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At meeting, Christian scientists see ‘new spirit’ emerging

By Kevin Ness Manager
18 June 2017   |   4:07 am
In today’s culture of political divisions and religious strife, Christian Scientists spoke at their church’s yearly meeting of “a new spirit” emerging, which is calling forth the best in people across denominational and national lines.

The First Church of Christ, Scientist — The Mother Church, Boston Mass, USA

In today’s culture of political divisions and religious strife, Christian Scientists spoke at their church’s yearly meeting of “a new spirit” emerging, which is calling forth the best in people across denominational and national lines.

In an interview, the chair of the denomination’s board of directors, Allison Phinney, pointed to the simplest of signs seen at a nearby Methodist Church in Boston’s South End: “God is Love.” “You are loved.” “Justice.”

Said Phinney: “Materialism doesn’t satisfy. It is Spirit of God, that brings us into newness of life, shifting thought, revealing the power of church.”

“Newness of life”—a Biblical expression—was integral to this year’s meeting. The theme, “Let us feel the divine energy of Spirit, bringing us into newness of life,” came from the denomination’s textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by church founder, Mary Baker Eddy. The meeting took stock of the challenges, as well as the promise facing many Christian denominations in this period.

These very challenges have prompted many to look to their core values as people of faith, the board emphasised. In these core values is the power that renews individual lives and revitalises churches and society as a whole.

“There’s an awakening,” Phinney said, “to the fact that we have to work together, that it requires the practical Christianity, which Christian Scientists would term healing, so evident in the life and love of Christ Jesus. It is bringing out “a new spirit of joy and healing at work in our own movement right as communities around the world are searching for deeper answers to human needs.”

The recent launch of a daily digital edition of the 109-year-old Christian Science Monitor is one result of this deeper look at core values. According to church officials, it represents a modest new beginning, focusing less on the number of Internet hits and more on the Monitor’s basic ideal of healing and impartial journalism. “We’re seeing ever stronger demands for just treatment of all the members of human society,” Phinney noted, “and we know it is Spirit, God, the divine influence and energy, that is touching the heart of humanity.”

Irmela Wigger of Hamburg, Germany, the new church president introduced at the meeting, is a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, active in the ministry of spiritual healing. Following a tragic incident of violence in her family some years ago, her church family brought her through. “Church is about serving God,” she said, “and from this serving, we get a pouring out of Love—God’s love—you can’t imagine.”

According to the church’s clerk, Suzanne Riedel, new members joined the church from 29 countries around the world. The meeting included reports of healing, as well as church progress.

Founded 138 years ago, the Church of Christ, Scientist, is a Christian denomination based on the Bible. The use of the term “Science” refers to what Mary Baker Eddy saw as the spiritual laws of God, as understood and demonstrated by Jesus. Members come from all walks of life and backgrounds, including the physical sciences.

Said board member Rich Evans: “We don’t equate serious spiritual commitment with ignorance or unreasonable belief.” The conclusions of the Christian Science founder “were untraditional in some respects, but she thought deeply about the relation between practical Christianity and demonstrated proof of God’s great love for humanity.”

Sent in by Mojisola George, Christian Science Committee on Publication for Nigeria West

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