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.