Members of the Dnepropetrovsk Society told about the meeting of European lay representatives of the New Church which they attended in Sweden in January of this year. They showed photographs of both the church in Stockholm and Swedenborg’s summer house, and shared their impressions and experiences from the journey that they brought back with them.   Goran Appelgren brought a gift for the Center from the Council of the London Swedenborg Society. The gift was a manuscript of the book “Doctrine of the New Jerusalem on Faith,” which was translated into the Russian language in the middle of the 19th century and had been preserved in the archives of the London Society since 1888. Now that society has passed the book onto the Center as a gift. All those present at the meeting were touched by the immense value of the gift and expressed their heartfelt thanks to the members of the London Society. The book is a valuable addition to Center’s library.   For many of those attending the meeting it was interesting to learn that Goran Appelgren himself played a key role in the very first publication of one of Emanuel Swedenborg’s books into the Russian language. “Heaven and Hell,” translated by a man named Aksakov, was published in Moscow in 1993. As it turns out, everyone who was present at the meeting first became familiar with the Writings of Swedenborg through that book.   It was very interesting to hear the stories of those present about how they first discovered the Doctrine and how it had influenced their lives and their outlook on life. Goran Appelgren invited all to reflect upon what it is that each person had discovered for himself to be the most important teaching of Swedenborg. He further asked them to think about what was most meaningful about that teaching to their internal development. Conversations continued in a lively and friendly sphere due to the great interest of all participants. The questions given by Rev. Appelgren helped many to take a look inside themselves by putting emphasis on analyzing their lives, as well as distinguishing for themselves which ideas and thoughts are important and valuable.   The second day, Sunday, began with a worship service led by the pastor, and then he read a very interesting sermon which touched the hearts of those present.   The gathering in the warm and comfortable setting of the Center continued until early evening. The occasional coffee break created an easy-going atmosphere which brought those attending the meeting closer together. Burning life questions and important subjects were discussed in a friendly manner in their search for Truth.   Two days of meetings and socializing flew by unnoticed. The events were open and very useful for all participants. They expressed their ideas about how they would like to see the Center function, and in what ways they would like to see the Center help them. The matter of function, along the lines of distribution of the Writings, and of starting up an informational and educational program were fervently discussed. Goran Appelgren informed the group that such functions are already being carried out in European countries, including Sweden. More than 20 people from different regions of Ukraine attended the meeting. They were glad that now, with the opening of the Center, comes the possibility of meeting others who likewise thirst for dialogue on a spiritual level, and who want to live according to the truth which can be found in the Writings of Swedenborg.