Church officers

Pastor Emeritus

Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) discovered and founded Christian Science and is Pastor Emeritus for The First Church of Christ, Scientist. 

Christian Science Board of Directors

• Richard Evans, C.S.B.

• Barbara Fife, C.S.B.

• Scott Preller, C.S.B.

• Mary Alice Rose, C.S.B.

• Keith Wommack, C.S.B.

President

• Doris Ulich, C.S.B.

First Reader

• Mimi Oka, C.S.B.

Second Reader

• Donald A. Wallingford, C.S.

Clerk

• Laurie Richardson, C.S.B.

Treasurer

• Henry "Lyon" Osborn

A healing of malaria while in the Peace Corps cemented for Rich what he had learned from childhood in Christian Science, that God, divine Love, is present and universal to heal and regenerate all mankind. With a BA in English from Principia College, and international experience, Rich obtained his law degree from Washington University. After an extensive career in law and global business, he transitioned to the full time public practice of Christian Science in 2005, becoming a Teacher in 2009. After eight years as Committee on Publication for Arizona, Rich moved to Boston where he worked as the manager of Committees on Publication (2015–2017), prior to becoming a Director. Each of these steps has been taken with the full partnership of his wife, Blythe, and the surround of love from their children.

Barbara grew up on the Canadian prairies, in Edmonton, Alberta, where she attended the Christian Science Sunday School. During some difficult teen years she stopped going to Sunday School, as she struggled to reconcile the concept of a good God in such a troubled world. Ultimately, it was what Christian Science teaches on this very subject that brought healing back into her life during a time of need. This is when she began exploring and studying Christian Science in earnest.

Church membership was so valuable in supporting both her love and growing understanding of Christian Science. She became a Journal-listed practitioner in 1991 and in 1994 she served as a coordinator for The Mother Church to broaden the availability of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures in communities. Her desire to share Christian Science expanded greatly during her years as a Christian Science lecturer from 1997 to 2010, which also led her to attending Normal class in 2003. Her deep love for God and mankind continues to grow as she now serves as a member of the Christian Science Board of Directors.

Scott feels the best thing about having earned a Master of Divinity in biblical studies from Boston University is that it helped him gain a deeper appreciation for the biblical foundation of Christian Science. It also helped prepare him to serve as a Chaplain in the United States Air Force, and later as a staff editor for the Church’s religious periodicals. He began his full-time vocation as a practitioner of Christian Science healing in 1992 and became a teacher in 2006. Scott also served on the Board of Lectureship, and as President of the Board of Education and as a Trustee of The Christian Science Publishing Society. 

During her career as a software engineer and manager supporting research in the earth sciences, Mary Alice couldn't quit thinking about Mary Baker Eddy's statement, "Jesus of Nazareth was the most scientific man that ever trod the globe" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 313). She enjoyed her work in earth science, but knew she could accomplish more good for the world through the full-time study and practice of the Science of Christianity, applying the laws of God to address humanity’s needs. She became a Journal-listed practitioner in 2002 and a Christian Science teacher in 2012. She has served as Committee on Publication for Maryland, a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship, and Chief Information Officer for The Mother Church. In 2022, Mary Alice joined the Christian Science Board of Directors.

The Bible and Mary Baker Eddy’s writings have guided Keith for as long as he can recall. As a young man, Keith toured with his musical band but always believed his lifework was to serve the Cause of Christian Science. Because he yearned for greater spiritual understanding, Keith began spending more hours with his spiritual studies and less time practicing the guitar and writing songs. In 1982, Keith left his musical career and gave his full attention to Christian Science healing, going on to become a Journal-listed practitioner in 1983 and then a Christian Science teacher in 1994. Prior to becoming a Director, Keith served as a Christian Science lecturer, a facilitator of practitioner workshops, and President of The Mother Church. For the last ten years, he served as Committee on Publication for Texas. Keith’s wife, Joanne, has lovingly supported his work. Her own deep love for God and Christian Science makes them a great team.

“Although I was raised in Christian Science, in a sense I feel that Christian Science raised me. The teachings of the Bible, the mission of our Master, Christ Jesus, and the revealed message of spiritual truth explained in the writings of Mary Baker Eddy provided a natural pathway of learning and purpose early in my life.”

Christian Science healing has been central to Laurie’s life. She has served the movement in many ways: As an active branch church member, through Christian Science nursing, and as a Christian Science practitioner and teacher. “Serving Mary Baker Eddy’s Mother Church as Clerk,” says Laurie, “brings the privilege of embracing our world-wide membership as we unite to support the world—so yearning for mental, moral, and spiritual freedom.”

Both of my grandmothers were given Mary Baker Eddy’s book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures at a time of need and it has blessed my family ever since. As a teenager, I questioned what I had learned from reading Science and Health and what I was taught in Sunday School. However, the response I always heard within me was very short: “It's true.” No further arguing was possible! Knowing, trusting and experiencing this law of true order found in divine Science is a gift and a privilege. Helping to make this universal Science more available and palpable to the world has always been something I’ve cherished. Following this divine desire, I entered into the public practice of Christian Science in 2011. I became an authorized teacher of Christian Science in 2015.

I'm grateful for being a member of this worldwide church which has allowed me to serve in various roles to support members all around the world, such as Communications Coordinator for the German-speaking field, continuing service as the Committee on Publication for Germany, and now as President of The Mother Church for the 2022–2023 church year.

Mimi is truly a “citizen of the world,” having spent her formative years in Hong Kong, Saigon, Tokyo, Moscow, Paris, and London before returning to the United States and graduating from Harvard University. She worked in finance for a few years, then went to cooking school and worked as a private chef, writer, and artist. Although she was raised attending Christian Science Sunday School, it wasn't until her late twenties when she began to make this teaching her own. She was inspired when a friend asked for help with a life-threatening medical condition, telling her, “You are the only one I know who believes that this can be healed through prayer!” This healing led Mimi to commit to a deeper study of the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. She has been so grateful for the growing understanding through this study, that God’s goodness and grace are present for each of us everywhere, and that the application of these spiritual laws heals. Eventually she left a career as an artist for the full-time practice of Christian Science healing in 2012, and became a teacher in 2018. Mimi and her husband have raised two sons, based in New York City, and spend time in Japan and France each year. She is grateful to have served as President of The Mother Church in 2021–2022. 

Since his youth, Don has cherished the healing practice of Christian Science and sharing it with others. While attending college and law school, he read for Christian Science Organizations and kept office hours for the Christian Science practice. When serving as an Air Force legal officer and as a civilian lawyer, he continued to be active in the healing work. His love of young people came more into focus during his time as Manager of Christian Science Organizations and Sunday Schools at The Mother Church, and subsequently as a Sunday School teacher and superintendent in his branch church and in various roles with Christian Science camps and teen activities. Don began advertising in the Journal as a Christian Science practitioner in 1991, has conducted meetings for Christian Science Associations without teachers since that time, has been active in his branch church as Reader and numerous other positions, and has served as a Christian Science lecturer. Joining him in Boston is his wife and helpmate through the years, Connie. 

As a child, Lyon was introduced to Christian Science when his mother was healed of broken vertebrae and a spinal arthritic condition by reading Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy. In college, he was president of the Christian Science Organization at Yale University, where he majored in Political Science and graduated with honors. Lyon also earned an M.B.A. from Babson College. He served as First Reader, board member, and Sunday School teacher in his local branch church. Lyon held a variety of roles at The Mother Church, including Senior Manager of the Clerk’s Office and Manager of The Christian Science Publishing Society.