July 26, 2025
Dear People,
We’re less than a month away from Association Day.
Why is this time and that place in Madison home to us? Because in it we have dedicated ourselves to the Eternal.
But isn’t the Eternal everywhere all the time? Someone once told me, “I can have Association anywhere!”
It sounds like an absolute truth. And it is true that if you were stranded on a desert island, all the good that ever was or will be would be right there with you. But you’d have to be prepared to perceive it.
Does the thought that you can pass on doing the work of preparing the soil for Christ’s precious seed, that you can have it anywhere, anytime, and so no particular effort is required, sound like a thought with angel wings? Does it sound like the provision of the wholly good and wise Divine Mind? Or is it coming from another place; does it bear Uncle Screwtape’s return address?
While there’s nothing magical about the bricks and mortar of 315 N. Mills Street in Madison or this calendar date, the focus of this time and place is unquestionably sacred. It requires effort and it is worth that effort.
Mary Baker Eddy originally called her teaching, “Moral Science” and knew that the hearts and minds of students needed preparation to receive the good seed of the Discovery and then bring it to fruition. Hence all the provisions for us in The Manual to aid us in learning to turn to God for everything. The provision for Christian Science Associations is especially helpful in this regard, as Class and Association are specifically designed to teach this invaluable practice.
"Some people yield slowly to the touch of Truth. Few yield without a struggle, and many are reluctant to acknowledge that they have yielded; but unless this admission is made, evil will boast itself above good.” (SH 450:15–19)
The briefest glance at the news of the day makes it clear that making that admission is critical to the welfare of humanity!
Come to Madison on August 23 - read the address from last year. It will be available in the library at 315 N. Mills Street at 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Join us back there at the Student Center on Sunday August 24 at 9 a.m. (9:15 a.m. for guests) for a day of yielding and cherishing Truth. Stay on Monday to read the address from the previous day. Take this blessing that our Leader created for us and make the most of it!
There’s still time to respond to the assignment (even if you just put it into practice for the next few weeks!):
Association Assignment 2025.
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Pick one of the Dailies (see PDF below) and put it into daily practice (see below)
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Do this faithfully for two months and send in a report of the results on your practice and your life.
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Then you will choose another “Daily” and do the same thing. We’ll keep that up until next summer’s Association.
With love and yearning to see you all in one accord in one place soon!
Caryl
p.s. don’t hesitate to be in touch with any questions...