New Church Life September/October 2016 | Page 89

  schedule would overwhelm even the most enthusiastic organ aficionado, but one of their highlights in a city with a rich array of notable instruments was their visit to Bryn Athyn Cathedral. Five hundred participants arrived to hear a presentation of selected music by the young organist Monica Czausz. Afterward they were bused to the Society Building to eat dinner before heading into the city to hear one more organ before sleep. The highlight of this visit was the hymn. OHS has a practice of singing a hymn with each organ they visit, and the sound of 500 trained musicians raising their voices to the Lord in our Cathedral still reverberates in my ears. Our staff can take pride in how smoothly their visit went, but even more so, our staff and community were so warm and welcoming that the OHS attendees said they almost couldn’t believe it and shared their thanks throughout the rest of their week. A particularly touching moment was when Mr. Haas was introducing our pipe organ. He shared fond memories of his baptism in the small chapel, and his unsolicited words about our religion included an exhortation that attendees investigate the Writings of the New Church –beautiful testament to the lasting influence of the Lord’s work through the Writings. Many of our visitors from these events came away with a great impression of our Church and a sparked interest in the Writings, and we can be grateful that the Lord in His providence drew them here. (See photos on page 488.) boynton beach retreat 2017 The annual Boynton Beach Retreat in Florida is scheduled for Sunday, January 29, through Thursday, February 2, 2017. It returns to the Duncan Center, which has kept the housing rate for those staying there the same as last year. Bob Brickman, Director, describes the three “outstanding” speakers lined up: Brian Henderson, a favorite of many, will return in his new capacity as Director of the Glencairn Museum. He has a lot of interesting news and thoughts about this fast-growing effort in Bryn Athyn. Erica Goldblatt Hyatt: Anyone read the Bryn Athyn College Alumni Magazine several months ago will know of her interesting work on end-oflife experiences and helping people through the grieving process. I highly recommend her book, Grieving for the Sibling You Lost. It can be helpful to any age. The Rev. Glenn “Mac” Frazier worked for the past few years on planting a New Church in Austin, Texas. Recently he has accepted a call to serve as assistant pastor of the Glenview New Church. His topic will be, Lessons 495