Dear Friends,

I heard from a number of you that you had a wonderful gathering last week with Kate O’Day. My retreat in North Carolina was fantastic. I left with some excellent insights. It was pretty intense.

This week I’m preaching again, and I’ll be speaking on Commitment 10 from the Conscious Leadership book:

Commitment Ten: Exploring the Opposite

• I commit to seeing that the opposite of my story is as true as or truer than my original story. I recognize that I interpret the world around me and give my stories meaning.

• Life doesn’t have a label until we give it one. Conscious leaders take responsibility for being the labeler of life. They learn to question all of the labels.

• “What if for the next few minutes, we could erase that software program [that represents our self-perception] so it didn’t exist anywhere in your brain — who would you be then? ”

• The purpose of The Work is to become curious about all the possibilities of life. We find that this is done most effectively if you remain unattached to any outcome.

• Exploring the opposite means being open to the notion that the opposite of your story (thoughts, beliefs, opinions) could be as true as or truer than your story.

With the election coming up and campus protests breaking out everywhere, we should have some fun with this one. Bring your strong opinions to church this Sunday.

Blessings,

Rev. Rich Tafel

Readings for the Coming Sunday

Matthew 5: 43-48

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Swedenborg Insight:

56. Heaven is where God is acknowledged, believed in, and loved. The variety of different types of worship of God is a good thing and is not harmful, but beneficial—it makes heaven more perfect. Unity, becomes more perfect through diversity.

Meeting with the Venerable Pomnyun Sunim

CHC President Annabel Park and Rev. Rich Tafel met with the Venerable Pomnyun Sunim for dinner this past week to discuss ways our church can help build peace in Korea.

Venerable Pomnyun Sunim is renowned in his native South Korea and worldwide for his insightful yet accessible Dharma talks and far-reaching humanitarian and peace efforts.

Check out the photo from the meeting above!

Register to Attend the 200th Convention of the Swedenborg Church in Person by May 15th

We hope you can join us in East Lansing, Michigan at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center with Michigan State University for the 200th Convention of the Swedenborg Church! The convention will run from Friday, June 28th through Tuesday, July 2nd.

For those who may wish to join us remotely, event planners will continue to offer an online option for a hybrid Convention. Virtual attendees will be able to enjoy worship services, attend meetings, and participate in mini-courses.

Registration for the in-person attendance will close on May 15th,

and for virtual attendance on June 15th.

For more information, please click here, and register below.

Thought of the Week

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