Winter Newsletter 2023
For photos and feedback from our Annual Meeting 2023, please click here. To receive a hard copy of this newsletter, please email ktuchkova@glenmontcsn.com.
Contents
The Healing Christ is Here
From Glenmont’s Board of Trustees
“Glory be to God, and peace to the struggling hearts! Christ hath rolled away the stone from the door of human hope and faith, and through the revelation and demonstration of life in God, hath elevated them to possible at-one-ment with the spiritual idea of man and his divine Principle, Love.”
Yes, it’s Christmastime, the prelude to Easter, the advent of stone-rolling and ascension. We love to think of what the birth of Jesus and the appearance of the healing Christ has brought to mankind, lifting thought to that which the inspired prophets in the Bible foretold. We think of Mary and Joseph, this child-couple, willing to fulfill God’s plan, to bear this precious babe who would bring spiritual healing into the world; to protect and nurture this wondrous child until he taught elders in the synagogue; to trust and encourage this young carpenter to turn water into wine, signaling the start of a spiritual revolution of thought. We think about how Jesus healed all who came to him then, and how the Christ still heals all who come to it today.
This Christ-power blesses the human experience of everyone who turns to it, and like a ray of light, it warms not just those seeking help but also their neighbors. What a privilege it is for us to see this Christ-power in action at Glenmont and to know that God’s love embraces our residents and their families, our staff, volunteers, donors, the Cause of Christian Science, and our surrounding communities.
At this Christmas season, and on into the New Year, we invite you to join us in celebrating anew the words of our dear Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, that open this letter. As we all turn our thought to the at-one-ment of God and man, we’re certain infinite blessings will abound.
Wishing you an inspired Christmas and blessed New Year!
Healing and Gratitude
From our residents
“It’s been a good year!”
“So grateful for my stay . . . I have seen much loving care bear fruit in the healing of my legs and feet. Dedicated, prayerful daily care has brought great positive change . . . This cheerful, cooperative environment fosters all that blesses and heals. Christian Science nurses and [all] staff are ready and willing to help.”
“Deeply grateful for . . . the generosity and camaraderie that is so loving. I love the way the Christian Science nurses support what is going on and how they work together happily. The first night I was here, I could feel the healing atmosphere.”
From our staff
Earlier this year, a staff member was struggling with stiffness in her joints. A Christian Science practitioner helped her realize she’d become anxious about her role at Glenmont and additional responsibilities. She wasn’t sure she could handle it. Through prayer, she saw that these weren’t thoughts from God and felt this was the first step in healing.
She trusted God, knowing He would only give her opportunities for good and the ability to do that good. Then, she recalled the phrase, “worry is ingratitude in advance,” and with that reminder, she was healed. The pain dissipated, and she found the needed time to complete her duties at work.
This was clearly an expression of God’s gracious means in action! She is so grateful for the sense of family and teamwork she witnesses at Glenmont.
From our students
Individuals called to serve as Christian Science nurses need not wait for training to end to practice their Christian Science nursing skills. They are witnesses to divine Love from the get go!
Recently, a patient seemed to have difficulty eating. At every meal, the Christian Science nursing student on duty quietly prayed for God’s guidance in what food to prepare and how to serve it. If what the student served wasn’t accepted, the student turned right back to God, often returning to the kitchen to prepare alternative meals and witnessing the good results. All the students patiently and persistently demonstrated love, expectancy, and joy in their work until the challenge was overcome. That is just a glimpse of one of the countless ways that Christian Science nursing students support healing.
Christian Science Nursing Education: I Found a New Sense of Soul
By Kendall Tuchkova, Director of Development and Outreach
I’ve never considered myself creative. As a child, I was studious but not very good at art. I loved singing and dancing but was relegated to the chorus. Even today, my artistic renderings consist mostly of stick figures, and I can rarely find the right range when singing hymns at church. My sister, though? She was a great artist and salsa dancer with a knack for languages. So, I measured my creativity relative to hers.
When I attended Christian Science class instruction about 13 years ago, however, my teacher talked about the seven names Mary Baker Eddy gave to God, including the word Soul, the source of our creativity. I realized that I had been living with a limited definition of this spiritual idea. So, I began to look for how I expressed Soul in ways that weren’t confined to musical or artistic talent. Slowly, I saw that I was creative in my job, my communication with others, and my church work. How wonderful it was to expand my sense of identity—and understanding of Soul—in this way!
When I recently attended a course at Glenmont called “What Every Christian Scientist Should Know about Christian Science Nursing,” I didn’t realize I would have the opportunity to expand my sense of Soul even more! Throughout the course, we were encouraged to think about the qualities Christian Science nurses embody, and to find unique ways to share those qualities with the class. Two of the qualities I cherished were tender-heartedness and spiritual discernment.
I ended up writing a newspaper ad, penning a poem, and creating a word search to communicate my thoughts on these qualities. Historically, I would have found these assignments stressful, but because I was relying on God to guide me, the inspiration came naturally and quickly. I didn’t agonize over my seeming lack of artistic talent, as I had done growing up. Instead, I rejoiced in the opportunity to “think outside the box.” It ended up being a lot of fun! (Send me an email, if you’d like a copy of the word search to try out at home!)
As the week came to a close, I had a fresh perspective on Christian Science nursing and of myself as the expression of Soul. I’m so grateful I am learning to see more of Soul’s infinite resources* through my work at Glenmont!
*See Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 60:29-31.
Giving: Are You a Glenmont Guardian?
Do you think Christian Science nursing is essential to Mary Baker Eddy’s revelation? Do you value its longevity in Ohio and our freedom to rely on Christian Science for healing? If your answer is ‘yes,’ you might be ready to join the Glenmont Guardians.
Glenmont Guardians is our new name for donors who give monthly. These individuals guard Glenmont’s present and protect its future by providing a steady stream of income we can rely on to help us manage our budget and meet ongoing expenses. This expected monthly revenue is such a blessing!
To join the Glenmont Guardians, click this link to our donation page. Enter your donation amount and click “Show my support by making this a recurring donation.” Complete the rest of the form and hit “Donate.” Alternatively, you can send in a check every month with “Glenmont Guardians” in the memo line. Our address is 4599 Avery Road, Hilliard, OH 43026.
Guardians have the opportunity to connect one-on-one with staff and board members throughout the year. The first 50 individual members will receive a special keychain as a thank you for joining!
Questions? Contact Kendall Tuchkova at (614) 812-9499 or KTuchkova@GlenmontCSN.com.
Outreach: Teaching Students in California
By Katherine Napper
The first year of teaching in our Education Villa at The Willows in Laguna Hills, CA has been a proving time. Working with Christian Science Nurse Connections, we’re proving a remote education program is manageable and practical, and that it yields high quality students. I’ve taught 16 individuals from across the country and from other Christian Science nursing facilities this past year, in addition to students enrolled at Glenmont.
These California courses teach Christian Science nursing ethics and skills, following Glenmont’s accredited curriculum. They are flexible to meet the needs of students and are available to anyone—from budding and seasoned Christian Science nurses to in-home Christian Science caregivers. I’ve even taught at churches and residential homes for Christian Scientists. Perhaps, I can teach you, too!
This holy mission and full-time ministry is such a fun journey. I rejoice in loving others, supporting the ethics and skillful practices of Christian Science nursing, and joining with members of our church outside Ohio, demonstrating God’s ever-present, perfect care for His creation. It’s a beautiful channel of living Love!
Employee Photos & News
We’ve welcomed a number of new employees these past few months. Please help us welcome:
Kendall Tuchkova, Director of Development and Outreach
Lessly Amwikato, Administrative Assistant for International Students
Juniour Baraza, Christian Science Nurse Apprentice
Daniel Magoba, Christian Science Nurse Apprentice
Rudolf Quintino Meyer, Christian Science Nurse Apprentice
Eli Inman, Dietary Aide
Photo taken at Glenmont by Cyrene Castor-Longalong
Check out our cool costumes!
