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I learned of Christian Science in my middle teens. Our family came to it through a “miraculous” healing of a relative. I tested it, and was amazed at the consistent results. The Science proved to be genuinely scientific. Its practice became the basis of my studies and early career. That career took some radically different zigs and zags. From research director at an international relations and mediation institute in Italy, to labor organizer in New England, to foundation director, to university professor, to peace and civil rights activist, to founding an anti-racism project which was the basis of the YWCA “Social Justice Award”. The focus, the common denominator of these careers, was solving problems.

My parents were Christian Scientists, and I had the great benefit of Sunday School teaching, and learning that God is always present to meet the need—always our “first aid.” When I married and had children, they were bought up in the same way, with my husband’s agreement, and I saw what a boon it was to be able to turn to God as the only Father/Mother. When I joined a branch church, I was asked to work in various positions and realised that if I were to be of help to the Church, I needed to progress in Christian Science, so I took class Instruction and was then appointed First Reader. To my surprise, people came to me for healing treatment. This impelled me to advertise as a full-time Journal -listed practitioner.

God’s love is for everyone, and a Christian Science lecture is a perfect setting to learn about God’s love and the healing that it brings.James has seen the healing effects of God’s love since he was a youngster, romping through the woods around his home with his three brothers. They had their share of scrapes and bruises which were quickly healed through prayer.

I grew up in an ecumenical household, with one parent practicing Christian Science and the other active in another Christian denomination. For many years, I alternated in attending the Sunday Schools of these two churches. And while I deeply appreciated the kindness and love of both congregations, I was ultimately drawn to how Christian Science showed me that God was knowable and ever-present, and that prayer was practical and effective in resolving whatever difficulties we face. College provided me with many opportunities to test the reliability of spiritual healing in Christian Science, and I found it fully freed me from contagious illnesses, sports injuries, and recurrent depression. It also helped me navigate through the moral complexities of a secular culture, allowing me to live joyfully independent of peer pressures.

I have always loved the Scriptures. Growing up in a Christian Science home, my family turned to the Bible daily for guidance, strength, and practical help.

I live in the country in Salem, Oregon, where I teach my classes in a tree house environment. I think of my students as an extension of our large diverse family.

When I was a freshman at Dartmouth College, I had a nagging desire to take the winter semester off and read Mary Baker Eddy's book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, from cover to cover. I felt a deep conviction that the world needed a spiritual revolution and that the contents of this book offered the catalyst.

I was so blessed with the opportunity of receiving spiritual education in Christian Science at home and attending a Christian Science Sunday School. I always loved the Bible's message and Mary Baker Eddy's teachings in her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures . I had several healings praying for myself. When I was 12 I wanted to get involved in supporting church activities. I became a member of The Mother Church and a branch church, and started to participate.

My calling to the public practice of Christian Science came in the summer of 1973. As I sat quietly praying about my life's purpose one night, looking out over a placid Maine lake, the moon was laying a gentle path of light directly to me. I found myself asking, "what do you love?" Immediately the response came welling up, deep from within, "I love God, Christian Science, mankind, and music." My pathway was suddenly clear before me. I went back to college, changed my major to music, began serving actively in church, and responding to every opportunity to practice Christian Science that came my way. I took Primary class instruction in 1976, and Normal class in 2012.

Following a foundational healing of malaria while serving in the US Peace Corps, Philippines, I returned to the US to earn my law degree from Washington University School of Law. The majority of my law and business career was with AT&T. Some AT&T positions involved international responsibilities, including President of the Asia/Pacific region, based in Hong Kong. All of these experiences confirmed for me the universality of divine Love. After my corporate career, I entered into the full-time practice of Christian Science.