Christian Science Board of Directors Visits Campuses
During the first week of November, students on both Principia campuses had the privilege of conversing and meeting with members of the Christian Science Board of Directors.
The Board was invited to visit by Student Government at the College. “We recognize that college can definitely be a time for a lot of self-searching and questioning,” said Student Body President Emma Herman, “and the idea unfolded to prepare and plan two student-only events.” For these Thursday evening and Friday morning sessions, students were able to submit questions anonymously ahead of time and also “ask follow-up questions and converse with various Board members in a comfortable setting,” she explained. Then, on Friday afternoon, the Board visited Principia Upper School for a moderated panel discussion of questions that students had submitted in advance.
On both campuses, students sought to better understand the role of the Board—in terms of support and defense of the Cause as well as oversight of the day-to-day operations of this worldwide movement. Another point of interest was the Directors’ individual journeys to becoming effective, practicing Christian healers—what brought them into Christian Science or what kept them committed to it? One director told of coming into Christian Science as a college student; another shared how she chose to follow Christian Science in high school. The other three directors, who were “born into Christian Science,” so to speak, shared how they made individual commitments to it.
Not surprisingly, since the visit was only a few days before Tuesday, November 8, students asked how to think about the divisive presidential race. The Directors noted the importance of seeing through discord and human opinions and “voting for” the truth about man as God’s reflection, ever under His divine government. “Truth is always the victor,” one of the Directors reminded students (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 380).
A substantial portion of the discussion on both campuses revolved around the relevance of Christian Science today. The Directors shared their conviction that Christian Science is not just relevant but essential and effective in a world seeking health, peace, and freedom. In all its responses, the Board stressed compassion for ourselves and our fellow man and a sense of joy in working to share the liberating message of Christian Science—God’s universal love for all—with the world.
“The students who took advantage of the opportunity really appreciated the insights, perspective, and spiritual uplifting that the Board brought,” says Herman.