IT ALL BEGAN WITH the many newcomers who were coming into our Christian Science practitioners' office asking about Christian Science and Science and Health. My wife and I had become acquainted with these inquirers at various wellness events, book fairs, and through their requests for help through prayer. At one point, some of them had proposed having a discussion group once a month, and the idea took off. As we explored questions and prayed together, healings began to occur. A dedicated group formed who wanted to work more, and exclusively, with ideas found through their exploration of Christian Science. The meetings became more frequent, and sharing of healing experiences increased. We sang hymns, and continually sought inspiration from the Bible and Science and Health.
From this activity, a desire developed quite naturally to form a Christian Science Society. Although we didn't have much money, we took practical steps toward renting rooms for this purpose, and quickly found an ideal space. We held to the thought that every idea inspired by divine Mind carries with it the means to provide for itself. Everyone gave what they could. The landlord made a concession on the rent, and we received donations from others churches at the opening of our society.
Mary Baker Eddy described it so aptly in the Preface to Science and Health: "Now, as then, these mighty works are not supernatural, but supremely natural. They are the sign of Immanuel, or 'God with us,'—a divine influence ever present in human consciousness and repeating itself ..." (p. xi).
