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I have practiced healing prayer for others since 1992. My family came to Christian Science through my dad’s healing of acute depression.

As a young adult, I would have identified myself as Christian, spiritual and non-religious. I am not sure if I found Christian Science or Christian Science found me.

Christian Science has been the bedrock of my life since childhood. My mother was introduced to Christian Science before I was born and through her dedication to its teachings our family witnessed many healings. My spiritual education began with attendance at Sunday School and has continued through membership in branch churches. This membership has been an invaluable guide on my spiritual journey, as it has provided me with opportunities to learn and grow as a Christian Scientist.

The value of Christian Science, not just as a system of healing but as a way of life, became clear to me while attending Sunday School in Patchogue, Long Island, New York. I learned at an early age that God is ever-present, omnipotent Love, and that man is God’s reflection and expression. This was a saving grace! As I became aware that not everyone knew or understood that divine reality and its application, I realized that I wanted to spend the rest of my life studying, applying, demonstrating, and sharing the gospel, or the good news of Christian Science.  Consequently, as the only Christian Scientist in a high school with 2,000 students, I had several opportunities to speak with sociology and comparative religion classes. Then, similar opportunities were presented in college. This is where my work in the public practice of healing began. After college, I trained and served as a Christian Science nurse for 10 years, before becoming a Journal -listed practitioner in 1981and a teacher of Christian Science in 1985. Since then, I have served on the Board of Lectureship, as Second Reader at The Mother Church, as Vice President of the Board of Education, have written for the periodicals of the Christian Science Publishing Society, and have been interviewed for the Sentinel Radio Program and on an audio chat for spirituality.com.

I grew up on a farm in Indiana and at age eight witnessed my mom healed instantaneously while talking to a practitioner on the phone. I knew then I wanted to be a Christian Science practitioner.

Christian Science was introduced to my family by my grandfather as a result of his complete healing of severe head injuries. Many healings in our family and a happy Sunday School experience followed.

I've always been fascinated with the human voice and its wide range of uses. Beyond ordinary communication, we use it to grab attention, convey comfort, persuade, instruct, and inspire.

Christian Science is the framework of my life. The naturalness of turning to God is something I first learned from my parents, grandparents and Sunday School teachers.

Melanie isn't currently accepting further invitations for the 2024-2025 lecture year, and in general, she does less traveling these days due to her role as assistant manager of the Board of Lectureship. Two influences that Melanie will never forget were the Christian Science Sunday School and a mom who turned to prayer and encouraged her to do the same.

I’ve always loved people—their life stories, their struggles, their successes.  I regularly meet individuals actively cultivating their spiritual life.