“Church is an idea that has been defined in many ways over the centuries within the Christian tradition. For some, the idea of church may conjure up images of a safe and peaceful place to commune with the Divine. For others, church may be more aligned with a like-minded community and fellowship. For Christian Scientists, church is much more than a place or a community. We look forward to exploring together the spiritual basis and awakening impact of Church.

“Mary Baker Eddy recognized that the only way to unite with this higher sense of Church is through being “new-born of Spirit” and through “healing” (Science and Health, p. 35). In its purest form, Church is the spiritual structure of Truth’s infinite ideas and Love’s boundless activities anchored in the timeless wisdom of divine Principle. We all have the gift of discovering and practicing more of this unlimited divine idea.

“Over the next 12 months, we’ll work with Christian Scientists in two or three locations to organize regional Church Summits open to all. These meetings will consist of talks and discussions designed to address the Field’s needs and will be guided by the Church Manual’s simple, inspired direction. There will also be Church Summit activities in areas that wish to participate, including Boston, during the weekend before Annual Meeting. (This will be discussed more fully on christianscience.com.) And beginning this October, we’ll host a special section on christianscience.com for sharing your insights, inspiration, and experiences about the rousing power of Church.

“Today is our launch of CHURCH ALIVE. We hope you’ll join us as we explore the meaning and possibilities of awakening to Spirit’s Church—to Love’s rich harvest awaiting our communities and the world.”

Publishing Mary Baker Eddy’s Writings

Central to the vision for the future of the Christian Science movement is the continued publishing of Mrs. Eddy’s writings, primarily, of course, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Several changes are being made to refocus our attention on the central role Mrs. Eddy’s writings play in fulfilling the healing mission of this Church.

• Jen McLaughlin, C.S., has been appointed Publisher’s Agent for Mary Baker Eddy’s writings, effective September 13. In reestablishing the position of Publisher’s Agent, we envision the close working relationship between the Publisher (the Christian Science Board of Directors) and its agent that existed for many years in the early days of our Movement. Jen will be responsible for the prayerful and professional shepherding of the publishing process of these writings in multiple languages worldwide.

• A variety of other publishing support services previously staffed within The Writings of Mary Baker Eddy—manufacturing, customer services, fulfillment, and marketing support—will be centralized within existing departments in The Christian Science Publishing Society. The Office of the Publisher’s Agent will retain complete strategic and artistic oversight, as well as final sign-off and approval, according to the Publisher’s guidance. The job of the marketing and production/manufacturing departments will be to work collaboratively with the Publisher’s Agent to execute the Publisher’s vision until the products and marketing materials are satisfactory to the Publisher’s Agent.

• Customer support of Concord will be handled by the TSG Help Desk.

• Remaining current staff will continue in their existing roles.

Publishing the Christian Science Bible Lessons and other General Publications

Two changes will occur within the management structure of The Christian Science Publishing Society to best support the vision for the vital role of the Christian Science Bible Lesson Products and the General Publications of the Publishing Society.

• Christian Harder will serve as Manager of Bible Lesson Products, reporting to the Trustees of the Publishing Society, effective September 13.

• Phebe Bergenheim will continue as Manager, General Publications, and will report to John Sparkman, Managing Publisher of Journal, Sentinel, Herald, also effective September 13.

You can also read an article by Rosalie Dunbar on this topic at http://christianscience.com/articles-monitor/2010/08/04/floods-in-pakistan/.  And another by Susan Mack at http://christianscience.com/articles-monitor/2010/08/30/the-standard-above-the-flood-in-pakistan/.

One man responded, “Our church started out as a small group, and then we progressed to become a Christian Science Society. Then a few years ago, we became a church. This truly represents spiritual progress for us.  We understand that Church does not mean walls and construction.  We know that true church is constructed in the heart.  … It is not just church services on Sunday and Wednesday, or Reading Rooms that welcome the public that help Christian Science grow. It is the practice of the Science in daily life and Christian healing that are most important for the growth of church. ”

In another city, Yaoundé, a member said, “When I think of my country, Cameroon, I think first of the joy of life. … Joy comes from knowing and understanding God, and this is what we in Cameroon have to share with the rest of the world. … I don’t think there is any small church. There are just members who have small ideas about their churches. … The thing that truly constructs a Christian Science church is healing and love.  When members come together in community with much love, they can truly construct the right concept of Church.”

You can find a copy of the August issue of The Christian Science Journal at a Christian Science Reading Room.

The report by Michael Pabst and Scott Preller continues: “Many longtime readers of the Monitor … have also come to depend upon the daily, and even hourly, updates that happen on the Monitor’s website.  In that same light, it’s helpful to consider some of the similar ways the Internet could continue to strengthen our religious periodicals.  These organs need to be able to communicate information and inspiration to the many members of the Church body.  Space doesn’t allow us to publish all of the announcements and activities of our Church in the printed Journal, and publishing schedules don’t always allow us to publish articles needed to address world events as quickly as we’d like.  But both of these things are possible on the Web.”

“We also shared how the Web can help us develop more of a sense of community among our subscribers.  Those who had visited the Web pages of TMC Youth or spirituality.com and had seen some of the community input that takes place, could readily grasp some idea of the kind of interchange we see as possible between readers and writers.  And … it’s easy to imagine how much value will be added to their subscriptions when they can eventually access and search all of the bound volumes as well.”

“This new vision of our periodicals means that it will be possible to have a great deal more content available to readers.”  To read the full article in the July Journal, please visit a Christian Science Reading Room.

As we have stated in previous communications, the church edifices will remain at the heart of the Christian Science Plaza. The Church will continue its stewardship of the Plaza.

The Church’s objectives for the Plaza include:

• enhancing the open space
• improving environmental sustainability
• identifying opportunities for underutilized real estate

To read more about the proposed changes to the Plaza:

Click here to read information from the press release.

Click here to read the Draft Christian Science Plaza Revitalization Project Plan.

Click here to read the executive summary of the Plan.

In addition to viewing the press release, report, and executive summary online, copies are available to read at The Mary Baker Eddy Library in Lending and Reference Services, 200 Massachusetts Avenue (2nd floor), Boston.