The Kingdom of Heaven
an atmosphere expectant of healing
Administrator’s Report – 2024 Annual Meeting
Bonnie Fanz, Administrator | Beacon Haven
As we are mere days away from elections in the United States, I am grateful to celebrate with you the nonpartisan ministry of Christian Science nursing. I am grateful that the Christian Science nursing work is a pure expression of God’s love to each and every one of his children.
I am reminded that Jesus’ healing ministry took place during a difficult period of Roman occupation. His ability to heal was not affected by it! He said when speaking to Pilate after being arrested, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36) At the beginning of his public ministry he said, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)
Regardless of the state of politics or world affairs, as Christian Scientists we can unite as we strive to better understand God’s kingdom. Mary Baker Eddy defines the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN in the glossary of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures as, “the reign of harmony in divine Science; the realm of unerring, eternal, and omnipotent Mind; the atmosphere of Spirit, where Soul is supreme.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 590:1)
Mrs. Eddy also says in Miscellaneous Writings:
What is the kingdom of heaven? The abode of Spirit, the realm of the real. No matter is there, no night is there — nothing that maketh or worketh a lie. Is this kingdom afar off? No: it is ever-present here. The first to declare against this kingdom is matter. Shall that be called heresy which pleads for Spirit — the All of God, and His omnipresence?
The kingdom of heaven is the reign of divine Science: it is a mental state.
Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 174
At Beacon Haven, our mission statement is:
Supporting proper care and an atmosphere expectant of healing through Christian Science nursing.
This atmosphere expectant of healing is acknowledging that the kingdom of heaven is at hand right here, right now, regardless of what the material sense picture appears to present. As Christian Science nurses we strive daily to behold the perfect man in our work.
As Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health,
“Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God’s own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick. Thus Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is intact, universal, and that man is pure and holy.”
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 476:32–5
This past year has presented many opportunities for growth –to behold the perfect man. We have more Christian Science nurses on staff than we have had in several years. We have been able to accept more patients. We are grateful to be able to show “proof of our utility.” As Christian Science nursing is Manual based, an expression of church activity, we strive to bear witness more fully to MBE’s entire glossary definition of church in our work:
“… that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick.”
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 583:14
As we strive to bear witness to God’s healing work, your metaphysical and financial support also help to demonstrate proof of our utility. Support from the Christian Science community dates all the way back to the beginnings of the Star of Bethlehem, the original Christian Science facility in the Twin Cities in the early 1920’s. Please check out some of the recent blog postings on our website about the history of how Star of Bethlehem came to be. It is inspiring to realize the support that has existed for Christian Science nursing in our community for over 100 years. We stand upon the shoulders of those who had an expansive vision of the value of Christian Science nursing and prioritized building a refuge from material sense where one could go to “work out his own salvation” (Phil 2:12) in a harmonious atmosphere free from medical influences.
While the stories of this organization’s beginnings are inspiring, we are focused on the present fulfilling of our mission. The work continues today, and your support is more vital than ever. We continue to prioritize a living wage for our Christian Science nurses. The grant we received in 2021 to help with this priority runs through early 2026. Instead of a brick-and-mortar building project, we are currently working to support our increased annual operating budget due to the increased nursing wages, as well as building our endowment fund to supplement operating income. You heard about these priorities in more detail in the Treasurer’s Report.
Funding has been restored to our Pathways nurses’ training program through a generous gift from Second Church of Christ, Scientist in Minneapolis. We are in the process of revamping the program due to updated requirements for training and mentoring as put forth by the office of Christian Science Nursing Activities at The Mother Church. We will roll out the revamped Pathways program, which I like to call the 2.0 version, next year. Please stay tuned!
In this centennial year I have been reflecting on the quality of humility, as we look toward the future. Mrs. Eddy spoke so highly of humility, “Humility is the stepping-stone to a higher recognition of Deity.” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 1:15–16)
Humility seems to be little valued in society today and even interpreted as weakness, but Christ Jesus himself said “I can of mine own self do nothing:…I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30)
Humility is vital to our work in Christian Science nursing. We strive to love more and to seek the will of the Father in all that we do, beholding Christly qualities in our work with each other.
I am inspired by this year’s annual meeting theme, “Whatever changes come to this century …, we may safely submit to the providence of God,…”
(The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 220)
As we look to the future, humbly seeking God’s will, striving to see the kingdom of God expressed – we are grateful for God’s provision and guidance. In closing – a quote from Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy:
“It is the purpose of divine Love to resurrect the understanding, and the kingdom of God, the reign of harmony already within us. Through the word that is spoken unto you, are you made free. Abide in His word, and it shall abide in you; and the healing Christ will again be made manifest in the flesh — understood and glorified.
Honor thy Father and Mother, God. Continue in His love. Bring forth fruit — “signs following” — that your prayers be not hindered. Pray without ceasing. Watch diligently; never desert the post of spiritual observation and self-examination. Strive for self-abnegation, justice, meekness, mercy, purity, love. Let your light reflect Light. Have no ambition, affection, nor aim apart from holiness. Forget not for a moment, that God is All-in-all — therefore, that in reality there is but one cause and effect.
The pride of circumstance or power is the prince of this world that has nothing in Christ. All power and happiness are spiritual, and proceed from goodness. Sacrifice self to bless one another, even as God has blessed you. Forget self in laboring for mankind; then will you woo the weary wanderer to your door, win the pilgrim and stranger to your church, and find access to the heart of humanity. While pressing meekly on, be faithful, be valiant in the Christian’s warfare, and peace will crown your joy.”
Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 154:16–12
Thank you.
Bonnie Fanz, Administrator, Clifton House Inc (dba Beacon Haven)
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