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What the Chapel Means to Me
Some thoughts from Denyse Daurat
My mother was a lifelong Swedenborgian and I became acquainted with the doctrines of the New Church through her. Although my son was baptized at the Chapel by Rev. Regamey, I did not attend services regularly until I was in the process of divorcing my husband, a difficult time. I was greatly helped and comforted by Rev. Tafel and Ray Guiu. I have been encouraged and urged to participate in the life of the Society which I have found to be extremely empowering. I am impressed and amazed at how much is accomplished in this Society by a small number of people. The Society is very inclusive, the Council meetings are open to all and everyone is encouraged to express their ideas and use their talents and abilities. It is striking at how often there has been a need and someone has appeared to fill it!
I value the location of this beautiful chapel situated as it is in such a prime location. I enjoy meeting the visitors who come by from all over the world, sometimes just for one service but sometimes for an extended period while attending Harvard. I also know that people who go by the Chapel, and not just neighborhood people but anybody going by, have an affection for it and mention the beautiful flower garden. There has been a silver lining to the cloud hanging over the Chapel, we have been forced to focus on it and stop taking it for granted. We can articulate the fact of what a tremendous loss it would be to the whole denomination should this jewel cease to be part of it.
In the relatively short time I have worshipped with this congregation, ( the Chapel is celebrating its centennial this year!) I have been a witness to a tremendous change for the better, an increase in energy, programs, innovations, re-furbishing which tells me that a Society can go through cycles and still survive but once we lose the building, it will be an irretrievable loss.
So, let us keep on with the good work!
Denyse Daurat, March 2001
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