I am a native Californian who grew up in Mexico, Colombia, and Guatemala and returned to live in the US at age 30. I have 3 adult children and a wonderful husband who are the light of my life and 2 beautiful granddaughters who bring me immeasurable joy. Thanks to growing up in Latin America, I am fluent in Spanish and feel comfortably at ease with a variety of cultures.

I am currently marketing natural health products and work as an interpreter for Spanish speaking patients. My professional background includes being an adult educator and trainer in the fields of language and culture, a home birth midwife, a childbirth educator, and a director of an interpreter training program for a non-profit organization. In my spare time I love to cook elaborate meals for my family and friends and visit with the farmers at the local farmer’s markets.

I have been a spiritual seeker as far back as I can remember and have pursued a variety of paths and teachers over the years. When my daughter introduced me to the Center three years ago on Christmas eve, I knew at once that I had found my spiritual home and I have been coming regularly ever since. I really appreciate our educational focus, and have taken almost every class that is offered. I love the Science of Mind teaching and I feel that it has enriched my life so much. I enjoy being of service as an usher and occasional food angel, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to sit on the board of trustees and to be of further service to my beloved center and community. I am so blessed!

Originally from New England, I grew up in Lexington Kentucky, where I married my high school sweetheart Laura. We couldn't get out of the state quickly enough following college graduations, and proceeded to live in 5 varied and interesting places before realizing our dream to settle in Sonoma County. For the past 32 years, we have been highly involved in the parenting racket with four children. It will always be the greatest joy of my life that I got to be their Dad and their mother's husband.

By profession, I am a periodontist which (if you're lucky enough to not know what that is) is a dentist specializing in the health of the supporting structures of the teeth. My practice is now over 25 years old; it was created and has been developed through a philosophy that focuses on excellent care for our patients and maintaining a gratifying work environment. All practice decisions are founded on a commitment to these principles. Adherence to this mission has allowed me, and those with whom I work, to feel a sense of fulfillment beyond the usual business parameters. I bring this orientation to my position on the Board of Trustees. Fortunately, whereas we needed to establish a philosophy for our practice, a clear mission is firmly in place for the Center for Spiritual Living as the Sacred Covenant of the Board of Trustees. I feel in alignment with the purpose, vision, and intentions of the Board and therefore my service will be based upon support of that mission.

I began coming to the Center for Spiritual Living in March 2007; I was too reserved to stand and receive my flower. During one of the first few weeks of my attendance at the Center, Rev. Edward suggested that all that was asked was that we be open to changing our entire lives. I thought, "I don't think you know with whom you're dealing here, Buster." But I must say that my life has been profoundly changed through my involvement with our Center and its spiritual community.

My gratitude for the growth I have experienced as a result of my involvement here is why I applied for a position on the Board. I am deeply honored by the opportunity to serve this Center, its staff and members, and Spirit as a member of the Board of Trustees.

I moved to Santa Rosa in 1972 and I have worked as a counselor in private practice from that time to the present. In 1999 I found the Church of Religious Science and immediately fell in love with it. The bond I felt deepened over time as I joined the church, began a practice of regular giving, and became more involved in service to our community. For the past four years I have been on the Celebrating the Prosperous Life team, an experience that has been truly life changing for me. It seems remarkable to me that regardless of how much I have given – in whatever way – I have consistently gotten more back than I have given, leaving me with a wonderful sense of gratitude.

I am excited about the possibility of taking my service to the next level by asking to become a member of the Board of Trustees. I know it will be an opportunity for me to become more involved in supporting the vision of the center and all of those who make what happens here possible.

I was born and raised in Detroit Michigan, graduated from the University of Michigan in 1973, obtained my CPA license and shortly thereafter moved to San Francisco. In addition to the freedom and personal growth experiences offered by living in San Francisco, there were also many career opportunities. For several years I worked in the accounting and finance departments of some large corporations, and gained experience of working within an organization toward a common purpose. For the past 20 years I have been the audit and accounting partner in a CPA firm in San Francisco. During that time I have been involved with community services and have served on several nonprofit organizations boards.

I moved to Sebastopol over ten years ago where I feel at home with the peace and beauty of Sonoma County. My partner Lee and I started attending The Center for Spiritual Living in 2003. Since then, it has become the place where we find our spiritual food. For that reason I have decided to join the Board of Trustees and give back to the CSL community, my home.

I have had several previous experiences as a member of a Board of Directors over the years; however, I have never been a Trustee for a spiritual community that I belong to and wholeheartedly participate in. Additionally, as an owner and manager of a successful business for 29 years, I am quite familiar with the many, many aspects of developing, maintaining and running a business.

Conversations and encouragement from other CSL Board members encouraged/persuaded me to move forward with the application process.

In my years as a member of CSLSR I have taken every course offered through Practitioner I. I so appreciate the vibrant and wide ranging energy and offerings of the Center for Spiritual Living community. I have a sense of gratitude and feel fortunate for the opportunity of being on our Board of Trustees.

 I have lived in Santa Rosa since 1973, and have attended the Center since 1995. My husband and I have two daughters and seven grandchildren. I am a graduate of Sonoma State University with a degree in management/accounting. I have worked as an auditor for the County of Sonoma, a loan officer for Bank of America and several mortgage companies, and as a business consultant. I left the active workforce in 1997. I have been a caregiver for aging parents, and have helped my grandchildren when circumstances warranted.

My husband’s interest in nature and wildlife photography has led us to many wonderful and remote locations in this country and around the world. I sometimes take photographs, read books, meditate, or just “sit” with people with whom I may have no common verbal language. In this context I have had amazing “communications.” My photographs have been on display in the Spirit Expressing Art Show.

I have been greatly influence by the observance of “A Season for Nonviolence” from January 30 to April 4 – 64 days to practice nonviolent communication and action. I passionately believe that beneath all circumstances lay tender human hearts. I challenge myself to be with ordinary people in this country and other countries, and I find loving hearts everywhere. It is my opportunity to practice the principals that we study here at the Center. Can I really hear another viewpoint? Can I really create a context of unity? Can I really love someone who sees the world very differently than I? I have put the principles of Science of Mind to the test and find that the tools we are learning and practicing here at our Center really do work, and it is an ongoing process.

Because this Center has given me so much, I welcome the opportunity to serve as a member of the board of trustees. I currently am a member of the Stewardship Core Committee, and am on the Spirit Expressing Art Show committee. I have also served on the Adventures of the Heart Pledge Program. I welcome the opportunity to focus on our spiritual community, and to keep the Center a vibrant force in our lives and in our greater community.

I am a native east coaster, specifically New Jersey, most recently Atlanta, where my 29 year old daughter, Caty still lives. I moved to California seven years ago to pursue a Masters degree and to hang out with my sister, who has lived out here for 30 years, but mostly for a change in scenery.

After a career as a Software Engineer, I went back to school, graduating from nursing school 15 years ago. Not quite sure what kind of nursing I wanted to do, it was pretty clear by the time I was finished that my passion was for women’s health, and working with diverse and underserved populations.

Since living in California I have continued working in Labor & Delivery, most recently at Sutter-Santa Rosa. I work as a Nurse Practitioner in a women’s clinic in Santa Rosa and I also teach nursing at Santa Rosa Junior College.

When I moved to Santa Rosa, I was searching for many things including a spiritual home. Like so many who have walked through these doors, I immediately felt a connection to the Center’s principles, people, and energy. I have been a member of the Center for Spiritual Living since 2005 finding my own spiritual center here, supported by a network of friends on a similar path. Regular prayer and meditation are the foundation of my spiritual practice and I have a budding interest in Buddhism.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve this community and I look forward to working with Dr. Edward and other members and trustees supporting and advancing the goals and vision of our community.

I have always been called to a life of service. I affirm each day to give of my time, my talent and my treasure to the Center that sustains me, and lifts me to a higher level of self expression.

I bring a lifetime of working to create a better world, and to help people make the best of their lives. I am drawn to serve the Center in a way that is new for me, but which calls out to me. I have a strong desire to contribute to the Center's vision of a world that works for everyone. I support the community through participation on the Membership Outreach Team, in the Heart in Hand Ministry and now as an Usher, where I have the joy of greeting you and coming to know your face. I love the multitude of classes the Center offers and have taken most of them, including Practitioner First Year.

I am a fourth generation native of Western Sonoma County. I taught elementary school here for 37 years before retiring in 2002. I enjoy traveling—to France, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Japan, China, Italy, Bhutan, and India (so far)—as well as gardening, remodeling projects, my blog (http://hillsidelodge.blogspot.com), and spending time with my cats Sunshine and Angel.

I first encountered the principles of Science of Mind more than 20 years ago without even knowing it! I felt a kinship with the messages of Louise Hay, contained in her books and tapes, and I also enjoyed watching the television ministry of Terry Cole Whittaker. I did not know at that time that both women are Science of Mind Practitioners.

Over the years various friends invited me to accompany them to Santa Rosa's Center for Spiritual Living and I eventually accepted an invitation to attend a service when a friend was singing in the choir. It was love at first sight! As so many of us have said, "I have finally found my spiritual home."

I enjoy taking classes here and also doing seva (selfless service) in the library, bookstore, and business department. Being a member of the board of trustees gives me the opportunity to continue to serve my beloved community, holding our center, our staff, and our congregants deep in my heart.