Our spiritual team is here to serve you on your journey of awakening. Please feel free to contact us, 530-895-8395, we look forward to serving you.
– Center for Spiritual Living, Chico
REV. KATHY FERNANDES
SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
Purpose: To inspire and empower the spiritual community to discover True Inner Greatness and Wisdom through Divine Connection to Source.
Vision: With Love, Energy, Creativity, and Compassion, I lead, inspire and empower others to know their True Inner Greatness and Wisdom through Divine Connection to Source so that we may all, in unity, shine our light in the world.
Looking for spiritual inspiration, I walked into this community in 1989 and discovered my spiritual home. While I had been raised Catholic, I was looking for a more contemporary and open-minded philosophy. I learned about the Science of Mind, a synthesis of the laws of science, opinions of philosophy, and revelations of religion without the dogma and creed, applied to human needs and aspirations of humankind.
I became inspired and empowered and my life continually improved in all aspects. Life continues to bless me and inspire me. I became a practitioner in 1998 and a staff minister in 2000. In 2016, I was honored to be chosen as the Spiritual Director here at the Center. I love this spiritual community as we continue to spiritually grow together in Love and Light.
REV. DR. CAROLYN MCKEOWN-FISH
FOUNDING MINISTER
Purpose: To invite people to open their minds and hearts to embrace the Principles of Science of Mind.
Vision: To inspire people to change their life by applying Universal Laws of Mind and demonstrating greater understanding of the Power that is available to all. In this way, lives are changed for the better.
I discovered the Church of Religious Science on January 6, 1969 when I accepted a job as organist at the church in Simi Valley, California. I took four years of required classes, became a licensed practitioner in 1972 and a licensed minister in 1978. Rev. Dr. John McKeown and I were called to pastor the Paradise Church in 1978. I founded the Chico Church of Religious Science in 1984 and served until I retired in 2008.
I served on the RSI Board of Directors for six (6) years and was granted an Honorary Doctor of Religious Science in 1991. I was RSI Director of Youth Education for five (5) years; granted Ernest Holmes Legacy Award in 2006; RSI Minister of the Year in 2008; Lifetime Practitioner License in 2010. I also served as Chaplain of the Chico Police Department, and after 20 years, and retired in 2019.
I serve on the Practitioner Team for our Center and am open to serving the congregation as needed. After 53 years of using the principles of this teaching, my life has changed dramatically over the years — all for the better!
REV. MICHAEL BENSON
STAFF MINISTER
Purpose: To serve humanity as a joy-filled voice of love and compassion, to embrace the spontaneous nature of Spirit, thereby celebrating the abundant life.
Vision: To live in the Wholeness and Joy of the Beloved.
REV. CONNIE ASQUITH
STAFF MINISTER
In 1984 I became a member of this community and soon began more focused spiritual study. I am a passionate seeker and embrace many traditions in my search for deeper understanding.
Currently, I am studying A Course in Miracles and the Ascended Masters along with learning deep awareness and meditation practices. Science of Mind allows me to open to that Power in the Universe that is greater than I am, and use it to experience stillness within and create peace without. I am blessed to serve this Center and am filled with gratitude.
REV. TERI LERCH
STAFF MINISTER
Teri first came to the church in 1994 and began classes because the teaching so resonated with her. She took SOM 1, 2, and 3 in a row and then waited a year before becoming a practitioner. She did not feel ready for this role, so she became a practitioner at the same time that she entered SOM 4 (ministerial training).
Teri’s ministry is with our teens, with whom she has worked with for many years. Teri completed Chaplain training at UC Davis, which was a 2080 hour process, and is now employed as a chaplain at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Red Bluff. She is on the ministers call list and a hospice chaplain for Enloe Hospital. Both of these are volunteer positions. She also volunteers as a police chaplain for Chico’s police department.
Rev. Teri says, “I have changed my life considerably since first coming to the church. Much of the teaching is what I had intuitively believed, but it has given that belief words. I find I am closer to my beliefs and have a Spiritual Practice. I feel empowered in my life. I know that I can do and achieve anything I put my mind to. Life is a blessing and it keeps giving love, lessons, and gifts. It is just waiting for us to happen.”
– Rev. Teri Lerch
REV. EILEEN BROWNELL
STAFF MINISTER
Rev. Eileen was described by her fellow ministers and practitioners as compassionate, kind, humorous, and a great storyteller. She loves being a minister and feels grateful for the opportunity to teach, preach, and guide others to spiritually grow and deepen in their faith.
Her deepest joy comes from helping others. Since 2007 she has served as a Chico Police Chaplain. While the work is challenging, Rev. Eileen feels called to help others during times of great difficulty, trauma, and sorrow. Also, she works with individuals who are dying and their families. She is one of only seven CSL ministers authorized to conduct the New Minister Co-Creation process.
Rev. Eileen knew at the age of 6 she wanted to be a minister. She waited however until discovering Religious Science and then knew this is where she belonged. Now she finds it exciting to study the great wisdom teachers in order to have a deeper understanding of Divine Truth and share it with others.
REV. ANDY TORKELSON
STAFF MINISTER
Rev. Andy Torkelson joined the CSL Chico ministry in 2021 after a number of years as lead minister of CSL Paradise.
REV. CHRISTINE JEFFERS
STAFF MINISTER