Summer Newsletter 2026
Christian Science nurses and instructors share their joy after June’s in-service training. (See more below.)
Inside This Issue
Christian Science Nurses Graduation:
Celebrating Love’s Provision in Practice
On July 16, the Glenmont community gathered in the Great Room to celebrate the graduation of three Christian Science nurses. The quiet, heartfelt ceremony recognized their accomplishments, love of ministry, and gratitude to God as the source of healing.
Anna Opaye-Robertson, originally from Accra, Ghana, has been a Christian Science nurse at Glenmont since 2021. In her remarks for the occasion, she shared how she has “realized that this profession was a gift God had blessed me with” and that the comfort both she and the patients experience comes from the spirit of God. A healing she related illustrates these realizations:
“I needed this reminder at a time when I was experiencing some difficulty with mobility and thinking about my mission as a Christian Science nurse. I heard this angel message from God: ‘You cannot suffer while serving Me. I have given you all the strength you need.’ [And] ‘Mind is the source of all movement, and there is no inertia to retard or check its perpetual and harmonious action’ (Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health, p. 283)…soon I could move without discomfort. I came to understand that there is nothing that can prevent me from serving God.”
Laura Saylor, a Christian Science nurse from Lynn House in Virginia, completed her final level of training here at Glenmont. Her remarks comprised lessons in her spiritual growth, namely the qualities of self-knowledge, humility, and love (highlighted in Mary Baker Eddy’s article, “The Way”) and how they pertain to her ministry. Reflecting on her Christian Science nursing education, she said that “we have practiced how not to be aghast by error and evil, and how to gently, tenderly comfort, support, and lift up. We have learned how to ‘love God with all [our] heart, and with all [our] soul, and with all [our] mind’” (Matt. 22:37). Obeying that command “changes thought, heals, and emboldens us to serve.” Later, Laura added, “Why choose Christian Science nursing…? The ministry itself is the thing. It is the conscious turning to God, because it is God who heals.”
Lois Nichols, a Journal-listed Christian Science nurse from Indiana, completed her instruction and officially graduated from Glenmont’s School of Christian Science Nursing a couple of years ago. At that time, she requested simple recognition of this achievement. We are delighted that she could join us and be honored during the ceremony this summer.
“...the great need is always for Love. This is why we can rejoice right away when we become aware of a need, because we know Love’s wisdom is sufficient.”
Remarks and recognition of the graduates were followed by a joyful talk by John Biggs, CS, aptly titled “Love’s Perfect Provision,” which underscored that “the great need is always for Love. This is why we can rejoice right away when we become aware of a need, because we know Love’s wisdom is sufficient.” The talk’s message aimed squarely at the graduating Christian Science nurses, and its universal applicability resonated with all in attendance, including other students at Glenmont. John added, “There’s such a sweet sense of certainty that naturally accompanies the Christian Science nursing practice: you love God so much, and you know you can always turn to Him to see how to be of service. For it is really God you are being of service to; the patient provides an opportunity to look to God, but the patient is just as much in God’s care as you are! And so, you joyfully look together to God’s perfect wisdom.”
Please join us in congratulating Anna, Laura, and Lois. We trust them to God’s loving provision in their continuing ministries and look forward to hearing about the blessings to come.
We Asked the Newest Graduates…
Why did you want to become a Christian Science nurse?
Anna shared that her whole life has been about caring for others. “It’s something I love doing.” Her father pointed out that she could be a Christian Science nurse—that she already had the requisite qualities.
Laura said it was innate. She was already helping loved ones. Partly, she just knew she wanted to be a Christian Scientist—loving your neighbor as yourself, caring for people, and listening to God.
What do you value about your training at Glenmont?
Laura said the mentoring and opportunities for practical application that she experienced at Glenmont were important in shoring up her confidence in serving her fellow man. She loves the quality and “gentleness everything is approached with” by both Christian Science nursing instructors and students.
Anna expressed thanks for the community. When she first came, a family member had a challenge, and all of Glenmont reached out to help. She also values her experience at Glenmont’s Channels of Love training villa at The Willows in California.
Glenmont Annual Meeting 2026
Healing & Gratitude
Spiritual healing is a natural response to prayer in Christian Science.
A patient shared the following: “I’ve had some healings of things I didn’t know needed healing. One healing involved regaining upper body strength. Another healing involved some sort of internal infection that disappeared.”
And patients aren’t the only ones having healings.
“Moving in the harmony of Science”
Becky Barns, Assistant Director of Christian Science Nursing
Earlier this summer, something sparked a memory of the loss of a loved one and magnified a current belief of loss for my family. I couldn’t stop sobbing. I had agreed to assist in a care room later, and of course my thought went immediately to the care of the patient and the support of my fellow Christian Science nurse. I managed to pull myself together to be supportive.
When the care was finished and the patient settled, I went to my office to review our upcoming in-service (continuing education workshop) call letter.
In preparation we were asked to “continue to cherish and embody the spiritual qualities related to moving in harmony, such as joy, unselfishness, love, expectancy of good, faithfulness and so on in our daily ministry.” It also asked us to “bring a helpful passage, hymn, or example of healing that supports the concept of ‘moving in the harmony of Science’” to share (Science and Health, p. 514).
It was then I realized that through providing loving care, voicing truths, comforting, and singing hymns in support of the patient, I was free of the claim. Being of service and “moving in harmony” does bring blessing.
Why I Give Every Month
by Elizabeth Reger, Board Member
My husband and I joined the Glenmont Guardians to consistently lend our support to the Christian Science nursing field. Although my husband is not a Christian Scientist, we are both deeply grateful for the care Glenmont provides. And over the years, I have come to realize that Christian Science nursing is so important to the entire Christian Science movement.
Though I was raised in Christian Science and even attended Christian Science camps, I don’t recall much exposure to Christian Science nursing during my childhood. My grandmother had a brief stay at Glenmont in 1986. I was grateful she was in a home-like setting receiving loving care, but beyond that, I didn’t feel Christian Science nursing related to my life.
In 2009, I was helping a member of my church who needed assistance with meals and some physical care. At a certain point, the physical care became more than I was able to provide. The individual was working prayerfully with a Christian Science practitioner, and I was asked to call a Christian Science nurse to come to the home and help. However, not finding a Christian Science nurse available in our area, it was suggested that I call Glenmont. I knew my friend wanted to rely on Christian Science for healing, and I wanted to honor her desire. So, I called Glenmont and was able to speak to Helvi, the Director of Christian Science Nursing. She was the answer to my prayers.
“I am forever grateful for the care my mother received at Glenmont—and my husband is, too. Our desire is that every Christian Scientist who wants to rely on Christian Science for care and healing has that opportunity.”
Without hesitation, Helvi drove an hour and a half on a Saturday to assess what care my friend needed. It was decided the best place to provide this care would be at Glenmont. Helvi guided us through the process of admittance and transportation to the facility. I was so grateful for her diligent, loving support. From this experience began to grow my boundless appreciation for Christian Science nurses, Glenmont, and Christian Science nursing in general.
A few years later, my mother asked to be taken to Glenmont for support with some physical challenges. She was a patient at Glenmont more than once, and during her stays, we all developed such loving relationships with her Christian Science nurses. The love that accompanied the care my mother received was palpable. I have had other family members in medical nursing facilities, and while they received good physical support, what set the Christian Science nurses apart was that they advocated for healing! They were fully invested in bearing witness to the demonstration of divine Life in every patient.
I am forever grateful for the care my mother received at Glenmont—and my husband is, too. Our desire is that every Christian Scientist who wants to rely on Christian Science for care and healing has that opportunity. Being a Glenmont Guardian is one of the surest ways we can support that desire.
How You Can Help
Announcements
Looking to work in a healing environment?
Our Christian Science Nurse Education program could be right for you!
Classes are offered throughout the year at Glenmont or in Southern California and can be scheduled, as needed, to support you.
We also teach members of church Care Committees or those helping friends or family at home!
For all inquiries, please call us at 614-876-0084, ext. 150, or visit www.glenmontcsn.com
