Excerpts from Graduation 2025

On the second Sunday in October, we gathered in the Chapel at the BA to celebrate the 2025 graduates of the Christian Science Nursing Arts Training Program. We’re so grateful to everyone who attended, and to Veronica Kline, C.S., who delivered the keynote address. While this was an in-person only event, we’re grateful to share excerpts from the graduation ceremony.

Excerpts from remarks given to the graduates by Heather Worley, Director of Christian Science Nurses Training at the Benevolent Association.

Over the years, especially when in the midst of many responsibilities associated with service to our Church and in the work of Christian Science nursing, I’ve thought often about what Mary Baker Eddy says in her Message to The Mother Church for 1900: “The song of Christian Science is, “Work—work—work—watch and pray” (1900: 2:7-8). The obvious emphasis on being at work for our Cause has always been clear. But, for me, this has at times carried a bit of a sense of burden, a responsibility that’s a little weighty…until lately. I’ll explain.

When I was in the midst of some very full responsibilities recently, I thought again of the message from our Leader to The Mother Church for 1900 regarding working, watching and praying. This time, the word “song”—with all the joy, sweetness, harmony and buoyancy this word brings—just rang out. It spoke to me so clearly of what we all know so well in this work—that there is nothing as sweet, as joyful, as rewarding, as unburdened as being at work with God, divine Love.

When you all have been called to work long hours, overnight hours, be on call for many days in a row, called to stay continuously by a patient’s side, you’ve surely come to know this joy of being so in tune with God, of letting God completely buoy and sustain you in your work. And, it has everything to do with recognizing Christian Science nursing as a divine activity. That’s what makes our work as Christian Science nurses about reflection and not some merely human effort. Work that might, through a merely physical lens, appear burdensome becomes joyous and even restful. We know the immortal nature of the work and feel the truth of Christ Jesus’ statement, “My yoke is easy, my burden is light.”

Excerpts from remarks by class speaker, Daiza Cuyaman, Christian Science nurse at the Benevolent Association.

The first two requirements, “member of The Mother Church”, and having “a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice” spoke to me greatly as I began my practice of Christian Science nursing. They are foundational for our daily work or activities and are great reminders of the importance of our own study, staying close with our pastor - the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, and to be reassured that as a member of The Mother Church, we have complete and various resources made available anywhere and anytime for inspiration, guidance, wisdom and spiritual growth.

Coming here to represent myself as a Christian Science nurse has been an amazing journey. My knowledge about the By-law has expanded even more and it’s delightful to see how vast the meaning of this By-law is and its practical application in our ministry.

One of the ethics that we are always reminded of is to “behold the perfect man.” As important as it is to be able to properly give care in a room, the importance of seeing each one I am ministering to as the child, the image and likeness of God, no matter what the situation is, has helped me so much in my work. It lifts my thought and brings me back to where I should place my focus – the truth about God and man. It’s been a strong support especially in difficult times where the individual I am ministering to has expressed discouragement or fear. It has also delivered me from being impressed by the physical picture and allowed me to see clearly that one’s true being is untouched, always whole and complete. On the other hand, I am also reminded to see the Christ expression in me - that I can express that God-given patience, confidence, clarity of my role as a Christian Science nurse and not fear to stand firm, and that I am able to express the practical wisdom needed in every instance. I realized that beholding the perfect man is not only a command that needs to be obeyed but also a reason for rejoicing - rejoicing for the unchanging, permanent, undecaying, indestructible spiritual status of man. Holding to the law of the uninterrupted harmony of God and His ideas enabled me to witness wonderful healings.

I am grateful to have experienced and witnessed the wide application of this By-law our Leader has provided, and how it continues to unfold as we grow in our ministry. Big thanks and appreciation to our mentors, supervisors, co-workers and management for all the support and understanding during our training and practice of Christian Science nursing.

Excerpts from the keynote address by Veronica Kline, C.S.

To me, the provision for Christian Science nursing is like Noah’s Ark, which he and his family built, and Moses’ basket which his mother built when he was three months old. Both biblical circumstances represent a refuge, a protection born out of hard work, but rooted in obedience to divine Mind and the corresponding promise of protection, which help to usher in healing.

In welcoming the healing presence of the Christ, the individual receiving the care of Christian Science nursing, whether for a day, or sojourning for a season, is relying on Christian Science both for treatment and care, which brings the same type of protection these two arks brought to mankind.

The ark may have served a temporary purpose, but the spiritual idea it represents lasts forever. Mrs. Eddy gives this definition of “Ark” in the Christian Science textbook: “ARK. Safety; the idea, or reflection, of Truth, proved to be as immortal as its Principle; the understanding of Spirit, destroying belief in matter. God and man coexistent and eternal; Science showing that the spiritual realities of all things are created by Him and exist forever. The ark indicates temptation overcome and followed by exaltation” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 581:8–14).

Many may remember that the second edition of Science and Health was fondly called the Ark Edition due to its gold foil stamped cover image of Noah’s ark. Published just three years after the first edition, this printing of Science and Health was the only one with such a distinct cover. Later, although a cross and crown image became a regular part of the cover design, the official Cross and Crown we know today was first published on the cover in 1908. This is the same year Mrs. Eddy established the Manual By-law: Christian Science Nurse.

Great gratitude was expressed for the graduates as well as for all Christian Science nurses throughout the Field!