Caitlin Holland - Christian Science Sentinel, Feb. 26, 2007
Two summers ago, I left my home on the East Coast to attend college in Washington State. Surrounded by the Olympic Mountains on one side, and the Cascade Range on the other, I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful setting. Only an hour away from snow-capped Mt. Rainier, it’s the ideal place for students who love the outdoors. I especially enjoy the many opportunities to go backpacking, hiking, and sea-kayaking. Still, being away from home was a big adjustment for me. Even though my days were filled with classes and outdoor sports, I missed my family and friends back home. And then there was church—I loved attending my church at home, which was familiar and comfortable, but I wondered how it would fit into my busy schedule in college. Would a church in my college town offer the same warmth and support as back home?
As I thought about those questions, I was also feeling like I wanted to continue with my spiritual growth and be part of a church family. So I decided to find a Christian Science church in the area.
I didn’t want my decision to be based on a “ritual” of going to church, but rather on a real desire to participate. I began to attend the Sunday School there, in my first few weeks of starting college. Often, I’d arrive brimming with questions, fears, and concerns about my academics. I also wanted to learn more about my identity and where I truly belonged. Each week I would gain some inspiration that helped me, and I began to feel embraced in the loving qualities the members of this new church expressed. I saw more clearly that church is not just a place of worship, or the name for a basic building structure—it’s an external expression of strength, community, and love.
I discovered that a church’s purpose is not only to bless and strengthen those in the pews or around Sunday School tables but also to love and support the community. Mary Baker Eddy defined Church, in part, this way:
The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs . . . (Science and Health, p. 583)
This definition took on new meaning for me after I learned about the organizational process of Christian Science lectures. I hadn’t known how much careful thought and prayer go into lecture planning. I saw that it was such an unselfish activity to be involved in for the community. At this point, I felt like attending church wasn’t just for my benefit—I was participating in something much bigger than myself! I liked that idea and continued to attend on a regular basis.
One morning during Sunday School class, I shared my realization that I didn’t have to strive for human perfection in all that I do. This was an important insight for me. I was used to pushing myself for perfection in academics, relationships, and even in my efforts to pray. But I was learning that human perfection is not an accurate representation of who I am as God’s reflection. Perfection isn’t something I have to wait around to achieve—it’s a present spiritual quality.
My Sunday School teacher’s face lit up as I told her about my progress. I saw my sharing as a way to give something back to the church family that had nurtured me over many weeks and months. I’d come a long way! I was still miles from my friends and family back east, but now I was filled with an entirely new gratitude for church.
Caitlin is a sophomore at the University of Puget Sound, focusing on communication studies and French.
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