In this heartfelt message, Rev. Sage Cole shares her reflections on the legacy of going one’s own way, the tension between independence and connection, and her exciting vision for the future of spiritual community. As she steps into new territory with the Helen Keller Spiritual Life Collaborative, she offers insights on authenticity, apostolic heritage, and the power of community in the evolving church landscape. Rev. Sage also announces her new series “Notes from the New Heaven,” which will premiere on New Church Day, Friday June 19th 2026.

Main Topics:

* The legacy of independence and personal freedom within family and spiritual history

* The importance and challenges of going one’s own way while maintaining meaningful connection

* The vision for building innovative, inclusive spiritual communities like the Helen Keller Spiritual Life Collaborative

* The significance of spiritual freedom, diversity, and authentic belonging in the modern church

* Launching “Notes from the New Heaven” a doctrinal series to connect theology with daily life

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction: Celebrating New Church Day Week and the significance of spiritual journey00:30 - Reflection on family legacy of leaving and going one’s own way01:07 - Celebrating the adventurous life of Sage’s grandfather and his impact01:34 - The concept of legacy as a journey of independence and new possibilities02:05 - Personal orientation towards authenticity and adventure in spiritual calling02:34 - The Swedenborgian Church as a community of spiritual freedom and uniqueness03:04 - The inclusive and diverse nature of the Swedenborgian community03:33 - The idea of being “all distinguishably one” 04:02 - Embracing the beauty of different beings unified in love and truth04:17 - Navigating the hurt that can come from choosing independence04:47 - The loneliness and the need to find community when going one’s own way05:16 - Envy and admiration for families carrying legacy generation to generation05:42 - The importance of supportive spaces that align with individual gifts06:10 - The tension between independence and connection in familial and spiritual life06:39 - Loss of shared purpose and community within the journey of going one’s own way06:51 - The new vision: building the Helen Keller Spiritual Life Collaborative07:16 - The call for a community that embraces both independence and connection07:44 - Wrestling with sadness and broken relationships in forging a new path08:13 - Finding fulfillment in creating spaces where full self-expression is possible08:26 - Emerging excitement from reconciling the desire for both independence and community08:57 - The role of Swedenborgian community as a nurturing space09:26 - Launching “Notes from the New Heaven” doctrinal series for spiritual reflection09:55 - Intentions to foster discussions on theological doctrines and personal embodied faith10:24 - The vision for fall gatherings to share and learn from diverse spiritual experiences10:53 - Building a community rooted in love, belonging, and diversity11:20 - Encouragement to explore and embody the life of the new church11:50 - The importance of celebrating differences and coexistence in church life

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