2008 Presenter Info Coming Soon - In 2007 we were blessed with...
Circle Of Love Gathering: Presenters and Music
Shirin Hunt - Presenter
Intuitive healer, counselor and teacher, Shirin brings over 20 years of experience to her expansive and powerful work. Drawing on her global experience and broad background, Shirin’s work incorporates the quantum healing techniques of ThetaHealing ™, Native American systems of Spirituality, and Hawaiian Mysticism. Her teachers include Native American teacher/revealer Ka’chi, Vianna Stibal – founder of ThetaHealing ™, and Ed Kaiwi, Hawaiian Kahuna.
Because of the broad scope of her training and abilities, Shirin offers a unique combination of healing approaches for each individual. Knowing that all true healing comes from the Creator and is expressed through love, her approach leaves individuals infused with love and touched by the “divine.”
A licensed reverend, Shirin prepares both the bride and groom for the Spiritual component of their union as well as officiating the ceremony. Aware of the connection between individual and community, thought and expression, emotion and health, her work weaves together the many layers of our human journey.
Shirin holds the space at the intersection of the spiritual and physical, navigating the spiritual realm, while celebrating the beauty of our physical expression. She is a student in the art of motherhood: guiding a spiritually conscious child into full bloom. She delights in creative cooking introducing her native Persian elements to the tropical flavors of her Kauai home. While in Kauai, she also tends to her Orchid Angel business and cultivates orchids.
Shirin’s true passion is teaching. She currently teaches DNA 2, Advanced DNA, Intuitive Anatomy and Rainbow Children’s classes in ThetaHealing™.
She is a certified teacher of ThetaHealing™, completing almost all classes with Vianna Stibal. She earned a psychology degree from UCSD.
Eddie Watkins Jr. - Musician
Eddie Watkins Jr. has been creating new thought music since he began attending the Spiritual Life Center in Las Vegas in 2007 where he now holds the position of Director of Music Ministries with Reverend Doug Foglesong. Eddie has contributed numerous songs to the weekly services.
Eddie’s first CD “The Answer” was written, produced and manufactured in the first six month of his discovery of Religious Science and has been wonderfully received in our spiritual community. Eddie’s second CD “We Come Together was released in July of 2008. Eddie has an amazing voice and powerful delivery, which is spellbinding whether delivering a funky Motown beat or a quiet meditative song.
Eddie has been appearing at spiritual centers throughout the US and has contributed to a number of conferences. Eddie was a member of the band and solo performer at the 2007 and 2008 UCSL Asilomar Conferences and a guest artist at the 2008 RSI Asilomar Conference. He was also a band member and solo artist at The Gathering in Kansas City in March 2008. He will be performing at the Circle of Love in Kansas City in November of 2008 and was recently nominated for a Posi Award for his song “Get Out of the Way”.
Born in Detroit, originally Eddie had a career as a session bass player. His hard driving bass licks have supported such R & B classic recordings as: Dan Hartman's "I Can Dream About You", The Pointer Sister's "Automatic", Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” You will also hear him on soulful ballads such as Pattie Austin's "Come to Me" and Billy Preston’s “With You I’m Born Again”.
Eddie has played on a number of gold and platinum albums, including movie sound tracks and television theme songs. While he made his name as a bass player and composer/producer, his singing talent is indescribable. Eddie toured for two years with the Jazz Crusaders.
In addition to playing bass he also plays guitar and piano. Eddie produces charts that have been called “impeccable”. In addition to producing and mastering his own music, has worked with other artists to provide professionally mixed sound tracks.
Although Eddie has enjoyed success in his professional musical career, the sharing of the music from both CD’s is the highlight of his life. He says, “I finally know exactly what I am supposed to be doing the rest of my life; sharing the gift of this music”.
Eddie is available for performances and concerts. He can be contacted at www.eddiewatkinsjr.com. Email eddie@eddiewatkinsjr.com. Phone 702 309 1833.
Walter Starke - Presenter
Walter Starcke’s extraordinary life reads like fiction, but it’s true! On his quest for life’s ultimate answers and with his uncanny ability to perpetually reinvent himself, he has donned the role of modern mystic, Broadway producer, successful business entrepreneur, powerful keynote speaker and author of six best-selling books, It’s All God, The Third Appearance, The Double Thread, The Ultimate Revolution, The Gospel of Relativity, and Homesick for Heaven. At the young age of 86, Starcke continues to amaze and inspire with his teachings that close the gap between our divinity and our humanity. He lectures nationwide, and offers seminars and intensives in select cities.
(http://www.walterstarcke.com)
August Gold - Presenter
August Gold is nationally recognized as one of the most exciting and innovative spiritual teachers and speakers today. Her standing-room-only weekly talks at Sacred Center New York, one of the fastest-growing spiritual centers in the United States, have become the hottest ticket in town. Using insights from the Tao te Ching, captivating story-telling, her unique Soul-Work™, as well as the wisdom traditions both Eastern and Western, August Gold weaves exciting ideas and concepts with practical tools to give audiences a fresh approach to life.
(http://www.sacredcenterny.org)
Kabir Helminski - Presenter
Kabir Edmund Helminski and Camille Helminski, founders and directors of the Threshold Society, have been working within the Mevlevi tradition of Sufism for about twenty years. Kabir is the author/translator of three books of Sufi poetry, and Kabir and Camille have collaborated on two collections, Rumi: Daylight and Jewels of Remembrance, 365 Selections from the Wisdom of Rumi. Kabir's Living Presence, A Sufi Way to Mindfulness and the Essential Self, was published in 1992 by Jeremy Tarcher/Putnam Publishing Group. His new collection of essays, The Knowing Heart, was published by Shambhala in August 1999.
(http://www.sufism.org)
Lisa Ferraro - Music Director & Presenter
“When Lisa sings, she has a way of reaching right into the center of your soul. What resonates is amazing, powerful and calm all at the same time. Lisa makes you feel things you’ve never felt before,” is how one fan describes Lisa Ferraro’s mesmerizing, rich, sultry voice.
Lisa has performed with the Pittsburgh Pops Symphony and regularly takes the stage with a myriad of other major talent throughout Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Chicago and Atlanta, as well as in her hometown, Pittsburgh. Her Jazz and New Thought performances keep her busy and her audiences captivated.
In addition to being one of Pittsburgh's Jazz gems, Lisa is also a sought after performer and music director in the New Thought Movement. We are thrilled to welcome her back as the Circle of Love Music Director. To learn more about Lisa visit:
www.lisaferraro.com
Dr David Tharp - Presenter
David was originally trained as a medical doctor. He later switched to psychotherapy and has studied psycho synthesis, intercultural and group psychoanalytic psychotherapy, dance movement therapy, and clinical hypnotherapy.
He qualified in couple relationship and sexual therapy at the Institute of Psychiatry and Maudsley Hospital in London (King's College, University of London), and is an accredited professional psychosexual psychotherapist member of the British Association of Sexual and Relationship Therapy and the United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapists (UKCP).
He was formerly the chairman of the Network Buddhist Organizations of the United Kingdom, and was editor of the magazine of the Network of Engaged Buddhists (UK). David worked extensively with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, and studied different forms of dance expression in India, San Francisco, and South America.
He uses dance to assist people in expanding personal awareness and relationship sensitivity on the emotional, psychological and spiritual levels. He is currently doing research in Japan for a PhD in Cultural Psychiatry.
Jack Fowler - Musician & Presenter
Jack's music has been called one of the most powerful music ministries out there! He travels the United States, Mexico and Canada sharing his music of transformation and deep reflection of God. As as a songwriter he also has best selling releases in the Christian market and the Pop world.
Jack's musical focus has shifted over the past few years into an even deeper space of healing and inspiration as he sparks change in those who listen. His songs takes the listener on an incredible musical sojourn that includes tracks you can dance to, lyrics that question old ideas about life, as well as music that quiets the mind to help awaken the Truth within.
Jack has been a key part of the core music staff of Religious Science International's and United Church of Religious Science's international conferences for the past four years. In addition he just completed a tour of the Ukraine with Neal Donale Walsch and continues to tour throughout the states and Canada. To learn more about Jack visit: www.jackfowler.info
Karen Drucker - Musician & Presenter
For years I made my living being a "singer for hire" performing at any kind of event from weddings, corporate parties, doing singing telegrams, and specialty events ( I have been a singing mermaid, singing computer, and a singing casket!). It wasn't until I began singing at a New Thought Church and listening to the positive life-affirming messages that everything started to make sense. I eventually became a music director and started writing songs and chants about what the minister's message was for the week. I never would have thought that my first CD of chants would wind up all around the world and be used by so many people on a daily basis.
(http://karendrucker.com)
Renee Leboa - Presenter & Musician
Renee` Leboa is an Inspirational Speaker, Teacher, Singer/Songwriter, Retreat facilitator and Religious Science Minister. She is the Co-Spiritual Leader of the Center for Positive Living in Charlotte, NC with her life partner Christy Snow. Renee` has been performing professionally since 1986 and has offered her talent via stage, theatre, television and conferences as well as hundreds of Churches across the country.
She has been very involved in sharing the Science of Mind since she began studying this truth teaching in 1994. She has become a well respected and sought after speaker and vocalist for churches, conferences, and retreat centers across the nation.
In addition to her music and co-leadership of her spiritual community, Renee` believes in taking her vision of awakening and celebrating the Divine nature of all beings to a global level. Her global involvement has placed her as an integral part of the Circle of Love Committee, an annual gathering of New Thought teachers and musicians that celebrates the heart space. She is also part of the Essential Self Retreat Team who leads retreats worldwide inspiring others to live from that place of their essential nature. She takes the language of love and acceptance to other countries as was evident in her recent spiritual journey to Turkey in June of 2007.
Her music and her leadership skills have contributed to the fast paced success of her Spiritual community, the Center for Positive Living. To learn more about Renee visit: www.ReneeLeboa.com or www.CPLcharlotte.com
Christy Snow - Presenter & Musician
Christy is a Keynote Speaker, Singer/Songwriter, Producer, Spiritual Teacher and Native American Flute Instructor and Flautist. Her work as a musician began in 1991 with the birth of her acoustic music career. Her talents and her career have expanded since then into the realm of the New Thought community and beyond. Her music began to shift, revealing her introspective and spiritual perspectives on life in 1999 when she began studying the Science of Mind and shortly thereafter began teaching self love and self empowerment work through music. She is now Co-Spiritual Leader, with her life partner Renee Leboa, at the Center For Positive Living in Charlotte, NC where her leadership skills and commitment have assisted in a dynamic growth in membership and sense of community.
In addition to building a thriving spiritual community in Charlotte, Christy sees the world as her spiritual community. She is passionate about being the change she wishes to see in this life and being that change lovingly and authentically. She is devoted to positive change on the planet by living a life of acceptance and unconditional love and teaching others to do the same. Her ministry is global, as she teaches through workshops, retreats, concerts and speaking engagements worldwide. Christy works on various committees for conferences and retreats within the New Thought Spiritual Communities. To learn more about Christy visit: www.ChristySnow.com or www.CPLcharlotte.com
Caroline Reynolds - Presenter
Caroline Reynolds is a living testament that it is possible to live with spiritual purpose, a higher truth and creative expression. The UK native and author of Spiritual Fitness: How to Live in Truth and Trust (DeVorss, 2005) has stepped outside the trite ‘self-help’ formula and outlined seven contemporary principles of ‘spiritual fitness’ for those in search of motivation, confidence, relational growth and a fulfilled life. Caroline does this with a unique blend of compassionate realism and meticulous insight. Caroline maintains a clear and simple message to her readers and clients that achieving spiritual fitness doesn’t require an exclusive gym membership, or a pair of designer running shoes, just dedication, a commitment to staying true to your ‘spirit,’ embracing your authentic self and living with a deep level of trust that life is ultimately on your side.
(http://www.carolinereynolds.com/)
Rev. Mark Accomando - Ministry Of Prayer & Presenter
Rev Mark is the Minister at Religious Science Raleigh in Raleigh, NC. He teaches, lectures, counsels and facilitates workshops using his spontaneous fun-loving nature to draw out the "Perfect Creative Genius" inherent in all people. Rev Mark has worked with adults and children for over 7 years. He has helped 100's of people transform their lives by reminding them to play creatively with life using SOM Principles, art-play, play, & visioning through inspiring lessons and empowering workshops.
Dale Worley - Musician & Presenter
Dale Worley is a New Thought Minister and Musician who has been a student of Unity Principles since 1996. For the last 3 years dale has brought his music and his heart to the world, traveling extensively throughout the country sharing his music and his message of Love, Joy, Forgiveness, Authenticity, Acceptance, Inclusiveness, Diversity and Gratitude.
Dale is also Music Coordinator for the Retreat Team at Unity Village in Missouri. Dale began singing and playing the piano around the age of eight, and some of his musical influences are Jerry Lee Lewis, Elton John, Elvis, and Little Richard and rightly so his music has been described as New Thought-Broadway-Gospel with the energy of those mentioned above to deliver it.
In addition to Unity principles, Dale also incorporates his understanding of Science of Mind teachings, A Course in Miracles, Native American spirituality and 12 Step Programs into his ministry.
The Heart Opening Workshop is just that, a heart opening “Experience of Spirit.” Come experience it for yourself!
http://www.asacredplace.net/
David Zazlof - Musician & Presenter
Jazz Comedian, musician, poet and philosopher whose talents are endless.
With his band David plays “Zen Jazz” which is a combination African, Japanese, Jewish, Latin, Caribbean, bebop.
David is considered to be a master of the Japanese shakuhachi flute, and as a multi-instrumentalist plays trumpet, piano, percussion, guitar, autoharp and shofar. He is an accomplished songwriter, film composer and has produced four CD’s as well as been the musical director for 14 HBO comedy channel shows and one Showtime Special. His accolades could go on and on, so come and hear for yourself!
www.davidzasloff.com
Erika Luckett - Presenter & Musician
Globally rooted Erika (pronounced eddie-kah) Luckett carves her personal story from a transcontinental upbringing. Born in Mexico with guitar propped against the cradle, Erika began exploring songwriting and music making during a unique childhood that zigzagged across the Venezuelan countrysides, Brazilian rainforests, and South American metropolises. She stretched her imagination and musical palette during an adventurous teenage stint in Paris where her songs and guitar echoed in the underground. Poetic and sensual, her voice conveys lyrical depth, and her fiery, innovative guitar playing creates an orchestra of sound with only six strings. This unique expression of world class artistry has earned her a slew of awards and accolades. Her album, “Unexpected” was awarded Album of the Year 2006 as well as Best Album in the Female Singer/Songwriter category from Just Plain Folks, the world’s largest independent music organization.
(http://www.erikaluckett.com)
Chris Michaels - Presenter
Rev. Michaels received his ministerial training in Atlanta, Georgia under the direction of Dr. Kennedy Shultz, past President of RSI. He founded the Religious Science Church of Kansas City in 1990 which has developed into a thriving community known as Center for Spiritual Living. Rev. Michaels' philosophy is simple and direct, like his speaking style. He believes that every person is on an individual path moving toward enlightenment and that ultimately, everyone achieves his or her own success. Given the proper tools and encouragement, anyone can move beyond the limitations of the past and learn how to create a wonderful life.
(http://www.cslkc.org)
Allen Wilberton - Presenter
Allen, a lifelong spiritual seeker, has discovered the power of using spiritual laws and principles to simplify life. Allen holds a degree in Religious Studies from Emerson Theological Institute and is a Professional Practitioner through United Church of Religious Science. Allen is an empowering facilitator with experience in 12-step work, teaching prayer and meditation classes, and Inner Child workshops. A business owner and entrepreneur, Allen lives in Missouri. He is a single parent, raising his daughter Courtney.
Margaret Starbird - Presenter
Margaret Starbird's theological beliefs were profoundly shaken when she first encountered the suggestion that Jesus Christ was married and that his bloodline survived in Western Europe. Shocked by such heresy, this Roman Catholic scholar and former University instructor set out to refute it, but instead found compelling evidence in support of the forgotten Bride of Jesus.
(http://www.margaretstarbird.net)
Rev. David Leonard - Presenter
Rev David Leonard has been exploring the Deep for most of his life. His path has taken him through many experiences, which enrich his understanding of the Creative Power that is common to us all. As a dancer, actor, gardener and now minister he displays a rich background in the unfoldment of his soul.
He has been the Spiritual Director of the Center for Conscious Living in Huntsville, AL since 1989. He lends a playful and passionate energy to his expression of Truth. His desire is that we all unfold into our divine potential, blossoming in the moment, dancing in the light, while we remember who we are. As he allows himself to merge more completely with the Beloved, he is then able to invite others to dance with him as together they unite in the One. His passion for union with the Beloved is contagious.
David is a member of the planning committee for the Circle of Love Gathering and he serves on the advisory council for the Association of Global New Thought as well. He leads International Dance Workshops in which the participants learn to dance from the soul and connect with Spirit. He is a space of comfort and love for all who choose to go deeper into their own spirituality with the aid of a loving and experienced presence that has mastered living from the essential self.
David is a minister of Religious Science and a student of the Sufi path. The merging of the two has provided him with a clarity of spiritual vision and a depth of spiritual communion, both of which he conveys to all who share in his workshops and retreats.
www.conscious-living.org
Linda Finley - Presenter
Linda brings experience in a professional specialty and a commitment to model the theories presented in the workshops. She lives these issues in her own life and at work. Like all Designed Learning Affiliates she treats the client organization and workshop participants as partners in creating a powerful learning experience. Linda has 16 years internal experience in professional and managerial positions in manufacturing and financial services industries. Her Designed Learning work includes conducting Flawless Consulting Skills I and II (and designing customized versions for clients), Choosing for Accountability, and Managing Differences and Agreements workshops, and organizational consulting
(http://www.designedlearning.com/)
Janette and Gary Stines - Presenter
Janette Stines is a licensed Practitioner serving the United Centers for Spiritual Living for over 10 years and has studied metaphysics for over 18 years. Janette is a popular, in demand workshop facilitator. Her workshops are entertaining, energetic and provide REAL life tools for personal transformation. She is best known for her unique interactive style. Each participant is provided with “hands on” training during the workshop to successfully apply these tools in their everyday lives. Janette received her Master’s degree from the Department of Communication at Northwestern University. She currently owns a private practice in speech and language pathology in Tampa, Florida.
Janette lives a REAL life of abundance, practicing universal spiritual principles. She has successfully used the Law of Attraction to manifest the REAL love of her life, Gary. He is the technological expert of the REAL workshops team.
Rev. Pat Powers - Presenter
Rev. Pat Powers is the Senior Minister of Celebrations of Life Church in St. Peters, MO. She also shares her gift of ministry as a personal coach, workshop facilitator and motivational speaker. She has traveled the country teaching Life Balance through spiritual connection, relationship enrichment and behavioral management.
Pat is also on the planning committee for the 2006 Circle of Love Gathering.
http://www.revpatpowers.net/
Michelle Wadleigh - Presenter
Rev. Michelle Wadleigh is the Founding Pastor of the Center for Conscious Living in New Jersey. She is a passionate and demonstrative teacher of New Thought Principles. She brings her message alive through a variety of spiritual practices. Known for her authenticity and availability, you only have to be around her for a few moments to experience her love and compassion. Rev. Michelle is the pastor of a Religious Science Center, a certified Spiritual Empowerment Coach, motivational speaker and workshop facilitator. She has also produced a wonderfully educational CD called: Organic Visioning that teaches the Vision Process as taught by the Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith. Come and love with her and laugh with her, you will be touched forever.
Join Rev. Michelle for the Sunday night labyrinth. The labyrinth was first discovered in Greek Mythology and then was picked up as ancient spiritual practice in the Medieval Times. The popularity and use of a labyrinth has come and gone over time but has now found its’ way back into the fore front for the Spiritual Practiced and Spiritual Mature. Walking a labyrinth is a beautiful, meditative practice. It is bathed in faith, in silence, in trusting process and in listening to the whisperings of the Universal Mind that present themselves as inspiration and intuition. Begin your week at the Circle of Love Gathering with an evening candle lit walk around the labyrinth accompanied with some sweet music. As you walk into the center of the labyrinth you enter with a question, in the middle you take a moment to express your gratitude or say a short prayer and as you retreat from the center you ready yourself to receive the answer to your questions. Sweet. Trusting. Powerful.
www.njcl.org
Michael Gott - Musician
Singer/pianist/songwriter Michael Gott is a performer you won't soon forget. From his background in such disparate musical disciplines as gospel, pop, opera, musical theater, classical piano and jazz, he has developed his own unique and exciting performance style. He has been compared to many of the greats, but Michael is truly an original.
His musical home base in Dallas is none other than the bar at the Mansion on Turtle Creek, where he has been performing since 1994. Also you can hear him each Sunday morning at the Center for Spiritual Living. Since 2001, Michael has also been singing frequently at Vanessie of Santa Fe in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Michael is very much in demand for conferences and other special events. In recent years, he has shared the stage with such internationally known personalities as Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Deepak Chopra and others.
His CDs include: Love Can Move The World, Surrender, Come Together & a new instrumental release called Grace.
http://www.michaelgott.com/
Richard Hite - Tibetan Gong Master
Richard will share the healing and transformative power of the Tibetan Gongs throughout the week. His main presentation will be Sunday evening and is entitled, "Calling of Angels with Sacred Gongs". His workshop “Ancient Sounds and Healing Wisdom” incorporates New Thought and other Truth teaching as well as the gongs, his many years experience in Yoga and as a Therapist.
Richard Hite is a visionary educator and health care integrationist who has pioneered bringing alternative health care into mainstream medicine since 1987, when he began providing yoga therapy to hospitalized patients in Houston, Texas. Since that time, his primary mission has been to introduce and advance the practice and philosophies of holistic care and education to health care professionals and to lay persons. For more than a decade, working with geriatric, trauma and chronic pain patients in different clinical settings, Richard repeatedly demonstrated how attention to the delicate interaction between mind-body-spirit successfully promotes patient healing and how centuries old concepts can be used for easier maintenance of good health and an active lifestyle well into our older years. Using skills developed through more than thirty years of teaching, training, and professional speaking he has inspired and motivated thousands to create holistic healthy lifestyle changes.
The healing power of Richard's Tibetan Gong music has been studied by Harvard University & the Institute of Noetic Sciences.
http://www.acallingofangels.com/