“Thine is the Call and Thine the Care” (from the Christian Science Hymn #190) was the theme of the 2021 International Christian Science Nursing Conference (ICSNC) that took place on February 25, 2021. Well over 220 Christian Science nurses from fifteen countries participated in the first ever online ICSNC, using the Zoom platform.

We are very grateful to all those who contributed to the conference through sharing music, inspiring talks and to those who served as moderators and presenters. If you didn’t attend the Conference and would like to see the full agenda, please click here.  The CSNN board is happy to make available some of the recorded sessions from the Conference through this issue of our Vision Now! In sharing this content, with permission from those who contributed, we hope you will appreciate the inspiration, joy and fellowship that was felt throughout our day together.  Not all sessions of the conference were recorded and some were made available only to those who registered for the 2021 ICSNC.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW RECORDED SEGMENTS

The following presentations are available for you to view:

Our Conference Theme Hymn 190 and our closing Hymn 598 Performed by - Vocalists Alaina Carlson, Mark Palkoner, Kristin Palkoner and Andrew Shepherd. Accompanied by Tanya O’Gorman, piano and Patty Nuernberg, violin. These are recorded with our opening and closing segments.

MEET THE CSNN BOARD A look into who's who on our current board, our roles and responsibilities, and what it was like planning the first online conference!

(From left to right, top row: Mary Roadman, President; Kristin Palkoner, Alistair Budd; bottom row: Amy Fugman, Treasurer and Cindy Snowden, Secretary)

ZOOM AROUND THE WORLD Interviews with Christian Science nurses, who shared their experiences of the Calling and the Care in their ministry, with Allyson Shone, Canada; Mark Palkoner, USA; Teresa Ferreira, Portugal & Switzerland; Ana Carla Vicencio, Brazil; Alayne Reed, New Zealand; Ricardo Manuel Francisco, South Africa; Lorilyn Tacio, USA & The Philippines

MUSIC ACROSS THE MILES: SONGS OF COMFORT + HOPE Special performances by: Andrew and Audrey Sentinella, Mark and Kristin Palkoner, Alaina Carlson, Josh Kenworthy, David Sand, Laura Saylor and Kathy Glover.

ANDREW AND AUDREY SENTINELLA

MARK AND KRISTIN PALKONER, ALAINA CARLSON AND JOSH KENWORTHY

KATHY GLOVER AND KRISTIN PALKONER

DAVID SAND AND LAURA SAYLOR

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE NURSING COLLABORATIVE History of the Christian Science Nurse Collaborative and its Working Groups by Bruce Jeffrey from The Principal Foundation

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ABOVE RECORDED SEGMENTS

Our 2021 ICSNC also included the following events:

Our Opening Address Jennifer Ewell’s talk, Answering God’s Call and Witnessing His Care, was inspiring and a perfect start to the day together. Jennifer is the Director of In-Ministry Shepherding at Glenmont. She spoke of each of us being called to this holy work by our Father-Mother, and this calling is God’s will which must be done. The tender guidance, insights and testimony shared was nurturing to the audience of about 240 who started the 2021 ICSNC together.

Open Forum Discussions

We were so grateful for the Christian Science nurses who facilitated 15 different discussions for the Christian Science nurses. You can see from the agenda there was a wide range of topics. These gatherings supported open sharing and were full of inspiration and new ideas, facilitated by experienced Christian Science nurses from around the world. In a 3-day ICSNC these discussion times can last for hours and have been a valuable part of each conference. With only 40 minutes, we made the most of it and are grateful to the discussion leaders.

The Christian Science Board of Directors Keith Wommack, CSB and Barbara Fife, CSB It was a joy to have Keith and Barbara join us for part of the 2021 ICSNC, sharing their loving words of support and appreciation. Their message warmly embraced all Christian Science nurses with an in-depth, thought-provoking and inspiring talk on how the 23rd Psalm relates to God’s shepherding care for each of us. Indeed, divine Love is ministering to the Christian Science nurse and the patient. The activity of the Christ is supporting our work and giving us the ability to help each other.

One-Hour Break Out Rooms In this break time we joined in to chat with new friends, met the little children belonging to Christian Science nurses and joined interesting discussions on a specific topic like visiting Christian Science nursing or Christian Science nursing in Africa while we had a quick lunch. It was an opportunity to visit with friends and network over the meal break.

Bonnie Castroman, Manager, Christian Science Nursing Activities Bonnie is a wonderful advocate to all Christian Science nurses and her message to the attendees was practical, concise, and full of affection for the work of Christian Science nurses. It was a lovely, healing message and we are grateful for her nurturing, kindness and guidance.

Collaborative Workshops: Session I & II These sessions provided an opportunity for the Collaborative Working Group representatives to share details about what their committee is working on. It was an opportunity to gather input and surveys from the Christian Science nurses who are blessed by these groups. If you view Bruce Jeffrey’s video it will give you details about the development and design of the Collaborative and the Working Groups. Here are the different Working Groups: Christian Science Care Resource Center; Training Access & Affordability; Communities of Christian Caring; Valuing CSN - Compensation & Housing; Valuing CSN - Retirement & Benefits; Continuing Education; Fundraising; International Fund for CSN; Leadership & Management; and Youth Action Committee.

Our Closing Address The Christ Makes Room for Health by Alistair Budd. Alistair shared a healing experience on a Christmas morning journey to provide Christian Science nursing care to a Christian Scientist near London. He also shared some essential components of an active public practice of Christian Science nursing.

The board is grateful for ICSNC feedback and is considering how future conferences can embrace and support a greater number of Christian Science nurses worldwide. Information on upcoming ICSNC will be found on our website and newsletters. You can forward this email to other Christian Science nurses who would appreciate the information and resources we share. 

WITH LOVE AND GRATITUDE, THE CSNN BOARD