Community Talk: Prayer that removes fear, April 25, 6 pm, 30 South St, Jamaica Plain

You, your family and friends are warmly invited to hear how this experienced Christian Science practitioner and former Christian Science nurse finds prayer to be an effective and reliable method for preventing and curing disease. She will focus on addressing fear and contagion with time for questions and answers.

For Michelle Boccanfuso Nanouche, CSB, spirituality and the practice of prayer isn’t a lifestyle choice; it is basic to who she is. Her family was introduced to Christian Science through her dad’s healing of acute depression.

At age twelve, her prayer was quickly answered with a healing of a foot wound, which so fanned her interest in all things God that in her last year of high school she trained to become a Christian Science nurse's aid.

Nine years in the ministry of Christian Science nursing led her to become a Christian Science practitioner in 1989. Since then, Michelle has witnessed healings of broken bones, tumors, pneumonia, eating disorders, heart disease, mental and emotional disorders, financial difficulties and more.

Her lecture is based on first-hand experience and grounded in the example and teachings of Christ Jesus who healed quickly and effectively. She will address:
· How Christian Science is both spiritual and scientific;
· What Christian Science teaches about fear, contagion, and safe care for oneself and others; and
· How Christian Science responds to public health emergencies.

Wake Up the Earth May 6

“Wake Up to Progress” activities at Jamaica Plain’s annual Wake Up The Earth festival included Monitor Points of Progress articles located on a world map.

We offered Monitors with a special one-month free subscription and young people enthusiastically painted over 100 rocks in a reprise of last year’s popular activity.

Christa, Janell, Sarah, Joe and Gretchen enjoyed many connections with our beloved JP community!

It's all about seeing....

Artist Alex Cook hides ‘illusion’ paintings along nature trails in Boston’s Franklin Park

The artwork blends into its surroundings. But if passersby spot it, they’re bound to do a double take.

By Steve Annear Globe Staff,Updated March 2, 2023, 1:38 p.m.

Artist and muralist Alex Cook painted two illusion paintings that he placed in Boston’s Franklin Park. One was recently stolen from the tree it leaned against.JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF

When Jeffrey Jacobs went for a stroll along the trails in Boston’s Franklin Park last month, on a day when winter briefly gave way to spring, he expected to see the usual brown and beige leaves blanketing the ground, bare trees towering overhead, and a smattering of wildlife.

But something else caught his attention that day: A clever piece of camouflaged artwork, just off the beaten path.

The large painting perfectly matched its surroundings, but made it appear as if the trunks of the two trees it leaned against had been partially removed, replaced by a stack of gray stones and a twig wedged between the missing parts as if holding them up.

For full story, please click on link below.

Wake Up the Earth May 7

After a two-year hiatus, a beloved tradition returned to Southwest Corridor Park. “WUTE” began in 1979 when a group of neighbors and activists stopped a proposed I-95 expansion into Jamaica Plain. It remains today a vibrant celebration of what people of all traditions, cultures, ages and beliefs can accomplish when they come together.

This year, a gusty, blustery 10 hours kept vendors and performers improvising ways to ground themselves. JP Church was “rock” solid grounded in painting activities on stone and board. Energy abounded. Engagements were fun and respectful. Soul inspired lots of creativity and conversation.

Our mirror mosaic asked: ”How do you see respect?”
In other words (from members):
- How does respect grow?
- How do we honor one another better… for our good qualities… for our differences?
- What do you respect in your community?
- Where would you like to see respect grow in your community?
- How have you been touched by respect in the past – in a way that changed you?
- Can you respect someone you disagree with?
-How do we grow the respect that liberates?
-How do we model respect for our children?
-How have you been moved by seeing respect expressed?
-How have you been touched by someone who made you feel respected?
-How have you felt respected in the past?
-What’s the difference between showing respect and respecting someone?

Rom 12:10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. (NLT)

With openness, curiosity and respect, we connected visitors at our literature table - as well as neighboring booths - to Monitor issues of particular interest to them. Four or five neighboring climate-focused vendors welcomed the issue with the cover story on climate scientist moms.

Psalms 19:14  I hope my words and thoughts please you. Lord, you are my Rock, the one who saves me. (ICB)

How do we move from duty-bound expectations to the soul-feeding respect of seeing the actual good in the people around us and being moved by that?

I Thess 12-13  We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. (ESV)

Story boarding the “Take no thought for your life” parable

John 13: 34 I give you a new command: Love each other deeply and fully. Remember the ways that I have loved you, and demonstrate your love for others in those same ways. (Voice)