03/22/2025
Announcement:
"Praise we the Lord with a joyous and glad adoration; Lo, unto them that believe there is no condemnation; Now will we raise Songs of thanksgiving and praise, Christ is become our salvation." (Christian Science Hymnal, 283)
Dear friends of Noontide:
The third stanza of the hymn above expresses the joy and thankfulness we feel in our hearts at this season. This last year the Noontide Board of Trustees has focused on the the Church Manual By-law, Art. VIII Sect. 31, describing the role of a Christian Science nurse. Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “eternity awaits our Church Manual” (Miscellany, 230:1). We are grateful and joyful that Christian Science nursing remains eternal in our church government.
While holding this provision in our hearts, we are announcing a new direction. Noontide Visiting Christian Science Nurse Service of Michigan will be closing its door and a new door will open for visiting Christian Science nursing in our state through Upward Wing Christian Science Nursing, based within close proximity in Northern Ohio.
In the past we have collaborated with Upward Wing Christian Science nurses to cover our employee vacations and for consultations. In working together, we’ve found their Christian Science nurses consistently cheerful, dedicated, and professional. When requested, they’ve helped cover our state while we advertised to fill open Christian Science nursing positions.
In praying to see the ever-presence of Love’s provision, our Board of Trustees was led to approach Upward Wing to ask them to formally embrace visiting Christian Science nursing in Michigan. The Board of Upward Wing accepted this opportunity and, as a result, Noontide will dissolve, leaving Noontide’s physical and financial assets to this established organization.
It has long been our desire to see Noontide’s Christian Science nursing ministry “Enlarge the place of thy tent“ (Isaiah 54:2). Upward Wing has been doing this by providing Christian Science nursing in Ohio and surrounding states. Now they will be working much more in Michigan in their outreach of brotherly love. You may call them any time at (855) 276-4968. A Journal-listed Christian Science nurse is available to answer phone calls 24/7.
Upward Wing is an organization with a focus to provide services based on “a demonstrable knowledge of Christian Science practice” (Man., 49:7), whether they are providing a two-week Christian Science mentoring program or teaching accredited Christian Science nurses training for all levels. We are grateful these training components are available, laying a foundation for future Christian Science nurses.
For more information on Upward Wing Christian Science Nursing please visit their website: https://upwardwing.org. Click on “Upward Wing 2024 Annual Meeting” to learn about the special aspects of their Christian Science nursing organization and enjoy the inspiring talk given by their guest speaker, Joyce Hawes, C.S.
Thank you for allowing Noontide Visiting Christian Science Nurse Service to serve you for over 50 years. Rather than say “good-bye,” as individuals still committed to Christian Science nursing, we say, “we hope to see you at a future upcoming branch church Brother Bird meeting.” These meetings, in person or by Zoom, sponsored by Upward Wing, largely focus on the Christianly scientific basis of caring for one another. The Upward Wing staff are as eager to meet you as you are to meet them. You will be hearing from them soon with more helpful information.
Your continued support of Christian Science nursing—metaphysically and financially—is needed. Your steadfast financial contributions over the years have been deeply appreciated and will continue to bless those relying on Christian Science for healing. Volunteering is also a very valuable contribution. Upward Wing currently has one volunteer board member from Northern Michigan serving on their Board of Trustees with room for another!
Thank you for the joy our board, Christian Science nurses, and business manager have felt working with the Michigan field and seeing your love in action—as home helpers, donors, employees in our service, and witnesses of Christian caring. We are richly blessed! May all who have been spiritually fed, either by ministering as Christian Science nurses or by being ministered to, gather up the fragments of the loaves and fishes that nothing be lost; what remains will be seven baskets full. (See Matt. 15:37) “
May the kingdom of God within you,—with you alway, reascending, bear you outward, upward, heavenward.” (Pulpit and Press, Mary Baker Eddy. 10:30-1)
With loving gratitude for your continued support of Christian Science nursing,
Noontide Visiting Christian Science Nursing Service of Michigan Board of Trustees
Richard Arlen, Kate Dearborn, Allan Rowe, Mali Thomas, Natalie Wright
