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Asher Student Foundation
[published
with the permission of the Asher Student Foundation] Updated June
2004
MISSION
STATEMENT
The purpose of Asher Student Foundation is to serve the cause
of Christian Science by providing a spiritually supportive, homelike
atmosphere for Christian Science college students in houses conveniently
located near university campuses across the country. Christian
Science students are eligible to apply for residency at an Asher
House if they are enrolled in a degree or certificate program
at an accredited college, university, vocational school, professional
training program, recognized school, or performing an internship.
 Asher
Student Foundation works to achieve this goal by:
- Maintaining
residences for students in accordance with the standards of
Christian Science by owning or leasing property for student
houses.
- Seeking
appropriate ways to support Christian Science Organizations
(CSOs) and other activities identified in the Church Manual
of The Mother Church.
Providing
metaphysical support and other services by:
- Having
a Christian Science House Manager and Christian Science Local
Board members at each Asher House.
- Encouraging
Church attendance and participation in local Christian Science
Organizations.
- Having
monthly or bi-monthly informal metaphysical meetings at each
Asher House.
 HOW
DID ASHER START?
For nearly 60 years Asher Student Foundation has provided a spiritually
supportive, homelike atmosphere for Christian Science college
students near university campuses across the country.
The
Asher idea began just after World War II, in 1946. Eight veterans,
all Christian Scientists, returned to Michigan State University
to complete their education, which had been interrupted by the
war.
Although
arriving separately, their common desire to live in a peaceful,
harmonious, and supportive homelike atmosphere near campus brought
them together in the home of Mrs. Beatrice Asher. The residence
became known as Asher House. After a few years, other Christian
Science MSU students applied to live at "Asher".
 Asher
House became a spiritual haven for Christian Science college students
at MSU. A women's house was started in 1955 and was greeted with
the same enthusiasm as the men's house. Asher House MSU continued
to thrive in a large new facility built in 1965 for both men and
women. This was the only Asher House until 1968, when Asher House
UCLA opened its doors. Thanks to the immediate success of Asher's
first program outside of Michigan, students in other parts of
the country began asking for Asher Houses to be started near their
schools.
In
1982, Asher House New York became the first Asher to accept any
student going to any school or university in the surrounding area.
By 1988, Asher House UCLA adopted this same policy and accepted
its first USC student. This proved so successful that the house
was renamed Asher House Los Angeles. Today this policy is used
throughout the Asher system. Most Asher Houses are now named for
the city they are in, not one particular university.
WHY
CALL IT ASHER?
When Asher formally organized, there was not yet an official name.
They had been calling it "Asher House" only because
it started in Mrs. Asher's home. Then someone noticed that a definition
for the name "Asher" appears in the Glossary of Science
and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. It reads:
"ASHER
(Jacob's son): Hope and faith; spiritual compensation; the ills
of the flesh rebuked."
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary
Baker Eddy, 581:15)
 Just
as Jacob struggled, many of today's Asherites are "struggling
with a mortal sense of life, substance, and intelligence as existent
in matter with all its false pleasures and pains." (Science
and Health 308:16) And just as he did, they are conquering "material
error with the understanding of Spirit and of spiritual power,"
as learned through their study and practice of Christian Science.
(Science and Health, 309:8) It is enlightening to learn how "Asher",
in its biblical context, has a spiritual significance appropriate
to the students' newfound sense of family, and to the challenges
commonly faced in the college years. Ultimately, Mrs. Eddy succinctly
states the result of Jacob's struggle: "his changed the man."
This is also true for many of the students who gain the benefits
of the Asher experience.
Though
a few Asher Houses may come and go as student needs change in
different venues, the 'Asher idea' is a constant. No matter what
the form or specific location, it continues to fulfill the biblical
meaning of the name of Asher, collectively defined by Bible commentaries
as "blessedness, happiness, success, and progress."
Check our Web site at www.asherhouse.org
for the current list of Asher Houses serving more than 50 universities,
colleges, and professional schools.
WHAT ASHER RESIDENTS SAY
 "The
overall atmosphere in Asher is so refreshing and pure. Every time
I come home I feel like I am in my proper place, where I am accepted
and can be myself. It is also great to be able to read and talk
about the Weekly Bible Lesson with a friend."
"My
growth as a Christian Scientist has increased significantly since
I've moved into Asher House. This is a time in my life I will
never forget, and one for which I will be eternally grateful."
"This
is to thank you and the Asher Foundation for support of our Asher
House during this past school year, my first with Asher. I have
appreciated the opportunity to live in an Asher House. It has
proven to be a home for pursuit of my studies where goodness and
purity are prized. While I want to be in the world learning about
and from others of many and varied backgrounds, there are times
when I am especially grateful that I may have association with
fellow students of Christian Science. Asher House provides this
opportunity in a thoughtful manner. Please convey to Foundation
contributors my gratitude for their support of this project."
"I
just wanted to express my gratitude and appreciation for having
a Christian Science residence in which to live during the challenging
times of college life. I've met my best friends there and wouldn't
have survived college living anywhere else. It was awesome having
a quiet haven to escape to where I could study and do homework.
The other residents were supportive and so much fun to live with."
HOW
IS ASHER FUNDED?
Student room and board payments cover only a small portion of
Asher's total operating cost. Generous annual contributions from
individuals provide assistance for Asher's ongoing financial well
being. Additional aid is received from foundations, churches,
associations, and college organizations. All gifts are tax deductible
and are greatly appreciated at any time. All contributions should
be mailed to:
Asher Student Foundation - P.O. Box 491296, Los Angeles, CA 90049. |
CONTACTS:
To find out
more about Asher Student Foundation, please contact our National
Office:
E-Mail:
director@asherhouse.org
Toll-free:
(800) 622-7437
Fax:
(419) 821-5627
Address:
P.O. Box 491296
Los Angeles, CA 90049
For current
information on Asher Houses, visit our web site at www.asherhouse.org
Executive
Director:
Doyle Gray
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