Support of the periodicals
Thanks to Lyon Osborn for his article, “Publishing Profitably” (p. 18), in the December 2010 Journal on the activities and directions at The Christian Science Publishing Society. I was struck by the statement that currently fewer than half of Mother Church members subscribe to the periodicals.
Referenced in the article was Article VIII, Section 14, of the Church Manual dealing with “Church Periodicals.” I turned to it and was struck by the provision: “It shall be the privilege and duty of every member, who can afford it, to subscribe for the periodicals which are the organs of this Church; . . .” (Mary Baker Eddy, p. 44). Over the years our family of multiple Mother Church members had been content to share one subscription to The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Sentinel, and Journal. Considering this By-Law anew, I sensed that our Leader, perhaps, was requiring more of an individual commitment in support of the periodicals.
Giving some additional thought and prayer to this By-Law has prompted me to enter my own personal subscription to each of the periodicals (plus a few more items referenced at the subscription website). The periodicals have given so many inspirations and insights to me over the years that it just seemed natural to take this supportive step.
Many thanks to all who have contributed to, or have been involved in the editing of, these treasures that benefit all mankind.
Carson City, Nevada, US
Individual Bible study
I read with interest Ann Edwards’s answer to the question about learning to “take the inspired Word of the Bible” (Science and Health, p. 497) in the December Journal (p. 6). I appreciated her honesty in recognizing her need for a deeper appreciation for the Bible and her willingness to devote herself to the task of getting to know her Bible much better. While she felt compelled to undertake a seminary course to accomplish this, there are certainly many ways of deepening one’s knowledge of the Bible that don’t involve academic courses. In my own experience, I found there was way too much work to do recognizing and rejecting the human, historical interpretation one receives from an academic approach so that the spiritual meaning is not squelched. I’ve found that enabling Mary Baker Eddy’s writings to be my Bible instructor has given me the unadulterated spiritual perspective on the Bible needed for Christian Science healing.
Mainly, what I found I required for deeper understanding of the Bible was a long-term study plan, and a willingness to stick to it and revise it as ideas for specific study projects came along. The most important thing to do is to actually read the Bible—know what’s in it! I read it through regularly. Another thing I’ve found essential in my own Bible study is to employ Mrs. Eddy’s writings, particularly Science and Health, since they are chock full of lessons in Biblical interpretation.
For instance, I regularly plug in terms from the Glossary in Science and Health wherever these terms show up in the Bible, and when I discover a sentence or phrase that Mrs. Eddy uses in one of her books that clarifies some Bible verse or story that I haven’t understood, I make note of it and use it in my research.
I don’t worry overmuch about obscure Old Testament stories or strange customs, because the spiritual significance of these generally has nothing at all to do with the historical setting in which they are written. On occasion a Bible commentary or Bible dictionary may shed some light on these, but often the spiritual interpretation as it unfolds to me is unrelated to the immediate context. While some may feel academic courses on the Bible are helpful, no one should ever feel that their own individual Bible study, and the spiritual meaning that unfolds to them from God, is in any way inferior.
Clifton, Virginia, US
Sunday School
A warm hello from the Philippines!
I am Julie Gaddo, a church member here in the Philippines. I’m the Sunday School Superintendent and a teacher at my local branch church, and I was so happy to read in the December Journal issue, “A New Adventure: Sunday School and Beyond” (p. 10), in which some Sunday School graduates shared their experiences, especially with the “transition” period. In my case, I started attending Sunday School when I was a kid. My parents brought us to Sunday School every Sunday, so my week wasn’t complete without attending Sunday School. When I turned 20, I was immediately appointed as a Sunday School teacher, so I’ve never had the chance to attend the Sunday service. (I haven’t even seen the “kneeling” part of the service on Sacrament! I’ve just heard about it from my parents!)
Sunday School is really a part of me. I grew there and I’ve been learning a lot even as a teacher. At first, I had this feeling of wanting to attend the church service after graduating from the Sunday School. I thought I have to experience another environment, a change of setting. I even thought I was being deprived of another adventure. But as I prayed about it, it came to me that Sunday School is also a part of the church as a whole. I am still a part of that “church experience” because I study the Bible Lesson that’s read as the Lesson-Sermon at church every week, sing hymns on Sundays, pray the Lord’s Prayer, and others. We also have a lot of programs and presentations. Since then, I’ve never felt deprived. I’m happy to serve in the Sunday School and learn from my study and students. What’s more, every Sunday is a new experience!
What Michael Schult said about what churches could do better, put a smile on my face because that’s exactly what our church is doing. Our Reading Room librarian organized a TGIF (Thank God It’s Friday) activity every Friday evening at the Reading Room. It is an hour in which people of all ages study the Lesson together, share their inspirations and testimonies. After a year, it was changed to a Monday schedule, so now it is called “Hello Monday.” Many of the members and church attendees, Sunday School and church service alike, actively participate. It is a great opportunity for Sunday School students and graduates, church members, and regular attendees to come together and “begin rightly.”
Baguio City, Philippines
Time is ripe
Barbara Vining really hit the nail on the head in her article, “Is the Time Ripe for Christian Science?” (p. 32), published in the October 2010 issue of the Journal. That article was, and still is, a call to arms, so to speak, for all genuine Christian Scientists. It has made me repent and become more watchful.
If, as metaphysicians, we understand that thoughts are things, we, therefore, really need to guard the door of our thoughts with all diligence. Permitting such an erroneous thought (the time ain’t ripe for Christian Science yet) to find a place in our consciousness will only continue to work against our Cause. Even if we think the time isn’t ripe—which of course we know isn’t true—we should then assiduously work to ripen the time and not to go and lie on the bed of resignation.
Thank you very much, Barbara, for waking us up!
Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
