Swedenborg Chapel
Newsletter of the Cambridge Society of the New Jerusalem
March
2004
Rev. Sarah Buteux was invited to deliver the following address at Morning Prayers; a daily worship service that has been held at Harvard since its founding in 1636.
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Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.
-Jeremiah 17:7-8
Once, about this time of year, when I was a very small child, I sat paging through a photo album and I came across a picture of a beautiful place in summer time. The picture was so full of color: green leaves on the trees and the bushes, thick green grass punctuated with flowers, and a perfect blue sky, and although the place seemed familiar, I didn't quite recognize it. I took the picture to my mother and asked her where it was. I was completely shocked when she told me that it was a picture of our back yard. It was so beautiful to me because all I knew at that point in time was winter: the bare trees, the brown earth, the grey sky. I was still so young that I couldn't remember back to summer when the world was that full of color, and I didn't yet know that the color would come back again. The changing of the seasons had not yet become a part of my internal rhythm.
Even now, twenty-something years later, I'm not fully convinced that it's all going to come back. I can't quite remember what the streets look like when lined with green trees, what air feels like when it is hot and heavy as velvet, how it feels to lie in the grass at night or that one would even want to. We are now in the dregs of winter, that interminable waiting period between Valentine's Day and real Spring. We have two months of barrenness ahead, two months of walking under stark, bare, brown trees. And I find that these two months are the hardest of all. I find myself impatient for change and searching for hope.
And then I hear Jeremiah's words about trust: that if we trust in the Lord we will be like trees that bear fruit. Even in times of drought we will flourish because our roots are sunk deep into the source of life. The subtext is clear: do not be anxious, do not fear. What may not be readily apparent is what lies right on the surface of these verses. The idea that times of drought or barrenness are inevitable for all, even the most trusting soul. They are not a punishment for work left undone, but a natural part of life's rhythm. In this season of our lives droughts may take the form of writer's block, depression, unemployment, low energy, broken relationships, or lack of inspiration.
This is natural. We are not meant to be endlessly green and flourishing. We cannot incessantly produce new life, new ideas, new joys, nor should we. There comes a time when we, too, need to lie dormant. We need to be still. We need to stop and wait and wonder when and if the green will come again.
But even in our stillness we can still reach down and connect to the Lord "“ connect ourselves to whatever basic truths set us on this path in the first place. This may not be the season to bear fruit in abundance, but the simple act of slowing down and renewing our commitment to our calling or vision of what we want our life to be about, is itself an act of fruitfulness. An act of acknowledging the source of our life, our inspiration, our call. And so I encourage you, in the midst of the dark and the cold that yet remains, to become conscious of the ground beneath your feet, the foundation upon which you stand, the Lord who gives you life. Sink your roots down deep into the earth and reach out for the life giving water that waits there. Drink deep and wait, for the Spring will come again.
Rooted in trust
Rev. Sarah Buteux
"We are not meant to be endlessly green and flourishing. There comes a time when we, too, need to lie dormant. We need to be still. We need to stop and wait and wonder when and if new life will come again."
Swedenborg Chapel Newsletter
The Heart of the Cross
"Olivia's performance presents us with a unique outreach opportunity."
This past winter, our congregation was treated to a unique performance by Olivia Woodford that brought to life the experiences of several women who would have witnessed the birth of Jesus. Lars Wiberg, the president of our society, was so moved by the performance and so convinced that our chapel would endure in its struggle for survival that, as an act of faith, he invited Olivia right then and there to return and perform again. And so, this March, The Heart of The Cross, Olivia's one-woman play depicting the events surrounding Jesus' final days, will be presented at Swedenborg Chapel on Sunday, March 21st at 11:00. Given from the point of view of five Biblical women, the play dramatizes events beginning with the Last Supper and brings to life the death and resurrection of Jesus, concluding with Pentecost.
Our own a cappella quartet, Missing Rachel (coprised of Sarah Buteux, Leah Goodwin Rebecca Kline and Rebecah Simons), will provide musical interludes throughout the performance.
In this unique theatrical event, written and performed by Olivia Woodford, the women surrounding Jesus, including Mary Magdalene, Martha, and Mary the mother of Jesus, share their own personal awakening as they each witness the events that have impacted the lives and imaginations of people for centuries.
The play was born out of Olivia Woodford's desire to further understand these women, who are given such brief descriptions in the Bible and yet are central to the story of Jesus. With popular interest in the story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection on the rise due to the release of books such as The Da Vinci Code and Mary Called Magdalene, as well as the impact of films like Mel Gibson's The Passion, Olivia's performance presents us with a unique outreach opportunity. This special worship service may be the perfect event to which you can invite a friend or family member if their interest in the Jesus story has been piqued but they are reticent to attend a traditional worship service. Everyone takes in information in a slightly different way. For those of us who find reading and listening to be less than effective means of learning, Olivia's dramatization might be the perfect tool of communication.
Olivia Woodford has her BFA in Theatre from Boston University and has worked off-Broadway and in regional theatre. Currently, she is the executive director of Healing Theatre. This is the tenth year Woodford will be performing The Heart of the Cross during the Lenten Season to churches of many denominations.
Music at Noon coordinator wanted
For over 10 years our congregation has extended the use of the chapel to local musicians every Thursday from June through August, for a free noon time concert. It is our hope that this tradition will continue. We are looking for someone in the congregation who would be willing to volunteer to oversee the project. The responsibilities include coordinating the calendar, communicating with the performers, creating programs for each performance, and submitting press releases for free local publicity. This is a unique way to serve the church and the community. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Sarah.
Prayer Service
Denyse Daurat
I would like to thank the Rev. Gladys Wheaton for leading what is to be hoped, was only the first of many prayer meetings. It would be wonderful to have it become a regularly scheduled monthly event, beneficial in many ways and on many levels.
We were invited to gather together on Sunday, February 1st in the sanctuary after fellowship, with a view to deepening our prayer experience "from the heart." About nine of us, including a newcomer, participated in a visibly very deeply moving prayer experience.
Note: The next prayer meeting is scheduled for approximately12:45 on April 4 following our Palm Sunday service.
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March, 2004
Convention Looking for a way to show your New Church pride? Our brand-new pewter keychain medallion would make an eyecatching addition to your collection. The medallions are emblem keychains roughly one inch in diameter and bear the cross motif of the Swedenborgian Church in for sale glossy red enamel. They can be ordered for five dollars apiece plus shipping, or you may
stop by the chapel to make a purchase.
Yet another Newbury Street work day: volunteers needed
Schedule of services and spring events
On Friday, February 20, a number of members and friends of the Massachusetts Association gathered at the former Swedenborg Book Room on Newbury Street for a much-needed work day. We accomplished a great deal, sorting and packing twenty more boxes of books. However, there is at least one more day of work (and cameraderie!) left. Our next work day is set for Friday, March12th, from 9 to 4. If you would like more information on contributing to the cleanup and organizational effort, please contact Reverend Sarah Buteux at 617-864-4552.
And looking ahead the following events are tentatively scheduled for May:
| March 7: | Rev. Sarah preaching |
| March 14: | Rev. Sarah away, guest preacher George Dole! |
| March 21: | The Heart of the Cross by Olivia Woodford |
| Grand re-opening of Blairhaven 2:00, Duxbury, Massachusetts | |
| March 28: | Rev. Sarah preaching |
| April 4: | Palm Sunday |
| Prayer meeting following church | |
| April 11: | Easter, Rev. Sarah preaching |
| April 18 | Leah Goodwin (Harvard Divinity School intern) preaching |
| April 25: | Rev. Sarah preaching |
| May 2 | Rev. Sarah Preaching |
| May 9 | Rev. Sarah away at Gathering Leaves, Guest preacher TBA |
| May 16: | Rev. Sarah Preaching |
| Cambridge Society Annual Meeting | |
| May 22: | Flower Festival |
| May 23: | Invite a Friend Sunday, Rev. Sarah preaching |
| Gardening and grounds work after church | |
| May 30: | Rev. Sarah preaching |
Do you like Come join the pick-up choir every third Sunday of the month at Swedenborg Chapel. to sing? Rehearsals begin at 10:00 AM for the 11:00 service. The next performance is scheduled for March 28. Please join us.
Mystical Experiences discussion group: every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 7:45pm
Grand re-opening of Blairhaven Retreat Center
Following worship on Sunday March 21st, you are cordially invited to attend the grand re-opening ceremony at the Blairhaven Retreat Center. We anticipate the festivities will include a pot-luck lunch, as well as lots of fun and fellowship. There is even a rumor going around that there might be a talent contest, so polish up your skills and plan on joining us for the afternoon down in beautiful Duxbury.
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Swedenborg Chapel Newsletter
Welcome to Swedenborg Chapel
The Cambridge Society of the New Jerusalem invites all who are interested to join us for weekly worship and fellowship. Every Sunday morning we host a Bible study at 10 AM in the parlor. The worship service begins at 11:00, and children have the opportunity to attend Sunday school during the sermon. Communion is held every first Sunday of the month, and is open to all. Rev. Sarah Buteux and Leah Goodwin, our ministerial intern, lead the service.
We invite you as well to our other events and activities. We make the chapel available for weddings of all who wish to be married in the presence of the Lord. Stop by and see us. Ask questions. Tell us how we can be of use to you. We invite you to share in our community in a way that suits your needs and puts your talents to use.
Swedenborg Chapel, The Newsletter of the Cambridge Society of the New Jerusalem, is published on a regular basis. Opinions expressed are those of the writers unless otherwise indicated. Please submit articles or notices to the Newsletter at Swedenborg Chapel, 50 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, or telephone 617.864.0984. Send e-mail to revsarahb@mac.com, jblageson@hotmail.edu, or hziegler@springmail.com.
For more information visit www.swedenborgchapel.org.
| Editors: | Herb Ziegler and Leah Goodwin |
| Cambridge Society President: | Lars-Erik Wiberg |
| Pastor: | Rev. Sarah Buteux |
| Director of Social Action Ministries: | Jackie Lageson |
| Ministerial Intern: | Leah Goodwin |
| Pastor Emeritus: | Rev. F. Robert Tafel |
| Associate Pastor Emeritus: | Rev. Gladys Wheaton |
| Webmaster and Web Designer: | Carl Schroeder |
Cambr idge Society of of the New J e r usalem
Swedenborg Chapel 50 Quincy Street Cambridge, MA 02138
As God's creation, we have been formed in such a way that we can be more closely joined with him. We are joined not by knowledge alone, or by intelligence alone, or even by wisdom alone, but by living according to these. The more closely we are conjoined to God, the wiser and happier we become. Emanuel Swedenborg