by Brad Stock
“Behold, I will do a new thing. . .” (Is. 43:19)
“Behold, I make all things new. . .” (Rev. 21:5)
We are entering a season of renewal at Fern Lodge as we prepare for the next chapter of progress. We are renewing our spirit, programs, and facility. More importantly, we are renewing our commitment to joy, peace, and healing as we strive to demonstrate the genuine love of Christian community, embracing the spirit of Jesus’ parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25.
God asks each of us to bring all our tithes into His storehouse — to do all we can to demonstrate His care for us as we care for each other. As we do this, the prophet says, God will “open . . . the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Mal. 3:10).
Our true tithes are, of course, wholly spiritual. As Christ Jesus says, they are “judgment, mercy, and faith” (Matt. 23:23). Or as Micah says, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
(Mic. 6:8)
This is the standard at Fern Lodge: we are here to serve all our brothers and sisters in their time of need, if they are willing to rely wholly on Christian Science for healing, regardless of their ability to pay, regardless of their length of stay. This is the Christian standard demanded of us by Christ in Matthew 25.
At this time, we need your support for upgrades that will prepare us for the next decade, enabling us to better serve our brothers and sisters who seek healing in Christian Science. The costs for the following projects are approximate:
- Update our oldest wing:
- Remodel three 1960s bathrooms; add showers = $40,000 each ($120,000 total)
- Bring in the light = add patio doors to six patient rooms + landscaping = $7,000 each ($42,000 total)
- Remodel the old nurses station (dampness remediation) = $20,000
- Update 8 patient rooms = $32,000
- New vehicles:
- A new wheelchair van = $70,000
- A good used car = $25,000
- A good used truck (for maintenance staff) = $25,000
- Upgrade the nurse call system = $30,000
- Replace old exterior doors; add electric openers for patients’ use = $41,000
- Replace outdated kitchen appliances = $34,000
- Add mini-splits and partial air conditioning (due to higher-than-normal temperatures) = awaiting bids
Mrs. Eddy says, “The divinity of the Christ was made manifest in the humanity of Jesus” (Science and Health 25), and it is incumbent upon us to express the humanity of Jesus in our dealings with each other, especially the most vulnerable among us. This is the standard of Christ, and nothing less should be acceptable in Christian Science, especially in dealings between Christian Scientists. And as George Strong says, “We actually become more humane to the degree that we understand ourselves to be divinely Christlike.”
Today, we are actively seeking God’s blessing on everyone at Fern Lodge, staff and patients alike. We hope you will join us in seeking this blessing and will feel His blessing resting upon you. Thank you, dear friends, for your ongoing, loving efforts to support Fern Lodge’s ministry.