Dear Friends,

I am writing to you today as a fellow Christian Scientist who, like you, values the work of The Albert Baker Fund (ABF) to support young Christian Scientists. In fact, I can still remember how I felt when I learned that ABF could help me pay for college.

My first reaction was elation! My family was struggling financially, and the loans I received from ABF were just what I needed to pay for my first year of college.

My second feeling was an overwhelming sense of gratitude to the Christian Scientists I had never met who made this possible.

Just knowing that there were people out there who were supporting me and believing in me reminded me to think more about my purpose in life and my practice of Christian Science. I felt like I was part of a community that was looking out for me.

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Helping young Christian Scientists afford college

Over the years, I have looked for ways to pass forward the blessings I received from ABF to the next generation of young Christian Scientists. So when I was asked to serve as a trustee, I eagerly accepted.

Recently, the ABF trustees have been considering whether to continue awarding loans and scholarships in a package to each student.

I am pleased to share with you that ABF has made the decision to move forward with awarding only scholarships. We are delighted to help students graduate with less debt.

Our next step is to replace the loan with a new $1,500 scholarship we have named the Pass Your Blessings Forward Scholarship. This way students will receive the same amount they have come to rely on. To accomplish this, we need your help.

Here’s how the scholarship works

When you fund a Pass Your Blessings Forward Scholarship, you are matched to a student who will receive your $1,500 Pass Your Blessings Forward Scholarship and a $3,000 Albert Baker Scholarship, for a total award of $4,500. When the award is made, we will notify you of the student whom you are supporting.

An invitation to join me

I am excited to be one of the first to fund a Pass Your Blessings Forward Scholarship and invite you to join me! You can give in one of two ways:

• You can fund (or pledge) a scholarship for one year with a gift of $1,500 or with a monthly gift of $125 for 12 months.
• Or you can make a gift of any size. Although you won’t be matched to a specific student, we will combine it with other gifts to fund scholarships.

I am grateful for the many blessings I received

Years ago, when I received college funding from The Albert Baker Fund, I never imagined I would be in a position to give back.

What I love about this scholarship is that it is not just about writing a check to pay back what you received but thinking about the blessings of your education, the love and support you received from your community, and how you can pass these on to a student today.

If you would like to join me in passing your blessings forward, I hope you will consider this wonderful opportunity to help young Christian Scientists fund their education. If you have any questions, please contact Sue Ellen Coughtry at sueellen.coughtry@albertbakerfund.org or 916-594-9513 (option 3).

Students have already started applying for fall scholarships, so we hope to hear from you soon.

Gratefully,

David Westphal, Trustee
The Albert Baker Fund

“My legal education and understanding of Christian Science enabled me… to have our church recognized as a legitimate religious organization.”
– Diana Nakawombe

Dear Friends,

It’s an hour before the Sunday-morning church service at the Christian Science Society in Kampala, Uganda, and no fewer than 15 members have arrived early to set up church on the 7th floor of a youth hostel where they meet each week. Floors must be swept, benches brought from other rooms and wiped down, 100 hymnals carried up from the first floor (no elevator here!), and the church sign put on the curb.

Placing the simple sandwich board sign on a busy street might be the finishing touch to prepare for the service, but to Christian Scientists in Kampala — and Diana Nakawombe, a 2019 Albert Baker Fund (ABF) law school graduate — it represents so much more!

Gaining legal status for her church

Due to the knowledge and skills Diana gained in law school at Uganda Christian University, Kampala’s Christian Science Society has received validation from the Uganda government that it is a legal church entity, with the right to use the name “Christian Science Society.”

Without being granted legal status, the Kampala Society would have been denied the use of its rightful name. With it, the church can open a bank account, purchase property, claim tax-exempt status — and even more importantly, the country of Uganda now recognizes the Kampala Society as a legitimate religious organization.

Diana’s education, as well as her experience as a class-taught Christian Scientist, was essential in guiding her church through the government’s complicated registration process.

Learning to become a more practical Christian

For Diana, the blessing began with finding Christian Science. “Before I found Christian Science, I had low self-esteem. But with Christian Science, I found truth, love, and understanding of my true nature. I loved the idea that Science and Health was the Key to the Scriptures. Fellow Christian Scientists taught me how to read and study the Bible using Science and Health, and I learned to be a more practical Christian.”

From law school to a Masters in Human Rights

When Diana was accepted into law school, The Albert Baker Fund was there to help pay her tuition for all four years.

“I am deeply grateful to ABF. Even with the generous scholarships I received, I needed to work two part-time jobs to cover school expenses. I am now pursuing a Masters in Human Rights and plan to pass the blessing forward by helping those in need.”

Diana’s story is just one example of how ABF scholarship recipients are using their education to bless church, community, and humanity, and how their education expands their influence for good far beyond what they might have thought possible.

Play a part in changing lives and blessing communities

You can play a part in changing lives and blessing communities by making a gift to fund a scholarship for a student living in Africa. These students greatly value their education and pass the blessing forward by helping others, and by actively participating in church activities. Your gift will be awarded 100% as a scholarship to a worthy student.

Thank you for joining with us to help more students such as Diana, who are called to put their faith and understanding into practice and bless others.

Make an online donation today!

With deep appreciation,

Joseph M. Ritter
Chief Executive Officer

Daniel Herbert
Chair, Board of Trustees

PS: Did you know, most of our Africa students can fund a whole year of education with a $900 scholarship from ABF?

PPS: Watch a video thank you from Diana

…and her amazing journey of personal and professional growth–with Christian Science and a clear sense of purpose pointing the way forward.

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Triumphing over challenges

Vanessa’s journey began when she moved to California from Mexico and her world seemed completely disrupted. Unfamiliar with a new culture, a new school, and a new language, she struggled to make friends and feel like she belonged.

Now, ten years later, as a recent college graduate, Vanessa speaks fluent English, was selected by her classmates to deliver a graduation address, stays in touch with a close network of friends throughout the US, and has begun her desired career in education.

She is also an active member of her branch church, where she teaches Sunday School.

How church and trust in God made the difference

Vanessa tells of her wholehearted trust in God’s plan for her and the constant flow of love and support she received from her church community— Sunday School teachers, camp counselors, church family, and friends.

“Sunday was (and still is) my favorite day of the week! Every Sunday when I came to my branch church, I felt noticed, valued, and deeply loved! When that is given to you, you can’t help but feel capable, loved, and encouraged to grow!

“Gradually, I began to do well at school, make new friends, and understand more about the truth Christian Science brings.”

Vanessa gained even more confidence in college, where she grew as a student and discovered her passion for education.

“College gave me a greater sense of purpose. I learned that I care a lot about people and I feel compelled to help others lead their way. Something I also care deeply about is seeing everyone as fully capable of surpassing any limitation or obstacle that seems to block their way. I want to show them that there is so much more they can do — the possibilities truly are unlimited!”

Values that bless the world

Now in her second year as an art teacher for an independent K–8 school for boys, Vanessa is still growing and discovering new possibilities.

“In my current job, I’ve been challenged to be a leader that pushes students to grow. What I want my kids to learn, I have to first model for them — honesty, kindness, and integrity.  Daily, I rely on my values and try to apply them in a way that will bless our school community and the world.”

Due to the generosity of friends of The Albert Baker Fund (ABF), we were able to support Vanessa’s professional growth by awarding her a scholarship for each of her four years of college. “It was the extra funding I needed, and I am so grateful for ABF’s support throughout my entire college career,” says Vanessa.

Help fellow Christian Scientists realize their unlimited possibilities

You can help Christian Scientists, such as Vanessa, realize their unlimited possibilities with a gift to one of the many programs offered by The Albert Baker Fund. Your gift may be designated for educational scholarships, career networking, youth leadership and internships, or Christian Science nurses training.

And we are delighted to share that your gift will be doubled if made by December 31, 2019, or until the $10,000 match is met.

MAKE AN ONLINE GIFT TODAY!

Thank you for joining with us to help fellow Christian Scientists realize their unlimited possibilities.

With much gratitude,

Alan R. Bashor
Chief Executive Officer

Daniel Herbert
Chair, Board of Trustees

P.S. Act now to double your scholarship support for fellow Christian Scientists.

P.P.S. Because of you, ABF awarded scholarships to nearly 1,000 Christian Scientists last year. Thank you for your love and support of these students.

We would love to hear from you. If you have any questions about ABF or ideas to share, please contact Sue Ellen Coughtry at sueellen.coughtry@albertbakerfund.org.

Introducing Janee Shaw, Director of ABF Outreach

From the Desk of Alan Bashor, CEO

I am pleased to announce our new Director of Outreach, Janee Shaw, who will join us on July 16th, 2019, following the retirement of Harve Kaufmann in June.

Janee is currently Senior Director of Development for the College of Arts and Letters, at San Diego State University, where she is responsible for major gifts and bequests in support of the college’s mission. She also worked with the advisory board to raise scholarship funds for the College’s International Business Program.

We are thrilled to welcome Janee to ABF. At this important time in our development, Janee’s experience and inspired voice will contribute immediate progress toward our ambitious goals.

Prior to her work in higher education, Janee was Director of Development at the Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association for ten years, and previously served The Mother Church as a regional development manager.

Janee holds a BA in Government from Colby College in Maine, and a JD from the University of Maine School of Law.

Says Janee, “I am honored to be invited to join the Albert Baker Fund as Director of Outreach. The Albert Baker Fund has blessed many Christian Scientists seeking to further their education and is well positioned to expand its support of internship and scholarship opportunities that prepare students for successful careers.  I look forward to partnering with the Christian Science community to embrace all Christian Scientists seeking to further their education.”

And we look forward to introducing Janee to you and our entire global community over the next several months.

Warmly,

Alan Bashor, CEO

May 2016

Dear Friends,

It was 2003 when we first expanded our financial support to Christian Scientists in Africa with a pilot program in Uganda and Zambia.

Since then, we’ve built a carefully structured program that has dispersed more than $2.1 million in the form of 1,256 educational grants to Christian Scientists in 13 African countries.

The numbers might be impressive, but they tell only part of the story.

As our Board of Trustees has reflected on the growth and sustainability of our post-secondary education program in Africa, we recognized the need for an objective measure of our success.

So, in 2015, with the help of a professional program evaluator, The Albert Baker Fund launched a comprehensive assessment of the impact that our Africa program is having on individual Christian Scientists, their churches, and communities.

We wanted to know the following:

1. What difference have we made in the lives of the recipients we’ve funded?
2. How sincere are recipients in their practice of Christian Science?
3. How have recipients passed the blessings of their education forward to help others?

Today we’re excited to share with you some of the in-depth answers to these questions in the report linked below.

You’ll learn that the education and training we fund for sincere students of Christian Science is making a significant difference — not only in the lives of our recipients but for their families, local branch churches, and communities.

View “The Albert Baker Fund in Africa, 2003-2016” report (5.4MB PDF)