News Archive
Announcement of the new Organist at The Mother Church
December 2008. The Church received many applications from members who live in various parts of the world, and the selection process was one that included much prayer and listening. Many thanks go to every member who assisted with this process whether through prayer, recommending names, or actually applying for the position.
The new Organist of The Mother Church is Bryan Ashley from Verrières-le-Buisson, France. Bryan was raised in New Jersey and France, and has lived the last 24 years abroad in Japan, France, and Germany. He holds both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in organ performance, as well as a Prix d'Excellence from France and a Soloist Diploma from Germany. For the last 20 years he has been active as a recitalist performing in Asia, America, and Europe in addition to his activities as a church musician and university teacher. Since 2005 he has served as one of the organists for Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Paris, France. Bryan is a member of The Mother Church. He is married to Asako, who is a Japanese teacher, and he has two children. Bryan is looking forward to moving to Boston, and we look forward to hearing him play when he begins in February. You able to hear Bryan play in person at The Mother Church, or listen online by logging on to www.churchofchristscientist.org and clicking on "Sunday Church Service." Please join us in welcoming Bryan to Boston.
At this time we again express our deep appreciation to Edwin C. Starner who played his last church service as regular Organist on Sunday, December 21. We are grateful to Ed for his dedication and devotion of thought to The Mother Church services as well as for conducting many hymn singing workshops and organ recitals. Ed is planning on dedicating his time to the Christian Science practice as well as spending more time with his wife, Joyce, and their three daughters and families.
The Christian Science Monitor broadens its reach
December 17, 2008. The Monitor is expanding its audience and broadening its reach. A few recent developments include:
- In September of this year, the Monitor launched a partnership with Worldfocus, a new nightly international news program that airs on public television stations across the United States. Monitor correspondents are featured in reports about international news developments or events in almost every broadcast of the program. To watch Worldfocus, check your local PBS listings or go to http://worldfocus.org.
- This month the Monitor and The McClatchy Company, the third largest newspaper company in the United States, initiated a new partnership. Stories by the Monitor’s New Delhi and Mexico City bureau chiefs appear in McClatchy's 30 daily newspapers, including The Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star, and The Sacramento Bee. Stories by McClatchy’s Nairobi and Caracas bureau chiefs run in the Monitor.
- The Monitor recently launched a YouTube channel for videos related to its 100th anniversary. Go to www.youtube.com/csmonitor100 to see clips of our recent Centennial Conversation on the Future of Journalism, interviews with staff members about their proudest day working at the Monitor, and a classic video produced in 1958 for the Monitor’s 50th anniversary.
The Monitor continues to generate significant media coverage about its plans to become a daily online publication with a weekly print edition next spring. Some recent examples include a report on The Newshour with Jim Lehrer and stories in major publications across the United States and around the world. In recent weeks, the Independent Film Channel, Japan’s NHK News, and the Washington, D.C.-based Newseum sent video crews to the Monitor’s newsroom to feature the Monitor in stories about the news industry’s shift online.
We’ll continue to keep you apprised of Monitor developments in the coming months. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Monitor.
New members of The Mother Church
November 2008. Applications for membership were received in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, and came to us from the following locations: Angola, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Honduras, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Switzerland, Uganda, United States of America, Uruguay, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. We are finding that some of these new members initially found Christian Science on the Internet.
The newest members of our world wide church family unite with us as members of the Church defined by Mary Baker Eddy in the Glossary of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures:
- "The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick."
Our gratitude goes out to all members and Christian Science teachers worldwide who support the admissions of new members through their prayers and by approving and countersigning applications. A reminder—applications for membership are welcome at any time. The next admission of new members will take place on June 5, 2009. Please send your completed applications to the Office of the Clerk no later than June 3.
Changes coming to The Christian Science Monitor in April 2009
To learn about the upcoming changes to The Christian Science Monitor, please read this letter from the Board of Trustees and the Christian Science Board of Directors. Also you're invited to watch a
15 minute video in which John Yemma, Editor, and Jonathan Wells, Managing Publisher, share their vision for the future of the Monitor.
Please go to the Monitor webpage on this website for more information.
A message from the Christian Science Board of Directors
October 14, 2008. In light of recent events in the global economy, the editorial from the November 3 issue Christian Science Sentinel is being shared with members worldwide. It can also be read in the Tuesday, October 14 issue of The Christian Science Monitor. Its topic is "The economy and prayer's resuscitating power."
Highlights of results from recent Monitor survey
The Christian Science Monitor now has the results of the recent survey of members of The Mother Church. The survey was taken to learn how members gather news and how they view the Monitor. To see highlights of the results, please read the letter by Jonathan Wells, Managing Publisher. Also please visit the Monitor webpage on this website for information about two live chats and other upcoming events.
The Christian Science Board of Directors elects new President
August 21, 2008. The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Barbara M. Vining, CSB, of Perrysburg, Ohio, has been elected to serve as President of The Mother Church effective August 20, 2008. She will complete the term of the former President and our beloved friend Richard Bergenheim, who passed on in July.
You may have seen Barbara’s byline in The Christian Science Journal, the Sentinel, and the Herald. She’s written numerous articles and editorials, has served as a Contributing Editor since 1998, and was Associate Editor of the periodicals from 1992 to 1998. Over the coming months Barbara will meet with Christian Science practitioners, nurses, and teachers to explore together a subject she knows so well – the healing mission of these periodicals, as well as The Christian Science Monitor. Barbara will also be available to accept invitations from branch churches to hold meetings on this topic.
While still a mother of three young children, Barbara made a commitment to the full-time, public ministry of Christian Science healing. She became a teacher of Christian Science in 1985, served as Vice President of the Board of Education between 1998 and 2000, and over the past several months has been part of the team conducting meetings about the healing practice of Christian Science.
It is with grateful hearts that we welcome Barbara to this new assignment.
Church moves forward with public process to update its Real Estate Master Plan
July 21, 2008 The Church will move forward with the public phase of updating the 40-year-old master plan for its Boston campus. As a first step, a Citizens Advisory Committee will be appointed by the Mayor of the City of Boston. A series of interactive public meetings are expected to commence this fall. At that time, a public website will track the process and provide regular updates.
Now that all of the employees have moved into the Publishing House, we are negotiating short-term leases for the former Administration building. A lease was recently signed with Northeastern University for all of the available office space in the Colonnade building. The University will move a number of its administrative offices into the building in August.
The Church will retain control over the 14-acre site, including signing leases with businesses that are compatible with the Church’s standards and use restrictions.
A statement from the Christian Science Board of Directors on the Passing of Richard Bergenheim, CSB:
It is with deepest love and gratitude for our dear friend Richard Bergenheim, CSB, that we inform you of his unexpected passing this past weekend. His wife, Phebe, was with him in Kansas City as he continued his meetings with Christian Science teachers and practitioners, on behalf of The Christian Science Monitor as well as the other Christian Science periodicals.
As you know, Richard has just completed his tour of duty as Editor of the Monitor, with John Yemma taking the reins as Editor Sunday. In his new position as President of The Mother Church, Richard has been sending us almost daily emails, telling of the strong support that he has felt in the field for the Monitor and other periodicals.
When we received the news of his passing, we immediately remembered a recent message in which Richard spoke of his prayers for a Monitor reporter who was in a tumultuous area of the world. He quoted a phrase he loved from a hymn: “None can beyond Thy omnipresence stray” (Violet Hay, Christian Science Hymnal, No. 66). We’re comforted to know that Richard and his family are embraced in that omnipresent Life, too.
Richard was so convinced of the continuing vitality of Mary Baker Eddy’s Church and periodicals. We have heard reports of how spiritually rejuvenating these meetings have been for those who have attended, and it is our intention to continue them uninterrupted.
There aren’t words to express the gratitude of the Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees of the Christian Science Publishing Society for all that Richard has given over the years to his Church. To name just a few of his contributions: over a decade on the Bible Lesson Committee, service on the Board of Directors and as Editor in Chief, and of course his many outstanding articles and editorials in the periodicals. His most recent work as Editor of the Monitor was marked by extraordinary faithfulness and devotion to the ideals of the newspaper he had loved all his life.
Richard has been a friend and mentor to many of us, and we will miss him greatly.
Read the Christian Science Monitor tribute to Richard Bergenheim, CSB here.
Short-term leasing of the Colonnade
June 10, 2008. As announced in April, the Church is moving forward with leasing portions of the Administration and Colonnade buildings on a short-term basis until long-range plans for the buildings are determined. We have signed our first lease. Northeastern University will lease all of the available office space -- approximately 72,000 square feet -- at 101 Belvidere Street (the leasing address for the Colonnade building). The space will be used only for its administrative offices. Occupancy is scheduled for summer 2008.
The Christian Science Board of Directors and the Trustees of The Christian Science Publishing Society announce election of a new Editor for The Christian Science Monitor
June 9, 2008. As Monitor Editor Richard Bergenheim moves into his new assignment as President of The Mother Church, we’re happy to announce the election of John Yemma as Editor of the Monitor. He will rejoin the Monitor in mid-July, after 20 years at the Boston Globe, most recently serving as Deputy Managing Editor for Multimedia. Richard, we’re pleased to say, will continue with the Monitor as Editor-at-large.
“The Monitor has been a beacon of smart, thoughtful journalism for the past 100 years,” new Editor John Yemma commented to us. “I am honored to have been chosen as the Editor who will take it into its second century. Mary Baker Eddy founded the Monitor during the era of ‘yellow journalism,’ when objectivity, accuracy, and fairness were in short supply. Now, at a time when news organizations are struggling to establish a sustainable economic base, the Monitor’s role is more crucial than ever in providing careful reporting, compassionate analysis, and a clear-eyed view of the world.”
Senior staffers in the newsroom will remember John warmly from his early Monitor days--as a Washington reporter, international correspondent, and Business Editor. In addition to the Monitor and the Globe, he has worked for the Dallas Morning News, United Press International, and the San Antonio Express-News. During his years at the Globe, John coordinated national political coverage during the 2004 presidential campaign, edited several award-winning series, and served in a variety of posts, including Sunday Editor and Foreign Editor. For the past two and a half years, he’s directed the editorial operation of Boston.com (the Boston Globe’s website) and has led efforts to transform the newsroom from print to multimedia. John is a Christian Scientist and a member of The Mother Church.
We deeply appreciate Richard Bergenheim’s gracious willingness to continue as Editor in the next few weeks, as John transitions from his career at the Globe. “I applaud the selection of John Yemma as Editor,” Richard said. “He’s an accomplished journalist who believes deeply in the Monitor’s ideals--and in its future.”
It would be hard to overestimate Richard’s contribution as Editor over the past three years. He led the staff with spiritual poise and tireless vigilance through the period in 2005 when Monitor correspondent Jill Carroll was kidnapped in Baghdad and held as a hostage until her remarkable release some 82 days later. He managed the installation of a vastly improved technology and workflow system in the newsroom. He championed the development of the Monitor’s website, csmonitor.com, as it continues to introduce new functionality and serve a broader readership.
As announced last week at the Church’s Annual Meeting, Richard will devote his term as President to meeting with Christian Science teachers, practitioners, and church members in several countries, to encourage greater support of the Monitor, as well as the other Church periodicals. And, as Editor-at-large, he’ll report occasionally on what he is hearing from Monitor readers.
We thank both John and Richard, from our hearts, for their ongoing commitment to Christian Science Monitor journalism.
For more details, visit http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0609/p25s08-usgn.html.
Christian Science Board of Directors announces new President
June 2, 2008: At Annual Meeting, the Christian Science Board of Directors announced that they elected Richard Bergenheim as the new President of The Mother Church. Read the announcement to Church employees.
New Members of The Mother Church
Last Friday, May 30, the Christian Science Board of Directors welcomed into membership individuals living in Angola, Argentina, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Congo Republic (Brazzaville), Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), France, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritania, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Zambia. Each of these new members has a special story to tell of their journey to membership; and each of their stories includes you – the current members who approved their applications – so thank you all!
Announcing short-term leasing in Administration and Colonnade buildings
On April 3, 2008, the Christian Science Board of Directors announced short-term leasing in the Administration and Colonnade buildings. As the move to the Christian Science Publishing House continues over the next 60 days, plans are being made to move forward with leasing portions of the Administration and Colonnade buildings.
Leases are expected to be two to three years in duration. Long-term use of the buildings will be determined as part of a master plan that will involve the City of Boston and representatives from the community in an interactive public process.
A real estate company with extensive experience in the Boston office market has been selected to oversee the interim leasing of these two office buildings. The name of the company is the DTZ FHO Partners Asset Advisory Group.
Launch of www.christianscience.com
March 3, 2008. The First Church of Christ, Scientist, announced the launch of www.christianscience.com. At the heart of this new website is a collection of video clips in which people share their personal experiences in Christian Science. It provides a window through which the public can view the impact of Christian Science on people's lives and better understand the practice of spiritual healing. Christianscience.com also makes it easy for the public to get accurate information about Christian Science and Church activities. The Church expects this will clear up some of the common misconceptions about Christian Science.
Responding to questions about the expanded use of Bible translations in the Bible Lesson
February 20, 2008. The Christian Science Board of Directors and Board of Trustees of The Christian Science Publishing Society wrote a letter which responds to questions about the occasional use of Bible translations other than the King James Version in the Golden Text and/or Responsive Reading. In particular the May 18, 2008, Bible Lesson, “Mortals and Immortals,” will contain passages from two other translations. The Golden Text will be from the New International Reader’s Version, and the Responsive Reading will be from the New International Version. Read the letter.
Change of address for Boston offices of The First Church of Christ, Scientist and The Christian Science Publishing Society
Effective May 1, 2008, the street address for all departments currently located at 175 Huntington Avenue and One Norway Street will change to 210 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115. For more information click on the letter from the Christian Science Board of Directors dated February 14, 2008.
Christian Science Board of Directors names new director
January 22, 2008: The Christian Science Board of Directors announced the retirement of M. Victor Westberg, C.S.B., from the Board of Directors and expressed their appreciation for his contribution to the Church. They also announced the election, effective immediately, of Margaret Rogers, C.S.B. of San Rafael, California, to the Christian Science Board of Directors. Read letter to Church employees.
Workshops and meetings available to branch churches and societies
There are several workshops and meetings designed to enrich and support activities of branches of The Mother Church. Branches can sponsor these events individually or jointly with other branches.
The Mother Church includes her Boston neighbors at Christmas and New Year's Eve
On December 23rd, the Boston community was invited to hear the Beacon Brass Quintet perform at the Sunday morning church service of The Mother Church. The Quintet played from 9:40 a.m. until the start of the organ prelude. The church service began at 10 a.m. The Quintet accompanied Julia Wade and Ed Starner for the solo and performed after the organ postlude until 11:40 a.m. This allowed time for families to gather their children from Sunday School and bring them to the church to enjoy the music.
On December 31st, The Mother Church participated in First Night (a celebration of New Year’s Eve with a variety of family and cultural events throughout Boston). Tours of The Mother Church were given from 1:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m., and chiming concerts were at 6:30 p.m. and 12:00 midnight outside on the church plaza. The highlight of the evening was a 45 minute organ recital to be given by Ed Starner, organist of The Mother Church. It started at 7:00 p.m. Events were also held at the Massachusetts Avenue Reading Room and the Mary Baker Eddy Library. The community was warmly welcomed.
Christian Science Board of Directors visits branches in Europe
At the invitation of European branch churches and societies, the Board of Directors traveled in September to meet with Christian Scientists in the following countries: Russia (St. Petersburg), Belgium (Brussels), Denmark (Copenhagen), Sweden (Stockholm), Latvia (Riga), Greece (Athens), Italy (Milan), France (Paris and Pau), Spain (Madrid), and Portugal (Lisbon). Many individuals traveled long distances (in some cases up to 10 time zones!) in order to attend the meetings which often lasted up to 4-5 hours. On numerous occasions, the Board also held separate meetings with youth.
The highlight of these meetings had to be the heart-to-heart dialog engendered by the question-answer format through which many thoughtful questions were asked and a deep love for Christian Science and the Church was expressed. At every meeting, a profound interest in Mrs. Eddy’s Writings was evident by the many requests for new and better translations. Other hot topics included the Heralds, radio, and possible future uses of the web for accessing articles and testimonies. Thoughtful discussion was also given over to subjects like uniting with The Mother Church, taking class instruction, and the importance of going into the Christian Science practice.
The Board deeply appreciated the opportunity to connect more closely with these fields and returned to Boston not only with a deeper understanding of the challenges some are facing, but also a greater appreciation of the good work and dedication to Christian Science already going on.
These meetings were a continuation of the 150 visits that the Board of Directors has been making to branches throughout the United States and Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland, and Australia and New Zealand. This upcoming year, the Board will continue to respond to the various invitations they have been receiving from branches throughout the world.
New Members of The Mother Church
November 2, 2007. This morning, the Christian Science Board of Directors met to elect candidates to membership with The Mother Church. Applications were received in Danish, English, French, German, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish. These newest members of our world-wide church family live in the following locations: Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote D’Ivoire, Denmark, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Republic of Congo, Republic of Georgia, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. They are from a variety of faith traditions.
The members of the Board are truly grateful for each and every individual who unites with the Church that Mary Baker Eddy organized "…to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.” (Church Manual, p. 17) Once again we invite all members to unite with us with a renewed commitment in the spirit of what Mrs. Eddy says about membership in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures:
- “Our church is built on the divine Principle, Love. We can unite with this church only as we are newborn of Spirit, as we reach the Life which is Truth and the Truth which is Life by bringing forth the fruits of Love, — casting out error and healing the sick.” (S&H, p 35)
A reminder, applications for membership are welcome at any time. The next admission of new members will take place on May 30, 2008. Please send your completed applications to the Office of the Clerk no later than May 28.
A message from Richard Bergenheim, Editor, of the Christian Science Monitor.
October 10, 2007. Some significant changes are starting to appear on the Christian Science Monitor's website [csmonitor.com]. You may recall the start of a sentence Mrs. Eddy wrote in Miscellaneous Writings: "Beloved children, the world has need of you ..." (pg. 110). This is something we feel deeply as we work to produce the Monitor each day. We are now able to bring readers and the world and our reporters much closer together.
On our website, a new design is gradually being rolled out. One of the most obvious new features is the addition of audio/visual reports. To see them please go to http://www.csmonitor.com.
The Monitor also provides a special e-mail newsletter feature that informs you when there is new content on a topic that interests you. The line for this is: http://www.csmonitor.com/csmonitor/web/guest/emailServices/signup
Changes at The Mary Baker Eddy Library
October 1, 2007. The Mary Baker Eddy Library Reference Room will be moving to a new location in early 2008. To facilitate this change, it will be necessary temporarily to close our Reference Room to the public as of Tuesday, October 9, 2007.
The new “Mary Baker Eddy Library Reference Room/Lending Library” will reopen on the second floor. In the meantime, reference service will remain available by phone at 617-450-7325 and via e-mail at reference@mbelibrary.org.
The Monitor Gallery exhibit will be permanently closing on October 9 to make room for the new Reference Room. Selected items from the exhibit will be incorporated into the Quest Gallery to better highlight the extent of Mary Baker Eddy’s ongoing achievements. The main Library exhibits, including the Mapparium® and the Research Room, will remain unaffected during this period.
Quotes Café will be open its regular hours.
NPR Program with Phil Davis, Manager, Committees on Publication
August 30, 2007. Committees on Publication Manager, Phil Davis, appeared on a radio program called Interfaith Voices. The program ran on more than 40 NPR stations in the United States and Canada.
Host Maureen Fiedler talked with Phil about the nationwide push toward so-called “universal healthcare.” During his interview, Phil answered questions about healthcare in Christian Science and the importance of this issue not only to Christian Scientists but to the public at large.
Interview on PBS I Believe series
August 9, 2007. Recently Phil Davis, Manager of Committees on Publication, was interviewed by Dennis Wholey for the PBS national television program, I Believe. It aired across the country and is available to everyone online. This program includes a series of interviews, each with representatives from a different church or faith. Christian Science is featured in the 17th interview of the series. The interview took place in Washington, D.C., and the 26-minute program includes a short segment with Mary Alice Rose, the Committee on Publication for Maryland.
This interview is posted on the show’s archives. The link for it is: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3335110832763116637
"One World" Summer Enrichment Program!
July 30, 2007. Please join The Mary Baker Eddy Library for the return of its successful summer arts enrichment program, “One World”, for children ages 4-12. Last year, “One World” served 776 children through arts and crafts activities, storytelling, book giveaways, and free admission to the world-famous Mapparium, the three-story stained-glass world globe. Area children are introduced to elements of the Library’s unique collection of original source materials, providing a living history and a connection with the past.
Last year’s program brought a mix of youth from communities throughout Greater Boston and as far away as Quincy, Milton, and Randolph. The program also drew from many local organizations, such as the YMCA, Salvation Army, Boys & Girls Clubs, and the United Way.
The “One World” program is made possible with financial and in-kind support from: The Charles J. Wyly, Jr. Fund of Communities Foundation of Texas; Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company; Hachette Book Group USA; Penguin Group USA; and Rand McNally.
New Officers of The Mother Church
June 8, 2007—Mark Swinney, C.S.B., of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been elected President of The Mother Church effective June 4, 2007. Mark grew up in New Mexico and Northern California. He graduated from the University of California at Davis with a degree in rhetoric. His first job was in the sporting goods industry, but soon he began devoting time to the public practice of Christian Science.
In 1988, he first advertised in The Christian Science Journal as a practitioner, and nine years later became a teacher of Christian Science. Between 1992 and 1996, he served The Mother Church as Managing Editor of Journal, the Christian Science Sentinel, and The Herald of Christian Science. Mark has been a long-time contributor to the Christian Science periodicals. He was the original editor of The First Church of Christ, Scientist’s website.
As a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship, Mark traveled for four years throughout the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and Great Britain. Today, Mark and his wife, Renée, live in Bradenton, Florida, where their son, Ryan, is in high school. Their daughter, Erin, is a dancer in St. Louis, Missouri. Mark teaches his classes and holds his association in Albuquerque. His duties as President will specifically support the practice of Christian Science, especially as to what it takes to be a healer.
We also welcome Curtis J. Wahlberg, C.S.B., of Los Angeles, California, and Elizabeth L. Schaefer, C.S.B., of San Antonio, Texas, as First and Second Readers of The Mother Church.
Curt graduated from Purdue University with a master's degree in engineering. After a brief career in the aerospace and refrigeration industries in the United States and Europe, a growing interest in spiritual healing led him to devote his time to the public practice of Christian Science. He’s written many articles for the Christian Science periodicals and for spirituality.com, and has been an active branch church member in the numerous communities where he, his wife, Melanie, and their three young children have lived.
Beth early answered the call to care for humanity's needs as a counselor for incarcerated teenagers in Texas and Illinois. Equipped with a degree in both sociology and Spanish from Principia College, she managed a shelter for abused and runaway children, oversaw a long-term corrective program for teenage boys, and served as director of a college community service program. Beth’s love for the outdoors led to work with environmental organizations in the mountains of Colorado and California and to time spent as a US Forest Service wilderness ranger.
After marrying and becoming an "instant mom" of two teenagers, she began to advertise as a public practitioner of Christian Science healing. A teacher of Christian Science, Beth holds her classes and her association in San Antonio. While serving as a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship, she shared the healing message of Christian Science with communities everywhere.
A list of 2008-2009 Officers of The First Church of Christ, Scientist
Election of New Members
June 1, 2007—This morning, the Christian Science Board of Directors met to elect candidates to membership with The Mother Church. The members of the Board are truly grateful for each and every individual who unites with the Church that Mary Baker Eddy organized “…to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing” (Church Manual, p. 17).
These newest members of our worldwide Church family live in the following locations: Angola, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia, Zimbabwe. And they come from a variety of faith traditions, including: Anglican (Church of England), Apostolic, Baptist, Buddhist, Episcopalian, Evangelistic, Quaker, Islam, Jehovah’s Witness, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Religious Science, Seventh-day Adventist, Salvation Army, and Unitarian.
Applications were received in English, French, German, Indonesian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
Our sincere thanks to everyone who helped with the admission process, especially staff in the Board of Lectureship, Customer Contact Center, Membership Records, Office of Language Services, TMC Youth, and our Technology Services department.
A special thanks goes out to all members and Christian Science teachers worldwide who support the admission of new members through their prayers and by approving and countersigning applications. We invite all members to unite with us with a renewed commitment in the spirit of what Mary Baker Eddy says about membership in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures:
“Our church is built on the divine Principle, Love. We can unite with this church only as we are newborn of Spirit, as we reach the Life which is Truth and the Truth which is Life by bringing forth the fruits of Love,—casting out error and healing the sick” (Science and Health, p. 35).
A reminder: Applications for membership are welcome at any time. The next admission of new members will take place on November 2, 2007. Properly completed applications must reach the Office of the Clerk no later than October 31.
Intent to elect new Readers announced
March 12, 2007—The election of new officers of The Mother Church by the Christian Science Board of Directors, called for annually in the Church Manual, will take place this year on Monday, June 4, prior to the Annual Meeting of The Mother Church. We want to let you know in advance of our intent to elect Readers, because such a significant change involves many practical transition issues and requires the services and support of a number of employees to complete details before the Readers begin Annual Meeting week. As preparation for the June transition in Readers begins in earnest, we want to ensure that information about this important activity be accurately communicated from the beginning.
It is with delight that we announce our intent to elect Curtis J. Wahlberg, CSB, of Los Angeles, California, and Elizabeth L. Schaefer, CSB, of San Antonio, Texas, as First and Second Readers of The Mother Church respectively for the June 2007 to June 2010 readership term.
After graduating from Purdue University with a Master’s degree in engineering and a brief career in the aerospace and refrigeration industries in the United States and Europe, a growing interest in spiritual healing led Curt to devote his time to the public practice of Christian Science. Many of you may have read about Curt’s interest in healing in his articles in the Christian Science periodicals and on spirituality.com. He’s been an active branch church member in the numerous communities where he and his family have lived. And whether in his branch Sunday School, with his own three little ones, or at their elementary school, kids have always had an important place in Curt’s work.
Beth early answered the call to care for humanity’s needs as a counselor for incarcerated teenagers in Texas and Illinois. Equipped with a degree in both sociology and Spanish from Principia College, she managed a shelter for abused and runaway children, oversaw a long-term corrective program for teenage boys, and served as director of a college community service program. Beth’s love for the outdoors led to work with environmental organizations in the mountains of Colorado and California and time as a U.S. Forest Service Wilderness Ranger. After marrying and becoming an “instant mom” of two teenagers, she began to advertise as a public practitioner of Christian Science healing. As a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship, Beth has been sharing the healing message of Christian Science with communities everywhere.
In addition to conducting Sunday and Wednesday church services in English, Curt and Beth plan to continue holding Spanish services as well, though likely in a more informal way. During the past three years, Spanish services at The Mother Church have been a modest yet meaningful addition to the services that this Church offers both to our local Boston community and to the world over the Internet.
We express much gratitude and deep appreciation for the current First and Second Readers of The Mother Church, Lyle Young and Christiane West Little, as they complete their terms. Their consistent, unselfish contribution in sharing the message of Christian Science is feeding the hungering hearts of humanity, and thereby, has fulfilled Mary Baker Eddy’s example and directive from her writings, “The little that I have accomplished has all been done through love, — self-forgetful, patient, unfaltering tenderness” (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 247).
—The Christian Science Board of Directors
Subscribe to my Bible Lesson
January 2007—The Christian Science Publishing Society's latest Bible study resource has made the leap from free trial sample to subscription product. my Bible Lesson (www.mybiblelesson.com), designed to support teens and young adults in their spiritual exploration, is now available in a monthly subscription format.
my Bible Lesson includes Bible timelines, word definitions, and verses from multiple Bible translations, as well as explanatory notes from Bible scholars about key events, people, and customs. Selected passages from the King James Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy highlight the study theme for each week.
At just $9.95 a month for individual or gift subscription, or $2.95 for a single week's Lesson, this lively, engaging product is intended to be an affordable, convenient addition to any Bible student's reference tools.
