Worldwide outreach
Fighting back tears of joy after reading Nathan Smith’s article, “The Christian Science Board of Directors Goes to Africa” in the August issue, I must express my immense respect for the members of the Board and their outreach to members of The Mother Church worldwide.
I am sure Christian Scientists in Africa gained as much, or more, from the visit as did those in Australia when the Board visited this country several years ago.
The stories from Lagos, Accra, and Nairobi are truly inspiring and serve to remind many of us in more comfortable circumstances that we cannot rest until Christian Science and The Mother Church are universally accepted and cherished.
Victoria, Australia
A tremendous issue
The August Journal is a keeper. It is just packed full of outstanding articles. Thank each and every one who took part in its tremendous outcome.
I was particularly impressed by the articles “Awake to Love” by Scott Preller and “When the Heart Yearns to Help” by Tarn Wilson.
Scott reveals more of the carnal mind’s secret methods of befooling our mentalities, of keeping us following our own repetitive train of thought, rather than allowing the Christ to map out our pattern of thinking, and he shows how important it is to maintain our hourly watch.
And Tarn shows us how important it is to do our metaphysical work—a most effective way to help our fellow man and the world, a way to help permanently. The article indicates how Jesus was so effective in blessing and healing. Of course, kindly deeds are requisite, and may have some positive effect, but they may be, at best, but a temporary help. The metaphysical work is not simply a transient fix; it produces results for permanent improvement and healing—for the individual and for the entire world. I think sometimes we can get so busy doing that we don’t have time for quiet, effective thinking.
I love what our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, says about this on page 112 of Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896 when she recounts her visit to the cell of President Garfield’s assassin.
I cannot express in words the wonderful feeling that reading all of these very poignant articles gave me. I shall read most, if not each one, more than once.
Rogers, Arkansas, US
A reason for hope
I seem to love every issue of the Journal more than the last, but at long last I just cannot resist dropping you a note. I am particularly enjoying the interviews with Christian Science teachers. I had a wonderful teacher, but since his passing I miss the uplifting one-on-one meetings with him and inspirational talks. It is so interesting to read about other teachers and their journeys, and how individually unique they are in the particular tone of their thought and theme of the messages in these helpful interviews.
I literally cheered out loud when I read in the July issue the interview with Mary Ridgway, where she so humbly, courageously, and candidly described her fight for a healing, as the path was not a “linear” one. She told how she went from throwing her books across the room to weeping with gratitude for Science and Health; how she went from “feeling absolutely unable to effect healing, to the recognition of God’s presence and love that was absolutely tangible.”
Although I love to read about and experience quick healings, our experience sometimes draws us into a tougher battle. Mrs. Ridgway’s love and honesty poured through the pages. She gives many of us hope where we had little or none before.
Morristown, New Jersey, US
Good insights
Thank you for the very informative two-part interview, “A Society of Publishers,” which ran in the June and July issues. Very good explanations and insights for us all.
Also, please forward my sincere gratitude for the use of recent Bible translations for our Golden Text and Responsive Readings in the Christian Science Quarterly.
Not everyone has access to nor necessarily checks out translations. It is a courageous forward step made for our correct understanding of very familiar and loved words in the King James Version.
Thank you for this help in our study of the Bible.
Santa Fe, New Mexico, US
At home in church
I seize this opportunity to thank editors for the article by Moji Solanke about church in the June 2012 Journal. The article reveals to me the Christ-spirit that built God’s church on the rock. It conveys a sense of active membership that is deeper than just filling in a form or physically attending a church service. Being alert this way makes healing inevitable. And being in church makes one feel at home. Thanks again.
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Going up?
Having just spent three days visiting Prague, I’d like to say thanks for the article “Elevators and ‘Rebel’ Rousers” by Diane P. Dailey in the June Journal. The article helped me change my thoughts about my experience there.
I’d been traveling in England and Germany, and the side trip to Prague was not all I had hoped for. There seemed to be a certain seediness to the atmosphere, based on my observations of surroundings, activities, and transactions. I was determined to improve my outlook and experience in Prague. I was able to meet with a local Christian Scientist, who related to me that her grown children are not students of Christian Science, but they do believe in and love God.
I got a better sense of the significance of that love of God being important to her when I later took a bus tour of the city. The recorded guide said that the cathedrals and churches are now, unfortunately, merely historical. A survey had shown that the Czech Republic was the most atheistic country in Europe. Yes, the guide used the word unfortunately, which in itself is hopeful.
So, as I sat in the station waiting for my train back to Germany, I read the above article. It was the icing on the cake, emphasizing how we can be more inclusive of others. Regardless of whether or not someone is religious or interested in things spiritual, we might ask ourselves: Am I myself sincerely interested in the welfare and well-being of others? My neighbors? My community? The world? Regardless of religion or no religion; interest or lack thereof, in spirituality?
It was a call to uplift my vision as I travel “the world” and be a “rebel” by loving those around me no matter the surroundings, and to appreciate the love of God in the smallest act of kindness and courtesy I am afforded. I am grateful for this elevator, or “lift”!
Boise, Idaho, US
