We congratulate the Congregational Community Church of Sunnyvale on its 100th anniversary. (Jan. 5 cover story in The Sun)

Its policies and activities show that its members take to heart in very practical ways Christ Jesus' command to "love one another."

As Christian Scientists, we understand that "to love one's neighbor as one's self, is a divine idea," as Mary Baker Eddy states in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.

We commend the church's involvement with Habitat for Humanity, FISH, and other humanitarian organizations. May the Congregational Church be blessed and prosper as it continues to bless our community.

Executive Board First Church of Christ, Scientist

Sunnyvale

Depression cure comes
in many different ways

I have been following with interest the ongoing discussion in The Sun on the diagnosis and treatment of depression and other mental illnesses. Most of the time, it seems, the various forms of treatment that are given only serve to help the patient live as productively as possible with the illness, and don't really cure it altogether. Prayer, however, is one method of treatment and cure that has not yet been mentioned.

As a Christian Science practitioner, I witnessed two years ago a complete healing of bipolar disorder (diagnosed by a psychiatrist) through prayer alone. Prayer in Christian Science affirms the supreme power of God, who is infinite love, and helps the patient to understand that he or she is a child of God, perfectly loved and cared for by God, having dominion over material and mental conditions.

In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, which Christian Scientists study along with the Bible, Mary Baker Eddy writes, "The power of God brings deliverance to the captive. No power can withstand divine Love."

Thank you for giving the public the opportunity through your opinion page, to think through these and other issues of importance to public health and well-being.

Kate Lazarus

Sunnyvale