About us

Who is God? Swedenborg wrote "God never hurts or punishes, for this is as far away from the nature of God as Heaven is from hell." For Swedenborgians, God is the Creator, the source of every positive human quality and the very energy which is slowly leading humanity towards the creation of heaven on earth. The essence of God is perfect love and wisdom which draws all people to heaven so that they would enjoy the fulfillment for which we were created.??Who is Jesus? Jesus was a real person who lived and taught a path we can follow to become whole. In this person, God entered completely into the human experience as the ultimate expression of love and compassion. He knew birth, growth, pain, testing, and fulfillment. In Christ we are given a comprehensible and knowable God. The Second Coming is an active process that is happening within us and the whole world. As we increase compassion, integrity, understanding, and healing in our lives, we are helping God create a "new Heaven and a new Earth."

Heaven and hell are not rewards or punishments distributed on judgment day but the present inner experience we freely choose. We may choose to enjoy peace and openness, or to close ourselves in fear. We can discover the highest joy of a loving life by giving to others, or the loneliness of self-centeredness. Life is an opportunity for learning and spiritual growth. When we "die" we continue to live, creating the Heaven or hell of our choice in the next life. There is no devil tempting us, but there are angels who are always with us, leading us toward the light of heaven.

As we choose between giving and taking, loving and hating, right and wrong, we participate in the creation of our own spiritual character. This spiritual self, or soul, is who we really are, and this is what lives forever.

Rev’s Paul and Erni Martin

Rev. Erni Martin Rev. Paul Martin

SPECIAL EVENTS

We have a number of events during the year that are just plain fun, (along with offering spiritual connectedness and a sense of continuing growth). Some of them are:

‣Christmas Eve Eve (yes, December 23rd), “Heavenly Holiday Celebration” filled with music, a sense of awe, and wonderful food and merriment
‣Valentines Day “Love” Ceremony
‣MossWoodStock - coming this year - an inspirational music festival on the grounds of an incredibly sacred, relaxing, beautiful retreat site in the Cascade foothills - Mosswood Hollow
‣Annual Church Campout at Washington Park

ABOUT OUR BELIEFS

Who is Jesus? Jesus was a real person who lived and taught a path we can follow to become whole. In this person, God entered completely into the human experience as the ultimate expression of love and compassion. He knew birth, growth, pain, testing, and fulfillment. In Christ we are given a comprehensible and knowable God.

ABOUT US

The Swedenborgian Church of Puget Sound is part of the inclusive Christian denomination known as the Swedenborgian Church, which is a member of the National Council of Churches.

SERVICES

We meet at DanceWorks Studios Sundays at 11AM - it’s a sweet place for gathering, learning and connecting with one another.

Services include a message from one of our ministers or one of our varied and wonderful guest speakers, (both from within the Swedenborg denomination, and from many, many other faiths).

Services are spiritual, inspirational and the liturgy is accessible for people of all faiths and most ages.

Music is a HUGE part of our services typically featuring a mix of upbeat and contemporary selections combined with some songs that are very introspective and meditational. Musicians are often-times world class - whether they’re from within our congregation or the pool of wonderful musicians in the Pacific Northwest (and well beyond).

It’s all about worship, the arts and service... (We LOVE Music!)