Experience the vitality of Christian Science poetry, as we highlight a special conversation. It took place in April 2025, in front of a live audience in the Reading Room of The Mother Church (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston). In honor of National Poetry Month, our guests and moderator examined how poetry has played a valued part in the healing mission of Christian Science since the church’s beginnings.
From the potent and timeless psalms, to Mary Baker Eddy’s lifelong love of verse-writing, to the poems of those practicing their faith, this discussion explored what makes Christian Science verse unique. Readings from both recent and older publications brought to life a broad range of poetry in the Christian Science tradition, bound by the common purpose of spiritual inspiration and healing. We also learn about poetry’s contribution to the outreach of Christian Science Reading Rooms.
Tessa Parmenter, poetry editor for The Christian Science Journal, Sentinel, and Herald, offers insights that draw from her extensive writing background and university study with a distinguished New England poet. Jasmine Holzworth, Manager/Librarian for The Mother Church Reading Room, shares ways in which poetry has become part of the very fabric of the place she oversees. The Library’s Laura Lapointe, in her role as guest host, draws on historical sources to amplify poetry’s significance in Eddy’s life and work. Audience members add thought-provoking questions for the panelists.
Access more on this topic:
- Article: From the Papers: Mary Baker Eddy’s poetry
- Podcast: Listener’s Choice: Revisiting “Psalms of Life—Mary Baker Eddy and 19th-century poetry”
- Article: “Mary Baker Eddy on the Value of Humor” by Michael R. Davis, Christian Science Sentinel, June 28, 2010
- Book review: “Boundless Light” by Kim Shippey, Christian Science Sentinel, December 2, 2013
Tessa Parmenter is a staff editor for The Christian Science Journal, Sentinel, and Herald. In addition to editing articles, she manages the poetry section for these periodicals, as well as the Sentinel’s “Image and Inspiration” column. Prior to this work, she managed The Christian Science Monitor’s “Christian Science Perspective” column. She holds a bachelor’s in creative writing, with a focus on poetry, from the University of Maine at Farmington.
Jasmine Holzworth is Librarian/Manager for the Reading Room of The Mother Church. She has also worked in Reading Rooms of Christian Science branch churches. Bilingual, and possessing a deep love of the world’s cultural tapestry, she has expanded her recognition of humanity’s yearning for God’s love through experiences living and working abroad. She and her staff welcome visitors from around the world, making available the publications from The Christian Science Publishing Society, including Mary Baker Eddy’s writings. Previously, Holzworth was Deputy Committee on Publication for Massachusetts for The Mother Church. Her professional background includes communications, management, and education. She holds a bachelor’s in graphic design from Principia College.
Laura Lapointe has worked in urban education and the arts, and has experience in ecumenical and interfaith dialogue. She holds a bachelor of fine arts in acting from New York University and a master of divinity from Andover Newton Theological School.
Collage images, from left: Staff photo of Mary Baker Eddy’s book Poems and Boundless Light, a collection of poetry from the Christian Science periodicals, in The Mother Church Reading Room; Jasmine Holzworth and moderator Laura Lapointe listen to Tessa Parmenter during the live Seekers and Scholars recording.
Guest headshots used by permission.
