Jen Odegaard––staff
This month’s Journal is a truly special one for me. It has revolutionized the way I think of Christian Science nurses. I used to think that being a Christian Science nurse was what some people did before they “graduated” to what seemed the more spiritually demanding job of Christian Science practitioner. But now I see these two healing ministries are both invaluable.
Mary Schultz, in her article “Part of a Wonderful Whole” (p. 30), explains how there is no “hierarchical ladder” between Christian Science nursing and the healing practice—and she recounts the rich blessings she gained from returning to Christian Science nursing after over 25 years as a practitioner. Our cover story, “The Christian Science Nurse: Practical Wisdom and Proper Care” by Lesley Pitts (p. 27), points out that Christian Science nurses are meant to help “[strengthen] the healing practice,” and gives an illuminating historical overview of how Mary Baker Eddy came to establish the By-Law in her Church Manual that provides for Christian Science nursing. And this month’s interview with Christian Science practitioner and teacher Mary Ridgway, “Binding up Broken Hearts” (p. 18), shows how vital a Christian Science nursing facility proved to be in a life-altering healing she experienced.
