Report from Charlottesville VA

Lecture Summary, Elise Moore
Oct. 24, 25, Charlottesville VA
Feedback from Membership


There was a deep appreciation for the memorable “thoughts illumed” that Elise shared during her regional lectures/workshops. Many members expressed how they are still thinking about the ideas shared. Elise expressed her key points with such clarity and simplicity that the message was meaningful and applicable to all ages and levels of understanding.

The use of stories made Elise’s messages evocative and powerful. One member is using the stories and much of the substance of the lecture in her Sunday school class. She specifically liked the stories about the boy and the car and the theater incident.

Another member mentioned that every day when she wakes up, she thinks about listening for God. In her Sunday school class, she has her students wear a bracelet to remember that God is always there and communicating if we are conscientious and attuned to the still small voice inside.

Several members appreciated the bible examples about the early days of building community and the way Elise worked directly with the audience in an interactive way.

Following are email comments about the lecture:

“I have had 2 or 3 people come into the Reading Room and take copies of Elise’s articles that we made available. Also I have personally used her suggestion we can substitute “Church, congregation, etc.” when we use the statement in S&H, p. 476, “Jesus beheld in Science the perfect — I work for my family members with that statement, too.”

“I think doing this series of 3 lectures in Central Virginia has brought our 3 churches together in a sense of community that I know I didn't have before. Working together has been great! “

“Someone has told me they are using Elise's thread of "listening" to God's direction and leading to help them in slowing down and listening to God's leading to help in some challenges that person is facing. The incident that resonated was the example of the young boy running out between the cars. In that event, God had told him to not do this, but he wasn't listening. Fortunately Elise was listening to God directing her to stop and she was able to avoid hitting the boy.”

“People really respond better to the interaction between the lecturer and the audience. Elise got really "pat" answers to her questions and wrote them on the boards. But she got the audience to pay attention that way. There was excellent eye contact with probably every person in the room. I remembered various messages from her lecture that I held in thought and worked with off and on for some time. She has the right style for the new mood of the church.”

“I reflect often on the four key points that Elise emphasized as the fundamentals of Christian Science: absolute faith, all things are possible to God, spiritual understanding, and unconditional love. I love the way Elise condensed and simplified what could be very abstract. She lifted Christian Science out of being only an intellectual endeavor into a practical, applied, feeling, experiential daily practice.”

“I want to thank you for sponsoring a first rate lecture on Sunday. Elise Moore was an excellent choice. She gave a great lecture that was as fundamentally important for a newcomer as for seasoned Christian Scientists. She did a wonderful job engaging the audience too. Please know that all your efforts were successful and healing did occur.”

“The lecture served as a great reminder that God is speaking to us every minute, we need only quiet down the "static" to hear Him. As a result of this, I have felt more quiet and peace in what had seemed a very stressful, hectic schedule with too much to do and not enough time. By being quiet enough to listen for God's voice, I felt confident I would be directed each step of my day and would accomplish just what I needed to. I brought a friend who was new to CS and he has told me that he hears the words of Elise's lecture every day in his thought. When things seem overwhelming during his business day and there is too much going on around him, he is reminded all that is really just "static" and not the peace and direction coming from God. This helps him calm down and move forward in his day.”


I frequently re-read the articles Elise left with us. The 5 thoughts for healing have been very helpful for me.
I am so grateful, Elise, for your inspiration and love.
Mel
Prepared 11/28/09
Melanie Gillies

Job obtained after lecture

We want to thank you for the lecture "God's speaking to you" that you gave to us in Minneapolis on Thursday night. We felt that God was speaking to us very clearly during the lecture, giving us direction and inspiration. And this sense has stayed with us since. One of the fruits of our uplifted thought was that Peter received a job offer the day after the lecture. He had been looking for a new job for over 6 months, and it's a wonderful gift to receive this offer just before Christmas.

Thanks so much for your clear, loving talk.

Love,
Peter & Molly

PIttsburgh series comments

[Cartoon: “New Year’s Resolution”
Picture of a group of people shouting at a snake labeled “Material Sense”
“You’re a lying false witness. Vamoose!” “NOT impressed.” “Go” “Git!” “Be gone” “NOT listening”
The snake responds: “I’m going! I know when I’m not wanted.”]


November 18, 2009

Dear Elise,
Some time ago I tacked this little cartoon from “My Bible Lesson” on the refrigerator and it has served as a reminder ever since. Imagine my delight to discover your lecture about texting God! It underlined for me the effectiveness of these sometimes explosive little prayers I’d been using.

Thank you so much for this lecture and for the other five that made up a glorious week for our tri-state area!

For the first time (although the process was challenging) we had people travelling from lecture to lecture to hear more. For the first time we had almost total branch church member involvement. People personally invited and brought more guests. The proportion of non Christian Scientists was greater. The number s of attendees higher. The preparation meeting was a first too – one that set the tone and encouraged us to complete our metaphysical homework.

The day after the downtown lecture our Jointly Maintained Reading Room received eleven phone calls praising the lecture – before noon. Fruitage continues.

Most important to me is the spiritual growth of our members: we learned to love, appreciate and respect each other more.

We thank you for your high standards and good work.

Lovingly,
HK
For the Tri-State Christian Science Activities Committee

Seneca SC comment

This is just another thank you for being with us in Seneca and Anderson this weekend. Everybody was still buzzing at church this morning about how wonderful Saturday was. Several members commented on the lovely conversations they had with those non-Scientists who attended. One gentleman asked to be put on our mailing list. Onward we march!
- Marybeth

Lecture prep fruitage

I think the lectures opened many doors. I think church members really used the ideas from the preparatory workshop to invite “spiritually minded” friends – some of us have been hesitant to invite people we thought might like to know about the lectures and the ideas shared in them. That thought and identifying these people with the spiritual qualities they express were most helpful.

-Cindy

Pittsburgh, PA Lecture Series #3

Above are the pictures of the scrolling electronic bulletin board on the Westmoreland Mall sign across from the lecture venue and the billboard on Rt. 119, just south of Greensburg.

Pittsburgh, PA Lecture Series #2

Above are pictures of the scrolling electronic bulletin board on the YMCA building in downtown Greensburg announcing your lecture and the picture of the banner across the front of our church announcing the lecture.

Pittsburgh, PA Lecture Series #1

Above are pictures of the scrolling electronic signs on Bruster’s Ice Cream sign for the Pittsburgh lecture series “Prayer Really Works” and the Greensburg lecture.

If you think the prices would be useful for people to know, the YMCA was $56 for the month, the Bruster’s sign was $70 for the month, the billboard was $480 for the month, and the mall sign was $200 for a week.

It was such a treat to have you do the lecture series for us – I think it was such a great idea for our area with the several churches all within about an hour radius of downtown Pittsburgh.

Sentinel radio on Addiction

This is Ame - Reading Room Librarian of the JMCSRRLA

I just wanted to thank you so much for your contribution to the "Healing Addiction" Sentinel Radio for the month of November.

There were two visitors who listened to them with me on Friday - one homeless man - and one man who is seeking a way to overcome drugs/alcohol/grieving for the loss of his wife

He kept saying "she is talking about me!" And left saying what a blessing the Reading Rooms are

So - thank you again!

PIttsburgh series

Elise has sent another inspiring letter and the Lecture Committee is pleased to
share it with you all.

Her thank you for the work and statement of the effectiveness of how the message continues to spread is well founded. We had responses to most of our publicity – people attended because they received a mailing or saw our sign outside the church, or the Almanac and Suburban Living ads. Several people reported that they heard the KDKA promos, too. What is most impressive is how we all extended invitations to so many of our friends, neighbors, colleagues and strangers. Even if the guests we invited were unable to be there, or may not have been interested, the love that we expressed in the invitation has been worthwhile.

It is wonderful to hear, each day, the fruitage from our lecture. Here are just a few comments that have already been expressed from those who attended– we can expect many more examples when we consider that 70 – 75 people were there Monday night.

From our members –
- It was happy to be there, I felt the love and fullness of joy.
- I really appreciated our lecture. (This came from several members.)
- The Preparatory Meeting gave me so much!
- Going through each of the Beatitudes helped and I keep using these thoughts.
- This time is the first time that a lecture has been successful with any of my guests.
- Working on the assignment for journalists and ministries has helped and healed.

From our guests –
- There are some answers here, I’ve been searching.
- You know, I’ve never had prayer explained before.
- Working with the Bible was very important to me, I am now using it more.

From a serendipity visitor –
- I had no idea what Christian Science was about.

Sewickley PA

On behalf of the Sewickley, PA church, I extend our deepest appreciation for the beautiful lecture series you brought to the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.

Your lectures reached out so beautifully with such simple and poignant messages, which could easily reach the thought of someone new to Christian Science or to someone just seeking some higher understanding of God in their lives. But they also held deeper messages for those of us who are "seasoned" Christian Scientists.

We were so glad you were able to give your new lecture for our church, "Texting God: Short Prayers that Work". I loved your reminder that all prayer is based on conviction, which reinforces our knowing that God is present here and now; that God is powerful and the only source of good.

I had the opportunity to refer to the story you told of the man who couldn't find anything good in his life. I very recently got a new puppy, 7 1/2 months old, but a puppy nonetheless. My husband was getting very impatient and even angry at having to deal with puppy issues, and seemed to see everything in a negative light; he couldn't see anything positive or good in this new situation. I found myself getting pulled into that same frame of mind. But I had to stop myself and immediately started seeing only the good in this wonderful little idea...the joy of running around like crazy, the love and acceptance she showed in her new home (shared with numerous other family pets!), the devotion she was already showing us, and the sweet disposition that was so trusting and sure to mellow into a wonderful little companion. I reminded my husband about seeing only the good and pointed out to him these wonderful qualities, and he as well, saw only the good; and we are now laughing at and enjoying all the puppy antics.

I would like to mention one last thing. I so enjoyed the way you ended your lectures (at least the ones I was able to attend). You reached out to all who where there and told all who were listening that God loves us, cherishes us and is there for us. I called them mini treatments! You have no idea how reaffirming it was to hear those words and drink them in with all the promise and strength His love brings.

Many, many thanks for your wonderful thought and for sharing your love of Christian Science with all of us.

With much love,
Julie

Ft Atkinson healing

A visitor who had broken her arm a couple of years ago and had never fully re-gained range of motion felt a shifting in her shoulder during the lecture when Elise told of her mother's healing of the broken arm. The visitor said the arm has continued to improve since the lecture.

Lovingly,
Robin

Fun in church service

Thank YOU for a great experience!

I wasn't at church Sunday (I was feeding a group of women at our Lodge who call themselves: "Sweet Hearts for Jesus", and I bet you've met them all, in the form of other women), so can't tell you about visitors at church yet.

Tonight we got together at 6:30, as advertised at the lecture, for a discussion group on the lecture. Just members (6) showed up, but we had a pleasant time revisiting various points of your talk.

After reading one of your articles last week, I incorporated the story you mentioned about Jeremiah and Ebedmelech into my readings on "God is ever-present" tonight. Well, I started at Jer 38:1 on those names (all of which I'd looked up the pronunciations for and practiced), and was ok until I got to Malchiah, when something happened, and I totally lost myself in giggles. I couldn't stop. I had to leave the podium to go get Kleenex because I was laughing so hard. By that time, of course, everyone else was, too, and we had a jolly time trying to get
me settled back down. Just wanted to let you know you're responsible
for my bad behavior... :) kidding. They were interested in the story bec. hadn't heard it before somehow. Although I've read the Bible through, I didn't remember it either. Great story, thanks.

We all got a lot out of our time with you and "before you", doing preparations based on your abundance of materials. Thank you for all the good work you're doing, and for your dedication to your goals.
-Joan

Healing from Berwyn PA lecture

Thank you for lifting my thought and my daughters's in March 2008 when you lectured at Berwyn Church in Pa.

My daughter has been practicing "Spiritual Principles" using NA Fellowship and her spiritual nature since June 2008. She spent about 4 months in an addiction treatment center wherre she let go of the drugs that the medical world had given her. She returned home in December and has been making steady progress ever since.

She is working at a treatment center and attending college in our town. Our relationship has been completely healed. I am very grateful for your work and Christian Science which sustained me through many dark days.

In gratitude,
-identity protected

Renton sharing

Thank you so much, Elise, for a wonderful lecture event. I’ve shared the machete and helicopter approach to prayer with an individual at work and will continue to do so. We’ll keep the momentum!
- Marsha

My thoughts about Reading Room

It was great to be in a meeting with everyone. Seems like forever since I’ve seen everybody, probably has been.

Since I’m not going to be present in the meetings I just wanted to share some things I’ve been thinking about.

I really appreciated Sharon’s insight and inspiration regarding a downtown presence for Christian Science. Also Joan’s observations about the leavening and ministering activity of the window displays. Although I mentioned the option of moving the RR into the church, interestingly it would personally be a challenge for me as it would make it very difficult to hold my class and Association on the church campus with a public RR activity taking place. But whether I personally would want such a change isn’t relevant to what is the right and highest idea, and so I think every option should be honestly considered.

TMC is making a huge effort to balance their budget and have only those publishing activities which are profitable. Where ministering fits in this model hasn’t been determined, but it’s interesting to consider profitability as one possible criteria for decision-making.

As one who had a highly visible office for decades and then moved into an “invisible” office at home, I’ve noticed that there are ways to bring Christian Science to the public, display and sell books without paying rent. It does involve commitment of thought, energy and desire as well as a willingness to be personally visible in the public. However, these are all qualities of the wonderful Reading Room staff.

I’d vote with Ceacy to distribute literature through the free box on the outside of the Reading Room. Although some might see that as counter to promoting sales, it actively speaks to the human heart and makes the RR 24/7. Distributing literature this way could be seen as a core element of the purpose of Reading Room to exhibit literature. It’s exhibiting and allowing people to take the exhibit with them. 

Of course I’m all for messages on a techie screen. I’ve noticed that the scrolling ones move too slowly to read more than a few words as one drives or walks by. But the scroll does attract attention even from a car, so if the message is short it works. I love the idea of inviting the community to the RR to share their healings.

Perhaps the vision of RR as public bookstore can be uplifted to RR as demonstrating the value of the books and literature for sale there. That would make a reason for a location.

I’m wondering if the RR could be a “healing centre”? “For where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matt 18:20 I’ve often wondered if today’s RR might have changed from a place to simply obtain information, which one now can get from church websites, to a place where one can come for genuine Christian healing when one is worried, burdened, sick. Other churches have Christian counseling centres. Couldn’t the RR be our Christian healing centre?

As church open during the week, perhaps RR embodies the newness of spiritual healing. A Christian Science friend went to a healing centre in Boston [not a RR] where Christians gathered and actively prayed for those present. She was going on a fact finding mission, but actually found herself healed of a chronic illness while there. It was a truly healing atmosphere which the Christian staff established through silent and audible prayer and Scripture reading.

What if our RR advertised that this was a place to come, be prayed for/with, be healed and find healing for others? This thought might also increase attendance at our services if some members were actively interested in praying with visitors before, during and after the services in ways that they could relate to and recognize as healing prayer. What an interesting concept of ushering, to offer to pray with people, affirming the spiritual truth and denying whatever is unlike God’s creation. Anyway, back to RR, then inviting the public to come share their healings fits with coming to be healed.

It doesn’t make a RR a practitioner’s office, but the centre for the impersonal Christ whose action always heals and saves. Those who want or need more individual attention could then be encouraged to call local practitioners, in and out of the Journal. While such a concept means more staff working together at the same time rather than less, focusing on the healing purpose and activity of the RR might motivate members to unite/work together for that purpose. When the question is asked, What is a Christian Science Reading Room, what if the answer becomes, A place to be healed, comforted and saved, and to share how God has healed, comforted and saved you.

Whatever the committee decides, I’ll be all for it.

Decatur GA lecture

Fruitage – Decatur GA
October 4, 2009
Church edifice
God is Speaking to You

Well over 100 people filled the church including numerous invitees and visitors. There were about 6 young people in the audience. Several African American visitors came, one with a little girl. One visitor was a woman in charge of something regarding the Catholic diocese. She took a lot of notes as we talked about how to pray. There were a couple visitors who would be similar to the homeless population, although not necessarily homeless who spoke with me and several members afterward.

A grown daughter came to her first lecture at her mother’s invitation. She loved the lecture and told her mother afterward that she was so glad she’d come. She understood what her mother had been trying to tell her about Christian Science.

A retired Baptist minister told me how much he’d enjoyed the lecture and that he’d heard every word even though he’d been having a problem hearing for awhile. He was grateful that he could hear every word of the lecture.

Several people came to tell me how God had spoken to them and the healings they’d had. One woman shared a healing of blindness which she’d had with a local Christian Science practitioner. She’d been legally blind for 15 years and was healed in Christian Science. She loved the lecture and commented on the Christly atmosphere.

Several people brought spouses or friends. One woman said everyone she’d invited came to the lecture and enjoyed it. Another woman said she’d invited a Jewish friend who even took down the New Testament references. Another visitor said she realized that she needed to tune out the static more, that was what was hindering her prayers. Several Christian Scientists mentioned that they got a lot out of the lecture yet it was stated in terms that someone not familiar with Christian Science could understand.

There was a very special holy atmosphere in this lecture which was felt by everyone including me.

Healing from Shreveport LA lecture

I just thought I’d share a lovely healing that happened. A visitor to a lecture in ShreveportLA last spring called me to pray for her daughter who was suffering from severe depression and suicidal. The woman who called is a clinical psychologist and works with depression but couldn’t help her daughter and feared for her life. She had remembered the lecture and decided to call me as a last hope. I shared a few truths including there is a law of good, God operating in your life and prayed. She’s called back several times to tell me what remarkable things have happened.

They stayed up all night with their daughter that first night, and in the morning she said she saw a glimmer of light. Within a day or so the depression had lifted. She felt she could rely on God as good. The mom waited several days to call me to make sure the change had really happened, which it had.

The brother was so impressed he wanted to hear more about Christian Science, which the mom shared with him the same truths. He said those truths turned his thought around and he regained the faith that he had lost when he went to college. He works with abused children and said this truth would help the children he worked with.

The mom is going out to buy Science and Health. She said that I had no idea how far reaching an effect this spiritual truth was having, and that she was so grateful for the lecture.

Warrenton-Leesburg VA lecture

Warrenton-Leesburg VA
Buchanon Hall
The Possibilities of Prayer

On a warm sunny Sunday afternoon in the middle of Virginia horse country near exclusive Upperville, folks poured into Buchanon Hall. The hall was packed with extra chairs being set up until the start of the talk. There were children and infants listening to the lecture and playing on the lawn outside. The doors were open so some kids and adults rotated between listening and supervising play. Some of the sponsors said it was the largest crowd they’d ever had at a lecture, around 130. Six Science and Healths were sold and lots of free literature taken. Visitors and others talked with me for an hour afterward, sharing their experiences and how the ideas from the talk helped them. This church arranged a radio interview which was aired before the lecture. The interviewer was exceptional, asking interesting and probing questions which brought out substantive replies. The interview will be posted soon on my website www.elisemoore.com under Washington DC radio interview.

Omaha fruitage

Fruitage – Omaha
The Possibilities of Prayer

They had 50 seats set up but immediately set up another 25. Almost all the seats were filled with a carload coming from Sioux City Iowa, and a van of people coming from the local homeless shelter. There were a number of children, perhaps 6 or more of Sunday School age. Two of them came to and participated in the lecture prep. This branch has a member who works at a social service agency and is developing a children’s program on their good qualities. She especially enjoyed the lecture. Several of the homeless folks specifically thanked me for the lecture and began to take notes during most of it. Most of the attendees were taking notes and reading along in the Bible when we were reading Bible references. There was a lot of participation from the beginning when I asked about how everyone prayed. Visitors and members alike shared ways in which they prayed. They really got into this. Lots of free literature was taken including materials in Spanish. The church gave a Science and Health to each of the homeless folks who came. There was a lot of enthusiasm at this lecture. It touched some people who were tearing up at the end and while talking to me. Love is meeting the needs of each one of these dear ones. A special treat for me was that two pupils were there. One whom I haven’t seen for 6 years drove 3 hours one way. It was so foggy when he started in the morning he almost turned back, but then decided he really wanted to attend the lecture. The fog lifted, physically and mentally. We had lunch together and he was seeing how he could make the time and priority to begin reading the Bible Lesson again, and perhaps even attend church. The Christ at work!

The other student drove even further but seemed satisfied that we couldn’t have lunch together.

It was a lovely event full of inspiration. The church members made a comment that this was the largest attendance for a lecture prep as well. Almost all the members attended.

Ideas from lecture help in legal case

Thank you again for the lecture. It was extremely clear and understandable and helpful1 My husband was nodding his head at different points and I thought that was neat.

Anyway, later on that evening I was talking to one of my friends who I had invited to the lecture. She hadn't come because she was getting ready for a deposition of her client that was to be held first thing Monday morning. The other side and his attorney appeared to be engaging in deceptive activity and even though my friend's client was the aggrieved party, my friend was very concerned that it was possible that if her client got emotional that the deposition would be messed up and justice might not be done.

My friend asked me to pray for her. I thought immediately as she was asking me, "how should I pray?", and the words came to mind "be not afraid of their faces" I agreed to pray for my friend and asked her if that phrase had any meaning for her and she said no. I thought it was from the Bible and I looked it up and was amazed at how appropriate it and the following verses were as I don't remember reading it before. I called her back and read it to her. We talked briefly about it, I prayed with the ideas in the passage- Jeremiah 1:1-7 or 8 I think and thought about the last two beatitudes. When I felt ok I stopped and went to bed. In the morning, I was grateful that what I knew the night before was still true.

My friend told me last night what had happened- she said the ideas in the Bible passage calmed her down and she finished getting ready- which involved prayer on her end also. The next day, her client was very nervous and scared- in this case the father is attempting to take their child from her and his parents are giving him money for lawyers- my friend shared the bible passage with her and she calmed down.

The deposition went so well that the other side said they decided they were going to drop the case and try to settle. The two attorneys are now working on a settlement. The other side's attorney lied to my friend once already so she is preparing for trial just in case but she was absolutely thrilled as to the outcome of the deposition and definitely credits prayer with that outcome. We talked more about the beatitudes, and about what you mentioned regarding those last two. We both enjoyed the conversation and I know she feels more confident.

This was a wonderful experience for me too. I have been wanting to know how to pray more effectively and I feel like my prayers are being answered. I have plenty of opportunity for prayer every day so I am practicing machete v helicopter- so far very helpful!
Thank you again!
Susan

Huntsville TX prison

Your sentinel article on breaking the hold on addiction is really outstanding. We had our service at the Prison and one of the Prisoners had read it and was talking about it. You met him when you lectured here in Conroe, Texas last January. It is the Huntsville Prison in Huntsville, Texas.

[Note: Another prisoner heard excerpts from your lecture from those who attended. He's now become interested in Christian Science after his release from prison.]

The law of good operating in our lives, that you make so clear in that article, are so useful and supportive of anyone who is seeking to know God better and bring these laws into focus to use.

- Carolyn

Spanish lecture in Irving TX

Fruitage – Irving Texas
Thursday Sept 16, 2009
Spanish Senior Center
Irving TX
La Oracion Efectiva y La Salud

More than 20 Spanish speakers gathered to hear this lecture. There was an amazing Christ atmosphere. The audience participated, took notes and was intensely focused on the message. Afterward several people shared healings with me that they have had through the power of God, including healing others. This group already knows the power of God to heal and many of them pray daily for themselves and others. They were very interested in additional spiritual ideas and Bible references. At the end, 29 Science and Healths and Bibles were taken, as some people wanted to bring the books to friends or relatives who weren’t able to attend.

Prior to the lecture, the chair sent me this note…
I just visited with Yolanda (the director of La Voz Del Anciano) on the phone. She said this talk from you couldn't come at a better time. Their group is going through some very stressful and difficult situations and need comforting.
They've had to move out of their building and have temporary quarters at the nearby Recreation Center. And sadly one of their clients has passed away, and then last week there was a serious senior bus accident in which one lady was killed and others injured.
I shared with her that no one is ever separated from the love of God, not even after death. Life continues and we're always in God's loving care. She nearly cried. She was so grateful and said she should call me often.

This was a very successful event in terms of reaching newcomers with the healing Christ message. Everyone present will tell at least 2 other people about Christian Science and an inspiring thought. That means that more than 70 Spanish speakers will hear about Christian Science and Christ healing through the efforts of the church and the lecture.

Port Huron sign

Elise Moore, CSB
615-321-3080
www.elisemoore.com

Port Huron lecture

About 80 people filled the room at the Thomas Edison Inn to hear "The Healing Power of the Bible" Sunday afternoon. Several drove for more than an hour to get there. There was a group from Grosse Pointe Farms where I'd lectured last year. One woman had seen the ad in the newspaper. She wanted to know more how prayer worked. Afterward she said she'd heard ideas she could put to use. Another couple was invited by a church member. The woman said she needed her prayers to be more effective and was going to use the verses given in the lecture. I did recommend to the church member to get her a Science and Health, if she hadn't purchased one after the lecture.

Another woman said she'd found Christian Science at a Reading Room in San Francisco recently. She had begun attending church in her community in Michigan. This was her first lecture. She'd brought another friend with her. She had learned a lot about how Christian Science works in the lecture, she said.

There were a few people who had attended Sunday School but hadn't continued attending church. Perhaps the lecture gave them additional ideas for their personal prayer and study.

People arrived throughout the lecture. The church put directional arrows on the signs in the building so that late comers could find the room. We left the door open and people drifted in throughout. One man came five minutes before the end. He'd driven several hours and had heard about the lecture only that day. He'd decided he needed to be there. I gave him the references used in the lecture, and talked with him. The local practitioner and other members talked with him for at least twenty minutes afterward so that he felt the trip was worthwhile.

God is leading individuals to lectures in order to hear specific Christ messages. It might not be simply what the lecturer says, but the inspiration coming directly from God to the individual.

Nothing can keep you from a lecture

I just finished transcribing my lecture notes to my computer. I appreciate your lecture even more, now that I've had some time to study it.

I typed out the Bible and Mrs. Eddy references -- I even found the Nicander bapto/baptizo pickle recipe reference online! Your use of definitions makes your lectures very clear and easy to understand. You also make it easy to take notes -- I don't feel like my note-taking is forcing me to miss things.
Thank you for making the trip to Port Huron, Michigan.

I only found out about this lecture one week prior, from an announcement at church. I spent the week trying to figure out how I could attend, as there were a few obstacles. As I was waiting for your lecture to start, I made a list of all of the false beliefs that were overcome to allow me (and possibly others) to attend. I wanted to share it with you:

1.) Tiredness -- I work overnights and had only slept 2 hours. Nobody was able to come with me and help with driving. I was able to drive to and from the lecture by myself (a 200 mile round trip) and alertly attend without a hint of drowsiness.

2.) Weather -- Although we've had a cooler summer in Michigan this year, this past weekend was 2 very humid 90+ degree days. There was also some severe weather the night before (thunderstorms, flood warnings, power outages, etc.) in some of the neighboring counties. The weather didn't stop me or others.

3.) Road Construction -- This was further complicated by 2 major road construction projects, plus some local road construction near the hotel where your lecture was held. People still came.

4.) Promotion -- I realize that this lecture was scheduled rather quickly, not allowing the Port Huron Church or you to promote it in the usual ways.
However, attendance still was terrific. You had about the same number of people attending (if not more) than a better promoted Michael Pabst lecture at the same location a year ago.

5.) Money -- I wasn't sure if I could afford to make the trip. During the week, the finances unfolded.

6.) Former Acquaintances -- Being a member of/attending several Michigan Christian Science Churches over time, at lectures I usually run into past church members and former A/U acquaintances. While most of these interactions are positive, I sometimes encounter people who won't speak to me, are rude to me, who don't remember me, or whom I don't remember. These awkward moments have given me plenty to pray about through the years. Fortunately Sunday contained no such awkward moments!

I guess what I'm trying to say is that NOTHING can stop anyone from hearing the Truth contained in a Christian Science lecture!

Working together for lectures

We have lots of ideas unfolding! Thank you so much for all that you've shared with us about metaphysical marketing. You have given us a wealth of ideas, and I feel like you could just keep them coming... And, of course, the ideas of Truth are infinite and each of us will find the right ideas to meet each church's need. I do love the sense of unity in all of our area churches working together.
-J. Karalis

The church overflowed with people for this lecture!

Demonstration of funds to sponsor a lecture

Elise,
Our Lecture Committee had a most constructive meeting yesterday. I had emailed them a copy of your Metaphysical Marketing article two days prior to the meeting so that we were all 'of one accord'.

The invitations, flyers and printed materials will be ready for emailing to you within 24-36 hours. The member who regularly handles church newspaper ads, etc. will be in chage of that lecture activity and has developed funds to cover the media activity. A Spanish speaking church member will help with translating and editing materials for that media. All of these will be sent to you for review. A Committee member who uses white boards, flip charts, etc. in his daily business activities has offered to handle and supply these requirements.

All is falling into place. We are all so grateful to see and know the Christ is in Friendswood and want to share it.

Our cup is truey running over. Last week when our contractor presented his final invoice it was legitimately over the contract price ( by several thousands, which we did not have in hand) Within hours, we received from an unsolicited source enough to pay all but ten dollars of the amount.

Out of gratitude for earlier demonstrations we initiated our lecture activity although all of the funds in the Lecture Fund had been 'loaned' for construction efforts. Sunday our Treasurer reported the receipt of an unexpected, unsolicited payment from the insurance company. It is in an amount that will cover the lecture expenses.

I titled my article for the church newsletter next month - The Mana Report (Hymn 46)
You can appreciate why we want to share our understanding of The Healing Power of the Bible with our community.

Thom

Perth Sunday School involved in lecture

Our Sunday School was also involved in the Lecture with a number of students in attendance and one ushering.

The strategies for prayer that Elise shared and her articles were also included in some subsequent Sunday School classes.

Her 4 points: Tune out static; Tune in to God; Listen, be Still; and Obey, were typed on to business-size cards, with the relevant Bible passages on the back. These were given to several Sunday School students. At least one of the students now carries this card in his wallet.

Kindness to a stranger

After the lecture "God is Speaking to You"...

A member spoke about her son driving past a traffic accident scene and feeling compelled – against his own wishes – to stop and walk back around the spot to where he found a man lying on the ground, unattended, who reached out his hand to him. Her son held his hand and felt the strength coming back into the man’s hand as he prayed. He stayed with him until other help arrived and took the man away.

- Perth Australia

Listening to God overts a suicide attempt

The Wednesday readings following Elise's innovative Lecture, "God is Speaking to You" (Perth Australia) reminded me of a number of occasions when alertness in responding to "Angel messages" has resulted in benefits for myself and others.

On one occasion, I felt led to talk to a stranger while we were both standing at the protecting rail of a Tourist look-out overlooking a steep drop. After engaging in conversation the man said that my compassionate contact had changed his earlier decision to take his own life by climbing over the rail and jumping.

One summer I had been driving almost non-stop from Melbourne en route to Perth for about 20 hours when I was prompted to stop in the early hours of the morning before entering some of the roughest unsealed road with dangerous dust-filled pot-holes. When I stepped out of my car in the moonlight I looked at one of the tyres going flat in front of my eyes.

Recently, while waiting in the Church foyer for a Wednesday evening Testimony Meeting to start, I felt impelled to welcome a visitor just entering, as he had by-passed the usher on duty. It turned out that he is a neighbour of mine who, as a result of this contact, attended not only his first Christian Science Service, but also Elise's lecture.

There are numerous other examples which come to mind as I continue, but these three represent different scenarios.

Lost item found

The following healing was emailed 4 days after the lecture in Perth.

I needed a faith restorer. One thing I never have to doubt is that divine Mind will uncover what appears "lost". Well, getting ready for a party on Friday, I could not find my glasses. After rummaging with friend’s help I decided just to leave them and go without. After returning home, and with prayer, I had a search in all the usual places and finally decided to trust and get on with other things. Well, they still hadn't showed up by bedtime so I took myself to bed quite positively and asked what lesson I was being prodded into. This morning I had a visitor, then started preparing to empty the numerous boxes in my room, thinking that maybe the lesson was to restore a sense of order. But before committing myself I had a "message" to make some cheese scones to take round to friends. I hadn't even thought of that before, but started getting the stuff out, and as I looked up in the dresser, tucked in behind an envelope and a popstick teapot stand, against the wall - the specs!!

I NEVER would have looked there under normal circumstances and didn't put them there. My cleaner had been wiping out my kitchen cupboards and I must have left them on the window ledge and she put them out of the way!!!

Amazing stuff and my gratitude was absolute, - what a restoring faith experience. A little thing maybe, but the sense of confidence I had and the non panic - and obedience to the good deed call, really did it for me. I know I can be just as aware for the greater challenges.

Comments from Gold Coast Australia

Indeed, we had a wonderful feast at the lecture!
A gentleman and lady who had phoned me prior to the lecture were present - each bringing a friend along. Although this was the first introduction her friend had to Christian Science, the lady herself has a copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scripture" by Mary Baker Eddy, and as her friend seemed unsure of buying one, I asked Vanessa if I may donate a copy. She agreed and a blue paper back was handed to her with love on behalf of the members of First Church, Gold Coast. She was deeply moved and happily accepted it.

Comment: I believe the attendance was excellent, and the fact that there were several 'first timers' to Christian Science present, is fruitage resulting from the prayerful work done by all who were lovingly involved in its presentation. All present and beyond will surely be blessed with the 'bread' which Elise shared, with many 'baskets of left overs' gathered to be shared at opportune moments.

Comment: I have found that typing up my notes from the workshop was the most rewarding thing for me to have done. Not only for my own inspiration, but I forwarded them to my daughters who had heard the talk down south, but didn't have the opportunity to go to the workshop, and they are still talking about how helpful they are.

Comment: It was a very useful and uplifting lecture. I think the stranger to Christian Science sitting next to me was a bit perplexed - it was her first lecture; gave her plenty to think about.
I hope she will read Science & Health and the literature handed out on her trip home to San Diego, California.

Comment: I spoke with a newcomer, Helga - who goes to another church with which I
was not familiar. She really enjoyed the lecture - Ed ushered her to the front row where she was happy to sit so that she was not distracted. She purchased Science & Health and said she would endeavour to come to the Reading Room.

I also spoke to another lady I had never seen before - she had a bag of groceries and I passed a comment about them. She said that she had been walking home with them when a lady offered her a lift, but said that she would have to accompany her to the lecture first as she couldn't drop
her off before. She did so.

Comment: On the Sunday after the lecture a newcomer (Jacqueline) came to church. She sat in front of me listening intently, and after the service she said that she had to go as she had the flu. She then asked how we would think about that and why we say the evil is not from God if God is
everywhere and all power. I answered that evil cannot come from a good God, and that we seem to see evil if we believe it is true - but it is never from God. She was satisfied with the answer.

Gaithersburg MD Spanish lecture feedback

When our lecture chairman first went to the Shady Grove Workers Center to present our offer of a lecture for the workers, the staff were ready to welcome and accommodate us, saying that many other speakers, including speakers from other churches, do come to the center to talk with the workers. After they understood what our message would be, a woman on the staff told our chairman as she left that we were bringing “a gift from heaven.”

On April 30 before 8 a.m, the trailer was filled to capacity with about 50 temporary workers who were eager for the half-hour lecture to start. They listened attentively and all wanted copies of the Heraldos (40), Spanish New Testaments (40), and Ciencia y Saluds (10) that our team of four members had brought. In fact, the administrative staff were disappointed that the copies were gone before they could get ones, so one member went to the Reading Room and came back with more for the staff later the same morning. Many people wanted to talk more, and our group was invited back.

As a result, the Gaithersburg members have taken on the responsibility of visiting the center weekly. Below is a fruitage report from Linda H, who went to the Workers Center on May 7, one week after the lecture:

I had the privilege of meeting with this group this morning at 7:30 a.m. It turns out that the manager of the center, Fernando G, is a friend of ours from John and Jay’s Boy Scout troop so I stayed after for quite a while and caught up with him. The staff asked for another Ciencia y Salud and one of the workers borrowed a copy while I was there. I played just the first 10–15 minutes of an Heraldo CD and then spoke with them.

We talked about the 91st Psalm (an integral part of the program they’d heard) and God’s ever-present power in each of our lives. I then talked a little about the power of prayer and used the Lord’s Prayer and Mrs. Eddy’s interpretation that we went through together. Then I took out the translation of the Miscellaneous Writings article, “Contagion” that is in our window at the Reading Room. We read through that together and I ran out of copies to give out. Sarah (one of the staffers) made more for us. Following the program we had an interesting discussion of that article with one of the education staffers who loved Mrs. Eddy’s perspective. I had the opportunity to talk a little about Mary Baker Eddy with them.

They are eager for us to continue visiting so I set up regular meetings for Wednesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. (except for the first Wednesday of the month when they have their own worker meetings). This group loves the messages we’ve shared; one even thought he’d attended one of our Spanish services a couple of years ago and looks forward to returning.

Rockville MD English lecture feedback from church

We have so much fruitage that it’s hard to package it on this one form.

First, our Reading Room librarian reported that she had sales of $103 dollars from her table in the lobby after the lecture—a record sales day. A few days later, a woman who had been at the lecture came into our Rockville Reading Room looking for CDs. She listened to several and purchased some and was interested in other literature as well.

Since the theme of our lecture preparation was outreach to youth, our librarian was also inspired to approach some young people outside the Reading Room who were waiting for the bus on a school day. Rockville High School had been closed because of the swine flu, and she thought that perhaps they might like to hear something helpful. She mentioned that David had written the 91st Psalm to express his understanding of God’s protection and they said, wow, they hadn’t thought of it that way. (Note: Rockville high school was declared closed for two weeks the day after our lecture, but three school days later, it reopened. We attribute this turnaround to the
effect of prayer and the proactive messages of The Mother Church via Internet and e-mail.)

As we prepared for our lecture with youth in mind, we tried several times to invite youth from the Hearts and Homes shelters for at-risk youth, with no response. However, we did have young people at our lecture! One young boy, the son of a soloist, was eager to hear the lecture and he listened intently for the whole hour plus. Other members’ two teenage granddaughters, who are being raised in another religion, brought a friend of theirs who was feeling devastated about being eliminated during tryouts for a school musical production. This girl was captivated by the message of the lecture and felt for the first time that God loved her, no matter what. She was the first person to speak to the lecturer at the end of the talk.

Some members brought friends and neighbors who hadn’t been to our church before. They were all excited about what they heard. A member who hadn’t been to church for several years also came to this lecture. Another member said that this was the best lecture she had heard since her childhood.

One of our members e-mailed her entire neighborhood and one of the neighbors came to the lecture after having a conversation with our member about current popular spirituality trends and Christian Science. Another of the neighbors who got the e-mail happened to work with a different member and asked her if she knew about the talk. This member said she hadn’t thought of asking this person to the lecture and said she learned a lesson about being more proactive about inviting people to lectures!

Another guest at the lecture, who attends our church occasionally, brought her sister and daughter this time. Afterwards, she wrote: “We all enjoyed the lecture very much--I have to say the lecturer is awesome! I loved her attitude and down-to-earthness. I have been applying the thoughts out of the talk with more effectiveness than ever! I feel my daughter is, too--some of her remarks recently are reflecting the points laid out by the lecture.”

One of our guests had trouble finding her way to our church. She pulled over in downtown Rockville with her blinkers flashing. A police officer drove up and asked her if she needed help. She said she didn’t know how to get to our church. After he showed it to her on the map, she still was uncertain about how to drive there, so the officer led the way and she followed him and got to the lecture on time. The lecture chair wrote a note of gratitude from our church to the Rockville Police Chief. By return mail, she received a note from the chief thanking her for taking the time to write and tell him about our appreciation.

Approximately 100 people attended the lecture, among whom at least 12-15 were newcomers, although we didn’t identify absolutely everyone who was there. We did witness the results of prayer and members’ personally inviting people to this lecture!

-Lecture chairperson

Kids love lectures!

My Sunday School kids who attended the lecture were SO impressed. They repeated the healings to those who were not at the lecture!

Lovingly, Donna

Results from inviting neighbors to a lecture

I decided to have an Academy Award party for those interested in my neighborhood and sent an email out to the entire community. I ended up with three people I had never met. They came earlier than the rest so we sat around my kitchen counter and talked about what each of us did.

When I told them I conducted services in my church that opened up much discussion about current forward thinkers, spiritual thinkers and their discovery that a woman had started a religion. It felt to me like I was giving a mini talk on an introduction to Christian Science. One young Asian woman who didn't contribute much to the conversation said to me later "I should come to your church." Another one wrote me an email later in the week saying something to the effect that she liked the way I think (I know that is not what she said, but that's how I took it) and we agreed through email that we would get together.

Later I sent her the flyer for your talk and she was the one that came to the lecture (the only one from the neighborhood as far as I know - I sent the flyer to the entire neighborhood once I figured out the way to do a mass email). It appears that she was actually considering a retirement and another career and coming to my house and meeting a complete stranger opened up a new opportunity for her which in turn led to her coming to your talk. I think this is pretty cool!

Here are her comments:
Hi Chris, I really enjoyed the speaker and the message. I also want to come see you on a Wednesday evening. I started taking a real estate class on Monday. It is an all day class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from May 4-20. It's quite intensive and I use my off days to study. This "real estate" thing all started at your house, by the way, when I met Shannon (friend of Donna). God is talking to me, and I am listening.

- Chris

Healings from Newark DE lecture

Alex asked me to share that the lecture preparation session brought him a complete healing from a belief in fatigue. He left the meeting feeling invigorated and fresh and full of energy. He has since then been using in his devotional life the very practical idea of lining up God’s qualities as his own and it has helped him to find healing from one major challenge whose effects he had been experiencing over several years. He continues to profit from the clear and helpful ideas Elise shared with us.

He also wanted to pass along the glowing reports about the lecture from two of his mother’s friends, who are not Christian Scientists but with whom his mother has been sharing Christian Science ideas. One of them, a Russian lady who is a professor of philosophy, said she enjoyed it very much and was very positively influenced by it. She has a troubled relationship with her teenage son, and she said she felt that her relationship with her son would be changed for the better by what she learned about prayer at the lecture. The other friend, a Bulgarian woman, said that the ideas about the machete and helicopter methods of prayer inspired her and gave her tools to handle current challenges in her life.

One of our students at the University of Delaware said she really enjoyed the lecture and felt drawn to Christian Science and to attend Sunday School in our church and that she thought Christian Science had the right ideas for prayer that would help her solve the challenges of college life and her athletic career.

Our fifteen-year-old son came to the lecture and took many notes and came away inspired and energized by what he heard. A week or so afterward, when told that I was working on some claims (physical illness) he asked Alex, “What method of healing do you think she should use, Dad? The machete method or the helicopter method?” They agreed that I should use the helicopter method.

Then on Thursday I woke up not feeling well with some seasonally-related symptoms, and I immediately sat down to make a list of all the positive moral and spiritual qualities that are God’s gift to me. I filled a whole page with qualities, and by the time I was done the symptoms were gone.

The lecture prep meeting also energized me to contact several people that I hadn’t yet invited and to follow up on several other invitations I’d already made. That afternoon I called a church member to encourage her to bring her son to the lecture, and learned that she was not feeling well. I shared with her the idea that had helped me (identifying myself with moral and spiritual qualities), and she asked me to read her my list over the phone. I did and she wrote the qualities down, and was very much helped by it and came to the lecture and did not have to leave during it, as she had been fearing.

As for the lecture itself, I personally was touched by how Elise began the talk by speaking of her prayer for each and every one of us, that we might lay down anything we were heavily burdened by. When she said that that was her prayer for us, something resonated deeply in me—a thorny cluster of claims and challenges that I have been carrying around connected to my sister’s passing last September.

The lecture was an overflowing cup of inspired ideas on how to address all problems through prayer, and since then my daily devotions and study of the Bible lesson have been more focused and have been yielding more and more benefits, including, crucially, a healing realization of the truth of my sister’s condition—that she has always been cared for by God, that every need of hers always has been, is, and will be met by God, that nothing can ever separate her from God, good (Romans 8, mentioned by Elise as a powerfully inspiring source of healing in the Bible, and indeed it is), and that the same is true of me, too.

Elise’s lecture preparatory meeting and talk are gifts that keep on giving, and they were so beautifully expressive of God’s great love for each and every one of His children.

-Susan

Results from Hamilton NZ lectures

Here are some of the results from your talks:

The people from Tauranga who were at the evening talk report that a friend who came with them is now reading Science & Health.

Two people who had been in the church years ago came to the evening lecture and now have a reconnection with us.

June has had several deep talks, one for 3 hours, to Dan the man from Te Aroha who came to the lecture and spoke to you afterwards. He has a copy of Science & Health and is very interested. He came to church today and took another Science & Health for a friend.

The lady who rang the radio station is coming around to my house to see me and pick up her Science & Health. She has been away and will be coming back this week so I will call her.

Anna and Sheryl have been at church every Sunday since the lectures. Another lady has come to church and is in contact with June.

The Reading Room has been very busy with sales.
We are so grateful for your loving instructive talks and are still talking about them. We are certainly moving along.

With regards,
Diane

Rio Rancho NM

Although most of the 75 people in the audience were Christian Scientists from neighboring towns, with maybe 7 visitors, it was an involved group. One new practitioner told me the lecture was “perfect” and gave her fresh ideas to use in praying for patients. Another lady said the two people she’d invited were impressed that prayer was so simple. They told her they wanted to come to church with her. This is an immediate response to their lecture prep on Church Growth.

Two women talked for almost half an hour in their seats, one was obviously a newcomer talking with her friend about what they’d heard. They moved out of the room when we left and were continuing their discussion in the lobby.

Several people mentioned how they related to one or another of the ideas presented. The church was so enthusiastic they talked about scheduling another lecture. It’s wonderful when churches are enthusiastic about lectures and the possibilities for growth and presenting the healing Christ to the community.

Spanish lecture in Rockville MD

This was a really good event. It was a lecture in a day workers organization called CASA. We started before the introducer arrived, because the people were assembled and the director started making announcements and introduced me. I kept it short and concise, given the attention span and interest level of the assembly. Most everyone stayed put and listened to the whole thing. Much better attention level than I expected. The staff got interested. One of the staff asked a good question which let me talk about what is spiritual understanding.


There were over 50 people there. All the literature was taken. Everyone took the Bible and the secretary went over to get a copy for herself. There was a high interest in Science and Health. Since the copies were quickly taken other people took notes from the local contacts, as to where to get Science & Health etc. Several people talked with me as well, and I kept pointing them to the locals.


This was a well conceived event. I’m hoping the Christian Science community arranges with the staff to follow up. There were both men and women interested in prayer and learning more. Good work, to all those involved in the planning, prayer and execution of this event.

The Christ heals and saves in every language.

from lecture chair..."When I went to pick up the equipment, I heard that the appetite for the literature was voracious."

Portsmouth VA

The prayer which this church did clearly reached the receptive thought. One newcomer remarked that she had read the ad but wasn’t going to come because she lived in another town. But, she added, she just felt impelled by God to attend. She got a Science and Health and Journal afterward.

A man from another city said basically the same. He was sitting in church and heard the announcement read. He heard a voice in his thoughts tell him to attend, so he did. He said the lecture addressed some specific needs.

A visiting couple had questions afterward including, How do you tell the difference between righteousness and self-righteousness. Good question. So we looked at p115-116 of Science & Health together. Righteousness is the moral and spiritual qualities in the second and third degrees (Scientific Translation of Mortal Mind). Self-righteousness is the first degree. We talked about motive and how judging the difference between right and wrong isn't the same as criticizing or judgmentalism. They took a Science and Health on their way out.

Of the 70 people attending about 15 were newcomers. All of the Journals and Monitors which the church obtained for the lecture were taken by visitors. Seven Science & Healths were taken as well.

One person began attending the branch church two weeks prior to the lecture. Church members saw his appearance as a result of prayer for the lecture. He attended both the lecture prep and the lecture, reading one of the Bible passages aloud during the lecture from the very fine New American Standard Bible which provided a clear and inspired rendition of the passage.

More than half a dozen teens and children attended with one six year old sitting in the front row. She watched in rapt attention for most of the hour.

This is a branch church where men are not only active but lead. There is a unique energy and vitality when men lead a lecture committee. When I arrived at the library the seating needed to be turned 90 degrees. With no discussion and only a split second hesitation, the men turned the entire venue around in less than 5 minutes. The grace and good humor in which this task was accomplished, I shall always remember and cherish. It was a privilege to lecture for this church of spiritual thinkers and doers.

3rd Church NYC

Hi there --We had a Q&A on Christian Science in our Reading Room this afternoon. A visitor to the lecture showed up. He said he really loved your lecture. He'd originally thought it was the Monday before and he showed up at the church and it was closed. So then he thought he wasn't going to go. But even though it was pouring rain, he didn't want to miss it the next week so he came. He bought MBE: Christian Healer on your recommendation in the lecture and he's loving it.

After the lecture, an elementary student said, "That was fun!" Her mother told me, "It's hard to take her out on a school night. Even in 6th grade, she's got so much homework, but it was worth it!"

A Jewish visitor wrote, "I'm so glad I went - it was wonderful. And I loved being in your church. It is beautiful."

Gosford feedback

Comments that have come back to us were: Alive, fresh, and interactive.

Members were delighted with the Preparatory Meeting. One member as a result of this meeting was encouraged to bring her neighbour and our Librarian, Di was inspired to become more involved with the World Wide Reading Room Open House.

We were also reminded that a lecture is an ongoing event. I received a call on the 18th April from a lady who read our invitation. Although she knew the Lecture had been given, she wanted to know about Christian Science.

Again with many thanks
Lecture Committee, Gosford.

Gratitude for Love

Thank you for your prayer for us at Hornsby Church and affirm God's love for us. I certainly share your views of Divine Love as I have been so blessed by knowing more about my Maker.

Your prayers have delivered inspiration to me with floodtides of love that enable me to genuinely care for others, a healing I needed, On that day, spontaneously I comforted with a big "bear" hug a fellow member in tears and today I called to tell my Mum how much I love her. I overheard my collegues (CEO & Manager) defended me when they were challenged by others speaking negatively about me and got a raise in wages for work well done!

My thoughts went back to the days when I was a young child cherishing my innocence then, and I received a clear understanding, I Am Ageless, I only grow wiser and remaining innocent yet not naive. I then realise it is the state of consciousness of purity ( with child like trust) I had then, I still have it now as long as I cherish this beautiful state of mind knowing I am truly loved by God, always His beloved child in His eyes.

What a beautiful daily supply of Grace to feed my famished affections. I am so blessed.

Thank You
Pauline

Healing after lecture prep workshop

This is an email from an individual who prefers to remain anonymous reasons....

"Your lecture was more wonderful than you know. I had a healing on Friday and had that not happened I might have been seriously distracted and may have missed the lecture.

My eldest daughter was drugged, abducted and raped on Friday evening and we had a few frantic hours of not knowing where she was. A quick call to a Christian Science practitioner settled me down and while the practitioner worked in the background we got on to the job of finding our daughter. Clarity of thought led to some very fortuitous events leading to a trail of contacts where we actually got the mobile number of the suspected culprit and the police were able to call him and demand her return which happened very quickly.

I am the only one practicing Christian Science in my family but I was able to keep everyone calmer than otherwise would be and rapidly recover our daughter. There is very little anguish, my wife's anger has quickly subsided, no one feels a victim. Our daughter has no recollection of the event which is a blessing.

So you will understand when I say it was a GREAT lecture and lecture prep workshop as far as I am concerned.
Love,
Anonymous

Gold Coast lecture - Curing the Incurable

Fruitage Gold Coast
April 9, 2009
Curing the Incurable
Sofitel Hotel

In response to the church’s prayers for journalists, a newspaper person called the church and asked if they would had some special event for the Easter section. Yes, the lecture! The church placed banners on their church and on the main roundabout in town. Several people called to ask for additional information the day of the lecture, and all decided to come.

One visitor said she picked up a woman who was walking home carrying groceries and offered her a lift. Then told her she was going to a talk and why didn’t she come along. They both came to the lecture.

Several people talked to me afterward saying they were Catholic but got practical ideas on how to pray that they could use in their life. Others told me stories of how they found Christian Science and liked the logic of it, as well as the logic of the lecture.

A visitor ordered MBE: Christian Healer, since the church was out. Another visitor said she’d like to come to the Reading Room, but wasn’t available on the “Open House” day. Could you come another time? Yes! Four visitors purchased Science and Health and a fifth visitor was given a copy.

A newer student of Christian Science said this was their second time to hear a lecture, and was finding lectures very helpful in learning more about Christian Science.

About 50 people including 26 newcomers participated in this lecture.
An inspired Easter to all. He is risen!~Elise

Melbourne Australia lecture useful

Thank you and your Church for such a wonderful lecture 2 weeks ago (God is Speaking to You). I found Elise to be an inspirational lecturer and have had much pleasure and comfort in re-reading her references. I have also shared her stories with people that I know are in need of her examples of the law of good constantly operating. I don’t think anyone needed to know a thing about Christian Science in order to walk out of that lecture feeling empowered and in no doubt of God’s healing presence and power always being available to us.

Many thanks,
Shirley

Perth "God is Speaking to You"

It was our pleasure working with you in presenting the lecture to our community. New ideas have been tried and found successful and can be refined for future use. (A banner was placed in front of the church. An ad was placed on Facebook which received over 1.2 million exposures with more than 875 direct hits leading to their website for the lecture.) You pointed out a way to stay connected with the clickers (from Facebook). Thanks for that. Your sound advice will stand us in good stead for future lectures as well. I always appreciated the metaphysical message included in your emails.

I see Sam has forwarded some lovely feed back already.
More than 50 sets of the articles (3 published articles from the periodicals were offered after the lecture) were taken and Sam is now able to send them as attachments to anyone who would like them, streamling the process.

-Sally

Letter from an attendee....
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the lecture last Tuesday evening at Perth church. I particularly didn't want to miss it as I had already been impressed with and thoroughly enjoyed your previous three interviews on Spirituality.com.

I appreciate your concise and easy-to-follow explanations and also on the night, absence of any Christian Science jargon which I feel is so important when talking to newcomers; just the Science of being in every day language. My brother also attended and came up to me after your talk and told of his fear regarding an operation he was going in for later this week. I believe I was able to allay that somewhat and help instill some peace to him. I think we both felt quite uplifted after your talk and a good topic too.

I so totally respect the life journey you have taken and am working on making my own study count a lot more for the betterment of the world.

Much God’s love
John

Comments from Hamilton New Zealand

Dear Elise Moore,

What a wonderful two days it was for us all when you were with us.
We would like to thank you for so generously giving three talks in two days. We appreciated each one. They were filled with new ideas, strengthening thoughts, and wider insights, with interesting demonstrations recounted to prove the effectiveness of what you were saying.

We are looking forward to putting into practice the ideas for growing our church and have been very pleased with the feedback and contact we have had.

With loving regards,

Diane Ford
Secretary

Lecture feedback Hornsby Australia

Our lecture "The Possibilities of Prayer" was indeed an 'upper room' experience. Our church members feel blessed and of one accord. This will I am positive go out and bless the wider community. Meg and I feel this was the most spiritually uplifting lecture we have ever experienced.

There were 11 people who were visitors one bought a Science and Health another asked after Mary Baker Eddy Christian Healer. I showed it to them but they didn't buy it.

Another sitting beside me took copious notes. I think she spoke to you. Jeroo's friend as you can see below. The little six year old boy had insisted on coming with his Dad and are our neighbours. The Rev Ann and her two friends from the Uniting Church were impressed felt it was very 'interesting' - perhaps a different way of praying. (The Reverand talked with me and said that they had a prayer group meeting at the same time as the lecture, so we were all praying together!)

This was great as we have established a true neighbourly relationship. Thank you so much for your wonderful, uplifting, spiritually minded lecture and preparatory meeting we are all most grateful - Jan

From another person:
I had a visitor Sherna at the lecture. She was very happy to meet you all. The lecture was an inspiring experience for her. Sherna has been familiar with the teachings of Christian Science. In fact she has taken a copy of the full text Weekly Bible Lesson from Ben on the lecture day.

I throughly enjoyed the lecture more so from the metaphyical point of view. Elise Moore delivered/presented the lecture with such inspiration that went out to every heart. I am still taking it all in!!

With appreciation and love to all
Jeroo

Conroe TX feedback

Fruitage from 1/18/09 meeting in Conroe TX. I used the ideas in the lecture "God is Speaking to you" in my business. A major opportunity with a car dealer arose because I feel I was listening for God. I had previously met my contact at a Chamber social event. I decided to stop by one morning. I came to the right lot out of several, the right building of several, and at the right time. My contact and several decision makers were walking to the building. He said that he had described my service to these other people just that morning. Ideas on how to overcome fear in the car business have to be overcome, but I know they will be.

- R Martinez

New Plymouth NZ feedback

We had Colin and Helen stay with us for a couple more days after the lecture. If you recall they were at the workshop, and had driven up from Wanganui. Helen is in the Christian Science practice.

The day after the lecture they went into town and upon entering a store the attendant came up, and asked if they were visitors. They said yes, they were up from Wanganui. She then asked what brought them up. They said 'a Christian Science talk'. The attendant said, did you see that lady who just went out the door, a friend of mine. She went to it, and thought it was fabulous and was telling me all about it, and we are going to talk some more.'

- Scott

Live Radio Lecture in New Zealand

This was a live radio lecture with a host. The host, Bryan Smith, was a former Episcopal priest who also has had a healing ministry. We talked for a few minutes before going on the air to work out some interactive bits. I gave some recommendations of where we might have an interactive conversation (the places where I normally invite audience participation).

It was a smooth and lovely broadcast. I gave the entire lecture except for a little part about Christ Jesus which just didn’t fit in for one reason or other. So I added a Bible quotation from Jesus to make that important connection.

Bryan made appropriate remarks, added a healing of his own, asked good questions and made the lecture feel like a conversation. It was a holy experience with God clearly in control. We naturally worked together as a team. From the audience perspective it was as if we had done this many times before.

Several people came to the inperson lecture who had heard the radio lecture. One woman said she’d used two radios so that she would be sure and hear the entire program. Didn’t want to miss anything due to poor reception.

This was a very successful lecture idea. Doing this particular lecture on live radio was seamless, effective, and healing. I’d encourage this type of lecture, doing a live radio lecture in conjunction with an inperson lecture.

New Zealand lectures

You left us fizzing! We enjoyed every minute. Our New Plymouth Scott and Coreen were blown away with the 35 people that turned up, the largest ever! Ric reported Dunedin’s feeling of refreshment also. Your prep talks were just what we needed, that little extra with “new views of divine goodness and love”. Your presentation style suited us so well. I hope you enjoy all the rest of your journey. A very sincere and warm thank you.
-Nelson New Zealand

Melbourne FL feedback

We had 96 in attendance. And we had a number of new attendees. We had one woman that we know of who was between movies, saw our poster in the lobby and stated she would like to hear the talk but had a ticket to another movie. She was told by one of our members, staffing the literature table in the lobby, to just go in until her movie started. She told the Lecturer she could only stay for 5 minutes and she stayed about 15. We had others that we believe came in rather that go to a movie.

The following were comments by attendees of the lecture that were expressed to committee members: “very down to earth”- a 1st time lecture attendee; “she gave simple statements about prayer” – another 1st time attendee; “the talk kept moving and was never boring”; “I heard every single word”; “loved it, used it the next day”; “she was talking to each & every person” (we heard this a lot).

A son-in-law of a committee member who has only been to one other lecture, had been concerned about the fact that he might be laid off from his job and the next morning he awoke and announced to his wife he was applying for a new position in his company. When asked what had prompted him to make such a drastic change, his response was that when he awoke he was very clear in his thought about this change and refused to listen to the static.

The husband of a committee member who is not a Christian Scientist attended with their family. He later told her that the static the Lecturer spoke of represented a very negative habit he had of listening to negative talkshows on the radio and he was going to stop listening to these particular shows.

A member brought two friends, one of which spoke Spanish (one of the reasons she came as Elise is fluent in Spanish and they were able to speak with her before the lecture) and told Elise that she spoke very little English and did not think she would understand her talk. Elise told her that she would understand the Christ message. Afterwards she told Elise that she understood every word.

A young woman in Sunday School had told her teacher, who was also the Lecture Chair that she felt very uncomfortable about talking about religion with her friends as they were mostly atheist. They discussed this in class with the other students getting ready for the lecture. They discussed how they needed to live Christian Science and they would attract friends of a like mind. She showed up at the lecture with a friend and yes she had become reacquainted with a former friend who was very spiritual and wanted to come to the talk. Her friend stated after the talk that she too believed in what the Lecturer had spoken about.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to sponsor a Lecture in our community. One area of fruitage has been that both churches are supporting one another and are participating in activities together.

Ciudad Victoria encourages having multiple lectures

Tuvimos en los 8 eventos más de 400 personas en total. De las cuales totalmente nuevas a la Ciencia Cristiana fueron como 350. Hubo personas que vinieron de fuera ( más de 12 horas de viaje (3 personas), una más de 3 horas de viaje que se enteró por el periódico) Otras más que escucharon en la Radio.

Escribo este relato con la idea de ayudar a otras organizaciones a llevar Conferencias a sus lugares y alrededores; no sólo cumpliendo con el Manual sobre ofrecer una Conferencia Anual; sino con el mandato divino de llevar el mensaje sanador del Cristo por doquier. A mí en lo particular Dios me ha bendecido tanto que siento que es poco lo que hacemos; y que el talento aunque sea sólo uno en mi caso no puedo dejarlo enterrado y quiero que el bien que ha llegado a mi vida con el conocimiento de la bendita Ciencia Cristiana, tengo que manifestarlo a cuantos quieran escucharme!! Dios es maravilloso!! El Cristo que sanó en la antigüedad todavía lo hace y lo seguirá haciendo!! La actividad del Cristo es continua!! No nos quedemos callados conociendo este tesoro que es inagotable!! Nadie se enriquece con retener!! Las ideas que bendicen se multiplican!!! Lo económico no es una limitante!!! Tampoco lo es el número de personas que participan en la organización!! Sólo necesitamos pedir guía a Dios y obedecer!!!Escucha y actúa!!

Ma. Cristina Canales Reyna
Representante del Grupo de Estudio Informal de Ciencia Cristiana de
Cd. Victoria, Tam.

God is Speaking to You in Melbourne Australia

A hundred people crowded into Sunday School room of the Ringwood church in suburban Melbourne Australia to hear "God is Speaking to You". There were only a few seats in the front not taken and people were sitting outside the door in the entryway.

Healings:
A woman said that she helped a young man overcome wanting to commit suicide the day before the lecture prep workshop. All the prayer she was doing for the lecture contributed to what she told him. We rejoiced together in God's tender loving care.

I had an instantaneous healing at this lecture. At the very beginning of the lecture, just as I thanked the introducer and was about to say that we were going without microphone and could everyone hear…I lost my voice! Poof. So I croaked to no one in particular that a glass of water would be nice. Someone ran off. I turned to the introducer and said now would be a good time for him to do a comedy routine, sort of filling the space. My husband and I were both praying. The water came, I took a drink and just decided to plunge on. The intro was croaky but after a couple minutes the voice came back and whenever it started to waiver I’d know it was the Christ message speaking, no personality involved. That took care of the problem. No one mentioned it afterward, as only the Christ message was heard, received or remembered. I'm grateful.

This lecture touched some people very deeply. There were tears and people saying the lecture seemed to be speaking directly to them and their problems.

There was lots of good participation. Interestingly a couple of people spoke out during the lecture when participation usually isn’t involved. One woman raised her hand in the middle and said it kept coming to her that this was all about gratitude and she wanted to share that thought. It was appropriate and meaningful to her, so I just wove it into my next remarks. Another woman burst out at one point saying, I had an experience like that and told how her son’s life was saved by a stranger listening to an intuition to not move his car. It was appropriate and fit right into the lecture. I was grateful that everyone was so involved in the talk and felt comfortable.

Link to Australian interview plays Tuesdays

I have just been listening to a really thrilling radio interview on radio Fremantle!
If you would like to hear a recording of it, it will be played by Radio Fremantle after our Sentinel Radio and Bible Lesson program each Tuesday 1pm to 2pm (Perth time) until 7th April. So you can hear it any time on or after Tuesday 17 March (your time) on http://www.radiofremantle.com/archives/index.htm. Scroll down to Tuesday at 1300 and double click on the “1300”. Once the next screen opens, if you wish to “fast forward” to your interview, you can drag the sliding time indicator across to the right to find it.

Many, many thanks from all of us!
Sam

Twitter messages helping others

It was only about 2 weeks ago that I finally got a twitter account and logged onto your site this past weekend. I was sorry that I hadn't done it sooner. Thank you for posting these inspiring thoughts.Great reminders without having to open my notebook! Anyway, it was all so fresh after my first reading, and I was quite inspired.

Anyway, the day after reading all of these wonderfully uplifting postings, a friend called for help. At first I felt at a loss as to what to say to her, and addressed her as a friend. A few sentences into the conversation, I moved to my computer and logged onto your twitter site to remind myself of some of the things I had read just the day before. I worked a lot of these thoughts into the conversation, and my friend said somewhere along the line that I really did need to speed things along and sign up to become a practitioner'!!!! I told her that a lot the thoughts I was sharing WERE coming from a Christian Science practitioner, and then I shared your site with her. She and I thank you!!!!
- from Pennsylvania

From Publicly Speaking - broadcasting talks

This post is from material copyrighted by The Mother Church from "Publicly Speaking" sent by The Board of Lectureship, March/April 2009 edition. All rights reserved by The Mother Church.

Yorba Linda, California, USA

In November 2008, the “Freeway Complex Fire” burned over 30,000 acres and destroyed or damaged approximately 300 homes in Yorba Linda, Brea, and Anaheim Hills in California. A member from First Church of Christ, Scientist, Yorba Linda, shared how their branch sponsored a lecture in response.

“Ginny Luedeman was scheduled to lecture in seven days in a nearby city. Her title was Finding Home…‘on earth as it is in heaven.’ With the approval of our Executive Board, we asked Ginny if she could add us to her schedule. Ginny agreed.

“Our Lecture Committee had recently located a facility for our already planned lecture in February. We were able to book the facility for a date that week that fit into Ginny’s schedule.

“We quickly designed a flyer. A partial list of affected properties had been published in the newspaper, so we mailed flyers to them. Flyers were placed at the local emergency centers where people were meeting with officials and insurance agents, as well as at the copy center, police and fire stations, and farmers’ market.

“Approximately one hundred people attended the lecture. We offered literature, lecture references, and snacks. Our aim was to comfort. A teenager stated after the lecture that he really connected with the message as he had been homeless and was a foster child.

“Ginny allowed us to record the lecture, and the videographer reduced his price as a contribution to the fire recovery effort.

“We broadcast the lecture on the local public access channel. Our lecture was longer than the usual time slot, but the station waived this constraint and showed it once a week for six weeks, and played it in its entirety. Two other local churches posted the lecture on their web sites with the approval of the lecturer. To date, one of the churches reported that it has been viewed over 900 times in many states and countries. A new student of Christian Science e-mailed the lecturer from London asking how she could further her spiritual growth.

“To advertise the cable and online access we put ads in the newspaper and mailed flyers to a now more complete list of properties as well as local fire departments, police, Red Cross, homeless shelters, school officials, and others.

“We kept turning to God, even in the smallest of decisions and in meeting with several new people. Obstacles became irrelevant and the way opened up. It illustrated that statement in Science and Health,454:18:

Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action. Love is priestess at the altar of Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept. Patience must ‘have her perfect work.’ ”

Healings from Longwood Orlando lecture

At the prep meeting on spiritual healing, the lecturer spoke about seeing or identifying individuals through the qualities and spiritual attributes they reflect. At the lecture we had a woman who was unable to control her coughing and stepped outside the room, but could still hear the lecture message. A couple hostesses quietly prayed with the ideas from the prep meeting. As they held to the spiritual qualities reflected by the woman (poise, dominion, patience, beauty, calmness, e.g.) the coughing stilled and she returned to the room.

Following the talk:

· One individual told of a very quick healing she had by applying the truths that were shared by the lecturer. This person fell while taking an evening walk and injured her knee. She prayed with the idea that “God hadn’t fallen and therefore she hadn’t fallen – that God wasn’t hurt so she couldn’t be hurt!” She was immediately able to get up and walk and by morning she was completely free.

· Another person told of how she had diligently studied notes she had taken from both the metaphysical meeting and the public talk and was able to resolve a difficult financial situation with a family member.

· Someone else shared that during the week following the lectures she had experienced three very quick healings – two grandsons were healed of the symptoms of the flu and she, herself, was instantaneously healed of severe burns on her fingers when she picked up a pan top that had been sitting on a red hot burner. She, too, worked with the idea that “God had not been burned and therefore, as God’s reflection or image she had not been burned – that God could not be in pain, and therefore, she could not be in pain.” When her son asked if she was injured, she was able to reply, “I was healed!”

Mobile Reading Room on bus

I have retired now, but the last four years that I worked at UNC-Charlotte, I rode the bus. The ride was about one hour long, and gave me a chance to read the lesson going to UNC-Charlotte, and again on the way home. I didn't realize that people were reading over my shoulder. You see, I often sat opposite the rear door, and the level of the seats beyond that point are higher than the front part of the bus. If someone was reading something seated at my spot the person seated in the next row could read what you were reading. Well one day, while reading the lesson, a young lady asked, "How can I get that"? I explained about how it could be purchased over the internet, or by going to a Christian Science Reading Room. She responded again, "but how can I get that?" I said, "you mean you would like my copy?" she said, "yes". Well, I handed over my copy of the lesson, and I want you to know that lady was beaming as she got off the bus. At that moment an idea came about a new way of sharing Christian Science with my neighbors.

Now knowing that people could read over my shoulder, I made an effort to sit at that location when ever that seat was free. Over the four years I rode the bus, several others asked about C.S. because of what they were reading over my shoulder. One man asked for the lesson once, and then came back every week wanting to know if he could received a copy. It came to the point that we just ran off an extra copy to share and when I saw him on Monday, I would smile and hand him a copy of the Weekly Bible Lesson. He was from Africa, and because of a job change we didn't keep up sharing the lesson, but he did receive a copy every week for months as well as a Sentinel after we had finished reading it. Every so often at a Christian Science Wed Testimony Service, I would share my "Testimony from the Bus", where I would share a story about some event that had happened on the bus.

One such happening involved a street person. She was a lady that would ride the bus from time to time. One time she got on the bus and she really smelled very bad. My first thought was to move away like several others already had. Then I started to think about what Jesus would have been seeing if he were in my place. You know I just couldn't see this person or any person, as anything other than the image and likeness of God. I got so wrapped up in this thinking, that I forgot the smell. Well, several weeks went by and I hadn't seen this person riding the bus, when someone got on who was well dressed, and I realized that it was the same woman I had seen earlier. I would like to say that she wasn't the same person at all, but she was. She was the person she had always really been. I hadn't worked for her, I had worked to see everyone as God's perfect image and likeness. This type of prayer does bring harmony into our lives in tangible ways that we can see.

Now that I am retired, I no longer ride the bus like I used to. But there are always ways for us to be able to share Christian Science. I never planned for any of this. It just naturally happened. One point I would like to add. When I left for work on the bus, over half of the people on their way to work were reading some form of Bible study. They had items similar to our Sentinel and many had a Bible open in their lap. Some people have expressed fear of riding the bus, but where can you ever go that God isn't already there? And if you ride the bus every day, it can become a Christian Science Reading Room on wheels. And, I now have started serving in a Christian Science Reading Room where I am ready to serve who ever comes through that door.
-Chuck