Matthew Cocks - The Christian Science Journal, March 2008
I have always believed there is a God, or I suppose at least sensed that there’s something more than ourselves. But as I grew up, I developed the belief of a punishing God. I was quite scared of God actually. On one hand, I had the feeling that God was on my side, but on the other hand, that bad stuff would happen if I did anything wrong. It has been only in this past year (four years after learning about Christian Science) that I have gotten over this idea of a punishing God. It’s still something I work at really’understanding that God loves unconditionally, like a mother or a father. I kind of always knew that in theory, but in practice, I’d be fearful and worry about being punished. I’m still progressing in my understanding of the depth of God’s unconditional love.
by Chelsea Palm
I was raised in Christian Science so I’ve always known who Mary Baker Eddy was. But it was not until I reached Boston that I began to really learn more about her life and see what she went through.
I’ve begun to delve into biographies and have walked the Longyear exhibits over and over again, soaking up as much information as I can. On the surface I have learned more facts such as her birth date, who was in her family, when they were born, and the ages Mary was when she got married all 3 times. But it is the deeper research that is truly enlightening me and making me realize the struggle and perseverance that went into her life.
by Chelsea Palm
While Boston is no Portland, Oregon, I have recently learned it has its own beauty and charm. My name is Chelsea Palm and I am a TMC Youth intern for the Christian Science Reading Room located at 194 Massachusetts Avenue, right near The Mother Church. I have been hard at work this week setting up the plaza cart. It’s an outside cart that sells Reading Room materials that I pick out. I decorated the cart, and I am scheduling its staffing. Thus far, this internship has been filled with activity and a lot of learning!
Now about my being in Boston, I had always dreamed of being able to visit the Mother Church, attend services. I really wanted to see what a Bostonian way of life is really like, and now those dreams are real! Being right here has increased my understanding of The Mother Church and some of its departments. I now realize this is not an ethereal place that always felt like a sort of Mecca to me; it’s not simply a place I hoped to see one day—it’s real. (more…)
by Kim Canuette
A few weeks ago, everything in and around The Mother Church was abuzz with things to do for Annual Meeting.
Everyone was working late to prepare themselves not only for the physical aspects of the event, but also metaphysically supporting the ideas behind Annual Meeting.
As some of you may have seen in person or online, I was asked to read part of The Sermon on the Mount for the Sunday School Workshop. When I went for rehearsal on Friday, I met the platform usher. I don’t know if some of the other larger churches have platform ushers, but my church at home does not, so I wasn’t familiar with the duties of a platform usher. She introduced herself and explained that her job consists of prayerfully supporting the readers throughout the church service. She also shared with us some of the ideas about church that she was currently thinking about. One was the definition of church as “The structure of Truth….” (more…)
