We understand—maybe not every question you have is answered. So here are some questions that some applicants have asked in the past. If your answer isn’t here, or if you have other questions, please contact us at:
When are new members admitted?
Members are admitted in late May/early June and early November at a meeting of the Christian Science Board of Directors. But applications are welcome throughout the year!
When do you need to receive my application for consideration for the next admission?
The Christian Science Board of Directors will consider applications on May 31, 2024. Completed applications must arrive at the Office of the Clerk no later than the end of the business day (4:00 p.m. Boston time) on May 29.
Can I sign my application electronically?
No, all signatures (yours, your approver’s, and your countersigner’s, if needed) must be handwritten.
Where do I mail my Special Form application?
The membership application should be mailed to:
The First Church of Christ, Scientist
Clerk, Membership Applications P06-10
210 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02115-3195
USA
You can find this address on the bottom of the second page of the application.
What happens after my application has been mailed to the Clerk?
Once your application has been received and processed by the Clerk’s office, we will be in touch and let you know if we need any additional information.
Are membership applications available in languages other than English?
Yes! Membership applications are available in Čeština (Czech), Dansk (Danish), Deutsch (German), Español (Spanish), Français (French), Igbo, Indonesia (Indonesian), Italiano (Italian), 日本語 (Japanese), Nederlands (Dutch), Norsk (Norwegian), Polski (Polish), Português (Portuguese), Русский (Russian), Suomi (Finnish), Svenska (Swedish), Ελληνικά (Greek).
Can I receive an application by postal mail?
Yes! Just email us at clerk@christianscience.com or call 617-450-3481, and we’ll send you what you need.
Can my completed application be sent via email?
Yes! We can receive signed applications as an attachment to an email to clerk@christianscience.com. However, all signatures (yours, your approver’s, and your countersigner’s, if needed) must be handwritten. This means your form will need to be signed, then scanned before it is emailed to us.
I submitted an application … but I’ve not heard back from you.
We try to get to applications quickly. However, if it’s been longer than a month since your application was submitted and you’ve not heard from us, please contact us at clerk@christianscience.com or call 617-450-3481.
When do I find out if I’ve been admitted?
You’ll find out the day that the Christian Science Board of Directors votes on applicants’ admission to membership (late May/early June or early November). If you are elected into membership, you will receive an email with a copy of your welcome letter, which will also be sent to you via postal mail. If you were not elected into membership, we will let you know this, too. (See Manual of The Mother Church 37:7.)
I might already be a member … but I’m not sure. How can I find out?
We can help! Please contact clerk@christianscience.com.
I’m reuniting with the Church. What do I need to consider?
Please see information for reuniting members.
I’ve been asked to approve an application. What does this mean?
As an approver, you need to be a member of The Mother Church and able to vouch for the applicant's commitment to Christian Science. By signing the applicant’s form, you are confirming that the applicant is dedicated to Christian Science, that they are not a member of another religion, and that you have checked over the application carefully to be sure it’s completed. There may also be times when the Clerk’s office will call you to request additional information.
A countersigner needs to sign the application. What does this mean?
A countersigner is a Christian Science teacher (CSB). If the approver is not a CSB, they will need to send the application along to a teacher for countersigning. The countersigner is vouching for the approver, and doesn’t need to know the applicant. The countersigner will mail or scan and email the application to the Clerk of The Mother Church.
How do I pay my per capita tax?
Please visit our per capita tax page or call 617-450-2000.