Welcome to the Swedenborg Society's first ever e-newsletter. In anticipation of our bicentenary year, we thought we should catch up with the 21st century ... Read on to find out about our news and upcoming events. These include: the recent refurbishment of Swedenborg House and its participation in Open House London; our plans for the Society's bicentenary year; new books in the bookshop and information on our flag - design competition; and news from Swedenborgian Publishers across the world.
We hope to see you here soon.
Best wishes,
Nora Foster, Marketing Representative, The Swedenborg Society.
News Refurbishment of Swedenborg House
We are proud to reveal the new face of the Swedenborg Society. After months hidden behind scaffolding, Swedenborg House has emerged gleaming - fresh from its first makeover in 18 years. Extensive structural work, a new coat of paint inside and out, revised signage and glass-work have contributed towards a striking new look - all overseen by our property manager, Eoin McMahon. The building is now ready for the 2010 events; and the Swedenborg Hall, the Wynter and Gardiner rooms are also available forhire. Please contact Richard at the Society if you are interested.
Event
OPEN HOUSE at the Swedenborg Society
September 19 2009
1:00 - 4:00 pm
Swedenborg House
Admission: Free
Open House London is the capital's largest architectural showcase. It provides opportunities for people to look around exemplary buildings which are not normally accessible to the public. On the 19th of September, Swedenborg House will be one of 700 buildings in London throwing open its doors, 'in honour of design excellence'. So if you have always wanted to see what lies beyond the bookshop, do come along. Swedenborg House is a Grade II listed building, dating from around 1760; originally a dwelling house, it has had a variety of uses before being acquired by the Swedenborg Society in 1925. Decorated around this time, the building is a homage to 1920's design, exhibiting a grand neoclassical style and striking period features. You will also be able to explore the many peculiarities of the Swedenborg Society, including rare photos of the Swedenborg Society Centenary Conference in 1910.
Swedenborg House has been rebranded - but there is still something missing... We have a flag pole but no flag! We are therefore challenging you to design a Swedenborg Society flag in time for our bicentenary year. The winning design will hang in a very prominent position, at the front of Swedenborg House on Bloomsbury Way. Please use your imagination to create an image representative of the Society and its aims.
The Swedenborg Society will be commemorating its bicentenary year throughout 2010. We are developing a diverse program of events. This includes the publication of a Brief History of the Swedenborg Society by Richard Lines, a complete Bibliography of the works of Swedenborg, a new translation of Heaven and Hell, a special edition of Discovering Swedenborg by Gary Lachman and a library edition of the Swedenborg Society Journal. We will also be hosting talks by A S Byatt, Simon Armitage (pictured) and Prof. Roy Foster, among others; artists will be exhibiting their work; and we will screen our brand new documentary as well as a film series exploring Swedenborg's ideas and influence. The program of events is constantly evolving. If you would like to participate or have any ideas for our bicentenary, please contact Noraat the Society.
Books
New Book in the Bookshop:
The Five Ages: Swedenborg's View of Spiritual History
By P L Johnson
£9.50 paperback
A paperback edition of our bestseller, The Five Ages is now in print. The author traces an epic history of the churches, as described in Swedenborg's last major work, the Coronis. Swedenborg died before he could publish Coronis, and only an incomplete copy survives. However P L Johnson masterfully recreates and commentates a cohesive spiritual history, using this source and extracts from Swedenborg's earlier works. We are told of man's psychological development throughout the 'world ages' of the churches.
First Draft Due: November 15, 2009 Publication Date: September 2010
Do you have a talent for writing? The Chrysalis Reader, a publication of the Swedenborg Foundationin the USA, is looking for submissions on the theme of 'bridges'. This
annual book series on Swedenborgian themes is directed at a diverse
audience, including people from numerous faiths and
backgrounds. The editors try to publish a mix of writings - humorous,
serious, philosophical, poetical or fictional. According to their brief, a 'unique' approach to the
theme is more likely to be accepted. What types of bridges construct a
correspondence between worlds? For more information visit the Chrysalis Reader website.
Submissions Due
