2020 Association
2020 Letter from the Board of Education:
Dear members of Christian Science Associations throughout the world,
We always feel a special joy when we think of Christian Science student associations meeting throughout the year all over the world. We are enormously grateful for each of you. We understand something of what Paul was feeling when he wrote to the early Christian church in Philippi, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” Paul clearly didn’t think of these dear members as a small, vulnerable group huddling together in isolation from the world. Quite the opposite. He wrote to them with a clear vision that they who had perceived the truth of Christ Jesus were the hope and light that would transform and heal the world. That’s why he made clear he was “confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:3, 6).
Our hope is that in coming together for your association meeting, you will pause to recognize the importance of what you’re contributing to the cause of Christian Science and the world. We all realize there’s nothing secretive about the teaching we received during class instruction. It’s all right there in the chapter “Recapitulation” in our textbook. But to a remarkable degree, doesn’t our ongoing involvement in our Christian Science associations express our commitment to demonstrating the truth of the content of that teaching?
Reading in our churches, teaching in Sunday School, serving in the Reading Room, committing to a public healing ministry as a Christian Science nurse or practitioner, contributing an article or testimony to our periodicals, quietly dedicating oneself to living what we glean during the study of the weekly Bible Lesson, and yes, attending our annual association meetings, are all tangible ways of saying, “Yes, God, I feel Your presence, I am understanding more of the truths of Your Comforter, divine Science, and I am yearning to love my neighbor better through Your healing power.”
Although the carnal mind may sometimes argue that these activities can become mere habits or duties, spiritual sense is always awakening us to the joy of serving good. These activities give us an opportunity to live our prayers. That’s really at the heart of this year’s Annual Meeting theme of The Mother Church-- ”Our duty to God, to our Leader, and to mankind.” It’s all about deepening our relationship to God, to the teaching Mrs. Eddy has given us, and to our blossoming capacity to embrace humanity. We love you and the good you are doing, and as Paul concluded that same letter to the Philippians, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”
The Christian Science Board of Directors and Board of Education
Rich Evans Barbara Fife Robin Hoagland Scott Preller Keith Wommack Jill Gooding Diane Marrapodi
May 2, 2020
Dear People,In anticipation of our upcoming Association day, here are healings and remarks from the Christian Science periodicals and Mary Baker Eddy library related to the 1918 Spanish Flu Epidemic. As we practice Christian Science today, these accounts show us how Scientists met the challenge of a previous claim of pandemic.with love, Caryl
Some time after the armistice, when the Spanish influenza...
By Edwin Southerst
From the December 23, 1922 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel
Some time after the armistice, when the Spanish influenza was raging, I found myself attacked with some of the symptoms of that disease. This came as a surprise to me, because for some years I had not been subject to physical disorders of any kind. I was in surroundings where the apparent effects of the disease were much in evidence; and I became so weakened that I felt it impossible to attend to my daily work. After a few days, I somewhat reluctantly decided to see a Christian Science practitioner. As a result of one treatment, the most severe symptoms disappeared, and I was able to resume my work. I also commenced a more diligent study of the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy; and, in course of time, the disease disappeared completely. This experience proved again to me that Christian Science heals physical disease; and the words written in the first chapter of Luke's gospel seemed to apply to my experience with full force: "That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed."
I thank God for the knowledge I have of Christian Science, this new-old religion which gives such a clear understanding of the life and works of the great Master; and honor and gratitude are due to that great woman, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.—Edwin Southerst, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
In 1921 I had a severe attack of Spanish influenza
By William Kouwenhoven
From the March 12, 1938 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel
In 1921 I had a severe attack of Spanish influenza. The high fever and intense pain immediately subsided under Christian Science treatment, which was given by a faithful student of this Science. I fell into a restful sleep and awoke the next morning with the joyful recognition that I was healed. I arose, went out the same day, and resumed my work the next day without experiencing any ill effects. This convinced me of the healing power of Truth as practiced in Christian Science.
Two years ago, when Spanish influenza...
By Marie Louise Field
From the February 1921 issue of The Christian Science Journal
Two years ago, when Spanish influenza first broke out on the Pacific coast, I was attending college. I knew at this time that a student of Christian Science had nothing to fear, so after I had declared the truth as we understand it in Christian Science, I dismissed the thought of Spanish influenza and went about my college work as usual. Toward the end of the first week, when the number of cases had greatly increased, the rumor went abroad that it would be necessary to quarantine the campus. I had been spending all of my weekends away from college and I looked forward to those weekly vacations with keen anticipation. I resented the idea of being quarantined on the campus and expressed myself against the injustice and foolishness of such a proceeding.
That afternoon I seemed to manifest some of the symptoms of influenza; toward night the signs were unmistakable. I was rather alarmed at first because I had considered my work complete. I went to my room and decided to solve the problem if it took all night. I opened our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and read. It was not until the real meaning of the word quarantine was unfolded that the healing was accomplished. I realized that man was always alone with God and that the only thing that he could possibly be kept from was evil; that I had associated with nothing but good, consequently I could only manifest good, God. At three o'clock in the morning the case was met, I arose at the usual time perfectly well and ready to attend my classes. When Friday came I was free to leave the campus and there was no quarantine during the epidemic.
I wish to express my appreciation...
By C. M. Gilmer
From the January 1920 issue of The Christian Science Journal
I wish to express my appreciation of the good that Christian Science has brought to me. I have not taken any material remedy since beginning the study of this teaching about five years ago. Before that hardly a day passed when I did not take medicine of some kind. Christian Science has helped me in a business way far more than I can express in words, and the thought that "divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need" (Science and Health, p. 494) has helped over many a situation that seemed very hard at the time. Christian Science has made a better man out of me both physically and morally, and I am truly thankful for the good that has come to me through the study of it.
My eight-year-old son and my wife were healed of the Spanish influenza by the power of Truth. Words fail to express how grateful we are to Christian Science.—C. M. Gilmer, Merced,Calif.
I am, indeed, grateful to be afforded the opportunity to...
By Edith Fern Teats with contributions from Clayton M. Teats
From the July 8, 1922 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel
I am, indeed, grateful to be afforded the opportunity to testify to the benefits I have received in Christian Science. In the fall of 1918 my husband was in the service, stationed at one of our large cities. I joined him in September. During the latter part of the month Spanish influenza became prevalent in the camp. My husband suffered from it, but was healed in a few days through the work of the Christian Science Camp Welfare worker. In a few days I, too, suffered from it; and grew steadily worse. My husband became alarmed, and decided to take me to my parents' home. He also telephoned to a Christian Science practitioner at our home for help. I was too weak to hold a coat on my arm. During most of the trip home, which took a day and a night, I was in a comatose state. I know that it was through the Science help I was receiving that I was allowed to remain on the train.
By the time we reached home, a great many complications had set in,—pneumonia, deafness, swollen limbs; and I was unable to speak distinctly. I was also unconscious part of the time. In order to satisfy a relative, we allowed a doctor to make an examination. From his remarks and attitude it was quite evident that he did not think I could possibly recover. However, through the faithful work of the practitioner I was entirely healed; and able to be out in several weeks. It was indeed a wonderful demonstration. Most similar cases, under medical attendance, were fatal.
This is only one of the many healings I have received through Christian Science. I am indeed glad to give this testimony.—(Mrs.) Edith Fern Teats, Los Angeles, Calif.
Victory over tobacco habit brings great joy
[Original testimony in French]
By F. Marius Massa
From the March 5, 1949 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel
It is with joy that I express my gratitude for Christian Science and for the blessings which have been mine through its study and application. This Science came into my life only about two years ago. By reading the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, I was healed of bladder trouble. With the help of a faithful practitioner I have been healed of kidney trouble. Since 1918, when I had Spanish influenza, every winter from November to May I suffered from colds with coughing, catarrh, and sometimes fever which compelled me to stay in bed for several days. With the help of Christian Science I overcame the fear of cold, and I no longer suffer from colds, coughing, catarrh, or fever.
I am grateful for all the healings that I have experienced through the application of Christian Science, but it seems to me that the overcoming of the tobacco habit has been my greatest joy.
Since I became interested in Christian Science I have not consulted a doctor or taken any medicine. Now the Bible and Science and Health are my two best friends.
I am very grateful to Christian Science and to our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy. I am also grateful to our Father-Mother God and to His Son, Christ Jesus.—F. Marius Massa, Cannes, France.
From childhood I used to study and to love the Bible
By Ruth Rockman
From the January 17, 1920 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel
From childhood I used to study and to love the Bible. As I grew older, many perplexing questions arose about God and man. I wished to believe that man really was the child of God but could not grasp this truth, because I did not understand it. As I found no satisfying answers and no practical help in the orthodox faith in which I had been brought up, I sought in other directions—wherever I imagined I saw a ray of light.
Some years ago, when I for the first time heard of Christian Science, I felt that my prayer for light was answered. Since then I have, with steadily increasing joy and thankfulness, studied this logical and demonstrable religion, which I have found to be, not a new doctrine, but just the truth that Christ Jesus taught. Although I did not come to it for physical relief, several times I have proved Christian Science to be the best physician. Last year I had a severe attack of Spanish influenza. Through the help of a sister who is a Christian Scientist I was able, after a night of high fever, to arise and accompany her to the Christian Science Sunday service. Next day I made a voyage, and I did not have to be in bed at all. This experience has been very encouraging to me.
There is still much to overcome, but I know that all error must yield to Truth and Love. I am indeed grateful for Christian Science.
(Miss) Ruth Rockman, Stockholm, Sweden.
I wish to tell briefly of a healing, in the hope that it may...
By Marion B. Will
From the November 8, 1919 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel
I wish to tell briefly of a healing, in the hope that it may help some one and that God may be glorified. In the beginning of the epidemic of Spanish influenza in this city I was attacked one afternoon while teaching in the public schools. The next day I was so ill as to be almost unable to talk. A Christian Science practitioner was called. Almost at once I felt so much better that I wanted to get up and go out of doors. Upon my expressing that desire the practitioner lovingly said, "Arise and rejoice," and I did. Especially was I grateful for Christian Science healing when I saw the trouble and fears of those about me who were trying to combat the same disease with material means.
Every day I am becoming more grateful for the life of Jesus the Christ, and feel deeper gratitude to Mrs. Eddy for her unselfish, loving work for humanity. The practical good of Christian Science in my life every day is inexpressible.— (Mrs.) Marion B. Will, Denver, Colo.
Having so often been helped by...
By Mabel Ellis
From the April 1921 issue of The Christian Science Journal
Having so often been helped by the Christian Science periodicals, I should like to express through them my gratitude for what Christian Science has done for me. For the last ten years Christian Science has been my remedy for every ill, and by applying the understanding of divine Principle every difficulty has been overcome and every need supplied. Dental work has been done without pain, financial difficulties have been overcome, defects of character have been to a great extent mastered, and fear, that great bugbear of the human race, is gradually giving place to the understanding of man's security as God's reflection. I would especially like to give thanks for the overcoming of a severe attack of pneumonia during the Spanish influenza epidemic. Through the application of my own and my sister's understanding of Christian Science, aided by two visits from a loving practitioner, the difficulty in breathing was mastered and normal conditions were soon restored.
We are most grateful for the literature; the articles and testimonies always meet some special need. But above all we are grateful for the spiritual uplift and for the understanding of God as an ever present help, which comes through the study of Christian Science.—(Miss) Mabel Ellis, Shalford, nr. Guildford, Surrey, England.
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April 20, 2020
Dear People,I’ve reached that part of the address where we answer questions that you send in and I just realized that I never sent out a call for your questions!Until now.Please submit any questions related to your practice of Christian Science, the assignment, or anything church/practice related. If we haven’t already addressed it within the other sections, I’ll take it up in the Q&A section.Great seeing all your shining faces yesterday.With love,
Caryl
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April 6, 2020
Dear People,Thank you to all who responded to our last letter.It is the consensus of our members that we hold this year’s Association meeting online and I enthusiastically agree. We can only meet once a year, as per The Manual of The Mother Church, and this will be our only possible meeting, but my recent experiences with online meetings for my local branch church is that these can be surprisingly good. Having said that, it is not a replacement for being in the same room and when social distancing restrictions lift, we will return to our in-person meetings in Madison. Here is something from a recent message from the Board of Education on that subject:As you can imagine, we’ve been holding a great many Zoom meetings at The Mother Church over the last few weeks in order to keep the work of Church moving forward. And we’ve been very grateful for the technology that has made this possible. Interestingly, however, these meetings have actually served to reinforce the conviction that online teaching is inadequate to meet the demands of Primary class instruction. We fully realize that many courses are held online these days, and there are indeed many activities that can be successfully done online. We also realize that there are many activities that just do not lend themselves to being done online--getting married, attending a pot luck supper, playing frisbee, and on a more serious note, relating to others while being able to read and discern the thought, gestures, and the mental engagement of the people you’re working with, which would certainly apply to class instruction [and Association]. Interesting that they mentioned weddings. I’ve always thought that there was something about our Association days that was very like a wedding - a gathering for a holy purpose, with vows taken and loving solidarity implied. We will do all that we can to nurture that sense of purpose and love online this year.The Mother Church has been very supportive to Associations in helping them work out the details of holding online meetings. We have access to music resources and some degree of tech support, for which I am very grateful!It is TMC’s recommendation that we set a “test meeting” to ensure that everyone understands how to log in and join a meeting on Zoom. Given what I’ve seen as our branch church got used to this format, that seems a good idea!I have set our test for Sunday afternoon, April 19th at 3 p.m. Central Time. If you cannot make this time, let me know and I’ll set another test for you. As one of you mentioned, the silver lining to all this is that with no transportation difficulties and most of us having to be at home by government mandates, we all should be able to be together online on May 16! Or, as that student put it: “There’s no excuse not to be at this Association!”. It is easy to join a Zoom meeting. Click the link just below for a brief tutorial on how to participate on your computer or phone:https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-MeetingAnd here is the link and password to our test meeting:Time: Apr 19, 2020 02:00 PM Mountain Time, 03:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)Join Zoom Meetinghttps://zoom.us/j/751206524?pwd=d0ZGN2lKQmdLVDhRcFBQTVdPa2xGUT09Meeting ID: 751 206 524Password: 361855If you’re unfamiliar with Zoom, do look at the tutorial first, but I think you will find the platform user-friendly.With our May meeting coming up quickly, I am asking you all to start sending in responses to the assignment. Here is a guest’s recent email:I have been very much appreciating your assignment, to read "Atonement and Eucharist," working on what it implies for our practice of CS. Here is my response to it (so far):I decided to start with a dictionary definition of each word, and I was so surprised that dictionary.com included CS definitions for both words:https://www.dictionary.com/browse/atonement?s=thttps://www.dictionary.com/browse/eucharist?s=tAs I read the chapter slowly, certain words kept standing out to me, that were enlightening and useful. First, I was struck by the word, "mission." It showed up in many forms: individual mission, collective mission, curative mission, divine mission, God-mission, and earth-mission, or earthly mission. These were so meaningful to me, because ever since retiring, I've struggled with what my purpose is.The next group of words that stood out to me made it clear that fulfilling this mission is not optional. Words like demand, duty, command, and require. And of course, what is the demand for? For proof, demonstration, healing, meeting and mastering, service, deeds. And how do we accomplish these? Through sacrifice, obedience, consecration, baptism, rising, rousing, wakening. And finally, don't be surprised or discouraged that there will be trials and persecutions along the way. I was amazed how these collections of words spoke so clearly. Now to practice!I am eager to hear what changes in thought your reading of Atonement and Eucharist (and your re-reading of the Sermon on the Mount) has wrought. I also look forward to hearing the fruitage of that uplifted thought. As you know - your response to the assignment is critical to the Association Address. If you have any questions regarding the assignment don’t hesitate to call!with love,
Caryl
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March 19, 2020
Dear People,
In the two short weeks since our last correspondence much has changed. Governments have been striving to protect their people against the threat of contagion, and people have been struggling to come to terms with what it means to be safe in this extraordinary time.
Some of you are sheltering in place, as per the restrictions adopted by your towns or cities. Many of our churches are closed or are starting up online services and meetings. Nonetheless, what I said in our March 6 communication holds: This is a good time to practice Christian Science, and, “The world has need of you”.
Our church held a live-stream Wednesday Evening meeting last night and it was a feast of Love. The readings were inspired and full of Love’s provision. The testimonies included many small and large instances of protection and grace in everything from harmonious interactions in the community during shopping excursions to navigating an overseas travel ban. In all, there was a powerful sense of the pervasiveness of Love blessing and caring for not only the testifiers, but everyone they came in contact with. It reminded us of the command Love has whenever we acknowledge it as “the biggest thing in the room”.
Some of you may recall the experience Association member Janet Butler had in Africa when she served in the Peace Corps. Though not a Christian Scientist at the time, what happened to her in a small village in Niger was definitely an example of God’s law of Love in action. Janet had been instructed that eating food as it was prepared in such villages was a recipe for illness. But here she was, suddenly being offered a bowl of uncooked millet and milk by a local woman. In that instant she felt that this offering represented a great personal sacrifice on the woman’s part and to refuse would be a terrible insult to that goodness. She ate and drank and suffered no ill effect, but more important and impressive to her was the resonance of what we would call an authoritative sense of Love.
Acknowledging and demonstrating our inseparability from Divine Love is how we get through this. Love is what is here instead of fear, lack, confusion, and uncertainty. “The way to extract error from mortal mind is to pour in truth through flood-tides of Love.” “No power can withstand divine Love.” Love is the liberator.” If divine Love is becoming nearer, dearer, and more real to us, matter is then submitting to Spirit.” - (S&H, p. 201:17-18, 224:31 (only), 225:21, 239:18– 20)
We want to do everything we can to cherish that spiritual fact and to act in and from it in all that we do. Of course, we are law-abiding in our actions; wise and compassionate to our neighbors and communities, joining in respect for the greater good. But doing so does not mean ceding the high ground of the Christ, Truth and Love to the claims of matter in our hearts and thoughts. The high ground and the blessings that flow from it are Gods, and they are ours as we acknowledge Him in all we do.
The demand before us is to take our stand with Divine Love, our “very present help in trouble”. We need to insist on progressing in our demonstration of what is written in our hearts. We should take this time to double down on studying the letter and imbibing the spirit - loving the Truth and being true to Love. And in proportion as we do this work and understand that each day, each hour and minute are God’s, we will demonstrate the healing and comforting Christ wherever we are.
Do take the time to re-read the Sermon on the Mount and then make an effort to put what you read into action during the week. Do make some notes on Atonement and Eucharist and what it implies for your practice. And to help remind you that this practice is a daily thing, and that your practice is a needed thing (both for yourselves and for those around you) I’m attaching a list of the things we should be doing on a daily basis."Every day makes its demands upon us for higher proofs rather than professions of Christian power. - (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 233:1–2) It really is a good time to be practicing Christian Science.
Finally, please take the time to share what’s happening as you do this work. We’re all in this together. Your sharing helps inspire and encourage your fellow students. This time has given us a collective opportunity to grow in grace, to support that desire (which is prayer) to live deeper, truer lives. Let’s seize the moment.
with love, Caryl
p.s. I received an email from the C.S. Organization in Madison that due to restrictions on gatherings, it will not be possible for us to hold our Association meeting there in May. It seems that our choice is to either postpone Association or to hold it virtually online. After my recent experiences with online meetings with the Board of Education and for my branch church, I am leaning toward this solution. I feel that the work of our Association year all comes together in May and I am reluctant to alter that timing. Your thoughts are welcome.
Notes on Our Daily Work
Alertness to Duty. Sect. 6. It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect his duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind. By his works he shall be judged, — and justified or condemned.
(Man. 42:4)
Simply asking that we may love God will never make us love Him; but the longing to be better and holier, expressed in daily watchfulness and in striving to assimilate more of the divine character, will mould and fashion us anew, until we awake in His likeness. (SH 4:17–22)
If Truth is overcoming error in your daily walk and conversation, you can finally say, “I have fought a good fight . . . I have kept the faith,” because you are a better man. This is having our part in the at-one-ment with Truth and Love. (SH 21:1–5)
It is the spiritualization of thought and Christianization of daily life, in contrast with the results of the ghastly farce of material existence; it is chastity and purity, in contrast with the downward tendencies and earthward gravitation of sensualism and impurity, which really attest the divine origin and operation of Christian Science. The triumphs of Christian Science are recorded in the destruction of error and evil, from which are propagated the dismal beliefs of sin, sickness, and death. (SH 272:19)
We must receive the divine Principle in the understanding, and live it in daily life; and unless we so do, we can no more demonstrate Science, than we can teach and illustrate geometry by calling a curve a straight line or a straight line a sphere.
(SH 283:27)
Come we daily then, dear Father, / Open hearts and willing hands, / Eager ears, expectant, joyful, / Ready for Thy right commands. / We would hear no other voices, / We would heed no other call; / Thou alone art good and gracious, / Thou our Mind and Thou our All.
(Hymn. 58:2)
If on our daily course, our mind / Be set to hallow all we find, / New treasures still, of countless price, / God will provide for sacrifice. (Hymn. 140:1)
Ours is the risen Christ, / Daily we keep our tryst, / (Hymn. 275:3)
In daily contemplation / Of Thee, I take delight; / (Hymn. 329:3)
Daily Prayer. Sect. 4. It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to pray each day: “Thy kingdom come;” let the reign of divine Truth, Life, and Love be established in me, and rule out of me all sin; and may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!
(Man. 41:19)
The members of this Church should daily watch and pray to be delivered from all evil, from prophesying, judging, condemning, counseling, influencing or being influenced erroneously. (Man. 40:11)
“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” has daily to be exemplified; and, although skepticism and incredulity prevail in places where one would least expect it, it harms not; for if serving Christ, Truth, of what can mortal opinion avail? (Mis. 7:9–13)
One thing I have greatly desired, and again earnestly request, namely, that Christian Scientists, here and elsewhere, pray daily for themselves; not verbally, nor on bended knee, but mentally, meekly, and importunately. (Mis. 127:7–11)
Is not a man metaphysically and mathematically number one, a unit, and therefore whole number, governed and protected by his divine Principle, God? You have simply to preserve a scientific, positive sense of unity with your divine source, and daily demonstrate this. (Pul. 4:7–11)
Once more I write, Set your affections on things above; love one another; commune at the table of our Lord in one spirit; worship in spirit and in truth; and if daily adoring, imploring, and living the divine Life, Truth, Love, thou shalt partake of the bread that cometh down from heaven, drink of the cup of salvation, and be baptized in Spirit. (Pan. 14:4–9)
Watch, and pray daily that evil suggestions, in whatever guise, take no root in your thought nor bear fruit. Ofttimes examine yourselves, and see if there be found anywhere a deterrent of Truth and Love, and “hold fast that which is good.”
(My. 128:30)
My Beloved Brethren: — The good in being, even the spiritually indispensable, is your daily bread. Work and pray for it. (My. 196:25–27)
To Christian Scientists: — See Science and Health, page 442, line 30, and give daily attention thereto. (My. 237:13) [Christian Scientists, be a law to yourselves that mental malpractice cannot harm you either when asleep or when awake.] -(SH 442:30)
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March 6, 2020
Dear People,
Our Leader tells us: "Disquisitions on disease have a mental effect similar to that produced on children by telling ghost-stories in the dark. By those uninstructed in Christian Science, nothing is really understood of material existence. Mortals are believed to be here without their consent and to be removed as involuntarily, not knowing why nor when. As frightened children look everywhere for the imaginary ghost, so sick humanity sees danger in every direction, and looks for relief in all ways except the right one. Darkness induces fear. The adult, in bondage to his beliefs, no more comprehends his real being than does the child; and the adult must be taken out of his darkness, before he can get rid of the illusive sufferings which throng the gloaming. The way in divine Science is the only way out of this condition.” - (SH 371:5)
Last year’s Association study of the Sermon on the Mount prepared thought to embrace God as the source and sustainer of Divine and tangible good. God gives us good gifts, Jesus taught, and our part is to trust that provision, love God, and live in accord with that love and trust. Given the often panicked thought regarding contagious and possibly fatal disease that fills the news, the time seems right to remember that we can, “turn like tired children to the arms of Love”. There is a better, more true, meaningful, and practical way to think about our condition and what is going on. This is a good time to practice Christian Science!
Our Association topic, “When you think of God as Soul…” is taken from a Christian Science children’s book, God’s Gifts, which explains how when we pause and think of God in terms of divine qualities, the synonyms which describe the divine nature, we are able to see those qualities as present and active right where we are. It encourages a thoughtful faith, and illustrates the hunger and thirst to understand God that bases Christian practice.
We have an opportunity, as followers of Christ, to respond to what God is doing in this moment. We have the right, the duty actually, to turn from the fear-filled images of life in matter and remember the powerful spiritual facts that Jesus taught and demonstrated for the sake of humanity.
Years ago when I lived in Taos, there was a health alert in place to deal with transmission of a highly contagious virus. The radio broadcast frequent public service announcements urging the elderly and those with infants and toddlers to stay home and avoid contact with the public. The other mothers in the little playgroup my daughter was part of asked what we, as Christian Scientists, intended to do. Would we obey the PSA and stay in, or would we (foolishly) ignore it.
I struggled with the question. Then one morning after an especially uplifting study of the Lesson, I realized that I’d been taken in by the terms of that question. I’d been trying to work out how to deal with the reality of danger and disease, when what I actually needed to remember and respond to was the reality of beneficent Mind, limitless Soul, pervasive Spirit, and unstoppable Life. I needed to begin with divine Truth and follow the leadings of Love.
Instead of starting another day wrestling with how I was going to deal with a powerful threat, I could consider the here and now of God’s provision and respond to that.
The alert was in place for roughly two weeks, and during that time I felt safe in God’s care. Some days we stayed home, some days we went to town to shop or run some needed errand. One Sunday we went to church and before leaving the house, one of the playgroup moms called and asked if we could take her daughter with us so that she could get some work done. When we picked the little girl up, we noticed that her nose was running and she had a cough. But this was unimpressive in the light of being about our Father’s business.
We took her to Sunday School and the children played together and listened to Bible stories. Later in the day, the mother called us to thank us for helping her out and remarked that her daughter was cough-free and no longer had a runny nose.
As Mrs. Eddy said, "No impossible thing do I ask when urging the claims of Christian Science ... Mankind will improve through Science and Christianity. The necessity for uplifting the race is father to the fact that Mind can do it; for Mind can impart purity instead of impurity, strength instead of weakness, and health instead of disease. Truth is an alterative in the entire system, and can make it “every whit whole.” - (SH 371:22)
It is our place right now to think and act as recipients of the Christ Truth. We need to do it for our own peace of mind and to fulfill the Christ mission to “take away the sin of the world”. The world strives with fear and ignorance, and we know a redeeming spiritual truth - divine Principle, God’s love fills all space. We all live, and move and have our being in that Truth.Turn from the news, go to our Pastor, the Bible and Science and Health. Re-read Matthew 5, 6, and 7, re-read the chapter on Practice. The world has need of you.
with love,
Caryl
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December 15, 2019
Dear People,
It’s Christmastime and the spirit of the Christ, with its inclusiveness, assurance of God’s Love, and reminder of our part in Love’s demonstration, makes a pressing demand on us all.
Two recent mainstream media opinion pieces on the subject of Advent (the traditional Christian preparation period for Christmas) make the point well:
"To practice Advent is to lean into an almost cosmic ache: our deep, wordless desire for things to be made right and the incompleteness we find in the meantime ... all of us, in one way or another, are not only wounded by the evil in the world but are also wielders of it, contributing our own moments of unkindness or impatience or selfishness.”
"On the evidence of our senses, despair is perfectly rational ... But most of us can’t be content in this state. We fill the void with cries of protest, or hymns of thanksgiving, or demands for justice.”
We do, naturally, desire to see justice, to see things made right, and we do find comfort and encouragement in gratitude. We are wise, of course, to admit that we sometimes err in acting in fidelity to our highest sense of good. We are wiser still if we counter the imputations of mortal discord by remembering and acknowledging God and the activity of the Christ wherever we are.
6 Monte Alto Place Santa Fe, New Mexico
“It is well to be calm in sickness; to be hopeful is still better; but to understand that sickness is not real and that Truth can destroy its seeming reality, is best of all, for this understanding is the universal and perfect remedy.” - (SH 393:32)
In Science we know that the Christ is already come, that we live in the eternal here and now of God’s government and care. But, as we’ve noted in class and in Association, sometimes we need to work to realize this present and active Truth. And that involves a concerted effort to do away with self-will, self- justification, and self-love, and to lean more completely on divine Life and Love.
Christmastime is a perfect nexus for this effort. It is a continual work, to put ourselves in the way of this continuous Truth, but at this time of year we are blessed with helpful prompts, albeit imbedded in the hectic contemporary culture of Christmas. To remember the significance of the season aids us in actively preparing our hearts and thought for the coming of Christ.
The sweetness of the Christmas season is not in the decorations, the parties, the gift-giving. Though all these things can express devotion, kindness, and affection, the real attraction of this time is that it urges us to recall that our deepest hope to see more of God’s kingdom come, is not a cruel joke. Because Jesus came and brought to tired humanity the fact of God’s presence and love. Because in the light of the promise of Christmas, we recognize that we are better, that life is better, than our poor mortal models would allow. Because we know in our hearts that nothing is impossible with God.
Advent, as one of the writers noted, “is a declaration of war upon fear.” That is a battle that we, as Christian Scientists have
enlisted to fight. Jesus’ fulfillment of what mankind had long imagined and promulgated as myths means that the next step is ours. As we said in class: “What comes after Jesus and the Comforter (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures)? Our demonstration.”
It has been gradually coming to me during the fall, that this demonstration depends, to a great extent upon our recognition of the vastness and completeness of God’s provision to us, Her children. At a time when it is often too easy to imagine that we are without support, without resources, and that life is lacking in holiness and grace, we especially need to refresh our understanding of God’s gifts.
To assist us in this, the Association subject for the coming year is: “When you think of God as Soul...”
You may recall that we referred to the children’s book, “God’s Gifts” in our first days of class while we were investigating the synonyms for God. The page on Soul read: “When you think of God as Soul, you have plenty of joy to share with your friend that knocked over your sand castle yesterday”.
Judging from your calls and letters, it is safe to say that we’ve seen many sand castles knocked over during this past year - in family, in church, in government and community. It would indeed take “plenty of joy” to overcome a sense of lack, disillusionment and disappointment in the ways of the world. But Soul is a cornucopia of goodness, a spiritual horn of plenty with limitless joy; delight in God’s creation and action. Soul connects us most dependably with spiritual sense, which we know to be essential to our practice.
Mrs. Eddy wrote, “‘Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!” expresses the helplessness of a blind faith; whereas the injunction, “Believe . . . and thou shalt be saved!” demands self-reliant trustworthiness, which includes spiritual understanding and confides all to God.
The Hebrew verb to believe means also to be firm or to be constant. This certainly applies to Truth and Love understood and practised. - (SH 23:27–2)
In Christian Science we are not humanly educated into a belief of God’s infinite goodness and our place in it. We don’t accept it as part of a creed or through willful attempts at blind faith. Rather, Science uncovers the already existent fact of Christ, our inseparable relation to divine Life, Truth, and Love that meets every human need, and we naturally respond to this saving fact.
For our assignment this year, please read the chapter, Atonement and Eucharist, in Science and Health. Send us your response to that, and start working in earnest on what it implies for your own practice of Christian Science.
Just a reminder: Our 2020 Association meeting will take place on May 16 at 9 a.m. at the Christian Science Student Center at 315 N. Mills Street, Madison, WI. The 2019 address will be available for members to read on Friday, May 15, at 6 p.m. at the Student Center. The 2020 address will be available for members to read on Sunday, May 17, at 1 p.m. Any members who wish to stay at the Student Center should let me know as soon as possible.
with love and wishes for a spiritually fulfilling Christmas season.
Caryl