Week 5: Florida

University of North Florida October 3

Florida State University October 3

University of FloridaOctober 4

University of Central Florida October 4

University of Miami October 5

In Florida I visited with students of Christian Science all over the sunshine state. This was a trip just as large as last week’s tour of Texas (800+ miles), and took me from the University of North Florida, to Florida State University, University of Florida, the University of Central Florida, and University of Miami.

The Florida State University group is an informal CSO at the time being, but they are working to their 12 person requirement to form a group on campus.

Everything about this trip was a demonstration of the fact that “Mind is the source of all movement, and there is no inertia to retard or check its perpetual and harmonious action”. ¹

Preparing for the trip down to Jacksonville was a wonderful unfoldment as everything spontaneously came together as soon as I connected with Mike Jackson, a faculty member on campus and active CSO member. He drove me everywhere I needed to go and also made time to do lunch. I was extremely impressed with how naturally Mike embodied the Christ’s hospitality, and I witnessed how this is been expressed through the UNF CSO.

Arriving in Tallahassee on Monday afternoon I walked to the Asher-Quincy House and was able to join 3 students and 1 Alum for an informal CSO meeting. This trip was arranged with short notice and because there was surprise to see me expressed by a few of the members, I took awhile at the beginning of things to explain the deeper meaning of this visit. The way I approached this at FSU, and every other campus I visit, is that I make sure I remove the personality from this CSO Tour. What I explain is that it doesn’t really matter who I am, rather, the most import thing is that The Mother Church has sent a representative to meet with them on campus and talk about fulfilling the Manual. The symbolism of the CSO Tour really speaks to people’s hearts and as a result we shared a great meeting.

The student playing the cello invited me to his rehearsal. It is clear that he actively applies his study of CS to his school work – always striving to express the harmony of Soul. After he finished is rehearsal we talked all about the “privilege of members” found on page 73 of the Manual.

The next day I sprinted to the Greyhound Station to catch my bus down to the University of Florida, Gainesville. After arriving, I was able to connect with both a student and a faculty member who are really interested in getting the CSO going on campus. In all, I’ve learned of 4 students on campus, and I’m sure that the CSO will emerge on campus shortly.

The next stop was Orlando to visit with a first year student at the University of Central Florida. A member of the local church community picked me up and we drove to UCF to have frozen yogurt with her. This student is overflowing with ambition and she is really interested in getting a group of Christian Scientist together on campus.

On the 3rd day of my journey I traveled all the way down to Miami to visit the CSO established on campus. It was a long day, but it was all worth it to see the University of Miami’s CSO building in person! What a fantastic thing to have the words “Christian Science Organization” securely displayed on a building. While I sat on the front porch and cherished this idea, two students biked by and I heard one of the students loudly say, “I didn’t know there was a Christian Science Organization on campus?”

The CSO has a building on campus that really stands out. Built over 60 years ago, the University of Miami has a long tradition of supporting the CSO and actively welcoming them into the campus’ interfaith community. In addition to weekly meetings, music recitals and hymn sings are regular activities at the UM CSO

When I heard her say that, I immediately though to shout a response back, saying: “YEAH! It’s awesome, come Tuesday nights at 7:30.” They smiled and biked away, and I walked back inside with a grateful heart, knowing that I was right where I needed to be.

At every step of this journey I have been doing my best to acknowledge that “Mind is the source of all movement.” Already having visited 20 different campuses, I am looking forward to seeing this fact more fully expressed as the CSO Tour continues.