{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1", "user_comment": "This feed allows you to read the posts from this site in any feed reader that supports the JSON Feed format. To add this feed to your reader, copy the following URL -- https://sharethepractice.org/feed/json -- and add it your reader.", "next_url": "https://sharethepractice.org/feed/json?paged=2", "home_page_url": "https://sharethepractice.org", "feed_url": "https://sharethepractice.org/feed/json", "language": "en-US", "title": "Share the Practice", "description": "Providing websites and services for Christian Scientists since 2003", "icon": "https://i0.wp.com/sharethepractice.org/files/2018/05/cropped-ShareThePractice_512x512.png?fit=512%2C512&ssl=1", "items": [ { "id": "https://sharethepractice.org/?p=21279", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/2024/10/31/new-site-redesign-for-neil-h-bowles-association/", "title": "New site redesign for Neil H. Bowles Association", "content_html": "

Very happy to announce the launch of a new website for the Neil H. Bowles Association. Check it out!

\n

\"Neil

\n

It was a lot of fun helping to reorganize content for clarity, better user experience, and effective communication for Association members and guests.

\n

Be sure to check out the Articles and Lectures page if you’d like to read Mr. Bowles articles or hear a few of his articles.

The post New site redesign for Neil H. Bowles Association first appeared on Share the Practice.", "content_text": "Very happy to announce the launch of a new website for the Neil H. Bowles Association. Check it out!\n\nIt was a lot of fun helping to reorganize content for clarity, better user experience, and effective communication for Association members and guests.\nBe sure to check out the Articles and Lectures page if you’d like to read Mr. Bowles articles or hear a few of his articles.The post New site redesign for Neil H. Bowles Association first appeared on Share the Practice.", "date_published": "2024-10-31T16:17:44-07:00", "date_modified": "2024-10-31T16:17:44-07:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Gabriel Serafini", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/24bddbb394eff14300a8d1b157a5407e4c7c907bc3c74f4f50f8313e8ef70c0f?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Gabriel Serafini", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/24bddbb394eff14300a8d1b157a5407e4c7c907bc3c74f4f50f8313e8ef70c0f?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "tags": [ "Christian Science", "Christian Science Websites", "News", "Portfolio" ] }, { "id": "https://sharethepractice.org/?p=1722", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/2019/05/15/earning-a-girl-scout-badge-while-learning-about-mary-baker-eddy-for-womens-history-month-why-not/", "title": "Earning a Girl Scout badge while learning about Mary Baker Eddy for Women\u2019s History Month? Why not!", "content_html": "

\"Girl

\n

This story was contributed by Karen McMullen, of Denton, Texas, and shares how she helped organize a Girl Scout badge earning opportunity for her local troop. Check it out, and see if you can think of other fun and interesting ways to reach out to your local community!

\n

Free Girl Scout Badge Workshop on \u201cWho was Mary Baker Eddy?\u201d for Women\u2019s History Month

\n

24 Girls Scouts learned about Mary Baker Eddy, The Christian Science Monitor, and The Christian Science Reading room in 2 workshops. Brownies, Juniors and Caddett Girl Scouts were invited through the local Girl Scout Service Unit. The first workshop filled up in 15 minutes of posting the event and there was a waiting list of 20 more girls so we added a second workshop the following weekend.

\n

Here is what we did:

\n

We started the workshop with a 9 minute video on Mary Baker Eddy – provided by the Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity. The video is a great tool to quickly cover her history and accomplishments. We used that material to have a discussion of her struggles and how she was able to overcome them. The Christian Science Monitor has a section in the weekly magazine called \u201cPeople Making a Difference\u201d. We reviewed a few articles from that section and asked the girls to write a brief description of how they would like to make a difference in their communities on a worksheet provided by the MBE Library. Then we moved on the a simple craft. In one of Eddy\u2019s homes she had a cross stitch that read \u201c Do Right, Fear Not\u201d. We had the girls cross stitch this phrase on card stock for them to finish at home and save. The idea tied in so well with how they could make a difference in the world. Next, we played a simple game of cat\u2019s cradle with the younger girls. We had divided into 3 smaller groups, so the for the last activity we all came back together and preformed brief skits about the articles the girls wrote on how they would make a difference in the world. We all ate Eddy\u2019s favorite food, ice cream, as we watched the skits. All the girls left with a certificate of completion for their badge and a copy of The Christian Science Monitor.

\n

This event was Simple, Easy, Low Cost, Effective outreach to our community. If you would like to have details on how to do this in your area I would be happy to share.

\n

Karen McMullen
\ndkammc@verizon.net

\n\n\"Girl\n\"Girl\n\"Girl\n\"Girl\n\"GirlThe post Earning a Girl Scout badge while learning about Mary Baker Eddy for Women\u2019s History Month? Why not! first appeared on Share the Practice.", "content_text": "This story was contributed by Karen McMullen, of Denton, Texas, and shares how she helped organize a Girl Scout badge earning opportunity for her local troop. Check it out, and see if you can think of other fun and interesting ways to reach out to your local community!\nFree Girl Scout Badge Workshop on \u201cWho was Mary Baker Eddy?\u201d for Women\u2019s History Month\n24 Girls Scouts learned about Mary Baker Eddy, The Christian Science Monitor, and The Christian Science Reading room in 2 workshops. Brownies, Juniors and Caddett Girl Scouts were invited through the local Girl Scout Service Unit. The first workshop filled up in 15 minutes of posting the event and there was a waiting list of 20 more girls so we added a second workshop the following weekend.\nHere is what we did:\nWe started the workshop with a 9 minute video on Mary Baker Eddy – provided by the Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity. The video is a great tool to quickly cover her history and accomplishments. We used that material to have a discussion of her struggles and how she was able to overcome them. The Christian Science Monitor has a section in the weekly magazine called \u201cPeople Making a Difference\u201d. We reviewed a few articles from that section and asked the girls to write a brief description of how they would like to make a difference in their communities on a worksheet provided by the MBE Library. Then we moved on the a simple craft. In one of Eddy\u2019s homes she had a cross stitch that read \u201c Do Right, Fear Not\u201d. We had the girls cross stitch this phrase on card stock for them to finish at home and save. The idea tied in so well with how they could make a difference in the world. Next, we played a simple game of cat\u2019s cradle with the younger girls. We had divided into 3 smaller groups, so the for the last activity we all came back together and preformed brief skits about the articles the girls wrote on how they would make a difference in the world. We all ate Eddy\u2019s favorite food, ice cream, as we watched the skits. All the girls left with a certificate of completion for their badge and a copy of The Christian Science Monitor.\nThis event was Simple, Easy, Low Cost, Effective outreach to our community. If you would like to have details on how to do this in your area I would be happy to share.\nKaren McMullen\ndkammc@verizon.net\n\n\n\n\n\nThe post Earning a Girl Scout badge while learning about Mary Baker Eddy for Women\u2019s History Month? Why not! first appeared on Share the Practice.", "date_published": "2019-05-15T17:13:07-07:00", "date_modified": "2019-05-15T17:13:44-07:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Gabriel Serafini", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/24bddbb394eff14300a8d1b157a5407e4c7c907bc3c74f4f50f8313e8ef70c0f?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Gabriel Serafini", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/24bddbb394eff14300a8d1b157a5407e4c7c907bc3c74f4f50f8313e8ef70c0f?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://i0.wp.com/sharethepractice.org/files/2019/05/20190331_170249.jpg?fit=3024%2C3024&ssl=1", "tags": [ "Christian Science Outreach", "Ideas", "Mary Baker Eddy", "News", "Tips" ] }, { "id": "https://sharethepractice.org/?p=1266", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/2018/04/11/2018-healing-101-series-is-off-to-a-good-start/", "title": "2018 Healing 101 Series is off to a good start!", "content_html": "

\"Healing

\n

We’re pleased to once again be providing the technical support for the Healing 101 Series of talks. This is the 3rd year we’ve participated by filming, hosting the live webinar, editing the replay videos and publishing them on the healing101.sharethepractice.org site and our YouTube channel. We redesigned the site this year for better long-term accessibility and mobile-friendly display. You can easily access all the lecture replays there. The mailing list has grown to over 1,000 subscribers, and the Facebook page has over 500 likes.

\n

As of April 2018, over 1.4 million minutes of Healing 101 talks have been viewed on our channel. Pretty cool!

\n

You can register on the Healing 101 site to watch the live webinars, or watch the replays below:

\n

\n

The post 2018 Healing 101 Series is off to a good start! first appeared on Share the Practice.", "content_text": "We’re pleased to once again be providing the technical support for the Healing 101 Series of talks. This is the 3rd year we’ve participated by filming, hosting the live webinar, editing the replay videos and publishing them on the healing101.sharethepractice.org site and our YouTube channel. We redesigned the site this year for better long-term accessibility and mobile-friendly display. You can easily access all the lecture replays there. The mailing list has grown to over 1,000 subscribers, and the Facebook page has over 500 likes.\nAs of April 2018, over 1.4 million minutes of Healing 101 talks have been viewed on our channel. Pretty cool!\nYou can register on the Healing 101 site to watch the live webinars, or watch the replays below:\n\nThe post 2018 Healing 101 Series is off to a good start! first appeared on Share the Practice.", "date_published": "2018-04-11T00:21:02-07:00", "date_modified": "2018-04-11T00:21:02-07:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Gabriel Serafini", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/24bddbb394eff14300a8d1b157a5407e4c7c907bc3c74f4f50f8313e8ef70c0f?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Gabriel Serafini", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/24bddbb394eff14300a8d1b157a5407e4c7c907bc3c74f4f50f8313e8ef70c0f?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://i0.wp.com/sharethepractice.org/files/2018/04/Screen-Shot-2018-04-11-at-12.12.57-AM.png?fit=3104%2C1842&ssl=1", "tags": [ "Christian Science", "Christian Science Lectures", "Christian Science Websites", "Portfolio", "Video" ] }, { "id": "https://sharethepractice.org/?p=1229", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/2017/10/18/nice-set-of-of-talks-by-janet-horton-on-ptsd/", "title": "Nice set of of talks by Janet Horton on PTSD", "content_html": "

\"Janet

\n

We helped First Church of Christ, Scientist Ashland Oregon with the video editing for an excellent series of talks given by Retired Col. Janet Horton, Chaplain, on the topic of healing PTSD.

\n

Watch videos and download the audio files here: https://christianscienceashland.org/2017/10/18/healing-ideas-and-prayer-for-ptsd-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-healed-videos/

The post Nice set of of talks by Janet Horton on PTSD first appeared on Share the Practice.", "content_text": "We helped First Church of Christ, Scientist Ashland Oregon with the video editing for an excellent series of talks given by Retired Col. Janet Horton, Chaplain, on the topic of healing PTSD.\nWatch videos and download the audio files here: https://christianscienceashland.org/2017/10/18/healing-ideas-and-prayer-for-ptsd-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-healed-videos/The post Nice set of of talks by Janet Horton on PTSD first appeared on Share the Practice.", "date_published": "2017-10-18T12:50:18-07:00", "date_modified": "2017-10-18T12:50:18-07:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Gabriel Serafini", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/24bddbb394eff14300a8d1b157a5407e4c7c907bc3c74f4f50f8313e8ef70c0f?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Gabriel Serafini", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/24bddbb394eff14300a8d1b157a5407e4c7c907bc3c74f4f50f8313e8ef70c0f?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://i0.wp.com/sharethepractice.org/files/2017/10/Janet_Horton_PTSD_slides_intro.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1", "tags": [ "Christian Science" ] }, { "id": "https://sharethepractice.org/?p=1196", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/2017/03/28/healing-101-lecture-series-returns-starting-april-4-2017-with-5-new-speakers/", "title": "Healing 101 Lecture Series returns starting April 4, 2017 with 5 new speakers", "content_html": "

\"\"

\n

The Healing 101 series is returning in
\nApril 2017 with 5 new speakers,
\nfree registration is now open!

\n

We’re excited to announce that\u00a0Healing 101, the successful Christian Science lecture series that premiered last spring, will be once again available in a new series this April, and you are invited to tune in!\u00a0There will be 5 lectures in this year’s series, each sharing different perspectives and experiences on the utility and power of healing through prayer, a particular need at this time.

\n

Announcing the 2017 Healing 101 Series Speakers

\n

\"April
\n
April 3\u00a0Webinar Registration Link\u00a0 | \u00a0Facebook RSVP / Invite Your Friends

\n
\n

\"April
\n
April 10\u00a0Webinar Registration Link\u00a0 | \u00a0Facebook RSVP / Invite Your Friends

\n

\"April
\n
April 17\u00a0Webinar Registration Link\u00a0 | \u00a0Facebook RSVP / Invite Your Friends

\n

\"April
\n
April 24 Webinar Registration Link\u00a0 | \u00a0Facebook RSVP / Invite Your Friends

\n

\"May
\n
May 1 Webinar Registration Link\u00a0 | \u00a0Facebook RSVP / Invite Your Friends

\n

The free talks will be given in person and simultaneously\u00a0webcast, viewable afterwards for a period online. You can find the live locations (most will be on or near university campuses) or register for one or all the lectures online by visiting the\u00a0Healing 101 website, or clicking the links above. We also have a\u00a0Facebook page, and you are invited to check it out,\u00a0Like it, and invite your friends to\u00a0each talk\u00a0that looks interesting! \u00a0This is one of the most useful things you can do\u00a0besides\u00a0forwarding this email to a friend\u00a0to help get the word out!

\n

How do I invite my Facebook friends to these talks after I register?
\n

\n

We also have a\u00a0PDF flyer\u00a0you can print out and post anywhere you think it would be helpful to share this with the public. \u00a0Download it here.

\n

We hope you will be enriched this new line-up. \u00a0Feel free to\u00a0leave a comment on our Facebook page\u00a0or on any of the individual\u00a0Event RSVP pages on Facebook.

\n

Many thanks to all of the supporting churches and CSOs who are supporting the 2017 Healing 101 series!

\n\n

Wishing you a joyous day,
\nThe Healing 101 organizing team
\nhealing101@sharethepractice.org

\n

Feedback about the 2016 Healing 101 Lecture Series:

\n

\u201cThank you very, very much. We will treasure this series of lectures and will get back to them as often as needed. They are a cup of fresh water. Since we live in northern Ontario and cannot attend any lecture in person, this effort from the Christian Science community is very valuable. Thank you again.\u201c\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Thomas von Cardinal

\n

\u201cThank you very much Christie, for this wonderful talk. And our gratitude to Healing 101 Lecture series for making it possible. I used to always want to attend lectures when I saw them announced on the Sentinel, but never was able to because we live in a very rural area. And now, thanks to technology -the so called magic of technology, but it is the reality of technology- I am able to attend these conferences.\u201c\u00a0\u2014 Teresa Contreras Granguillhome

\n

\u201cI definitely want to share this with my friends.\u201d\u00a0\u2014 Truth Johnston

\n

\u201cWonderful ideas! Thank you!\u201d\u00a0\u2014 Gail

The post Healing 101 Lecture Series returns starting April 4, 2017 with 5 new speakers first appeared on Share the Practice.", "content_text": "The Healing 101 series is returning in\nApril 2017 with 5 new speakers,\nfree registration is now open!\nWe’re excited to announce that\u00a0Healing 101, the successful Christian Science lecture series that premiered last spring, will be once again available in a new series this April, and you are invited to tune in!\u00a0There will be 5 lectures in this year’s series, each sharing different perspectives and experiences on the utility and power of healing through prayer, a particular need at this time.\nAnnouncing the 2017 Healing 101 Series Speakers\n\nApril 3\u00a0Webinar Registration Link\u00a0 | \u00a0Facebook RSVP / Invite Your Friends\n\n\nApril 10\u00a0Webinar Registration Link\u00a0 | \u00a0Facebook RSVP / Invite Your Friends\n\nApril 17\u00a0Webinar Registration Link\u00a0 | \u00a0Facebook RSVP / Invite Your Friends\n\nApril 24 Webinar Registration Link\u00a0 | \u00a0Facebook RSVP / Invite Your Friends\n\nMay 1 Webinar Registration Link\u00a0 | \u00a0Facebook RSVP / Invite Your Friends\nThe free talks will be given in person and simultaneously\u00a0webcast, viewable afterwards for a period online. You can find the live locations (most will be on or near university campuses) or register for one or all the lectures online by visiting the\u00a0Healing 101 website, or clicking the links above. We also have a\u00a0Facebook page, and you are invited to check it out,\u00a0Like it, and invite your friends to\u00a0each talk\u00a0that looks interesting! \u00a0This is one of the most useful things you can do\u00a0besides\u00a0forwarding this email to a friend\u00a0to help get the word out!\nHow do I invite my Facebook friends to these talks after I register?\n\nWe also have a\u00a0PDF flyer\u00a0you can print out and post anywhere you think it would be helpful to share this with the public. \u00a0Download it here.\nWe hope you will be enriched this new line-up. \u00a0Feel free to\u00a0leave a comment on our Facebook page\u00a0or on any of the individual\u00a0Event RSVP pages on Facebook.\nMany thanks to all of the supporting churches and CSOs who are supporting the 2017 Healing 101 series!\n\nChristian Science Organization at UC Berkeley\nChristian Science Organization at UC Davis\nChristian Science Organization at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo\nFirst Church of Christ, Scientist, Orinda\nFirst Church of Christ, Scientist, Oakland\nTenth Church of Christ, Scientist,Oakland\nFirst Church of Christ, Scientist, Pleasant Hill\nFirst Church of Christ, Scientist, Napa\nFirst Church of Christ, Scientist, Davis\nChristian Science Society, Point Richmond\n\nWishing you a joyous day,\nThe Healing 101 organizing team\nhealing101@sharethepractice.org\nFeedback about the 2016 Healing 101 Lecture Series:\n\u201cThank you very, very much. We will treasure this series of lectures and will get back to them as often as needed. They are a cup of fresh water. Since we live in northern Ontario and cannot attend any lecture in person, this effort from the Christian Science community is very valuable. Thank you again.\u201c\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Thomas von Cardinal\n\u201cThank you very much Christie, for this wonderful talk. And our gratitude to Healing 101 Lecture series for making it possible. I used to always want to attend lectures when I saw them announced on the Sentinel, but never was able to because we live in a very rural area. And now, thanks to technology -the so called magic of technology, but it is the reality of technology- I am able to attend these conferences.\u201c\u00a0\u2014 Teresa Contreras Granguillhome\n\u201cI definitely want to share this with my friends.\u201d\u00a0\u2014 Truth Johnston\n\u201cWonderful ideas! Thank you!\u201d\u00a0\u2014 GailThe post Healing 101 Lecture Series returns starting April 4, 2017 with 5 new speakers first appeared on Share the Practice.", "date_published": "2017-03-28T22:36:44-07:00", "date_modified": "2017-03-28T22:36:44-07:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Gabriel Serafini", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/24bddbb394eff14300a8d1b157a5407e4c7c907bc3c74f4f50f8313e8ef70c0f?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Gabriel Serafini", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/24bddbb394eff14300a8d1b157a5407e4c7c907bc3c74f4f50f8313e8ef70c0f?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://i0.wp.com/sharethepractice.org/files/2017/03/IMG_0733-1.jpg?fit=2604%2C1731&ssl=1", "tags": [ "Christian Science", "Christian Science Lectures", "Christian Science Outreach", "Christian Science Websites" ] }, { "id": "https://sharethepractice.org/?p=1154", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/2016/04/06/healing-101-lecture-series/", "title": "Healing 101 Lecture Series", "content_html": "

\"Healing

\n

Click here to visit the website we helped develop for the Healing 101 lecture series featuring 5\u00a0lectures in 4 weeks.

\n

http://healing101.sharethepractice.org

\n

 

The post Healing 101 Lecture Series first appeared on Share the Practice.", "content_text": "Click here to visit the website we helped develop for the Healing 101 lecture series featuring 5\u00a0lectures in 4 weeks.\nhttp://healing101.sharethepractice.org\n The post Healing 101 Lecture Series first appeared on Share the Practice.", "date_published": "2016-04-06T22:44:15-07:00", "date_modified": "2017-03-28T22:37:04-07:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Gabriel Serafini", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/24bddbb394eff14300a8d1b157a5407e4c7c907bc3c74f4f50f8313e8ef70c0f?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Gabriel Serafini", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/24bddbb394eff14300a8d1b157a5407e4c7c907bc3c74f4f50f8313e8ef70c0f?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://i0.wp.com/sharethepractice.org/files/2016/04/healing_101_featured_image.jpg?fit=664%2C410&ssl=1", "tags": [ "Christian Science", "Christian Science Lectures", "Christian Science Outreach", "Christian Science Websites", "News", "Portfolio" ] }, { "id": "https://sharethepractice.org/?p=1052", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/2013/10/11/selling-science-and-health-book-at-outdoor-market/", "title": "Selling Science and Health book at outdoor market", "content_html": "

The post Selling Science and Health book at outdoor market first appeared on Share the Practice.", "content_text": "The post Selling Science and Health book at outdoor market first appeared on Share the Practice.", "date_published": "2013-10-11T10:27:32-07:00", "date_modified": "2015-12-16T16:07:02-08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Linda Mardi", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/lindamardi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4389769b58dc45c49865fe213bf90f1c37b1662ebfeb9f46ab713d18eb1971e3?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Linda Mardi", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/lindamardi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4389769b58dc45c49865fe213bf90f1c37b1662ebfeb9f46ab713d18eb1971e3?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://i0.wp.com/sharethepractice.org/files/2013/10/selling-science-and-health-book-at-outdoor-market.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1", "tags": [ "Christian Science Outreach", "Video" ] }, { "id": "https://sharethepractice.org/?p=1054", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/2013/10/04/my-2013-church-adventure/", "title": "My 2013 Church Adventure", "content_html": "

\"cropped-csdixon-future-rendition1\"This past year I\u2019ve been living a church adventure.

\n

My family enjoys attending Sunday church service together, but we each have a different experience. My 12 year old son is in his Sunday School class here in Austin TX where he is a branch church member. My husband sits in the church service (he started coming with us to church quasi-regularly 2 years ago). And I sit in a private room of the Sunday School with a laptop and headset participating in the Sunday service of the Christian Science Society of Dixon Illinois \u2013 1,100 miles away \u2013 where I am currently a member. \u00a0One recent Sunday, there were 7 people attending the Dixon service; 3 in person and 4 remote via teleconference.\u00a0 I have the role of musician \u2013 meaning that I select the hymns and use the internet teleconference system to play pre-loaded mp3s of the selected hymns for all to sing to. When it is time for a solo, I either play a preloaded song or sometimes I sing a cappella from the Hymn Supplement. (Just to be on the safe side for maintaining good pitch, I sometimes play the vocal recording of the hymn on iTunes, connected to earbuds, so that only I can hear the singer, but everyone else can only hear me.)\u00a0 After church, we enjoy a family lunch together or sometimes go out with church friends. God is infinitely creative, right?!

\n

Here\u2019s how all of this came about. Last Fall I withdrew my branch church membership from the Austin TX church where I live and started attending a little Christian Science society in Dixon Illinois where my grandma had been a member for many years, many years ago.\u00a0 The two members that kept the Dixon services going agreed to teleconference their services and meetings so that I could participate. I helped them figure out the technology needed to do this. The Austin branch where I\u2019d been a member of is doing good work in the community and with new members joining regularly, I knew that my withdrawal would not have a negative impact.

\n

Love inspired me to join the Dixon Society and help with the \u201cheavy lifting\u201d associated with resurrecting church.\u00a0 This dear little group was in the ongoing process of building a new edifice. The new building is a vision towards the next century, not the past. It includes self-sustaining architectural elements to keep maintenance costs low. \u00a0Our desire is to be part of the community and have a home that welcomes spiritual discovery. We want to be attractive to the un-churched and those that are spiritual but not religious. Flexible seating will allow the congregation to sit in embracing circles, more typical of sharing conversations rather than a speaker podium / audience. Our hope is to also help revitalize interfaith inclusivity in the town.

\n

Once we started teleconferencing our services, we immediately increased our Wednesday evening meetings from once a month to weekly. \u00a0We rotate Wednesday\u2019s First Reader. I\u2019m able to provide the Wednesday evening readings from my comfortable lazy-boy chair in Austin Texas. Two other members who were \u00a0\u201cofficial members\u201d on the books, but had moved away several years earlier, returned as regular participants. \u00a0One of them has taken on the role of treasurer which is accomplished through online banking and cloud services. I\u2019ve taken on the role of clerk and handle email and voice messages. I also maintain our new website and Facebook page.\u00a0 We\u2019ve even set up our church phone system in the \u2018cloud\u2019 \u2013 it\u2019s a free service that allows us to have a church phone that\u2019s always accessible. Typically now, there are 3 people in the building, and 3 or more of us participating from remote locations.\u00a0 It\u2019s fun to think about how the active membership has doubled this past year, simply by being open to new ideas and being willing to serve where there\u2019s a need, rather than by what\u2019s convenient or based on outdated concepts of geographical limitations.

\n

While all this was getting put into place last Fall, my 12 year old son decided that he wanted to join the Austin branch church where I had just withdrawn my membership and where he\u2019s attended as a regular Sunday School student. He also joined The Mother Church this past Spring.\u00a0 In addition, my husband of 32 years (of a muslim background but not practicing), started attending Sunday services with us more regularly 2 years ago. So, our Sunday family tradition of attending church together was something to be cherished. And yet, I wanted to support the Sunday service in Dixon too (that meets at the exact same time).\u00a0 Recently, the Sunday School superintendent worked out a little private space for me to be where I can sit with my laptop and headset using the church\u2019s wi-fi in order to call into the Dixon service. So now on Sundays \u2013 our little family drives into Austin, my husband goes into church by himself, my son goes to his Sunday School class and I call into the Dixon service while at the same time managing the music and solo from a computer site that manages our teleconference. I have to laugh at the creativity of it all \u2013 and give all the glory to God.\u00a0 I\u2019m happy to see that other technology related \u201cjobs\u201d that I used to do in the Austin branch church have been picked up by other folks. This demonstrates that spiritual solutions are not personally based but are God sourced, and what blesses one, blesses all.

The post My 2013 Church Adventure first appeared on Share the Practice.", "content_text": "This past year I\u2019ve been living a church adventure.\nMy family enjoys attending Sunday church service together, but we each have a different experience. My 12 year old son is in his Sunday School class here in Austin TX where he is a branch church member. My husband sits in the church service (he started coming with us to church quasi-regularly 2 years ago). And I sit in a private room of the Sunday School with a laptop and headset participating in the Sunday service of the Christian Science Society of Dixon Illinois \u2013 1,100 miles away \u2013 where I am currently a member. \u00a0One recent Sunday, there were 7 people attending the Dixon service; 3 in person and 4 remote via teleconference.\u00a0 I have the role of musician \u2013 meaning that I select the hymns and use the internet teleconference system to play pre-loaded mp3s of the selected hymns for all to sing to. When it is time for a solo, I either play a preloaded song or sometimes I sing a cappella from the Hymn Supplement. (Just to be on the safe side for maintaining good pitch, I sometimes play the vocal recording of the hymn on iTunes, connected to earbuds, so that only I can hear the singer, but everyone else can only hear me.)\u00a0 After church, we enjoy a family lunch together or sometimes go out with church friends. God is infinitely creative, right?!\nHere\u2019s how all of this came about. Last Fall I withdrew my branch church membership from the Austin TX church where I live and started attending a little Christian Science society in Dixon Illinois where my grandma had been a member for many years, many years ago.\u00a0 The two members that kept the Dixon services going agreed to teleconference their services and meetings so that I could participate. I helped them figure out the technology needed to do this. The Austin branch where I\u2019d been a member of is doing good work in the community and with new members joining regularly, I knew that my withdrawal would not have a negative impact.\nLove inspired me to join the Dixon Society and help with the \u201cheavy lifting\u201d associated with resurrecting church.\u00a0 This dear little group was in the ongoing process of building a new edifice. The new building is a vision towards the next century, not the past. It includes self-sustaining architectural elements to keep maintenance costs low. \u00a0Our desire is to be part of the community and have a home that welcomes spiritual discovery. We want to be attractive to the un-churched and those that are spiritual but not religious. Flexible seating will allow the congregation to sit in embracing circles, more typical of sharing conversations rather than a speaker podium / audience. Our hope is to also help revitalize interfaith inclusivity in the town.\nOnce we started teleconferencing our services, we immediately increased our Wednesday evening meetings from once a month to weekly. \u00a0We rotate Wednesday\u2019s First Reader. I\u2019m able to provide the Wednesday evening readings from my comfortable lazy-boy chair in Austin Texas. Two other members who were \u00a0\u201cofficial members\u201d on the books, but had moved away several years earlier, returned as regular participants. \u00a0One of them has taken on the role of treasurer which is accomplished through online banking and cloud services. I\u2019ve taken on the role of clerk and handle email and voice messages. I also maintain our new website and Facebook page.\u00a0 We\u2019ve even set up our church phone system in the \u2018cloud\u2019 \u2013 it\u2019s a free service that allows us to have a church phone that\u2019s always accessible. Typically now, there are 3 people in the building, and 3 or more of us participating from remote locations.\u00a0 It\u2019s fun to think about how the active membership has doubled this past year, simply by being open to new ideas and being willing to serve where there\u2019s a need, rather than by what\u2019s convenient or based on outdated concepts of geographical limitations.\nWhile all this was getting put into place last Fall, my 12 year old son decided that he wanted to join the Austin branch church where I had just withdrawn my membership and where he\u2019s attended as a regular Sunday School student. He also joined The Mother Church this past Spring.\u00a0 In addition, my husband of 32 years (of a muslim background but not practicing), started attending Sunday services with us more regularly 2 years ago. So, our Sunday family tradition of attending church together was something to be cherished. And yet, I wanted to support the Sunday service in Dixon too (that meets at the exact same time).\u00a0 Recently, the Sunday School superintendent worked out a little private space for me to be where I can sit with my laptop and headset using the church\u2019s wi-fi in order to call into the Dixon service. So now on Sundays \u2013 our little family drives into Austin, my husband goes into church by himself, my son goes to his Sunday School class and I call into the Dixon service while at the same time managing the music and solo from a computer site that manages our teleconference. I have to laugh at the creativity of it all \u2013 and give all the glory to God.\u00a0 I\u2019m happy to see that other technology related \u201cjobs\u201d that I used to do in the Austin branch church have been picked up by other folks. This demonstrates that spiritual solutions are not personally based but are God sourced, and what blesses one, blesses all.The post My 2013 Church Adventure first appeared on Share the Practice.", "date_published": "2013-10-04T10:43:29-07:00", "date_modified": "2013-11-18T16:02:09-08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Linda Mardi", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/lindamardi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4389769b58dc45c49865fe213bf90f1c37b1662ebfeb9f46ab713d18eb1971e3?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Linda Mardi", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/lindamardi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4389769b58dc45c49865fe213bf90f1c37b1662ebfeb9f46ab713d18eb1971e3?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://i0.wp.com/sharethepractice.org/files/2013/10/dixon-building.jpg?fit=2288%2C1712&ssl=1", "tags": [ "Christian Science", "Christian Science Outreach", "Church Building", "Ideas" ] }, { "id": "https://sharethepractice.org/?p=1047", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/2013/10/02/vibrant-reading-rooms/", "title": "Vibrant Reading Rooms", "content_html": "
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\"108050432_bbf76fd5fc\"Vibrant Reading Rooms, by Patricia P. Wilson

\n

Vibrant – pulsating with life, vigor or activity; responsive; brisk; bustling; humming; rousing; stirring; thriving;\u00a0thronging; abounding; overflowing; populous; astir; alive; teeming

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Quiet – marked by little or no motion; enjoyed in peace or relaxation; free from noise or uproar; serene; still; unobtrusive; conservative; speechless; wordless; secluded; asleep; dead; inactive; sleepy

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I. Church Manual model \u2013 vibrant or quiet?
\n(From the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy)

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Reading Rooms Article XXI. Establishment. Section 1. Each church of the Christian Science denomination shall have a Reading Room, though two or more churches may unite in having Reading Rooms, provided these rooms are well located.

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Librarian. Sect. 2. The individuals who take charge of the Reading Rooms of The Mother Church shall be elected by the Christian Science Board of Directors, subject to the approval of Mary Baker Eddy. He or she shall have no bad habits, shall have had experience in the Field, shall be well educated, and a devout Christian Scientist.

\n

Literature in Reading Rooms. Sect. 3. The literature sold or exhibited in the Reading Rooms of Christian Science Churches shall consist only of SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, by Mary Baker Eddy, and other writings by this author; also the literature published or sold by The Christian Science Publishing Society.

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ARTICLE 23 Branch Churches. Teachers’ and Practitioners’ Offices. Sect. 11. Teachers and practitioners of Christian Science shall not have their offices or rooms in the branch churches, in the Reading Rooms, nor in rooms connected therewith.

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ARTICLE 25 The Christian Science Publishing Society. Rule of Conduct. Sect. 7. No objectionable pictures shall be exhibited in the rooms where the Christian Science textbook is published or sold. No idle gossip, no slander, no mischief-making, no evil speaking shall be allowed.

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II. Your model — vibrant or quiet? Based on the following definitions, how does your Reading Room measure up?

\n

Establish – to bring into existence; to make firm or stable; to put into a favorable position;
\nto gain full recognition or acceptance of; to introduce and cause to multiply and grow

\n

Have – to make the effort to perform; show; exercise; exhibit; to entertain in the mind; to cause to be in a certain place or state; to be competent in

\n

Read – to become acquainted with; to look over the contents of; to receive or take in. Note: \u201cstudy\u201d is not a synonym for \u201cread\u201d

\n

Room – an extent of space sufficient or available for something; a suitable or fit occasion or opportunity; freedom; capacity

\n

Charge – having the qualities of a forceful leader; supervision or management
\nExhibit – to present to view; to show or display outwardly especially by visible signs or actions; to have as a\u00a0readily discernible quality or feature

\n

Sell – to develop a belief in the truth, value or desirability of; to gain acceptance; to persuade or influence to a course of action; to give into the power of another

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Thoughts to ponder:

\n

Does the Manual imply that Reading Rooms are chapels? libraries?
\nDoes the Manual imply that it is wrong or unpleasant to engage in the work of selling?
\nAre bricks and mortar essential to a RR?
\nShould RR workers be well-trained and skilled in the art to selling?
\nDoes a vibrant RR count how many people pass by or look in the window?
\nEven if you have a big sign out in front, if people rarely come into your RR, is it truly established?

\n

i.e., has it gained full recognition within your community?
\nHow much does it cost to have a vibrant Reading Room?
\nHow many workers does a vibrant Reading Room need?
\nHow many products does a vibrant Reading Room need?
\nHow many hours does it take to have a vibrant Reading Room?
\nHow long does it take to change from a quiet/sleepy place to a vibrant one?
\nWhat does it mean to \u201cwalk a customer\u201d? Does this happen in your RR? If so, why?

\n
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In the early 1900s, a Chicago RR, located on the 8th floor of an office building, consistently sold 4,000 of S&H a year, plus 15,000 Sentinels. Profits from sales covered all expenses including the librarian\u2019s salaries. Profits were returned to the three sponsoring branch churches. Quiet or vibrant? Was it a fluke, or can it be repeated today?

\n

A woman in Ghana ordered 240 copies of S&H and sold them out of her wheelbarrow. Quiet or vibrant?

\n

A woman in Hawaii sold S&H out of her briefcase. Quiet or vibrant?

\n

A mom and her two sons sold 13 copies of S&H at a farmers market. Quiet or vibrant? (See video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOEyHefa888) (P.S. The boys earned pocket money for their efforts.)

\n

The Mother Church sells S&H from a 4-wheel cart located at an indoor shopping mall. Quiet or vibrant? 15 copies of S&H were sold at a Church Alive Summit in the Philippines. Quiet or vibrant?

\n

For many more examples, check out www.JSH-ChristianScience.com and search for \u201cSelling Science and Health\u201d.

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(c) 2013 Patricia Wilson – used with permission.
\nThis article was used in a Christian Science Reading Room workshop presented by Patricia Wilson at the Philippines Youth Summit April 2013. Patricia served as a Reading Room representative for The Mother Church from approximately 1998-2002. In that capacity, she worked with about sixty Christian Science Reading Rooms from the East Coast states and Chicago metro area. She\u2019s listed as a Practitioner in the Christian Science Journal and divides her time between Seoul South Korea and Florida.

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The post Vibrant Reading Rooms first appeared on Share the Practice.", "content_text": "Vibrant Reading Rooms, by Patricia P. Wilson\n Vibrant – pulsating with life, vigor or activity; responsive; brisk; bustling; humming; rousing; stirring; thriving;\u00a0thronging; abounding; overflowing; populous; astir; alive; teeming\nQuiet – marked by little or no motion; enjoyed in peace or relaxation; free from noise or uproar; serene; still; unobtrusive; conservative; speechless; wordless; secluded; asleep; dead; inactive; sleepy\n\nI. Church Manual model \u2013 vibrant or quiet?\n(From the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy)\nReading Rooms Article XXI. Establishment. Section 1. Each church of the Christian Science denomination shall have a Reading Room, though two or more churches may unite in having Reading Rooms, provided these rooms are well located.\nLibrarian. Sect. 2. The individuals who take charge of the Reading Rooms of The Mother Church shall be elected by the Christian Science Board of Directors, subject to the approval of Mary Baker Eddy. He or she shall have no bad habits, shall have had experience in the Field, shall be well educated, and a devout Christian Scientist.\nLiterature in Reading Rooms. Sect. 3. The literature sold or exhibited in the Reading Rooms of Christian Science Churches shall consist only of SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, by Mary Baker Eddy, and other writings by this author; also the literature published or sold by The Christian Science Publishing Society.\nARTICLE 23 Branch Churches. Teachers’ and Practitioners’ Offices. Sect. 11. Teachers and practitioners of Christian Science shall not have their offices or rooms in the branch churches, in the Reading Rooms, nor in rooms connected therewith.\nARTICLE 25 The Christian Science Publishing Society. Rule of Conduct. Sect. 7. No objectionable pictures shall be exhibited in the rooms where the Christian Science textbook is published or sold. No idle gossip, no slander, no mischief-making, no evil speaking shall be allowed.\n\nII. Your model — vibrant or quiet? Based on the following definitions, how does your Reading Room measure up?\nEstablish – to bring into existence; to make firm or stable; to put into a favorable position;\nto gain full recognition or acceptance of; to introduce and cause to multiply and grow\nHave – to make the effort to perform; show; exercise; exhibit; to entertain in the mind; to cause to be in a certain place or state; to be competent in\nRead – to become acquainted with; to look over the contents of; to receive or take in. Note: \u201cstudy\u201d is not a synonym for \u201cread\u201d\nRoom – an extent of space sufficient or available for something; a suitable or fit occasion or opportunity; freedom; capacity\nCharge – having the qualities of a forceful leader; supervision or management\nExhibit – to present to view; to show or display outwardly especially by visible signs or actions; to have as a\u00a0readily discernible quality or feature\nSell – to develop a belief in the truth, value or desirability of; to gain acceptance; to persuade or influence to a course of action; to give into the power of another\n\n\n\nThoughts to ponder:\nDoes the Manual imply that Reading Rooms are chapels? libraries?\nDoes the Manual imply that it is wrong or unpleasant to engage in the work of selling?\nAre bricks and mortar essential to a RR?\nShould RR workers be well-trained and skilled in the art to selling?\nDoes a vibrant RR count how many people pass by or look in the window?\nEven if you have a big sign out in front, if people rarely come into your RR, is it truly established?\ni.e., has it gained full recognition within your community?\nHow much does it cost to have a vibrant Reading Room?\nHow many workers does a vibrant Reading Room need?\nHow many products does a vibrant Reading Room need?\nHow many hours does it take to have a vibrant Reading Room?\nHow long does it take to change from a quiet/sleepy place to a vibrant one?\nWhat does it mean to \u201cwalk a customer\u201d? Does this happen in your RR? If so, why?\n\n\n\nIn the early 1900s, a Chicago RR, located on the 8th floor of an office building, consistently sold 4,000 of S&H a year, plus 15,000 Sentinels. Profits from sales covered all expenses including the librarian\u2019s salaries. Profits were returned to the three sponsoring branch churches. Quiet or vibrant? Was it a fluke, or can it be repeated today?\nA woman in Ghana ordered 240 copies of S&H and sold them out of her wheelbarrow. Quiet or vibrant?\nA woman in Hawaii sold S&H out of her briefcase. Quiet or vibrant?\nA mom and her two sons sold 13 copies of S&H at a farmers market. Quiet or vibrant? (See video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOEyHefa888) (P.S. The boys earned pocket money for their efforts.)\nThe Mother Church sells S&H from a 4-wheel cart located at an indoor shopping mall. Quiet or vibrant? 15 copies of S&H were sold at a Church Alive Summit in the Philippines. Quiet or vibrant?\nFor many more examples, check out www.JSH-ChristianScience.com and search for \u201cSelling Science and Health\u201d.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n(c) 2013 Patricia Wilson – used with permission.\nThis article was used in a Christian Science Reading Room workshop presented by Patricia Wilson at the Philippines Youth Summit April 2013. Patricia served as a Reading Room representative for The Mother Church from approximately 1998-2002. In that capacity, she worked with about sixty Christian Science Reading Rooms from the East Coast states and Chicago metro area. She\u2019s listed as a Practitioner in the Christian Science Journal and divides her time between Seoul South Korea and Florida.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe post Vibrant Reading Rooms first appeared on Share the Practice.", "date_published": "2013-10-02T09:55:25-07:00", "date_modified": "2013-10-12T21:36:00-07:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Linda Mardi", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/lindamardi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4389769b58dc45c49865fe213bf90f1c37b1662ebfeb9f46ab713d18eb1971e3?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Linda Mardi", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/lindamardi/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4389769b58dc45c49865fe213bf90f1c37b1662ebfeb9f46ab713d18eb1971e3?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://i0.wp.com/sharethepractice.org/files/2013/10/108050432_bbf76fd5fc.jpg?fit=500%2C333&ssl=1", "tags": [ "christian science reading room", "science and health", "Christian Science Outreach", "News" ] }, { "id": "https://sharethepractice.org/?p=1036", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/2013/06/18/progress-towards-perfection-in-our-church/", "title": "Progress towards perfection in our church", "content_html": "

\"Mary

\n

Mrs. Eddy sat back to be questioned.
\n“The continuity of The Church of Christ, Scientist,”
\nshe said, in her clear voice, “is assured. It is growing
\nwonderfully. It will embrace all the churches, one by
\none, because in it alone is the simplicity of the oneness
\nof God; the oneness of Christ and the perfecting of man
\nstated scientifically.”
\n“How will it be governed after all now concerned in
\nits government shall have passed on?”
\n“It will evolve scientifically. Its essence is evangelical.
\nIts government will develop as it progresses.”
\n“Will there be a hierarchy, or will it be directed by a
\nsingle earthly ruler?”
\n“In time its present rules of service and present ruler-
\nship will advance nearer perfection.”

\n

— MY p342

The post Progress towards perfection in our church first appeared on Share the Practice.", "content_text": "Mrs. Eddy sat back to be questioned.\n“The continuity of The Church of Christ, Scientist,”\nshe said, in her clear voice, “is assured. It is growing\nwonderfully. It will embrace all the churches, one by\none, because in it alone is the simplicity of the oneness\nof God; the oneness of Christ and the perfecting of man\nstated scientifically.”\n“How will it be governed after all now concerned in\nits government shall have passed on?”\n“It will evolve scientifically. Its essence is evangelical.\nIts government will develop as it progresses.”\n“Will there be a hierarchy, or will it be directed by a\nsingle earthly ruler?”\n“In time its present rules of service and present ruler-\nship will advance nearer perfection.”\n— MY p342The post Progress towards perfection in our church first appeared on Share the Practice.", "date_published": "2013-06-18T20:33:53-07:00", "date_modified": "2013-06-18T20:33:53-07:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Gabriel Serafini", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/24bddbb394eff14300a8d1b157a5407e4c7c907bc3c74f4f50f8313e8ef70c0f?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Gabriel Serafini", "url": "https://sharethepractice.org/blog/author/admin/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/24bddbb394eff14300a8d1b157a5407e4c7c907bc3c74f4f50f8313e8ef70c0f?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://i0.wp.com/sharethepractice.org/files/2013/06/Mary-Baker-Eddy.jpg?fit=600%2C750&ssl=1", "tags": [ "Christian Science", "Church Building", "Ideas", "Mary Baker Eddy", "Next", "Now", "Then", "Then Now Next" ] } ] }