Dr. Palmer’s Update: January 2010

As we embrace the new year here at Principia, we are welcoming students back to our campuses to continue pursuing the inspiring coursework, invigorating athletic challenges, and eye-opening artistic endeavors started in the fall. It’s a rewarding time as we see growth resulting in fruition.

At the School, students are trying out and preparing for the Spring Production, the musical Good News that will take over the Ridgway Auditorium stage in April. And as a bit of surprise “good news,” students enjoyed a snow day on Thursday, which meant our hills were covered with sledders!

Next week, on Thursday, January 14, four College students nominated by their peers will be delivering talks at Winter Convocation. Their brief speeches will offer insights on Principia as a “community of practice.” You can listen to these talks live on Principia Internet Radio (PIR) at 1 p.m. central time next Thursday.

I’m looking forward to hearing the students’ ideas and contributions on this evolving concept of Principia as a community of practice. The Principia Parents’ Association has embraced the concept and is exploring ways to support and strengthen our community of practice. As we’ve delved into this together, we have identified several areas of focus:

A Community of Healers

We use Christian Science to heal ourselves, others, and the world of physical, mental, social, and other ills. We support The Mother Church, branch churches, and the CSO through membership, active help, and regular attendance. Christian Science demonstration is the basis for all of our activities. We value understanding the inspired word of the Bible, our Christian heritage, and the history of Christian Science and its Discoverer, Founder, and Leader, Mary Baker Eddy. We work together to behold “in Science the perfect man” (Science and Health, p. 476). We continually study the Bible and our textbook Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy as well as her other writings.

A Community of Learners

All members of the School and College communities value and practice lifelong learning. Everyone works to develop and practice the qualities of clear, vigorous, fearless, tolerant, and unselfish thinking, as outlined in Principia Policy 6. Right education is the training of thought from the basis of Principle, and each community member strives to be obedient to Principle at all times. We demonstrate that “observation, invention, study, and original thought are expansive and should promote the growth of mortal mind out of itself, out of all that is mortal” (Science and Health, p. 195).

A Community of Character

We always act ethically, demonstrating moral courage instead of animal courage. We understand the moral and ethical lessons of the Bible and practice such qualities as integrity, respect, responsibility, compassion, and fairness. We work to “love our neighbor as ourselves,” always seeing Principle and not person, thinking and acting unselfishly. All members of the community take responsibility for themselves and practice self-government and self-discipline.

A Community of Citizenship and Service

All members of the School and College communities practice democracy, freedom, and active citizenship in their daily lives. We recognize that all people “have equal opportunity and ability in the sight of God” (Principia Policy 3). Service to God and to mankind is vital to each community member, and we use our talents, skills, and attainments for the betterment of humanity.

I look forward to discussing these ideas and goals in Phoenix and Tucson in two weeks when Head of School Marilyn Wallace and I travel there for the next stops on our Coast-to-Coast tour. If you’d like to attend these events, click here for details and to RSVP.