Branch Church News
Many readers may have seen recent media reports referring to two articles on Christian Science healing in The New England Journal of Medicine. The articles, which appeared in a section entitled "Sounding Boards," expressed radically different viewpoints.
The Reading Room maintained by each branch Church of Christ, Scientist, can never be viewed as merely a location where Christian Science literature is dispensed. We know it is much more than that.
The following article was prepared by the Church Activities Department of The Mother Church. Every Christian Scientist has the privilege of utilizing the truths of divine Science in church challenges as well as in meeting individual physical and mental discords.
Written by a member of The Mother Church When I was in college, a friend who was an experienced Christian Scientist visited our town. He asked me about my activities and future plans.
Christmas Day this year, by a happy coincidence, comes on a Sunday. It seems opportune, then, to refresh our view of church activities as unveiling Christ, Truth, itself.
While reading a recent issue of The Christian Science Monitor, I was struck by several things: none of the material— news, features, commentary, editorials, cartoon, letters from readers—alarmed me; but it did remind me of how badly the world needs Christ's healing power on a moment-by-moment basis. Here was clear, honest reporting done with a constructive outlook and a deep Christian motive.
It would take volumes to report fully on the good that has flowed and still is flowing from the meetings held in branch churches and societies on June 6 in connection with the 1983 Annual Meeting of The Mother Church. A number of reports and letters from the churches, telling of the meetings, have reached Boston.
A specific need in church activity is intelligent prayer that affirms God's protection and care. The following article, submitted by a member of The Mother Church in Florida, develops this thought.
While today most secular and much religious instruction relies on material aids and psychological techniques to attract and engage thought, effective instruction in matters of Spirit and its practical Science or laws;—Christian Science—rests first of all in the uncluttered simplicity and purity of spiritual understanding. Paul illustrates this ideal when he says, "We speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
An announcement in last April's Journal explained that The Christian Science Monitor regional sales offices have been opened, or expanded, in Boston, New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco. The purpose is to support increased advertising and circulation sales efforts for the Monitor in North America.