LETTERS

THE TRINITY

I always look forward to each issue of the Journal arriving, and I particularly enjoyed the July 2010 edition. It was a delight to see so many contributions written by good friends. Additionally, I found the editorial on "Divine Perfection, Human Excellence" (Michael Pabst, p. 64) most thought provoking.

I would like particularly to thank Rosalind Childs Fogg for her in-depth analysis, discussion, and conclusions found in her article ("Who Was Jesus? What Is the Trinity? And Why Should We Care?" p. 49) that centered on Jesus, the trinity, and our lives today. I loved the approach that Rosalind took by supporting all her ideas with a statement made at the onset of the article. She remarks that everything she would present was absolutely supported by the fact that she was healed of the results of a car accident, one that she should not have survived and that was supposed to leave her paralyzed for life. "Instead, I walked again within a week."

Rather than go into any description of the accident or the physical details of the rapid recovery, Rosalind presents a point by point Christian Science treatment that revolves around Mary Baker Eddy's concept of the trinity that completely healed her. Her closing statement declares the concept "is bringing to the whole world today a vital understanding of the truth that can heal and free us from fear, lack, loss, limitation, impositions, oppression, and suffering of every sort."

This is a clearly written article that sheds important light on this Christian concept, and that is supported with Christian Science treatment and healing—an article that I found deserves more than one reading, and I have continued giving it thoughtful contemplation.

LAURA KELLEY FISHER
ORANGE, CALIFORNIA,

EXCELLENT EDITORIAL

Thanks to Michael Pabst for the excellent editorial on human perfectionism in the July 2010 Journal. This lifted a huge sense of pressure about having to meet the detailed expectations of a certain organization, and even in determining whether this was the best organization for me. When I think about it, the commonly heard term, Perfect! often sends a little chill of limitation—well, maybe this particular situation, act, item, etc., is not quite (humanly) perfect. Whereas, the exclamation, "Excellent!" seems by contrast to open up a wide horizon of possibilities. I'm most grateful to Michael for helping us to see the role of spiritual perfection as a foundation, or source, for demonstrating human excellence, a wholly worthwhile, expansive, and progressive goal.

CHARLOTTE WALLACE
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, US

E-CHURCH

The articles in the periodicals are truly outstanding. However, I am writing about the article on remote churches, "How the e-Church Works for Us" by Alan Hess, June 2010 (p. 14). Instead of enlightening, the article was depressing. I thought, another vote for the Internet and computer activities. I find computer communications can be sterile, sometimes cynical, and a detriment to true fellowship. The article never gave a good reason for opting for a remote church service. It merely made comparisons to traditional church attendance. We know that physical presence is important because Jesus came to the world in a form that could be seen and understood. I just couldn't avoid the sense that remote services seem to be a way of getting out of something. I completely understand remote church membership for those who are shut in or in remote areas of the world, but the article said nothing to explain the phenomenon of attending church in the comfort of your own home as opposed to driving to church. If you're going to get up, get dressed, and eat breakfast, why not walk out the door? I sincerely feel that the problem bases the belief that church attendance and membership is something physical rather than spiritual. Holding a church member's newborn in your arms, being invited to lunch after church, comforting a crying Sunday School child, are not physical activities. However, they do demand your physical presence and sincere love and fellowship.

The less demands we make on our physical bodies (try getting a teen out of the house and off the computer), the less we accrue the advantages of a progressive knowledge of spiritual existence. In Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, pages 9–10, we find, "A false sense of what constitutes happiness is more disastrous to human progress than all that an enemy or enmity can obtrude upon the mind or engraft upon its purposes and achievements wherewith to obstruct life's joys and enhance its sorrows."

JACQUELYN REID
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, US

I have read in the June Journal that we can access the Wednesday meeting on the Internet. Since it is impossible for me to attend the Wednesday service in Montreal I will be able to listen to it and feel included in church. It is so wonderful that the San Juan Capistrano Society got the idea of including us no matter where we are. What a lovely symbol and truly applicable love, or should I say proof of love, this is. Wow! I cannot wait to participate. Can you imagine how big that church home really is? There is no limit to the one who opens his or her heart. To live love is to be love, and that is everything Christ Jesus came to show and exemplified for us. And thank you for printing that article in the Journal as I would not have known otherwise.

CÉLINE RIOUX
MCMASTERVILLE, QUEBEC, CANADA

A RESPONSE TO THE "PEARL OF GREAT PRICE" VIDEO

Dear Board of Directors, Thank you for all your prayerful, hard work over the past several years. For years all the printed material from the Lesson Sermons, the radio programs, and lectures seemed the same. Almost a formula. Now, each church activity has taken on a new, fresh sense. You have shaken up the thought and action of the movement in the most wonderful way possible. Each activity seems new, original, fresh. I suppose the main thing which impresses me is that the Board of Directors have not shied away from taking on the tough issues, i.e. overall church attendance, visiting worldwide branches, cost of The Christian Science Monitor, negative editorials, health-care issues—to name just a few. I've enjoyed the editorials in both the Journal (for example, March) and the Christian Science Sentinel, where you literally "draw the line in the sand" and declare openly what this church is all about and what it is going to accomplish, as well as what it takes to get there. It gives me a sense of pride to know that this is a battle that is going to be fought and won against the carnal mind. Truthfully, years ago, I never would have pictured myself writing this letter or even having the Board of Directors caring about my thoughts.

There are so many things to be thankful to The Mother Church for in my experience. Probably the first is actually being a member of The Mother Church since 1961. I suppose as a young teenager, I had no idea what joining the Church meant.

Now, to get away from me and let you know what I've noticed. There has been such a wonderful explosion of ideas taking place at The Mother Church.

The members of our branch church are thoroughly enjoying the weekly Lesson Sermon. Sitting in the audience, I've noticed the study edition, regular, large-type, and my Bible Lesson formats—such a wonderful variety meeting different needs. The topics are alive and totally relevant to the world. The Lessons on the trial, the four horsemen, the prodigal are so thought provoking. The Reading Room is filled with new materials, i.e., My True Light and Life, "Anthology of Classic Articles" I and ll, and Christian Healer. The Sentinel Radio broadcasts are so thoughtfully done.

I've had a subscription to the Mother since 1966 and have seen a lot of changes. I'm amazed at its form since it became a weekly. Actually, the new form makes it easier to share and to give as a gift subscription. I'm sure that our Leader would be pleased with the form it has taken.

I suppose that all of the above has created a stirring in me to renew my study of Christian Science. Lately, I've thought that my Christian Science teacher would be happy to know that I've been going through the class notes and getting such pearls from this activity. One statement I remember from class instruction is "Take the world in your arms each morning and tell it not to be afraid."

In closing, thank you for giving the movement a Cause to bring to the world which is dynamic and moving forward.

ROBERT DELL
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, US