Summer Newsletter 2024
Before you start reading, will you take our 5-minute survey? Here is the link.
Annual Meeting date announced!
Sunday, October 20, 2024
1:00 pm Annual Gift/Bake sale
3:00 pm Annual Meeting presentations
Theme: Is loving my neighbor enough?
Speaker: Jon Cochran, C.S.
Learning of Christian Science after graduate school brought a quick healing of atheism to John. A few years later, he became a Journal-listed Christian Science nurse. He served in this and other capacities in a Christian Science nursing facility until called to the full-time public practice of Christian Science.
John has a deep love for Christian Science, expressed by active engagement in branch church activities and by ongoing support of individuals, small groups, and Christian Science organizations who desire to meet simple needs through Christian Science and support healing of fellow Christian Scientists in their church communities.
Registration for Annual Meeting will be available in September.
Expecting Healing is Natural
By Jennifer Ewell, Director of In-Ministry Shepherding and Kendall Tuchkova, Director of Development
“The ethics of Christian Science require that we vigorously challenge suggestions of discouragement or complacency with error whenever these present themselves to our thought. Expecting healing is natural.”
When faced with a difficult problem, we love to feel the peace and comfort that comes from expecting healing. But what if we find ourselves struggling to have this expectancy? Perhaps discouragement sets in, or we become resigned to living with whatever the difficulty is. We might even be tempted to feel justified in such thinking.
However, the ethics of Christian Science require that we vigorously challenge suggestions of discouragement or complacency with error whenever presented to our thought. Expecting healing is not only natural, it is the high standard our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, demands of us. She writes, “My system of Mind-healing swerves not from the highest ethics and from the spiritual goal. To climb up by some other way than Truth is to fall” (No and Yes 44: 7-10). When we continually trust in the power of Truth and Love to heal any and all claims of evil and disease – regardless of mortal measurements such as time – we are being obedient to the divine Principle of healing, and such obedience is the most assured way to find ourselves “absolutely governed by divine Love, — by Spirit, not by matter” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures 14:9).
The Gospels give us an example of the power of expecting healing in the woman who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment (see Matt 9, Mark 5, and Luke 8). For 12 years, she had dealt with the same disease, and she’d sought healing through every method she could find, spending all her money in so doing. At that point, many of us would have been tempted to give up. But this woman was adamant that good health is a right idea. When she heard about Jesus, “she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague” (Mark 5:27-29).
Like this woman, we can face challenges with an expectation of Christ’s healing power as a present possibility and let go of false concepts of ourselves or others which seem to be embedded in our thinking. In fact, doing anything less in Christian Science is unethical and threatens the integrity of our practice, because it denies God, Love, as the only power. Christian Science nurses (CSNs) are keenly aware of the importance of keeping this right expectancy in thought. If we take on a case with any uncertainty or allow doubt to creep in during the case, we are breaking our patient’s trust in us to uphold “perfect God and perfect man, — as the basis of thought and demonstration” (Science and Health 259:11).
When the daughter of one of our CSNs seemed to catch a contagious disease while in grade school, the CSN had to demonstrate this standard. A Christian Science practitioner was called for prayerful treatment, and the CSN provided practical care and reassurance. At one point, the CSN glanced in a mirror and saw symptoms of what her daughter was experiencing. She began to feel unwell. Then, a line from Science and Health came to mind (see p. 390:12). She felt the spiritual authority to declare aloud, “No!” Instantly, all symptoms left her, and she resumed caring for her daughter. The immediacy of her healing proved to her that the claim of disease was an illusion. She knew this to be true for her daughter as well, and within a short time, the daughter was healed.
Remaining alert to expecting healing results when we pray for ourselves or are supporting others in Christian Science requires that we maintain our spiritual light. This light comes from God, and we reflect it. So, expecting and seeing healing doesn’t need to be hard at all – it is a natural, normal part of who we are and that understanding brings us all the comfort and peace we could ever need.
You Did it! 30 for 60 Match Met!
Christian Science nursing students David and Anna with Journal-listed Christian Science nurse T.K. (left to right)
This spring, you helped us meet a matching grant from the Isabel Foundation, raising $60,000 for our Christian Science Nursing Education program. Thank you for your love and generosity. You are amazing! These funds will help in so many ways, including:
providing housing for students entering the program
helping students’ family members join them from overseas
covering costs of one-on-one mentoring
and purchasing classroom supplies.
Healing & Gratitude
A resident seemed to be suffering the effects of a fall. The individual needed to be kept in bed and the neck immobilized. There was also a forehead wound needing tending. One of our Christian Science nursing students spent time reading to the resident, and all of our Christian Science nurses supported this resident prayerfully. Within a few days, the individual was taking walks in our hallways. The resident is now back to normal activity. It was truly beautiful and inspiring to witness this healing power of Christian Science!
A patient’s dentures disappeared one Friday evening. Often, items like this end up in the room’s trash bin, but the patient’s bin had already been emptied. Thankfully, the trash truck hadn’t yet come. Though it wasn’t the most pleasant task, two of our employees selflessly went dumpster diving. They declared that the search would be done prayerfully! Listening for divine Mind’s reasoning, these two quickly located the dentures without needing to open up all the trash bags! As obtaining a new pair of dentures can be costly and time-consuming, we were especially grateful for the quick resolution of this seeming loss. The patient was overjoyed and in awe of God’s power.
A woman had fallen while visiting her daughter and was unable to move or use her left side. They’d called a Christian Science practitioner, who’d recommended they call a Christian Science nurse for help. Our Christian Science nursing educator was in the middle of demonstrating to a student how to give an in-bed shampoo when her phone rang. She knew this was an opportunity to do God’s work! The educator and the student asked divine Mind to show them what equipment to take with them, then packed up the car and drove to the daughter’s home. The educator affirmed that everyone involved could be a spiritual witness to God’s activity. After arriving, they continued listening for God’s direction at each moment. It wasn’t long before the woman who had fallen got out of bed and walked down a steep staircase, with the gentle support of the Christian Science nurses. A few days later, all of the equipment had been returned, and the individual went home. She is now enjoying daily walks just as she did before. We later learned the daughter had been very apprehensive about her mother receiving Christian Science nursing care, but when our team showed up with just the right equipment and confident, well-prepared ideas, her fear dissolved. They are so grateful to have been a part of skilled Christian Science nursing care in action!
Employee News - Our Administrator is Retiring!
By Kendall Tuchkova, Director of Development
Lydia Manfreda, Glenmont’s Administrator, plans to retire this year.
Lydia Manfreda is always ready to praise the good work others have done. But she tries to keep herself out of the spotlight. Yet, as Glenmont’s Administrator since 2015, she has poured her heart and soul into taking care of Glenmont, its staff, Christian Science nurses, and patients. So when Lydia announced her plans to retire this year, I insisted we take the time to shine a light on her efforts. Below are excerpts from our conversation.
How did you come to be the Administrator at Glenmont?
We moved several times for my husband’s job and eventually landed in Columbus, Ohio. I learned Glenmont was here from local church members. My background is in business and auditing, and Glenmont needed an Office Manager, so it was a good fit. Eventually, Mark (Schierloh, the Administrator at that time) asked me to take the state-mandated training for Ohio Nursing Home Administrators. It was very intense, requiring that I pass both a state and federal exam. It was also very medically-oriented, so I spent a lot of time praying as I studied! [Since Glenmont left Medicare in 2020, our Administrators are no longer required to have this training.]
I didn’t tell anyone at the office when I went to take the tests, because I didn’t want them to get their hopes up (that I would pass). But I was definitely working with a practitioner. First, I took the federal exam. The following week, I took the state exam. The first question on the state exam referred to the spiritual exemption clause (for nursing homes in Ohio). Of course, I knew the answer! I surprised everyone at work that same day with the news that I’d passed both exams. I was so grateful for this demonstration. I served as Assistant Administrator until 2015. Then, I moved into the Administrator role.
What would you say is at the heart of the work of an Administrator?
The position is a demanding one. It requires stamina and metaphysical preparation. But one of my most important jobs - as with all of our support staff - is to support the Christian Science nurses (CSNs), because they are the ones who directly serve the patients. We do whatever we can to handle the operational details so that their thought and time is free to serve the patients. We help clear the space and the (mental) atmosphere.
What’s one thing you’ve learned about Christian Science nursing during your time here?
The amount of training and metaphysical readiness required to become a Journal-listed Christian Science nurse.
What are you most looking forward to after your retirement?
Cleaning out all of my closets at home! And continuing to serve the cause of Christian Science nursing in some way. I’m amazed by what the CSNs do every single day, and that drives my desire to support them.
What is one of your fondest memories from your time as Administrator?
There are so many! I’ve loved being at Annual Meetings with our whole community and sharing what we do. I love having everyone come together.
If you could offer one piece of advice to the next Administrator, what would it be?
Listen more than you talk. And know how to make labels, so you can find things! I have so many files - physical and digital. My labelmaker has been my best friend in this role. (Second, of course, to listening.)
If you know anyone who is a natural leader and loves Christian Science, encourage them to consider applying to be Glenmont’s next Administrator. Contact Elizabeth Reger at glenmont@glenmontcsn.com for more information.
Celebrating Mark Schierloh with Pancakes and Bacon
In March of this year, our beloved Assistant Administrator, Mark Schierloh, passed away. For decades, Mark served the field of Christian Science nursing and was a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He was a devoted Christian Scientist who adored teaching Sunday School. Mark loved his country as well as all things England, history, and automobiles. He also loved trying strangely-flavored snacks and drinks and was known for putting salt on absolutely everything. But most of all, he loved his family, friends, and colleagues. He was known for his humor, humility, and gentle spirit, and these qualities are remembered by all who met him.
In April, we honored Mark with a pancake flipping party. We ate our pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries and several helpings of bacon and sausage (just as Mark would’ve done). We shared stories of how Mark made a difference in our lives and laughed at one another’s cowboy names. While Mark’s physical presence will be missed, the love with which he lived his life is ever-present, and his good work carries on.
Kim Pollard, former Director of Operations, has been promoted to Assistant Administrator. With many years of business and construction experience, we are grateful to have her!
Planning for the Future - Do You Need a Power of Attorney?
By Crystal Hershner, Director of Employee and Patient Advocacy
Before individuals can be admitted to Glenmont, they must have a healthcare and financial power of attorney. Why? We explain here.
What is a power of attorney?
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document naming an individual you trust (also referred to as your POA) to make health and financial decisions on your behalf. Your named POA could handle selling your house or paying your bills, for example, if you are unable to do so yourself due to location or other circumstances. He/she could also serve as a liaison between you and a healthcare provider such as Glenmont.
If your POA document is labeled “durable,” your agent can also handle your affairs if a court deems you mentally incapacitated.
Why is having a POA important as a Christian Scientist?
Care facilities such as Glenmont cannot serve as default POAs. If you have financial obligations, you need a financial POA to ensure these are obligations are met.
A POA requires the person you appoint to make decisions that are consistent with your wishes. For example, if you’ve stated that you’d like to receive Christian Science nursing care rather than medical care, your healthcare POA must follow this request. Without a POA in place, if you are unable to speak for yourself, a court-appointed Guardian would need to be named before you could receive Christian Science care. This legal process can be complex and oftentimes requires that you undergo a medical examination.
Who should I pick as my agent?
Choose someone whose decision-making you trust. Typically, this is a spouse, family member, or close friend, with a successor named in case the first agent is unavailable. Whoever you name, talk with these individuals first and confirm they are willing to serve as your POA agent(s).
How do I start the process of naming someone as a POA?
Many states, including Ohio, have standardized POAs you can download from the internet (tip: be sure the POA says “durable”). You can seek help from an estate planning attorney or other lawyer you trust.
Are there any special circumstances I should consider?
Financial institutions often have their own processes for allowing your agent to access your accounts. A general POA may not be enough. You should contact these institutions to find out what they require.
If you receive payments from Social Security, or plan to in the future, you can designate a representative payee who would be able to manage or direct management of future benefits on your behalf. You can submit or update your advance designation request when you apply for benefits. Or if you are already receiving benefits, you can do this via your online account (www.ssa.gov) or by calling your local office or (800) 772-1213.
Meet Our Newest Board Member
Jon Ferrell, from Rocky River, Ohio, joined our board this year. Jon’s first career was in municipal government at Cleveland City Council. When he left office in 1989, he entered the construction industry. He currently serves as the Director of Business Development for Infinity Construction Co., Inc.
Jon is actively involved in church work and served as Chairman of the Board at Overlook House (now Upward Wing) for about ten years.
Please join us in welcoming him to Glenmont’s board!
