by Sue Krevitt in\u00a0Santa Cruz
\nRecently I was included in a Post-Summit meeting of sixteen Christian Scientists–wonderful folks eager to give-and-receive fresh and enlightening ideas on the topic of church–an important subject in all our hearts. There were Journal-listed practitioners, budding practitioners, a CS Teacher\u2026 all solid thinkers and doers in our movement, in this \u2018place of thought\u2019 called Northern California Church Alive!
\nWith such pure motives, such love and desire to be all\u00a0we can be in the world, expressing Mind/Life/Truth/Love,\u00a0the results of this meeting (and other such gatherings going on around this globe) are, and have to be, nothing but GOOD!
\nI’m offering some thoughts\u00a0on the topic \u201cLet’s Share More NCCA Summit Fruitage!\u201d
\nQuestion: Do I feel that the Northern California Church Alive Summit has brought me closer to my Goal: discovering more of my own (and others\u2019) connection to God?
\n![\"Lively](\"https://csnorcal.org/files/2014/03/2013-ChurchAlive_356.jpg\")
Answer: Yes. \u00a0My prayerful request had been: \u00a0Put me in an atmosphere alive with conversation/discussion/idea-flow/ livelymusic/ singing/ sharing/ food/ fun/ art/even dancing! \u00a0Help me find out what church can be\u2026expanded waay out \u2026 to bring me to a larger place in thought to what church can be, perhaps is, in fact.\u00a0 My prayers were answered at the summit! \u00a0It was all this and more.
Over this past year, my branch church has benefited by the light received at the Summit\u2026the six of us who went\u00a0are quietly–so far–sharing some of what we got, what changes/improvements/new ways we see might be well-received by our church family/community. These ideas are\u00a0being prayerfully considered, some implemented (our business meetings are now in the SS, in a circle–more like a family circle than facing-backs-formal). \u00a0We\u2019ve used our main auditorium piano instead of the organ a few times. \u00a0We are planning a Summit-Sharing Meeting soon, with light refreshments, videos, etc., and possibly asking some who attended the Summit to be presenters. One attendee told me she felt “transformed” by the Summit weekend!
\n\n
Question: Why did I need 700 other people (Summit attendees) to help me feel more of my (and others\u2019) connection to God?
\nAnswer: For now, I want the connection and assurance from others that I am on the right track by staying on a spiritual path in this “very material world.”
\nQuestion: Why did I take part in the hundreds of emails and phone calls, etc., over 7 months to help host and staff the Summit last May?
\n![\"Sharing\"](\"https://csnorcal.org/files/2014/03/Sharing.jpg\")
Answer: \u00a0Although it was demanding, I have been rewarded with feeling good about using my God-given talents to help out in this way. \u00a0I interfaced during the six months planning with 18 of the finest Christian thinkers and doers in our region, was inspired and uplifted by them, and more grateful than ever to be part of the CS movement! \u00a0(And others worked much hard than I did, btw.)
Question: \u00a0What are some of my reasons to continue being involved with\u00a0Post-Summit Discussion Groups?
\nAnswer: \u00a0Because I/we will continue to need each other for\u00a0support, for networking, for inspiration and fresh ideas, \u00a0for a while yet. \u00a0The energy from the Summit is still strong, still vital! \u00a0This work is the activity of divine Mind in our midst, the outpouring of Love in this \u201chuman realm.\u201d
\n\n
While God\u2019s provision may not be the biblical loaves and fishes, clearly the sharing and love at the Summit and the Post-Summit meetings, on our website (www.csnorcal.org), in our emails and other conversations are all part of Love\u2019s manna-of-today. \u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s feast!
\nI love learning that Truth is not abstract, impractical, ineffectual! \u00a0It is solid\u00a0substance, here-and-now stuff we can use today.
\nFor instance? \u00a0 Go to www.csnorcal.org…
\nHere\u2019s great info on how to join in the discussion ~ Re-visit the Summit videos ~ Contribute your ideas and ask your questions ~ Find out how others are renewing church services ~ be a more effective Sunday School teacher\u2026\u00a0and this site is growing, and will grow with your help!
\nA Church Liaison Group now forming is to keep our connection going\u2026to bring and get information–like vital fertilizer!\u2014to our church activity. The 77 CS churches and societies in the northern California region are rich resources for cross-pollination! \u00a0 (At the Summit, we used the analogy of gardening, seed-sowing, weeding, the Tree of Life, roots, etc. \u00a0I think this is a great way to illustrate what we are doing, don\u2019t you?)
\nI send you warm thoughts for ever-increasing joy and healing, as we go forward together on this great pathway of Life.
The post Summit Fruitage first appeared on CSNorcal.org.", "content_text": "by Sue Krevitt in\u00a0Santa Cruz\nRecently I was included in a Post-Summit meeting of sixteen Christian Scientists–wonderful folks eager to give-and-receive fresh and enlightening ideas on the topic of church–an important subject in all our hearts. There were Journal-listed practitioners, budding practitioners, a CS Teacher\u2026 all solid thinkers and doers in our movement, in this \u2018place of thought\u2019 called Northern California Church Alive!\nWith such pure motives, such love and desire to be all\u00a0we can be in the world, expressing Mind/Life/Truth/Love,\u00a0the results of this meeting (and other such gatherings going on around this globe) are, and have to be, nothing but GOOD!\nI’m offering some thoughts\u00a0on the topic \u201cLet’s Share More NCCA Summit Fruitage!\u201d\nQuestion: Do I feel that the Northern California Church Alive Summit has brought me closer to my Goal: discovering more of my own (and others\u2019) connection to God?\nAnswer: Yes. \u00a0My prayerful request had been: \u00a0Put me in an atmosphere alive with conversation/discussion/idea-flow/ livelymusic/ singing/ sharing/ food/ fun/ art/even dancing! \u00a0Help me find out what church can be\u2026expanded waay out \u2026 to bring me to a larger place in thought to what church can be, perhaps is, in fact.\u00a0 My prayers were answered at the summit! \u00a0It was all this and more.\nOver this past year, my branch church has benefited by the light received at the Summit\u2026the six of us who went\u00a0are quietly–so far–sharing some of what we got, what changes/improvements/new ways we see might be well-received by our church family/community. These ideas are\u00a0being prayerfully considered, some implemented (our business meetings are now in the SS, in a circle–more like a family circle than facing-backs-formal). \u00a0We\u2019ve used our main auditorium piano instead of the organ a few times. \u00a0We are planning a Summit-Sharing Meeting soon, with light refreshments, videos, etc., and possibly asking some who attended the Summit to be presenters. One attendee told me she felt “transformed” by the Summit weekend!\n \nQuestion: Why did I need 700 other people (Summit attendees) to help me feel more of my (and others\u2019) connection to God?\nAnswer: For now, I want the connection and assurance from others that I am on the right track by staying on a spiritual path in this “very material world.”\nQuestion: Why did I take part in the hundreds of emails and phone calls, etc., over 7 months to help host and staff the Summit last May?\nAnswer: \u00a0Although it was demanding, I have been rewarded with feeling good about using my God-given talents to help out in this way. \u00a0I interfaced during the six months planning with 18 of the finest Christian thinkers and doers in our region, was inspired and uplifted by them, and more grateful than ever to be part of the CS movement! \u00a0(And others worked much hard than I did, btw.)\nQuestion: \u00a0What are some of my reasons to continue being involved with\u00a0Post-Summit Discussion Groups?\nAnswer: \u00a0Because I/we will continue to need each other for\u00a0support, for networking, for inspiration and fresh ideas, \u00a0for a while yet. \u00a0The energy from the Summit is still strong, still vital! \u00a0This work is the activity of divine Mind in our midst, the outpouring of Love in this \u201chuman realm.\u201d\n \nWhile God\u2019s provision may not be the biblical loaves and fishes, clearly the sharing and love at the Summit and the Post-Summit meetings, on our website (www.csnorcal.org), in our emails and other conversations are all part of Love\u2019s manna-of-today. \u00a0\u00a0Let\u2019s feast!\nI love learning that Truth is not abstract, impractical, ineffectual! \u00a0It is solid\u00a0substance, here-and-now stuff we can use today.\nFor instance? \u00a0 Go to www.csnorcal.org…\nHere\u2019s great info on how to join in the discussion ~ Re-visit the Summit videos ~ Contribute your ideas and ask your questions ~ Find out how others are renewing church services ~ be a more effective Sunday School teacher\u2026\u00a0and this site is growing, and will grow with your help!\nA Church Liaison Group now forming is to keep our connection going\u2026to bring and get information–like vital fertilizer!\u2014to our church activity. The 77 CS churches and societies in the northern California region are rich resources for cross-pollination! \u00a0 (At the Summit, we used the analogy of gardening, seed-sowing, weeding, the Tree of Life, roots, etc. \u00a0I think this is a great way to illustrate what we are doing, don\u2019t you?)\nI send you warm thoughts for ever-increasing joy and healing, as we go forward together on this great pathway of Life.The post Summit Fruitage first appeared on CSNorcal.org.", "date_published": "2014-03-29T08:20:27-07:00", "date_modified": "2014-03-29T08:20:27-07:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Jason Marsh", "url": "https://csnorcal.org/author/jasonmarsh/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1595ace02b6a095fc81346f69289947f70bdd56b28121132c6aa940fb746147e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Jason Marsh", "url": "https://csnorcal.org/author/jasonmarsh/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1595ace02b6a095fc81346f69289947f70bdd56b28121132c6aa940fb746147e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://csnorcal.org/files/2014/03/Sharing.jpg", "tags": [ "Discussion Groups", "Engaging with the Faith Community", "Fellowship" ] }, { "id": "https://csnorcal.org/?p=750", "url": "https://csnorcal.org/2013/11/05/learning-about-church-at-burning-man/", "title": "Learning about Church at Burning Man", "content_html": "Several members of the Church Alive community participated in this year’s Burning Man event in Nevada over Labor Day. Anna Lisa Kronman writes up a beautiful post about her experience of learning about a deeper meaning of “church”. She writes:
\n![\"Burning](\"https://csnorcal.org/files/2013/11/P1250426-300x225.jpg\")
A unique element of Burning Man is its gift-based, rather than consumer-based economy….
\nEveryone that comes is expected to give something.\u00a0 Also part of this culture: extraordinary creativity, art, loud music, a markedly friendly and open/permissive atmosphere, and whimsical clothing (or sometimes none.)
A group of people who love Christian Science felt there was a good reason to be a presence in this city.\u00a0 We came to wash feet.
\nWe hadn\u2019t specifically set out to \u201cdo church\u201d there at Burning Man.\u00a0 We had planned to lovingly embrace that city of lively seekers by actively seeing their spiritual worthiness as we washed dust from their feet.\u00a0 What a surprise that in doing so, we discovered we were in the middle of church!
\nRead her whole post here:\u00a0http://annalisakronmancs.sharethepractice.org/2013/10/22/surprise-church-at-burning-man/
The post Learning about Church at Burning Man first appeared on CSNorcal.org.", "content_text": "Several members of the Church Alive community participated in this year’s Burning Man event in Nevada over Labor Day. Anna Lisa Kronman writes up a beautiful post about her experience of learning about a deeper meaning of “church”. She writes:\nA unique element of Burning Man is its gift-based, rather than consumer-based economy….\nEveryone that comes is expected to give something.\u00a0 Also part of this culture: extraordinary creativity, art, loud music, a markedly friendly and open/permissive atmosphere, and whimsical clothing (or sometimes none.)\nA group of people who love Christian Science felt there was a good reason to be a presence in this city.\u00a0 We came to wash feet.\nWe hadn\u2019t specifically set out to \u201cdo church\u201d there at Burning Man.\u00a0 We had planned to lovingly embrace that city of lively seekers by actively seeing their spiritual worthiness as we washed dust from their feet.\u00a0 What a surprise that in doing so, we discovered we were in the middle of church!\nRead her whole post here:\u00a0http://annalisakronmancs.sharethepractice.org/2013/10/22/surprise-church-at-burning-man/The post Learning about Church at Burning Man first appeared on CSNorcal.org.", "date_published": "2013-11-05T22:11:41-08:00", "date_modified": "2013-11-18T20:13:31-08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Jason Marsh", "url": "https://csnorcal.org/author/jasonmarsh/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1595ace02b6a095fc81346f69289947f70bdd56b28121132c6aa940fb746147e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Jason Marsh", "url": "https://csnorcal.org/author/jasonmarsh/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1595ace02b6a095fc81346f69289947f70bdd56b28121132c6aa940fb746147e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://csnorcal.org/files/2013/11/P1250426.jpg", "tags": [ "Fellowship", "Lectures", "Services (and Music)" ] }, { "id": "https://csnorcal.org/?p=738", "url": "https://csnorcal.org/2013/10/27/the-popes-challenge-love-over-ideology/", "title": "The Pope\u2019s Challenge: Love over Ideology", "content_html": "By Jason Marsh
\nI was struck by this video from the Pope, which touches on a theme dear to my heart: focusing on ideology over Love.
\n\nIt got me thinking about our churches and our services.
\nWhat ideology may be pushing people away from our churches? Here’s a few ideas:
\n– King James Version (old English) solely read from the desk
\n– Formalism of our Sunday service
\n– Musical instruments and solos limited to one style of music
\n– Inflexible membership policies
\n– Judgementalism around personal health care decisions
\nSome wouldn’t want to change our stands on these issues, but I think that each of these push people away from our churches. One argument is that we would prefer to push some people away: the purity of the movement is at stake. But really? Isn’t Love in Christian Science more important than the “grave-clothes of the letter?” Do we have the attitude to “…commemorate the word and works of our Master?”
The post The Pope\u2019s Challenge: Love over Ideology first appeared on CSNorcal.org.", "content_text": "By Jason Marsh\nI was struck by this video from the Pope, which touches on a theme dear to my heart: focusing on ideology over Love.\n\nIt got me thinking about our churches and our services.\nWhat ideology may be pushing people away from our churches? Here’s a few ideas:\n– King James Version (old English) solely read from the desk\n– Formalism of our Sunday service\n– Musical instruments and solos limited to one style of music\n– Inflexible membership policies\n– Judgementalism around personal health care decisions\nSome wouldn’t want to change our stands on these issues, but I think that each of these push people away from our churches. One argument is that we would prefer to push some people away: the purity of the movement is at stake. But really? Isn’t Love in Christian Science more important than the “grave-clothes of the letter?” Do we have the attitude to “…commemorate the word and works of our Master?”The post The Pope\u2019s Challenge: Love over Ideology first appeared on CSNorcal.org.", "date_published": "2013-10-27T16:37:34-07:00", "date_modified": "2013-10-29T21:55:11-07:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Jason Marsh", "url": "https://csnorcal.org/author/jasonmarsh/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1595ace02b6a095fc81346f69289947f70bdd56b28121132c6aa940fb746147e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Jason Marsh", "url": "https://csnorcal.org/author/jasonmarsh/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1595ace02b6a095fc81346f69289947f70bdd56b28121132c6aa940fb746147e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://csnorcal.org/files/2013/10/the-popes-challenge-love-over-ideology.jpg", "tags": [ "Fellowship", "Services (and Music)" ] }, { "id": "https://csnorcal.org/?p=684", "url": "https://csnorcal.org/2013/09/01/grass-valley-church-wednesday-dinners/", "title": "Grass Valley Church Wednesday Dinners", "content_html": "Submitted to the Fellowship Google Group, by Glenda Buda:
\nA few years ago I was serving as First Reader and I was praying each week as to how \u00a0to “be” the Christ in my church community. How could I be a better foot-washer:-)
\nThe Bible reminds us, in several passages, that we each have unique talents to contribute to the greater good. One of my gifts, one of the unique ways that I could express support and love for my community, was in my ability to serve as “hostess.”
\nI noticed that there were several individuals who had gotten out of the “habit” of coming on Wednesday evenings. Yet, I would see them if it was more of a “social” gathering.\u00a0My husband and I live about 10 minutes from church, we have a large home that accommodates groups well and hosting comes very naturally to us. So, I offered those natural gifts from God as a way of doing my part to embrace Wednesday Evenings \u00a0and as a way to put arms around each person in our church community.
\n![\"GrassValley](\"https://csnorcal.org/files/2013/09/GrassValley-Wed-dinner-300x225.jpg\")
I found that instead of offering an invite way in-advance, it was nice to be a bit more casual and spontaneous and see who could come. Especially being Reader with the joy of listening and planning for the Readings on Wednesday, i allowed for my own flexibility and when it seemed I had “open” space it worked best for me to email the group Sunday night before the Wednesday. I offered to provide the entr\u00e9e (Lasagna or spaghetti – any\u00a0hearty dish that can be made ahead…or even frozen, so that the “work” would be kept to a minimum for me as Practitioner and Reader, at the time. I also provided the beverages and then invited the others to fill-in with salads, desserts, fruit, bread and Parmesan cheese:-)
Our Wednesday meetings begin at 7:30 and I found that starting the potluck promptly at 5:30 gives us plenty of time to eat and love on one another:-)
\nThen about 7:15 (unless someone is serving in church) we all leave for church and have a great sense of oneness of purpose and support.
\nWhen I Read, I would leave ahead of everyone else and arrive at church about a half hour or so before the service to quietly set up.
\nAnd, just a side note of logistics here…we have a pretty good size membership…so, I divide it up in about thirds…and simply rotate throughout the membership over a period of time…some overlapping occurring each time. I’m kind of formal and have lovely dishes and linens so I invite the amount I can offer chairs for and support in all those recyclable materials-HA! \u00a0But, anyone could use plastic and paper. This is just us:-) It’s the Love that counts, NOT the presentation.
\nNow, what it is doing for the members:
\nIt’s hard to speak for everyone…but the responses are \u00a0overwhelmingly heartfelt expressions of feeling cared for, loved, included, united, beloved…more KNOWN…if I can put it that way. The members (and non-members) \u00a0feel like a special family.
\nThere’s a greater sense of intimacy that seems to open people up to asking for support, getting them more involved, making them feel more “committed”. They are not just numbers on a roster….this interaction seems to prompt thoughts ( then feelings…feelings come from thoughts, actually:-) of loyalty..not in an obligatory sense ( from the outside) but in a deeply, loving, connected sense from the Christ within. This seems to help prompt a “face-to-face” relationship among church members.
\nThat “face-to-face” is important because it’s in that Christly view –so focused- so “face to face” with God, that we see and feel the Christ among us, within us, as The Holy Ghost. That is the transformation that serves \u00a0and heals.
\nNow, that Holy Ghost is not dependent on food, or human gatherings…but, because The Holy Ghost is actively working among us…it may appear as the call to have a supper together before Wednesday, sometimes:-) This is simply one kind of opportunity to be witness to what that Holy Ghost does!
The post Grass Valley Church Wednesday Dinners first appeared on CSNorcal.org.", "content_text": "Submitted to the Fellowship Google Group, by Glenda Buda:\nA few years ago I was serving as First Reader and I was praying each week as to how \u00a0to “be” the Christ in my church community. How could I be a better foot-washer:-)\nThe Bible reminds us, in several passages, that we each have unique talents to contribute to the greater good. One of my gifts, one of the unique ways that I could express support and love for my community, was in my ability to serve as “hostess.”\nI noticed that there were several individuals who had gotten out of the “habit” of coming on Wednesday evenings. Yet, I would see them if it was more of a “social” gathering.\u00a0My husband and I live about 10 minutes from church, we have a large home that accommodates groups well and hosting comes very naturally to us. So, I offered those natural gifts from God as a way of doing my part to embrace Wednesday Evenings \u00a0and as a way to put arms around each person in our church community.\nI found that instead of offering an invite way in-advance, it was nice to be a bit more casual and spontaneous and see who could come. Especially being Reader with the joy of listening and planning for the Readings on Wednesday, i allowed for my own flexibility and when it seemed I had “open” space it worked best for me to email the group Sunday night before the Wednesday. I offered to provide the entr\u00e9e (Lasagna or spaghetti – any\u00a0hearty dish that can be made ahead…or even frozen, so that the “work” would be kept to a minimum for me as Practitioner and Reader, at the time. I also provided the beverages and then invited the others to fill-in with salads, desserts, fruit, bread and Parmesan cheese:-)\nOur Wednesday meetings begin at 7:30 and I found that starting the potluck promptly at 5:30 gives us plenty of time to eat and love on one another:-)\nThen about 7:15 (unless someone is serving in church) we all leave for church and have a great sense of oneness of purpose and support.\nWhen I Read, I would leave ahead of everyone else and arrive at church about a half hour or so before the service to quietly set up.\nAnd, just a side note of logistics here…we have a pretty good size membership…so, I divide it up in about thirds…and simply rotate throughout the membership over a period of time…some overlapping occurring each time. I’m kind of formal and have lovely dishes and linens so I invite the amount I can offer chairs for and support in all those recyclable materials-HA! \u00a0But, anyone could use plastic and paper. This is just us:-) It’s the Love that counts, NOT the presentation.\nNow, what it is doing for the members:\nIt’s hard to speak for everyone…but the responses are \u00a0overwhelmingly heartfelt expressions of feeling cared for, loved, included, united, beloved…more KNOWN…if I can put it that way. The members (and non-members) \u00a0feel like a special family.\nThere’s a greater sense of intimacy that seems to open people up to asking for support, getting them more involved, making them feel more “committed”. They are not just numbers on a roster….this interaction seems to prompt thoughts ( then feelings…feelings come from thoughts, actually:-) of loyalty..not in an obligatory sense ( from the outside) but in a deeply, loving, connected sense from the Christ within. This seems to help prompt a “face-to-face” relationship among church members.\nThat “face-to-face” is important because it’s in that Christly view –so focused- so “face to face” with God, that we see and feel the Christ among us, within us, as The Holy Ghost. That is the transformation that serves \u00a0and heals.\nNow, that Holy Ghost is not dependent on food, or human gatherings…but, because The Holy Ghost is actively working among us…it may appear as the call to have a supper together before Wednesday, sometimes:-) This is simply one kind of opportunity to be witness to what that Holy Ghost does!The post Grass Valley Church Wednesday Dinners first appeared on CSNorcal.org.", "date_published": "2013-09-01T14:05:56-07:00", "date_modified": "2013-09-01T14:05:56-07:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Jason Marsh", "url": "https://csnorcal.org/author/jasonmarsh/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1595ace02b6a095fc81346f69289947f70bdd56b28121132c6aa940fb746147e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Jason Marsh", "url": "https://csnorcal.org/author/jasonmarsh/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1595ace02b6a095fc81346f69289947f70bdd56b28121132c6aa940fb746147e?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Fellowship" ] } ] }