Margaret Rogers joins board of the Christian Science church

The Christian Science Board of Directors has elected Margaret Rogers of San Rafael, Calif., as a member of the board effective Jan. 22.

She succeeds M. Victor Westberg, who retired after serving on the board since 2003. In a statement, the board said it would miss Mr. Westberg's "quick wit, healing focus, and quiet wisdom."

The board of directors is the five-member, self-perpetuating body that conducts the business of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, which publishes the Monitor.

Westberg flew combat missions for the US Navy during the Korean War. He later founded a California-based wholesale distribution company before entering the full-time practice of Christian Science healing in 1970. He served in a variety of senior management positions, including manager of the church's public-affairs arm, the Committee on Publication, and manager and trustee of the Christian Science Publishing Society.

"In traveling around the world with the board, Vic has spoken eloquently about the central role that Christian healing plays in our church. It comes out of a life marked by complete devotion to healing," said Thomas Black, the board's chairman.

Mrs. Rogers graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and became a Christian Science nurse, providing assistance to those relying solely on prayer for healing. She later became a Christian Science practitioner and has been teaching classes on Christian Science since 1991.

Rogers served earlier in a variety of capacities including associate editor of The Christian Science Journal, a monthly magazine. For a three-year term, she was Second Reader of The Mother Church and read from The Holy Bible at Sunday church services.