Dear Fellow Seekers/ Workers,
The joyful words of Hymn 218 seem fitting for the times and the season. For a Christian Scientist the renewal and resurrection season is perpetual, eternal.
“O Life that maketh all things new,
The blooming earth, the thoughts of men;
Our pilgrim feet, wet with Thy dew,
In gladness hither turn again.”
We are most grateful for the large turn-out for our recent conversation with branch churches on February 16th. We were able to introduce all Christian Science nurse trainees and one recently arrived, Journal-listed, Christian Science nurse to the Field in both official languages. A big thank you to Monica Karal, C.S., for providing the translation.
CCSNA has encouraged and supported Christian Science nurse training these last several years to rebuild a network or team of Private Duty Christian Science nurses able to serve our Church communities in mid-to-eastern Canada. We presently have three Private Duty trainees and one Journal-listed Christian Science nurse eager to serve, but none are available full-time due to the necessity of holding other employment. Christian Science Field support is needed and historically always has ensured the Christian Science nurse availability.
CCSNA has appealed to both Sharon House and Concord Lodge boards to consider a more expansive and unified funding model, but to date this has not borne enough fruit. Some branch churches have recognized the practical need and are contributing monthly as does Concord Lodge Association. We could change this picture with a more united effort and, yes, we will be “pioneering”!
“From hand to hand the greeting fl ows,
From eye to eye the signals run,
From heart to heart the bright hope glows,
The seekers of the Light are one:”
CCSNA seeks Christian Science practitioner support for our activities, rotating the practitioner called each month. We have reached out to our Christian Science practitioners coast-to-coast and are heartened by the appreciation each practitioner has for the Christian Science Nursing office and their understanding of the necessity of the Christian Science nurse Bylaw to our Movement. We often work closely together in support of Christian Science healing. As our work is confidential, the Field will never know details of the lingering questions of who, when, how often we are ‘working’. Like our practitioner colleagues, ours is a full-time commitment to Christian Science once Journal-listed.
“One in the freedom of the truth,
One in the joy of paths untrod,
One in the heart’s perennial youth,
One in the larger thought of God.”
The CCSNA sees our role as liaison or facilitator between funders and particularly Private Duty Christian Science nurses, allowing the confidential nature of our work to be protected. We offer mentoring and training options and broad collegial support. We all know one another. We are a team — one in motive and practice — which is to serve our Cause.
More good news! The new Journal-listed Christian Science nurse in Quebec, Jean Ngabo, will be joining CCSNA as a Coordinator. Thank you, Jean. Another individual has come forward expressing great interest in Christian Science nurse training. She has had some affiliation with Le Verger already so we hope for more unfoldment there. Also, we will be offering a new talk by Biblos Foundation titled “Defending Church”. Watch for the notice of availability through our website in the near future.
Onward and upward together!
“The freer step, the fuller breath,
The wide horizon’s grander view;
The sense of Life that knows no death,—
The Life that maketh all things new.”