What’s happening in the Collaborative today?
LATEST NEWS
COLLABORATIVE COORDINATING COMMITTEE (C3)
Outcomes From the Convening Conference
Since the Collaborative’s most recent convening last fall*, we have assessed the outcomes of that meeting and begun a conversation about where the issues should “reside” – that is, which groups should lead each issue. The Collaborative groups have provided their input and the C3 is mapping out what the most likely partnerships might be.
We’re grateful for how collaboration has grown and how communication has improved between stakeholders in Christian Science nursing over the nearly ten years of the Collaborative’s existence. We see this as just the beginning of a new era in the field of Christian Science nursing.
Thank you for joining us in this important work and prayerfully supporting it.
*See an archive of Convening resources at https://www.csncollaborative.org/convening-2024-info
Working Group Updates: July 2025
Continuing Education Working Group
Christian Science nursing educators and mentors from organizations and programs throughout the world continue to work with The Mother Church to ensure there is robust, relevant, and practical continuing education for all Journal-listed Christian Science nurses.
Recently, we have focused on expanding the scope and accessibility of in-person workshops as well as webinars, including new sessions on communication and other skills and various aspects of ethics.
We have reaffirmed our focus on high-level content for Journal-listed Christian Science nurses in light of the requirement from The Mother Church for at least four hours of continuing education each year. There is also some flexibility for broader participation by those not yet listed in the Journal when appropriate.
Along with the organizations of its constituent members, we work in close contact with the committee of educators within the Association of Organizations for Christian Science Nursing (AOCSN).
Training Accessibility and Affordability Working Group
We have focused on expanding Christian Science nursing education and support internationally.
We are enhancing mentoring programs and addressing the practical challenges of international training. This includes curriculum development, logistical planning for in-person and online training, and close coordination with local Christian Science communities.
Looking ahead, we are also exploring practical solutions for student housing, financial support, and childcare during training. A key focus remains on identifying and preparing candidates for training abroad and ensuring mentorship from experienced Christian Science nurses.
Leadership & Management Working Group
We have been collaboratively developing presentations on various topics foundational to leadership in a Christian Science organization.
Currently we are working on a talk on the topic of ethics. A recurring theme has been the concept of “shepherding” — caring leadership that balances spiritual clarity with practical support. This planning has also emphasized developing a deeper understanding of obedience, purity of thought, and the alignment of individual practice with the broader mission of Christian Science nursing facilities.
The group’s presentations are geared toward AOCSN’s Leadership Support Committee, and are available to anyone via the Collaborative website’s Resources page: https://www.csncollaborative.org/resources/#L&MWG
Partner Program Updates
Communities of Christian Caring
CoCC has continued to grow and progress over the past year. We’ve continued to conduct our quarterly Advocate Support Group meetings with more people attending, facilitated several in-person workshops, and have added more content to our website.
Our sponsorship by The Principle Foundation continues to unfold its “petals of a holy purpose.” The Principle Foundation will be including a CoCC flyer (our first one-pager!) in their mailing to their state and local committees this summer, and in their mailing to all churches in the U.S. later this fall.
To get your own copy of our flyer, please click here (Google Doc).
International Fund for Christian Science Nursing
This year the International Fund for Christian Science Nursing (IFCSN) — the equivalent of the National Fund for Christian Science Nursing but operating outside the United States — has made significant progress. Many of the technical challenges of operating a granting program with an electronic application form and database compliant with strict European data protection laws have been overcome, and all the work that went into that is now paying off.
Early in the year, IFCSN added French as an available language (to English and German) in which to submit applications, and opened its doors to Canada. We’re now working to make the IFCSN fund available beyond Europe and Canada. Our plan is to open the fund one region/country at a time, including preparing and adjusting where needed for language, market, and data privacy conditions.
IFCSN has also been busy preparing for an upcoming convening in October: European funders and Christian Science nursing providers have been invited to meet to celebrate, evaluate what we are doing, and find ways to work better together. We will also be discussing how we can encourage Christian Scientists to broaden and deepen their willingness to care for one another and to better understand the role of Christian Science nursing in our movement.
The Christian Science Nursing Activities Department of The Mother Church
Our department of The Mother Church has been working to provide clear information and reliable support to Christian Science nurses and anyone interested in Christian Science nursing.
We’ve been striving to bring all Christian Science nurses together for bimonthly “United in Our Ministry” webinars where we can all hear a unified message and be praying about the same issues as a collective. The replays are all available on the same link after the live webinar, and we’re encouraging every Christian Science nurse of any level of experience to watch them. These sessions are inspiring and unifying, as a panel of Christian Science nurses (occasionally joined by Christian Science practitioners) share their love for and insights into this ministry.
We have also updated the Scope of Services for Christian Science nursing, which will continue to be a communication document instrumental to all wanting to learn more about what the care provided by a Christian Science nurse includes and doesn’t include. We are also updating the information on our website at christianscience.com to provide more clarity on the process of becoming a Christian Science nurse.
We will be giving another round of live “Comforters are Needed” Zoom meetings for those who would like to find out more about becoming a Christian Science nurse. This time these are being given in English, French, and German. (We ask that only those interested in learning more about becoming a Christian Science nurse attend.)
We can’t wait to share a new video on this global healing ministry! This is a video that will be shared with branch churches, Christian Science nurses, and Christian Science practitioners to help everyone understand more about why and how to call upon a Christian Science nurse for care.