Church celebrate's founder during Women's History Month

The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Redlands observedWomen's History Month by celebrating the life of Christian Sciencefounder Mary Baker Eddy.

Eddy, who lived from 1821 to 1910, was noted for her ideas aboutspirituality and healing. She wrote about those ideas in her majorwork, "Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures," published in1875.

Four years later, she founded the Church of Christ, Scientist, inBoston. There are now branch churches and societies around theworld, including the church in Redlands.

Eddy also founded the Christian Science Monitor newspaper whenshe was 87. The paper has received several Pulitzer Prizes over theyears.

Eddy founded the Christian Science church at a time when womendid not have the vote and were often barred from pulpits,seminaries, the medical profession and political discussion.

She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1995;was in Religion and Ethics News Weekly's 2002 list of 25 mostinfluential religious figures in the 20th century; and was in theAtlantic's 2006 list of 100 most influential Americans.

"Mary Baker Eddy: A Woman for All Seasons," a recent online chatwith Mike Davis, a researcher of the Mary Baker Eddy Library, can beheard at www.spirituality.com.

The online program is available at the Redlands church'sChristian Science Reading Room, 110 W. Vine St., or with anyInternet connection. The reading room also offers Bible researchmaterials, articles and music.

The reading room is open to the public 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondaythrough Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

Information: 909-792-5575

SOURCE: Redlands First Church of Christ, Scientist