Latest News from
The Church of Christ, Scientist
Christian Science Publishing Society announces price adjustments
June 1, 2009. We greatly appreciate your continuing support of The Christian Science Publishing Society (CSPS). As you know, we are working to expand the reach and impact of all of our publications while at the same time making each publication financially sustainable.
Over the next several months we are increasing prices for subscriptions, Reading Room products, and Journal card advertising for branch churches, practitioners, and nurses. In many cases prices have not been adjusted for almost a decade.
Our subscription, advertising, and product prices still do not reflect the full cost of publishing. These upcoming price increases will help the CSPS to recover more of the actual costs of these essential activities. With the lower subscription price of the Monitor, subscribers to all of the publications will see a net savings in their combined subscription expenditure.
Last year in the July 2008 issue of The Christian Science Journal, we talked about the need for ongoing adjustments to the way the CSPS conducts its activities. Since then, the Publishing Society has seen some significant progress.
The Christian Science Monitor’s launch of three new editions presents a publishing model that news organizations around the world are describing as “cutting-edge and a media model worth watching.” And the outsourcing of our subscription and customer service activity will save the CSPS an estimated $1 million annually.
We’re very grateful for your devotion to all the periodicals and products of the Publishing Society. This work is so important to our spiritual growth and the salvation of humanity. It’s a privilege to work with you as fellow church members to witness the continuing demonstration of Mary Baker Eddy’s vision for the Christian Science publications.
The Board of Trustees
The Christian Science Publishing Society
Christian Science Real Estate Plaza Update
May 2009: The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston is moving through the City’s public review process, facilitated by the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), to make improvements to the ChristianSciencePlaza. Our objectives are to: 1) enhance the open space; 2) improve the environmental sustainability of the Plaza; and 3) identify opportunities for underutilized real estate.
The Mayor of Boston has appointed a Citizens Advisory Committee ( CAC) to represent surrounding neighborhoods and businesses and act in an advisory capacity on the project. All CAC meetings are open to the public and the press.
To keep you informed, we will send periodic Employee Bulletins with highlights of what is shared at these public meetings and links to the BRA or Church website for more in-depth information. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and questions about the Plaza Revitalization Project.
The following link to the BRA website contains a project overview and notes from previous meetings (below the overview). The BRA will post notes from the May 18 meeting within the next few weeks.
Highlights of the meeting held May 18, 2009:
- Reviewed goals and objectives for the Christian Science Plaza Revitalization Project presented at the April 2 meeting (meeting notes on BRA website—click on the above link)
- Reviewed opportunities for underutilized Plaza real estate presented at April 27 meeting (notes on BRA website)
- Discussed the amount of new development needed to meet the goal of having our real estate be self-supporting in the future: approximately 950,000 square feet of office and residential space
- Engaged in an interactive session between CAC members and the Church team using a site model and considered possible options for where and how to add development while maintaining open space and preserving existing buildings
- The next CAC meeting on June 10 will continue this discussion regarding adding new square footage to the Plaza
For more information, contact csplaza@csps.com.
Announcing Berklee College of Music’s purchase of buildings located at 154-174 Massachusetts Avenue from The First Church of Christ, Scientist
BOSTON -- Berklee College of Music and The First Church of Christ, Scientist, today announced Berklee’s purchase of 154-174 Massachusetts Avenue, a 13,300 square foot parcel located between Belvidere and St. Germain Streets. The buildings are presently leased to Berklee, McDonald’s Restaurant Corporation, and Arirang Restaurant.
“We very much appreciate the Church agreeing to sell this property to the college,” said Roger H. Brown, Berklee president. “This is a strategic acquisition for the college because of the property’s location in the center of our campus, and its eventual redevelopment will help to meet our pressing space needs. We look forward to consulting with the Boston Redevelopment Authority and the community advisory task force working with us in our ongoing Institutional Master Planning process as planning for the property proceeds. We are grateful to the Church for their willingness to consider our request to sell us the property, and to accommodate us in this way.”
“Berklee approached us about buying this property where they have leased space from us for more than a decade,” said Margaret Rogers, Chair of the Christian Science Board of Directors of The First Church of Christ, Scientist. “This parcel is not immediately adjacent to the Christian Science Plaza and is not part of the Church’s long-term plans. We recognized its importance to Berklee, and were pleased to work with them.”
Berklee intends to redevelop the property in accordance with its Institutional Master Plan, though specific plans for the site, and a timetable for implementation, remain to be determined
McCall & Almy represented Berklee in the transaction and Leggat McCall Properties represented the Church. The sale price was $6.25 million.
The Christian Science Monitor announces two videos
As The Christian Science Monitor moves into its new era of covering the world every day online and every week in print, we thought you’d enjoy watching a new video that introduces you to editor John Yemma and several Monitor reporters around the world. It’s posted on www.CSMonitor.com and can be seen here (Scroll down if you don’t see the video on your screen.)
Also, in a new “Editor’s Corner” video, veteran Monitor reporter Peter Grier discusses his cover story in the premiere issue of the weekly edition, “Ten ways the new economy will look different.” You can watch it here
As we launch the new multi-platform Monitor, your support and prayers are vital to its success. You can subscribe and/or give a gift subscription to the weekly edition by clicking here.
The Christian Science Monitor announces launch of new weekly edition
The new weekly edition of The Christian Science Monitor will launch April 12, 2009, and will complement daily online Monitor journalism. This new weekly edition will deliver understanding, perspective, and context on key global stories and trends. Some highlights you’ll find are:
- A cover story that will help you connect the dots on pivotal events and emerging trends around the world
- Special features and interviews with citizens around the world that will deliver an understanding of how global events impact individual lives
- Special coverage of the environment, innovations that improve lives, and global financial trends
- An article on a Christian Science perspective on daily life
If you do not currently subscribe, we hope you will subscribe to the Monitor now as it embarks on a second century of fulfilling its mission. The Monitor greatly needs the support and subscriptions of all Mother Church members as Mary Baker Eddy envisioned.
Here’s how you can subscribe to the new weekly edition:
- If you live in the US and Canada, click http://www.csmonitor.com/m_subscribe or call 1-800-456-2220 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EDT.
- If you live outside the US and Canada, click http://www.csmonitor.com/mi_subscribe or call +1-515-362-7462.
- To give gift subscriptions, click http://www.csmonitor.com/mg_subscribe or call 1-800-456-2220. For phone orders outside the US and Canada, call +1-515-362-7462
- Monitor Editor John Yemma was named one of the top “25 Innovators in Technology” in the March issue of Condé Nast Portfolio magazine. You can see the complete list here in which John is profiled as #14.
- The Monitor is featured in a new video titled “Digital Newspapers: The New Reality” that was just installed in the Newseum in Washington, DC. The video can be seen here.
- The Monitor was cited as one of the world’s most-trusted news sources on NewsTrust, a website that tracks hundreds of mainstream and independent news sources to help identify trustworthy news providers from around the world.
- Two major companies will begin advertising on CSMonitor.com this month: Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and Liberty Mutual Insurance.
- Earlier this year, John Yemma discussed the Monitor’s new publishing model on the popular NPR program Fresh Air. You can listen to the interview here.
- In September of this year, the Monitor launched a partnership with Worldfocus, a new nightly international news program that airs on public television stations across the United States. Monitor correspondents are featured in reports about international news developments or events in almost every broadcast of the program. To watch Worldfocus, check your local PBS listings or go to http://worldfocus.org.
- This month the Monitor and The McClatchy Company, the third largest newspaper company in the United States, initiated a new partnership. Stories by the Monitor’s New Delhi and Mexico City bureau chiefs appear in McClatchy's 30 daily newspapers, including The Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star, and The Sacramento Bee. Stories by McClatchy’s Nairobi and Caracas bureau chiefs run in the Monitor.
- The Monitor recently launched a YouTube channel for videos related to its 100th anniversary. Go to www.youtube.com/csmonitor100 to see clips of our recent Centennial Conversation on the Future of Journalism, interviews with staff members about their proudest day working at the Monitor, and a classic video produced in 1958 for the Monitor’s 50th anniversary.
- "The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick."
If you already subscribe to the daily print edition of the Monitor or to the Monitor’s international edition, your subscription will automatically convert to the new weekly edition.
You might enjoy these highlights of the Monitor in the news:
Letter to subscribers from the Trustees of the Christian Science Publishing Society
February 2009. Some significant changes are underway that affect subscribing to the Christian Science periodicals as we consolidate our order-processing systems and services with CDS Global in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. Because of some initial mistakes on renewal notices and substantial adjustments required for international subscribers, we are asking for your prayers, your patience, and your suggestions.
Joining hands and hearts in prayer on behalf of our movement and its mission to the world, we know that new solutions will surface that will better resolve these issues and enable subscribers to continue to receive, read, and share the periodicals.
Some recent international periodical renewal notices incorrectly listed the subscription price as $999. We understand how surprising that price would have seemed. For example, the actual international price for the Sentinel is $78 per year. Corrected renewal notices are now being sent.
We sincerely apologize for these mistakes as we undertake an extremely complex conversion of multiple systems.
As we convert to new systems and processes, a requirement for international subscribers is that they pay for subscriptions by credit card or US or Canadian dollars. This change will substantially reduce complexity and cost. We know this new requirement is not easy for many international members. We are grateful to say that some fields have come up with creative solutions to help their members keep subscribing. All of us are a part of this important publishing enterprise and every member and subscriber is truly valued.
As most of you know, The Christian Science Publishing Society is making changes to gain efficiencies, decrease deficits, and to put in place a sustainable basis for publishing what our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, has founded. In recent years, the Publishing Society has been running deficits of $12-20 million, which have been paid from Church funds. Mrs. Eddy knew the value of the periodicals, their role in the mission of this Church, and she expected the overall activity to be profitable, instead of drawing on Church funds.
As the costs of our publishing activities become more balanced and sustainable, we can accomplish more of Mrs. Eddy's intent "of more effectually promoting and extending the religion of Christian Science as taught by (her)." (Deed of Trust, 1898)
The world is yearning for the truths of Christian Science, perhaps more than ever given current challenges in the world. Our goal is to meet that need through all the Manual activities of this Church, including an "efficient publishing society" that reaches people through the web, e-mail, print, and other 21st-century communication channels. (Miscellaneous Writings, p.126:19)
Announcing the First Citizens Advisory Committee meeting for the Christian Science Plaza
The Church is engaged in a project to revitalize the 14.5 acre Christian Science Plaza, developed over 40 years ago. The project is in the planning phase, and no plans have been filed yet with the City of Boston. The Church plans to continue to own the land and retain control over the Plaza.
Last July, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) announced that the Mayor of Boston would appoint a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to review revitalization plans for the Christian Science Plaza.
Mayor Menino has now appointed the CAC, which includes representatives from residential neighborhood associations, area businesses, individual residents, and elected officials. Their role, as representatives of the surrounding neighborhood, is to act in an advisory capacity and give input to the Church and the BRA.
The CAC will have its first meeting with representatives from the BRA and the Church in an introductory meeting at City Hall on February 10, 2009. Additional meetings will be scheduled by the CAC in the months to come.
This process is facilitated by the BRA. All meetings are open to the public and to the media. Meeting dates will be posted on the BRA website: http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/calendar/calendar.asp.
On a related topic, progress continues on leasing available space at 177 Huntington Avenue (the former Administration building). To date, three leases have been signed for office tenants. Announced last summer was the lease for all the available office space in the former Colonnade building to Northeastern University for some of its administrative offices.
A new day: Statement from The Christian Science Board of Directors
As significant as this shift in US government is, we are convinced a far more momentous change has been stirring globally – a spiritual transformation.
On Jan. 20, one president of the United States leaves office and another is sworn in. Our prayers go out to both of them. As significant as this political shift is, however, we are convinced a far more momentous and even epochal change has been stirring globally – a spiritual transformation.
As we've traveled several continents in recent years, our board has observed, and tangibly felt, a wellspring of hope rising, despite the troubles of these times. It is a fresh-faced conviction among people from South to North America, from Europe to Africa, that something better is coming – and must come. There is a growing confidence that universal peace and well-being are, against all odds, actually achievable on planet Earth.
Humanity's inborn longing for good, and the right to experience it, is our divine heritage as sons and daughters of the Creator. The one supreme intelligence of the universe is not only impelling, but tenderly sheltering every right motive we'll ever feel – and bringing it to fruition. And the greatest good that God has given each of us is to discern and experience spiritual reality, even where there seems to be only the solidity of matter and physicality.
So what can each of us do to accelerate this worldwide spiritual transformation? We believe it's this: To humbly yield to the harmonious destiny that's sweeping humanity forward. To look to what Mary Baker Eddy, who founded Christian Science, called "the sustaining infinite," more than to people. To nurture and defend in ourselves the childlike humility before God that Jesus lived. With evil and disease and corruption all around him, he proclaimed the kingdom of heaven as present reality – and proved decisively that they could be overcome in individual lives. The world has never been the same since.
Yes, inauguration day brings a change of US presidents. But the vastly more important meaning of this moment is that today we can let God change our hearts. And each heart anywhere in the world that yields, even a little, to God's transforming grace, wisdom, and love helps alter the course of humankind. Each heart that glimpses even a tiny snapshot of spiritual reality helps usher in a new and millennial day for humanity.
Announcement of the new Organist at The Mother Church
December 2008. The Church received many applications from members who live in various parts of the world, and the selection process was one that included much prayer and listening. Many thanks go to every member who assisted with this process whether through prayer, recommending names, or actually applying for the position.
The new Organist of The Mother Church is Bryan Ashley from Verrières-le-Buisson, France. Bryan was raised in New Jersey and France, and has lived the last 24 years abroad in Japan, France, and Germany. He holds both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in organ performance, as well as a Prix d'Excellence from France and a Soloist Diploma from Germany. For the last 20 years he has been active as a recitalist performing in Asia, America, and Europe in addition to his activities as a church musician and university teacher. Since 2005 he has served as one of the organists for Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Paris, France. Bryan is a member of The Mother Church. He is married to Asako, who is a Japanese teacher, and he has two children. Bryan is looking forward to moving to Boston, and we look forward to hearing him play when he begins in February. You able to hear Bryan play in person at The Mother Church, or listen online by logging on to www.churchofchristscientist.org and clicking on "Sunday Church Service." Please join us in welcoming Bryan to Boston.
At this time we again express our deep appreciation to Edwin C. Starner who played his last church service as regular Organist on Sunday, December 21. We are grateful to Ed for his dedication and devotion of thought to The Mother Church services as well as for conducting many hymn singing workshops and organ recitals. Ed is planning on dedicating his time to the Christian Science practice as well as spending more time with his wife, Joyce, and their three daughters and families.
The Christian Science Monitor broadens its reach
December 17, 2008. The Monitor is expanding its audience and broadening its reach. A few recent developments include:
The Monitor continues to generate significant media coverage about its plans to become a daily online publication with a weekly print edition next spring. Some recent examples include a report on The Newshour with Jim Lehrer and stories in major publications across the United States and around the world. In recent weeks, the Independent Film Channel, Japan’s NHK News, and the Washington, D.C.-based Newseum sent video crews to the Monitor’s newsroom to feature the Monitor in stories about the news industry’s shift online.
We’ll continue to keep you apprised of Monitor developments in the coming months. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Monitor.
New members of The Mother Church
November 2008. Applications for membership were received in English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish, and came to us from the following locations: Angola, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Honduras, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Switzerland, Uganda, United States of America, Uruguay, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. We are finding that some of these new members initially found Christian Science on the Internet.
The newest members of our world wide church family unite with us as members of the Church defined by Mary Baker Eddy in the Glossary of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures:
Our gratitude goes out to all members and Christian Science teachers worldwide who support the admissions of new members through their prayers and by approving and countersigning applications. A reminder—applications for membership are welcome at any time. The next admission of new members will take place on June 5, 2009. Please send your completed applications to the Office of the Clerk no later than June 3.
Changes coming to The Christian Science Monitor in April 2009
To learn about the upcoming changes to The Christian Science Monitor, please read this letter from the Board of Trustees and the Christian Science Board of Directors. Also you're invited to watch a
15 minute video in which John Yemma, Editor, and Jonathan Wells, Managing Publisher, share their vision for the future of the Monitor.
Please go to the Monitor webpage on this website for more information.
A message from the Christian Science Board of Directors
October 14, 2009. In light of recent events in the global economy, the editorial from the November 3 issue Christian Science Sentinel is being shared with members worldwide. It can also be read in the Tuesday, October 14 issue of The Christian Science Monitor. Its topic is "The economy and prayer's resuscitating power."
Highlights of results from recent Monitor survey
The Christian Science Monitor now has the results of the recent survey of members of The Mother Church. The survey was taken to learn how members gather news and how they view the Monitor. To see highlights of the results, please read the letter by Jonathan Wells, Managing Publisher. Also please visit the Monitor webpage on this website for information about two live chats and other upcoming events.
The Christian Science Board of Directors elects new President
August 21, 2008. The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Barbara M. Vining, CSB, of Perrysburg, Ohio, has been elected to serve as President of The Mother Church effective August 20, 2008. She will complete the term of the former President and our beloved friend Richard Bergenheim, who passed on in July.
You may have seen Barbara’s byline in The Christian Science Journal, the Sentinel, and the Herald. She’s written numerous articles and editorials, has served as a Contributing Editor since 1998, and was Associate Editor of the periodicals from 1992 to 1998. Over the coming months Barbara will meet with Christian Science practitioners, nurses, and teachers to explore together a subject she knows so well – the healing mission of these periodicals, as well as The Christian Science Monitor. Barbara will also be available to accept invitations from branch churches to hold meetings on this topic.
While still a mother of three young children, Barbara made a commitment to the full-time, public ministry of Christian Science healing. She became a teacher of Christian Science in 1985, served as Vice President of the Board of Education between 1998 and 2000, and over the past several months has been part of the team conducting meetings about the healing practice of Christian Science.
It is with grateful hearts that we welcome Barbara to this new assignment.
Church moves forward with public process to update its Real Estate Master Plan
July 21, 2008 The Church will move forward with the public phase of updating the 40-year-old master plan for its Boston campus. As a first step, a Citizens Advisory Committee will be appointed by the Mayor of the City of Boston. A series of interactive public meetings are expected to commence this fall. At that time, a public website will track the process and provide regular updates.
Now that all of the employees have moved into the Publishing House, we are negotiating short-term leases for the former Administration building. A lease was recently signed with Northeastern University for all of the available office space in the Colonnade building. The University will move a number of its administrative offices into the building in August.
The Church will retain control over the 14-acre site, including signing leases with businesses that are compatible with the Church’s standards and use restrictions.
A statement from the Christian Science Board of Directors on the Passing of Richard Bergenheim, CSB:
It is with deepest love and gratitude for our dear friend Richard Bergenheim, CSB, that we inform you of his unexpected passing this past weekend. His wife, Phebe, was with him in Kansas City as he continued his meetings with Christian Science teachers and practitioners, on behalf of The Christian Science Monitor as well as the other Christian Science periodicals.
As you know, Richard has just completed his tour of duty as Editor of the Monitor, with John Yemma taking the reins as Editor Sunday. In his new position as President of The Mother Church, Richard has been sending us almost daily emails, telling of the strong support that he has felt in the field for the Monitor and other periodicals.
When we received the news of his passing, we immediately remembered a recent message in which Richard spoke of his prayers for a Monitor reporter who was in a tumultuous area of the world. He quoted a phrase he loved from a hymn: “None can beyond Thy omnipresence stray” (Violet Hay, Christian Science Hymnal, No. 66). We’re comforted to know that Richard and his family are embraced in that omnipresent Life, too.
Richard was so convinced of the continuing vitality of Mary Baker Eddy’s Church and periodicals. We have heard reports of how spiritually rejuvenating these meetings have been for those who have attended, and it is our intention to continue them uninterrupted.
There aren’t words to express the gratitude of the Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees of the Christian Science Publishing Society for all that Richard has given over the years to his Church. To name just a few of his contributions: over a decade on the Bible Lesson Committee, service on the Board of Directors and as Editor in Chief, and of course his many outstanding articles and editorials in the periodicals. His most recent work as Editor of the Monitor was marked by extraordinary faithfulness and devotion to the ideals of the newspaper he had loved all his life.
Richard has been a friend and mentor to many of us, and we will miss him greatly.
Read the Christian Science Monitor tribute to Richard Bergenheim, CSB here.
Short-term leasing of the Colonnade
June 10, 2008. As announced in April, the Church is moving forward with leasing portions of the Administration and Colonnade buildings on a short-term basis until long-range plans for the buildings are determined. We have signed our first lease. Northeastern University will lease all of the available office space -- approximately 72,000 square feet -- at 101 Belvidere Street (the leasing address for the Colonnade building). The space will be used only for its administrative offices. Occupancy is scheduled for summer 2008.
The Christian Science Board of Directors and the Trustees of The Christian Science Publishing Society announce election of a new Editor for The Christian Science Monitor
June 9, 2008. As Monitor Editor Richard Bergenheim moves into his new assignment as President of The Mother Church, we’re happy to announce the election of John Yemma as Editor of the Monitor. He will rejoin the Monitor in mid-July, after 20 years at the Boston Globe, most recently serving as Deputy Managing Editor for Multimedia. Richard, we’re pleased to say, will continue with the Monitor as Editor-at-large.
“The Monitor has been a beacon of smart, thoughtful journalism for the past 100 years,” new Editor John Yemma commented to us. “I am honored to have been chosen as the Editor who will take it into its second century. Mary Baker Eddy founded the Monitor during the era of ‘yellow journalism,’ when objectivity, accuracy, and fairness were in short supply. Now, at a time when news organizations are struggling to establish a sustainable economic base, the Monitor’s role is more crucial than ever in providing careful reporting, compassionate analysis, and a clear-eyed view of the world.”
Senior staffers in the newsroom will remember John warmly from his early Monitor days--as a Washington reporter, international correspondent, and Business Editor. In addition to the Monitor and the Globe, he has worked for the Dallas Morning News, United Press International, and the San Antonio Express-News. During his years at the Globe, John coordinated national political coverage during the 2004 presidential campaign, edited several award-winning series, and served in a variety of posts, including Sunday Editor and Foreign Editor. For the past two and a half years, he’s directed the editorial operation of Boston.com (the Boston Globe’s website) and has led efforts to transform the newsroom from print to multimedia. John is a Christian Scientist and a member of The Mother Church.
We deeply appreciate Richard Bergenheim’s gracious willingness to continue as Editor in the next few weeks, as John transitions from his career at the Globe. “I applaud the selection of John Yemma as Editor,” Richard said. “He’s an accomplished journalist who believes deeply in the Monitor’s ideals--and in its future.”
It would be hard to overestimate Richard’s contribution as Editor over the past three years. He led the staff with spiritual poise and tireless vigilance through the period in 2005 when Monitor correspondent Jill Carroll was kidnapped in Baghdad and held as a hostage until her remarkable release some 82 days later. He managed the installation of a vastly improved technology and workflow system in the newsroom. He championed the development of the Monitor’s website, csmonitor.com, as it continues to introduce new functionality and serve a broader readership.
As announced last week at the Church’s Annual Meeting, Richard will devote his term as President to meeting with Christian Science teachers, practitioners, and church members in several countries, to encourage greater support of the Monitor, as well as the other Church periodicals. And, as Editor-at-large, he’ll report occasionally on what he is hearing from Monitor readers.
We thank both John and Richard, from our hearts, for their ongoing commitment to Christian Science Monitor journalism.
For more details, visit http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0609/p25s08-usgn.html.
Christian Science Board of Directors announces new President
June 2, 2008: At Annual Meeting, the Christian Science Board of Directors announced that they elected Richard Bergenheim as the new President of The Mother Church. Read the announcement to Church employees.
New Members of The Mother Church
Last Friday, May 30, the Christian Science Board of Directors welcomed into membership individuals living in Angola, Argentina, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Congo Republic (Brazzaville), Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), France, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritania, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Zambia. Each of these new members has a special story to tell of their journey to membership; and each of their stories includes you – the current members who approved their applications – so thank you all!
Announcing short-term leasing in Administration and Colonnade buildings
On April 3, 2008, the Christian Science Board of Directors announced short-term leasing in the Administration and Colonnade buildings. As the move to the Christian Science Publishing House continues over the next 60 days, plans are being made to move forward with leasing portions of the Administration and Colonnade buildings.
Leases are expected to be two to three years in duration. Long-term use of the buildings will be determined as part of a master plan that will involve the City of Boston and representatives from the community in an interactive public process.
A real estate company with extensive experience in the Boston office market has been selected to oversee the interim leasing of these two office buildings. The name of the company is the DTZ FHO Partners Asset Advisory Group.
Launch of www.christianscience.com
March 3, 2008. The First Church of Christ, Scientist, announced the launch of www.christianscience.com. At the heart of this new website is a collection of video clips in which people share their personal experiences in Christian Science. It provides a window through which the public can view the impact of Christian Science on people's lives and better understand the practice of spiritual healing. Christianscience.com also makes it easy for the public to get accurate information about Christian Science and Church activities. The Church expects this will clear up some of the common misconceptions about Christian Science.
Responding to questions about the expanded use of Bible translations in the Bible Lesson
February 20, 2008. The Christian Science Board of Directors and Board of Trustees of The Christian Science Publishing Society wrote a letter which responds to questions about the occasional use of Bible translations other than the King James Version in the Golden Text and/or Responsive Reading. In particular the May 18, 2008, Bible Lesson, “Mortals and Immortals,” will contain passages from two other translations. The Golden Text will be from the New International Reader’s Version, and the Responsive Reading will be from the New International Version. Read the letter.
Change of address for Boston offices of The First Church of Christ, Scientist and The Christian Science Publishing Society
Effective May 1, 2008, the street address for all departments currently located at 175 Huntington Avenue and One Norway Street will change to 210 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115. For more information click on the letter from the Christian Science Board of Directors dated February 14, 2008.
