Items of Interest May 26, 1934 Issue

Items of Interest

It is well known that Christian Scientists at summer resorts in the national parks and in the mountains gather in little bands to hold Christian Science Sunday services. Recently information was received of services being held at the famous winter resort Palm Springs, in the Coachella Desert district of Southern California, on the edge of a vast open plain, sun-scorched, sandy, shadeless, except for a few planted trees. Recenlty a group of Christian Scientists gathered there and held services in full view of the Santa Rosa range of mountains, in which the San Jacinto and San Gorgonio peaks rear their snow-capped heads some ten thousand feet.

The Readers read from an automobile, and alongside, under an improvised canopy of burlap, the soloist and organist did their part in the services. The organist performed upon an organ small enough to be transported by automobile. The audience was seated near by in automobiles or on their running boards. This service was one of a series initiated by the few resident Christian Scientists and some visitors. Each week two of the number are selected to read the next Sunday's service, and each week some of the number are selected to contribute the music. One who attended writes that it would be hard to conceive of more unpropitious surroundings for a place of worship—not all would agree with him in this—but the sincerity, simplicity, and spirituality of the services are an inspiration.

The services are conducted like those in a church edifice, with entire decorum and devoutness. The gratitude felt by those participating has resulted in the donation of a desert lot, upon which is being erected a ramada, or typical desert shelter, having a palm-leaf roof for shade and for shedding the very occasional rain. Other Christian Scientists are donating funds with which to purchase seats and other equipment. And thus the Christian Science residents, visitors, and tourists will have a regular place of worship, typial of its environment, in the desert, which might appropriately be called a desert for the blossoming of spiritual hopes.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Items of Interest

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access