Growing up as a Catholic in Northern California, Tom Murphy didn’t know about Emanuel Swedenborg until much later in life. Tom attended Jesuit High School (Bellarmine College Prep) and University (Santa Clara University) on the West Coast, where he was introduced to a broad spectrum of traditions (Buddhism, Yoga, Druidry). It wasn’t until 2012 that he discovered the San Francisco Swedenborgian Church while planning his wedding.
That was such a positive experience that Tom and his wife became members of the church. After a few years attending services, and then helping plan the Annual West Coast Swedenborgian Retreat—Tom was elected to the San Francisco Church Council in 2015, where he has served terms as president, vice president, and secretary. Time on the Council taught Tom the fiscal challenges of keeping a local church solvent, the constant energy required to keep members engaged, and the delicate art of keeping things relevant to potential members.
In addition to his service with the Church, Tom spent six years on the Board of the San Francisco Chapter of The Recording Academy, where he served as secretary and advocacy committee chair. During that time, he led a number of local and national initiatives to create new income opportunities for musicians. Locally, he helped create a Limited Live Performance Permit for the City of San Francisco—which opened new venues and new sources of income for artists. Nationally, Tom traveled to Washington D.C. twice to lobby on behalf of artists for the passage of the Music Modernization Act. These efforts taught Tom the balance of bringing people together for larger social change, the political incentives to move projects forward, and the patience needed for true long-term growth.
Since 2021, Tom has served as a member of the Convention’s General Council and would be honored to continue in service.
Thank you for consideration!