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Church on The Hill (Swedenborgian) The Boston Society of the New Jerusalem, Inc.140 Bowdoin Street ~ Beacon Hill ~ Boston, MA 02108 ~ www.churchonthehillboston.org
October 2013Vol. X, Issue 10
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
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.
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.
MinistersSearch Committee
Executive OfficialsMary Guarino, PresidentDiane Williams, Vice PresidentMichael Bancewicz, Chairman of the Board of Trustees /Congregational DirectorSusanne Rogers, TreasurerLynne Payson, Secretary
Craig Williams, Acting Editor
Emeritus OfficialsMichael Latkowitch, President Emeritus
Anna Hunt Latkowitch, Church Council Emeritus
MusicCarlton Doctor, Minister of Music
Victor Cayres de Mendonca, Organist and Pianist
CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
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From Craig Williams
Hi everyone, Fall is in full effect! There is a chill in the air, the leaves are beginning to change colors, and I couldn’t be happier. As much as I love the summer, there is something very refreshing about the crisp air that puts me in a good mood. Church season is back and I am happy to report that church attendance has been phenomenal! Back to Church Sunday was a major success and it has continued to trend in the following weeks. Rev. Colin Leitch preached every Sunday in September and has received some great response. We all enjoy when he is in the pulpit and he keeps the congregation involved entertained spiritually fed. The more people we can get in here on Sundays, the better. Remember, we can’t have a church without you - the members and friends! Our youth leader, Eduardo Gonzalez is planning a scavenger hunt for October 12 (see page 4). It is for young and old alike, but be prepared to walk all around the city. We are recommending each team brings at least one smart phone as it will help you with the clues. It is shaping up to be a great event and hopefully it will be a beautiful day to explore Boston. The Oasis Monday Night Dinners at St. Paul’s Cathedral have been going
strong since I became the Event Coordinator. Attendance has been strong and I foresee an even bigger turnout once the weather changes and people are looking to get out of the cold. I will keep everyone posted on when Church on the Hill sponsors the dinner. If anyone is interested in volunteering some Monday night, call me in the office and I can give you the details. Vagabonds Open Mic nights have begun to pick up again as the college students have started coming back to the city for the new semester as well as neighbors returning from summer vacations.. September 18 marked our one year anniversary and it was a great night. We all look forward to the upcoming year and hope it is even more successful! Suzie put together her monthly “What’s Happening” on pages 6-8 which includes some fun and interesting events happening around Boston. I recommend checking it out and trying to get to some of them. Remember, the weather is nice now but it will be getting cold soon so enjoy being outside while you still can. I am loving that football season is back. There is nothing better than spending a day eating greasy food, watching football, and yelling at the TV. I am in 2 fantasy football leagues I am 1-3 in one and 2-2 in the other league - not good. There is still a lot of football to be played though, so it is anyone’s game! Go Patriots!
Enjoy the autumn!
Craig
NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
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From Michael BancewiczHello All! September has been absolutely great! Starting with Back to Church Sunday with record breaking attendance, Richard Burmanʼs two day yard sale in our hall to raise money for the Best Buddies and Red Sox Foundation, Vagabondʼs Open Mic Coffee House, Friday Flix, The Max Reger Concert Series featuring our own Lisa Hadley and her sister Suzanne Shepard. Also performing at the concert
was our young friend Phuong Nghi Pham. The Board of Trustees and the BostonView Board of Directors have been working and meeting tirelessly improving our level of operations. We have hired outside consultants to examine areas of opportunity to best serve as stewards to the church and of course the apartment building as well. Part of this process included hiring an outside management company, Mediate Management, to manage BostonView. This is an outstanding group that maintain some beautiful Boston properties as well as enhance the communities they operate out of.
Last night, September 30th, the Church on the Hill served Chicken Cordon Bleu, broccoli, mashed potatoes and tiramisu to our underserved friends with the help of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. I am super pleased with the health of our church and the many of you that make this happen. I want to reemphasize that not one group is making this happen but each and everyone of you. Some are able to volunteer, others who are busy with work or physically unable, contribute with their presence and kindness. Everyone brings gifts to the best of their ability, this is our joy!
(continued on page 12)
From our Youth Leader -
Greetings all! I hope everyone enjoyed their summer and is ready to take on the fall! We've got a scavenger hunt set up that will take place all throughout Boston that will put your wits of Park Street, Faneuil Hall, and Copley Square to the test. We'll need you to be prepared, so bring a camera along to take pictures of the answer to the clues. There will also be a bonus "round" where we'll send you a random location to go to! This event will take place October 12, starting at 11 AM. Hope you all can make it! We will meet mid-‐game for a late lunch.
Eduardo Gonzalez, Church Council
Everyone brings gifts to the best of their ability,
Church on the Hill choir singing in the Common after Sunday service
Jimmy and Richard at the Best Buddies Yard Sale
Carlton, Phuong Nghi Pham, and Mike after her concert
Craig and his band at a bene\it concert for an ex-‐marine
CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
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From the Minister of Music -
During the day on September 10, 2013 the temperature was a mild 77 degrees with sun and a slight breeze. As the sun went down the temperature began to rise. It was all due to the performances about to take place in the Church On The Hill, Beacon Hill, Boston. The audience arrived in high spirits and with warm smiles. Phuong Nghi Pham approached the piano accompanied by warm applause. She bowed, took her seat and began to play. With the opening notes of the Chopin, “Sonata No. 2, Grave” everyone knew that they were in for a magni\icent evening of music making. She played with passion, excitement and clearly articulated phrasing. Next came the Bach’s “Prelude and Fugue No. 9”; she played the prelude with a whimsical sense of humor. Her interpretation of the fugue was beautiful phrases with a clear articulation of every note. The audience erupted into enthusiastic applause. Then came the Ravel “Sonatine” (1. Modere)”, then Beethoven’s “Sonatat Op. 2, No. 3” then Chopin’s “Etude Op. 10 No.3” and then Reger’s “Improvisationen Op. 18” (VIII. Etude Brillante). The audience was on their feet at the end of this piece, shouting Bravo! After a short pause and still buzzing about the piano compositions they had just heard, the audience settled down for the performance of Lisa Hadley and Suzanne Sheppard. Suzanne took her seat at the piano and the audience waited for Lisa, but Suzanne began to play and the room was suddenly \illed with the beautiful tones of her sister’s voice rising from the back of the room. Lisa had most successfully brought the crowd to another level of excitement by this surprise
entrance and the familiar words of Kander’s “Cabaret”. True to the lyrics of the song she launched into a program that was built to draw reactions from the audience. The program was varied, full of excitement and masterfully performed. The music in Hopson’s “The Gift Of Love”; Sheppard’s “Songs of Contemplation”; Rodgers’ “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was lovingly presented. The music of Bizet’s “Habanera”; Brel’s “Carousel”; Lennon/McCartney’s “Help!” and Rodgers’ “Johnny One Note” were delivered with the \ire and passion a most accomplished pianist and broadway singer actress. There was a presentation of the “Armed Services Medley” to observe the \irst responders work on ‘9/11’. Then to bring everyone to the edge of their seats Lisa presented the Monologue: A Cry For Help. At the end of their performance the audience was on their feet again, applauding and shouting their approval. At that point it was time to “taste the wine” (from the song ‘Cabaret’). This was a fantastic evening of creative performances, Bravo to all.
Carlton J. DoctorMinister of Music
NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
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What’s Happening This October?
“There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October”
- Nathaniel Hawthorne
Holidays
Tuesday, October 1, 2013 World Vegetarian DaySaturday, October 5, 2013 World Teacher’s DayMonday, October 14, 2013 Columbus DayFriday, October 18, 2013 Full “Hunter’s” MoonThursday, October 24, 2013 United Nations DayFriday, October 25, 2013 World Pasta DayThursday, October 31, 2013 Halloween
Birthstone: Tourmaline & Opal Flower: The Marigold
Astrological Signs: Libra & Scorpio September 23-‐October 23 October 24-‐November 22
CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
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Special EventsDate: Saturday, Oct 26, 2013 Halloween At The MFA Time: 9:00am to 11:00amLocation: Museum of Fine Arts Boston, MA 02108
Patron Program Members of the MFA will love this spooky annual event which takes place in one of Boston’s most beloved museums. Children and adults will enjoy the Halloween activities interwoven within the beautiful exhibits and costumes are encouraged to be worn by all. For more information regarding this event and the Patron Program of the MFA, please visit: http://www.mfa.org/membership/member-‐events.
Date: Sunday, October 6, 2013 4th Annual Local Boston Food FestivalTime: 11am-5pmLocation: Rose Kennedy Greenway
Foodies take notice! You won’t want to miss this massive display of restaurateurs, chefs and delectable cuisine during the 4th Annual Local Boston Food Festival! Fish, meat, pasta and array of other delightful plates will be showcased throughout the booths. With live demonstrations, kid’s activities, music and more-‐visitors will adore this gala of spectacular food, fun and festivities!
Date: Sunday, October 13, 2013 Columbus Day ParadeTime: 1pmLocation: North End Boston, MA 02108
Bring the entire family to this patriotic Columbus Day weekend event set to take place the Sunday before the holiday on October 12, 2013! Set to include vintage autos, politicians, duck boat rides, military Ligures and brass marching bands, this is a display that you won’t want to miss! Boston is home to an eclectic array of history so don’t miss out on this fantastic presentation put on in the middle of our infamous city.
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 Vagabond’s Open Mic Coffee HouseTime: 7:30pm-11pmLocation:140 Bowdoin Street Beacon Hill- Boston, MA 02108
Bring your guitar, bring your poems, bring your soul! Every musician, poet, or spoken word artist is welcome to come perform a song or two. Come in and enjoy the artistic talents from local musicians and poets during open mic night occurring at 7:30pm on every 3rd Wednesday of every month at the Church on the Hill Function Hall! Whether your interests lie in performance or simply to enjoy the...festive atmosphere, Vagabonds Coffee House is a relaxing fun, free and festive night for the whole community! FREE REFRESHMENTS AND CONCESSION PROVIDED!
NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
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Date: October 19- 20, 2013 Head of the Charles RegattaTime: 8am - 4:30pmLocation: Charles River between Boston and Cambridge, MA
There is no place more stunning than the riverbanks of the Charles River in autumn, particularly during Cambridge’s annual race, Head of the Charles Regatta! Come take your place with the other hundreds of spectators drawn from around the world and watch the incredible athleticism of rowers during this historic event. Visitors will not only be able to see the dramatic display forging down the river but will also be privy to exhibits, demonstrations and more! For more information, please visit: http://hocr.org/the-‐regatta/spectators/event-‐locations.
Date: October 25-29, 2013 29th Annual Boston Film FestivalTime: Visit website for showingsLocation: Theatre 1 200 Stuart Street Boston, MA
Who doesn’t love a good movie? You will see dozens of Lilms which are striving to make history including themes involving comedy, romance, drama, spirituality and suspense! Entrants will proudly spin their reels on the silver screen in the hopes of winning recognition for their work. The festival is one of the longest running Lilm festivals in the world and supports the best of the best of up and coming artists in Lilm making.
Our friend Lyn Grande is once again doing the Brain Tumor Walk on October 6th to raise money for Brain tumor research in honor of her late husband Billy. The walk starts at Carson Beach, Boston and is a 5K. This is a great cause and any and all donations help. To donate to her team, visit www.braintumorcommunity.org and search “Billy’s Goofey Friends”. No donation is too small! Mike, Craig and friends of the church will be joining her!
CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
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FRIDAY FLICKS
Every Friday from 2:30 to 5:00 PMStarting September 13th
Popcorn and Refreshments!
The 3rd Wednesday of every Month
7:30 PM - 11:00Free Crazy Grilled
Cheese Bar
Straddling the line between fall and winter, plenty and paucity, life and death, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bon\ires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-‐based event characterized by child-‐friendly activities such as trick-‐or-‐treating. In a number of countries around the world, as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, people continue to usher in the winter season with gatherings, costumes and sweet treats.
A Brief History of Halloween
NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
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Here are the correct answers from last monthʼs rebus puzzles.
We did not receive a lot of completed puzzles this month. That being said, this will be the last month of rebus puzzles. Next month I will try a different kind of puzzle.
The winner of last monthʼs rebus puzzles is...Kevin Arias! Congratulations and we will get your gift certificate to you soon!
1 - Separated at Birth2 - Purple Haze3 - Ready for the Big Time4 - Vanishing Point5 - Arenʼt You Ready Yet?6 - Backhanded7 - Two Heads are Better than One8 - Easy as Pie9 - Summer
Annual Fall Members MeetingNovember 17, 2013 ~ 12:30 PM
Members are highly encouraged to attend this meeting. Members Meetings are the best time for church members to get updated on what has been going on in and around the church as well as voice
their opinions. The members that don’t attend the Members Meetings tend to be the ones that are dissociated from the church’s current events. Also, if anyone has been coming to church and is looking to become a member, please write a letter stating your
intentions with the church and bring it into the office by November 2. The letter will be reviewed by the Church Council and your
membership will be put to a vote on November 17. See you at the meeting!
"There is a harmony In autumn, and a lustre in its sky,Which through the summer is not heard or seen,
As if it could not be, as if it had not been!"
Percy Bysshe Shelley
CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
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There once was a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair where it won a blue ribbon.
One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors.
"How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?" the reporter asked.
"Why sir," said the farmer, "didn't you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn."
He is very much aware of the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor's corn also improves.
So it is with our lives. Those who choose to live in peace must help their neighbors to live in peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness, for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.
The lesson for each of us is this: if we are to grow good corn, we must help our neighbors grow good corn.
It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering
others, he waters himself.
- From the Bible,Proverbs 11:24-25
Simple Acts of Kindness...
NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
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One of the many stocked backpacks Lynne Payson, Trustee, donated for homeless and underprivileged students as part of drive assiting Sr. Linda Bessom, SND.
(left to right) Phuong Nghi Pham (Piano), Lisa Hadley (Mezzo Soprano) a, and Suzanne
Sheppard (Piano) after Max Reger Foundation Series Concert at Church on the Hill.
(Mike continued from page 4.)
The next couple of months are sure to be full of activities. On October 12, Eduardo Gonzalez is leading a scavenger hunt. On October 14, Patty Blakeney and Mary Guarino, will be leading a trip to NH for a “Leaf Peeping Luncheon”. In addition to our many other ongoing programs, Oasis will be beginning the cooking class for newly house folks. Many of our meals are prepared now by our own volunteers and I want to acknowledge some of them here for helping make that happen. Michael H, James D, Patricia B, Marvin G, Eduardo G, Craig W, Vikki D, and many others Thank You All!! I am pleased to announce that Rev. Kevin Baxter from the Swedenborg Chapel, Cambridge will be delivering the sermon on November 10. I recently had the opportunity to meet and have a great discussion with Kevin and he has offered to provide us with his knowledge to further understand the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg.
Be well! Mike
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Vagabonds Open Mic ~ September 18, 2013
Painted by our youngest church member, Anthony Gonzalez, these paintings were sold to the church at the Arts for Humanity event in September. They are
being proudly displayed in the church hallway by the front door.
Anthony GonzalezMary Guarino
NEWSLETTER OF THE BOSTON CHURCH OF THE NEW JERUSALEM
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Church Calendar Events 2013All are welcome. Come as you are.
OctoberWednesday, October 2 4:00 PM Church Council Meeting
5:00 PM Board of Trustee Meeting
Sunday, October 6 11:00 AM Church Service and Communion
Sunday, October 13 11:00 AM Church Service
Wednesday, October 16 12:00 Noon Senior Lunch
7:30 PM Vagabonds Open Mic Coffee House
Sunday, October 20 11:00 AM Church Service
Sunday, October 27 11:00 AM Church Service
Thursday, October 31 Halloween.
November
Sunday, November 3 11:00 AM Church Service and Communion
Wednesday, November 6 4:00 PM Church Council Meeting
5:00 PM Board of Trustee Meeting
Sunday, November 10 11:00 AM Church Service
Sunday, November 17 11:00 AM Church Service
12:30 PM Annual Members Meeting
Wednesday, November 20 12:00 Noon Senior Lunch
7:30 PM Vagabonds Open Mic Coffee House
Sunday, November 24 11:00 AM Church Service
Thursday, November 28 Thanksgiving
CHURCH ON THE HILL - ESTABLISHED 1818
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L E A S T
Whoever gets the most correct will be entered in a raffle to win a $50 Gift Certificate.
GOOD LUCK!
Either send us a letter with your numbered answers or tear out and bring in/mail us the actual page.
What do they say?
E H C AE
ANYTH INGANYTH INGANYTH INGANYTH ING
JACK HEARTED
HOROBOD + W +
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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”
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