New Church Foundation

A congregation serving its community is an extension of the idea that each individual has been created to serve a special use in heaven. Each angel has a special niche or function to serve, and from contributing in that way derives tremendous satisfaction and heavenly joy. One of our tasks as human beings is to learn about our personal gifts and interests, and find ways of using them to serve others.

Readings

The life of a person is his or her love, and that which they love they not only like to be doing, but also like to be thinking. The reason therefore why we say that the life is to do that which is good is that doing what is good acts as a one with thinking what is good, for if in a person these two things do not act as a one, they are not of their life. (Doctrine of Life 1)

1. Christian charity, with everyone, consists in faithfully performing what belongs to their calling, for by doing this, if they shun evils as sins, they are doing good things every day and are themselves their own use in the general body. In this way also the common good is cared for, and the good of each person in particular.
2. All other things that they do are not the proper works of charity, but are either its signs, its benefactions, or its obligations. (Doctrine of Life 114)

Article: Sharing Your Faith
Part Two

A newly married couple, enthralled with each other and the ideals of marriage, begin looking for books to enhance their knowledge on love and relationships. They find a book by Emanuel Swedenborg – one that expresses new concepts about true married love. Inspired by the ideas, they soon feel that there is more to this book than what appears at first glance. Later, they discover other books of the Writings and then the organized church. Today this couple and their family are active members of the New Church.

This Week's Article

Volunteering
By Anna Woofenden

How is volunteering related to my eternal life?
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Q and A

I often hear references to 'use'. How is one 'useful'?
Being useful is loving the Lord and serving your neighbor. This can show up in many different ways, depending on the gifts and talents God gave you. When you perform your occupation faithfully, honestly, and justly, that is useful. When you are present with friends and family and support them in times of need, that is useful. When you reach out to a stranger, you serve a use. When you honor the Lord through prayer, reflection on His Word, and worship, that is useful. This "doctrine of use" is important in the New Church, because we believe that in Heaven everyone performs uses and takes great enjoyment in doing so. Heaven is not a place to sit on a cloud and lounge around. Like earth, it is a place where we use the gifts and talents the Lord has given us to help and serve others.