CHURCH LIVES November 22, 2004 Issue

The satisfaction of giving back

By Fran Turetsky—Santa Rosa,—California

I was raised in the religion that was part of my ethnic heritage, but eventually I realized that this faith was not meeting my spiritual needs. I felt left out and unwelcome when I went to religious services. Our home was not peaceful because of my parents' unhappy marriage. There was constant fighting and arguing. In order to alleviate my depression, I began taking tranquilizers and making regular visits to a psychiatrist.

In 1968, I heard the words Christian Science spoken for the first time. In a casual conversation, the mother of one of my elementary school students mentioned to me that her children were enrolled in a Christian Science Sunday School. It was a period of my life when I was looking for a new religion. I was tired of a materialistic life and of taking medicine. And I was impressed by how very caring, with-it, and alive this family was. So I decided to visit a Christian Science church service. I felt warmly welcomed and loved there. I attended those services regularly and made wonderful new friends, some of whom are still my friends today. I threw away all the tranquilizers, stopped seeing a psychiatrist, and became a member of The Mother Church and that branch church.

About six years ago, I was living in southern California when my mom passed away in New England. I promised my mom's sister that I would come to the funeral. I stayed in a hotel near a branch Church of Christ, Scientist. On the way to church, I got lost and ended up driving the wrong way on a one-way street. So I stopped and called the church. An usher answered, gave me directions, and said, "Please introduce yourself to me after the service. I really want to meet you." The love of that usher, her family, and the members of that church were a source of tremendous comfort to me during that very challenging time. This dear woman and her family are among my most cherished friends today.

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