You're always welcome!
Christian Scientists provide church services and Reading Rooms for the community. They would be happy to welcome you.
There is a Sunday morning church service, as well as a Sunday School for children and young people up to the age of 20. Many churches provide a children's room for those too young to attend regular services or Sunday School.
You are also invited to a Wednesday testimony meeting each week which includes testimonies by those who have been healed through Christian Science.
If you wish to investigate Christian Science more freely, the Reading Room would be a good place to start. It provides a quiet atmosphere for reading the Bible, Mary Baker Eddy's writings, and other Christian Science literature. Here, too, are the latest editions of The Christian Science Monitor, an international newspaper, which you might like to read during your lunch hour.
There is never any obligation to talk to anyone at a Christian Science Reading Room. However, attendants in the salesroom will be happy to answer questions. Or you may wish to call or make an appointment to see a Christian Science practitioner listed in the directory at the back of this journal. The directory also includes hours and locations of the church services and Reading Rooms nearest you.
Many Reading Rooms maintain free lending libraries. Copies of the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mrs. Eddy, are also available at most public libraries.
Answers to today's problems
Mary Baker Eddy established five different periodicals to aid students of Christian Science in their search for Truth. Each of them has a unique role, and each is indispensable to spiritual growth and the application of Christian Science in today's world.
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE JOURNAL— thoughtful, pertinent articles on metaphysics for individual spiritual study, plus examples of church in action, news, and announcements—Monthly in English; $12 a year, $6 six months, $1 a copy.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SENTINEL—fresh, uplifting, easy-to-read articles and testimonies relevant to everyday needs— Weekly in English; $14 a year, $7 six months, 35¢ a copy.
THE HERALD OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE— timely, inspiring articles geared to the needs of areas where English is not the principal language—Monthly in French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish; each edition $6 a year, 6(K a copy. Quarterly in Danish, Dutch, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Swedish; each edition $2 a year, 50¢ a copy. English-Braille, Grade Two, published quarterly; $1 a year, 25 ¢ a copy.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE QUARTERLY— enriching Bible Lessons for daily study that help one to better understand the Scriptures — Quarterly in English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Indonesian available in Indonesia only), Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish; each edition $2.50 a year, 75 ¢ a copy. Readers' size, $3 a year, $1 a copy. In English-Braille, Grade Two, with all citations from the Bible and Science and Health written out in full; $2.50 a year (12 issues), 25 ¢ a copy.
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR (regular daily editions)—a world-respected international newspaper that gives honest, in-depth news coverage and exposes problems that need healing solutions; daily, Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, in English; available to subscribers worldwide; $40 a year, $36 nine months, $24 six months, $12 three months, 25 ¢ a copy. A 25 percent discount is available for schools, teachers, full-time college students, clergymen, members of the armed services on extended active duty, and individual members of the Peace Corps.
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR (international weekly edition)—an international weekly newspaper with the same in-depth, problem-solving approach as the daily editions, especially edited for readers outside North America; published weekly in English; not available to persons living in the United States, Canada, or Mexico; $37.50 eighteen months, $25 a year, $12.50 six months, 60 ¢ a copy. No discount is available on this edition.
These periodicals are available at any Christian Science Reading Room, or may be ordered directly from The Christian Science Publishing Society, One Norway Street, Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115.
For further study
You may want to read Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. This book contains the full statement of Christian Science. It's translated into thirteen languages. You can purchase a copy at a nearby Christian Science Reading Room. It's available in English in an inexpensive paperback edition. Or you can usually borrow a copy from a local public library. If you wish, you can order direct from Miss Frances C. Carlson, Publisher's Agent, One Norway Street, Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115.
A step that could change your life
Joining The Mother Church has brought new meaning to many people's lives. It could bring new meaning to yours.
Membership expresses your gratitude, commitment, loyalty—your love for Christian Science. It acknowledges the active unfoldment of good in your life.
Becoming a member gives you a part in the worldwide work of your church. It challenges you to better understand Mary Baker Eddy's revelation. Taken wholeheartedly, it's a step that lets in many new blessings.
To join, talk with any member. He can answer your questions and provide you with an application form. A practitioner, Reading Room librarian, or branch church clerk could assist you, also. Or write to George W. Ledbetter, Clerk, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Christian Science Center, Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115.
When you love something this much . . .
Almost every Christian Scientist would agree that Christian Science is more important to him than anything else. One Mother Church member says, "Christian Science guides just about everything our family does. It's the most wonderful thing in our lives!"
It's natural that when you love something this much, you want to support it and extend its influence any way you can. One of the many ways is through regular contributions to the funds which supply the vital worldwide activities of The Mother Church and its Publishing Society.
Many church members contribute generously when they send in their yearly "per capita tax" payment. But The Mother Church needs support on a year-round basis, too, especially for the following:
General Purpose Fund
Fund for The Christian Science Monitor
Charitable Institutions Fund
Relief Fund
Fund for Developing Areas
The Mother Church's forward momentum includes and needs, more than ever, the love—the spiritual and financial commitment—of every member.
Please send your contributions to:
Marc Engeler, Treasurer
The First Church of Christ, Scientist
Christian Science Center
Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115
An invitation from the Editors
Perhaps you have an idea you would like to develop for use in the periodicals. Or a healing experience you would like to share. We would be happy to consider it.
Those who write articles and poems for the journal, Sentinel, and Herald—as well as shorter religious articles for The Home Forum page of the Monitor—must be members of The Mother Church. You need not be a member, however, to submit a testimony of healing in Christian Science. Testimonies are welcomed from members as well as from those who haven't yet joined The Mother Church.
Specific, detailed guidelines are contained in our pamphlet, Guide to Writing for the Periodicals. If you would like a copy, please write to:
The Christian Science Publishing Society
Journal, Sentinel, and Herald
Editorial Department
One Norway Street
Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115
If your interest or talent is in writing poetry, you will find helpful pointers in the leaflet "Interested in Writing a Poem for the Periodicals?" Please request this leaflet specifically, as it isn't automatically included with Guide to Writing for the Periodicals.
All contributions accepted for publication become the sole property of The Christian Science Publishing Society.
Do you need a temporary home?
A sheltered care program has been initiated by the Christian Science Benevolent Association at Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and is also offered by several other accredited care facilities in the United States.
Sheltered care means the care of Mother Church members (usually senior) who may need personal assistance or occasional light nursing care, and who, for one reason or another, should not be alone.
Christian Scientists for whom such a program would be helpful are invited to apply for admission—to seek healing, not permanent residency. (Financial assistance is not provided for this program; applications are renewable every six months.)
Guests should be up, dressed, and alert enough to care for themselves generally. Nurses and nurses aides are on call 24 hours a day. Every room has an intercom system for listening to the weekly Bible Lessons, appropriate music, and Christian Science literature. Guests are welcome to attend church services and to use the recreational facilities available.
Applications for admission may be obtained from the clerk or the committee for care of your branch church or by writing to the care facility of your choice.
Planning a trip to Boston?
You may wish to include visits to two of Mary Baker Eddy's former homes:
1908-1910 CHESTNUT HILL,
MASSACHUSETTS—At 400 Beacon Street, Mrs. Eddy's home when she founded The Christian Science Monitor. An exhibit traces her role as Founder and Leader of our movement—preaching, teaching, writing, and commenting on issues still current.
Open May 1 through October 31, 10 to 5 weekdays (including Saturdays), 2 to 5 Sundays; November 1 through April 30, 10 to 4 Saturdays only, 2 to 5 Sundays; closed all holidays except Memorial Day (last Monday in May) and Bunker Hill Day (June 17).
1875-1882 LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS— At 12 Broad Street, where 100 years ago Mrs. Eddy completed her manuscript for Science and Health. It was while living here that Mrs. Eddy initiated many foundational steps in establishing the Christian Science movement. These include the formation of the Christian Scientist Association; the Church of Christ, Scientist; the Massachusetts Metaphysical College. Here also Mrs. Eddy was ordained as Pastor of her church.
Open May 1 through October 31, 10 to 5 weekdays (including Saturdays), 2 to 5 Sundays; November 1 through April 30, 10 to 3 Saturdays only, 2 to 5 Sundays; closed all holidays except Memorial Day (last Monday in May) and Bunker Hill Day (June 17).
The map "Mary Baker Eddy and New England" gives further information on these and other historical sites, all within a day's drive of Boston. This map is available at the historical houses, at the information desk in the Publishing Society, and also by mail from the Archivist of The Mother Church.
Tours of the Church Center
Visitors to the Christian Science Center may take guided tours of the Extension and the Original Edifice, the Sunday School building, and the Publishing House.
Regular tours of The Mother Church are offered daily including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (on Thanksgiving Day tours are from 12 to 1 only; both The Mother Church and Sunday School are closed Christmas and New Year's Day). Tours of the Christian Science Publishing House are conducted Monday through Friday. The Mapparium in the Publishing House is also open Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day).
Also, for students of Christian Science, one tour a day of the Church Administration building is available during the summer months (May 1 through November 1). This tour begins at 2:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Those interested should register at the information desk in the Lobby of the Administration building.
When you arrive at the Church Center please go to the Visitors' Tour Center off the Lobby of the Publishing House for additional tour information for visiting Christian Scientists and their families.
Information and arrangements for group tours can also be obtained by writing to:
The First Church of Christ, Scientist
Visitors' Section
Guard and Guide Services Division
Christian Science Center
Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115
We need your help
Did you move during the past year? Are you about to move? Does the Clerk's Department of The Mother Church have your new address?
Because many members use a different form of their name on their subscriptions than that which appears on Church records, and because not all subscribers to our periodicals are members of The Mother Church, The Christian Science Publishing Society and the Clerk's Department need to be notified separately of any address change.
Considerable time and effort—and expense—go into the search for current addresses of members whose mail has been returned. You can help by letting us know when you move.
If the Clerk's Department doesn't have your latest address or if you haven't received your 1976 per capita tax form from the Treasurer, please let us hear from you.
Send your new address to:
The First Church of Christ, Scientist
Clerk's Department
Christian Science Center
Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115
To ensure proper identification, please include your previous address and if possible the year you joined The Mother Church and your member number (YOO — — — — — — —).
Fund for Armed Services Activities
By way of the Fund for Armed Services Activities, The Mother Church is helping Christian Scientists serving in the armed forces of many different countries.
The work—which has far-reaching effects—is carried on in Africa, Asia, Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, the United States, other countries, and ships at sea. Christian Science Chaplains and Representatives in the armed forces and Christian Science Ministers conduct services and give treatments when requested to do so. They contact service men and women who identify themselves with Christian Science, supplying them with sets of the Bible, and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. They help young recruits adjust to military service. Field workers also distribute quantities of Christian Science literature worldwide to armed forces personnel.
Members and friends of The Mother Church finance this important work through the Fund for Armed Services Activities. Contributions are welcome and should be sent to MARC ENGELER, TREASURER, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Christian Science Center, Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115.
