Ship of Fools: Whatisitanyway?

Thread: Whatisitanyway? Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :

A recent feature article (complete with color cover pic) in The American Organist, told of the new organ at Bryn Ardyth (Pennsylvania) Cathedral (I think that's the right spelling).

The building looked very traditional/Gothic and large. There was a 'high altar' not very clear in the picture.

The denomination was given as 'The New Church' (their capitalization). The article and their web-site didn't seem to identify their 'breed.'

So does anybody know?

Posted by mr cheesy (# 3330) on :

New Church is the denomination - it is a Swedenborgian church.

We have several of their ministers active on the ship.

[ 03. September 2015, 15:36: Message edited by: mr cheesy ]

Posted by Knopwood (# 11596) on :

Yes, the New Church (or General Church of the New Jerusalem) is the larger of the two main Swedenborgian bodies in North America, while the Swedenborgian Church in North America (formerly the General Convention) is the older.

IIRC the main differences are that the New Church has bishops (and a parochial school system), views the writings of Swedenborg as inspired scripture, and is conservative on Dead Horses. The Swedenborgian Church is congregational in polity (with no parochial schools), views Swedenborg's writing as foundational but not "Another Testament", ordains women and is gay-friendly.

Posted by W Hyatt (# 14250) on :

That all sounds about right to me, except that I only know of a single minister active on the ship (Freddy). Otherwise, I'm the only other member active on the ship that I know of.

Posted by georgiaboy (# 11294) on :

Thanks for this info. I'm afraid that I am terribly ignorant about Swedenborg and all things Swedenborgian.

Posted by W Hyatt (# 14250) on :

Basically, we're a small, non-creedal denomination with a theological belief system that is radically different than mainstream Christianity. But other than that, we're pretty normal.

Posted by Knopwood (# 11596) on :

A New Church in Bristol has been MWed a couple of times, most recently here. (The British denomination seems from the description to be closer to the General Convention than the General Church). Of particular architectural significance is Frank Lloyd Wright's Wayfarers Chapel in California, affiliated with the General Convention.

[ 04. September 2015, 19:47: Message edited by: Knopwood ]

Posted by Oblatus (# 6278) on :

quote:
Originally posted by georgiaboy:
A recent feature article (complete with color cover pic) in The American Organist, told of the new organ at Bryn Ardyth (Pennsylvania) Cathedral (I think that's the right spelling).

Bryn Athyn (Welsh; intended to mean Hill of Unity)

Posted by W Hyatt (# 14250) on :

If that's what was intended, what would be the correct way to phrase it?

Posted by Cameron PM (# 18142) on :

How would you describe the worship style of the Church, liturgically? There was mention of a high altar. Is there a set liturgy?

This is all so fascinating.

Posted by Knopwood (# 11596) on :

More than a little out of date, but this is how John Ross Robertson described a Swedenborgian service in turn of the century Toronto:

quote:
As the people entered some of them bowed the head a moment in silent prayer; and when the minister entered and opened the Bible on the repository they all rose; this act signified that the Word of God was now open for study and examination, and what made it more impressive was the inscription of the Ten Commandments on two long tablets on the wall above the Bible and above these the words: "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

The service is liturgical and the order of worship combines the excellent features of all other liturgies with their irrational redundancies eliminated. After a brief responsive service and prayers, closing with the Lord's Prayer said by the minister and people in unison, the choir sang the Sanctus or, rather, it led the singing, for everybody sang. And the tunes, both of the chants and hymns, were refreshing because they were superior in dignity and reverence to the ordinary usage. There was no clap-trap singing, no rushing through hymns in a worldly waltz time, and a fast waltz at that, which seems to be growing popular in our churches. The music was well-timed and sung with excellent harmony and expression.

After further responses and another chant, the minister read a lesson from the first chapter of Isaiah, first giving by way of analysis what he called "the internal sense" of the lesson; at its close he said: "Here endeth the lesson, he that hath ears let him hear what the spirit saith to the churches." Then followed the chanting of a gloria, a responsive psalm reading and another chant, "O sing unto the Lord a new song," then a lesson from John and a hymn, "How gentle God's commands."

Posted by Freddy (# 365) on :

Very nice to see this thread!

We are very pleased with the new organ and a lot of people stop by to see and hear it.

Examples of the live-streamed services can be seen here:
http://brynathynchurch.org/cathedral-services-livestreamed/

There is also a very interesting and popular YouTube channel devoted to Swedenborg:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5kBvit8NAsLO3o-8SNGAOA

We have tried to be Mystery Worshiped, but we have been deemed non-Trinitarian and so we do not qualify. This seems strange to me, since we baptize into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but I'm not the one making the rules.

Posted by Freddy (# 365) on :

As for whether the services are liturgical, the Cathedral service today is greatly simplified compared to the one in Toronto from last century. Many fewer repetitions and chants.

As with most churches, the services have branched out into numerous styles - informal, rock and roll, etc. This sadly divides up the congregation, since there are several other worship venues in town, each with its own regulars and style. But everyone comes together for holidays, such as a huge Thanksgiving service on November 26th at the Academy of the New Church Field House.

[ 20. October 2015, 14:39: Message edited by: Freddy ]

Posted by Freddy (# 365) on :

Apologies! I haven't posted here in so long that I forgot how to post URLs. [Hot and Hormonal]

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