Historic Philadelphia and Musikfest
Philadelphia and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

Experience Historic Philadelphia & Musikfest
Philadelphia and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

For three fun-filled days we enjoyed fellowship, dining, history, and adventure with single Christian Science friends from around the country in historic Philadelphia, the Birthplace of the Nation & City of Brotherly Love.  One afternoon in nearby Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, we immersed ourselves in diverse, live music at the iconic Musikfest.

Participants came from as far away as Texas, Colorado and Ohio. One woman joined us for three days (overnight) despite the fact she could have stayed overnight at home and easily come and gone daily.  She said she felt she would get more out of the event, and get to know the participants better, if she lived with us for three days.

A most enthusiastic practitioner joined us. She stayed in the same accommodations as the participants, and was always available for metaphysical support.  Several participants took advantage of private consultation visits. She herself was delighted to be able to participate in some ASCSA outings.  She was thrilled to visit the beautiful Reading Room and attend the church in the back with the entire group, in the marvelous, historic section of Philadelphia.

In Philadelphia  

Our Philly adventure started with Wednesday evening church service together at the charming First Church of Christ, Scientist.  We stayed at the newly restored HI Apple Hostel, conveniently located next door in the heart of Old City, where a wealth of history, dining, and nightlife abound.

The charming, historic Revolution House around the corner from the hostel, with its oven-fired pizzas and 2nd floor open air dining area, quickly became our restaurant of choice.  We gathered there after church on Wednesday, while getting acquainted, and on Sunday, biding a fond farewell to each other. 

A three-hour professionally-guided walking tour (included in our fee) introduced us to historic Society Hill near South Street, the hip part of town and the inspiration for the doo wop song “South Street.”  We walked cobblestone streets throughout Old City and ended up at Independence National Historic Park, an area known as the birthplace of American Democracy.

Here we visited Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to the creation and signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.  Our local volunteer, Jo Ann Adams, Librarian at First Church of Christ Scientist, acquired (free)  group tickets for us in advance.

We took evening strolls along the Delaware River amid local summer activities at Penn’s Landing, Spruce Street Harbor Walk was a favorite place at night to mingle with the locals.  We took a swing in the hammocks that were strung there between trees.  Some enjoyed a lovely sunset harbor cruise on the Delaware River.

We sampled ethnic food at the historic Reading Terminal Market, one of America’s largest and oldest public markets.  We sat outside in Old City while eating famous Philly cheese steaks and ice cream.  We shared a special going-away dinner at the lovely, historic La Famiglia Ristorante, while enjoying the company of a few Christian Scientists from the community who joined us.

One afternoon the area around The Schuylkill River was the main attraction for us.  We rented a fun six-passenger bike and cruised along the riverfront enjoying the historic crew houses of Boathouse Row amid peaceful stretches.  At the same time others visited the world-renowned Philadelphia Museum of Art, where a statue of Rocky attracts crowds.  

We invariably found local volunteer Jo Ann Adams at breakfast time in the lovely hostel kitchen cooking up a storm for us.  Everyone in our group pitched in each morning to help, so breakfast and pack lunch fixing would go smoothly.

In Bethlehem at Musikfest

We spent one afternoon enjoying the free, outdoor music festival, Musikfest on a picture-perfect day.Private transportation transported us to and from Bethlehem dropping us off and picking us up in front of the welcoming Christian Science Reading Room there.  The Reading Room is maintained and staffed by members of the Christian Science branch church in Allentown, PA.  We took turns reading chapters of the Christian Science Lesson Sermon on the loud speaker in the bus on the way. 

On arrival, co-host Guines Wiley-Nieves, who lives in the Bethlehem area, took us on a walking tour of historic Bethlehem.  At the music tent of British Invasion Experience, our group hit the dance floor. Music of many genres peppered the landscape of Musikfest.  Lobster rolls were our popular snack of the day.  Guines brought to the Reading Room a most-welcome ice chest full of cold bottled water to refresh us following a great afternoon of music, food, and camaraderie.

It was the first time for an ASCSA event in historic Philadelphia and Bethlehem.  It was an especially special time for the organizers, Guines, Merrilee and Jo Ann.  We all met each other for the first time last fall, and made an unwavering commitment to make this event happen. 

It all started with a call to action by ASCSA national to its members over a year ago, looking for a volunteer to help organize an ASCSA event in their hometown.  Guines Wiley-Nieves responded offering his talents, time and energy to make an ASCSA event happen in the Philly area.  He subsequently called the Philly local Christian Science churches for help and Jo Ann answered the phone while she was on duty in the First Church Reading Room.  The rest is history. 

The subsequent ASCSA Philadelphia Adventure 2019, Experience Historic Philadelphia & Musikfest, was a great success.  A special time of adventure, exploration, and fellowship was shared with single Christian Scientists from around the country.  And the three organizers, Guines, Jo Ann and myself, have established, what I believe, will be life-long friendships. 

Written by co-host Merrilee Zellner
Lead hosts for this event: Merrilee Zellner
and co-host for Bethlehem/Musikfest Guines Wiley-Nieves