Introducing Our Faculty

I have been a Licensed Professional Practitioner at Creative Living Fellowship since December 2001 and began teaching classes soon after receiving my license. Two of my passions are music and education, and I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to do both at our church. I have been the Music Director at CLF since 1996 (with a brief hiatus in 2003) where I enjoy playing the piano, writing songs and working with other fine musicians. I earned my BA in Psychology at Brandeis University in 1971, and then returned to my earlier interest in music. I earned my Masters in Music composition at The Julliard School in 1978 and Doctorate in Music Education at Columbia University Teachers College in 1984.

I taught high school in New York City for two years before moving to Phoenix in 1986. I completed my third Masters Degree in School Guidance Counseling through Northern Arizona University in 2003. In addition to teaching at the church, I am an Adjunct Faculty member at Rio Salado College, where I teach courses in music and psychology via the internet. I have plans to develop and teach courses in New Thought at the college level, and to spread the “Gospel of Ernest” in the academic world.

I have over 25 years of experience in management, manufacturing, personnel administration, motivational training, and public speaking. My educational background includes Bachelor and Master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Theology.

I have been a Licensed Practitioner since August 31, 1998, and have served in Religious Science churches in: Carson City, NV; Reno, NV; Peoria, AZ and now Phoenix, AZ. I am also a certified facilitator of "Five Gifts For An Abundant Life."

I enjoy teaching classes and have had excellent reviews by my students and ministers. Regular meditation has been part of my Spiritual practices for approximately twenty years, and I enjoy leading meditation for others. These, too, have been well received during my Practitioner ministry.

In all my years as a Practitioner, it has been of utmost importance to me and to my Spiritual Growth that I truly live the ideals of Practitioners as set forth by Ernest Holmes.

I moved to Phoenix in 1971 along with a husband, 3 children, 2 dogs, and a station wagon overflowing with our belongings. We settled in Scottsdale and began a new life.

My professional background is in nursing and I went to work in surgery at St. Luke’s Hospital holding positions as Director of Education and Assistant Director of Surgery where I specialized in open heart surgery helping develop this specialty in Phoenix and teaching others. Today things that are commonplace in medicine were all new in the 1970’s and I was on the forefront. I created several multimedia presentations on cardiovascular surgery; one is a video still in use today as a teaching tool. I presented this at the national meeting of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons in 1980. As Director of Education, I taught nursing students surgery and was a visiting speaker at ASU College of Nursing for many years. I retired from St. Luke’s in 1989 to begin a second career.

For the last 15 years I have worked as a nurse case manager for Hospice of the Valley. Here I mentor nursing students, physicians and employees on hospice care and the Spiritual care of the dying.

Following a divorce in 1982, I discovered Religious Science and it saved my life. I became a Licensed Professional Practitioner in 1988, continued my studies becoming a minister in 1990 and receiving a Doctor of Divinity in 1999. I married Dr. Robert Croddy in 1991.

I have been with CLF since 1998 and know that this is my Spiritual home. I have been Director of Practitioners and now serve as the Director of Education. My passion is developing curriculum and teaching the principles that guide my life today.

"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

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 the 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 (what else? Metaphysical Bible Interpretation.)

I do love this Truth!

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.

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.

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 house 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 2002, when I reentered society, I discovered Religious Science to be kindred to my own spiritual path and became a member of CLF.

I am a Professor Emeritus of Education at Arizona State University; a Board member of Creative Living Fellowship (CLF) and a recipient of a professional practitioner certificate from C LF; and a consultant in education and grant writing.

After receiving three degrees from Arizona State University (ASU), I was a Professor of Human Development and Education for 20 years at ASU, working with undergraduate and graduate students. During that time, I also served as a leader and administrator of several academic units, including Coordinator of Human Development, Assistant Dean in the Graduate College and Director of the Division of Curriculum. During an Arizona hiatus of seven years, I was Dean of and

Professor in the School of Education at California State University, Bakersfield, CA. I returned to Arizona State University in 1997 and became a Professor Emeritus in 2000.

My education and service in "New Thought" arenas extend over twenty years. It has been and continues to be a personal," life changing "experience. In the midst of my "life changing" journey, I have completed many "New Thought" courses, in concluding the coursework required to earn a professional practitioner's certificate. In the late 1980's, I became a member of and served on the Board of Trustees of Trinity Center, a "New thought" spiritual center. I am presently a member of CLF and I serve on the Board of Trustees at CLF.

After 22 years in the Baltimore/Washington area I suddenly realized that this was no place for a 3rd 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. Three years ago I began classes to become a Licensed Practitioner 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 Masters 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. I plan to introduce new courses to the curriculum as well as teaching established classes.

Currently, I am blessed to be a licensed Practitioner 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.

An ordained Religious Science minister, I am presently in my 15th year of ministry. I graduated from Ernest Holmes College (now Holmes Institute) in 1989 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, providing administrative support to the International Board of Trustees and the Chief Operating Officer. Throughout 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 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 also have been executive assistant to CEOs and CFOs in Phoenix and Los Angeles.

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” that encompasses spiritual education and discovery, while providing opportunities for individuals and groups to experience a true “soul’s rest” through retreats and colloquiums.

I have been a minister and healer since 1975, now over 30 years, and on a path of searching for the highest truth.

My college education was in chemistry, so much of my search has been to reconcile the principles of science with the observations of metaphysics. During my career as a chemist, I spent a portion in Safety, Health and Environment, where I provided extensive training.

While seeking sobriety, I began taking the Science of Mind Classes at Church of Religious Science in Redondo Beach, CA. I completed the classes and later became an ordained minister at City of Angels Science of Mind Center in Los Angeles.

Part of my purpose is to establish peace on Earth. That is now expressing through my peace ministry at Creative Living Fellowship. My goal is to create a curriculum on peace to educate and enable people to understand, embrace, and be at peace.

I moved from Ohio to Phoenix in 1975 to bask in the sun and avoid shoveling snow.

My professional background is in marketing, advertising, graphic design and photography. From 1977 - 1995, I owned and operated an advertising agency in Phoenix. From 1976 - 1984, I taught in the Department of Art and the College of Architecture at Arizona State University as a Visiting Lecturer and as an Associate Professor.

In 1995 I co-developed the world’s first corporately sponsored game on the Internet. From that success, my two partners and I formed Sandbox Entertainment. Sandbox evolved into one of the Internet’s largest fantasy sports sites. It is still in operation at www.sandbox.com. I left Sandbox in 2000 and, with three partners, developed KnowConflict, online lessons which help high school students develop life skills. I currently work as a marketing consultant and designer of websites.

I was introduced to New Thought in 1990 and knew that I had “come home.” I am a Charter member of Creative Living Fellowship and became a Licensed Professional Practitioner in 2001. I enjoy teaching because I learn a great deal from teaching. Each student reflects back to me a new perspective on the topic which enriches me, also.

I have the profound honor of serving as the Senior Minister at Creative Living Fellowship. I graduated from Arizona State University, summa cum laude, in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communication and received my ministerial credential from Emerson Theological Institute in 1998.

Prior to entering the ministry, I spent 20 years in the business arena, the first 18 in the legal field, serving initially as administrative support and then, after receiving my B.A., in law firm management. In 1995, my heart called me to be in greater service, and I left the law firm environment for life in a not-for-profit agency. For two years, I worked as the Sponsor Developer for a transitional housing program for homeless, low-income families recruiting and training volunteers as well as raising $250,000 in annual sponsorships.

I believe my life's purpose is to travel an ever-ascending spiritual journey and to serve others with love and compassion as they travel theirs. One of my greatest joys of ministry is to be able to fulfill my purpose through teaching classes here at CLF. Every time I teach, I learn, I grow and I establish deep and powerful connections with the most wonderful people. It just doesn’t get any better than that!

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.

I am currently writing books on prosperity and the usage of Universal Law. I have also published three electronic newsletters: T.G.I.F. – The Gratitude Newsletter; It’s Recess – The Midweek Newsletter for Educators; and Push Your Buttons.