These remarks opened one of the meeting of the Sparklers Writing Workshop, a monthly gathering at the BA of people interested in writing and in sharing ideas in a relaxed, nonjudgmental atmosphere. Attendees include residents, their friends and family, BA staff members, and friends of the facility who live nearby.

“Everyone who comes to the workshop is asked to write and not just observe,” says Dee, who is herself a published writer with a career in advertising. “There are two rules by which workshop participants must abide—the first is that everyone must write, and the second is that each participant must respect what he or she has written.”

Participants are encouraged to respect not only their own writing, but the writing of others produced during the workshops. “All our creativity comes from God,” says Dee, who founded the workshop at the BA several years ago. Participants are not required to share their work with other attendees during the workshops.

A key aspect of each workshop is three-to-five minute writing “sprints” focused on a variety of words or phrases given during the workshop. The intent behind this exercise is “to get an idea down on paper and to get it down quickly,” Dee emphasizes. Topics have included “prayer for the hurricane victims,” “a trip on a raindrop,” and “moonlight.”

Those participating are also encouraged to submit their work for publication. At one recent count, 14 articles had been published, including in The Christian Science Monitor and Christian Science Sentinel. In addition, these writers have produced two booklets of their collective work, one of which is called I Will Light My Candle, which took its title from the theme of the first workshop of 2006.

“When we take time to share with each other, we are in a way ‘publishing’ our work,” Dee sums up.

“It’s important to have a balance in life,” says Jean Reilly, who has lived at the BA for two-and-a-half years. She appreciates the atmosphere of peace that supports her prayer and study in Christian Science, while also enjoying opportunities to be active in the community. “There are so many things that have opened up for me since I’ve been here.”

“I’ve enjoyed being part of our larger community,” she notes. Some of this enjoyment includes reading to the children in an extended-day program at a local elementary school every week and attending open rehearsals of the Boston Symphony, as well as enjoying many other cultural and educational activities.

Jean Bishop remarks that when she moved to the BA one-and-a-half years ago, “Everything seemed new and my routine changed somewhat, but I had an expectancy of good and a sense of independence that still characterize my residence here.”

“There are lots of opportunities to be out and about as a Christian Scientist,” she offers.

Both women look forward each week to volunteering as attendants at a nearby Christian Science Reading Room. They also appreciate the opportunities afforded local members of The Mother Church to attend meetings and to serve in various ways including ushering at the Annual Meeting of The Mother Church.

And nowhere does she feel more at home than at Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association. “I’m really so comfortable here at the BA,” says Mary-Anna who has lived at the BA for 15 years. “This is my extended family.” She remarks on the varied opportunities she has had during those 15 years to contribute to her BA home atop a hill in Boston.

“My home at the BA is so like where I lived in Guernsey in the Channel Islands,” says Mary-Anna. “I lived there with my husband, who was Scottish, and my four daughters as they were growing up.” Now, one of these daughters lives in Greece and England, another daughter in Hawaii, the third in Minnesota, and the fourth near the BA in Massachusetts.

As an artist, Mary-Anna has found special joy in the natural beauty of the BA’s grounds. She is often seen in warmer weather painting a favorite view from a bench or swing. “Landscapes are my favorite subject as a watercolorist,” she says, adding that she has donated many paintings to the BA.

Before becoming a resident, Mary-Anna enjoyed volunteering at the BA for three years. Then she was admitted to the BA as a patient. During that time under nursing care, which resulted in a healing, she was inspired to move to the BA as a resident. Her move from nursing to independent living as a resident was just like coming home, she recalls joyfully.

I had been doing metaphysical work that day and had been particularly drawn to the statement, ‘If the disciple is advancing spiritually, he is striving to enter in. He constantly turns away from material sense, and looks towards the imperishable things of Spirit’ (Science and Health, page 21). Upon regaining consciousness, I was at first confused and immediately experienced pain when I attempted to get up from the ground. Then I became aware of the fallen tree next to me. The verse from Science and Health was quickly recalled and helped me to turn from the mental picture of accident. This kept me from experiencing extreme fear.

Nevertheless, still lying on the ground, I became concerned about the possibility of broken and dislocated bones. The thought came that perhaps I should not move. However, the fact that I was alone with no help in sight made me realize that I needed to get up to my house at the top of a small hill.

An angel message reminded me that function was not dependent on body or physical organs. Movement therefore was dependent on Mind, not on organs of the body that could be injured. I suddenly was able to get to my feet, although with limited mobility.

I noticed blood on my clothes, which was from a gash on my head where the tree had struck, but bleeding had already stopped.

Upon entering the house, I called to my wife, who immediately called a Christian Science practitioner. My wife drove me to Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association where I received very loving and professional care, with three nurses in attendance, who cleansed and bandaged the wound without causing any pain or discomfort. The communication from the nurses was very supportive and uplifting. Also, close communication was maintained between the nurses and the practitioner.

I returned home in a few hours. A Christian Science nurse from the BA visited me in my home to change the bandage. She also provided a sling to support my left arm, aids to assist in mobility, and practical advice on ways to perform necessary tasks more easily.

By the beginning of the second week, I was able to take a train to work, being taken to the station by car, and carry on all my regular activities. From the beginning, I was in daily contact with the practitioner, who shared many useful insights. By the end of the second week, I could use my left arm sufficiently to shower without assistance. The nurse returned to my home and removed the bandages. Where a severe gash had appeared, there was only a scratch. Today, there is no evidence of even a scratch.

In less than two months after the incident, I was playing tennis, raking leaves, and accomplishing all normal tasks, with only occasional slight discomfort. Shortly thereafter, I had no discomfort and was splitting firewood.

This healing has been a significant waymark in my growth Spiritward. It has given me a much greater appreciation for the role of Christian Science nursing and the BA in support of Christian Science healing.

*Hymn 174, Christian Science Hymnal

I’ve felt the great importance and need for Christian Science nursing care for the Field—but this was my first experience, personally receiving it. And this experience gave me the first-hand knowledge of…how unique Christian Science nursing care is from any other nursing care. I feel I learned so much just being there and observing Love in action.

I am 100% in the full swing of things now having experienced a wonderful healing. I count this healing as a very important step in my spiritual progress.

Thanks again

After two days at the BA, I felt an adjustment in my body. When the nurses came in that next morning to move me, I found that I was completely free of the pain and could sit up on my own. I knew that this was a decisive step in the healing. During the next month with the continued support of the nursing staff and practitioner, I regained my strength and was able to eat normally. My son and daughters visited daily and gained an appreciation for the quality of care provided by the nurses. We were so grateful for this healing!

Although there was joy in working in the office, I felt a quiet nudge to begin considering Mary Baker Eddy’s provision “Christian Science Nurse,” found in the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. VIII, Sect. 31), as well as the qualities expressed about the nurse on page 395 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mrs. Eddy. I also spoke to a trusted friend and shared with her what I was considering. She mentioned Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association and its deep commitment to the Manual By-law.

Over a period of time, I listened in my prayers for an answer to the question of whether it was right to put aside an advanced degree in a chosen field to pursue this new course, because a financial commitment had been involved in that endeavor, and there seemed to be much family support tied to that career path. But again and again, I was reminded as I prayed of how much I loved serving as Reader in my branch, and of how all of my activities seemed more enlightened and satisfying with this newfound love for church. I deeply desired to serve church in a fuller capacity and Christian Science nursing was becoming that continual leading.

I have been nursing now for almost three years and continue to find much joy in this. The friendships made on the nursing floor with fellow nurses have meant a great deal to me, as well as the countless opportunities to be working side-by-side with skilled and nurturing instructors and mentors. Most importantly, the healings that I have witnessed have been a blessing. My training is nearing completion but I am continually reminded of the many blessings this work has brought.