Welcome to the Swedenborg Library in Chicago
Our circulating book collection offers a range of contemporary books on spiritual topics, as well as the work of the 18C Swedish scientist and theologian Emanuel Swedenborg.
The Swedenborg Library is located at 77 W. Washington St, 17th floor, Chicago, Illinois (in the Chicago Temple Building at the southeast corner of Clark St. and Washington St., across from Daley Plaza.) The library is open on Wednesday and Friday afternoons, from 1–5 PM Central Time, and by appointment. ______________________________________________
|
For upcoming programs, click on the "Coming Programs & Events" button at left, and view the brochure PDF. ______________________________________________
|
And now for something completely different:Beads of Mercy
The Swedenborg Library is pleased to inform everyone about a new contemplative practice and outreach ministry, ‘beads of mercy.’ Prayer beads have been a feature of human religion for a very long time, and we are happy to explore this practice from within New Christianity.
Swedenborg’s concept of ‘discrete degrees’ is vital to our embrace of this practice. (Divine Love & Wisdom §184-190) The minute connections between the physical world are avenues through which the love and influx of the Almighty might be felt and understood, and it is vital that we recognise this practice in our contemplative lives. This is especially true of the senses, and prayer beads help us to be aware of this conjunction between the physical body and the spiritual.
Because prayer beads are tactile, they have the remarkable ability to move with the sequence of our thoughts, and they become physical expressions of our internal will. At present, we are working on producing our own set of prayer beads based on the structure of the Anglican or Protestant rosary.
We will also offer a workshop on using the beads of mercy at a later date. If you are interested in receiving your own string (our denomination symbol will be taking the place of the standard cross) please email Dell, Dell@SwedLib.org.
However, for those interested in exploring further, click on the "beads" on the rendering found in our web app below:
Swedenborgian Prayer Beads
We will create additional models to accompany different themes in Swedenborg’s writings as well as prayer sequences devoted to the different stages of human life, healing, forgiveness, and centering.
______________________________________________
|
Midwest Sacred Harp Convention May 30–31, 2026 Chicago
For those of you in the Chicagoland area interested in Sacred Harp singing, a low-protestant tradition based on popular tunes and the Scots Psalmnody tradition, please be aware of the 41st Midwest Sacred Harp Convention: Sacred Heart Convention Info
Sacred Harp is a profoundly moving, contemplative style that quiets the mind as it expands the vocal chords. There is no real way of describing how participating feels, so try it.
Here is an example of the Sacred Harp singing style: (link below)
Sacred Heart Singing Style Example
On Friday, 29 May (6pm-9pm) with our friends at the Swedish American Musem (5211 N. Clark St. Chicago) there will be a singing school for those who have never sung Sacred Harp before.
May 30–31 will be the convention proper at the Broadway Armory (5917 N. Broadway). Dinner on the ground both days of the convention.
The convention is without cost, and will be a lot of fun. Dell will be there on the Friday and Saturday events.
_____________________________________________
|
Winter Retreat Our winter retreat will be here in the city of Chicago, based on popular vote. It will be 2 days, with an optional tourist day. Please use the "Contact Us" button on the navigation column at left to express your interest and request additional information.
|
For more upcoming programs in April, click the "Coming Programs and Events" tab in the left-hand navigation bar.
__________________________________
|
New Library Videos Available on Youtube:
|
A video of the March 8 LaPorte New Church service, led by Dell Rose is now available on our Youtube channel
__________________________________________
|
New Video: Goethe's Faust: Art As Religion, with Dr. David Kretz
The video of this Zoom program from January 22 available on our Youtube channel (search Swedenborg Library Chicago) on Friday, January 23 after noon central time. Here's the link to save you time searching:
Goethe's Faust: Art As Religion
Dr. David Kretz is a Postdoctoral Associate in the Humanities Program at Yale University. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago’s Committee on Social Thought and in Germanic Studies.
__________________________________
|
Scholar Dell Rose joins the Swedenborg Library
Dell J. Rose develops and hosts programs for the Swedenborg Library in Chicago. Dell holds the position of Swedenborg Doctoral Fellow with the Swedenborg Society in the United Kingdom, and he is a doctoral candidate at the Centre for the History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents at the Universities van Amsterdam. His research focuses on the intersection of Western esotericism and political reform, particularly with Swedenborgianism in 19th century Britain.
To read Dell's latest article, click on the "Readings" navigational tab at left, and you will find his article "The House of David" at the top of the PDFs there, or click here: Readings.
___________________________________________________
|
To join online discussions of others who are reading Swedenborg's work, or to view video presentations, visit one of the sites below:
Off The Left Eye videos (organized by topic area:) Click Here.
For blog discussions of Swedenborgian and contemporary topics, or to download books:
|
|
See Events & Programs for information on our upcoming programs. We look forward to seeing you then. Use the Contact Us form for information on our collection.
If you will be in downtown Chicago and would like to visit the Swedenborg Library, we are open Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 1:00-5:00 pm, and by appointment. Click on the Calendar link in the top left column for our hours and schedule.
|
|
For more info on upcoming programs, click on the "upcoming events" bar in the left-hand column.
|
|
PAST SPEAKERS AT THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY INCLUDE:
Dr. Kagan Arik, Julia Bachrach, Marc Ian Barasch, Denise Breton, Herbert Bronstein, Sophy Burnham, Kanjin Cederman Shonin, Rabbi Menachem Cohen, Phil Cousineau, Rev. Jikai Dehn, Rev. Dr. George Dole, Tim Evans, Matthew Fox, Dr. Anya Foxen, Rev. Kuni Fumioka, Barbara Geiger, Mercy Gilpatric, Jack Gilroy, Terry Gunnell, John Haller Jr., Dr. Kelly Hayes, Fatima Imam, Kenneth James, Sunny Dawn Johnston, Jim Kenney, Dr. David Kretz, Dr. Keri Ladner, Christopher Largent, Stephen & Robin Larsen, Erik Larson, Rev. Dr. James Lawrence, Jerrol Leitner, Dr. Tiina Mahlmäki, Dr. Wayne Martindale, Rev. Robert McCluskey, Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson, Ron Miller, Dr. Raymond Moody, Dr. Avery Morrow, John Moulder, Dr. Bjarke Nielsen, Sarah Odishoo, Dr. Vadim Putzu, Paul Quinn, Dell Rose, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Rose, Ahmad Sadri, Kristen Schaffer, Ann McNamara Smith, Richard Smoley, Dr. Jason A.J. Storm, Edward Sylvia, Brother Wayne Teasdale, Dr. Alfred Thomas, Dr. Brandon Underwood, Dr. Mariano Villalba, Pauline Viviano, Rev. Wilma Wake, John Wasik, Dr. Drake Williams, Dr. Brook Ziporyn.
|
|
|
