The article "Church services for a global community" [April, p. 17] is filled with inspiring ideas! Warren Bolon and Jeffrey Hildner do a remarkable job of sharing Mrs. Eddy's intent—the deep spirit of worship that provides strong guidance for every church service. The idea of improvising to suit local needs gives Readers the opportunity to include rather than exclude—to allow the congregation to feel at home in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.
This article had a wheels-turning, ripple effect of enthusiasm and receptivity in our local church. A friend spoke at a recent Wednesday testimony meeting of the many progressive ideas in the article and ended with a request to take more time to pray during each service. She went on to quote the Church Manual: "The prayers in Christian Science churches shall be offered for the congregations collectively and exclusively" (p. 42). She asked, "How can we get our prayers done in one minute? We need to pray for everyone present, the entire congregation—the Readers, the organist, the soloist, the Sunday School, and the practitioners. We need at least five minutes to pray effectively!"
West Vancouver
British Columbia
Canada
