Christian Science Youth Gathering in Buenos Aires in 2010
Text written by Organizing Committee of the Christian Science Youth Gathering in Buenos Aires 2010
Saturday December 18th
Being the time 3pm on Saturday December 18th of 2010 the Youth Gathering was started. It included 37 participants from different parts of greater Buenos Aires, the city of Rosario, Villa Maria (Cordoba) y from the brother countries: Chile, Peru and Uruguay!
As an initial activity we sat on the floor in a circle and play an interactive with the goal of having each participant introduce himself.
Afterward, colorful sheets of paper were distributed. Each of them had the question: “What does Christian Science mean to me?” where each person could write out what he/she was thinking. When everyone was done, we placed each piece of paper on a cork board, forming a beautiful collage.
Then we had a short break that was followed by an Interactive Lecture offered by the Christian Science lecture Monica Eséfer Passaglia, entitled “Spiritual progress: limitless possibilities to feel accomplished and satisfied”. Young people had the possibility of participating by expressing their ideas, questions and comments.
Esteban and Marisa briefly talked about the importance of knowing that each one reflects the light of the Christ and is blessed (as the lecture also reinforced) with infinite possibilities to give, and conversely to receive.
This portion of the meeting was accompanied with the following citations:
Manual of the Mother Church, by Mary Baker Eddy, pg. 44: “God requires our whole heart and He supplies within the wide channels of The Mother Church dutiful and sufficient occupation of all its members.”
Mattew 10:8 “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” We talked about the meaning of giving… and how the world needs it.
Mattew 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Science and Health with key to the Scriptures by Mrs. Eddy, pg. 583:
“Church. The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle.
The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the
dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of
divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick.”
We started the communication with Clementine Lue Clark, via video chat, from Boston. Clementine belongs to the youth program from The Mother Church called TMC Youth. She explained what are the goals and some of the requirements of organizing a Spiritual Activist Summit with the support of The Mother Church.
After the talk, the attendees of the gathering were asked if they would have the desire of participating of a summit in 2011 and the response was instantaneous, with unanimous support for the idea, with joy and enthusiasm.
After, Second Church of Christ, Scientist, in Buenos Aires through Mrs. Irene Burgert’s support, as well as other members of the branch churches that also collaborate, we were treated to pizzas, empanadas and other sweet delicacies.
We were blessed with the presence of a young pianist, Ramiro Visintin, who was able to come both days of the Youth Gathering. He was very happy and excited about the love that other young people expressed toward him.
As a way to finalize the wonderful gathering, Ramiro accompanied us with a keyboard when we sang himn #123 and # 58, from the Christian Science Hymnal.
Continuing with the joy of the Youth Gathering, the young people who had taken guitars united with Ramiro to sing a couple popular songs (appropriate for the time and place).
Being the time 9pm we finalized the Gathering.
Additional Comments:
Most of the young people who came from outside of Buenos Aires stayed in the Asociación Benévola El Arca, where they felt very comfortable since they were lovingly cared for the managers of this institution. They had the opportunity to share more time together.
Thank you so very much for all the wonderful people who take care of El Arca!
El Arca is a Benevolent Association and its place is being prepared to work as a Christian Science Nurse facility and is already working as a “rest and study” facility for all those Christian Scientists who wish to stay there.
Sunday December 19th
Activities commenced (for all the young people who came from distant places) with assisting to the Sunday School or to the church service at Second Church, Buenos Aires. For the young people it was very special because they were able to freely communicate amongst them. They were able to feel part of one family, since despite their hometowns were different they all spoke the same spiritual language.
At 1:30pm members of other branches started coming to share lunch, which was very gratifying, since we met with friends from other branch churches who also supporter this activity.
After, as it was planned, we had a talk about The Principia School and College that was led by professor Duncan Charters. Mr. Charters gave a brief summary about this school and shared with us the value of being part of this prestigious institution, as well as the infinite possibilities that it offers to study. It is based in forming the student as an individual, working from the basis of Christian Science. As representatives of that University, we had the participation of Ifigenia Xifré and Esteban Xifré, who shared their experience as students at Principia. In order to enrich the presentation videos were shown and pamphlets were distributed. Cards were also provided for the attendees to fill out with their personal information, in order to receive further information about the University.
Afterward, questions were asked about the talk. Much interest was expressed both by parents and youngsters.
We finished by singing, once again, himn #58. Since Christmas time was so close, we also sang Holy Night, with the lyrics extracted from the spanish Herald of Christian Science (November – December 2009), in an poem by Mrs. Marta Milanes, from La Habana, Cuba.
Being the time 5:30pm we finished this beautiful activity, maintaining in our thought what Mrs. Eddy says in her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (pg. 506): “Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as He opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear.”
We invite you to see the photos and videos of the Youth Gathering in this album, and also taker a look at this slideshow.
Organizing Committee of the Christian Science Youth Gathering in Buenos Aires 2010
Read some testimonies (in spanish) of the young people who attended this gathering.