why unite with CHURCH? December 8, 2003 Issue

A way to give back

Jessie Barth

Although I'd been raised as a Christian, I didn't really see Christianity as being practical. I had joined a mainline church, but I was also exploring all kinds of New Age theories and practices. It was during this time that I began to learn about Christian Science from a young couple I was working with in a musical production at my church.

Through the example of this loving couple, I became interested in learning more about their church. So my family and I began attending the local Church of Christ, Scientist, in State College, Pennsylvania. After about a year, though, I just wasn't sure that I really understood a lot of what Christian Science taught. I stopped attending, but continued to study Science and Health on my own. I had a number of healings of things such as flu, urinary tract infection, and injuries from an accident.

My turning point occurred in 1996 when I wanted to resign from my job as a music teacher so I could pursue only spiritual studies. I went to a Science and Health book talk, and that's where I heard about the personal struggles of Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered Christian Science. I learned how she remained committed to her healing mission no matter what obstacles confronted her. I identified with her because I'd been trying to become a healer through my music. It seemed that Science and Health was the guidebook on how to become a healer.