Past Lectures:

“The How and Why and Wonder of Spiritual Healing”

was given by Beth Packer, CS,

and presented online, and made available for a limited time, on

Sunday, September 27, 2020

7:00 p.m.

This lecture is no longer available for viewing.

This lecture explores the phenomena of spiritual healing as recorded throughout the Bible—healing that for centuries had allowed people to live their lives with dominion and not be victims to their circumstances. And it shows by present-day examples, that such healing is not something of the past, but is a present possibility—an accessible transforming power for good in our lives today.

It’s shown how a knowledge of our inseparable relationship to God brings practical healing solutions. Also, how practical, effective prayer can help us all experience divine power and protection in our lives. Included are multiple examples of the practicality of spiritual healing, including protection from an attack, healing of a medically diagnosed ‘incurable’ illness and effects of a severe accident.

In her capacity as a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship, Beth has been invited to lecture around the world, talking with audiences in such diverse situations as the hallowed halls of London to the inmates in provincial prisons in Africa and Asia. All receive the same message of divine love and healing.

But it is through her practice of Christian Science healing that the words and ideas she shares in her talks are proven true. Beth says, “that if an idea is true, it is universal, impersonal and provable. Spiritual healing as recorded in the Bible is as available today as it was then. And the understanding Christian Science brings to us all, makes that healing accessible to everyone, everywhere, always to bring help and healing to our daily life.”

As a young child, growing up in a Christian Science family, she saw healing as a normal part of life. “Mum used to heal the cats and dogs and kids, whoever needed help, so we never thought of Christian healing as an unusual phenomena. It was just a sign that God loved us. From those early experiences came a deep wish that one day, I, too, would be able to help those around me know that love we had felt as children.”

After becoming an award-winning artist and mother of two girls, she and her own family moved overseas to live in the Middle East for a while, returning home to Australia to start a successful retail business and also become involved in many community welfare projects. Finally in 2005, she was accepted into the worldwide Journal of Christian Science practitioners, entering the full-time healing practice. “It was those years of putting into practice the truths that I’d grown up with, of healing through prayer the difficulties that can arise in family and public life, that really prepared me to be able to be of real use to those around me. And now also being able to share the precious message of healing through lecturing, is a humbling, heartening, joyous privilege, as well as such an amazing adventure.

“Humility that ‘Overcomes the World’”

was given by Mark McCurties, CS on

Sunday, September 8, 2019

2:00 p.m.

Eighth Church of Christ, Scientist

6221 Alexander Drive

(corner of Skinker and Wydown)

All are welcome.

McCurties says, “One of the central themes of Christ Jesus’ ministry was to teach and show that the power of God’s love can help us to overcome the various injustices that we face in the world. In fact, Jesus fully proved the power of God’s might. He healed all kinds of disease, transformed the worst types of behavior, he stopped violent acts from occurring, and he forgave his enemies in order to save them, proving hatred to be powerless in the face of divine Love. Ultimately, Jesus showed that the power of God’s love doesn’t just help us to cope with the ills of the world; it helps us to conquer them.

“Yet, for all the remarkable healing work that Jesus did, he never once took the credit. Instead he always gave the glory and honor to God, our Father in heaven. So sincere was Jesus in his expression of humility that he even said, “I can of my own self do nothing” (John 5:30). In other words, Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who overcame all the ugliness that the world could throw at him, said (in essence), the good that I do isn’t personal to me; it’s the Father working through me.

“Mary Baker Eddy, the woman who founded the Christian Science church, perceived the powerful impact that Jesus’ humility had on his healing and saving mission. She wrote, “Great charity and humility is necessary in this work of healing. The loving patience of Jesus, we must strive to emulate.” (Miscellaneous Writings 7:7-9)

“In this lecture, we will discuss how learning to follow the example of Christ Jesus, particularly his profound display of humility, can empower each one of us to heal and to overcome the hard problems that we face. We will discuss what true humility is, how it links us to God, and by extension, how it connects us with God’s healing and saving laws. There is great need for healing in the world today, and Christ-like humility can help us to meet that demand.”

McCurties has had a life-long love of the Bible and its inspiring message of individual triumph over adversity. After graduating from college he spent a number of years in the field of education where he worked as a camp director, experiential educator, resident counselor, and athletics coach. While working with young people, he had many opportunities to witness the healing power of God, and these inspiring experiences eventually led him into the full-time public practice of Christian Science.

Mark McCurties is a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship. He travels from his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan.