Discover The Mission Of Morristown's First Church Of Christ

This Patch article is sponsored by First Church of Christ, Scientist, Morristown.

Local businesses are the heart of our communities. Patch had a chance to talk with Claire Stoddard, Outreach Director of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Morristown.

Patch: Tell us a bit about your business or organization:
Claire Stoddard: The heart of Christian Science is Love. It is about feeling and understanding God's goodness. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, wrote that “Divine Love is the substance of Christian Science, the basis of its demonstration, yea, its foundation and superstructure.” Those who practice Christian Science do their best to live the bold, generous, and compassionate love that Christ Jesus laid out in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). This is the heart of Christianity.

Christian Science explains the spiritual laws of Love that Jesus practiced to heal sickness and sin. These laws are reliable and can be proven. Christian Scientists are doing the same kind of healing today as Jesus did 2000 years ago, as they learn more about what God really is.

Patch: How long has your organization been around in the community?
Stoddard: For more than a hundred years in Morristown.

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?
Stoddard: My great love for God and my desire to help people understand their own spirituality.

Patch: If you had to sum up your business mission to a stranger in five words, what would those words be?
Stoddard: Spread the word of Love's healing message

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced in your job?
Stoddard: Enough hours in the day to spread our message of Love and healing

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?
Stoddard: When I hear of someone who's life has been changed by trusting in God's Love

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?
Stoddard: By following Jesus' teachings and understanding the spiritual laws he relied on, Christian Scientists practice spiritual healing that includes both physical cures of disease and dysfunction as well as the reformation and restoration of lives. And we have a textbook, Science and Health, that teaches people how to heal.

Patch: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given when it comes to success?
Stoddard: People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you’re working on that you’re extra excited about?
Stoddard: It is our profound belief that a deeper understanding of the enduring power of Christian Science teaching based upon the works of Jesus Christ will help solve profound challenges of today. This is what has impelled our members to renew our commitment to reaching out to Morristown families, neighbors, and community with our healing teachings. Over the next few months we will be hosting more healing events focused on healing disease ... family dysfunction ... job insecurity ... and more.

Patch: Do you have any events coming up in your community?
Stoddard: On March 25 at 11 am, join us for THE WEEK THAT CHANGED THE WORLD, a live, nondenominational Zoom talk exploring the remarkable events that occurred during Jesus' final week on earth. Click here for more information.

Want to know more? Check out ChristianScienceMorristown.org