“With God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27)
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A man came in asking about The Christian Science Monitor. He asked if I was raised in Christian Science. I said I was and related to him the first healing I recall from when I was in early elementary school. I had warts on my hands, legs and even one on my nose. I asked my mom about how to pray. Each day after school we read a KIDS article from The Christian Science Sentinel. At some point my focus turned from the warts to God. As expected, the warts disappeared. He responded that the problems with the world today are due to our focus not being on God. Then he asked if Mary Baker Eddy said anything about angels. We discussed her writing about Gabriel and Michael in The Apocalypse, and the definition of ANGELS in the Glossary. He shared examples of receiving angel messages that directed him to safety when he was a boy. As he left, he asked me to pray for harmony on the family reunion trip he was about to take. I mentioned the account of Abram and Lot. “Let there be no strife between me and thee.” He smiled and said he will go with the expectation of harmony.
A couple came in after browsing the windows. They asked first what Christian Science was and I spoke briefly about its founder and history. They asked next what a Reading Room is, and we talked about its role as a church activity and what it offers for visitors. They departed with the brochure “What is Christian Science”, a Christian Science Sentinel, a Christian Science Monitor, and cards with quotes from the Bible and the book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
Since the Reading Room is located near an exterior door, people will stand nearby while arranging their rides. After a young man finished on his phone, he came in and asked “What is this place?” In answering his question, I shared with him an overview of Mary Baker Eddy’s discovery of the timelessness of God’s laws including how she found freedom from injuries by reading an account of healing from her Bible. When Christian churches of her day didn’t embrace what she discovered, she founded the Christian Science church. I pointed out that this church is different from other Christian denominations in that our Pastor is two books from which a weekly Bible Lesson is read. I also mentioned that people don’t need to go through a hierarchy of elders to reach God, but can turn directly to Him. He asked where I got my faith. I told him that while I was raised in Christian Science I made it my own through a healing I had in my high school/college years. Asked how to pray for a problem he was having, I explained that there are no formulas but to start with perfect God and perfect creation, and gratitude. As he was leaving he said he wanted to pray about a sore ankle but (he wiggled his foot around) it no longer hurt. He left with a Christian Science Journal so he can follow up with the church in his hometown.
A man saw the pamphlet “Freedom from Addiction” in the window. He came in asking if he could have one. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the money for it. I showed him the basket of free pamphlets, and he spent some time picking out 4 or 5. I gave him a Christian Science Journal with pages marked to a local Reading Room.
An East Indian gentleman who lives in the East Bay came in. He had just dropped off his son. He just happened to be walking by and stood at the door. I welcomed him in and we had the most interesting conversation for about an hour. He didn’t think Christian Science is a religion, but I was able to show him our pastor and tell him about Mary Baker Eddy and her book Science and Health. I showed him a Journal and talked about churches around the world. I suggested he find a church and Reading Room near him. He wants to learn more. I also told him about christianscience.com.
A couple came in after reading items in the windows. They asked what Christian Science is and wondered if the Bible Lesson marked in the window is for daily study and if it can be purchased here. I gave them the Quarterly. The woman had picked up a Sentinel from the turnstile of free literature. The gentleman asked if the Lesson and Monitor could be subscribed to so I showed him how to do that. We agreed that knowing God better changes us and if we love our neighbor as ourselves, we are keeping the Ten Commandments.
A man from New Zealand came in. He took the free Full Text Quarterly and several periodicals. He was very grateful for our Reading Room.
A woman was spending quite a long time reading from our windows. I asked her if I could answer any of her questions. She said that she was from Oak Forest, near Chicago, and that there is a Christian Science church in that community. She said she found the marked books in our window “spiritually inspiring” and that she is seeking a deeper understanding of God. We discussed his healing ministry of Jesus who brought the Christ, the word of God to the world. We discussed Mrs. Eddy’s discovery of Christian Science based on the healing of Christ Jesus and discussed the Bible Lesson. She left with a new June Full Text Quarterly to read on her flight home.
Two people came in. I learned they just completed their graduate program in data analysis and are headed home to South Korea. The woman was looking at Bible reference books in the study room. The man and I began talking. I was able to share an explanation of our Pastor, the Bible and Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy. Before they left, the woman asked if she could take a copy of the “What is Christian Science” brochure. Yes! We looked up information in The Christian Science Journal for the location of the Christian Science Society in Seoul.
A man came in and asked about the word “Science” in our name. I explained the term refers to God’s laws, which are changeless. He took a “What is Christian Science” brochure with him and a packet of quote cards.
A traveler from New York stepped inside for a brief moment and commented how nice it was to see a Christian Science Reading Room at the airport.
A man popped in to choose a magazine from our free rack.
A young woman came in. Her parents were students of Christian Science. We prayed the Lord’s Prayer together.
An airport volunteer came in and asked if she could take literature from our free rack. She took two Christian Science Monitors and commented on the high quality of the publication’s writing.
A young man read our window Bible and then popped his head in and said “I’ve never heard of Christian Science”. Get this — he lives in Boston! I gave him a very brief intro and he asked to take our “What is Christian Science” brochure.
A gentleman came in asking about his lost phone, which the device he was holding said was right in this vicinity. After searching, we suddenly realized it must be downstairs at the police station’s lost and found. I note this in case this happens again. The gentleman returned to thank me and say his phone had been successfully retrieved.
An airline attendant came in — touched by walking into the Reading Room. She said her mother had been a Christian Scientist. It was apparent that it was “a moment” for her. Now she knows we are here.
A woman who volunteers in the info booth at the airport came in to find what kind of place this is. She thought it was so “cool” that there is a Christian place at the airport where anyone can come in to read. She said she is a Christian herself. I showed her that our textbook has a section “Key to the Scriptures” and we have Bibles in different languages and invited her to come in anytime we are open or to read some of the week’s Bible Lesson in the windows.
A young woman from Kazakhstan (now living in Dublin, CA) came in. She was raised Muslim but doesn’t practice or follow it. She says she’s “looking” for something. I told her a bit about Mary Baker Eddy and our two books and why I am a Christian Scientist. She listened carefully and took some of the quote cards with her.
A Delta flight attendant came in asking “What is this place?” I began by saying that our pastor is the Bible and the book Science and Health. I then told her how Mary Baker Eddy was healed by reading the Bible, and then she wrote Science and Health. I mentioned that we believe in the first chapter of Genesis which describes man as made in the image and likeness of God. When she said she is a flight attendant, I suggested she check out our church headquarters if she is in Boston.
A curious traveler came in and asked, “What is this place?” As we talked, I learned that he is a serious student of the Bible. He agreed that healing is to be expected as we pray. After sharing the basics of how Christian Science is different from other religions (e.g. no intermediary between us and God) he mentioned that his wife was suffering from a painful condition. We walked over to our free rack and quickly found two Christian Science Sentinels containing accounts of healing of pain. He was thrilled to take the Sentinels home to his wife. He also took a Journal marked for churches in his hometown.
A flight attendant came in to purchase two Full Text Quarterlies. She was grateful for our convenient location.
An airport employee came by to ask about the Reading Room. Our discussion led to the basic teaching and healings by Christ Jesus, how Mary Baker Eddy discovered the truth of Christ Jesus healings. She asked me for a Bible quote and I suggested she take one from the tray in front of the Reading Room, which she did.
A woman came in asking for prayerful help with some personal concerns, including alcohol issues, a breakup with her fiancée and financial problems. We discussed concepts of God’s qualities and of the importance of keeping our focus on the Christ. As she left, I gave her a Sentinel from our display rack with an article on connecting with God. She gave me an appreciative smile and a hug.
As a young family walked by, one of the children saw the sign about talking a spiritual thought and asked if she could have one. Of course, I said yes. Then the younger brother came in for one. The adult with them asked if we had rosaries. Since we do not, he took a quote package from the basket.
A man came in – didn’t know anything about Christian Science. He said he was a Christian. I explained that Christian Science is the “Science” of Christianity, that it is based on rules that can be applied for healing. He took lots of pictures and some free literature. He wanted to tell his wife. He is a frequent traveler and said he’d be back next time he is at the airport.
A woman dropped in to get a couple of Sentinels from the free rack. She said that 14 years ago her daughter had a healing which she relayed with great gratitude.
A man and his son spent some time looking at the table of quote cards. They both selected a card before leaving.
A couple from Guam who were headed to Chicago stopped at our “quote table” during their lay-over and took a picture of it. After selecting some quote cards, they came in and asked if we had a Chinese Bible. I showed them a Chinese/English Bible from our Sales stock. They were happy to find us at SFO!
A flight attendant stopped by the table with Bible quote cards located outside the front door. She was looking through the single cards. I invited her to take one of the rubber-banded bundles. She said, “These are great! I’m going to take some for my friends.”
I had a great conversation about God, Christian Science, material science/observation with a young Muslim man. He took a picture of our textbook. He had 30 minutes while he was waiting for a friend to pick him up, so he came in to find out what Christian Science is.
A traveler stopped in to say how much she likes The Christian Science Monitor. She purchased the latest issue and took another from the free rack. She said one thing she loves about Christian Science is how no one tells you how to think. God speaks to each of us directly.
Please visit us on online at www.csreadingroom-sfo.org
Telephone: 650-821-0105
For comments, questions, or to send a donation, please visit our website or mail to:
Christian Science Reading Room
Kathi Riley, Treasurer
PO Box 340235
Sacramento, CA 95834
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the many Christian Science churches and individuals for their interest in and support of this Reading Room. We have been at the airport for nearly 68 years, sharing Christian Science and its healing principles with approximately 5700 visitors each year, including travelers, airport personnel, and the local community — with over 60 copies of Science and Health sold annually!
Regular Contributions
Contributions are always welcome and can be made on our website at https://www.csreadingroom-sfo.org/donate or by check (made payable to: Christian Science Reading Room) to the mailing address noted above.
Matching Fund Giving
In August, we initiated a dollar-for-dollar campaign to cover our operating expenses of approximately $20K per month. We are pleased to announce that the initial $25K goal has been met, unlocking an additional $25K. But that’s not all! Thanks to another generous anonymous donor, we now have an extra $50K in matching funds, bringing the total matching fund to $75K matching fund available through December 15, 2025.
You can reach out with questions to cs.readingroom.sfo@gmail.com .
We thank the Participating churches that serve on our 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
“The two largest words in the vocabulary of thought are ‘Christian’ and ‘Science.’
The former is the highest style of man; the latter reveals and interprets God and man;
it aggregates, amplifies, unfolds, and expresses the ALL-GOD.”
— Mary Baker Eddy, No and Yes, p. 10
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