There is so much to be grateful for!

We are letting you all know how Hawthorne Trust Limited (HTL) has moved forward since the closing of Charton Manor in May 2023. This presented a completely new situation with no patients or residents, no income, therefore, we had no alternative but to close.

The redundancy process was completed over the summer and into the autumn of last year and included over 20 staff. Some Christian Science nurses have been re-employed at Lime Tree House or moved to other parts of the world to continue their ministry; others have sought alternative employment.

A 5-person team was retained following appropriate interviews for each position to safeguard and preserve the integrity of the property. The team consists of two housekeepers and two maintenance/groundsmen all reporting to our Services Manager, Rex Mendis. This enables the HTL Board of Trustees to continue to have every confidence that the remaining properties and grounds in its care are kept safe and in pristine condition. The HTL Board meets regularly at the Manor to evaluate the next steps and to show our support for the team.

People

Sharing a message from our House Practitioner, Tony Martin CS,
for whose inspiration and support we are deeply grateful

When I was asked to become the House Practitioner for Charton Manor and then the Hawthorne Trust, I outlined to myself what this work would involve. I realised that the qualities which Charton Manor represented were those which were also in that house “not made with hands” as described in:

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (II Corinthians 5:1)

This “building of God” is still there, intact, “eternal in the heavens”. I try to cherish this idea and know that it blesses with healing those in need now with the same qualities that those people who went to Jesus were blessed with in their time of need. Jesus brought to them the healing presence of love, compassion, comfort, care, safety, and supply. Mrs. Eddy tells us that Jesus “held uncomplaining guard over a world”. We are not asked to do this mighty work, but I could play my part in understanding that these Christly healing qualities are still there waiting to appear and be demonstrated “in such a form of humanity as they (mortals), could understand as well as perceive.” Neither Hawthorne House nor Charton Manor were concerned mainly with bricks and mortar, carpets, and curtains. The holy purpose of these buildings is aptly described in Isaiah:

“And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.”(Isaiah 4:6)

These ideals never closed, were never lost to us, but I like to think that they are evolving into a form which is more suited to this modern age, and that this new form will, to adapt Mrs. Eddy’s words “be ably supervised and kept abreast of the times”. This is entrusted to the Board of the Hawthorne Trust in which we can have confidence that they will be guided by divine wisdom to respond to the challenges of meeting the needs of the present day.

Whatever form this new provision takes, we can be sure that it will correspond to “the light of the world,” the “city that is set on an hill (which) cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14); or in Mrs. Eddy’s words: “Let us learn of the real and eternal, and prepare for the reign of Spirit, the kingdom of heaven, — the reign and rule of universal harmony, which cannot be lost nor remain forever unseen.” (S&H 208:20)

We have just completed another financial year and the Board’s Trustee Report will be issued in early 2025, alongside the accounts as at 30th Sept 2024. Following weekly Board meetings and the regular Company meetings we have established a way forward for HTL.

Current arrangements, opportunities and offers of support to the Christian Science nursing field, including the use of our former Training School, are in line with HTL objectives. Examples follow:

  1. Support to Whitehaven Trust (WHT) and individuals, including private duty Christian Science nurses, with ordering and delivery of nursing supplies;
  2. Loan and delivery of Christian Science nursing equipment;
  3. Providing facilities and accommodation for Christian Science nurses training under the auspices of Le Verger, in Bursins, Switzerland. These have already been used and we are very happy for this to continue;
  4. We would consider anything that supports the healing work of our Christian Science nurses and practitioners in moving forward the spiritual healing mission of Christian Science.

Relation with the Christian Science Field

Several HTL Board members and our Services Manager benefitted from attending the Supporters Day at the October CSNA (UK) Learning Event which was held in Manchester
on 15/10/2024. We look forward to the follow up events in January 2025.

Metaphysical aspects including prayer

There have been many examples of prayerful work amongst our Board, Company Members, and management. Here are some citations:

Listening and patience:
S & H 254: 10-12; 454: 22-24
Trust and lean on the sustaining infinite:
Prov 3: 5-6 and Hymn: 519
God sets the pace and plans:
Hymns: 553 and 591

Our Mission Statement continues to be:
‘Loving to heal the Christ Way’

The Orchard flats in Weybridge, Surrey

These flats are shown in the CSNA (UK) Directory and Guide as individual living flats for those over 55 years, and preferably, but not exclusively, for Christian Scientists:

  1. HTL has been the owner of the freehold of this property for many years;
  2. In recent years the Directors of The Orchard have wanted to give the leasehold to HTL. This prospect has now become a developing idea;
  3. Members of the HTL Board and Company Members have formed a Working Group to work with The Orchard Directors to ascertain the best way forward;
  4. This could provide a blessing for the Christian Science Field with the possibility of providing accommodation for the Visiting Christian Science Nursing Service (VCSNS) and private duty Christian Science nurses;
  5. Naturally, great sensitivity will be required in meeting the needs of the current tenants should the envisaged
    changes take place.

Communication with the field

We have this year been in contact with several branch churches by zoom and spoken or written to Christian Science Journal- listed teachers and practitioners, seeking their views on the future needs of the Field:

  1. We were pleased to talk with the Boards and members of two London churches to correct and inform them of the circumstances of the closing and seek their support with our way forward;
  2. We have asked the listed Christian Science Practitioners for their views and their understanding of the Field’s needs, and their prayers to help us move forward;
  3. The general consensus was that one or more smaller Christian Science nursing facilities in the South East would be very welcome and possibly at more easily accessible locations closer to London;
  4. The continuation of the growth of the VCSNS and private duty Christian Science nursing is also to be encouraged.

If you have any questions or would like to share any ideas, please be in touch. We would welcome your input. We shall keep you updated as the way and direction are indicated to us……. In the meantime, thank you for your continuing support

With love,

HTL Board of Trustees
Margaret Chaplin
Guy Ekins
Alan Holland
Gillian Smith