n e w c h u r c h l i f e : m ay / j u n e 2 0 1 5
Introducing Our Ministers focuses on the Rev. C. Mark Perry, pastor in
San Diego, California, who has a real gift for teaching and preaching but didn’t
realize it until he was thrust into the role at a youth camp. It was a twisted and
fascinating path that led him to the ministry, but what drew him then to the
use still guides his service: loving people. (Page 277)
The Rev. Coleman S. Glenn has found a kind of Plane Kindness in his
travels that speaks to small acts of kindness we do for each other that bring
the Lord’s presence – and the angels. Why are we more likely to see this faceto-face on an airplane, but not so much on the highway? There is a lesson here
about the Lord’s goals for each of us. (Page 283)
In a review of Naomi Smith’s book about her father, the Rev. Victor
Gladish – V as in Victor – Vera Glenn says this tale should resonate with people
in the Church who lived through the same trying circumstances during and
after World War II. It is a book about the triumph of the human spirit against
challenging and depressing circumstances – and emerging a victor because no
bitterness or self-pity was passed on to his family. (Page 286)
Church News includes nominees for the General Church Board of
Directors; New Church education beyond the schools; regional clergy
meetings in Europe and Canada; a 25th anniversary celebration in Boynton
Beach, Florida; a presentation by representatives of the Academy of the New
Church at a Small Boarding Schools Conference on gender specific education;
and information about the Jacob’s Creek, Living Waters and Laurel family
camps. (Page 289)
The cover: The cover illustration is the banner of the Academy
Class of 1951, part of the Swedenborg Library Digital Collections: www.
swedenborglibrary.org/digital. The photographer is Marvin B. Clymer, head
of the digital collections for the Library.
In presenting the banner on May 19, 1951, senior class president Yorvar
Synnestvedt said in part: “In our world of today, a world full of deceit, hatred
and war, it is very hard to know what to believe and whom to follow. . . . In our
banner we have tried to represent something we can always trust to lead us
through darkness and distress, if only we will choose to follow it.”
In accepting the banner on behalf of the Academy, Dean of Schools
Stanley F. Ebert said in part: “This banner symbolizes your desire to leave with
the Academy some visible evidence of your devotion . . . your personality, your
hopes, your convictions.
“You have portrayed the path through darkness to light – the road we all
must follow. The black background represents not only the state of the world
but the evil states of every individual born into the world. The star reminds us
that the Lord Himself came on earth for the salvation of mankind, and that His
assumption of the human form was prophetic of His Second Advent.
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