I NO LONGER FEEL FEAR IN MY CHURCH WHEN SPEAKING.
The "thought" came to me to see each person, individually, as a child of God and to tell them, silently, that I loved them. I did this. I would silently call each person by name, and tell them that I loved them, and do this around the auditorium. THIS REMOVED ALL FEAR OF BEING CRITICIZED, ETC., and allowed me to do what I needed to do.
And...the postscript to this is...last night I was elected Second Reader of our Church!
-from Massachusetts
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Gratitude for lecture
Thank you for the wonderful lectures in Elkhart and South Bend. We are so grateful for opening up our thought and hearts and hearing the message to go foward with all the lecture plans. Everything just fell into place, as it should! We appreciate all your wonderful and practical ideas that you expressed in both lectures. We have already put them into practice. Our hearts and doors are open to the Christ message and we look foward to experiencing the abundant results!!
Love from the Elkhart Indiana Church and community.
-Mindy
Love from the Elkhart Indiana Church and community.
-Mindy
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Good news Elkhart IN talk
Possibilities of Prayer in public library at Elkhart IN October 20, 2008
This church hasn’t sponsored a lecture in at least 5 years. They were so enthusiastic about planning with lecture in conjunction with South Bend. They felt a lecture series made more of an impact on public thought.
One member said the resistance to sponsoring public lectures was healed. At first they were going to have the talk in their Reading Room to save money, but decided on the public library with its unlimited parking and easy access. They were delighted with the response and community support for the lecture.
All the chairs were filled and they added extra chairs to accommodate the crowd. People drove from South Bend. A couple drove an hour from Fort Wayne. Another person drove from Warsaw, IN.
Members felt energized by the lecture prep meeting as well as the talk. One man came specifically to find out how to pray. Others were so enthusiastic they came to the second lecture in the series in South Bend. This is a lovely example of a small church being inspired and energized by sponsoring a lecture. The blessings are just beginning!
This church hasn’t sponsored a lecture in at least 5 years. They were so enthusiastic about planning with lecture in conjunction with South Bend. They felt a lecture series made more of an impact on public thought.
One member said the resistance to sponsoring public lectures was healed. At first they were going to have the talk in their Reading Room to save money, but decided on the public library with its unlimited parking and easy access. They were delighted with the response and community support for the lecture.
All the chairs were filled and they added extra chairs to accommodate the crowd. People drove from South Bend. A couple drove an hour from Fort Wayne. Another person drove from Warsaw, IN.
Members felt energized by the lecture prep meeting as well as the talk. One man came specifically to find out how to pray. Others were so enthusiastic they came to the second lecture in the series in South Bend. This is a lovely example of a small church being inspired and energized by sponsoring a lecture. The blessings are just beginning!
Good news South Bend lecture
God is Speaking to You, October 21, 2008
This talk was in the Convention Center in South Bend, Indiana.
One person reported a healing of discouragement and depression as a result of the lecture series. She said all the depression lifted and she has been healed.
A teenager came to the Elkhart lecture, then told her Mom she wanted to come to the South Bend lecture. So the whole family came.
A new student of Christian Science had had a difficult day. He waffled about coming to the lecture but decided that he needed to have God speak to him. He felt comforted and received answers to his questions through the lecture.
A woman living an hour away in Michigan saw the newspaper ad for the lecture the evening of the lecture. She was going to a square dance but decided that what she really needed was to hear about God speaking to her. So she took her son to a relative's and drove the hour to South Bend arriving a few minutes before the lecture started. She loved the lecture.
Another visitor asked me to pray for her and her son. He is in a detention center and was stabbed last week. We prayed together for his safety and wisdom, and for her wisdom and that God was protecting and guiding all. She was comforted by the lecture and took a Science & Health.
Another visitor works for an agency that assists families whose family members are in prison. He met one of the church members in a business setting. The member invited him to the lecture. He also visited the Christian Science Reading Room and talked with the local practitioner. He also took a Science & Health. He said he’d gotten a lot of direction for his life from the lecture.
There were other visitors including a female minister.
The members were enthusiastic about the calendar of events they created. It helped infrequent attendees realize all the activities that are going on and to unite in prayer. The church was enthusiastic considering new ideas to connect with spiritually minded people.
Some people liked the teaching approach of the lecture and taking notes for future use. One person explained that the lecture showed how to use Christian Science in daily life--driving a car, at a movie theater, finding a paycheck. Christian Science is more than healing sickness. It helps with everything in your life.
This talk was in the Convention Center in South Bend, Indiana.
One person reported a healing of discouragement and depression as a result of the lecture series. She said all the depression lifted and she has been healed.
A teenager came to the Elkhart lecture, then told her Mom she wanted to come to the South Bend lecture. So the whole family came.
A new student of Christian Science had had a difficult day. He waffled about coming to the lecture but decided that he needed to have God speak to him. He felt comforted and received answers to his questions through the lecture.
A woman living an hour away in Michigan saw the newspaper ad for the lecture the evening of the lecture. She was going to a square dance but decided that what she really needed was to hear about God speaking to her. So she took her son to a relative's and drove the hour to South Bend arriving a few minutes before the lecture started. She loved the lecture.
Another visitor asked me to pray for her and her son. He is in a detention center and was stabbed last week. We prayed together for his safety and wisdom, and for her wisdom and that God was protecting and guiding all. She was comforted by the lecture and took a Science & Health.
Another visitor works for an agency that assists families whose family members are in prison. He met one of the church members in a business setting. The member invited him to the lecture. He also visited the Christian Science Reading Room and talked with the local practitioner. He also took a Science & Health. He said he’d gotten a lot of direction for his life from the lecture.
There were other visitors including a female minister.
The members were enthusiastic about the calendar of events they created. It helped infrequent attendees realize all the activities that are going on and to unite in prayer. The church was enthusiastic considering new ideas to connect with spiritually minded people.
Some people liked the teaching approach of the lecture and taking notes for future use. One person explained that the lecture showed how to use Christian Science in daily life--driving a car, at a movie theater, finding a paycheck. Christian Science is more than healing sickness. It helps with everything in your life.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Jill Gooding lecture report Nashville TN 1993
In the fall of 1993, First Church of Christ, Scientist Nashville, TN hosted a lecture with Jill Gooding in the church sanctuary entitled "Healing through Prayer". The attendance was the best attendance at a lecture in or out of the church in 30 years. Some members brought 2 and 3 visitors. 20 Science and Healths were shared with visitors. Both major metropolitan newspapers announced the lecture with full headlines. This is the first time anyone can remember our lectures being given a headline.
A billboard facing both directions was outside our church. A woman saw one of the press releases in the newspaper and came. This was her first time in a Christian Science church. She enjoyed the lecture and has begun attending Sunday services.
A couple driving through town on the way to Jackson, MS exited the freeway at our church, saw the billboard and just decided to attend the lecture. They took a Science and Health before the lecture started. Afterward the wife said she'd never been to a church like this. Said the lecture broke it down and told you how to pray. She wanted to know where a church was in Jackson and took a Christian Science Journal, which lists all the churches. The husband said the lecture provided what they needed, how to pray to get above the problems they were facing. They left and continued on their trip.
A man saw the billboard and came, never having been in a Christian Science church before he made a special point of thanking the organizers for the lecture.
A woman who lives in the apartments across the street saw the billboard and attended.
A new student of Christian Science from Venezuela met a woman from Brazil a few days before the lecture and brought her. She took 3 Science and Healths for herself and friends. She said she'd lived in Nashville for years and why hadn't she heard of this religion before?
A woman who attends services from time to time, heard about the lecture from her husband who saw the headline in the newspaper. She hadn't known about the lecture but came because he pointed it out to her.
Another woman who attends from time to time was approached by a c-worker. "I'm going to the lecture in your church," the co-worker said. "What lecture?" asked the woman. Then the co-worker proceeded to tell her about it and invited her to come with her. They both came with the co-worker's baby.
A Christian Scientist drove from Cookeville, about an hour and a half away. She said there was a blizzard when she started out and she almost turned back. But she just kept driving and was so glad she did. A man behind her said all through the lecture, "Yeah. That's right. Wow!" He was enjoying the lecture and she did too.
A billboard facing both directions was outside our church. A woman saw one of the press releases in the newspaper and came. This was her first time in a Christian Science church. She enjoyed the lecture and has begun attending Sunday services.
A couple driving through town on the way to Jackson, MS exited the freeway at our church, saw the billboard and just decided to attend the lecture. They took a Science and Health before the lecture started. Afterward the wife said she'd never been to a church like this. Said the lecture broke it down and told you how to pray. She wanted to know where a church was in Jackson and took a Christian Science Journal, which lists all the churches. The husband said the lecture provided what they needed, how to pray to get above the problems they were facing. They left and continued on their trip.
A man saw the billboard and came, never having been in a Christian Science church before he made a special point of thanking the organizers for the lecture.
A woman who lives in the apartments across the street saw the billboard and attended.
A new student of Christian Science from Venezuela met a woman from Brazil a few days before the lecture and brought her. She took 3 Science and Healths for herself and friends. She said she'd lived in Nashville for years and why hadn't she heard of this religion before?
A woman who attends services from time to time, heard about the lecture from her husband who saw the headline in the newspaper. She hadn't known about the lecture but came because he pointed it out to her.
Another woman who attends from time to time was approached by a c-worker. "I'm going to the lecture in your church," the co-worker said. "What lecture?" asked the woman. Then the co-worker proceeded to tell her about it and invited her to come with her. They both came with the co-worker's baby.
A Christian Scientist drove from Cookeville, about an hour and a half away. She said there was a blizzard when she started out and she almost turned back. But she just kept driving and was so glad she did. A man behind her said all through the lecture, "Yeah. That's right. Wow!" He was enjoying the lecture and she did too.
Chicago Youth Summit 2008
More than 150 kids converged on Chicago for a one day Youth Summit. The day was packed with talks by lecturers, presentations from speakers, music, and fellowship.
My portion consisted of 2 talks and a chat session. The first talk was The Chainsaw Method of Decision-making. The second was Machete and Helicopter Methods of Prayer.
There were about 35 people in the first Chainsaw Decision-making. Ages ranged from 12 to late 20s. All ages participated, asked questions, and contributed to the conversation. There was a lot of participation. Two people read references from the Bible and Science and Health for us. When I asked for Bible stories that illustrated one point or another, there were a lot of quick responses. These kids really knew the stories in the Bible. One young woman stayed to talk about a career change. Another person talked with me later about marriage decisions. An adult who listened in on the talk said it gave her ideas to pray for her teenage daughter who had made some bad decisions.
Helicopter and Machete had about a dozen people. There were very specific heartfelt questions. One young fellow said later he’d had all his questions answered. A middle schooler talked about not wanting to go to her dad’s house (parents divorced). The group was helpful with gaving several answers.
I had between 20-25 people in the chat period and everyone wanted to hear Chainsaw! That surprised me. I took a vote and it was unanimous. They had apparently read the program as if I was going to do a shorter version in this space. So I did a compressed version of Chainsaw. The kids came up with Bible illustrations that I hadn’t thought about. It was impressive. Again, lots of participation and evidence of Bible knowledge. After answering their questions, there were a couple minutes left. One girl asked for the main points of Machete and Helicopter. So I gave the fundamentals in 3 minutes. Good enough for them, everyone appeared happy.
It was a delight meeting so many dedicated, working Christian Scientists. God is truly at work in this Summit activity! Every individual is spiritually minded and is receptive to Christ healing. God is leading young people to connect with Christ, become evangelists, and heal.
My portion consisted of 2 talks and a chat session. The first talk was The Chainsaw Method of Decision-making. The second was Machete and Helicopter Methods of Prayer.
There were about 35 people in the first Chainsaw Decision-making. Ages ranged from 12 to late 20s. All ages participated, asked questions, and contributed to the conversation. There was a lot of participation. Two people read references from the Bible and Science and Health for us. When I asked for Bible stories that illustrated one point or another, there were a lot of quick responses. These kids really knew the stories in the Bible. One young woman stayed to talk about a career change. Another person talked with me later about marriage decisions. An adult who listened in on the talk said it gave her ideas to pray for her teenage daughter who had made some bad decisions.
Helicopter and Machete had about a dozen people. There were very specific heartfelt questions. One young fellow said later he’d had all his questions answered. A middle schooler talked about not wanting to go to her dad’s house (parents divorced). The group was helpful with gaving several answers.
I had between 20-25 people in the chat period and everyone wanted to hear Chainsaw! That surprised me. I took a vote and it was unanimous. They had apparently read the program as if I was going to do a shorter version in this space. So I did a compressed version of Chainsaw. The kids came up with Bible illustrations that I hadn’t thought about. It was impressive. Again, lots of participation and evidence of Bible knowledge. After answering their questions, there were a couple minutes left. One girl asked for the main points of Machete and Helicopter. So I gave the fundamentals in 3 minutes. Good enough for them, everyone appeared happy.
It was a delight meeting so many dedicated, working Christian Scientists. God is truly at work in this Summit activity! Every individual is spiritually minded and is receptive to Christ healing. God is leading young people to connect with Christ, become evangelists, and heal.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Sunday School adventures
Kameron, Javona and I had an adventurous experience yesterday (Saturday) when they came over and we walked to Encanto Park. We rode the train and each of the girls rode two of the rides and Kameron went on the merry go round. Then we rented a paddle boat for a whole hour to go out on the lake and also paddle through the canal.
We paddled out behind an island that had a waterfall and ….our rudder stopped working …so we only went around and around and around in circles behind that island. We couldn’t go anywhere. We finally got the boat over a ways to a remote place at the far side of the lake and “abandoned ship” and walked to a place where I could call across the lake that we needed assistance.
Javona, in particular, had wanted very much to go through the canal and didn’t think she was having much fun, but I told the girls that this is an opportunity to see how God will take care of us, and besides if our boat ride was just peaceful and uneventful we might all forget about it the next day. Now we would learn something important and always remember our boat ride experience and remember also to be grateful even if things weren’t going just as we would like.
Crew from the boathouse paddled out and fixed the rudder. We had been out on the lake for over an hour but asked if we could still go through the canal. They said “oh yes!”, so we had fun paddling through the canal and under the bridges. We learned that we must always remain alert because as we came out from under the last canal bridge before we were back at the lake, a fishline with part of a hotdog weiner was cast over the bridge right in front of our faces. Smile. We managed not to get “caught” and the “fisherman” boy on the bridge was very apologetic and said “I’m sorry”. Then, when I went to pay for our “outing” the boat people said “no charge”. I appreciated that.
So this is why part of the girls’ assignment mailed this week includes the definition of rudder (one definition is “something serving to guide, direct, or control”) and they are to list some of the useful “rudders” they have been learning (maybe their list will include the 10 Commandments and the Beatitudes) to keep their lives going forward in the right direction.
We had a picnic (before the boat ride) of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and then, after our adventure at Encanto Park, the girls walked backwards the 14 blocks to Regency House (except for when we crossed busy streets, when they were asked to please turn around and “look” where they were going. (Are you laughing yet?).
This whole precious family is responding to divine Love’s love of them.
We paddled out behind an island that had a waterfall and ….our rudder stopped working …so we only went around and around and around in circles behind that island. We couldn’t go anywhere. We finally got the boat over a ways to a remote place at the far side of the lake and “abandoned ship” and walked to a place where I could call across the lake that we needed assistance.
Javona, in particular, had wanted very much to go through the canal and didn’t think she was having much fun, but I told the girls that this is an opportunity to see how God will take care of us, and besides if our boat ride was just peaceful and uneventful we might all forget about it the next day. Now we would learn something important and always remember our boat ride experience and remember also to be grateful even if things weren’t going just as we would like.
Crew from the boathouse paddled out and fixed the rudder. We had been out on the lake for over an hour but asked if we could still go through the canal. They said “oh yes!”, so we had fun paddling through the canal and under the bridges. We learned that we must always remain alert because as we came out from under the last canal bridge before we were back at the lake, a fishline with part of a hotdog weiner was cast over the bridge right in front of our faces. Smile. We managed not to get “caught” and the “fisherman” boy on the bridge was very apologetic and said “I’m sorry”. Then, when I went to pay for our “outing” the boat people said “no charge”. I appreciated that.
So this is why part of the girls’ assignment mailed this week includes the definition of rudder (one definition is “something serving to guide, direct, or control”) and they are to list some of the useful “rudders” they have been learning (maybe their list will include the 10 Commandments and the Beatitudes) to keep their lives going forward in the right direction.
We had a picnic (before the boat ride) of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and then, after our adventure at Encanto Park, the girls walked backwards the 14 blocks to Regency House (except for when we crossed busy streets, when they were asked to please turn around and “look” where they were going. (Are you laughing yet?).
This whole precious family is responding to divine Love’s love of them.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Kudos for "Supporting Youth"!
Having the lecture at our Church is perfect! (as we reported last year; community churches host a variety of events) And, this year, we were newly refurbished and the Reading Room was all newly outfitted, furnished, modernized, filled with all the latest inventory of materials, a brand new computer etc. (We’ve now added an additional day that the Reading Room is open!)
Sunday School members eagerly helped out with lecture work and attended both the lecture preparatory meeting and the lecture the next day.
The lecture preparatory meeting WAS A GRAND SUCCESS!!! We chose Elise’s lecture prep that is focused on young people and youthful thinkers; called “Supporting Youth and Youthful Thinkers”.
Two Sunday School students, grades 7th and 11th, commented that it was the best talk they had ever heard. (and they have heard many; not only at Churches, but also on-line via TMCYouth and tapes and CD’s.) The membership also reported that this lecture preparatory meeting invigorated and enlightened and invited “new, youthful” thinking, as well as gleaning new, specific ways to pray and support young people.
We used all of the advertising methods and templates that Elise recommends and provides. Elise’s website and her thorough, excellent support, templates, instructions, etc…make sponsoring a lecture such an orderly, peaceful, healing process —from start to finish. Because of this, the members can focus more attention on the metaphysics and prayer!!
At last year’s lecture (also with Elise Moore) a newcomer came into the Reading Room and spoke with a member who gave him a copy of Science & Health as well as other materials. This person started to attend Church services. He brought his house-mate to this lecture.
At Elise’s encouragement, we have also started to cherish the idea of holding a Spanish-speaking lecture. In preparation, we have copies of the Bible Lessons in Spanish, Spanish translation S&H’s, Elise’s materials on how an English speaking Church can sponsor a Spanish lecture and we are scouting out a Church in the community that holds Spanish-speaking services. We will keep you posted!!
-Rehoboth Beach lecture committee
Sunday School members eagerly helped out with lecture work and attended both the lecture preparatory meeting and the lecture the next day.
The lecture preparatory meeting WAS A GRAND SUCCESS!!! We chose Elise’s lecture prep that is focused on young people and youthful thinkers; called “Supporting Youth and Youthful Thinkers”.
Two Sunday School students, grades 7th and 11th, commented that it was the best talk they had ever heard. (and they have heard many; not only at Churches, but also on-line via TMCYouth and tapes and CD’s.) The membership also reported that this lecture preparatory meeting invigorated and enlightened and invited “new, youthful” thinking, as well as gleaning new, specific ways to pray and support young people.
We used all of the advertising methods and templates that Elise recommends and provides. Elise’s website and her thorough, excellent support, templates, instructions, etc…make sponsoring a lecture such an orderly, peaceful, healing process —from start to finish. Because of this, the members can focus more attention on the metaphysics and prayer!!
At last year’s lecture (also with Elise Moore) a newcomer came into the Reading Room and spoke with a member who gave him a copy of Science & Health as well as other materials. This person started to attend Church services. He brought his house-mate to this lecture.
At Elise’s encouragement, we have also started to cherish the idea of holding a Spanish-speaking lecture. In preparation, we have copies of the Bible Lessons in Spanish, Spanish translation S&H’s, Elise’s materials on how an English speaking Church can sponsor a Spanish lecture and we are scouting out a Church in the community that holds Spanish-speaking services. We will keep you posted!!
-Rehoboth Beach lecture committee
Ipswich MA lecture fruitage
Fruitage from Elise Moore’s preparatory meeting and lecture, “God is Speaking to You”, September 21, 2008 in Ipswich, MA
The adjective most used was “wonderful”. At the meeting, Elise challenged us to think creatively, to pray together and to see each one in our community as spiritually minded and receptive.
There were about 50 people in attendance at the lecture with at least seven people who we knew were not Christian Scientists, though there could have been more.
After the lecture a man came up to the literature table and said he had seen our poster in a bank and decided to come. He explained that he was an “ecumenical”. He took a Science and Health and then asked if there was a practitioner in the area. He was given a Journal and shown the listings.
The husband of one of our members, who was brought up in another religion but frequently attends Wednesday evening meetings, said it was the best lecture he had ever heard and was very impressed by it because he could finally understand everything that was being said. He followed up the next day by saying that one of his clients complained that he was “queezy” about the economy and was unsure about making an important decision. Our friend responded that he had just heard a lecture the day before and assured him that God was speaking to him, and he will know the right move to make.
A member of our church gave a testimony that a few days after the lecture she went to visit her sister-in-law, who is not a Christian Scientist. Her sister-in-law mentioned that her teenage son was questioning the existence of God because there was so much evil in the world, especially what Hitler did, and she didn’t know how to address his concerns. Our member said to her that God was actually speaking to Hitler, but he wasn’t listening! That was a great revelation to her, and she was excited about explaining that to her son. Our member was grateful to have the lecture message fresh in her mind.
Another member gave a testimony that the day after the lecture he was riding in the train to work. When he stood up to leave, he followed an angel message to check for his wallet. It wasn’t in his pockets, so he looked down to where he was sitting, and it had fallen out of his pants pocket and into the space between two seats. He felt the lecture had helped him “tune in” and follow his intuition.
-The Lecture Committee
The adjective most used was “wonderful”. At the meeting, Elise challenged us to think creatively, to pray together and to see each one in our community as spiritually minded and receptive.
There were about 50 people in attendance at the lecture with at least seven people who we knew were not Christian Scientists, though there could have been more.
After the lecture a man came up to the literature table and said he had seen our poster in a bank and decided to come. He explained that he was an “ecumenical”. He took a Science and Health and then asked if there was a practitioner in the area. He was given a Journal and shown the listings.
The husband of one of our members, who was brought up in another religion but frequently attends Wednesday evening meetings, said it was the best lecture he had ever heard and was very impressed by it because he could finally understand everything that was being said. He followed up the next day by saying that one of his clients complained that he was “queezy” about the economy and was unsure about making an important decision. Our friend responded that he had just heard a lecture the day before and assured him that God was speaking to him, and he will know the right move to make.
A member of our church gave a testimony that a few days after the lecture she went to visit her sister-in-law, who is not a Christian Scientist. Her sister-in-law mentioned that her teenage son was questioning the existence of God because there was so much evil in the world, especially what Hitler did, and she didn’t know how to address his concerns. Our member said to her that God was actually speaking to Hitler, but he wasn’t listening! That was a great revelation to her, and she was excited about explaining that to her son. Our member was grateful to have the lecture message fresh in her mind.
Another member gave a testimony that the day after the lecture he was riding in the train to work. When he stood up to leave, he followed an angel message to check for his wallet. It wasn’t in his pockets, so he looked down to where he was sitting, and it had fallen out of his pants pocket and into the space between two seats. He felt the lecture had helped him “tune in” and follow his intuition.
-The Lecture Committee
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Reminiscing about peace lecture 1986
In 1986, I was lecture chair at the Nashville church and filed this fruitage report....
We just had our May peace lecture. It was a demonstration all the way around, as our board had originally rejected the idea of a third lecture this year. But at the last minute, our committee unanimously voted to ask for the special peace lecture. The board approved it, and Boston provided a lecturer, all in March!
About a week before the lecture, I was praying with Isaiah 43:5,6. "Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west: I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth." Also Psalms 107:3, "And (God) gathered them from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south."
Our church draws members and visitors from about a 40 mile radius in all directions, so these verses were meaningful to me.
As I reaffirmed the attractiveness of the Christ, I looked up "gather". One of the root meanings is "to hold fast". To me this meant that all God's children, His ideas, are already held fast or present within God, All. God's activity is not bringing His children into His presence (as if they were separate from Him). God's children are already gathered in God, and God holds them fast, in other words keeps them safe and secure. The gathering was not in the future, but was already done.
Within the hour, a friend saw the lecture invitation on the door of my office and remarked that her Sunday School class had just heard a speaker on peace. I was able to locate the speaker in the next hour. She was a divinity student at Vanderbilt Divinity School. She told me that on Monday (this was Friday) there was to be a banquet with representatives from several religious groups in the community interested in peace. She offered to take lecture invitations to the banquet. She stood up specially to inform the group about our peace lecture and distributed almost 150 invitations.
At the lecture, God led me to one young woman to ask how she learned of the lecture. She said it was at that dinner!
God had already gathered this group together. My prayer helped me be more receptive to what God had already gathered and done even before our lecture.
-May 26, 1986 E. Moore
We just had our May peace lecture. It was a demonstration all the way around, as our board had originally rejected the idea of a third lecture this year. But at the last minute, our committee unanimously voted to ask for the special peace lecture. The board approved it, and Boston provided a lecturer, all in March!
About a week before the lecture, I was praying with Isaiah 43:5,6. "Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west: I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth." Also Psalms 107:3, "And (God) gathered them from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south."
Our church draws members and visitors from about a 40 mile radius in all directions, so these verses were meaningful to me.
As I reaffirmed the attractiveness of the Christ, I looked up "gather". One of the root meanings is "to hold fast". To me this meant that all God's children, His ideas, are already held fast or present within God, All. God's activity is not bringing His children into His presence (as if they were separate from Him). God's children are already gathered in God, and God holds them fast, in other words keeps them safe and secure. The gathering was not in the future, but was already done.
Within the hour, a friend saw the lecture invitation on the door of my office and remarked that her Sunday School class had just heard a speaker on peace. I was able to locate the speaker in the next hour. She was a divinity student at Vanderbilt Divinity School. She told me that on Monday (this was Friday) there was to be a banquet with representatives from several religious groups in the community interested in peace. She offered to take lecture invitations to the banquet. She stood up specially to inform the group about our peace lecture and distributed almost 150 invitations.
At the lecture, God led me to one young woman to ask how she learned of the lecture. She said it was at that dinner!
God had already gathered this group together. My prayer helped me be more receptive to what God had already gathered and done even before our lecture.
-May 26, 1986 E. Moore
Monday, September 22, 2008
Feedback from Ipswich MA lecture
My husband and I attended your lecture yesterday in Ipswich, Ma. It was WOW!
Your sense of love and care spoke so clearly, as well as your delivery and message! My husband, who is not a Christian Scientist, felt just as inspired as I was. We spent our 40 minute drive home discussing Christian Science which is something we never do. We both very much appreciated your lecture and look forward to you returning to our area so we can bring our children.
With much gratitude... - J and W Millet
Your sense of love and care spoke so clearly, as well as your delivery and message! My husband, who is not a Christian Scientist, felt just as inspired as I was. We spent our 40 minute drive home discussing Christian Science which is something we never do. We both very much appreciated your lecture and look forward to you returning to our area so we can bring our children.
With much gratitude... - J and W Millet
Ipswich MA lecture
The lecture prep for this church was on Supporting Church Growth. Since the time we began working together earlier in the summer, they have added 6 people to their branch membership, including one person signing the book the day of the lecture prep! He brought a visitor with him to the lecture. Seeing everyone as spiritually minded and nurturing their spiritual sense brings results!
- Elise
- Elise
Monday, July 14, 2008
Sunday School ideas for small churches
SUNDAY SCHOOL IDEAS
A teacher was asked to prepare a 10 minute presentation on Mary Baker Eddy, her life and her discovery of Christian Science. (The Bible lesson was on Christian Science and focused Mrs. Eddy and her discovery.) We asked all of Sunday School to form a circle after the opening and talked about Mrs. Eddy and what this teacher had prepared. It took about 20 minutes and then we broke out into individual classes. All of the students were given an assignment, to come the next Sunday with something they had researched about Mrs. Eddy they really liked, a healing of Mrs. Eddy's or a healing of their own to share. I emailed/called parents letting them know of their son's or daughter's assignment.
The following Sunday, our church was welcoming a new member, a mother of one of our SS students and we were short teachers so we spent the entire SS as one large class. We reviewed the previous Sunday about Mrs. Eddy and then we spoke of her founding the church, the Manual and membership. We really focused both Sundays on the fact that Christian Science and Church & Sunday School is all about healing. This then led into each student sharing. Each student brought something about Mrs. Eddy to Sunday School, it was really cool and some shared gratitude for what she meant to them. We then went to church for the closing hymn and then the reception to welcome our newest member.
The next Sunday we got together in a large group again and talked about prayer, different types and then talked about giving themselves a treatment. What that meant. I had gotten this idea from a practitioner giving a metaphysical talk at camp. I took colored construction paper and wrote out the following words on each slip of paper: God, each of the 7 synonyms, Man, Me, error, two (2) Gratitude, iPod, TV, food, Video Games. The students were asked to place these in the order they felt they should go for a treatment. We had a big circle of chairs and laid them on the floor going in one direction. They did really good and if they were not in the exact order we left them. And they knew to not include the distractions in the treatment. Then we went through the order and discussed each step. With the synonyms, they were asked to name some qualities of each synonym. This took quite a bit of time and we found that we need to spend more time understanding each synonym and how they relate to each of us, what their specific qualities are. This took the entire SS, but everyone participated from the 5 yr old to the 19 yr old. It was really cool. It just so happens that the next Sunday the Lessons start with the synonyms - perfect.
Another thing we are doing, that they really like. As we come back together to close SS I ask a student if they would like to introduce and read the hymn and then close with the Scientific Statement of Being. Some started with just wanting to read the hymn and then get off the podium, but now the students are staying up and conducting the final closing. It has been great. This Sunday, I announced the first hymn (Mrs. Eddy's) and then I asked four different students to read each verse. It was great and they did a great job. I have started interacting with them prior to the Golden Text asking a question about the subject or asking about the picture in the quarterly and how it ties into what we are going to read (picture of pomegranate - asked what it was, student stated, then they were told to watch for it in the Responsive Reading). I am trying to find ways to involve them and get them thinking and not just going through the motions.
- D. Leonard
July 2008
A teacher was asked to prepare a 10 minute presentation on Mary Baker Eddy, her life and her discovery of Christian Science. (The Bible lesson was on Christian Science and focused Mrs. Eddy and her discovery.) We asked all of Sunday School to form a circle after the opening and talked about Mrs. Eddy and what this teacher had prepared. It took about 20 minutes and then we broke out into individual classes. All of the students were given an assignment, to come the next Sunday with something they had researched about Mrs. Eddy they really liked, a healing of Mrs. Eddy's or a healing of their own to share. I emailed/called parents letting them know of their son's or daughter's assignment.
The following Sunday, our church was welcoming a new member, a mother of one of our SS students and we were short teachers so we spent the entire SS as one large class. We reviewed the previous Sunday about Mrs. Eddy and then we spoke of her founding the church, the Manual and membership. We really focused both Sundays on the fact that Christian Science and Church & Sunday School is all about healing. This then led into each student sharing. Each student brought something about Mrs. Eddy to Sunday School, it was really cool and some shared gratitude for what she meant to them. We then went to church for the closing hymn and then the reception to welcome our newest member.
The next Sunday we got together in a large group again and talked about prayer, different types and then talked about giving themselves a treatment. What that meant. I had gotten this idea from a practitioner giving a metaphysical talk at camp. I took colored construction paper and wrote out the following words on each slip of paper: God, each of the 7 synonyms, Man, Me, error, two (2) Gratitude, iPod, TV, food, Video Games. The students were asked to place these in the order they felt they should go for a treatment. We had a big circle of chairs and laid them on the floor going in one direction. They did really good and if they were not in the exact order we left them. And they knew to not include the distractions in the treatment. Then we went through the order and discussed each step. With the synonyms, they were asked to name some qualities of each synonym. This took quite a bit of time and we found that we need to spend more time understanding each synonym and how they relate to each of us, what their specific qualities are. This took the entire SS, but everyone participated from the 5 yr old to the 19 yr old. It was really cool. It just so happens that the next Sunday the Lessons start with the synonyms - perfect.
Another thing we are doing, that they really like. As we come back together to close SS I ask a student if they would like to introduce and read the hymn and then close with the Scientific Statement of Being. Some started with just wanting to read the hymn and then get off the podium, but now the students are staying up and conducting the final closing. It has been great. This Sunday, I announced the first hymn (Mrs. Eddy's) and then I asked four different students to read each verse. It was great and they did a great job. I have started interacting with them prior to the Golden Text asking a question about the subject or asking about the picture in the quarterly and how it ties into what we are going to read (picture of pomegranate - asked what it was, student stated, then they were told to watch for it in the Responsive Reading). I am trying to find ways to involve them and get them thinking and not just going through the motions.
- D. Leonard
July 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Association Day
Going to Nashville
Why do I go to Nashville?
What do I want to see?
Spend time with my friends, eat good food,
Or learn how to be free!
Why do I go to Nashville?
What do I want to do?
See the sights, have some fun,
Or learn what is true!
I know why I go to Nashville
And I want to share it with you.
I go each year to learn what's dear
And what I'm required to do.
I am to put into practice
The truths I've been told.
To see God's child and share good words,
Is better than silver or gold!
Carolyn W
Written on the flight home, June 29, 2008
Why do I go to Nashville?
What do I want to see?
Spend time with my friends, eat good food,
Or learn how to be free!
Why do I go to Nashville?
What do I want to do?
See the sights, have some fun,
Or learn what is true!
I know why I go to Nashville
And I want to share it with you.
I go each year to learn what's dear
And what I'm required to do.
I am to put into practice
The truths I've been told.
To see God's child and share good words,
Is better than silver or gold!
Carolyn W
Written on the flight home, June 29, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Spanish activities in Los Angeles area
Spanish Outreach Progress June 2008
FORMATION OF A SPANISH OUTREACH COMMITTEE
The first meeting of the Spanish Outreach Committee was May 18 at
3rd Church L.A, in Downtown Los Angeles. Twelve people launched this
coordinating committee composed of those interested in bringing Christian Science to their Southern California Spanish communities.
EL HERALDO RADIO BROADCASTING
Our continuing activity includes : Weekly radio broadcast - ½ hour broadcast of El Heraldo on Spanish station KHJ AM 930 at 7 a.m. on Sunday mornings;
toll free 800 number is announced 3 times at the beginning and end of each El Heraldo program; send calter El Heraldo Magazine; spot announcements on Saturdays; monthly El Heraldo monitor; Metaphysical Committee.
Listener responses are heartening
• A caller who found Ciencia y Salud in a library and then bought her own book (and shares CS with friends at work and at her apartment) called to say she was heading home on vacation to El Salvador and she wanted to know if there were any churches there where she could take her parents. Learning that there were none, we went to visit her and made sure she had extra Heraldos, another Ciencia y Salud, a biography of Mrs. Eddy and God’s Law of Adjustment in Spanish to take with her. She was so grateful.
• Another caller was referred to us from the El Heraldo office in Boston. He had called to find out if they had Ciencia y Salud in Braille. The answer being “no,” we were able to send him some old El Heraldo tapes and have read the lesson in Spanish to him over the phone so he could tape it and listen. We hear from this gentleman regularly.
• One caller from 2007 was so excited about Christian Science from the first time she found out about it through the El Heraldo broadcast. She asked for and received a Ciencia y Salud and then called her local church to find out how she could learn more. The Reading Room Librarian is fluent and helped to provide reading materials for her including the new Spanish/English Full Text Quarterly, and she attended the Placentia Spanish lecture last year. On her own the caller bought Miscellaneous Writings. We’re told she recently returned to Bogota, Colombia for a visit, where “she located the church there.”
• A caller from 2006, who visits the U.S. regularly, just got back from Mexico
and attended both the Santa Barbara and Encinitas Spanish lectures. She enjoyed them greatly and got a lot out of being able to hear Lorenzo Rodriguez’s lecture twice. She also regularly studies the Bible lesson from the new Spanish/English Full Text Quarterly.
• An Inglewood elementary school substitute teacher mentioned that when she was using the El Heraldo “world globe” paperweight produced by the Publishing Society to demonstrate to the children what a cube was, that many of them recognized the words “El Heraldo” because their families listen to the program.
SPANISH LECTURES/TALKS
Lectures
• In April, Santa Barbara/Goleta/Solvang/Carpinteria churches sponsored a lecture by Lorenzo Rodriguez, CS, at Girls, Inc. Community Center. A woman heard our radio spots all week and couldn’t wait to attend. After the talk she commented that what she heard touched her heart, and she felt like this was what she needed to help her with her search for much needed employment and healing.”
• In May, Escondido Church sponsored a lecture by Heloisa Rivas, CSB, given at Central School. They emailed, “Our Spanish lecture went really well! We had 6 Spanish-speaking newcomers who listened intently, got involved in dialog during the lecture and stayed afterwards to chat and have a snack. It really was rewarding, and they all took Spanish Science and Health's and other Spanish literature. “
• Also, in May, Encinitas Society and Rancho Santa Fe Church sponsored a lecture by Lorenzo Rodriguez, CS, at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center. As reported, this was also a very successful lecture. “Spanish workers standing in front of Home Depot were invited and one came to the lecture. After some discussion afterwards he became very interested in the new ideas he was hearing and has continued to want to know more.
Talks. Julio Rivas, CS, gave a talk in March at Backs Community Center in Placentia, sponsored by the Fullerton Church. This talk was very well received and 25 Spanish seekers were in attendance. Many Spanish books and literature were taken. Refreshments served afterward gave them a chance for fellowship and the time to interact with Spanish speaking church members. Per one attendee, “it would be great if other churches could participate in sponsoring” talks.
READING ROOM OUTREACH
• The 28th Church (Westwood) Reading Room librarian recently placed prior month Spanish/English Full Text Quarterlies out front in their free literature box. “Almost immediately a family came in holding two of them. The parents looked around. They ended up buying a (Spanish) Bible and My Little Book in Spanish, and I gave them an El Heraldo magazine. They are from Temecula and are going to UCLA medical center for their daughter.”
• An Escondido Reading Room attendant says there is a weekly farmer’s market close by and the Reading Room lets the vendors use the restroom facilities. She said “I put on Julia Wade’s new CD in Spanish. I love hearing her sing in Spanish and the Latino vendors that came in smiled and paused to listen to her recording.”
• Another librarian from 10th Church (Brentwood) Reading Room said that “a Latina walked in and I showed her our Spanish items for sale. She bought the new Julia Wade CD and I printed out a copy of the Spanish Bible Lesson for this week for her, too.”
OTHER INSTANCES OF OUTREACH
• A member of Palos Verdes Peninsula Church shares Christian Science with her gardener. He in turn shares the weekly lesson, Heraldos and one church’s Wednesday evening readings in Spanish and English with others. “He also listens to the radio broadcast on Sunday morning, which he says ‘is too short, it should be an hour long.’ He also exclaims that ‘God is his doctor.’”
• A Palm Desert Church member is supporting the interest in Christian Science of two Spanish families she has befriended (one from Mexico and the other from Panama). She has been able to provide Heraldos, other writings, and some old El Heraldo radio CD’s. One of the family members has also been attending church.
WEEKLY SERVICES/DISCUSSION GROUPS now meeting:
• Spanish/English Wednesday testimony meetings are held weekly at
3rd Church, Downtown L.A. at 7 p.m. Some members of this church
speak Spanish. The service is advertised to other branch churches in
Southern California and a flyer about the service is sent to all new El
Heraldo callers. This service is established and has been continuing for
several years.
• Weekly Friday night Bible Lesson study in Spanish at 7:30 p.m. at Inglewood/Westchester Reading Room. It is an informal meeting lasting an hour or so and It includes hymn singing, reading aloud from the Spanish/English Full Text Quarterly, and discussion in Spanish and English of passages from the Bible and Science and Health.
- M. Downs and P. Lindahl
FORMATION OF A SPANISH OUTREACH COMMITTEE
The first meeting of the Spanish Outreach Committee was May 18 at
3rd Church L.A, in Downtown Los Angeles. Twelve people launched this
coordinating committee composed of those interested in bringing Christian Science to their Southern California Spanish communities.
EL HERALDO RADIO BROADCASTING
Our continuing activity includes : Weekly radio broadcast - ½ hour broadcast of El Heraldo on Spanish station KHJ AM 930 at 7 a.m. on Sunday mornings;
toll free 800 number is announced 3 times at the beginning and end of each El Heraldo program; send calter El Heraldo Magazine; spot announcements on Saturdays; monthly El Heraldo monitor; Metaphysical Committee.
Listener responses are heartening
• A caller who found Ciencia y Salud in a library and then bought her own book (and shares CS with friends at work and at her apartment) called to say she was heading home on vacation to El Salvador and she wanted to know if there were any churches there where she could take her parents. Learning that there were none, we went to visit her and made sure she had extra Heraldos, another Ciencia y Salud, a biography of Mrs. Eddy and God’s Law of Adjustment in Spanish to take with her. She was so grateful.
• Another caller was referred to us from the El Heraldo office in Boston. He had called to find out if they had Ciencia y Salud in Braille. The answer being “no,” we were able to send him some old El Heraldo tapes and have read the lesson in Spanish to him over the phone so he could tape it and listen. We hear from this gentleman regularly.
• One caller from 2007 was so excited about Christian Science from the first time she found out about it through the El Heraldo broadcast. She asked for and received a Ciencia y Salud and then called her local church to find out how she could learn more. The Reading Room Librarian is fluent and helped to provide reading materials for her including the new Spanish/English Full Text Quarterly, and she attended the Placentia Spanish lecture last year. On her own the caller bought Miscellaneous Writings. We’re told she recently returned to Bogota, Colombia for a visit, where “she located the church there.”
• A caller from 2006, who visits the U.S. regularly, just got back from Mexico
and attended both the Santa Barbara and Encinitas Spanish lectures. She enjoyed them greatly and got a lot out of being able to hear Lorenzo Rodriguez’s lecture twice. She also regularly studies the Bible lesson from the new Spanish/English Full Text Quarterly.
• An Inglewood elementary school substitute teacher mentioned that when she was using the El Heraldo “world globe” paperweight produced by the Publishing Society to demonstrate to the children what a cube was, that many of them recognized the words “El Heraldo” because their families listen to the program.
SPANISH LECTURES/TALKS
Lectures
• In April, Santa Barbara/Goleta/Solvang/Carpinteria churches sponsored a lecture by Lorenzo Rodriguez, CS, at Girls, Inc. Community Center. A woman heard our radio spots all week and couldn’t wait to attend. After the talk she commented that what she heard touched her heart, and she felt like this was what she needed to help her with her search for much needed employment and healing.”
• In May, Escondido Church sponsored a lecture by Heloisa Rivas, CSB, given at Central School. They emailed, “Our Spanish lecture went really well! We had 6 Spanish-speaking newcomers who listened intently, got involved in dialog during the lecture and stayed afterwards to chat and have a snack. It really was rewarding, and they all took Spanish Science and Health's and other Spanish literature. “
• Also, in May, Encinitas Society and Rancho Santa Fe Church sponsored a lecture by Lorenzo Rodriguez, CS, at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center. As reported, this was also a very successful lecture. “Spanish workers standing in front of Home Depot were invited and one came to the lecture. After some discussion afterwards he became very interested in the new ideas he was hearing and has continued to want to know more.
Talks. Julio Rivas, CS, gave a talk in March at Backs Community Center in Placentia, sponsored by the Fullerton Church. This talk was very well received and 25 Spanish seekers were in attendance. Many Spanish books and literature were taken. Refreshments served afterward gave them a chance for fellowship and the time to interact with Spanish speaking church members. Per one attendee, “it would be great if other churches could participate in sponsoring” talks.
READING ROOM OUTREACH
• The 28th Church (Westwood) Reading Room librarian recently placed prior month Spanish/English Full Text Quarterlies out front in their free literature box. “Almost immediately a family came in holding two of them. The parents looked around. They ended up buying a (Spanish) Bible and My Little Book in Spanish, and I gave them an El Heraldo magazine. They are from Temecula and are going to UCLA medical center for their daughter.”
• An Escondido Reading Room attendant says there is a weekly farmer’s market close by and the Reading Room lets the vendors use the restroom facilities. She said “I put on Julia Wade’s new CD in Spanish. I love hearing her sing in Spanish and the Latino vendors that came in smiled and paused to listen to her recording.”
• Another librarian from 10th Church (Brentwood) Reading Room said that “a Latina walked in and I showed her our Spanish items for sale. She bought the new Julia Wade CD and I printed out a copy of the Spanish Bible Lesson for this week for her, too.”
OTHER INSTANCES OF OUTREACH
• A member of Palos Verdes Peninsula Church shares Christian Science with her gardener. He in turn shares the weekly lesson, Heraldos and one church’s Wednesday evening readings in Spanish and English with others. “He also listens to the radio broadcast on Sunday morning, which he says ‘is too short, it should be an hour long.’ He also exclaims that ‘God is his doctor.’”
• A Palm Desert Church member is supporting the interest in Christian Science of two Spanish families she has befriended (one from Mexico and the other from Panama). She has been able to provide Heraldos, other writings, and some old El Heraldo radio CD’s. One of the family members has also been attending church.
WEEKLY SERVICES/DISCUSSION GROUPS now meeting:
• Spanish/English Wednesday testimony meetings are held weekly at
3rd Church, Downtown L.A. at 7 p.m. Some members of this church
speak Spanish. The service is advertised to other branch churches in
Southern California and a flyer about the service is sent to all new El
Heraldo callers. This service is established and has been continuing for
several years.
• Weekly Friday night Bible Lesson study in Spanish at 7:30 p.m. at Inglewood/Westchester Reading Room. It is an informal meeting lasting an hour or so and It includes hymn singing, reading aloud from the Spanish/English Full Text Quarterly, and discussion in Spanish and English of passages from the Bible and Science and Health.
- M. Downs and P. Lindahl
Friday, April 18, 2008
Sunday School teaching comes from God!
Yesterday I had a student in Sunday School. Generally I do not have any students in my high school/college age class, but in one walked yesterday as I was catching up with a three-year-old. I knew he would be in my class because he was big :), and the thought that attacked was, "You aren't ready for this student! All you planned for a lesson was to talk about angels and Jacob!" It was true that I hadn't very clearly defined what the lesson could be. But I knew that I had worked with the Bible Lesson that week and that those two simple ideas had been angel messages themselves about what to talk about this week.
I also have been cherishing something from the Manual one member of my branch church has shared a couple times recently, that Sunday School teaching is to be by question and answer...I'm not trying to cram information into some kid, but rather revealing what's already there--like we talked about "educere" "leading out."
I also have been cherishing something from the Manual one member of my branch church has shared a couple times recently, that Sunday School teaching is to be by question and answer...I'm not trying to cram information into some kid, but rather revealing what's already there--like we talked about "educere" "leading out."
So during our silent prayer I acknowledged that our Sunday School lessons were complete and that they included what everyone needed (teachers, too). I asked our visitor if there was anything he wanted to talk about from the Lesson, since he had marked books with him, and he said, "Well, actually my favorite story is in the Lesson this week." ............ Yep, you guessed it--Jacob wrestling with the angel! Ends up this young man drew a lot of strength from that story as he dealt with a challenge over the past year or so. Also, he said Truth was his favorite synonym, so I shared "reality" as a synonym for Truth...which he loved...and it fit so well since the Lesson was on unreality. I felt positively buoyant during the whole session!
I realized two things afterwards: 1) God had connected the student with me. It had zero to do with any effort on my part. So I realized a bit more that I'm not a factor in the "success" of Sunday School. It's a complete, divine idea totally in God's keeping. 2) Going back to avoiding human perfectionism ...I realized that the lesson plan I had came through inspiration and had no need of a laboriously organized plan with marked citations, planned review questions, etc. It just flowed, and I watched it happen. I felt relieved of a false sense of responsibility and so joyous that all was perfect--I just knew everyone truly did "get" what they needed.
-E.D. Virginia USA
-E.D. Virginia USA
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Youth Committee planned successful lecture
In April 2008 a youth committee formed from Christian Science Sunday School students in Buenos Aires Argentina organized a lecture, Demostra el poder del Amor. It was held in a church in Ciudadela, a suburb of Buenos Aires, and was sponsored by Second Church Buenos Aires, Third Church Buenos Aires, and First Church, Ciudadela. The church seats about 80 people. Almost 175 attended, filling the church, foyer and anterooms!
The youth had regular meetings to design and produce flyers, invitations, a postcard invitation and banners. The designs were completely fresh and innovative. They put banners and flyers at the church where the lecture was held, also at various churches around Buenos Aires.
People from the community came. The youth also helped organize 2 buses of people coming from different locations in BA. One was a full size bus. The other was a smaller combi. This enabled people to attend since the church is in a suburb at least ½ hour from the center city.
The church was completely packed. Every seat was taken before the choir started. They filled the foyer with seats and arranged for a closed circuit TV for those in the foyer. They put kids chairs from the Sunday School in the aisle entrance in the foyer and those seats filled as well with adults. About 18 teens sat on the floor beside the improvised stage area, filling all open floor space. People were standing along the back walls. People were standing in the foyer, in the courtyard and a back anteroom. The sound was very good via a wireless mike.
The kids had a small adult choir sing 3 songs before the lecture, 2 were hymns and the 3rd was a modern rendition of a song, Ezekiel Rocks. It was spectacular. The kids made cakes and cookies for after the lecture.
Many of the parents said that this was the first lecture their kids had attended. There were kids of all ages. Some brought their girl/boyfriends. The kids did the ushering and shoehorning of people into the church. They arranged the stage area and then rearranged it at the last minute to remove all the plants and decoration so that more people could sit on the floor.
The youth approached everything collectively and through prayer. It was clear that the entire activity was planned with confidence in good, grace, harmonious working together, prayer for guidance, inspiration, spontaneity and flexibility.
This is the first time the youth have gotten together to do a joint lecture. It was such a success that they were immediately encouraged to plan other church activities. It will be exciting to see where God leads them.
-Elise Moore
The youth had regular meetings to design and produce flyers, invitations, a postcard invitation and banners. The designs were completely fresh and innovative. They put banners and flyers at the church where the lecture was held, also at various churches around Buenos Aires.
People from the community came. The youth also helped organize 2 buses of people coming from different locations in BA. One was a full size bus. The other was a smaller combi. This enabled people to attend since the church is in a suburb at least ½ hour from the center city.
The church was completely packed. Every seat was taken before the choir started. They filled the foyer with seats and arranged for a closed circuit TV for those in the foyer. They put kids chairs from the Sunday School in the aisle entrance in the foyer and those seats filled as well with adults. About 18 teens sat on the floor beside the improvised stage area, filling all open floor space. People were standing along the back walls. People were standing in the foyer, in the courtyard and a back anteroom. The sound was very good via a wireless mike.
The kids had a small adult choir sing 3 songs before the lecture, 2 were hymns and the 3rd was a modern rendition of a song, Ezekiel Rocks. It was spectacular. The kids made cakes and cookies for after the lecture.
Many of the parents said that this was the first lecture their kids had attended. There were kids of all ages. Some brought their girl/boyfriends. The kids did the ushering and shoehorning of people into the church. They arranged the stage area and then rearranged it at the last minute to remove all the plants and decoration so that more people could sit on the floor.
The youth approached everything collectively and through prayer. It was clear that the entire activity was planned with confidence in good, grace, harmonious working together, prayer for guidance, inspiration, spontaneity and flexibility.
This is the first time the youth have gotten together to do a joint lecture. It was such a success that they were immediately encouraged to plan other church activities. It will be exciting to see where God leads them.
-Elise Moore
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Practitioners' meetings in the US
I just returned home from one of the practitioner meetings that The Mother Church is sponsoring this year and wanted to encourage everyone to make the effort to get to one if at all possible. I couldn't begin to say how wonderful it was -like a day of class instruction crammed into 2 hours. So inspiring and thought provoking. There is a statement in Miscellaneous Writings which says something about the heart needing to be stirred like a feather bed. Today's meeting gave thought a much-needed stir, just like the one I give my feather comforter every morning. I came away from this meeting with a clearer-than-ever sense that God IS in control, that God does the healing, and that being a practitioner is indeed the highest calling in the world because one's full-time job is merely witnessing God's endless love, goodness, intelligence, and so much more.
This meeting today really made me feel cared for by The Mother Church and excited to see how God will work it all out for opportunities to practice.
- L. G. Philadelphia
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Starting Spanish services in Bellaire TX
I've been wanting to write you to let you know that we started Spanish services at the Reading Room in November 2007. We have now moved to the Sunday School room at church. We have had from 7-18 in attendance and wanting to take flyers out to the community west of us. So, the Bible Lessons will be very helpful. We've been ordering 3 copies for the Reading Room. They have all sold. Several are subscribing. It is a BEAUTIFUL design and print. I love it.
- B. Johnson
- B. Johnson
Monday, February 4, 2008
Started Bible study of John
After a lecture in the fall, some of the members of the Bloomington IL church had a discussion about doing more "upper room thinking" (from the lecture preparation workshop). So they started in Reading Room a Bible study group each Tuesday doing in depth study of John. One person brought her husband who doesn't attend church. It's been very rewarding, says the person telling me. If you are in the Bloomington IL area, do attend!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
We had a wonderful three lecture experience with Elise Moore. Her coming early for a pre-lecture workshop was most helpful, and her staying over an extra day and going to our Wednesday night service was most appreciated. She certainly went the extra mile for us! Another special bonus was when she talked to our Sunday School students after our lecture at our church. We got great reports from both students and parents. One student said that Elise answered all her questions! At our first lecture at Manor Park, which is a retirement home, about two thirds of the audience were new comers, and the comments I got was that Elise had very pactical ideas on how to pray. Several even wanted to go that night to hear Elise give her talk at our church. The lecture at our church was mostly attended by our church members, but we had about 8 non members and new comers. Our best response was from the Spanish lecture the next day at Casa De Amigos. which is an organization to help mostly the Spanish community. We had about 30 or more Spanish friends and the response after the lecture was most gratifying! They bought a lot of our Spanish literature and said thay wanted to come to church and bring their children in order that they would learn how to pray.
- Judy
- Judy
Monday, January 21, 2008
Southern California Spanish Outreach report
Spanish Outreach
December 2007
Dear Friends of Christian Science who wish to serve the Spanish-speaking public:
You are all over the country - and south of the border, as well! Here are the latest
Spanish Outreach developments:
Spanish Outreach Responses from CSPS, Churches, Individuals
• Comment received after our last report went out - I "got a copy yesterday. . of what the church received and I LOVE what I'm reading! My hope is that WE have something to include in your next report." That “something” is that a Spanish outreach program is being implemented at the Santa Barbara church. They are working with the Lecture Committee. They are also working with the reading room to design a Spanish language display that will make items easily accessible to Spanish speakers whether the attendant speaks Spanish or not, however several of them do.
• At long last, Spanish Full text Bible Lessons (Spanish/English) will be available from the Publishing Society in January 2008. Currently, new items from the Publishing Society also include Spanish solos by Mother Church soloist Julia Wade and some children's items in Spanish.
• Rancho Santa Fe/Encinitas churches write "we were so glad to see the reception we received last year with our Spanish lecture that we knew we wanted to give another one or more this year." Their lecture is scheduled for April 6, to be given by Eberhard Lasch, CSB from Mexico City.
• $200 was donated by your Spanish Outreach principals, and others in Southern California to aid Elise Moore, CSB who was scheduled to do a lecture in Chincha, Peru (where the recent large earthquake was located). There is no church, and no funds available. Since she was already lecturing in Peru, Ms. Moore felt this added lecture was a must in this region where
so many persons had been adversely affected.
• El Heraldo magazines, CD’s and El Heraldo radio advertising cards were provided to the Christian Science Reading Room booth for the Governor and First Lady's Conference for Women, held in October at the Long Beach Convention Center. Several Latina women who came to the booth looked over the Spanish literature and took some. Two of the ladies left with copies of Science and Health in English..
• Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. has been determined as the day and time for Spanish-language testimony meetings to be held on a “when announced” basis for now, at the Inglewood-Westchester Reading Room. Other churches/societies are also considering a Spanish service or meeting to meet the need of their Spanish communities.
• A report received from a Chaplain who works in the Orange County jail said "Many thanks for the El Heraldo radio info. “As a Chaplain, I pass these (advertising) slips to the inmates. They pass the info to their families outside. The word gets back to me that they are very grateful to you folks for making this resource available about a better way of life.” The Chaplain also reports that many of the men are learning English from Ciencia y Salud, since the book has both languages included in it.
• The Chaplain at Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles is grateful for being able to print out the Spanish lesson sermon each week. She says, “they really appreciate having them. I love how it shows that our church cares about the Spanish speaking population.”
• A Spanish Reading Room corner has been established at Broadview for use by the Spanish speaking staff. When there are readings to be given, they do theirs in Spanish.
• 2nd Church, San Francisco, which has a Spanish Wednesday testimony meeting, makes the readings available for Spanish Outreach to email to others each week. In some reading rooms, they are being printed and kept in folders for Spanish speakers to read and/or take with them.
• A reading room Librarian from Newport Beach called saying that she had been sent 45 extra Spanish Quarterlies by the Publishing Society and said they were told to share them. The Librarian eventually heard about the El Heraldo efforts and sent the Quarterlies to us. Copies of the Spanish quarterlies and printouts in Spanish of the current Bible lesson were sent to the entire list of El Heraldo callers. Within a few weeks we had heard from several people. One called to say she enjoyed the lesson and wanted us to continue sending printouts each week, and another called and asked whether his family problems could be healed. A copy of Ciencia y Salud was sent to him.
• Special thanks to the Downey Reading Room for the inventory of Spanish books, etc., that are being shared with our El Heraldo callers.
• You can hear and see a Spanish internet lecture entitled “El Desconocido Poder Sanador de la Verdad” given by Jose Rodriguez Pelaez, C.S. of Malaga, Spain, which was given recently in Northern California. The lecture is in three parts. You may need to copy the links and paste into your internet browser.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4066480309180875234
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7844214623402720798
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2399275425840593835
El Heraldo Broadcasting Fruitage
• One lady said she had so many problems she didn’t know where to start, but after hearing the El Heraldo program she is convinced that Ciencia y Salud is what she needs.
• Another lady described problems with her legs. The responder said, “God is present and has power over your body.” She asked for directions to the Whittier church.
• “This is wonderful, this is wonderful,” the caller said. She explained how tough her housing situation was. She was excited and hopeful about her future with this “new science” as she called it.
• 3rd Church, Los Angeles, reports that at least six people are attending their Spanish Wednesday services as a result of the broadcast.
• One caller said she wished the program were longer than a half hour, that people need to hear good programs like this one.
• Another caller said that she had been to lots of other churches and they are all the same. After hearing El Heraldo one morning, she said, “I need peace, and I like what I heard in this program.”
• A man said, “You don’t know the problems I have, but this is just what I need and I know it.” He asked for directions to a church that was less than mile from his home.
• One caller came to the church in off hours and found someone there who sold him a Science and Health in Spanish. He attended the Spanish lecture given in his area.
• A man called because his wife was ill. He paid attention to every word that was said to him and was directed to espiritualidad.com on the Internet for further healing ideas.
• One woman listens to the program after she comes home from Mass each Sunday.
• Another caller went promptly to the local church and found members in the foyer. They gave him a Spanish Science and Health and he and his wife have attended church.
• One caller invited her new Spanish speaking Christian Science friends to give her prayerful support at her son’s funeral. They attended and she was grateful for not being overwhelmed by the suffering and grief others were expressing.
Page 2
• The very first El Heraldo caller who called in May 2006 called a year later to say that she listens to El Heraldo every week and to request a Ciencia y Salud. She can’t leave her home very much due to a problem her son is having. The book was sent to her, along with a copy of the Weekly Lesson Sermon in Spanish. She called to say she loves CS and went to the Santa Monica Reading Room recently to get Miscellaneous Writings, No & Yes, and another book in Spanish. She is extremely appreciative of the radio program.
• A listener who called in March 2007 called again in October. Said she recently had surgery and was given a negative prognosis. She asked for a copy of Ciencia y Salud, and is reading it.
• A listener had called Boston to get Ciencia y Salud. She was referred to Spanish Outreach and has attended the new Spanish testimony meeting given at Inglewood/Westchester reading room.
• A Catholic church goer says she loves the program and what she’s hearing about this Science has helped her feel better.
• One caller called again to say that she loves receiving the Spanish Bible lesson printout that Spanish Outreach is sending to her.
• A listener called to “send much gratitude for the program and those associated with it.”
• All of the callers want the book, Ciencia y Salud. (Science and Health)
• A Spanish lady who had attended a Christian Science service some time back was inspired by the El Heraldo radio program one morning and decided to attend church again. She called to find out where there was a church near her, as the local one had closed.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
• Contributions are lovingly accepted
Please send contributions to:
Joint Media Committee of Southern California
Box 846
Los Angeles, CA 90078
Clearly indicate they are for El Heraldo Broadcasting.
• Gratitude for El Heraldo Subscription Renewals
We are thankful to those of you who have provided gift subscriptions for El Heraldo magazine, and to those who have renewed your El Heraldo gift subscriptions. That makes
it possible for us to continue to send them to those who respond to El Heraldo Broadcasting.
Please have gift subscriptions sent to:
Spanish Outreach
550 Catalina Road
Fullerton, CA 92835
In gratitude,
Marilyn Peggy
Coordinators for El Heraldo Broadcasting/Spanish Outreach
December 2007
Dear Friends of Christian Science who wish to serve the Spanish-speaking public:
You are all over the country - and south of the border, as well! Here are the latest
Spanish Outreach developments:
Spanish Outreach Responses from CSPS, Churches, Individuals
• Comment received after our last report went out - I "got a copy yesterday. . of what the church received and I LOVE what I'm reading! My hope is that WE have something to include in your next report." That “something” is that a Spanish outreach program is being implemented at the Santa Barbara church. They are working with the Lecture Committee. They are also working with the reading room to design a Spanish language display that will make items easily accessible to Spanish speakers whether the attendant speaks Spanish or not, however several of them do.
• At long last, Spanish Full text Bible Lessons (Spanish/English) will be available from the Publishing Society in January 2008. Currently, new items from the Publishing Society also include Spanish solos by Mother Church soloist Julia Wade and some children's items in Spanish.
• Rancho Santa Fe/Encinitas churches write "we were so glad to see the reception we received last year with our Spanish lecture that we knew we wanted to give another one or more this year." Their lecture is scheduled for April 6, to be given by Eberhard Lasch, CSB from Mexico City.
• $200 was donated by your Spanish Outreach principals, and others in Southern California to aid Elise Moore, CSB who was scheduled to do a lecture in Chincha, Peru (where the recent large earthquake was located). There is no church, and no funds available. Since she was already lecturing in Peru, Ms. Moore felt this added lecture was a must in this region where
so many persons had been adversely affected.
• El Heraldo magazines, CD’s and El Heraldo radio advertising cards were provided to the Christian Science Reading Room booth for the Governor and First Lady's Conference for Women, held in October at the Long Beach Convention Center. Several Latina women who came to the booth looked over the Spanish literature and took some. Two of the ladies left with copies of Science and Health in English..
• Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. has been determined as the day and time for Spanish-language testimony meetings to be held on a “when announced” basis for now, at the Inglewood-Westchester Reading Room. Other churches/societies are also considering a Spanish service or meeting to meet the need of their Spanish communities.
• A report received from a Chaplain who works in the Orange County jail said "Many thanks for the El Heraldo radio info. “As a Chaplain, I pass these (advertising) slips to the inmates. They pass the info to their families outside. The word gets back to me that they are very grateful to you folks for making this resource available about a better way of life.” The Chaplain also reports that many of the men are learning English from Ciencia y Salud, since the book has both languages included in it.
• The Chaplain at Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles is grateful for being able to print out the Spanish lesson sermon each week. She says, “they really appreciate having them. I love how it shows that our church cares about the Spanish speaking population.”
• A Spanish Reading Room corner has been established at Broadview for use by the Spanish speaking staff. When there are readings to be given, they do theirs in Spanish.
• 2nd Church, San Francisco, which has a Spanish Wednesday testimony meeting, makes the readings available for Spanish Outreach to email to others each week. In some reading rooms, they are being printed and kept in folders for Spanish speakers to read and/or take with them.
• A reading room Librarian from Newport Beach called saying that she had been sent 45 extra Spanish Quarterlies by the Publishing Society and said they were told to share them. The Librarian eventually heard about the El Heraldo efforts and sent the Quarterlies to us. Copies of the Spanish quarterlies and printouts in Spanish of the current Bible lesson were sent to the entire list of El Heraldo callers. Within a few weeks we had heard from several people. One called to say she enjoyed the lesson and wanted us to continue sending printouts each week, and another called and asked whether his family problems could be healed. A copy of Ciencia y Salud was sent to him.
• Special thanks to the Downey Reading Room for the inventory of Spanish books, etc., that are being shared with our El Heraldo callers.
• You can hear and see a Spanish internet lecture entitled “El Desconocido Poder Sanador de la Verdad” given by Jose Rodriguez Pelaez, C.S. of Malaga, Spain, which was given recently in Northern California. The lecture is in three parts. You may need to copy the links and paste into your internet browser.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4066480309180875234
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7844214623402720798
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2399275425840593835
El Heraldo Broadcasting Fruitage
• One lady said she had so many problems she didn’t know where to start, but after hearing the El Heraldo program she is convinced that Ciencia y Salud is what she needs.
• Another lady described problems with her legs. The responder said, “God is present and has power over your body.” She asked for directions to the Whittier church.
• “This is wonderful, this is wonderful,” the caller said. She explained how tough her housing situation was. She was excited and hopeful about her future with this “new science” as she called it.
• 3rd Church, Los Angeles, reports that at least six people are attending their Spanish Wednesday services as a result of the broadcast.
• One caller said she wished the program were longer than a half hour, that people need to hear good programs like this one.
• Another caller said that she had been to lots of other churches and they are all the same. After hearing El Heraldo one morning, she said, “I need peace, and I like what I heard in this program.”
• A man said, “You don’t know the problems I have, but this is just what I need and I know it.” He asked for directions to a church that was less than mile from his home.
• One caller came to the church in off hours and found someone there who sold him a Science and Health in Spanish. He attended the Spanish lecture given in his area.
• A man called because his wife was ill. He paid attention to every word that was said to him and was directed to espiritualidad.com on the Internet for further healing ideas.
• One woman listens to the program after she comes home from Mass each Sunday.
• Another caller went promptly to the local church and found members in the foyer. They gave him a Spanish Science and Health and he and his wife have attended church.
• One caller invited her new Spanish speaking Christian Science friends to give her prayerful support at her son’s funeral. They attended and she was grateful for not being overwhelmed by the suffering and grief others were expressing.
Page 2
• The very first El Heraldo caller who called in May 2006 called a year later to say that she listens to El Heraldo every week and to request a Ciencia y Salud. She can’t leave her home very much due to a problem her son is having. The book was sent to her, along with a copy of the Weekly Lesson Sermon in Spanish. She called to say she loves CS and went to the Santa Monica Reading Room recently to get Miscellaneous Writings, No & Yes, and another book in Spanish. She is extremely appreciative of the radio program.
• A listener who called in March 2007 called again in October. Said she recently had surgery and was given a negative prognosis. She asked for a copy of Ciencia y Salud, and is reading it.
• A listener had called Boston to get Ciencia y Salud. She was referred to Spanish Outreach and has attended the new Spanish testimony meeting given at Inglewood/Westchester reading room.
• A Catholic church goer says she loves the program and what she’s hearing about this Science has helped her feel better.
• One caller called again to say that she loves receiving the Spanish Bible lesson printout that Spanish Outreach is sending to her.
• A listener called to “send much gratitude for the program and those associated with it.”
• All of the callers want the book, Ciencia y Salud. (Science and Health)
• A Spanish lady who had attended a Christian Science service some time back was inspired by the El Heraldo radio program one morning and decided to attend church again. She called to find out where there was a church near her, as the local one had closed.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
• Contributions are lovingly accepted
Please send contributions to:
Joint Media Committee of Southern California
Box 846
Los Angeles, CA 90078
Clearly indicate they are for El Heraldo Broadcasting.
• Gratitude for El Heraldo Subscription Renewals
We are thankful to those of you who have provided gift subscriptions for El Heraldo magazine, and to those who have renewed your El Heraldo gift subscriptions. That makes
it possible for us to continue to send them to those who respond to El Heraldo Broadcasting.
Please have gift subscriptions sent to:
Spanish Outreach
550 Catalina Road
Fullerton, CA 92835
In gratitude,
Marilyn Peggy
Coordinators for El Heraldo Broadcasting/Spanish Outreach
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Thank you so much for your wonderful lecture tonight. It made my heart sing to see all those seats filled at the Poway-RB church, and after hearing and feeling the love and sincerity of your message, I could see why so many were attracted. I have some great notes to type up now, so I can work with the ideas you gave us, and loved each of the stories you used as illustrations.
- Vista, CA
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