Dear Friends,

Thanks to a wonderful sermon by Rev. Kathy Speas, we kicked off our new year with a wonderful message and discussion. During the discussion, I told Kathy that we haven’t had such deep theological questions in a long time. She sparked some deep thoughts. You can see her message here.

I’m launching a new sermon series based on the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leaders book this Sunday. I’m referring to the book in a course I’m in and have found it helpful to my growth. Sunday, I will preach the message: The Power of Taking Complete Responsibility for Your Life.

Summary from the book, “15 Commitments to Conscious Leadership”:

I commit to taking full responsibility for the circumstances of my life and my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. I commit to supporting others to take full responsibility for their lives.

Taking full responsibility for one’s circumstances (physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually) is the foundation of true personal and relational transformation. Blame, shame, and guilt all come from toxic fear. Toxic fear drives the victim-villain-hero triangle, which keeps leaders and teams below the line.

Conscious leaders and teams take full responsibility — radical responsibility — instead of placing blame. Radical responsibility means locating the cause and control of our lives in ourselves, not external events.

Instead of asking, “Who’s to blame?” conscious leaders ask, “What can we learn, and how can we grow from this?” Conscious leaders are open to the possibility that instead of controlling and changing the world, the world may be just the way it is. This creates huge growth opportunities on a personal and organizational level.

I will be at church Sunday; let me know if you want to join me for dinner after the service.

Rich Tafel

Readings for the Coming Sunday:

Matthew 7:3-5

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

James 1:13-14

“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”

Swedenborg Insight

Human will exists only in our ability to freely intend as if on our own. The Lord continually gives this capacity, which is called freedom. Human understanding exists only in our ability to act as if on our own (whether something is reasonable or not), and understanding whether or not something is reasonable comes from the other faculty—continuously given by the Lord—which is called rationality.

In Memory of Gwynne Very Blundon Griswold

Gwynne Very Blundon Griswold passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 6, at 9:09 p.m., surrounded by Family. Susie Baumgarten, her daughter, kept us updated.

Gwynne was a long-living person with a memory of growing up at the Church of the Holy City. She is the wife of Robert Griswold. Both occasionally joined us online for church when they could. 

My memories of Gwynne were her support in doing new and different things at the church to be relevant to the upcoming generation. 

My favorite memory with Gwynne was when the church had to do a strategy session in 1999; I explained with such little income and few attendees, the church would die out in ten years unless a radical plan was put in place.

She responded, "Experts have been telling us for the past thirty years that we were about to die. And yet we find a way to live."

CHC News in Photos:

Photo captions (from top to bottom, left to right).

Slide 1: Photos hung of three main church leaders who sustained CHC for many years. Former Church Manager Elfa Halloway, Church President Helen Sioirs (deceased) and the Dr. Malcolm Peck who serves as Vice President of the church today.

Slides 2-3: Images from last Sunday before church and images of guests who enjoyed coming to the church this past fall.

 The CHC Read and Discuss Group Explores

The Good Life: Truths That Last in Times of Need  by Peter Gomes

Our CHC Read and Discuss Group continues to meet VIRTUALLY on a weekly basis, each Monday at 7 P.M. EST. The current topic of discussion is the fascinating book, The Good Life: Truths That Last in Times of Need by Peter Gomes.

We hope you can join us! The log-in for recurring meetings is linked below.

Candlelight Prayer Vigil for a Ceasefire

Thought of the Week:

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