“Teach and practice, practice and teach — that is all we have; that is all we are good for; that is all we ever ought to do.” – Ernest Holmes

At the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley our ministers guide, inspire and teach the power of mind and natural law to create our perfect life and a world that works for everyone. Grounded in the teaching of principle and affirmative prayer, our ministers offer counseling, prayer support, inspiring talks and relatable insight into spirituality guided by new thought/ancient wisdom.

Rev. Alice Reid, Spiritual Director

Like many of us, Rev. Alice discovered her “spiritual home” when she first encountered the Science of Mind in 2001. She immediately began to dive deeply into the study of SOM principles and within six years, she became a licensed minister. Over her lifetime, she has explored, studied, and/or practiced Catholicism, Christianity, the twelve steps of recovery, Unity, Quakerism, Buddhism, Course in Miracles, Co-Creation and mysticism in general. Her knowledge and understanding of spirituality is wide and deep.

She served as a staff minister in Baltimore for four years, and later served as a staff minister for a Center in New Jersey for an additional year. While serving in that position, she was inspired to found her own Center in Maryland, where she was the Spiritual Director for five years. Then she answered the call to move to Santa Cruz where she served as Spiritual Director for four years.

She has worked in the non-profit sector in various positions of leadership. Currently, she serves on the Leadership Council for Centers for Spiritual Living, initially as their Treasurer and presently as the Chair of the Council.

In addition to teaching the accredited Science of Mind classes, Rev. Alice has created and facilitated classes, workshops and retreats and presented at national conferences. She co-authored a book entitled 40 Days to Freedom-A Lenten Practice for the Modern Mind. She was also featured in the Science of Mind magazine, March 2021 issue, page 67 which details her thoughts on collaborative leadership and “the power of two or more.”

Ministers

Rev. Karyn Allen

Staff Minister; Creative Arts; Bookkeeper; Board of Trustees - Trustee

Rev. Karyn has been in the Science of Mind teachings and at the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley since 1998, and has served in just about every volunteer position available over the years.  Currently she facilitates the events and/or services that include the arts (music, movement, visual arts, etc…).  She became a licensed minister of the Centers for Spiritual Living in 2011, ordained 2014, and oversees the Creative Arts Ministry of the center.  In addition to her ministry, she is also the center’s bookkeeper.Rev. Karyn has been a dancer since 1974, has been a performing musician since 2003, and her instructing background includes three years as a Teacher’s Assistant in the Saddleback Valley School District and two years as a Creative Dance Instructor for toddlers, and she has been teaching the Science of Mind since 2011.  Her ministry incorporates her knowledge and embodiment of the Science of Mind philosophy with her performing arts and teaching background to create an inspiring method of learning about one’s self through creativity. She believes that everyone has a unique gift to share with the world and it can be revealed through the Science of Mind teachings and the arts.Rev. Karyn was born and raised in Dana Point, CA and currently resides in Mission Viejo, CA.  She has three children and one grandchild, all of whom are the lights of her life.  She is a sports fan, enjoys yummy food, and loves to laugh out loud to her favorite television show, “The Big Bang Theory”.  A favorite quote of hers by Martha Graham reads, “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.”

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Rev. Judee Chapman

Assistant Minister

Rev. Judee Chapman has been a student of New Thought philosophy her entire life as she attended the Unity “Church of Truth” in Pasadena, Ca. for many years.  Since 1988, she has been a student of Science of Mind and a Religious Science minister since 2003. Her ministry includes organizing and facilitating the mid-week service “Wednesday’s Wisdom – Practicing the Presence,” as well as performing weddings and memorial services.  Rev. Judee is a dynamic speaker, leader and teacher. This flourishing service is not only a mid-week faith lift but also an opportunity for ministers and practitioners to speak about the Science of Mind.

Rev. Bruce Fredenburg

Staff Minister; Science of Mind in Mental Health

Rev. Bruce is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, practicing in Laguna Hills, California since 1982. He is a Clinical Member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, a Child Specialist and Divorce Coach with Collaborative Divorce Solutions and a member of the International Association of Collaborative Professionals. Rev. Bruce is also a professional speaker who brings wit and humor into everything he does.

Rev Arpad Petrass
Rev. Arpad Petrass

Staff Minister

Rev. Arpad Petrass has been a member of this congregation since 1992. He was ordained as a Center For Spiritual Living Minister in 2013.Rev Arpad has served as Spiritual Director at the Center for Spiritual Living South County, a Staff Minister at the Pacific Center for Religious Science, and currently serves our center as Staff Minister. He is a gifted speaker and spiritual teacher that loves motivating individuals to change their lives through Spiritual Awareness. He says: “Don’t settle for being Ordinary. Try to become Extraordinary in everything that you do!”When Rev Arpad is not speaking or teaching he has over 40 years in Creative Entertainment as a Scenic and Lighting Designer and Technical Director.He is an award winning Photographer that enjoys finding and sharing beauty in everything that he sees.He prides himself as being a family man and has been with his lovely wife Peg over 40 years and has two wonderful children Jessica and Bryan.

Rev. Carla Schiratis

Staff Minister - Healing Ministry and Congregation Outreach; Board of Trustees - President

Rev. Carla has been an avid student in the study of metaphysics and the spiritual path.  This passion led her to studying the Science of Mind course work and becoming a licensed practitioner.  Fueled with God’s direction and the love of this philosophy, Carla became a licensed minister in 2011 and was ordained in 2016.Rev. Carla served as a staff minister at Center for Spiritual Living Newport Mesa for five years, prior to being led to Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley in 2016. During that time, she served as the Director of Practitioners, Center Chaplin, and assisted presiding at Sunday Services each week. Carla’s role at the CSLCV is clergy of the Healing Ministry and Congregation Outreach. Knowing that life is perfect, but not always easy, it is Carla’s great honor to offer spiritual support and guidance to the members of our community.Rev. Carla enjoys teaching accredited Science of Mind classes, speaking, spiritual counseling, performing weddings, memorials, and christening ceremonies.  In addition, she has twice traveled to Bali as a spiritual leader and co-director, as it is her joy to passionately live and share our teaching wherever she is.Rev. Carla is a native of California and currently resides in San Clemente.  She is married to Stephen, has three children and is the prideful grandmother of three.  Her passions are gardening, cooking, reading and to live with a deep spiritual connection with all of life and to share it generously with others.

Practitioners

Jill Burnett

RScP

Rick Dale

RScP

Patrick Freeman

RScP

Patrick Freeman has been a Licensed Practitioner at the Center for Spiritual Living – Capistrano Valley since 2013. He is also a member of the choir. As a long-time student of the Science of Mind, Patrick has always lived a spiritual life but found his heart’s home at CSLCV. Patrick and his wife, Joann, run a successful insurance agency specializing in health insurance including Medicare. Born and raised in San Francisco, he has served in the US Army, including tours in Korea and Vietnam. He enjoys swimming, skiing, sailing and hiking in his spare time and also spending time with his three adult children.

Faith Mäki

RScP

Pam Rocke

RScP

Pamela (Pam) Rocke is a licensed Practitioner of Science of Mind since 2011. As a member of Center for Spiritual Living – Capistrano Valley since 2004, Pam has acted in various leadership roles at the Center. Currently, Pam is the assistant Practitioner to Rev. Alene Kramer and is the Sunday Coordinator responsible for the successful flow of our Sunday Services. Pam says about Science of Mind, “I believe this teaching, Science of Mind, is the best path to a life and world that provides everyone with peace, dignity, and enough resources to live a hearty, love filled life. As a licensed Practitioner, I make a difference in the world by working with people directly, and by strengthening this particular spiritual community.”

Hans Smith

Prayer Partner

Hans Smith has been a member of CSL since 2000. He has been serving as a practitioner for the last 7 years. He is very happy to serve in this and in other capacities in our center. Hans lives the good life here in San Clemente, and works in the Landscape and appraisal fields.Hans is a people person and loves to do treatments so people can see the divinity that resides within each and every one of us. He sees every person as a precious blessing in his life, and encourages all of us to be our highest, best, and most evolved human we can be. Hans is happy to serve all members of his center family in any way he can.

Toni Sparks

RScP; Board of Trustees - Vice President

Toni has been a member of the Center for Spiritual Living – Capistrano Valley since 1997. She is a licensed Practitioner of Science of Mind and the leader of the Animal Kinship Ministry. She enjoys singing in the choir and teaching in the Youth Church. She also acts as a pleasant greeter on Sunday mornings and gives her time on the Hospitality committee. She “believes in service and the oneness of all Life. This led her to become a vegan in 1982 and to get involved with the Animal Kinship Ministry. “We support the human-animal bond through prayer, education and service.”

Kathy Storey

RScP; Animal Kinship Ministry

Kathy has been a member of the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley since 2003. She serves as a licensed Practitioner for this Center because “I know prayer changes everything. Love and service has been my pathway to Spirit, so it’s not a surprise that I head up the Volunteers Ministry. I serve in hospitality, bookstore and I am a Practitioner for the Animal Kinship Ministry, as well as serving on the Board of Trustees. I have been in recovery since 1998 and one of my favorite things to do is to teach our Principles.”

Cheryl Lyman

RScP

Cheryl Lyman was born and raised a Baptist in Arizona. She was married in the Catholic church, as her husband was Catholic. While her husband owned and operated a restaurant, together raising their two young children, Cheryl began her career as a Mary Kay consultant. Cheryl quickly rose to Senior Sales Director. It was while at Mary Kay that Cheryl was introduced to the book. “The Power of Your Subconscious Mind” by Dr. Joseph Murphy. She continued to read and study works by similar authors and thinkers long after leaving Mary Kay.

The family eventually moved to San Clemente, where they owned and operated a popular café. In 2015, Cheryl met a woman who was taking a class at the Center. Her new friend remarked that she was taking a class at the Center, quoting from a text book, “what you think about, you bring about”. Cheryl recognized this as one of Joseph Murphy’s most popular sayings, and the connection was made.

Cheryl says, “I fell in love with everything about this church, and couldn’t wait to become a Practitioner”. She has been a licensed Practitioner since mid-2019. Cheryl’s husband made his transition some years ago. Their adult children run the café, along with Cheryl’s help.

Cheryl chairs the Membership Committee at our Center

Kay Allen

RScP

Raised in the teaching, Kay is a proud newly Licensed Practitioner for CSL Capistrano Valley. Kay grew up in the youth program at CSLCV and in their teen years, found a deep appreciation for its blessing in their life. Now, as a young adult Kay has worked with youth in the program for over four years, and has co-advised the In-Flight Teens since 2016. Through participating in classes and seminars, and conversations with toddlers and teens, Kay has found passion in Spiritual Education for all ages, knowing that the Wisdom of the Ages is imbued everywhere, always.

Loriann Witte

RScP

Loriann Witte has been a licensed Practitioner since 2019. In her private life, she studies and teaches the science of neuroplasticity. Loriann uses affirmations, visualizations, positive support, and spiritual study, knowing that in changing her thinking, she changes her life.

Loriann’s spiritual background is rich and varied. Her father was a deacon in the United Church of Christ. Her mother read to her the Bible Encyclopedias throughout her childhood. Loriann’s metaphysical enlightenment began with the teachings of Louise Hay

With decades in recovery in the 12-Step program, Loriann says, “I’m here to help!”

Jodie Charton

RScP

Jodie is a passionate spirit and positive thought leader who loves making a difference in people’s lives through meditation and affirmative prayer.

Jodie and H Charton discovered Religious Science when they had to coordinate their wedding reception at their synagogue with CSL Newport-Mesa who shared the space. The fantastic jazz music and friendly people drew them in one Sunday morning. H is a soulful jazz guitarist and vocalist who plays love songs and spirituals. So of course, they came for the music. The message was so compelling, they kept coming back. Before they knew it, Jodie and H were CSL regulars and part of a monthly Community First group.

They began taking classes to gain a deeper understanding of Science of Mind. One class led to the next and after a few years, Jodie embarked on the Practitioner program offered by CSL Capistrano Valley.

Her journey into Science of Mind and becoming a practitioner over the last few years has been nothing short of transformational. Jodie Charton became a Licensed Practitioner on July 11, 2021.

Jodie loves being a conscious vessel for wholeness, abundance, love and peace for those she serves. She is privileged and blessed to humbly serve this community.

Jodie’s career is in project management and finance for an investment company where she regularly leads meditations and women’s power sessions.

Mary Kasa

RScP

Mary Kasa received her Practitioner license in 2021. Mary has been a cosmetologist and personal fashion consultant for 35 years. It is her passion to support people in feeling beautiful, inside as well as outside. Mary combines her work in the beauty industry with her desire to serve by volunteering with women experiencing cancer.

She says, “Because of my love for the teaching of Dr. Ernest Holmes, it seemed like natural progression to take a deeper dive into living this practice daily.” Mary adds, “I am honored to serve as a supportive Practitioner at the Center.”

Paula Manas

Practitioner Intern; Board of Trustees - Secretary