Annual Meeting Events

Each year thousands of members of Mary Baker Eddy's church travel from all over the world to attend the denomination's Annual Meeting on the Monday following the first Sunday in June. According to the Manual, the organizing document of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, this meeting is an assembly "for listening to the reports of the Treasurer, Clerks, and Committees, and general reports from the Field." More information about this year's Annual Meeting is available on The Mother Church's Web site.

To coincide with Annual Meeting at The Mother Church, the Library presented a selection of relevant programming the first weekend in June, including author talks by Robert Warneck and Kim Schuette. These programs were free and open to the public.

During Annual Meeting, the Library, including Lending and Reference Services and the Research Room, was open for extended hours. Staff were available to answer questions about our newest exhibit, Mary Baker Eddy: A Life of Service, and videos of recent programs including Facing Down Slavery, A Contemporary Story and In Word And Deed: Public Service and the Press were screened in the Atrium. You can also find these videos on our Web site.

Author talk with Kim Schuette
Saturday, June 5, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Library's third-floor conference room, repeated on Tuesday, June 8, noon to 1 p.m. in the Monitor conference room.

Kim Schuette discussed his book Christian Science Military Ministry 1917-2004, published in 2008. Schuette described the rich history of Christian Science chaplaincy to servicemen and servicewomen of all denominations. One reader said, “One thing it did for me was remind me to keep widening my concept of church to include continuous interface with other denominations to contribute more to the religious welfare of our community.” There was also an opportunity for questions and answers with the author.

Author talk with Robert Warneck
Sunday, June 6, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Library's third floor conference room.

One of the original authors of Mary Baker Eddy: Christian Healer, Robert Warneck, discussed the recently issued amplified edition of this bestselling book. This new edition includes many more documented records of Eddy’s healing work, and presents her life story as a narrative of healing. There was also an opportunity for questions and answers with the author.

Book Signings
Sunday, June 6, 11 a.m. to noon in the Hall of Ideas; repeated Monday, June 7, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. with Schuette only.

Authors Schuette and Warneck were available in the Hall of Ideas to talk about their respective books Christian Science Military Ministry 1917-2004 and Mary Baker Eddy: Christian Healer. Copies were available for sale.

Chat with the exhibit team
Saturday, June 5, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Sunday, June 6, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Monday, June 7, 10:30 a.m. to noon; and Tuesday, June 8, 1 to 2 p.m. in the Library lobby.

While in town for Annual Meeting, visitors had the opportunity to join those who created the current exhibit, "Mary Baker Eddy: A Life of Service," and discuss its ins and outs. The exhibit team was happy to answer questions or direct patrons to more information about Mary Baker Eddy. If you have further questions about the exhibit, feel free to contact them at any time by asking a researcher.

Library hours
Saturday, June 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.