CHURCH EQUALS FAMILY

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for such an insightful issue on the value of church and how members can effectively participate ["Why go to church?" March 24]. This is a keeper.

Susan Mack's article, "A window to God's love," was a gem. She is so dear to share her inspirations, born out of years of praying for and participating in church. As she brings out so clearly, ongoing prayer for church and knowing who is in charge are all-important to our successful participation in church. I've loved and cherished the thought that our church is our family for a few years now, an idea I first read in the Sentinel.

Thank you for the good you do for the world and for me. You are "watching" in the very best way possible.

ROBIN KADZ
CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA

HELPFUL INSIGHTS

I am deeply grateful for Tom Black's recent Sentinel article "Education with a healing purpose" in the March 31 issue on Primary class instruction.

In this article, Mr. Black shares two accounts of individuals. One clearly brings to light that spontaneity of thought with a desire to help and heal, when put to practical use, results in quick healing. The other account is a classic example of resistance to a progressive step that one is planning and preparing for.

Mr. Black writes:

"The world resists everything that is new, and it resists most vigorously those ideas that most deeply challenge the general assumption of the superiority of matter. Friends, relatives, employers may sneer at someone's effort to take class instruction; money to pay expenses may be short; dates may conflict; illness, accident, or another kind of interference may threaten to crop up at the last minute. Mary Baker Eddy, through a secretary, referred to these situations as 'the net that is craftily laid and cunningly concealed to prevent their advancement in this direction' (Miscellany, p. 241)."

DEE MAHUVAWALLA
PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

REMINDED ME OF A SONG

I would like to thank Ellen, 9, for her letter in the "For kids" section of the March 31 issue. I found the "let go and let God" statement by her dad very helpful, as well as the reminder "God is Love. And He doesn't make badness."

It reminded me of the lyrics in a Bon Jovi song: "When you want to give up, and your heart's about to break, / Remember that you're perfect; God makes no mistakes."

JOE BARTH
NEW GLOUCESTER, MAINE, US

MY PHILIP' HAS ARRIVED!

Serving as First Reader in my branch Church of Christ, Scientist, there are times when the weekly Christian Science Bible Lesson seems almost "Greek to me." In the past, I've felt like the eunuch sitting in his chariot on his return from Jerusalem to Ethiopia, reading Esaias the prophet, and hoping and praying for a Philip to come along and help him interpret the Scriptures [see Acts 8:26–39].

Well, lo and behold, almost as an answer to my prayers, along comes a "Philip," in the form of the "In the Christian Science Bible Lesson" column in the Sentinel each week. This column is so very helpful, shining light on the week's Bible Lesson. It also helps me find related ideas for hymns and scriptural selections and benedictions.

Thank you so much. This also helps to keep me "read up" with the Christian Science Sentinel.

JAMES C. PURDON
MYERSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, US

MARVELOUS STUDY AID

I want to thank you for the weekly "In the Christian Science Bible Lesson" page. It is simply marvelous to have it to turn to, after I have written out my own versionof of the sections, to get the view of the writer. It has helped me so much to get a different view or different information about some historical fact. I can't wait to read the Lesson!

CHARLOTTE A. POTTER
MAMARONECK, NEW YORK, US

The Sentinel invites your comments. Please include your name, address, and daytime phone number. All letters to the editor are submissions for publication, unless you request otherwise, and are subject to editing for length and clarity if selected for publication. Opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the Christian Science Sentinel.

E-MAIL: Sentinel@csps.com
REGULAR MAIL: Sentinel Letters
210 Massachusetts Avenue, p03-30
Boston, MA 02115 USA