Some of you may know that years ago I was an educator in grade schools to colleges, and I did a lot of ecumenical work in Boulder when I first entered the public practice of Christian Science. Others may know that for 20 years I’ve a comparatively long daily workday commute to and from Wide Horizon – A Christian Science Nursing Facility for Sincere Seekers of Truth. What you don’t know is that for months early in the pandemic I was often the only driver on roads and at intersections, strangely disconcerting at times. Often, I’d think about Wide Horizon and its ministry of Christian Science nursing for our community, with many moments in prayer to God for mankind’s freedom from disease and for health throughout the earth. I also sought inspiration from Spirit – sometimes via KUVO (jazz) or KLOVE (Christian) on FM radio. I spent a lot of time listening, observing, and praying.

On my commute, I drive by a number of churches and schools. I usually pray for the protection and safety of children, young people and others at schools, and I ask God to send blessings to students waiting at bus stops and those on school buses. Young people need our prayers, perhaps more than ever. Such prayer helps make the commute seem shorter. And, prayer makes life better. Also, I see signs with messages at different churches and schools and bumper stickers on cars. Over the years, these have included in no particular order (given as remembered):

• Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?
• Trust in the Lord (which has been in place since the pandemic began 3-plus years ago)
• GROW IN GRACE
• It ought to be the business of each day to prepare for the final day.
• PRAY FOR PEACE
• A generous man will prosper.
• A wise man counts his blessings; a fool counts his problems.
• If you pray, why worry? Keep the faith!
• Faith is the radar that sees through the fog.
• PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS
• Come to the Super Bowl of Caring
• Love Everyone, No Matter What
• BLACK LIVES MATTER
• POLICE LIVES MATTER
• ALL LIVES MATTER
• Kullerstrand Elementary – A School Without Hate
• The ground at the foot of the cross is level.
• Carve your stumbling blocks into stepping stones.
• Gratitude is a healing force.
• IT’S ALL GOOD
• Love one another as Jesus Christ has loved you.
• Boundless Love Heals
• Hope is Here
• SEE GOOD
• Leave Your Nets
• Look to Jesus – the author and finisher of our faith.
• Love is the answer.
• Change the way you see things and the things you see will change.
• God does not love you because you are good. God loves you because He is good.
• Douglass Elementary – Home of the Dolphins – We Care
• BE KIND
• Be merciful just as our Father in heaven is merciful.
• If God is your co-pilot, trade places!
• Yoga at Glory of God
• Jesus and Baby Yoda
• BE BLESSED
• We love you! Let us share our love of God and our lives with you.
• GIVE THANKS
• Your value is not determined by your valuables.
• Not today, Satan, not today.
• Jesus Christ has invested in you. Have you shown any interest?
• HE IS RISEN
• Jesus loves you. Do you love Jesus?
• Do all to share the Gospel and its blessings.
• Celebrate Easter with the risen Christ.
• Open Doors. Open Minds. Open Hearts.
• Ask God. There are some questions that cannot be answered by Google.
• God believes in you.
• Every day is a day of prayer.
• Exercise daily. Walk with the Lord.
• YOU ARE LOVED
• Come as you are. You can change inside.
• All are welcome!

D. Brian Boettiger

Some of this blog was given at the 2022 annual meeting of Wide Horizon on October 8, with the theme: “Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way” (Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 454).

Years ago, I did a little research about mission statements of Christian Science organizations, particularly those of Christian Science nursing. I think Wide Horizon was the only one at that time which included “Mary Baker Eddy” in its mission statement. I’ve always appreciated this inclusion. It reads: “The mission of Wide Horizon is to provide Christian Science nursing, facilities, and support for those seeking healing accomplished through complete reliance on Christian Science as taught by Mary Baker Eddy.”

I’m grateful to Mary Baker Eddy for many reasons. One is all the questions she provided to anyone who is a student of Christian Science or reader of her writings. I love the answers too! I’ve recently reread and studied both Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896 and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures from beginning to end. Both books have a lot of profound questions and answers. Every time I’ve done this focused activity, it’s a holy time filled with inspiration, illumination, spiritual progress and healing. Thank God for Mrs. Eddy!

How many Christian Science nurses serve in the ministry of Christian Science nursing? As of October 6^th, there are 379 listed in The Christian Science Journal. Of these, 326 are listed from the US and 53 are listed in internationally. A Christian Science foundation estimated another approximately 400 to 450 who are not listed.

At Wide Horizon, there are 16 Christian Science nurses, including the Director. Of these, 8 are Journal-listed, 2 of whom are part-time, and there are five African countries (Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda) represented on the Christian Science nursing staff. Thus, the majority of the full-time Christian Science nurses are not yet listed in The Journal. These 16 individuals cover three 8-hour shifts each day throughout the year!

How many member organizations of the Association of Organizations for Christian Science Nursing (AOCSN)?  There are 32 organizations. Christian Science nursing facilities and visiting Christian Science nursing services (VCSNS). There are numerous committees and groups that work to make Christian Science nursing more prevalent.

How many of these organizations are accredited by the COMMISSION for Accreditation of Christian Science Nursing Organizations/Facilities?  There are 24 organizations currently accredited, and 2 in the process of being accredited as well as 1 member that is not accredited. Recently, The Commission held its annual meeting via Zoom. It was a harmonious gathering of wonderful workers in the Cause of Christian Science.

Now some other information…It’s mind-boggling how statistics often dominate and influence so many areas of human enterprise and existence. I usually stay away from statistics unless they are in sports but what follows are some stats from 2019-2022 gathered from various online resources such as the National Center of Health Statistics.

In Colorado, what is the number of licensed healthcare providers? Healthcare Professions Profile Program (HPPP) an online database lists more than 65 license types and more than 270,000 healthcare professionals.

What is the estimated number of nursing homes in the US?

In 2021, there were about 26,520 nursing homes in the United States – of these about 17,000 are licensed, 70% are for-profit, 23% are nonprofit, and 7% are run by the government. In addition, there are another 65,600 regulated long-term care facilities and nearly 30,000 assisted living facilities. More than 2 million people live in nursing homes and in assisted living facilities. More than 1.7 million workers are employed in them. The estimated market size for nursing homes was $140.6 billion in 2021. (https://www.zippia.com/advice/nursing-home-statistics/#)

In Colorado, there are about 225 nursing homes, with more than 16,000 residents.

How much does it cost an individual in a nursing home?

National average of $8,821 per month for a private room; for a semi-private room the average is $7,756. In Colorado, it’s $9,726 and $8,567 per month, respectively.

How many hospitals and health systems in Colorado?

Of about 6,090 hospitals in the US, there are more than 100, providing care to more than 555,000 inpatients and 9 million outpatients each year, more than $18 billion into the CO economy annually, and providing jobs and benefits to more than 71,000 workers in CO. (cha.com)

How many residents are in nursing homes nationwide?

• There are about 1,290,00 residents in U.S. nursing homes.
• 70% of people who reach the age of 65 will need long-term care at some point in life.
• By 2050, up to 30 million people in the Americas will require long-term care services.
• There are approximately 28,900 assisted living communities with nearly 1 million licensed beds in the US. The average size of an assisted living community is 33 licensed beds. Of these communities 56% are chain-affiliated and 42% are independently owned.

The number of people age 60 and older will increase from 900 million in 2015 to 2 billion by 2050 — moving from 12% to 22% of the global population, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Yet even though the population of older adults is rising, there’s no evidence that they’re in better health than previous generations, which means they need to prepare for getting the care they need as they age.  The U.S. care services market is expected to reach $748.5 billion by 2030, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 5.76%, according to a report from ResearchAndMarkets.com.

Perhaps you’re thinking about now, “…when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2) I know I have prayed this often during the past three years!

Margaret Jackson writes in a recent article from Colorado Biz Magazine, “Even though the population of older adults is rising, there’s no evidence that they’re in better health than previous generations.” Later she quotes Jody Gastfriend, principal with Health Management Associates who is a licensed clinical social worker and national expert in senior care, “Boomers are living longer — many are still working and many are caregivers. This generation of older adults, because life expectancy has increased, is still caring for parents and has adult children and grandchildren — it’s not just the sandwich generation, it’s the club sandwich generation between multiple generations. From a health-care perspective, there needs to be more understanding on lifestyle impact on health. There’s an emphasis on healthy aging and maintaining strength — both physical and mental — so a holistic approach to health care is ideal.” (“Telehealth to Play Key Role as Geriatric Population Soars” from cobizmag.com, October 4, 2022)

Interestingly, at least to me, Wide Horizon was not listed in “61” best nursing homes in Colorado or 25 best in Denver by US News Health. This is a glaring oversight by US News Health because every State Ombudsman – who are advocates for patient care in all types of care settings – during the past 20 years has given Wide Horizon glowing comments and very positive reports. Regardless, I am confident Wide Horizon and other sister Christian Science nursing organizations shine in ways many in the world hunger and thirst for – practically and spiritually – as demonstrated by years of continual operations providing care and healing.

I shared all these statistics with you for a fuller perspective on why is it so important, in any way you can, to support as well as to share the good news of Christian Science nursing and Wide Horizon.

“Pond and Purpose” is one of my favorite writings from Mrs. Eddy. I think of it often when at Wide Horizon (particularly when I’m strolling by the peaceful pond on campus) – always seeking, sometimes sighing, usually learning. Mrs. Eddy tells us, “The real Christian Scientist is constantly accentuating harmony in word and deed, mentally and orally, perpetually repeating this diapason of heaven: ‘Good is my God, and my God is good. Love is my God, and my God is Love’” (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 206).

Thus, I hope you too share the good news of Christian Science nursing whenever Love inspires and leads you to do so. Thank you.

D. Brian Boettiger

The last blog I wrote was in May titled “EMBRACED BY LOVE.” I thought that would be a wonderful way to conclude my blogging.

Yet today it was kindly pointed out that there is a somewhat glaring error in the Wide Horizon Herald (summer 2022 issue) – one that I surprisingly missed as editor, as I believe it’s the first such strike in nearly 20 years of doing this work. My bad.

If it were a minor typo or word choice error such as there, their, or they’re, or if the next newsletter weren’t months away from publication, I’d not be writing this blog.

But, regrettably with humble apologies, on page 8 of this Wide Horizon Herald (see 10. Idiom), the correction is in regard to a very familiar passage – the “Scientific Statement of Being” – from page 468 in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.

The correct statement reads as follows:

“There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual.”

To conclude, considering the article “Inspiration from Chickens,” it appears one or more of those idioms or “everyday sayings that refer to feathered friends” aka chickens, seems to have pecked this editor’s ankle. It must have been a rascally rooster!

D. BRIAN BOETTIGER

Earlier this month on the National Day of Prayer (May 5), a favorite hymn from the Christian Science Hymnal came to thought. Since I was a boy who attended Christian Science Sunday Schools throughout the world, I’ve called hymn 267 “the synonym hymn” because it includes some of the synonyms of God as taught in Christian Science. This hymn begins “Our God is All-in-all, His children cannot fear…”

On that day of prayer (coincidentally Cinco de Mayo), I had felt inspired by the concluding remarks given at the 2022 conference of the Association of Organizations for Christian Science Nursing (www.AOCSN.org). I felt grateful for this gathering of so many fine thinkers and doers of God’s Word, so many who are selfless stewards of Christian Science nursing ministries. I thought of a number of areas in my life, including Wide Horizon where I’ve served for nearly 20 years, the church I’ve been a member of for more than 40 years, the world on which I’ve lived and traveled. There was much to pray about.

Scripture states, “God is love.” (See I John 4:8.) The clause “GOD IS LOVE” appears on an interior wall of every Christian Science church and/or Sunday School I’ve seen. Three words that can have much power and give solace to honest seekers of truth.  The words which can comfort. I also thought about God being divine Love, and God’s children not separated from God’s perfect love.  (See Romans 8: 38-39.)

I thought too of words attributed to Apostle Paul, “For in Him [God] we live and move and have our being” (which appeared in a recent weekly Christian Science Bible Lesson). (See Acts 17:28 NKJV.) Admittedly for some time it’s been a struggle for me to consistently feel these words of promise. Yet I believe this declarative statement to be true, particularly when I see myself and others as made spiritually in the image and likeness of God, as stated in Genesis 1. (See Genesis 1:26-27.)

So, on that day of collective and individual prayer, I quietly composed an affirmation or prayer titled “Embraced by Love” which follows:

We (all God’s children, daughters and sons, divine ideas, creation, male and female made in Spirit’s image and likeness) are embraced by God’s allness. We live in God’s embrace. We move in God’s embrace. We have our being in God’s embrace.

Yes, God is All-in-all. I cannot be mesmerized to believe that any erroneous suggestion, any false evidence appearing real has any power, any reality, any influence.

Yes, Spirit is All-in-all. As Spirit’s ideas, Spirit’s children, I cannot believe in any false evidence appearing real. I am embraced by Spirit. I freely live in Spirit’s embrace. I freely move in Spirit’s embrace. I freely have my holy being in Spirit.

Yes, Love is All-in-all. Fear has no power, no presence. I am embraced by Love. I live in Love’s embrace. I move in Love’s embrace. I have my being in Love’s embrace. Yes, Love is All. Love is the Liberator!

Yes, Truth is All-in-all. Error has no reality. I am embraced in Truth. I live freely in Truth. I move harmoniously in Truth. I have my true being in Truth. I am made free in Truth.

Yes, Life is All-in-all. Death is NOT real. I am embraced in Life. I live freely in Life. I move harmoniously in Life. I have my only being in Life. For I know Life is God and “Love alone is Life” every moment.

Yes, Principle is All-in-all. Chaos is not reality. I am fully embraced by Principle. I live securely in Principle. I move freely with Principle. I have my perfect being in Principle, divine Love.

Yes, Soul is All-in-all. Material sense is not real; Spiritual sense is and reveals only Soul’s expression. I am embraced by Soul. I live fully in Soul. I move freely in Soul. I have only ageless, beautiful, full being in Soul.

Yes, Mind is All-in-all. There is only one Mind. I am embraced in Mind. I live eternally in Mind. I move spiritually in Mind – the Source of all movement. I have my perfect being in Mind, Love. I hear only Mind’s voice – the still, small voice within – the Christ.

Yes, God is All-in-all. Let us hear God’s voice. Let us listen and obediently follow. Let us be free and thankful. Let us feel the embrace of Love so that we may embrace all others with love.

Thank you, dear heavenly Father-Mother God for Your infinite embrace of healing Love.

I hope you who have read this far are feeling more embraced by God, ever-present Love. I hope this affirmation of Love helps you feel comforted, cared for, healed. I hope you share more, serve more, live more, move more, even be more.

More recently I read an article in the Christian Science Sentinel titled “You can’t get outside of God” by Charles Ferris (July 2, 2007 issue). The author wrote in part: “The Apostle Paul told the people in Athens, ‘For in him [God] we live, and move, and have our being’ (Acts 17:28, KJV). We are never outside of God. We live because God is immortal Life, and this eternal Life always retains form. …Wherever our life-journey takes us, we are always travelling in God and seeing the spiritual, indestructible nature of His creation opening up before us. There’s great healing comfort in knowing that we ‘live, and move, and have our being’ in God – never outside His presence and power!”

This spoke to me at this point in my life-journey, particularly in my longtime service within the field of Christian Science nursing and practice. For I believe all of God’s beloved children are loved and can feel the embrace of Love! So many people or souls need to feel the comfort and care of the Love that heals.

I believe our individual and collective prayers will and do make a difference. For as the New Testament proclaims, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16, NLT)

Furthermore, I believe all children on earth need the daily prayers of all adults who have faith – especially those who sincerely believe in and strive to follow the Master Christian, the Way-shower, Christ Jesus, who showed mankind how to love through active compassion and divine understanding.

May you feel the Christ within you, embraced by Love!

D. BRIAN BOETTIGER

I’m writing this on April 22, 2022. This ties into last month’s blog ‘Renewal,’ particularly as it relates to regeneration and restoration, as well as last year’s Earth Day blog. Then I shared how much caring for the earth by cleaning up – neighborhoods, beaches, parks, trails – means to me, at least in the communities I’ve lived and the places I’ve traveled. I also pointed out how Wide Horizon, a Christian Science nursing care organization, does its part in having adopted and implemented more sustainable practices, which partly reflects its caring mission for the past 75 years, especially as these practices have been updated more recently. In rereading last year’s blog, it remains one of my favorites. (Go to https://www.widehorizon.org/?s=earth+day)

This year’s theme is ‘Invest in Our Planet’ which calls for “businesses to shift towards sustainable practices. This movement is expected to change the business climate, the political climate, and how to take action regarding the climate” in general. This is definitely a very good investment which will garner great returns. (See www.ndtv.com)

Earth Day, which falls on April 22 every year and is a growing movement since 1970, is the most widely observed secular holiday around the globe. It’s not recognized as a federal holiday in the United States, but Americans across the country have observed it for 52 years. It is also a Student Conservation Association (SCA) day of service. (See www.usatoday.com)

And every year, April 22 is celebrated as International Mother Earth Day. The day is observed to create awareness about the rampant increase in pollution and other practices which directly or indirectly harm the environment and which result in the continuing destruction of our planet. Many countries throughout the planet have taken steps to help bring solutions to our Mother Earth.(See www.news18.com)

In my lifetime, I’ve moved many times, although Colorado has been home for a few decades. I’ve also moved figuratively having been a member of several political parties. In more recent years, I’ve become apolitical or independent because of the increase in discord and disfunction in the United States political arena. My values, influenced strongly by my faith rather than politics and news, are what drive my decisions in what I support. For I simply care about what’s best for our planet, including particularly the children, animals, nature and hopefully the majority of people on earth. (Obviously, all man-made wars and all houses continually divided against themselves cannot stand and do not improve conditions on earth.) It is sincere compassion, empathy, understanding, love and care lived and practiced which will bring about true change and improvement for all.

Today I read: “Now is the time for the unstoppable courage to preserve and protect our health, our families, and our livelihoods. We need to act boldly, innovate broadly, and implement equitably. It’s going to take all of us. Businesses, governments, and citizens – everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A global partnership for the planet. The Great Global Cleanup is a worldwide campaign to remove billions of pieces of trash from neighborhoods, beaches, rivers, lakes, trails, and parks – reducing waste and plastic pollution, improving habitats, and preventing harm to wildlife.” (I absolutely love it, for I’ve been doing this cleanup campaign for decades as I shared last year.) (Go to www.earthday.org)

Did you know that “the fashion industry is responsible for over 8% of total greenhouse gas emissions on earth” and, “Sustainable Fashion refers to a clothing supply chain that is ecologically and socially responsible”? This is only one of many steps that must be taken because “we need to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century to keep the global temperature below 1.5 degrees C.” Although for years I’ve given a lot of clothes and shoes away to charities and families, I still have too many, so to do my small part, future purchases will be fewer. (See www.earthday.org)

In the past I have owned a lot of gas-powered cars, including two BMWs that I enthusiastically enjoyed as they were really a joy to drive. For Earth Day 2022, BMW announced “The Future Finds Us” as its initiative. Indeed, the present circumstances partly caused by gas and diesel emissions has found the earth in dire straits. On a brighter note, I see and count many more electric and hybrid vehicles while commuting than even two years ago. Thankfully, auto manufacturers have finally seen the light and are taking serious steps to offset their carbon footprints, and more consumers are doing the same.

I love reading and studying the Bible (which mentions the earth numerous times but does not refer to BMWs). I own different Bibles and have studied many English translations. In Genesis 1, one reads an account of creation that is entirely good. Verses 26 and 28 thereof refer to dominion and replenish, respectively. In a spiritual context, dominion refers to care of or stewardship of creation, including all creatures (as contrasted to only sovereignty or control). Therefore, compassionate care and selfless stewardship are key to caring for the earth and all upon it. In a like context, the meaning of the word replenish includes “to fill with inspiration; to nourish; to fill or build up again; to make good; to become full.” I hope to feel more replenished and inspired so that I may better help to nourish the earth and make our global environment better for future generations and creatures who populate our planet.

When one devotes many years to an organization called Wide Horizon, whose mission is to provide care for others, one’s perspective is only broadened. The ministry and even name lends itself to looking away from self to practice greater good. It is with this in mind which influences my hope for more focus on harmoniously correcting the issues, challenges and problems of the present, so the future will be a healthy environment that nurtures all children and blesses all individuals on earth.

So, remember our Mother Earth deserves our best efforts every day. Will you join in doing whatever you can to leave the earth better than you found it?

D. Brian Boettiger