Week 3: Virginia

When I started planning my trip down to Virginia I was doing my best to connect with students at University of Virginia, William and Mary, and Virginia Tech. I quickly learned that there are established CSOs at the first two schools which allowed me to easily map out an itinerary to meet with them both.

University of VirginiaTuesday, September 20

Collage of William and Mary Wednesday, September 21

Although, I wasn’t able to make connections at Virginia Tech, I decided to shift my trip back one day, instead of spending a whole day on the bus. As I prayed about it I realized that “adhesion, cohesion, and attraction are properties of Mind,” and that Mind was governing the movement of this activity.

I finally got an opportunity to attend my first official CSO meeting. The group was talking about the issue of bullying on campus. I thought it was really cool that everyone brought something to share with the group.

It was extremely valuable to meet with active members of each CSO and learn about the requirements the institutions have for groups on campus. In addition, I learned that these two schools have a very vibrant rivalry, and it was hilarious to hear what the two schools had to say about one another.

The University of Virginia CSO has a long history of being active on the “grounds.” At some point, a home was purchased, and a sign posted out front that reads: “Christian Science Organization” (see photos). Seven of us met for the CSO meeting at the home, and everyone shared Christianly Scientific ideas relating to the topic that was chosen at their last meeting. It was apparent that the CSO was actively handling major issues and that the meeting’s purpose is to heal.

The kindness extended to me in Charlottesville was wonderful, and I had an easy time of witnessing God’s eternal grace being expressed in this active CSO and through its commitment to spiritual growth. The next day I descended the hills of Charlottesville on a Greyhound bus and caught an Amtrak at Richmond’s Main Street Station. An hour later I arrived in Williamsburg.

Melissa Workman graciously showed me around campus and joined me for a posed photo in front of WM’s famous bridge. While we Zig-zagged our way around campus Melissa shared with me stories and traditions that make the school really unique… one of which was the student’s triathlon which is a set of three tasks to be completed by each student prior to graduation.

The College of William and Mary’s CSO president, Melissa Workman, gave me the grand tour of everything in Colonial Williamsburg. She was a member of TMC Youth’s CSO support team a few years ago and has carried that experience forward into the CSO. Their CSO has sponsored several lectures for the campus in recent years, and their meetings consist of thoughtful readings related to major issues on campus. Plus they work with one question each week from the Committee on Publication’s workshop: “Answering Tough Questions.” Their meetings put a big focus on working to become comfortable with sharing Christian Science.

It was worthwhile to connect with the two established CSOs in Virginia. I learned a lot from the active members at both, and was able to share all the resources that TMC Youth makes available to users of the website.

by Chris Sheasley