DiscoveryBound Outreach Goes to Boston

By Katie Price
DiscoveryBound Events Manager

DiscoveryBound welcomed 77 teens from around the United States to a national Boston Bound 2014 program over Memorial Day weekend. In addition, approximately 30 adults supported the weekend in staff or volunteer roles. The teens and adults were all housed at Northeastern University, a short walk from The Mother Church.

Friday evening: Listening for the “still, small voice”

The weekend began with games and “get to know each other” activities, and the evening closed with a presentation by Laurie Scott, C.S., on the weekend theme: “The ‘still, small voice’ of scientific thought reaches over continent and ocean to the globe’s remotest bound.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 559)

She facilitated a group discussion that defined the “still, small voice” and identified how to listen to it, which set a beautiful tone and focus for the weekend.

Saturday: Christian Science in the world

After breakfast and Lesson Study, the group headed to The Mother Church for workshops on Manual-based church activities. That afternoon, the group rotated through tours of the original church edifice and extension, and the Mary Baker Eddy Library.

A Boston Duck Tour provided a history of the city—helpful context for the Christian Science history the teens were learning about in their other activities. That evening back at the church, TMC Youth led a program that involved looking at the global presence of Christian Science, playing a round of Radical Acts and joining together in a hymn sing.

Sunday: Connection to church

Prior to Sunday School, three members of the Christian Science Board of Directors thoughtfully addressed teens’ questions about the Board’s role within the church, how to pray about certain situations and more. After Sunday School, they enjoyed an organ presentation by organist Bryan Ashley, during which one of the DiscoveryBound teens had the opportunity to play the organ! Without skipping a beat, the group then toured the Mapparium and debriefed their church activities in peer-led discussion groups.

Afterwards, everyone rode the T to Chestnut Hill for activities at Longyear Museum and a tour of Mrs. Eddy’s 400 Beacon Street home. The museum’s staff prepared thoughtful and interactive exercises, such as a “Meet and Greet” game using profiles of students from Mrs. Eddy’s last class, to bring history to life. Sunday evening closed with a dance cruise around Boston Harbor, during which the group shared weekend highlights and gratitude, and sang a few hymns as the boat approached the wharf.

As they reflected on their weekend, many teens commented on how interested they were in learning about the history of Christian Science, how welcomed they felt at The Mother Church and how inclined they now were to apply for Mother Church membership.