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January 2020Contents;Progress andhappeningssince June 2019AOCSN Conference. 1CSNN Conference. 2Collaborative GroupsChristian Science NursingCOLLABORAATTIVEDear Friends,You have asked to stay up to date on items of interest in Christian Science nursing,so we are pleased to share with you Edition #2 of the Christian Science NursingCollaborative (The Collaborative) newsletter.It’s an exciting time in the field of Christian Science nursing.After a summary of what’s been happening, we’ve included a brief reminder of who TheCollaborative is and how it is structured — just in case anyone needs a little refresher oryou’re new to this Collaborative.Continuing EducationWorking Group. 3PROGRESS AND HAPPENINGS SINCE JUNE 2019Committees ofThe AOCSN Annual ConferenceChristian Caring. 4Valuing CS Nurses. 5Youth ActionCommittee. 5International Fund. 5CS Care ResourceCenter. 5MetaphysicalSupport. 5Upcoming Events. 6Website update. 6Background onCollaborative. 6AOCSN’s annual conference was heldin Boston this year, making it easy tocelebrate the 100th anniversary of theBenevolent Association. Responses to thevenue and the theme — “Christian ScienceNurse: a help to maintain the dignityand defense of our Cause” (Church Manual89th edition by Mary Baker Eddy) —indicated attendees felt this was one of thebest conferences ever.Boston is always a draw, and we hadexcellent speakers and there was greatappreciation for those who shared withus, including keynote speaker Lesley Pitts,CS; Bonnie Castroman, Manager of CSNursing Activities of The Mother Church;Kevin Ness, Manager of Committeeson Publication; Amelia Newcombe,The Christian Science Monitor; ArianaHerlinger, Manager of Branch ChurchActivities and TMC Youth; and AbeMcLaughlin, Christian Science PublishingSociety Manager. We also heard fromBruce Jeffrey, Christian Science NursingCollaborative Coordinating Committeeand The Principle Foundation; MadelineMaupin; and Timothy F. Murphy, Partnerat Skolar, Abbot, & Presser, P.C.Vanessa Staskus gave us a presentationon our new AOCSN website, which is nowlive at aocsn.org.Attendees also enjoyed opportunities toattend The Mother Church services, tourthe Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association,and join special tours and events offeredby Longyear Museum. Always a highlightis the networking with others fromaround the world. Breakout sessionswere well attended and appreciated fortheir practical information. Everyoneloved being in Boston so much that someexpressed interest in having conferencesthere more often to take advantageof all these inspiring resources. Theplanning committee will take that underconsideration for future years.Our next AOCSN members’ conferencewill be August 24-26, 2020 at The WestinSt. Francis in San Francisco, California.— AOCSN Executive Committee
CSNN Conference — “ here I am Lord”entitled “Inspired Stories from Christian Science Nurses inTraining.” Two current trainee Christian Science nurses,from Canada and the USA, shared how inspired listening,humility, and obedience led them to enlist in the ministryof Christian Science nursing.Our time together included contributions by threerepresentatives of The Mother Church, The First Church ofChrist, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts: Bonnie Castroman, Manager of Christian ScienceNursing Activities;Dear friends and colleagues,We are filled with gratitude as we watch the harvestunfolding from dedicated Christian Science nurses in thefield. During the four-day International Christian ScienceNurses Conference (ICSNC) at Cedars in September, wehonored and celebrated the public practice of ChristianScience nursing. We’re grateful to report that ICSNC hadthe largest attendance in years.More than 100 ChristianScience nurses from nineMore than 100countries attended theChristian Scienceconference: USA, Canada,nurses fromAustralia, Cameroon, England,nine countriesWales, France, Portugal, andattended theSwitzerland. This was the largestconference: USA,single gathering of ChristianCanada, Australia,Science nurses for many years.Cameroon,Many participants at ICSNCEngland, Wales,this year were first-timers and aFrance, Portugal,significant number of attendeesand Switzerland.had discovered the vocation ofThis was theChristian Science nursing inlargest singlerecent years.gathering ofThe theme of ICSNC wasChristian Science“Here I am, Lord,” based onnurses for manyIsaiah 6:8. The three mainmetaphysical talks exploredyears.different aspects of this theme.The conference also includedworkshops on ChristianScience nursing skills such as cleansing and bandaging;preparation of special nourishment; and responding to thechallenges of night duty. The program included an item Connie Coddington, CSB; Manager, Christian SciencePractitioner Activities Ken ”Keb” Bemis, CS, Government Relations Counsel,Office of The Manager of Committees on PublicationOne of the great benefits of ICSNC is the opportunityit affords for Christian Science nurses from diversebackgrounds to discuss their work with one another,to learn from one another, and to support each other.The one-to-one sharing of ideas and experiences duringmealtimes — and throughout ICSNC — constitutes one ofthe most important and valuable aspects of the conference.On Saturday evening, the conference closed with aconcert by two Christian Science nurses from the Bostonarea — Kathy Glover and Kristin Palkoner. We were sograteful to have two of our colleagues in Christian Sciencenursing provide this special concert for us.The CSNN board has received numerous expressionsof gratitude from participants. For a full summary ofthis last conference, go here:campaign.r20.constantcontact.comThe next ICSNC will take place in September 2021.— CSNN Executive Board2
WHAT THE COLLABORATIVE WORKINGGROUPS ARE UP TOHere are some things the WG is still praying about andworking on: Ensuring that the continuing education will meet theneeds of Christian Science nurses not affiliated with afacility or other Christian Science nursing organizationand not living or working near a CS facility.Continuing Education Working Group (CEWG)The purpose of this working group is to make continuingeducation available for every Journal-listed ChristianScience nurse in simple, accessible and affordable ways.Since its creation in April, the group has been thinkingand praying its way through how to fulfill that purposeby drawing on as many of the existing training programsand refresher programs as it can. To accomplish this task,it’s working closely with the Christian Science NursingNetwork (CSNN), the Christian Science Nursing Activitiesoffice at The Mother Church, and with the Association ofOrganizations for Christian Science Nursing (AOCSN)Education Committee. Determining which entity will be responsible forpulling together the suite of offerings each year,ensuring the courses are offered by those alreadyaccredited, and getting the information over to CSNN Identifying guidelines for what gets listed as CE andwhat does notIn early 2020, the CEWGexpects to notify the field aboutthe first CE classes — these willprimarily be focused on Ethicsand will include webinars.The information for CE classofferings will be located under aspecial tab on the CSNN websiteso it can be easily accessed byJournal-listed CS nurses lookingto fulfill their CS nursingcontinuing education goals.With the generous assistance of CSNN, the CEWG senta survey to all CS nurses listed in the Christian ScienceJournal to find out what topics they would like to haveoffered and how/where classes should be offered. TheCEWG is using the results of this survey to help shape acontinuing education (CE) program regarding topics andaccessibility to classes by CS nurses in the field, includingoffering webinars and training outside of a facilitysetting.Here is a brief summary of what CEWG knows so far:The CEWG’s goalsare foundedon the desireto uphold theintegrity ofthe Manual ByLaw, “ChristianScience Nurse”as a “help thatmust be suppliedto maintainthe dignity andThe CEWG’s goals aredefinese of ourfounded on the desire to upholdCause.”the integrity of the ManualBy-Law, “Christian ScienceNurse” as a “help that must be supplied to maintain thedignity and defense of our Cause.” (MBE). The goalsare also based on the conviction that this would bestrengthened through providing continuing educationfor CS nurses beyond the initial four-course programscurrently being offered. Classes, workshops, webinars, will be accessible for allJournal-listed CSNs CSNN has offered to host on its website a master list ofwhat is being offered in any coming year. It will includelinks that take the user to the registration page of theorganization that is offering any one of the individualcourses/classes Financial support will be available for Journal-listedCS nurses to take the CE classes offered3
Communities of Christian Caring (CoCC)Valuing CS Nurses Working Group (VALCSNs)The basic focus of Communities of Christian Caring(CoCC) Working Group (WG) is to awaken in ChristianScientists the natural desire to lovingly support and carefor one another and help develop ways of meeting theneeds of fellow church friends. This includes identifyingappropriate resources that are available to meet needs,increasing people’s capacity and skills to care for oneanother, and assisting someone to gain access to ChristianScience nursing if that is needed. This WG is developinga long-term plan for how it can respond consistently tomany underserved areas of the US (and outside of the USwhen called upon).The Valuing CS Nurses Working Group was establishedin April of 2019 to find new ways to tangibly value CSnurses, specifically focusing on compensation/benefitsand working conditions — two areas that stood outin the CS Nursing EvaluationProject conducted in 2018. TheThe Valuing CSVALCSN’s initial goal is focusedNurses Workingon developing solutions forGroup wasimproving compensation andestablished tolong-term benefits for CS nurses.find new waysTo start, this WG decided toto tangiblyfocus on gathering additionalvalue CS nurses,data on pay and benefits from allspecificallyof the organizations that employfocusing onChristian Science nurses —compensation/facilities, schools, camps, visitingbenefitsCS nurse services, etc. — inand workingdifferent markets (areas) aroundconditions.the US. Working with TenacreFoundation and an independentresearch firm, it developed a survey that went out inNovember to all organizations that employ CS nurses.The results will go back to those who took the surveysometime in February. They can then be used to betterinform those who employ CS nurses on equitable wagesand benefits, including for those who are contracted towork periodically but are not full-time employed in thosesettings.After the results of this survey are in the hands of thosewho can best use the information to tangibly improve payand benefits for CS nurses, this WG will identify what itwants to tackle next and how that can best be done.The CoCC recently sent a small team of facilitators toNew Mexico to work with 15 Christian Scientists fromaround the state (and from parts of southern Colorado)on how they could increase their capacity and ability tocare for their fellow church members and attendees. Thispilot project was funded by The Albert Baker Fund andresulted in establishing a CS care network in that area. Italso provided the CoCC with important learnings for itsfuture project sites. Some 22 individuals in the US andCanada have indicated an interest in having the CoCCwork with them in their communities to build theircapacity to care for one another.The COCC is in the process of further developing itsmodel for working with CSists in the field. It’s also seekinga Christian Science-based non-profit organization thatwould like to host (or partner on) this activity in thelong run. This would include continuing to work with anadvisory group from the COCC to mold and shape theactivity.4
YAC (Youth Action Committee) Structures for governing and administering such afundThe vision for this working group is: Youth — Informed,Inspired, and Engaged in Healing. Banking/fund transfer possibilities and restrictionsIts mission is: Christian Science Nursing — to developand create thriving youth communities in ChristianScience Nursing. Language translation issues EU and other international or regional regulations thatwill need to be metThe group is focusing on three objectives:1. Discovering youth talents in nursing, as well asassessing the needs of youth and young families towhich Christian Science nursing can respond.2. Reaching out and responding to CS youth byestablishing: platforms for discussion and fellowship;workshops for awareness and education; and plansfor promoting this initiative and responding to theinterest generated.3. Launching a Youth CSN Service Corps for youngpeople to work in Christian Science nursingorganizations. The idea of this Corps is similarto internships, although more along the lines ofAmericorp in the US. In addition, the group isexploring whether this might include educationalscholarships.The IFund Working Group is now in the process ofdeveloping a set of policies that covers things such as:eligibility, the application process, which expenses willbe covered and which will not, verifying care has beenreceived, and other issues similar to the NFCSN policiesbut adapted to an international grant-making setting.The CS Care Resource CenterThe Principle Foundation is working with funders andcontracted consultants to develop a website that will allowfor a one-stop place where Christian Scientists, theirfamilies, and friends can find information about housingfor senior (or dependent adult) Christian Scientists andabout Christian Science Nursing and other levels of CScare and support. This website is planned for launch in thesecond quarter of 2020. Following the website, TPF plansto also launch a call center available to individuals seekingsolutions for housing and CS care.The YAC has begun reaching out and introducing itsmission to attendees at youth meetups in NJ and NY,Christian Science nursing conferences, CS camp directors’meeting, and a recent TMC Youth summit.IFCSN (Newly named IFund)Representatives from the US and European ChristianScience nursing organizations have been exploring forover a year how an International Fund for ChristianScience Nursing might work. Some early good news: thereis support for this idea among several funders and CSnonprofit organizations. As a result, the WG has focused on:Metaphysical Support CommitteeThe Collaborative has a metaphysical supportcommittee that responds to requests for prayer onissues specific to the Collaborative work we are doing.If you are part of this Collaborative effort and want toaccess this support, get in touch with the CST at info@csncollaborative.org and we’ll connect you with the chair. The legal issues related to funds being held in the USand then made available to CSsts outside of the US5
UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTERESTA reminder on who we are and how we arestructuredAnnual Meeting of the AOCSN,The Philanthropy Forum Conference and theCollaborative ConferenceThis Collaborative network consists of The Philanthropy Forum — donors who give toChristian Science nursing activitiesIn recognition of the overlapping — i.e. “collaborative”— work we are doing as funders, associations andindividual CS nurses, we will host gatherings next Augustin San Francisco that run back to back. The schedule willgenerally flow as follows: The Association of Organizations for Christian ScienceNursing (AOCSN) — a professional organization ofChristian Science nursing facilities and visiting ChristianScience nursing services The Christian Science Nursing Network (CSNN) — aprofessional association that supports Christian Sciencenurses in their practice and careersAOCSN – August 24-26Philanthropy Forum for CS Nursing – August 25-26Collaborative for CS nursing – August 27 Christian Science Nursing Activities of The MotherChurchIf you have questions about the schedule or what wewill be working on, please get in touch with the CST andwe’ll get you connected to the right “conference planninggroup.”COLLABORATIVE FORCHRISTIAN SCIENCE NURSINGThe Collaborative Website UpdateIn 2019, we launched the basics of a website for theCollaborative. Its purpose is to give the participantsin the Collaborative one place to find information onCollaborative activities. The website provides usefulinformation for those serving on the C3 coordinatingcommittee and anyone in a working group at this time.For example, you can access a link to get into the workingdocuments of your working group here csncollaborative.org/communications/. And, you can find a calendar of allthe upcoming WG meetings and the link to get on the callor zoom here csncollaborative.org/calendar/. Early in 2020,the CST will have access to additional technical supportand we will further develop this website.Manager,Christian ScienceNursing Activities,The MotherChurchAssociationof Organizationsfor ChristianScience Nursing(AOCSN)ThePhilanthropyForum forChristian ScienceNursingChristianScienceNursing Network(CSNN)CollaborativeforChristian ScienceNursingC3Collaborative CoordinatingCommitteeWe are in the early stages of adding features that will beof interest to the entire Christian Science community andlinking this site to others that support Christian Sciencenursing activities.(Made up of representativesof all 4 entities)6
Through ourCollaborative, we’repraying and workingtogether to accomplishthat which, over time,we have found wecannot do alone.ACTIVE WORKING GROUPS IN THECHRISTIAN SCIENCE NURSING ommittees ofChristian CaringContinuingEducationYouth ActionCommitteeValuingChristian ScienceNursesCS CareResource Centerwebsite/call centerInternationalFund for ChristianScience NursingCollaboratiave Support Team (CST – Administrative Help)& Metaphysical CommitteeIf you want to know more about the Collaborative — who is working on what, how to get updates, how to joinin the effort, more history, etc. — email us at info@csncollaborative.org. There are many ways you can get involved,and we would love to help you find the right fit.If, instead, you would like to be removed from this email list, let us know at info@csncollaborative.org.— Shannon, Linda and Ronna(The Collaborative Support Team)7
also provided the CoCC with important learnings for its future project sites. Some 22 individuals in the US and Canada have indicated an interest in having the CoCC work with them in their communities to build their capacity to care for one another. The COCC is in the process of further d
