Under Divine Control
It’s all too easy to feel swamped by circumstances.
When the ash cloud thrown up by a volcano in Chile all but shut down air travel within southern Australia recently, I instinctively turned to God, with confidence, to know that interstate colleagues would find unimpeded passage to our annual work meeting. Not surprising, their return travel was also completed without incident.
An even deeper message came packaged in Andrea McCormick’s piece “Nothing Could Keep Us from Our Association” (July Journal, p. 53).
Every year insidious arguments try to convince me not to attend my Christian Science association, borne partly from travel costs. The mental opposition got much louder with my teacher’s passing. Annual association meetings, however, are much, much more than a feel good “group hug” with fellow students. My annual challenge is to see beyond personality; to absolutely reject the notion that the annual address loses its legitimacy once a Christian Science teacher passes.
Like Andrea and her husband, I just know that all right activities—including getting there—are under divine control.
Danby, Tasmania, Australia
Life without time?
John Tyler asks rhetorically, “Have you ever imagined what life would be like without time? . . . and thus without a sequence of events? . . .” (“Ours to Prove—the Understanding of Eternal Life,” July Journal, p. 27).
Yes, I have. I liken time-based perception to someone who curls his fingers into a “telescope” and then looks through it at the room around him. He might see the wall, then a window, a lamp, a curtain, with one object disappearing as the next comes into view, with the sequence occurring over a period of time. But if he takes away his “telescope,” he sees the wall, window, lamp, curtain—the totality all at once. No time. No sequence.
This view is consistent with what it says in Ecclesiastes: “That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past” (3:15).
Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
A great big thank you
As I was reading through the June and July Journals, I was so moved with gratitude for the dedication of those who write for the periodicals, and those who do all the various tasks necessary for publishing and disseminating the copies, supporting the periodicals metaphysically and through various financial means. I’m sending this great big thank you via your office. The ideas and content of the Journal are so substantial they offer both encouragement and challenge for all of us, and each is a “glimpse of grace” helping us prove more of this Science we cherish and appreciate. Some of the healings have brought tears of joy to my eyes. And many of the articles offer specific healing thoughts pertinent to my individual experience, those in my family, and for those whom I have the joy of praying for and with. I feel and appreciate the spirit of the Church Alive theme that is coming through in the periodicals and is offering me and all our readers encouragement to dig more deeply in our study of this precious Science.
Portland, Oregon, US
Response to “Candid Talk about Journal, Sentinel, Herald Costs”
Thank you for this candid update of our periodical pricing situation (June Journal, p. 16). We all need to know this—and with our prayers, gratitude, subscriptions, and payments, show our support and appreciation for this awesome provision for our world’s need.
Medford, Oregon, US
I wonder if it would be possible to support the increase in price of the magazines to their actual production cost by spreading out the annual payments on a debit or credit card. Maybe four equal payments or smaller monthly payments.
McKinleyville, California, US
I would gladly pay the higher cost. This reflects my desire to have the periodicals continue and to provide comfort, as they are a very needed part of my life. Also the higher cost to me would enable the Church to give to others who may need a lifeline. Go for it.
Richland, Washington, US
I would love to see the Journal and Christian Science Sentinel on Kindle. That is how I get The Christian Science Monitor. It is easy to carry around and you always have it available. It also uses less natural resources, so it is environmentally better. Another option would be to put the entire Journal and Sentinel on spirituality.com and charge to read it like with the Bible Lessons. I get the Bible Lesson online and also a paper copy. I think a two-tiered pricing system is a great idea. For those that can afford the real price of periodicals, the hope is that they would pay that price, and have a minimum price for people who aren’t able to pay the real price. You could also allow people to share the price like the utility companies do with “Share the Warmth,” to help people that have trouble with paying the heating bills in the winter.
Charlotte, North Carolina, US
To me, it’s difficult to see how running a business with such a shortfall makes sense. One answer you must consider is raising prices to meet costs. You clearly have a product that is of real value. Price it that way.
Southport, Connecticut, US
I am a second-generation Christian Scientist and I greatly value the inspiring articles written in the Sentinel and Journal.
I fully realize the ever increasing costs of production to manufacture these fine publications. We read all the time in numerous other publications of the same problems.
It seems logical to make these great publications available on the Internet (in a complete form) at a minimal cost, because then there are no paper and printing costs involved. And as a plus, think of the savings to the environment for the paper and materials saved. I do realize that even though the electronic form would save on materials, and therefore the cost, there may be many that need or want the printed form and will always want a paper copy available. I still strongly believe that the magazines should be made available online for those that need to purchase them at a reduced cost, and would like them in that format.
In closing, I do want to express gratitude for all of the great work of those involved in the publication of the Journal and Sentinel.
Fitchburg, Massachusetts, US
I am not a church member, but I am introducing myself to the study of Christian Science. In response to your article about production costs, is it possible for you to offer one price for a complete online subscription to each publication, and a different (though more expensive) subscription price for published copies that your readers can receive through regular mail or purchase at a Reading Room? I realize many elderly people may not be computer literate and won’t read and study your publications online; also, if you reduce the number of publications being printed and mailed, it may raise the cost even more.
However, I’m always getting requests from my bank, utility providers, etc., asking me to “Go Green” and agree to forego receiving a printed statement in the mail.
Can a similar tack be of benefit to the vital service your publishing house provides?
Thanks for listening.
Jupiter, Florida, US
Raise your prices!
Vero Beach, Florida, US
I completely agree with raising the price of the periodicals. I pay a fraction for them, compared to what I pay for my cellphone and Internet service. And though the latter are a necessary part of my life, the periodicals inspire, uplift, encourage, heal, and remind me what life is all about. I was thinking about this yesterday—that Christian Science makes life worth living. I treasure it, and the periodicals keep my heart aligned with that treasure.
Petaluma, California, US
The periodicals are ever so important a part of daily life both in print and online. Even though we have access today to smartphones and Kindles, I don’t know that I’m yet ready to give up holding a beautiful print format in my hands, underlining, marking, rereading over and over, and happily going to the mailbox to find the next issue. There is a challenge in storage after years of cherished collecting, but I value the opportunity to easily pick up a present or past issue in search of healing messages. Some people have no access to digital formats and must rely upon traditional print.
I’m doing all I can to subscribe to most all the periodicals, and even to give some subscriptions as gifts. An increase in cost to some degree would be understood.
My gratitude to all who make these periodicals available.
Austell, Georgia, US
The trend for many periodicals now is to make an edition available as a download to an e-reader, like a Kindle or Nook. I recently saw an ad for such an option for The New Yorker magazine. Would such an option for the Sentinel and Journal help reduce the cost of delivery to the subscribers?
Lafayette, California, US
I value the periodicals so much. If they cost more, I will pay more, and so should everyone. I even think people should pay for Christian Science lectures. We certainly find the money to pay for many other items (that we don’t need). I don’t want the Publishing Society to incur costs they shouldn’t have to. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do.
Redondo Beach, California, US
I would be happy to pay an amount for the periodicals that is equal to the cost of producing them. I very much value the periodicals.
Washington, DC, US
I just renewed my subscription to the Journal, Sentinel, Monitor, and Study Edition Quarterly. The woman that I talked with said the prices were going up and that if I wanted to save money I should renew my subscriptions now. I did this, but after reading this article, I would prefer to pay the price that they cost. What would I have to do for this to
happen?
Voorhees, New Jersey, US
Perhaps you could include a fund with, or separate from, per capita tax forms for those who may be more than happy to give the cost of a subscription for others. I do mean the exact cost of each periodical, so the fund is always balanced for said use.
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Thank you for your frankness about the subscription prices compared with the actual cost of producing our wonderful periodicals. I would gladly pay the full cost! To think that many people pay more than that on a monthly basis for cable TV makes this amount seem quite insignificant. And, when we pass along our copies to others, we increase the value of dollars spent! What precious gifts these are!
Certainly the substance we receive from our periodicals is invaluable, and for me, my subscriptions are a high priority. I will enjoy the ability in the future to download the periodicals to my iPad. :-)
Much gratitude for the wonderful work you do!
Kimberton, Pennsylvania, US
I don’t subscribe to the periodicals, because I work overseas in conflict areas where it is often difficult or impossible to receive mail. However I am constantly perusing spirituality.com for Sentinel and Journal articles. I would very, very happily donate money to the Journal and Sentinel, as I am exceedingly grateful for the healing comfort they have so often provided me. What is the best way to regularly contribute to these programs? Should I simply donate money to The Mother Church, or is there a way to specifically direct it to the Christian Science publications? Thank you in advance for your guidance, and bless your hard work. It is very much appreciated.
Grass Valley, California, US
Editor’s note: If anyone would like to make a contribution to the General Fund in support of the periodicals, we would certainly welcome your donation. You can contribute online at this link:
www.tfccs.com/gift/donation-form.jhtml
Or to make a gift by check, please mail it to:
Treasurer’s Office, P05–10
210 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
