April 16, 2024
Dear People,
We’re about a month away from our Association meeting. We have 30 precious days to prepare. And prepare we all should!
To start, please take some time to treat your concept of Christian Science Association. Read Article XXVI in The Manual of The Mother Church and cherish this activity and all involved. Consider how important Mary Baker Eddy believed it to be, the provision she made for it, and why it exists. Consider too, that this is a matter of divine unfoldment for us all. It is, truly, God’s Association.
If you are fielding suggestions from the carnal mind that are trying to persuade you that it is too difficult/expensive/inconvenient/irrelevant to come to Association this year - call me. All of that sort of mental condemnation has a name: animal magnetism. It is overcome by Christ, Truth and this overcoming blesses you and all.
Your place is at the Student Center at 9 a.m. on May 18. Students: you agreed to this when you took class and attendance will bless you in innumerable ways. I know the benefits that come from this activity and sincerely wish them for you.
Guests - we are delighted that you wish to join us and look forward to spending this blessed day with you.
I am always happy to pray with anyone who is facing resistance in making this demonstration.
Thinking about getting ready:
As I’ve been traveling around the country lecturing I can tell you that churches that take lecture preparation seriously have the best lectures and fruitage. When members take on an assignment that prepares their thought to host a lecture, when they live that assignment in their daily walk and talk, wonderful things happen.
Of course the converse is also true - churches that don’t prepare don’t realize the same benefits. Oh - there’s still good there. It is, after all, God’s lecture. And I’m certainly prepared. So you can’t stop God’s plan. But it surely is better when we are all of one accord in one place! When we pray and act from the basis of Christ together there is an exponential leavening effect.
I have heard from one of you - you know who you are and God bless you for your early and earnest responses to the assignment. They are featured prominently in the address which, at this point, is pouring out like a fire hose.
Having spoken with some of you over the past six months I know there are demonstrations and revelations that you have had that would be terrific illustrations of the points that are coming out in the address. I’ve put your names into the appropriate sections with a space following, in expectation that I will be hearing from you!
I have no doubt that there are far more proofs of God’s care among you than I’m aware of and would rejoice in hearing from you about them. These accounts make valuable parables and sermons for us all.
Now is the accepted time. The fields are white with harvest. I am praying the Lord of the harvest send workers (that’s you).
Remember how wonderful those two weeks of primary class were. Imagine what the next four weeks could be if you put in even a fraction of the time that you spent thinking on spiritual reality each day during class.
Read Christian Healer, be inspired. take your inspiration out for a test drive, tell us how it goes.
The world has need of you.
with love,
Caryl
(608) 251-2653
p.s. Some helpful information for Association weekend:
I’ll be at the Student Center on Friday 5/17 from 1 p.m. with copies of last year’s address which you can read there in the library. All are welcome and warmly encouraged to take part in this activity.
Association meeting will begin at 9 a.m. sharp on Saturday 5/18 - members, especially our local members - make sure you give yourself sufficient time to drive to the Center, park, and be in your seat at 9 a.m. Guests will join us at 9:15 a.m. after a brief business meeting.
Those wishing appointments with me after the address are asked to wait until after the address to schedule with Joe - who knows, maybe the address will answer your questions/concerns!
I’ll be back at the Student Center on Sunday, 5/19 at 2 p.m. (after church and lunch) with copies of this year’s address for anyone wishing to read it.
Anyone wishing to join us at church in Madison on Sunday and at lunch after (possibly at Dumpling Haus in Hilldale - it’s open, tasty, and there is usually plenty of room for groups ) is welcome. Carpooling will be possible - just let me know.
For students seeking lodging: I’ve been told that there are two rooms available at the Student Center. If you are interested in one of these write to Jacky Ebelabena, the new House Manager: manager@concordhouse.org In addition, there are usually two, possibly three, free rooms in the homes of local Association members. If you want to know more, let me know. And of course, there’s the good old Hampton Inn at 440 Johnson St. - looks like $296 gets you two nights in a room with a king bed, microwave and fridge.
Regarding parking: there are, as ever, ample spots in Grainger Hall around the corner on N. Brooks St. There may be one or two spots at the Center. Email Jacky (above) about having one.
As most of you are aware, annual Association dues/guest fees have gone up to $100. Our Executive Board was in touch regarding this. I just want to stress these points regarding the change:
1) our dues are now on the low end of what is typical of other Associations.
2) the cheerful and willing payment of dues is a matter of demonstration - both in terms of recognizing the value and finding the funds.
3) to aid with that demonstration, consider that these dues support everything from helping students in need with airfare, lodging, and meals during class and/or Association, to our donation to the Student Center ($700 for class and Association weekend), to our donation to The Mother Church, to office supplies, to our website (currently being updated by a professional designer), to an honorarium for me. As charitable donations go, this one is a gift that keeps giving to all involved!
4) barely $2 a week seems a small price for what it achieves and provides compensation for.
For many years, because our dues were so low and not everyone paid them, we were barely able to cover the basics of renting the space and paying for ink cartridges. I often covered part of that out of my own pocket and never had an honorarium for Association weekend. With the formation of our Board, for the first time I was given a modest stipend as a teacher. I was deeply grateful but must tell you that this is the bare minimum of what all Christian Science associations do.
I rejoice in working tirelessly and continually for our Association as The Manual instructs. As students you should rejoice in your part in Association: everything from attendance, to doing the assignment, to paying annual dues.
Having said that, we do understand if this is too great an ask at this time. Should that be the case, simply send or bring what you are able. Unlike other associations, a tab will not be kept and bills will not be sent. The virtue of the widow’s mite is that it is given with heartfelt gratitude. Your genuine gratitude is the greatest gift of all.
again, with love, C