“With God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27)
A woman from Atlanta came in and browsed around the study room, commenting on our many Bibles written in several languages and even took a photo of them! She sat down and read the 23rd Psalm from the Bible that was highlighted in the study room. We discussed Lamentations 3:22-23: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” We discussed Mary Baker Eddy’s quote, “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures 494:10-11). She was thrilled because her Bible class in Atlanta was using the exact same passage from Lamentations.
An airport IT worker came in and spent all of his time reading the Bible in the “quiet room.” We talked about some of the healings in the Bible and I gave him a card with Bible passages and quotes from Science and Health. He asked to take photos of the Reading Room to share with his church members and said he would be back.
A woman from Arkansas stopped in briefly and praised Christian Science and our Reading Room. She left after taking a Christian Science Sentinel from our literature rack and a “quote card” with a quote from the Bible and Science and Health.
A Christian Scientist from Allentown, PA, popped in briefly and expressed appreciation for having a Reading Room at SFO.
A gentleman came in wondering what a Christian Science Reading Room was. After an explanation he asked, “How come I never heard of it before?” He purchased a Science and Health and took a complimentary Christian Science Journal so he could locate a church and Reading Room near his home in another state.
A man came in to look through our “Complimentary” literature stand and selected a Sentinel. He stayed in the study room to read the Bible Lesson and when he came out, I mentioned to him that the Journal had listings of churches and reading rooms around the world. As he left, he said he had found a Reading Room near his home. God’s outreach is continually unfolding spiritual ideas.
A woman came in looking for a newspaper to read before her flight. I told her we could do better than that, and briefly described the periodicals displayed on our “Complimentary” literature stand. She selected two issues of the Christian Science Monitor and the pamphlet “What is Christian Science?”
A fellow stopped in and asked if the Monitor was still in print and I assured him it certainly was. He left with a recent Monitor and a Bible quote card.
A woman came in and said she has never seen or heard of such a place. I gave her a thumbnail sketch of a Christian Science Reading Room. She sat down in the quiet room and read the Bible for about half an hour. She was most appreciative upon her departure in knowing more about Christian Science.
An individual called in asking for help with a painful condition. We talked about God’s spiritual creation in Genesis 1, seeing his status as a perfect, painless idea of God. He felt relieved and grateful.
A gentleman came in while waiting for a delayed flight. He wanted to “know more about this place.” We had a wonderful conversation about the power of God’s love and its benefit to us all. He left with a smile of appreciation.
A traveler walked in and said he had seen Christian Science Reading Rooms in many places and didn’t know what they were. As we began to talk, he asked, “What is Christian Science?” We talked about the basic concepts of Christian Science that extended to a longer discussion of our religion in how it follows the healing ministry of Christ Jesus. He picked up the pamphlet “What is Christian Science?” and a Sentinel from our literature rack as he exited.
A young man came in and sat down and began expressing suicidal thoughts and other troubled thinking. He questioned God’s plan for himself, and I urged him to “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.” We talked about God’s ever-present love and that he is the beloved child of God, as we all are. He departed a bit more at peace.
A man from Ireland was waiting for a late flight and was looking in our window. He walked in, saw the picture of Mary Baker Eddy’s childhood home, and asked what it was. As I was explaining, he wanted to know more about Christian Science. While I was sharing the basic concepts, he picked up some literature on Christian Science and also a Journal on the way out the door.
A man came in and asked, “What is this place?” I showed him that we have a quiet room for reading the Bible and/or praying, and another space where discussions can occur. I shared with him that Christian Science is a Christian denomination, and that the founder of the church originally hadn’t planned to start a separate organization but thought that what she had learned when healed of severe injuries could be incorporated into the teaching of existing churches. When the ideas were not accepted, she didn’t want the revelation to be lost, so she started a church. I explained that the basis of the Christian Science theology is that God’s laws, as practiced by the prophets and by Jesus and his disciples, are as powerful today as they were thousands of years ago. He agreed. He commented on how nice it is for our church to provide this type of environment for the community, but said he’s from Australia. I pulled a Journal from the free literature rack, turned to the directory section, found the listings for Australia, and showed him his choices. I also mentioned Christian Science lectures as a way to get more information. He thanked me and went off to his flight to Australia.
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Regular Contributions
Contributions are always welcome and can be made on our website at csreadingroom-sfo.org or by check (made payable to: Christian Science Reading Room) to the mailing address:
Kathi Riley, Treasurer
PO Box 340235
Sacramento, CA 95384
We thank our participating churches that serve on the board year-round. They are:
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Hayward
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Los Altos
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Oakland
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Palo Alto
First Church of Christ, Scientist, San Francisco
Ninth Church of Christ, Scientist, San Francisco
First Church of Christ, Scientist, San Rafael
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