Holy Week 2012 April 4-8churchonthehillboston.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/April-2012-PDF.pdfsome exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee. When all the students

Church on The Hill (Swedenborgian) The Boston Society of the New Jerusalem, Inc.140 Bowdoin Street ~ Beacon Hill ~ Boston, MA 02108 ~ www.churchonthehillboston.org

April 2012Vol. VIV, Issue 4

Jesus said ”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” MaAhew 11:28

Holy Week 2012April 4-8

http://www.churchonthehillboston.org

http://www.churchonthehillboston.org

NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM

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GOALS AND OUR LIFE AS A CHURCH

❖ Seeking to be guided by love of God, love of others, being in community, seeking to be of service.❖ Church services and classes being vital and central.❖ Nurturing teamwork and community throughout the church.❖ The church welcoming diversity of people working together as one.❖ Developing a pervasive spirit of caring in the church community.❖ The church developing as welcoming of all generations (from children to senior).❖ Concerted efforts to involve young people more fully in the life of the church. Perhaps with aid from adults, having leadership emerge from young people. Involvement of young people in service projects in the community.❖ Strengthening of programs for seniors, drawing on resources both within and outside the church.❖ Developing processes for ministry preparation.❖ Growth of participation from the congregation in the church activities.

MinistersRev. Dr. J. Ted Klein, Senior Pastor

Executive OfficialsMary Guarino, PresidentDiane Williams, Vice PresidentRobert von Wolfgang, Chairman of the Board of TrusteesSusanne Rogers, TreasurerMichael Bancewicz, Secretary

DirectorsEdward J. Mackenzie, Jr., Director of Operations

Emeritus OfficialsMichael Latkowitch, President Emeritus

Anna Hunt Latkowitch, Church Council Emeritus

MusicCarlton Doctor, Minister of Music

Victor Cayres de Mendonca, Organist and Pianist

Michael Bancewicz, Acting EditorCraig Williams, Assistant Editor

New Jerusalem ChurchCirca 1845

The foundation of the Boston Society of the New Jerusalem (BSNJ) can be traced back to 1784 and the Green Dragon Tavern in Boston. It was then and there that admirers of, and those interested in learning more about, Emanuel Swedenborg first met to hear a lecture on Swedenborg by James Glen. In 1818, twelve people, some of whom were among the early “Green Dragon Tavern crowd,” organized a Swedenborgian Church in the city. Chartered in 1823, the Boston Society of the New Jerusalem, Inc. is the first Swedenborgian Church established in Massachusetts. Members of the Church met at several locations before finally settling in 1845 at its present location atop Beacon Hill. The location inspired the name by which many today know the society: the Church on the Hill (Swedenborgian). Through the years, noted BSNJ members include Timothy Harrington Carter, publisher, and founder of the Old Corner Book Store; Sampson Reed, writer and mentor of Ralph Waldo Emerson; Lydia Maria Child, author, social activist and abolitionist; Warren Felt Evans, writer and healer;

HISTORY OF THE CHURCH

Theophilus Parsons, dean of Harvard Law School; Otis Clapp, apothecary, publisher, member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, co-founder of The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.), Boston University, and and founder of The Home for Little Wanderers; Theophilus P. Chandler, architect; Clarence Barron, financier, editor of the Wall Street Journal, and president of Dow Jones; George James Webb, hymnologist; and The Honorable Malcolm Nichols, Mayor of Boston. A beautiful Gothic Revival structure served the membership until the 1960s when it was replaced with a new Church building and an eighteen story high- rise apartment. Today, the main sanctuary of the Church is accessible from Bowdoin Street. The Church has also served as a place of worship and gatherings for the local Muslim Community and other faith-based communities. The Church has organizes and runs many programs to meet the needs of the Church community and larger surrounding neighborhood.

Use of the Church facility is offered to human service and outreach organizations.

CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818

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MESSAGE FROM THE SENIOR PASTOR

Dear Members and Friends of the Church on the Hill:

The very first day of April is Palm Sunday, and we then proceed through Holy week to Easter. This is a most special Fme in the spiritual life of the church and in our lives. We can consider how the resurrecFon story of Jesus relates to resurrecFons and rebirths in our lives.

In the month of April Spring unfolds. Around us plants emerge from soil, flowers bloom, trees grow buds. Warmth increases and the Fme of light increases. We can make correcFons of what we see around us with new life that can be born in us.

Earth Day falls in April. Earth Day provides a reminder of us being in connecFon with the rest of creaFon. Passages in The Bible speak of covenants between God and people and other created beings. We can see ourselves called to care and be stewards in creaFon.

Please consider any ways you can be of service in the church. There are many different ways of being of service, each important.

May this month bring many blessings to you.

Love and Best Wishes to Each of You.

Ted

The Splendor of Lilies

Oh, rare as the splendor of lilies,And sweet as the violets’ breath,

Comes the jubilant morning of Easter,The triumph of life over death;

And fresh from the earth’s quickened bosomFull baskets of flowers we bring,And scaCer their saDn-‐soF petalsTo carpet a path for our King.

In the countless green blades of the meadow,

The sheen of the daffodils’ gold,In the tremulous blue on the mountains,

The opaline mist on the wold,In the Dnkle of brooks through the pasture,

The river’s strong sweep to the sea,Are signs of the day that is passingIn gladness to you and to me.

Oh, dawn, in thy splendor of lilies,

Thy fluCering violet breath,Oh, jubilant morning of Easter,Thou triumph of life over death!

Then fresh from the earth’s quickened bosomFull baskets of flowers we bring,And scaCer their saDn-‐soF petalsTo carpet a path for our King.


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Members of our church community continue to be an important part of the Boston ARTS scene. We extend congratulations to our Minister of Music, Carlton Doctor and our Baritone Soloist Christiaan Smith-Kotlarek on their successful appearances in "The Barber of Seville" by Gio Rossini. The performances took place at the Schubert Theater from March 9th to March 18th. The Boston Globe stated: The Boston Lyric Opera presents an amiably traditional staging of Rossini's much-loved "Barber Of Seville". Boston Globe, Monday, March 12, 2012.

Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.

-Doug Firebaugh


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Simple Acts of Kindness...God’s Coffee

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee. When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:"If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups. Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us." God brews the coffee, not the cups.......... Enjoy your coffee! "The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything." Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.


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From Darkness To LightAn Easter MessageRev. Dr. Ted Klein

As we think of Easter we find great contrasts of images and Feelings. Think of images of darkness, ground, burial, and death. Think of feelings of despair, sorrow, and loss. Then, more dominant for Easter are healing images and feelings. Think of light, warmth, the stone rolled away, the Risen Christ. Think of joy, excitement, and healing.

A scripture reading for this year is the Mark 16 Easter Story. Women bring spices for anoinFng Jesus. Light has come, the sun has risen. The women find the stone rolled away. A person in white says that Jesus has being raised and to tell the disciples Jesus is going ahead to Galilee. The women leave with amazement and fear.

The resurrecFon story of Jesus relates to resurrecFon in our lives. In our lives God is seeking to guide us in rebirth and in movements from bondage to freedom, darkness to light, death to life We can approach Jesus as risen and as always with us in a life of rebirth. In our lives we have moments like dying, being buried, being in a tomb. We can also have moments like coming into light and warmth, finding new life

In a life of rebirth there are many Fmes of resurrecFon. As part of a life of love and caring there are Fmes of being set free and liVed up. For example, a person feels hurt and disappointed. The person can feel in a kind of tomb or prison that traps one. Through becoming engaged the person can come to undergo change and truly care and begin to find a way forward, a way out of the tomb. The person may become engaged in cooperaFng with others as part of a developing new life.

In many different situaFons we may move in some ways from darkness to light. Life goes on and we can conFnue to learn and grow from what we learn. We can be risen again and again as beings living in the spirit. In that we can conFnue to grow in rebirth, love, and service. In such a life we are liVed up many Fmes. This growth involves a resurrecFon and rebirth over Fme, becoming a new person.

Closing Prayer.

God, help us to face Fmes when we feel in prison or in a tomb. Help us to find ways out of the tomb into a life of freely giving and sharing, working with you and others. Help us to live a life touched by the resurrecFon of Jesus. Help us to more and more follow the life of Jesus in a life of rebirth, a life of love and caring. Amen.

He that will not reflect is a ruined man.

-Asian Proverb


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Useless men,They gather in neat lines outside the temples of the privileged, waiting.Waiting for benevolent doors to open to them.They wait, upturned collar against the cold, for a meal they can neither affordnor provide themselves.

Useless men,They seek safety in the night in dark alley, or doorway or in shelters, high rise storage containers for those lost to this world.

They sleep on beds belonging to another,They rest their heads on pillows not their own,They hide from the cold under blankets they will never possess.

Useless men,They gather in parks, sit on public benches and laugh as if carefree, but their shoulders slouch against the weight of their uselessness.

Useless men,They hide from the truth around them.They shield themselves in drink and drug against the only thing certain to them.The narrow gate death has left open as it calls their names.

Useless men talk politics and sports and current events, professing opinionas if any should care except those like them.

Useless men,They find community amongst the useless, companionship among the lost, respect amidst the irrelevant, unity with the unrighteous.

Useless men,men who may once have known the promise of so long ago, see no glory,no hope in the cross and the price paid for them.

Useless men,Surrender to their station, find no strength in resurrection, no palm laden pathways to travel, no voice with which to sing praise.

Useless men,They wonder the city streets and the secret places of the countrysidelike sheep lost to the fold.

They are visible and yet unseen.They bring no profit, no prosperity, no reward,or right relationship with man or creator,

Benevolent doors open, the lights of the temple are lit; the chill of the night is chased away,And words once spoken echo through this holy place,

“If you love Me, feed my sheep”.

And it is done.

Rev. Ron Tibbetts2012

And It Is Done


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Since 1969, The Walk for Hunger has been a tradiFon in MassachuseXs. Today, the Walk has become the country's oldest conFnual pledge walk and the largest one-‐day fundraiser to alleviate local hunger.

On the first Sunday in May each year, more than 42,000 Walkers and 2,000 Volunteers start off from the Boston Common to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.

In MassachuseXs, more than 700,000 people do not have enough food to eat. The Walk for Hunger raises millions of dollars for the over 450 emergency food programs that support families in crisis.

This years Walk for Hunger is being held on May 6. Project Bread is sFll looking for volunteers, walkers, team leaders, and donaFons. The money raised through The Walk for Hunger will help Project Bread fund hunger relief and prevenFon through 450 emergency programs, schools, community health centers, farmers’ markets, community suppers, home care organizaFons, and other programs that protect the individual and strengthen our community’s food security. Last year alone, Project Bread was able to provide 65.2 million meals to hungry people. Last year 42,000 people came together and raised $3.6 million for hungry people in MassachuseXs. This year they are hoping to raise even more.

Walkers are invited to walk all or part of the 20-‐mile route. If you are not interested in walking, volunteers are needed to help keep the walkers safe and happy.

If you or someone you know is interested in walking, volunteering, or donaFng, more informaFon can be found at www.projectbread.org.

Please consider helping out in any way you can as this is for a very good cause. Call the office to join team Church on the Hill. 617-‐523-‐4575

When we plant a tree, we are doing what we can to make our planet a more wholesome and happier

dwelling place for those who come after us, if not for ourselves.

-Oliver Wendell Holmes

http://www.projectbread.org

http://www.projectbread.org


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Wellesley MetroWest Homeless Forum

The Homeless Forum was held on Sunday, March 18 at the Wellesley Congregational (Village) Church. There were many organizations represented that deal with homeless outreach programs as well as State Representatives Byron Rushing and Lizbeth Heyer. There were roughly 140 people present of which 80 were not afKiliated with organizations. It was a chance for organizations to exchange information and resources for future projects. There were many handouts including a list of all the participating organizations, what they do, who they help, and their contact information. This marks the Kirst time that such a resource has ever been produced and it is the largest list of it’s type to ever be created. The event was a major success and all of the organizations will be able to beneKit from the resources provided. We are proud to say that Mike and Craig from Church on the Hill played a big part in organizing the event, creating Klyers and handouts, and provided all of the printing for this event. Hopefully we can help with more events of this nature in the future and can perhaps make this an annual event instead of a one time shot. Thank you to everyone that made it out and those who donated and participated in this.

Together We Can Help


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From the Editor:Michael Bancewicz

Hello Everyone,

The daffodils we planted in the Boston Common last fall are now in full bloom, the shrink wrap is coming off the boats, the windows are open and the curtains are being cleaned. The "Rite of Spring".

Suzie Canale is going to start a feature for the newsletter listing things to do on the cheap around the city as well as other interesting events. If you have any suggestions

for her to include please give us a call. On a side note, I will be volunteering to help clean Spectacle Island on Saturday April 21, in the Boston Harbor. There are three more spots available if you would like to join me, please call the office.

On March 25th we Baptized Ana Marie Dlugasz Vega. (Photo on page 12). It was very moving to see how well she is doing. On April 6 she will be a year old!

A little more good news is that I received approval from the Governor's Office to Officiate our friends Mike and Tammy's wedding on June 28.

If you are interested in participating in this years Walk For Hunger as either a walker of volunteer for "Team Church on the Hill" please give me a call.

Peace an Blessings,

Mike

Here is the completed version of last monthʼs crossword puzzle.

We are happy to have had a lot of people turn in their completed puzzles, and a lot of you came very close!

We did not have anyone complete the puzzle with 100% accuracy and so we went with the person who came closest.

The winner of last monthʼs crossword is...Jennifer Cashman!

Congratulations and we will get your gift certificate to you soon!


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My trip to Kenya, Africa was amazing to say the least. We

landed at Nairobi international airport, Nairobi being the capital. From there we visited, Siaya, Kisumu, Eldorate, Lake Victoria, and Kemgea as well as tons of small town and villages I have since forgotten the name of. We basically drove all over Kenya.

I went with my friend Ruth and stayed with her family. They had been planning the 10th anniversary of her mother’s death party. Her uncle died the day before the Anniversary party so

we stayed an extra week (three weeks total) for his funeral.

An African funeral can take up to a week because there a service where the body is removed from the morgue. A procession the next day from the church or family member’s house close to church, and finally a burial the third day. Because her uncle was a senior officer in the police force, a lot of inspectors were present and there was a 21 gun salute. Close to 400 people attended.

I did not to travel to Africa and stay at a hotel and go on a few safaris before I left after one week like an average tourist. I stayed with my new adopted family in all their homes. I used outhouses, bathed with buckets of warm water, ate Kenyan food which is eaten with your hands, no spoons, knives or forks. I stayed at a college for about 4 days and there was a kindergarten next store so I bought them all lollipops and instantly had 60 5-year-old friends. I saw gold mines where people build the mines by hand and sift in a river for gold; very dangerous but good money as far as Kenyan pay goes. Most Kenyans make $200.00 a month so everything is very cheap there. The American dollar is worth about 80.

Christianity is huge in Kenya, I am happy to admit. Everyone loves my Luther rose tattoo [Lutheran symbol]. One of our drivers was a graduate of a bible school so we had many good talks regarding God, Jesus, and the Holy spirit. I met a minister, elders, and some members from a version of an Ecclesial church who would pray any time they felt the Holy Spirit enter them. You could actually feel the religion in these people to the point that it gave me goosebumps.

Africa is an experience I will never forget and I hope to go back soon. Everyone is nice and is practically honored to say hello and shake your hand. I have traveled all over the world and Kenya is truly the first place I absolutely fell in love with.

-Dave Starck


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The Baptism of Ana Marie Vega on March 25, 2012

Rev. Cristina Rathbone, Ana Marie, Deneen Sarna, Michael Bancewicz.

Church on the Hill volunteered with the Monday Night Dinner on March 26.

April has long been known as the archway into the warmer

pleasures of New England. Brighter evenings, greener grass and

the anDcipaDon of the balmier months ahead all give Bostonians

well earned reasoning to relish in the weeks ahead. GiFed with

holidays, celebraDons and Dme honored tradiDons, there is

something for everyone to enjoy within a wide array of

specialDes and interests. Sports fans, foodies and nature lovers

will delight in the many offerings this city is sponsoring including

art exhibits, picnics and volunteer opportuniDes welcoming to all

ages. Many will be surprised at these inexpensive or even FREE

fesDviDes which Boston is hosDng, all perfect for kicking of the

Spring stretch ahead!

What’s Happening This Month!

Saturday, April 7, 2012 World Health DayThe World Health OrganizaDon (WHO) is celebraDng its 64th founding celebraDon with World Health Day which this year focuses on the topic, “Aging and Health”.

Sunday, April 8, 2012 Easter Sunday

Sunday, April 22, 2012 Earth DayObserved by more than 175 countries worldwide, Earth Day encompasses the mission to both educate and celebrate healthy environmental preservaDon and awareness.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 Administra6ve Professionals Day

Special Events:

Friday, April 13, 2012 Nature’s Conservancy Picnic Celebra6on 12-‐3pm at Boston Common Frog PondNature’s Conservancy aCempts to break the Guinness Book of World Record for the largest picnic including vendors promoDng environmentally friendly products, demonstraDons, informaDon on composDng and arts and craFs using recycled materials.

Monday, April 16, 2012 The Boston Marathon 9amThe oldest running marathon originaDng in the year 1896 which consumes 26.2 miles of Boston terrain will recognize its 116th year starDng in Hopkinton to the Boston finish line.

Saturday, April 21, 2012 Park Serve DayGet involved in the preservaDon of Boston’s forests, parks and beaches by parDcipaDng in the clean up on Spectacle Island. Complete with acDviDes for kids, reserve your space for this boaDng voyage by calling 617-‐223-‐8666.

Sunday, April 22, 2012 CelebraDng Na6onal Grilled Cheese Month at Cheese Boy 1-‐6pmFREE classic grilled cheese sandwiches offered by the chain, Cheese Boy, to celebrate NaDonal Grilled Cheese month at their parDcipaDng locaDons (South StaDon, PrudenDal Center, South Shore Plaza and NaDck Mall).

Saturday, April 28, 2012 Art in Bloom 10am-‐4:45pm Museum of Fine ArtsGaze on the beauty of almost 70 gorgeous arrangements mastered aFer the divine works of art displayed throughout the museum. Holding its annual 36th forum, exhibiDon and acDviDes are all included with general MFA admission.

(above)Jared Dineen won a Gold Plate for his work with the Kuwaiti POW/MIA department.


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CorrespondenceDear Church on a Hill,

Thank you very much for donating the space for our Luau on March 10th. We had a fantastic time. We made just a little over $1,800 that night! That’s almost half of our team goal! We put in a lot of work to create the luau, but it would have been all for nothing without your support. Thank you for supporting our team. We hope you will stay connected with Life Together by liking our FaceBook page, https://www.facebook.com/lifetogethercommunity, and visiting our website, http://www.lifetogethercommunity.orgThank you from the bottom of our hearts!

In Peace and Gratitude,Sevy, Ellen, Lacresha, Matt, and Nikki

Free Program for the Citizens of Boston

The North Star Personal Alert Program is a free and voluntary program for caregivers of individuals that have a tendency to wander or are a Klight risk from a speciKic location. The program is designed to help individuals that would have a difKicult time communicating with First Responders and in some cases do not understand the potential danger he/she may be in. This program is geared toward, but not limited to individuals with autism or Alzheimer's disease. To learn more and take advantage of this great free program, please call 617-‐343-‐6503 or email them at [email protected]. Senior Companions receive information about the North Star Program.

https://www.facebook.com/lifetogethercommunity




http://www.lifetogethercommunity.org/

http://www.lifetogethercommunity.org/

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


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Church Calendar Events 2012All are welcome. Come as you are.

Sunday, April 1 9:45 AM Palm Sunday. Bible Reflection

11:00 AM Church Service and Communion with Rev. Dr. Ted Klein

Wednesday, April 4 5:00 PM Church Council Meeting

6:00 PM Board of Trustees Meeting

Thursday, April 5 6:00 PM Maundy Thursday Service with Rev. Dr. Ted Klein, Gail Barrows, and Michael Bancewicz

Friday, April 6 12:00 Noon Good Friday Observance

Sunday, April 8 11:00 AM Easter. Church Service with Rev. Dr. Ted Klein

Sunday, April 15 9:45 AM Swedenborg Class with Rev. Dr. Ted Klein

11:00 AM Church Service with Rev. Dr. Ted Klein

Wednesday, April 18 12:00 Noon Senior Lunch

Sunday, April 22 9:45 AM Bible Reflection

11:00 AM Church Service with Dr. Mary Kay Klein

Sunday, April 29 9:45 AM Swedenborg Class with Rev. Dr. Ted Klein

11:00 AM Church Service with Gail Barrows

April

MayWednesday, May 2 5:00 PM Church Council Meeting

6:00 PM Board of Trustees Meeting

Sunday, May 6 9:45 AM Bible Reflection

11:00 AM Church Service and Communion with Rev. Dr. Ted Klein

Sunday, May 13 9:45 AM Swedenborg Class with Rev. Dr. Ted Klein

11:00 AM Spring Choir Concert

Wednesday, May 16 10:00 Noon Senior Lunch

Sunday, May 20 9:45 AM Bible Reflection

11:00 AM Church Service with Dr. Mary Kay Klein or Rev. Dr. Ted Klein

Sunday, May 27 9:45 AM Swedenborg Class with Rev. Dr. Ted Klein

11:00 AM Church Service with Gail Barrows


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Anyone who completes the puzzle or comes the closest will be entered in a raffle to win a $50 Gift Certificate. GOOD LUCK!

Either send us a picture of the completed puzzle or tear out and bring in/mail us the actual page.

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Church on The Hill (Swedenborgian) The Boston Society of the New Jerusalem, Inc.

140 Bowdoin Street, Beacon HillBoston, MA 02108-2799

Check Out The New Website at www.churchonthehillboston.org

“It is my mission to help in the breaking down of classes, and to make all men feel as if they were brethren of the same family, sharing the same rights, the same capabilities, and the same responsibilities. While my hand can hold a pen, I will use it to this end; and while my brain can earn a dollar, I will devote it to this end.” Lydia Maria Child

Lydia Maria Child (1802-1880)Member of the ChurchWriter, Author, Abolitionist, Civil Rights AdvocateWriter of “Over the River”

Documents

Holy Week 2012 April 4-8churchonthehillboston.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/April-2012-PDF.pdfsome exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee. When all the students