I am Rev. Rachel Rivers, pastor at the San Francisco Swedenborgian Church since 1990. I graduated from our denomination's seminary in 1983 and was ordained on July 3 of that year. When I first began reading Swedenborgian theology over 25 years ago, I found that it opened my mind to new vistas of understanding and encouraged my heart to open as well. All of these years later, this experience of reading Emanuel Swedenborg's theological works continues to be true for me, and I have as much to learn now as when I first began.

What excites me the most about what Swedenborgian theology has to offer is its inclusive scope and the depth of its spiritual understanding. I would not embrace a faith that believes that its message is the one and only way of truth and its adherents the only ones who will find God. Swedenborg's articulation of Christianity clarifies that God's love and truth is for everyone and that there are many different ways of believing that can lead one to the good of life. For example, from a Swedenborgian understanding Christ's words, "I am the way" means that Love is the way. Love is the essence of life itself, and truth is love coming into existence, into form. Truth leads us to love, and we are here on earth in order to love, and to grow in our capacity to love.

It is a joy in my life to be a part of the San Francisco Swedenborgian Church community. I appreciate the warm and simple beauty of its sanctuary and I appreciate the rich complexity, sincerity and good-heartedness of its congregation. We are a community of spiritual seekers who find that exploring Swedenborg's insights into Christianity and sharing in our journeys enriches our experience of the Divine. Please feel welcome to worship with us any Sunday morning at 11 AM.

You may contact me by phone at 415-346-6466, ext. 12 or via email at rrivers@sfswedenborgian.org. I am usually at the church office Wednesdays & Thursdays and Saturdays & Sundays.