From the Collections: A history of Christian Science youth meetings

Attendees and student volunteers at a Biennial meeting registration table, c. 1960s. Church Archives, Box 18886, Folder F284880.
Since the 1950s, The Mother Church (The First Church of Christ, Scientist) has sponsored meetings specifically for young people. Held in Boston as well as many other locations worldwide, these have represented an important avenue for rising generations to find support for their interest in Christian Science. Known by different names at different times—among them “Biennials,” “international youth meetings,” and “Spiritual Activist Summits”—the meetings have developed to meet the particular needs of the times and helped reinforce the work of Sunday Schools and Christian Science Organizations (CSOs) at colleges and universities.1
The first Boston-based youth meeting, referred to as a College Organization Meeting (although distinct from individual meetings of Christian Science organizations at colleges and universities) was held in September 1955. Attendees came from seven countries. Church Archives, Box 18886, Folder F284800.2
College Organization Meetings or “Biennial College Meetings” (1955–1971)
In 1955 Christian Scientists studying or teaching at colleges and universities received invitations to inspirational meetings in Boston. These events were called “College Organization Meetings,” because of their connection to a 1904 By-Law that Mary Baker Eddy added to the Church Manual, titled “Privilege of Members” (Article XXIII, Section 8). Starting in 1963 they were also referred to as “Biennials,” because they were held every two years. At these conferences attendees typically heard inspirational talks from Mother Church officers and staff, as well as reports from CSOs. The program and focus of each meeting varied.
For many young Christian Scientists, attendance at Biennial meetings was an important touchstone in their spiritual growth. One student from Colorado wrote along these lines:
I just can’t express the joy that the meeting has brought to me. Since I have come back to school, I have had a completely different view of my place on campus and in my college life. I am so sure and confident that I stand very firm on God’s rock.3
One attendee of the 1965 Biennial wrote to The Mother Church, reporting how their informal CSO had grown and thrived, in part due to inspiration received during the meeting. That group became actively engaged in outreach to the larger school community, and participants were having physical healings through prayer.4
Prior to 1969, students had the opportunity to present prepared talks at Biennials, although they were not involved in planning the events. Starting that year, some students were invited to participate in a youth steering committee, which assisted in organizing the meeting and choosing topics. Students also took on a greater role as co-facilitators during panel discussions.5 Topics covered in the 1969 meeting reflected changing social norms and major societal concerns, such as racism, military service, and use of “the pill” for birth control.6 Notably, speakers in one forum shared their personal experiences with both military service and conscientious objection, touching on a point of contention among some Christian Scientists at the time.7
After the 1969 meeting, solicited feedback from a group of students showed an overall appreciation for the event. But it also indicated that they wanted even more student participation, including contributions that were more spontaneous and less scripted. Other suggestions included a request for speakers with greater life experience and diverse perspectives, and for facilitators to ask more probing questions of participants during panel discussions.8
Students took an increasingly active role in the 1971 Biennial. In addition to scheduled talks by Mother Church officers and staff members, students themselves had the opportunity to lead sessions and preside over more portions of the meeting. According to a report published after the event, “Featured student talks on racism, identity, and drug culture, student testimonies, and spontaneous floor response were an integral part of the meeting.” Also available during the meeting were question-and-answer booths, where attendees could discuss popular topics of the time. These included “drug culture, Eastern religions and the occult, morality and sex, [and] women’s rights.” While there had previously been booths in 1969, the topics were limited to careers and CSO work. This shift shows a growing openness on the part of The Mother Church to connect more directly with the needs and interests of students themselves.9
Left: Cover of the program from the 1971 Biennial. Right: Page 9 of the program shows the international scope of the conference and the integral role of students in leading and participating in talks. Church Archives, Box 201344471, Folder 201344538.
Major International Youth Meetings in Boston (1974–1998)
The year 1971 marked the last Biennial meeting. But regional youth meetings started the same year and continued to take place around the world (see more on this below). A notice in the October 1972 Christian Science Journal clarified the reason for this change. It stated that Boston-based youth meetings were paused “…[in] an effort to involve the [Christian Science] Field more in planning and conducting youth meetings so these are more relevant to the problems in their respective regions of the world; to strengthen college organizations by dealing specifically with this activity on a regional level; and to include more Christian Science young people throughout the world in a meeting at the Christian Science Center.” The notice included an announcement that regional youth meetings for 1973 would be held in the United States and other countries.10
Two Boston-based International Youth Meetings (IYMs) were held in 1974 and 1978. Prior to the 1978 meeting, scheduled the same week as The Mother Church’s Annual Meeting, a call had gone out for submissions of films, papers, artwork, and music. Whereas Biennials had only been open to those directly affiliated with colleges, that year’s IYM was open to all Mother Church members of any age. Organizers highlighted the inclusive nature of the event with its theme “Come, let us walk together in fulfilling the destiny of Christian Science,” emphasizing that Mother Church members of any age could work together in support of their faith.11
Two Boston meetings were held in 1982 and 1985, specifically for university students and faculty. The August meeting, titled “Let Us Rise Up and Build,” was intended to promote unity and strengthen the work of CSOs at universities.12 It included three days of talks on a wide array of topics, such as finding one’s life purpose, building and maintaining unity within church, and the role of Christian Science in academic life.13 Feedback reports after the meeting showed a greater interest among attendees in starting a CSO, a renewed dedication to Christian Science, and a sense of unity with others of the same faith.14
After a pause of nearly 15 years, The Mother Church hosted a major three-day conference called “Pioneers of the Spiritual Millennium” in August 1998. As in 1982 and 1985, participation was open to college students, faculty, older high school students, and very recent graduates. The overarching questions of the meeting focused on how students could take the lead in shaping the culture of their schools (and thereby the world) by sharing ideas from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. 15 This emphasis reflected The Mother Church’s focus at the time on encouraging church members to widely share the textbook of Christian Science.16
Regional Youth Meetings (1970s and 1980s)
In 1971 The Mother Church and a local committee of Christian Scientists co-sponsored a Regional Youth Meeting in Victoria, British Columbia. The success of this event led to 17 more regional meetings in 1972. With its informal structure, the Victoria gathering provided many opportunities to connect with others through discussion sessions and activities. Young people served on the organizing committee, and attendance was open to anyone connected with Christian Science between the ages of 16 and 25. One attendee responded enthusiastically:
I’ve never had anything inspire me so much… I was inspired to dig in “now” and not later…. I know many people were “turned on” to true Life—as I’m going to live it.17
During the 1970s and 1980s, Regional Youth Meetings were held in many countries around the world. For instance, locations for 1975 included French-speaking Europe, German-speaking Europe, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Southern Africa, Sweden/Denmark/Norway (one event), the United Kingdom, and the United States. There was also one joint Spanish and Portuguese meeting for Mexico, Central America, and South America.18 The programs and themes for each meeting varied, depending on local needs.
“Meetings for Youth of All Faiths” (1990–1992)
Between 1990 and 1992, The Mother Church co-sponsored a series of regional youth meetings with local committees of Christian Scientists. These started in Australia, Germany, New Zealand, and Southern Africa. Notably, the meetings were open to “Anyone from twelve through thirty years of age interested in finding out about real, healing solutions to individual and world problems ….”19
At a September 1990 meeting in Hamburg, Germany, the theme was “Citizens of the world, be free!” This was certainly a poignant topic, as it took place just after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The program was set to include discussions on “… relationships, political freedom and human rights, depression and suicide, careers, and the media.”20 Two attendees were so moved by this event that they returned to their homes in St. Petersburg, Russia, to join with others in meeting together and eventually founding a Christian Science Society there.21
Participants at a July 2023 Summit in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. This meeting was co-sponsored by local Christian Science branch churches and The Mother Church. Courtesy of Reagan Kabuluku.
Spiritual Activist Summits (2006–2015) and current activities
“The Summit was an awakening for the Christian Science movement in Nigeria, and sparked interest from passersby in the community—we had people walk in and ask to be a part of the Summit!”22 That quote is from a participant at a 2010 regional Spiritual Activist Summit in Nigeria. The first was held in Lebanon, Missouri, in 2006, and was repeated at that location the following year. These gatherings, which were not considered regional meetings, were later moved to The Mother Church in Boston. Meanwhile, regional Summits continued in many locations around the world.23 These events were designed to support young people in their understanding and practice of Christian Science, as well as to encourage them to engage with avenues for growth, such as Christian Science class instruction and participation in the work of branch churches.24
According to a 2010 report in the Journal, Spiritual Activist Summits in New York City and Atlanta “featured entertainment, lectures, and discussions on topics such as ‘Sharing Christian Science’ and ‘Primary Class Instruction.’” It also made the observation that “TMC Youth Summits aren’t just a place to gather with other young Christian Scientists; they provide a basis for spiritual growth and progress.” Attendees later reported a clearer understanding of their relationship with God, a renewed love for and better understanding of church, and a greater sense of purpose in their lives. 25
Over the following decade, regional Summits became less of a focus, while Boston-based college Summits continued every two years until 2020. During the summer of 2020, when the COVID-19 epidemic was restricting travel, The Mother Church sponsored a series of live online Summits for young people. These virtual programs often included short talks about Christian Science and breakout groups for participants to discuss topics of interest.26 As part of a larger testimony, one attendee from India shared that participating in the online Summits helped them overcome shyness, as well as challenges related to the lockdowns.27
Regional Summits continue to this day. Assuming different names and formats, they are designed to meet local needs and are proposed and organized by local Christian Scientists, in collaboration with The Mother Church.28 Some host countries have included Cameroon, Canada, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines, Republic of the Congo, and the United Kingdom. Over 50 such events were held between 2007 and 2015 alone.29
Over seven decades, participants in Mother Church-sponsored or co-sponsored youth meetings have experienced inspiration and uplift. Special events for young people are again planned for The Mother Church’s 2025 Annual Meeting weekend.
For further reading on a related topic, see our website article “Christian Science on college and university campuses.”
- For more on the history of Christian Science Sunday Schools, see “What are the origins of Christian Science Sunday School?,” The Mary Baker Eddy Library website, 15 May 2011. For more on the history of Christian Science organizations, see “From the Collections: Christian Science on college and university campuses,” The Mary Baker Eddy Library website, 29 April 2024. Both activities date back to Mary Baker Eddy’s lifetime.
- For a full report on the meeting, see “Report on the College Organization September Meeting,” Christian Science Sentinel, 3 December 1955, 2138-2139.
- “College Organizations,” Christian Science Sentinel, 22 May 1965, 903.
- “Report on College Organization Meetings – From September 1965 – May 1966,” 9 May 1966, Church Archives, Box 201344660, Folder 201345140.
- See “The 1969 Biennial College Meeting,” Sentinel, 15 November 1969, 2018.
- “What were some ways The Mother Church responded to racial unrest in the 1960s?,” The Mary Baker Eddy Library, 13 July 2020.
- See “The 1969 Biennial College Meeting,” Sentinel, 2019. The Christian Science Board of Directors released “A Statement on Pacifism” in the January 1970 Christian Science Journal (see page 41).
- “Comments of Biennial College Meeting Student Critique Committee,” 19 November 1969, Church Archives, Box 201345931, Folder 201345958.
- “1971 Biennial College Organization Meeting,” Journal, October 1971, 555–556.
- See “International youth meeting in ’74,” Journal, October 1972, 602–603.
- See “Annual Meeting/IYM 1978,” Journal, December 1977, 723–725.
- “University and College Organizations Meeting 1982,” Sentinel, 15 February 1982, 286.
- See the program for the meeting, Church Archives, Box B529426, Folder F249256.
- “Fruitage from the University and College Organizations Meeting, August, 1982,” Church Archives, Box B529426, Folder F249244.
- “Pioneers of the Spiritual Millennium” informational brochure, Church Archives, Box B529426, Folder F503437.
- See Carol J. Hohle, “Science and Health and Mrs. Eddy’s life purpose,” Journal, January 1997, 49–50.
- “Regional Youth Meetings,” Journal, May 1972, 280.
- See “Twenty RYM’s in 1975,” Journal, March 1975, 176–178.
- “Meetings for youth of all faiths,” Sentinel, 4 June 1990, 35.
- “Come to a meeting in Hamburg!” Sentinel, 10 September 1990, 33.
- “From a founding member of the new Christian Science Society in St. Petersburg …” Journal, June 1999, 33.
- “Notes from the Ghana and Nigeria TMC Youth Spiritual Activist Summits,” Journal, April 2011, 12.
- See Suzanne Smedley, “More than 400 reach the Summit,” Journal, November 2006, 60–62. See also announcement for 2007 Summit at bottom of page 57 in the Journal, August 2007. Personal communication to author from Ariana Herlinger.
- See “TMC Youth and Church Alive: Partners in prayer,” Journal, September 2013, 24–27.
- See “Voices from the Southeast and New York Spiritual Activist Summits,” Journal, August 2010, 10–13.
- Author’s personal experience.
- Jinky Kalra, “Burning sensation in hands healed,” Sentinel, 31 May 2021, 12.
- See “Fellowship and transformation at the UK Summit,” Journal, December 2023, 39-42.
- See “Embracing a new generation,” an interview with then TMC Youth Manager Ariana Herlinger, Journal, July 2015, 10–15.