A Day in Bothell: Signs, Service & a Slice of Pizza
By Frashia Njenga
Wednesday, June 18, started with a ride from Cindy, who drove me to Bothell for a full day of outreach and connection. Our first stop was the local Christian Science Reading Room, where I had the pleasure of meeting Holly, the church clerk. Right away, her energy was contagious, she was excited to share that she’d be meeting with an architect later that afternoon to discuss plans for a brand-new Reading Room store front. She even showed me the church’s beautiful new signs that welcomed visitors to both the church and the current Reading Room, simple but meaningful updates that showed the heart behind the work.
Holly gave me a full tour of the church and the literature distribution office. In her office, a framed photo of Mary Baker Eddy holding the very first issue of The Christian Science Monitor and her words affirming the publication’s purpose. It was grounding and inspiring all at once.
The literature distribution work really moved me. I got to see how they regularly send Bibles and Science and Health sets to camps, and how they share literature with county jails and prisons. There was a quiet strength in that steady, behind-the-scenes work that touches people in unseen but powerful ways.
After reading the Sermon on the Mount together, I headed out into the community. Honestly, the public receptivity in Bothell was low today. Some doors stayed closed, and that’s okay. I reminded myself that outreach isn’t about quick wins; it’s about planting seeds and respecting where people are.
For my lunch break, I stopped at the library and left a few Monitor copies at the community table. A couple of people actually picked some up while I was still there, a small but satisfying win that gave me a much-needed boost. I wrapped up my day around 6:00 and met Dave Lowe at Sparta’s Pizza for dinner. Over shared slices, we had a rich conversation about the day, my experience in Bothell, and outreach in general. Then we headed to the Wednesday Testimony Meeting at the church, where I met even more kind, welcoming people who reminded me why this work matters.
Dave gave me a ride home, and by 9:30 PM, I was safe, warm, and reflecting on a long but meaningful day.