GLOBAL FAMILY

Please thank Brian Asher for his thoughtful article "To feel at home" in the January 5 Sentinel ["The power of home"]. He wrote on traveling without fear and feeling a broader sense of family. I e-mailed it to a Japanese friend currently traveling alone in Mexico and heading to Africa. I also sent a copy to myself because I like the concept of seeing everyone as "family."

In my own travels, a similar sense of family has led my wife and me to a foster daughter, and "brothers and sisters" in Peru, the US, and various parts of Africa. But Asher goes one better, sensing family in strangers as well. Bravo!

BOB PRESS
FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE

'WAKING TO WHAT'S TRUE'

I'm very thankful for all the articles, poetry, and testimonies in the Sentinel that continue to nourish me.

Allison Phinney's poem "I can tell you this ..." in the January 19 and 26 issue ["God-inspired artists"] is especially cherished. I think it captures so perfectly the feeling of waking to what's true and worth everything. It's a wonderful piece to share, too.

Much gratitude to the poet, and to you for the publishing.

NANCY SAVAGE
WYNNEWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA, US

'DANCE WITH JOY'

The article, "My principal role" by Haley Hnderson-Smith in the January 19 and 26 issue, is awesome. She explained that performing is expressing God's qualities. Her dedication to the study and application of Christian Science led to physical and other healings. She danced to glorify God.

I'm not a professional dancer, but I can walk through my daily activities, not by dancing traditional steps, but by establishing God's qualities. Hymn 139 in the Christian Science Hymnal begins: "I walk with Love along the way." I've added a new sentence, "I dance with joy and peace today."

MARGARET MARGO SIMONS
BOISE, IDAHO, US

COURAGE AND CONVICTION

In light of The Christian Science Monitor online news story on January 22 referring to girls' schools being blown up in Pakistan, which affected 100,000 students, I am particularly thankful to have received and read the February 2 Sentinel, "Women in today's world," early this morning. The courage and conviction reflected in the timely accounts of healing and regeneration of women in all parts of the world is heartening. It brings to mind the hymn verse, "With courage go, / Give of your heart's rich overflow" (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 139).

Thank you for continuing to direct thought to the good resulting from prayers "for all mankind."

LESLEE ALLEN
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, US

AID TO STUDY

I so appreciate the explanation of each week's Christian Science Bible Lesson in the Sentinel. It took me a while to remember to look for it regularly, but now I always flip to the back pages of each issue to find it. Many thanks to all the writers who share their insights and inspiration with us about each upcoming Bible Lesson.

A friend recently told me how she has shared this weekly column with her spouse before he attends the Sunday service with her. He doesn't read the Lesson regularly, and sometimes has questions about it. Now he finds the Lesson much more understandable.

And in regard to the Bible Lesson itself, I know one person who is a new student of Christian Science and has been reading my Bible Lesson, the electronic version. She told me while reading it, she found a reference to Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896 by Mary Baker Eddy, and became curious about it. Eventually, she went to a Christian Science Reading Room to buy this book.

So I'm very grateful for all the new and fresh ways the Sentinel and other departments at The Mother Church are finding to share the Bible Lesson with others.

EVELYN HORN
CARMEL, INDIANA, US

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