation of our church in the late 19th century - housed in the magnificent Gothic sanctuary on 16th street - to our present reimagining of church at the Swedenborg House.

More details to come. Please plan to join us in person for this special occasion.

2026 Pride Interfaith Service at St. Mark's Episcopal Church

Monday, June 22nd | 7:00 PM | 301 A Street, SE

Rev. Kelly Crouch and Katy Venzor will be attending the 2026 Pride Interfaith Service. If you are interested in joining them for the service and going out for dinner after, let Katy know HERE.

See description below:

"Celebrate the beautiful diversity of our community’s spiritual traditions at the annual Capital Pride Interfaith Service on Monday, June 22, 2026 at 7pm. The service will be at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 301 A Street, SE, Wash, DC 20003. This year’s powerful theme, “In Faith We Exist. Resist. Persist.” anchors a collaborative service that honors the depth, breadth, and sincerity of our collective beliefs. We are happy to announce that the Bishop of Washington, The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, will be addressing the service this year.

Coordinated annually by Center Faith with vital input from across the community—including our own Rabbi Debbie—the service stands as a joyful, defiant reclamation of spirituality. By coming together, we expose the false narrative that anti-LGBTQ+ fundamentalism holds a monopoly on religion. Instead, we take pride in the myriad of ways our community expresses its sacred traditions, each revered and steeped in history.

Whether you are looking to connect, reflect, or stand in solidarity, this uplifting evening promises to heal, inspire, and fortify our shared spirit."

Click HERE for more information and for the link to live-stream the event.

A Summer Morning Brunch at the Capons’

POSTPONED | New Date TBD | Fall 2026

Due to a number of local members being unavailable this summer, the brunch originally planned at the home of Ross and Louise Capon has been postponed. With a great deal of flexibility and grace, Ross and Louise have kindly agreed to move the gathering to the fall, when more members' schedules are expected to open up and allow for broader participation.

Additional details, including the new date and RSVP information, will be shared once plans are finalized. We are grateful to Ross and Louise for their generosity and willingness to accommodate the needs of the community, and we look forward to gathering together this fall.

Church News in Photos

Below are photos from Kelly's beautiful musical performance last Sunday, which touched everyone who was there. We are grateful to Kelly for sharing their gifts with our community.

Many thanks as well to Dr. Peck for sharing a photo of the steeple of my first church, Memorial Church in Harvard Yard.

The Annual Convention of the Swedenborgian Church

Friday, June 26th through Tuesday, June 30, 2026

We hope you can join us for the 202nd Annual Convention of the Swedenborgian Church! Rev. Rich Tafel, Katy Venzor, Malcolm Peck, and possibly Betty will be in attendance. We encourage members to attend if possible. Please reach out if you would like to join us.

Register HERE.

Please note the upcoming deadlines:

• Registration for In-person Attendees has closed.
• Registration for Virtual Attendees closes on June 15th.

Notes from the Pastor's Desk

A little over a decade ago, I met with a leader at Google while providing executive coaching. He asked what aspects of my theological background I believed only humans could embody. I spoke about the good, the true, and the beautiful.

Little did I know that conversation was taking place at the dawn of the AI revolution. THIS article traces a fascinating development: AI is leading some people toward greater spirituality. Be sure to note the chart (shown below) highlighting who is most likely to use AI in this way. I am surprised to see that weekly church attenders are the most confident with AI.

On the topic of AI, HERE is another thought-provoking article: You Can Now Get a Religious Exemption From Using AI at Work.

HERE is also a wonderful poem about our role in the world: The Bell Ringer by David Whyte.

Additionally, several members of the community have asked for more background on Swedenborg’s cultural impact. You can find that HERE.

Thought of the Week