Dear friends, I took my time in today’s podcast to share more about the invitation to Honesty, in my trinity Be Love, Be Honest, Be Useful. Grounded in Love, our celebration of Helen Keller’s Spiritual Birthday this week marks the beginning of a new season of Be Honest Conversations that I am so excited to begin wading into. Some are on the calendar and some are still in formation, but it’s time friends to wade into the difficult waters, to Be Honest with love about the terrain we meet at the moment and what might be possible in it. I hope you will join me!

Initial Schedule of Be Honest Conversations (more to come!)

Gender Equity & The New JerusalemTuesday, March 24th 2026 7:00-8:30 pm EasternSponsored by the Helen Keller Spiritual Life Collaborative & Deborah’s Tree

Racial Justice: Swedenborgian Anti-Racism Work Then and NowTuesday, April 28th 2026 7:00-8:30 pm EasternSponsored by the Helen Keller Spiritual Life Collaborative and Swedenborgians In Action Against Racism

LGBTQ Identity: Love , Gender, Marriage and SexualityTuesday, May 26th 2026 7:00-8:30 pm Eastern Sponsored by the Helen Keller Spiritual Life Collaborative and the Rainbow Church

Mark your calendars and subscribe to the HKSLC mailing list to receive information on how to attend.

Take another look at my series on My 12 Gates Into the Holy City and consider if you might like to join a ZOOM conversation on these topics. Let me know if you do!

Visit my archive to see the rest!

Ethan served various places across the US and spent five years serving a congregation in London England. He’s currently a pastor of Sunrise Chapel in Tucson, Arizona. Ethan’s happily married for almost 25 years and has five amazing children.

Keywords

love, spirituality, disability, community, personal growth, mental health, unity, faith, resilience, journey

Summary

In this heartfelt conversation, Ethan McCardell shares his journey of love, resilience, and spirituality. From his early experiences with cerebral palsy to his calling as a minister, Ethan reflects on how love has shaped his life and the importance of community and unity in healing. The discussion delves into the challenges of mental health, the role of spirituality in personal growth, and the aspiration for a more connected and compassionate world.

Takeaways

Love is a fundamental force that shapes our journeys.

Community support is crucial in overcoming personal challenges.

Spirituality can provide a deeper understanding of life’s struggles.

Healing often comes through acknowledging and embracing our pain.

Unity within ourselves and with others is essential for growth.

Personal growth is a lifelong journey that requires patience and resilience.

The importance of recognizing the Divine in ourselves and others.

Spiritual struggles can lead to profound insights and transformations.

The journey of love is often intertwined with challenges and growth.

We are all part of a larger narrative of love and connection.

Sound Bites

“The Lord never gives up on you.”

“The only way through is through.”

“We are all children of the same God.”

Chapters

00:00 The Call of Love: A Journey Begins

10:00 Navigating Challenges: From Darkness to Light

19:42 The Role of Spirituality in Healing

29:40 Unity and Community: A Shared Aspiration

39:41 Embracing the Journey: Love and Growth

Our Theme Music is “I Love it,” by Luke Concannon www.lukeconcannon.com

A messy message for this morning ❤️

Bob Kwesi Hagan is the residential pastor for the New Church Convention in Ghana, Africa. He is a seminary graduate at the GTU in Berkeley. Bob has a mission to make the Hon. Swedenborg's name a household name in Ghana. He is also an artist using music as a model of regeneration and restoration of our human condition, which is his ultimate agenda.

Keywords

love, spirituality, new church, Christian faith, compassion, community, meditation, personal growth, ministry, interfaith dialogue

Summary

In this enlightening conversation, Sage and Bob Hagen explore the profound themes of love, spirituality, and the essence of being a new Christian. They discuss the importance of connecting with God, the journey of personal growth, and the call to ministry. The dialogue emphasizes the need for compassion, community, and the mission of spreading the teachings of the new church to a broader audience. The conversation culminates in a hopeful vision for the future, highlighting the signs of a new heaven and the importance of inner peace.

Takeaways

Love is the driving force behind our spiritual journey.

Connecting with God requires deep meditation and contemplation.

Living a good life is essential for salvation.

Being a new Christian involves practical works of charity and goodness.

The mission of the new church is to spread its teachings to the masses.

Inner peace is crucial for external peace in the world.

Compassion is necessary for building a supportive community.

Active participation in church strengthens individual faith.

The new church encourages free will in choosing to follow God.

The journey of faith is a continuous process of regeneration.

Sound Bites

“God is the absolute love that I’m feeling.”

“Encourage yourself in the Lord,”

“It is a wonderful challenge to be a New Christian.”

“This is a brand new faith.”

“It is only the good of life that is going to save us.”

“We are not in the old church.”

“The mission is on.”

“We cannot keep the doctrine in within the circles of the new church alone.”

“Let’s congregate.”

“We need to love him back.”

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Love

05:57 Connecting with God

11:56 The New Christian Perspective

17:51 Living the Good Life

23:53 The Call to Ministry

30:02 Vision for the Future

34:37 The Mission of the New Church

39:14 Signs of the New Heaven

45:15 The Power of Compassion

Our Theme Music is “I Love it,” by Luke Concannon www.lukeconcannon.com

Rev. Alison Longstaff Moore was raised in the conservative branch of Swedenborgianism and remained active in it until her mid forties when she resigned from that branch and joined the Swedenborgian Church of North America. Having felt the call to ministry when she was eight, Alison was now free to train as a minister. Alison now serves as pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Kitchener Ontario and sees her role as a spiritual consultant, teacher and guide on the spiritual journey, NOT as an authority teaching rules or judging those who “fall short”. Alison is also a writer and has just published her second novel, To Rule Britannia a sequel to her first novel, Heaven Sent.

Keywords

love, spirituality, community, vulnerability, personal growth, chronic illness, ministry, women in leadership, new church, self-discovery

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Rev. Sage Cole and Rev. Alison Moore explore the profound themes of love, spirituality, and personal growth. They discuss the challenges of navigating chronic illness, the importance of vulnerability in community, and the evolving role of women in ministry. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of shifting perspectives on God, embracing authenticity, and recognizing the abundance within spiritual communities. Alison shares her journey as an author, highlighting the creative process and the connection between storytelling and spirituality. Together, they reflect on the essence of love as a guiding force in their lives and the lives of others.

Takeaways

Love is the core of our being.

Chronic illness can teach us about vulnerability.

Shifting perspectives on God can lead to personal growth.

Authenticity in ministry is essential for connection.

Women in leadership roles bring unique insights to spirituality.

Community support is vital for personal struggles.

Recognizing abundance in community fosters growth.

Personal stories can inspire and connect us.

Creativity is a powerful expression of spirituality.

Embracing our imperfections allows for deeper connections.

Sound bites

“It’s about my conscience.”

“A living wisdom, a breathing faith.”

“It’s not a race.”

“Everything we need is here.”

Chapters

00:00 The Essence of Love

03:01 Navigating Personal Struggles

06:03 Shifting Perspectives on God

08:36 The Journey of Self-Discovery

11:43 Embracing Vulnerability in Community

14:37 The Role of Women in Ministry

17:43 Finding Authenticity in Spiritual Leadership

20:43 The Dynamics of Power in Church

23:33 Creating an Inclusive Spiritual Community

26:30 The New Church and Spiritual Evolution

29:31 The Importance of Personal Stories

32:28 Lessons from Chronic Illness

35:32 Empowering Others in Community

38:35 Recognizing Abundance in Community

41:36 The Journey of Authorship

44:32 Celebrating Creativity and Connection

Our Theme Music is “I Love it,” by Luke Concannon www.lukeconcannon.com

This week the tables are turned as long time friend and Executive Assistant of the Helen Keller Spiritual Life Collaborative Alex Gayheart interviews me for a change. Tune in to hear a bit more of my story and the journey of love that brought all this work I’m currently doing into being.

keywords love, ministry, connection, honesty, community, spiritual growth, pandemic, Swedenborg, Helen Keller, new church

summary In this conversation, Rev. Sage Cole shares her journey of love, connection, and ministry, emphasizing the importance of being honest and useful in fostering community. She reflect on her experiences during the pandemic, which opened new possibilities for connection and spiritual growth, and spurred a deep spiritual experience. The discussion highlights the motto ‘Be Love, Be Honest, Be Useful’ as a guiding principle for living authentically and creating meaningful relationships. Sage envisions a collaborative community that embraces radical reinvention and recognizes the inherent holiness in everyone.

takeaways

* Even in difficult childhoods, experiences of love and connection are present.

* Church can be a place of deep loving relationships and self-expression.

* Ministry is about being a safe person for others to share their deepest thoughts.

* The pandemic provided an opportunity to explore new ways of connecting.

* Honesty is essential for love to flow in relationships.

* The motto ‘Be Love, Be Honest, Be Useful’ emerged as a guiding principle.

* Community and collaboration are vital for spiritual growth.

* Personal experiences shape our understanding of love and connection.

* There is always potential for growth and change in any moment.

* Living without resistance allows for healing and reconciliation.

Sound Bites

* “I want to love other people and talk about the most important things.”

* “For about a week, I was in heaven.”

* “I came out of that experience with a sense of what’s real.”

* “I have a flow of love in me.”

* “It’s not mysterious or mystical, it’s just the truth.”

* “Be love, be honest, be useful.”

* “It’s hard for all of us. It’s accessible to all of us.”

* “We want our own holiness.”

* “We can do exciting things.”

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Love Begins

03:42 Experiences in Ministry and Connection

08:20 The Impact of the Pandemic on Spirituality

12:52 A Profound Experience of Unbuckling

18:03 Integrating Love and Truth in Life

23:04 The Pathway of Be Love, Be Honest, Be Useful

25:52 The Power of Honesty in Spiritual Growth

28:31 The Cycle of Love, Honesty, and Action

30:57 Integrating Spirituality into Daily Life

33:30 Reimagining Community and Church

36:34 The Call for a New Paradigm

40:49 Creating Spaces for Connection

44:26 Embracing Personal Holiness

48:43 Aligning with Goodness and Creativity

54:39 Celebrating Awareness and Growth

Our Theme Music is “I Love it,” by Luke Concannon www.lukeconcannon.com

Alan Cowley is a pastor, artist, musician, and labyrinth designer based in Horsham, Pennsylvania. He has served as pastor of Michael Church (London, UK), The New Church at Boynton Beach (Boynton Beach, Florida), and as pastor and school director at Oak Arbor Church and Montessori School(Rochester, MI). He is currently leading worship music at The Lord’s New Church, teaching middle school religion at Bryn Athyn Elementary, preaching occasionally at New Church Live, and working to build community with the labyrinth, art, and music.

Keywords

grief, creativity, art therapy, labyrinth, spirituality, ministry, personal growth, community, change, healing

Summary

In this conversation, Alan shares his journey through grief and creativity, exploring how art and the labyrinth have played significant roles in his healing process. He discusses the importance of vulnerability in relationships and the challenges of ministry, emphasizing the need for personal growth and community support. The labyrinth serves as a metaphor for life’s journey, highlighting the significance of embracing change and practicing heaven in everyday interactions. Alan expresses excitement about his future endeavors in ministry and the integration of creativity into his work.

Takeaways

Grief can create barriers to love and connection.

Art can be a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery.

The labyrinth offers a unique spiritual experience that contrasts with traditional worship.

Personal experiences shape our understanding of spirituality and ministry.

Embracing change is essential for personal and communal growth.

Practicing heaven involves creating safe spaces for exploration and vulnerability.

The labyrinth symbolizes the journey of life, emphasizing that there are no wrong turns.

Community support is vital in navigating life’s challenges.

Creativity can enhance ministry and foster deeper connections.

The New Church is about living into our spiritual journeys together.

Sound bites

“I needed a space to process.”

“I can’t sell this; it’s sacred.”

“Life is a labyrinth, not a maze.”

“There’s a fun to almost every aspect of my life right now.”

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Grief and Creativity

03:10 The Healing Power of Art

05:43 The Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool

08:32 Exploring the Role of Ministry

11:44 The Labyrinth vs. Traditional Worship

14:42 Understanding the Journey of Life

17:51 Embracing Change in Spirituality

20:34 Practicing Heaven in Community

23:22 The Role of Personal Experience in Ministry

26:23 The Future of Ministry and Creativity

Our Theme Music is “I Love it,” by Luke Concannon www.lukeconcannon.com

A Swedenborgian since 1984 when she first joined the San Francisco Swedenborgian Church under the ministership of Rev. Edwin Capon, Tassy Farwell serves as licensed pastor at Hillside, an Urban Sanctuary in El Cerrito, CA. Following a transformative visit to Taiwan in May 2025 Tassy received a call to ordained ministry and will start her studies at the Graduate Theological Union in February 2026.

Keywords

love, ministry, Taiwan, spirituality, Swedenborgianism, community, mindfulness, Buddhism, transformation, calling

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Rev. Sage Cole and Tassy Farwell explore the profound journey of love and calling in Tassy’s life, particularly focusing on her recent experiences in Taiwan. Tassy shares her transformational trip, highlighting the synchronicities and divine connections she encountered, which deepened her spiritual awareness. The discussion delves into the importance of community support, the exploration of spiritual practices, and the impact of mindfulness in ministry. Tassy reflects on her path towards ordination and the concept of ‘uses’ in Swedenborgianism, emphasizing the significance of intentions and actions in showing devotion. As they contemplate future aspirations, they consider the need for new practices that engage the community and foster spiritual growth, all while navigating the sacred tension of following God’s call.

Takeaways

Tassy is starting her ordination path, indicating a significant spiritual journey.

Her trip to Taiwan was transformational, filled with divine coincidences.

The loss of her phone led to a deeper awareness of her surroundings.

Community support plays a crucial role in her spiritual journey.

Exploring Buddhism can enhance Swedenborgian practices.

Mindfulness is essential in ministry and personal growth.

The concept of ‘uses’ emphasizes the importance of intentions in actions.

Tassy feels a strong connection to the spiritual community.

Future aspirations include creating new spiritual practices.

The journey of ministry involves navigating the call of God.

Sound bites

“We receive our messages from God when we are receptive to them.”

“I had to see things and hear things and listen to things.”

“I had to become a follower.”

“I don’t know what’s going on here, but there’s something.”

“When you’re writing things down, you become more connected.”

“So things just kind of started to fall into place.”

“I was directed this far. I’ll let it go.”

“We need a Swedenborgian cruise.”

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Love and Calling

02:54 Transformational Experiences in Taiwan

05:57 Synchronicities and Divine Connections

08:49 The Role of Community and Support

11:57 Exploring Spiritual Practices and Buddhism

14:39 The Impact of Loss and Mindfulness

17:31 Embracing New Directions in Ministry

20:30 The Concept of Uses in Swedenborgianism

23:31 Future Aspirations and Community Engagement

26:29 Creating New Practices for Spiritual Growth

29:28 The Sacred Tension of Following a Call

Our Theme Music is “I Love it,” by Luke Concannon www.lukeconcannon.com

Rev. Thom Muller is pastor at the Swedenborgian Society of the East Bay at Hillside, an Urban Sanctuary, in El Cerrito, CA, senior editor of Our Daily Bread and a street chaplain with the San Francisco Night Ministry. His passions include the intersection of spirituality and psychology, interfaith theology, and the Western esoteric tradition.

Keywords

love, ministry, Swedenborgianism, spirituality, community, sacred disillusionment, inner journey, holistic practices, street chaplaincy, optimism

Summary

In this enlightening conversation, Rev. Sage Cole and Rev. Thom Muller explore the profound themes of love, spirituality, and community within the context of Swedenborgianism. They discuss the journey of discovering Swedenborg, the importance of sacred disillusionment, and the balance between solitude and community in spiritual growth. The conversation emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to spirituality, the role of active presence in ministry, and the significance of nurturing both love and wisdom in one’s life. Ultimately, they reflect on the optimism and hope that comes from embracing the present moment and the journey of new life in spirituality.

Takeaways

Usefulness is a key goal in ministry and personal fulfillment.

Swedenborgian teachings emphasize the importance of love and wisdom in spiritual life.

Community support is vital for personal spiritual journeys.

Disillusionment can lead to new insights and growth.

Spiritual practices should balance inner reflection and outer action.

Engagement with the world is essential for spiritual development.

The role of institutions should support individual spiritual experiences.

Optimism is a core aspect of Swedenborgian philosophy.

Love and wisdom are guiding principles in all spiritual practices.

Sound bites

“Usefulness is the most important thing.”

“The church is something that’s within.”

“Your wisdom will not grow if you don’t integrate love into it.”

“There are countless ways for us to live the new church.”

Chapters

00:00 The Essence of Love in Ministry

00:50 Finding Purpose and Usefulness

01:16 The Journey to Swedenborgianism

02:58 Exploring Community and Solitude

05:38 The Balance of Inner and Outer Life

08:32 The Role of Organizations in Spiritual Growth

11:09 Embracing Newness and Disillusionment

13:40 Integrating Love and Wisdom in Practice

18:02 Interconnected Roles in Spirituality

21:13 Balancing Intellectual and Heart-Based Spirituality

24:50 Street Chaplaincy and Active Presence

30:25 Self-Care for Ministers

33:55 Embracing Authenticity in Ministry

Our Theme Music is “I Love it,” by Luke Concannon www.lukeconcannon.com

Rev. George Magero is the pastor of New Church Railways Kisii Kenya, an independent New Church congregation. He co-leads a Global New Church Prayer Circle with Rev. Sage as a part of the Helen Keller Spiritual Life Collaborative.

Summary

In this heartfelt conversation, Sage and George discuss their spiritual journey. They reflect on the challenges and triumphs of building a church without financial resources, the importance of love and unity, and the transformative power of faith. The discussion also touches on the role of women in the community, the impact of New Church doctrines, and the significance of global prayer services.

Keywords

spiritual journey, church growth, faith, love, unity, New Church doctrines, global prayer services, community transformation, role of women, challenges and triumphs

Takeaways

* The power of faith can transform communities.

* Building a church without financial resources is challenging but rewarding.

* Love and unity are central to spiritual growth.

* New Church doctrines offer a unique perspective on faith.

* Global prayer services foster a sense of unity.

* The role of women in the church is evolving.

* Challenges can strengthen faith and resolve.

* Community support is vital for church growth.

* Spiritual teachings can change lives.

* The journey of faith is ongoing and evolving.

Sound bites

“Faith can transform communities.”

“Building a church without resources is rewarding.”

“Love and unity are central to growth.”

“New Church doctrines offer unique insights.”

“Global prayer fosters unity.”

“Women’s roles in the church are evolving.”

“Challenges strengthen faith.”

“Community support is vital.”

“Spiritual teachings change lives.”

“Faith is an ongoing journey.”

Chapters

* 00:00:00 Introduction and Greetings

* 00:00:17 The Power of Faith and Community Growth

* 00:00:45 Love and Spiritual Journey

* 00:01:33 Challenges and Triumphs in Church Building

* 00:03:26 The Role of Women and Community Transformation

* 00:08:22 New Church Doctrines and Global Prayer

* 00:16:21 Community Needs and Support

Our Theme Music is “I Love it,” by Luke Concannon www.lukeconcannon.com