Fruitage Report Fall 2021

“Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” (Psalms 143:8)

Greetings and blessings from the Christian Science Reading Room at the San Francisco International Airport. Enjoy the fruitage reported by our attendants:

Often visitors come in who wonder about Christian Science, and so it was with a young man, who came in. He was introduced to Christian Science and Mary Baker Eddy and her discovery of Christian healing in the Scriptures. I explained how Mrs. Eddy came to write her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. He asked me if I was a teacher. I said that I am not a formal teacher of Christian Science, and he replied, “How can you say that? You have been teaching me ever since I walked in here and sat down.” I laughed and explained the concept of Christian Science class instruction. He was shown several different copies of Science and Health and invited the sale. Perhaps another time.

A visitor came in and asked what we were about. I introduced him to Christian Science and to Mary Baker Eddy and her wonderful book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. We talked about religion versus spirituality and judgment. He didn’t purchase a book but thanked me for the explanation. I thanked him for his military service in the U.S. Coast Guard. He then shared with me some of the experiences of his training and that he’s taught attitude is more important than anything when recovering from injury in the line-of-duty. So even if one does not believe in God, they should be optimistic in their thinking. If one does believe in God, they should just ask God for help as it’s already on the way.

A visitor arrived and asked, “What do you do here?” I said, “We sell books—particularly this one,” as I pointed to the Science and Health sitting on the desk. I also explained that Mary Baker Eddy figured out how Jesus healed and became a great healer herself, teaching others to heal themselves and eventually writing Science and Health. After sharing excerpts from the first page and the Glossary, I reached behind me and pulled out the small marble edition of Science and Health and offered to sell him a copy. He said he would love a copy because he and his girlfriend study the Bible together. I said, “Oh goodie, this book will light up the Bible for you. You will love it!” It is so good to present Science and Health to our visitors.

A visitor came in toward the end of the day and said, “How wonderful to have a Christian Science Reading Room! What is this?” She knew it was great. She was invited to sit down, and she said she only had 40 minutes to spend with us. She was introduced to Mary Baker Eddy and her discovery of Christian healing through her deep study of the Bible and told how Mrs. Eddy came to write Science and Health. After I read her the first sentence of the book, I showed her several other chapters including Fruitage and the Glossary. She was then shown the marble edition, and she replied, “I would like two!” She also took time to browse the themed pamphlets on display. I took some time to share them with her, and I also gave her two Christian Science Sentinels to show her where some the articles for the themed pamphlets come from. I also shared with her The Christian Science Monitor.

A woman came in to tell me how much she loved The Christian Science Monitor and how fair and upbeat the reporting was. She thanked me and helped herself to some of the past Monitor editions in the free literature basket.

A young man came in and asked if I had a Bible he could read. He read for a while and then I noticed he was reading Science and Health. When he came out of the study room, I explained some of the book to him and invited him to buy it. He said he could not purchase anything right now because he was broke. I told him that instead of claiming he was limited or lacking in some way that he should acknowledge God as his true provider of all that is good and express gratitude for whatever he could think of. I purchased a marble edition of Science and Health for him.

A couple from Worcester, MA came in on their way to visiting San Francisco for the week. She and her husband were Christian Scientists and were so excited and happy to see the Reading Room at the airport. Following a week of sightseeing and before catching their return flight home, they stopped in again to purchase the beautiful new book, Stories of Healing/Jesus and His Followers. We had a wonderful time visiting together.

Despite the fact that so much construction has been going on very near us, many visitors have found us, and we are grateful for the blessing. On July 4th, I arrived to work early so I had time to get a morning snack over in the International Terminal. On the way back to the Reading Room, the Air Train arrival appeared significantly delayed. A man who was waiting called the Air Train help line and couldn’t get an answer. As I waited, an angel message came with a statement from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, “All that God imparts moves in accord with Him, reflecting goodness and power.” (515:22) A half-minute later, the Air Train came around the bend and arrived. A man nearby who was also waiting stood up, so I said to him, “Do you know what I did? I prayed.” He came over to me and said, “How?” I told him that I work at the Christian Science Reading Room in Terminal 2, C Concourse, and then I repeated to him what I had earlier prayed. As we both boarded the Air Train, he said, “Thank you!” I just love Christian Science!

One morning, a woman was waiting for me to open the Reading Room. She had flown in on an early flight from Atlanta and told me that she had met me a few years ago and I was very kind to her. We talked for a while and she was reintroduced her to Christian Science and Mary Baker Eddy. Her questions were answered, but she had some issues with being victimized. We talked about forgiveness, and I helped her to forgive and to learn the Lord’s Prayer with the spiritual interpretation in Science and Health which, in part, highlights the Golden Rule, “And Love is reflected in love.” (17:7). I also introduced her to the notion of “the divine manifestation of God” or “Christ. . . which comes to the flesh to destroy incarnate error.” (583:10) She was so grateful and departed with a trade edition of Science and Health and a copy of Mary Baker Eddy: Christian Healer that had been donated.

An airport employee who works passenger security, and routinely visits the Reading Room, came in and shared that his grandmother, who had raised him, passed away and he was very sad. I shared with him that I too had experienced the passing of a loved one. I found great comfort in knowing what is stated in Science and Health, where Mrs. Eddy states, “The Bible calls death an enemy, and Jesus overcame death and the grave instead of yielding to them” (39:13–14), which I shared. He asked where our churches are located, and so he was shown the church directory in theChristian Science Journal and was given a copy. He was fascinated by the Journal articles. On the way out he looked at the themed booklets, and I pointed out the one titled, Overcoming Grief. He read one article and felt better. During other visits, I have tried to explain to him a little of Christian Science, but he interrupts me so much I have trouble getting through. Instead, when he has questions, I share related excerpts from Science and Health which helps answer his questions. Today he asked an easy one, “What is Key to the Scriptures?” I showed him some Bible citations in Genesis and their spiritual interpretations from the chapter titled, “Genesis” in Science and Health. He decided he would buy a full set of books when he gets his next paycheck.

A young woman walked in and explained that she visited last year and had spoken with an attendant about a persistent skin condition on her leg. After speaking with the attendant, who shared a healing message with her, and spending time reading in the study room, she was healed. She came by to share her gratitude and appreciation for the attendant’s help and for the presence of the Reading Room at the airport. God bless our Reading Room and all our wonderful visitors.

A woman came into the Reading Room asking if we had a Spanish translation of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. An early trade edition of the Spanish textbook was offered to her in exchange for a donation. She generously gave us a $20 bill! She said that she was picking up a friend at the airport, who was asking her about God’s goodness and spiritual healing. She had talked to him over the years about God and some of the teachings of Christian Science and decided to come to the airport a little early to purchase a copy of the Spanish translation of Science and Health for him. I thought that was so sweet and generous of her.

An airport employee came in this morning who works in the control tower next door to us. She told me she passes by us all the time and finally decided to come in. She was invited to come in and sit down. I introduced the visitor to Mary Baker Eddy and her discovery of Christian healing in the Scriptures, and how she came to write Science and Health. She said she is getting a master’s degree in psychology and pursuing a career in professional counseling with a Christian focus. I said, “Oh you will love this book. It will really light up the Scriptures. Mrs. Eddy, before she had her first spiritual healing from reading the Scriptures, realized that healing sickness and maintaining health had a significant mental component.” The woman readily purchased a Sterling midsized paperback edition of Science and Health. I love Christian Science! What a blessing we are for everyone.

A traveler came in and said, “What is Christian Science?” He was invited to take a seat where he was introduced to Mary Baker Eddy and her discovery of Christian Science. He went on about how his dad almost died last year but the conversation was steered back to Christian Science, where he was invited to purchase Science and Health, which he declined. However, he was shown the first page of the textbook and the first two Tenets, the Lord’s Prayer, and the definition of God in the Glossary. I explained that Science and Health would help him understand the gospels, but he again declined to purchase a copy. We had a wonderful conversation and it seemed that Christian Science made an impression on him.

A visitor came in just before closing and asked if we had books in Russian. He was shown a copy of Science and Health in English with a Russian translation. He said, “Oh this will help me with my English, but I am kind of lazy!” The Russian edition would help him greatly. He happily purchased a copy of the textbook, and since he travels through the airport 6 to 8 times a year it is hoped that he will come by again soon.

An early evening visitor walked in and began asking a lot of questions starting with, “What does science have to do with Christianity?” I explained that Mary Baker Eddy characterized her discovery of Christian Science as the daily practical demonstration and proof of God’s laws as powerful spiritual mandates, always present and operating to bring healing and redemption, just as in Jesus’ time. Continuing with the explanation of how Mrs. Eddy came to writeScience and Health, he was offered the purchase of the textbook. It was also explained the textbook would reveal the scriptures to him for better understanding. He purchased a Sterling mid-sized paperback edition and asked me to write something inside the book. As the Librarian, I sent him God’s blessings and love. God bless our Reading Room and all our visitors.

One morning upon arriving, I found a note saying that a woman from northern California called expressing gratitude for our Fruitage Reports. How thoughtful and loving to take the time to call. It was much appreciated.

A woman came in and asked me if I could pray with her. I said of course, please sit down. I asked if there was anything or anyone special for whom we were praying, and she said, “Yes, that her daughter was doing well, and she wanted to pray to keep her doing well.” We prayed the Lord’s prayer and, near the end, I added the spiritual interpretation for the last line of the prayer from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, page 17. Then I told her how loved both she and her daughter were. She told me that her daughter suggested that she be dropped off here early because she would probably want to visit this bookstore in the airport. It came to me to say, “I bet you like the Bible.” She said, “Oh yes, I have many Bibles.” I said, “I have a book that will light up the Bible for you. It is this book.” I pointed to Science and Health, and offered it for sale. She got her credit card out and purchased the marble edition. I said let me pray God to bless your flight. “May the Lord preserve thy going out and thy coming in” (Psalms 121:8), which to the air traveler means, “May you get there on schedule, with all your luggage and carry-on items, uneventfully and smoothly.” We have great visitors.

A Christian Scientist came in and wanted to read the lesson. He had earlier called for directions to our Reading Room store. After he finished reading, he gave us a nice contribution. I thanked him, and he asked if we had an old Science and Health he could give away on a plane to someone receptive. The contribution he gave us was enough that he was given a new mid-sized Sterling edition of Science and Health. He thanked me and I could not help thinking he was taking the Reading Room with him to benefit someone receptive to the wonderful ideas in Science and Health and to Christian Science.

We are grateful for all of our visitors. We know that all visitors are blessed by coming here and we ask daily that we are able to bless those ready to receive.

Please visit us on the Web at www.csreadingroom-sfo.org Tel: 650-821-0105

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 here for 64 years, meeting the spiritual needs of travelers and airport personnel. We are requesting more volunteers to staff the Reading Room as well as prayerful support and financial contributions.

We thank our participating churches that serve on the board year round. They are:

First Church of Christ, Scientist, San Francisco, CA

Ninth Church of Christ, Scientist, San Francisco, CA

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Oakland, CA

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Palo Alto, CA

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Los Altos, CA

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Hayward, CA

First Church of Christ, Scientist, San Rafael, CA

To send a donation, please visit our website at www.csreadingroom-sfo.org mail to our Treasurer at:

Christian Science Reading Room Jointly Maintained
Harley Bennett, Treasurer
23871 Willows Drive, #384
Laguna Hills, CA 92653

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