We Are Not Alone on Our Spiritual Path

CALIFORNIA DIGEST2014

A Newsletter for New Church residents and friends of California January

1

We Are Not Alone On Our Spiritual Path

Rev. Clark Echols shares insights

about responding to change in life

(Taken from a 2009 edition of New Church Connection)

Real Challenges:

A grandparent dies. A job is lost. A hurricane interferes with travel plans. A beloved teacher gets replaced by someone new. No matter what age or stage of life we are in, there is one constant: change. Whether changes are happy or sorrowful, expected or surprising, they can cause commotion and turmoil in our well-being. How does one adjust to change and find a renewed sense of happiness?

Real Support:

Change in our lives is rarely simple, neat and clean. It most often causes turmoil, and even suffering. Although we can never completely escape the inevitability of change, we can be in control of our thoughts and actions. One way to do this is through the following process:

1. Name the feeling associated with the change (sad, mad, shameful, afraid, etc.)

2. Notice the thoughts you have that support and justify the feeling (“Everyone close to me always ends up leaving.”)

3. Take action to help others.

In the Bible, there are many stories about the trials and tribulations good people suffer when confronted with changes and challenges. In certain cases, using these techniques brings about positive change. Abraham, for instance, felt sad that he didn’t have children and afraid for his future. However, he was able to radically change his attitude by remembering the promise Jehovah had made that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars! That thought replaced the negative thoughts, and Abraham was able to remain steadfast in his course, staying open to the blessings of the present and the possibilities of the future.

It is always helpful to remember our childhood hopes and dreams, especially when we don’t feel hopeful in the present. Focusing on the thought of future happiness and

fulfillment can drive away negative thoughts. Then we will be able to recognize the nature of our feelings, and choose thoughts to support good feelings or change negative feelings.

Another example from the Bible comes from the story of David, who suffered the devastating loss of his son. He was so sad he went to bed and did not intend to return to his royal duties. However, his best friend came to him and roused him up, reminding him of his duties and how the people depended on him. David then stirred himself and returned to his life, although still mourning his loss.

We can also be roused from mental lethargy by remembering how we can serve others (especially when reminded by a friend or loved one). In fact, being active in our life gives us the chance to see how the great change we have experienced has not destroyed our life. We may have lost an important relationship or a job, but we can still find opportunities to connect with other people and to feel useful and needed.

If we practice naming our feelings and acknowledging the thoughts that support those feelings, we will be able to face the difficult spiritual work of obeying the Lord while simultaneously giving Him control of the outcome.

If this technique is new to you, it may take some work to be able to identify your feelings and their associated thoughts. Many people discover that writing in a journal every day for some weeks is transforming. Writing about your feelings and thoughts may be a huge effort, forcing you to give up some other recreation, or stay up late or get up early, but being able to quickly name your feelings and notice the thoughts that support them can offer greater freedom and control over reactions to life’s circumstances.

Change continues to happen. Obviously, we can’t stop it. Occasionally we can slightly bend its course. But most of the time we feel helpless in the face of our circumstances. After identifying your feelings and thoughts, practice accepting what is happening, while thinking of one of the good aspects of your life. This will allow you to freely turn to the Lord and remember (or decide for the first time) that He is in charge. He will do all in His power to bring good out of your life situation.

The Lives of Angels

Author : Emanuel Swedenborg

Translator : George F. Dole and Lisa Hyatt Cooper

Foreword/Introduction by : Grant Schnarr

Format : paperback, e-book

ISBN : 978-0-87785-428-9 pb,
978-0-87785-673-3 e-book

Length : 156 pages

Release Date : December 2013

For decades after his experience of spiritual awakening, Emanuel Swedenborg visited the afterlife and wrote firsthand accounts of what he saw there. Scattered throughout his writings are descriptions of how angels live—their homes, their language, their communities, and even their relationships. The Lives of Angels is a collection of his most striking insights into these heavenly beings.

Heaven, we soon learn, is not what many people imagine. It’s not a place of eternal rest where angels with wings strum harps and praise God all day. Angels have work to do, including watching over people on earth and guiding newcomers to the spiritual world. They have houses and live in communities, and they may even fall in love and marry if they haven’t already found the right partner on earth.
The introduction by Grant Schnarr helps newcomers dip their toes into Swedenborg’s spiritual world, framing Swedenborg’s vivid, compelling recollections of things seen and heard in other realms.

You can buy online at or call 610-430-3222.

Join New Church Challenge

New Church Challenge was organized more than 20 years ago to serve those in the church with disabilities. We currently have over 200 members. This is an invitation to join us in embracing and supporting aspecial group people in the church.

If you have a family member or a friend with a mental or physical challenge, or if you are interested in how the church can help people with disabilities, you should join New Church Challenge. We need you.

To learn more, talk to any of our board members listed below. You can join by sending $5.00 to our Treasurer, Les Alden, at PO Box 277, Bryn Athyn Church, Bryn Athyn, PA 19009. (Checks should be made out to: New Church Challenge. Any additional financial support would be welcome at this time of our annual appeal.)

Bill Buick, Jody Hyatt, Kurt Asplundh, Tony Rose, Ivan Maddock, Rob Andrews, Phil Schnarr, Brian Blair, Lisa Weiss, Robin Morey, Glynn Schauder

Donations through Amazon

Amazon started a new policy of donating a portion of the proceeds from certain items. To participate, go to smile.amazon.com. You need to go to that URL instead of amazon.com when making purchases for them to trigger the donation, but they have quite a list of charities including "The California New Church Board".

-Geraldo Gomes (CNCB treasurer)

Philippines News

NCCS Events

December 18th, 2013 was a very exciting day for the children, as it was the New Christian Church School Christmas party. There are 37 pupils in Kindergarten and 30 in Preparatory, so we divided them into two party groups. From 8:00 to 10 AM for the Kindergarten and 11 AM to 1:00 PM for Preparatory.

We played games, like Straw Relay, Trip to Jerusalem and Stop Dance, along with some presentations by the children. We ordered food that the children like from the Jollibee fast food restaurant, and after eating, everybody was excited to receive their own gifts. All the children received a monetary gift provided by the San Diego New Church Tagalog congregation.

Christmas vacation began on December 19thwith classes to resume January 6th.

The Department of Education Third Periodical Examinations for Kindergarten are on January 13th, 14th, and 15th.January 16thand 17th are the dates of the Third Periodical Examinations for the Preparatory children. We are confident that our students will excel again.

After those examinations, there will be an educational excursion on January 23th, 2014 to Clark, which is the site of the former US Air Base. The itinerary of events are as follows: Dinosaur Island, Nayong Pilipino with a cultural show, andstops at the Duty Free area and the SM Clark shopping mall.Surely, abig highlight for the children will be the Creamline Factory tour with FREE ice cream.

-Veronica Cayabyab, Head Teacher NCCS

Christmas in the Philippines

The Bataan New Christian Church Christmas Service was held on Christmas Eve. Rev. Elpidio Enriquez gave the sermon and read a Christmas message from Bishop Ian Arnold, after which Sunday School teacher, Melody Cavinta, emceed the program. Her preteen Sunday School children led off with a dance number. Older children also did a well choreographed dance routine and song.Rev. Enriquez and organist Carla Caranogsang solo inspirational numbers. Gela Baltazar and Chriselle Cayabyab recited a Christmas poem. The evening concluded after a hearty potluck supper.

Nativity scene

Book Review:

“Into the Florida Wilderness”

(Written by Willard Smith from the Glenview society. He is also the father of the CA Digest editor, Catie Junge)

I recently finished reading an interesting book about my grandfather, Dr. Charles Olds, his wife, Dr. Mary Johnson Olds, and their three young daughters.

The book is about a New Church family surviving on remote Marco Island, Florida in the early 1900s.

The family maintained correspondence with various New Church people such as Catherine Benade, who was in the U.S. collecting letters written by her late husband, Bishop William Benade. They entertained some interesting guests, including Gov. Gifford Pinchot and the early zoologist Dr.William Hornaday, who took time to instruct the girls.

Dr. Mary devoted herself to schooling the girls in many subjects such as Hebrew, Latin, New Church doctrine, and music. The book includes many photographs taken by the girls of old boats,wildlife, andlocal people.

The book is available from Caxambas Publishing at or by calling (239) 394-6917. ISBN # 978-0-9677281-9-3

It is also available by e-book on Amazon at

3 Steps to Greater Happiness

(Taken from a 2009 edition of New Church Connection)

Integrating spirituality into your daily life can be simple. Many spiritual paths emphasize right action as the essence of spirituality. Similarly, the New Church teaches that our eternity, our happiness, is not determined by what we believe alone but by how we live. Here are three steps that can help you to experience greater happiness today.

Reach Out:

Seek out the unexpected blessings present in your own personal struggles and suffering. Consider a difficult event in your life, for example, an injury or illness, a loss, or a time of despair. Take the lessons and understanding you gained from that difficult experience and reach out to someone who is experiencing a similar challenge today.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others.” —Jesus, Mark 10:45

“When the Lord is with someone He leads him or her and makes provision so that all that happens, whether sad or joyful, may bring him what is good.” —Emanuel Swedenborg, Secrets of Heaven 6303

“I don’t think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains.” —Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

Think Positive:

Focus your thoughts on positive, loving and encouraging sentiments towards other people: a close friend; someone who has a neutral presence in your life; someone with whom you have conflict.

“Those who have charity hardly notice the evil in another person, but instead notice all the goods and truths that are his; and on his evils and falsities they place a good interpretation.” —Emanuel Swedenborg, Secrets of Heaven 1079

“I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” —Mother Theresa

Take Action:

Do not wait for inspiration or motivation, just do something—anything—whether it is sweeping the floor, organizing a closet, or going for a walk. Break the inertia or bad energy you may be experiencing by doing a simple activity. Notice how your energy shifts.

“Act precedes, a person’s willing follows.” —Emanuel Swedenborg, Secrets of Heaven 4353.3

“I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do something I can do.” —Helen Keller

Palo Alto News

After this service, our next is a Holy Supper service on January 19th, 2014 with Rev. Mark Perry. Then on February 16th we will welcome Rev. Christopher Barber back to the pulpit. Christopher will also visit the Central California congregation during his February visit.

We look forward to seeing you at church!

-Hannah & Jonathan

Reverend Mark Perry

Thanks to the members of the Palo Alto New Church for my fabulous tie. No, your eyes do not deceive you … it is a wooden tie! I love it, and proudly wore it to our Christmas Eve service in San Diego. Many Thanks!

-Pastor Mark

Los Angeles News

Our service in January will be with Lou Synnestvedt on Sunday, January 26th with a class on Saturday evening (January 25th) at 6:30 PM. Happy New Year to all from LA!

-Gabrielle Reynolds

San Diego News

Word of thanks from Pastor Mark:

Thanks for generous Christmas gifts from both the San Diego and Palo Alto congregations. We will once again be using these funds for our summer vacation at the end of July.

Bible Study:

A reminder to all in San Diego: The first Sunday of each month we will be holding our Bible Study! This is open to all teens and up!Please bring your Bibles! We will be looking at the 3rd & 4th chapters of the Gospel of John.

Western Clergy Meetings:

This month the General Church Western Clergy will be meeting in Tucson, Arizona for local western clergy meetings. We would like to offer our thanks to the California New Church Board (CNCB) for generously offering to pay for the meals for this event! Due to budgetary cuts, there are no General Church Central Office funds for these local meetings.

As we have done for the past few years, each congregation has offered financial assistance to their pastor to pay for transportation to and from these meetings. For the last few sets of local Western Clergy Meetings, we have operated on a shoe string budget and small donations from certain individuals. At the last CNCB Meeting, it was unanimously voted that the CNCB would pay up to $500 to cover the cost of food for the meetings to be held in Tucson in January of 2014. Again, a huge thanks, CNCB! The California New Church rocks!

Spiritual thought for the New Year:

“Going Home By Another Way”

Just like the Wisemen of old, having connected to their Maker, having worshipped Him and offered Him gifts, they return home by another way. As we slowly journey towards our spiritual home, perhaps this year we can practice more kindness, tolerance, patience and love rather than the reactive and often explosive way of the proprium or ego. Being less quick to anger and defensiveness,we are reminded there is always, "another way"!

Wishing you all a safe and prosperous 2014,
Love, Pastor Mark

Tableaux:

San Diego’s annual Christmas Tableaux was performed this year by our teens and Sunday school seniors, who gathered on the day to practice for the very first time!

Although lots of work, the Tableaux never cease to bring to the festive season that special feeling of holiness and wonder. Our sincere thanks to ALL who participated and to those who gave of their time and expertise.

This Christmas season Leann (Perry) Hill (Pastor Mark Perry’s sister and Mike and Lyn’s daughter) arrived from Philadelphia for some R and R, as she had not been well.

A week into her visit, Leann collapsed. 911 was called and she was hospitalized. The correct diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency was made, and once the needed medication was administered, her recovery has been nothing short of a miracle. Living in today’s stressful world with its many ongoing challenges, caring for our bodies sometimes takes a backseat. Leann’s experience has been a huge wake up call for us all. Our thanks for Leann’s recovery knows no bounds….

Other visitors included Brandon and Samantha Hill (two of Leann’s children) and Clay Cronlund, as well as Pam Cole…all from Bryn Athyn.

They’ve enjoyed gorgeous sunny weather and done all sorts of fun touristy things!

Another visitor included Betty Seckelman’s beloved brother from Las Vegas, Hank Armstrong. He brought along his cheery smile.

Geraldo and Scarrain Gomes enjoyed visits from their three kids, Shanda, Tristan, and Haydn. It was wonderful to have the entire Gomes family gathered.

We also were blessed with the presence of Bergen Junge again. He is currently living in Cleveland for work while his wife, Mary Jane, splits time between Cleveland and California. It was also fun to see their sonJustin, who was visiting from Boston.

San Diego loves to have friends and family visit!

-Lyn Perry

Editorial

Happy New Year!

We have discontinued sending the hard copy of the California Digest unless specifically requested. Our hope during this transition is to not lose any readers.

Please contact us if your or someone you know would like to continue (or start) receiving the digest via mail or e-mail.

Many thanks to all of you for your patience!