Faculty
Rev. Roberta Croddy, D.D., Education Minister
Teaching is something that you must be passionate about. I think we often come to Religious Science classes when life is not working and we are searching for answers. I know this to be true for me and as a result of taking classes over the years and being mentored by many practitioners and ministers, my life is forever changed. Because of this I have dedicated my life to knowing and loving God. Out of that resourse and relationship to Spirit I believe “my mission is to is to create, nurture, and maintain an environment of growth and unlimited potential for all those around me”. In other words, living by example and serving others. I am fortunate to be able to do that as the Education Minister and an instructor here at Creative Living Fellowship.
Jesus, the master teacher came to serve in order to set men free to be the people God had created them to be. This is also my passion and life dedication, as a practitioner, minister, and teacher... Nothing fuels this passion more than facillitating classes here at CLF and watching students mature in their spiritual growth as they continue their spiritual journey through taking class after class.
Rev. Ruth Deaton, D.D.
"Falling into" Religious Science at 34 years of age saved my life. At the urging of a close associate who was aware of a personal situation that was becoming untenable, my young son and I attended a church we knew nothing about. It was meeting in the Phoenix Little Theater. He loved being in the "Little People's” Church. I cried my way through the "Big People's” service and was hooked. Its minister was Dr. Mark Carpenter, my teacher from beginning until I was licensed as a Practitioner six years later.
While in my career at Salt River Project, I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at the University of Phoenix, and completed a four-year program for executive development at ASU. My SRP career eventually evolved to working in the controversial field of nuclear energy, which required intensive education and training as well as traveling.
During these years, from the simple beginning as a volunteer serving as clerk to the church board of trustees, I was elected to the International Board of Trustees of United Church of Religious Science. Suddenly, a telephone call offering me the directorship of a major UCRS department in Los Angeles changed my career. Now a single woman, my new work let me devote all of my time to this very responsible position. During a church-sponsored convention, I met a minister, Rev. Jack Deaton. Eighteen months later, we married. In the meantime I had enrolled in the Ernest Holmes School of Ministry and subsequently earned a ministerial license. While subsequently serving as a minister in the field, I was elected as the UCRS Ecclesiastical President.
I have served as co-minister, as senior minister and now in retirement, twice as co-minister. After so-called retirement, in this 'third age' of life, I am a founding member of the UCRS Wisdom Council (for retired ministers), continuing to enfold Spirit in my daily activities, which are enriching and adventurous. All is well.
Rev. Flo Dibblee, D.D.
What a privilege to be a Minister. I was first licensed as a Unity Minister in 1961 and I was ordained in 1966 by Lowell Fillmore, son of the co-founders of Unity School. I have always had deep love of teaching and practicing Truth.
The path by which Spirit has brought me here is wide and varied. I received my B.S. Ed. degree (Health Education major, Mathematics and Chemistry minors), from Southern Illinois University in 1957. I also received my M.S. Ed. degree from SIU in 1959, with a double major in Health Education and Guidance & Counseling. My Master’s Thesis was on “Group Dynamics in the Educative Process” and “Workshop Methodology.” I was co-editor of a “Curriculum Guide for Teaching Health Education, Grades K-12,” in which I specialized in mental and emotional health. I was an Ed. D. degree candidate (abandon) at Kansas University majoring in Curriculum and Instruction, with emphasis on Early Childhood Education. Additional post-graduate education at College of Notre Dame, Claremont, CA, in the Montessori method, and received certification as a Montessori Teacher Trainer from the Canadian Montessori Association under the guidance of Dr. Margaret Potts. In 1958 I was invited into membership in Pi Lambda Theta, National Education Honorary Society. I worked at Unity School for 12 years in the Silent Unity Prayer Ministry, taught courses in the ministerial programs, and was Principal of Unity Wee Wisdom School, a Montessori school for age three to Grade three students.
I have worked professionally in all my educational fields in both public and private education. I have ministered in Unity Churches in Hawaii, and with my husband, Rev. Hal, in Florida and Minnesota. We have also pioneered churches in Missouri, Minnesota and northern Arizona. We started our own Alternative Ministry, “Center of the Living Light, Inc.”, a prayer, teaching, counseling and mentoring ministry, in 1984, from which base I have been teaching Metaphysics and Bible Interpretation, two to five classes a week there, and in various Truth Centers around the Valley. I am also currently on the faculty of the Lola Pauline Mays New Thought Seminary at the Community Church of New Thought in Mesa, teaching Metaphysical Bible Interpretation. I do love this Truth!
Durga Ma
In 1963, after completing a BA in piano and choral conducting and a BME in music education at the University of Missouri, I moved to California. In 1974 I completed an MA in piano, composition and interdisciplinary creative arts education at San Francisco State University. In addition to raising two children and completing a graduate degree, I taught private piano and adult school in the Monterey County school district, conducted the Monterey Women’s Chorus, and served on the faculty of Antioch College West, San Francisco. I developed and founded Improvibe, Inc., an interdisciplinary creative arts program where I taught, trained and supervised teachers. I wrote and developed the Keyboard Master music program for Marin County Schools.
When my children were grown, I went into the woods to live simply and to take up the full time study and practice of an ancient spiritual path of Eastern origin (shaktipat kundalini yoga), which is passed down through a lineage of spiritual masters. Having successfully completed all the stages of this path over a period of many years of living in solitude and meditating in excess of eighteen hours a day, I was appointed successor in this lineage and charged with providing guidance for my teacher’s advanced students. I taught meditation, ancient mystical Sanskrit scriptures and yoga, gave workshops and initiations, wrote and published on the subject of meditation and spiritual practice, and translated various texts from the original Sanskrit into English specifically for the Western reader. I later returned to music and, using the synthesizer, began creating compositions for inducing the meditative state and deepening meditation experience.
In 2000, when I reentered society, I discovered Religious Science to be kindred to my own spiritual path and became a member of CLF.
John Halliburton, R.Sc.P.
After 22 years in the Baltimore/Washington area I suddenly realized that this was no place for a third generation California native. Couldn’t find a way to transfer to California, but Phoenix is pretty close. At least I would not fall on my back on icy sidewalks. After 15 years I wouldn’t trade Phoenix for California, even though I still love to visit there. Although I attended Religious Science Sunday School as a boy, I never found a church back east that I wanted to attend regularly. It only took me a week after moving here to find First Church of Religious Science, which at the time was in the current CLF building.
I was part of the group that left First Church and founded Creative Living Fellowship. I became a Licensed Practitioner in 2006 with teaching as one of my goals. I taught Real Estate in a community college for several years in Maryland and am certified to teach internally with the US Government. I hold a Bachelors degree from San Diego State University and a Master’s in Information Services from the University of Phoenix. I am very excited to teach at CLF. I have assisted in instruction of the “Treatment and Meditation” and “Meditating Naturally” classes and have taught “Exploring Roots of Science of Mind.” I plan to introduce new courses to the curriculum as well as teaching established classes.
Mary Jayne Hyde, R.Sc.P.
From the time I was introduced to Religious Science 20 years ago, I have dramatically changed my life. Using the principles I learned from taking classes focused on the teachings of Ernest Holmes, I found a career that allows me to express in the best possible way for now. I tripled my income over the last few years by understanding the one and only true Source of my good, and my relationships have improved by focusing on and knowing the Spirit within.
Over the last 14 years of nearly continuous class attendance, I learned the principles and became a Licensed Professional Practitioner at Creative Living Fellowship. I found that I love to teach the principles that have made such a difference in my life. My passion is to help others become more aware of the beautiful Light within. And now I teach classes at both CLF and in my professional life.
With Rev. Michele and Dr. Bobbie, I helped develop the Practitioner Course Curriculum. I created a workshop
named “Bridging the Gap Between 12-Step Programs and Religious Science” and co-created the “Pulled by a
Vision” workshop with Rev. Michele.
As a founding member of Creative Living Fellowship, I served on the first Board of Trustees. Much was needed to build a strong foundation for Creative Living Fellowship in the early days, and along with the other board members, the founding ministers, and the first practitioners, I worked hard to make that happen.
Laura Jesmer, R.Sc.P.
As a Licensed Practitioner at Creative Living Fellowship, I am honored and excited to teach classes that inspire and support others on their spiritual journeys. CLF has been my spiritual home since 2002 and it is where I learned the teachings of Ernest Holmes and Religious Science that have so profoundly changed my life.
Originally from Chicago, I attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where I received my Bachelor's degree in Psychology in 1988 followed by a Master of Social Work Degree in 1990. I lived and worked in Champaign, IL for four years before moving to Phoenix in 1994. Currently, I am an Assistant Director of Clinical Services at ASU's Counseling and Consultation and I have a private psychotherapy practice in Tempe. I taught at ASU's School of Social Work as an Adjunct Faculty from 2002-2006.
Serving at CLF is a joy and teaching is one area that I love. I am a teacher in the Youth Program at CLF and I have assisted teaching the “Energy of Money” and “Foundations of Practical Spirituality” classes. I am so grateful for the wonderful connections with students as well as my continued growth.
Rev. Mitzi Lynton, D.D., Congregant Care Minister
Currently, I am blessed to be the Congregant Care Minister at Creative Living Fellowship. Originally from London, England, my Ministerial Credentials (Religious Science and Interfaith) and Doctorate in Religious Studies are from Emerson Theological Institute. My M.A. is from the University of Utah in English. When I was first introduced to Religious Science through attending Creative Living Fellowship, I knew I had found a philosophy I resonated with because of the emphasis on respecting and integrating all spiritual truths. My mission is being a loving, powerful expression of peace by building bridges between people from all faiths, philosophies, cultures and races.
The foundation of my spiritual journey is the wisdom of the 12-Step program. The spiritual awareness and truth I found in the 12-Steps was the catalyst that led me to Religious Science, to the teachings of Ernest Holmes, and ultimately to answering the call to Ministry. Through working the 12-steps with rigorous honesty, and integrating spiritual principles into all that I do, I am blessed beyond measure with a “happy, joyous and free” life. I am passionate about encouraging others to let their Divine magnificence shine and to follow their dreams so they too have happy, joyous and free lives.
Rev. Kathryn McDowell
Ordained with United Church of Religious Science, I am in my 18th year of ministry. Upon graduating from Ernest Holmes College (now Holmes Institute) I returned to my home church, Valley of the Sun Center in Phoenix, and served as Assistant Minister to Dr. Robert H. Henderson for one year before founding Religious Science Community Church in Scottsdale.
After three years of pulpit ministry, I was called to serve for 6½ years in United Church of Religious Science’s Home Office in Los Angeles, providing administrative support to the International Board of Trustees and the Chief Operating Officer. In addition to this ministry, I conducted training programs for church Boards of Trustees, served as adjunct faculty to Holmes Institute, and have been a frequent guest speaker in New Thought churches. My joy and passion lies in teaching Science of Mind basics and facilitating retreats of spiritual renewal and education for individuals and church congregations.
Prior to entering the ministry, I ran the family air conditioning business with two brothers, managed a 284-unit housing cooperative in Scottsdale, and served as assistant to bank loan officers. I have been executive assistant to CEOs and CFOs in Phoenix and Los Angeles, and as executive director of a non-profit foundation startup, I created a volunteer-staffed program for calling elderly people who are home alone. I am currently the Staff Minister for Adult Education at New Vision Spiritual Growth Center in Scottsdale.
In addition to being a frequent guest speaker and teacher at many churches, my present ministry is to build “The City of God, a global city of consciousness” which encompasses spiritual education and discovery, while providing opportunities for individuals and groups to experience a true “soul’s rest” through retreats and colloquiums.
Jan Parsons, R.Sc.P.
Within just a few weeks of having attended Creative Living Fellowship’s Sunday morning services for the first time in January 2004, I was enrolled in Foundations class with Dr. Michele. The personal insights, inspiration, and supportive relationships created with my classmates from that first CLF class a few years ago continue to inspire me today. Many exceptional classes and class hours later, I am now happily and gratefully a licensed Religious Science Practitioner who continues to receive inspiration and support for manifesting my highest expression of Spirit and creativity from our CLF community.
I am a teacher of mathematics and language arts, a published writer of poetry and prose, and have facilitated and taught writing workshops for adults and youth of all ages. My Bachelors of Science degree is in Business Administration and I have a Masters in Education. I, too, am a student at the Mincks’ Educational Center, pursuing an advanced degree in Religious Studies and Ministerial certification. For many years I was in accounting and business management, several in health care, and I plan to combine my spiritual practice and studies with an affinity for working in a healthcare setting through hospital/hospice chaplaincy work. Learning is truly a lifelong process, one that I thoroughly enjoy and embrace. I look forward to sharing my passion for spiritual insight and analysis, personal growth and practical application of knowledge, and the connection between academic studies and “real-life” experience with you.
Carrie Sherman, R.Sc.P.
Stepping into the classroom as an instructor at TMEC is yet another gift bestowed upon me as I travel my path of personal growth and spiritual enlightenment. I walked through the doors at Creative Living Fellowship in 1998 and was forever changed by Religious Science principles. As an instructor, not only do I have the opportunity to share these teachings with others and witness their evolution, but I am a receiver as well. I am fueled by the students’ inner wisdom and the lessons they share, and, quite simply, their presence. Together, we explore the limitless ways we can more fully express our divine nature and attain freedom.
I am a Licensed Practitioner at CLF and have served this vibrant spiritual community as Director of Practitioners and as a member and treasurer of the Board of Trustees. I am a native Phoenician and grew up in a neighborhood that was just four blocks from CLF’s former location. Interesting how the call within always points you “home”.
Rev. Lonnie Whittington, R.Sc.P.
The classes at TMEC are unlike anything that you would find at a college or university. I was a Visiting Lecturer and Associate Professor at Arizona State University for almost a decade and none of the classes I taught there came close to the depth that we achieve here. We essentially teach two types of classes: knowledge-based and experiential. The knowledge-based offer history and other factual information (such as found in Roots of Science of Mind and Comparative Religions). The experiential classes open the students up to expanding their hearts as well as their minds, which allows quantum leaps in awareness and personal growth.
As an instructor at TMEC, I benefit each time I teach a class in seeing my students come to new realizations about themselves and how they fit into their world. And, each time I teach I learn much more about the topic that I’m teaching, as well as about myself.
Rev. Michele Whittington, D.D., Senior Minister
When I found First Church of Religious Science in 1988, my life took off in a direction I never dreamed possible. I am profoundly grateful to the ministers, practitioners and teachers who opened the doors to my ongoing spiritual growth by initiating me into these wonderful teachings. I now know why I came into this life. I came here to be on an ever-ascending spiritual journey of remembering who I really am and to serve others with love and compassion as they are on theirs.
One of my greatest joys of ministry is to fulfill this purpose through teaching classes at TMEC. Every time I teach – without exception - I learn, I grow and I establish deep and powerful connections with the most wonderful people. Thank you, TMEC students, for giving me the gift of being able to live on purpose. It just doesn’t get any better than that!
Rev. Ann Williamson, Ph. D., R.Sc.P.
I am the owner, president, primary consultant and coach of Williamson Comprehensive Group (WCG), which is devoted to helping individuals achieve their life-long goals. WCG is a personal and professional development training group delivering learning clinics in both small business and educational settings.
In addition, I teach in the Maricopa Community College District. I am also a relief minister, an inspirational speaker and a spiritual counselor.
I earned one of my Ph.D.’s in Holistic Counseling at the University of Metaphysics. I have also studied extensively at Emerson Theological Institute, focusing on the principles of Religious Science. I am a certified trainer with “The Professional Woman Network,” an international training organization specializing in professional development. I am also a graduate of Coach University and a certified professional coach with the International Coach Federation. I am involved locally with the American Business Women’s Association and have held various leadership positions.