by George Strong, Administrator
Fern Lodge is built on a foundation of Love. I have been a grateful witness to the sturdy nature of that foundation since I first came to Fern Lodge in 1975. Those who tell of their gratitude for Fern Lodge see, hear and feel evidence of the truth of Mary Baker Eddy’s statement, “Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals. It is the open fount which cries, “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters” (Science and Health 13:2).
The impartial and universal nature of Love’s adaptation leads Fern Lodge to accept as patients individuals who have a broad range of nursing needs, physical and mental. We are gratefully willing to help in any way we can, as long as the needed aid is consistent with the theology and practice of Christian Science.
Love’s bestowals also are unlimited. Fern Lodge has maintained through the years a policy of providing Christian Science nursing for those who have legitimate needs for as long as nursing is needed and without regard for an individual’s ability to pay the full cost. Many patients at the facility receive assistance through the state Medi-Cal program, which provides funds that cover less than two-thirds of our costs.
It’s important to recognize that Fern Lodge asks for financial support on behalf of deserving Christian Scientists who need Christian Science nursing. We operate the facility in accord with the Church Manual reminder of God’s requirement, to act with “wisdom, economy, and brotherly love.” The cost of care at Fern Lodge is reasonable, especially among Christian Science nursing facilities, and if those we serve could pay the cost, we would not need donations for operation. We welcome patients from far beyond the Bay Area, because in many cases no Christian Science nursing services are available to them in their home communities.
Divine Love touches everyone at Fern Lodge. Not long ago I had a brief chat with George Roe, who has been the Fern Lodge Head Cook for several months. I welcomed him back from his vacation and asked how it went. He told me that he had a wonderful time but that he was really glad to be back at work at Fern Lodge. He then added something that made me smile; he said that in all his years of working he never had been glad to be back at work from vacation. He told me that Fern Lodge is a very special place, and I agreed wholeheartedly.
Earlier this year the son of one of the patients told me that he had never seen his mom as happy as she is at Fern Lodge, and another family member poked his head into my office and said, “This place is amazing.” More recently the family of a patient who had been at Fern Lodge for several years praised and honored the whole Fern Lodge staff for their loving-kindness and Christian care. Some of these family members are not Christian Scientists, and they had resisted having their mother come to a Christian Science nursing facility. They joined in gratitude for the wonderful care their mother received and said that Fern Lodge was exactly the right place for her.
In these perceptions of Fern Lodge that were shared with me, Christian Science healing is the most important factor. Our mission is to heal. It really is that simple. Each of those who told me how much they appreciated Fern Lodge had been touched by first-hand evidence of healing—healing of fear, healing of physical challenges or limitations, healing of inharmonious relationships, healing of undesirable character traits.
Here are a few of the healings we have been privileged to witness in recent months. A patient who had been bedridden now is able to walk and to care for her self. A patient came to Fern Lodge and was completely healed of a rash on her body. We are glad to report that another has steadily been overcoming a severe mental challenge. Patients have overcome the tendency to be angry, resistant or resentful and have embraced their study of Christian Science more fully.
All that is accomplished at Fern Lodge is done through prayer. Prayer in Christian Science affirms the presence and authority of God, divine Love, as the only motive power in our lives. This prayer corrects human misperceptions of man as ill or injured, or limited by age, or afraid or self-centered, judgmental, critical or overly sensitive, and this prayer gives us glorious glimpses of man in God’s image and likeness. The following passage from our dear Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, inspires our work at Fern Lodge:
“Three times a day, I retire to seek the divine blessing on the sick and sorrowing, with my face toward the Jerusalem of Love and Truth, in silent prayer to the Father which ‘seeth in secret,’ and with childlike confidence that He will reward ‘openly.’ In the midst of depressing care and labor I turn constantly to divine Love for guidance, and find rest. It affords me great joy to be able to attest to the truth of Jesus’ words. Love makes all burdens light, it giveth a peace that passeth understanding, and with ‘signs following.’ As to the peace, it is unutterable; as to “signs,” behold the sick who are healed, the sorrowful who are made hopeful, and the sinful and ignorant who have become ‘wise unto salvation’!” (Miscellaneous Writings, page 133).
I am deeply grateful to Mrs. Eddy for the clarity and purity of her writings and her example, and I also am grateful each day for the individual patients, families, staff and volunteers who make Fern Lodge a place of healing.
With gratitude and affection,
George Strong
Administrator