An expanded Sentinel experience

Dear Reader,

Among the words used to describe the founder of this magazine, Mary Baker Eddy, innovator isn’t one you often hear. But that’s precisely what she was. She saw what humanity needed, and she responded with publications that—to this day—remain on the cutting edge of thought. She was also forward-thinking enough to leave a framework for her publications in the Manual of The Mother Church so that the innovation could continue. That way, the form in which the healing ideas of Christian Science go out into the world keeps pace with their timeliness and timelessness.

Today, that form extends beyond the covers of a print magazine to the broad reach of the web, including audio and, soon, video. This web-based content provides more than just a new dimension to the print experience. It also offers content that’s more immediately responsive, audio from Christian Scientists worldwide, and easy shareability with those in need of healing.

While it may seem as though print and web are two separate experiences, you’ll notice ongoing innovations in the print Sentinel to ensure the seamless experience of a single product. QR (square) codes in the magazine (see p. 1 for an example) can take you directly from what you’re reading in print to, for instance, the author sharing an audio version. Pointing your smartphone’s camera at the code will take your screen right to the web page you’re looking for. You don’t even need a computer or to type in a URL.

Traveling beyond familiar horizons, such as a print publication we know and love, can sometimes feel daunting. Mrs. Eddy herself may have been unsure of where her divinely inspired innovations might lead. But she was also the one who penned these words in her textbook on Christian Science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: “Nothing is new to Spirit. Nothing can be novel to eternal Mind, the author of all things, who from all eternity knoweth His own ideas” (pp. 518–519). New to us, but not new to God. And with that fact comes the reassurance that whatever groundbreaking territory we find ourselves in, Mind already knows it and is revealing it to us to explore and benefit from.

Jenny Sawyer, Managing Editor,
Youth Content and Content Development