About Us

Ocean sunset near a cliff. What we believe.

WE BELIEVE in God, the Living Spirit Almighty; one, indestructible, absolute and self-existent Cause.
This One manifests Itself in and through all creation, but is not absorbed by Its creation. The manifest universe is the body of God; it is the logical and necessary outcome of the infinite self-knowingness of God.

WE BELIEVE in the individualization of the Spirit in us, and that all people are individualizations of the One Spirit.

WE BELIEVE in the eternality, the immortality and the continuity of the individual soul, forever and ever expanding.

Our roots run deep.
Our dreams reach high.

Synthesis combines Universal Principles and Practices with Individual Projects. We move from profound ideas to tangible manifestation.

Together we thrive.

Visit the Synthesis Website

Who We Are

Rev. Elisha Christopher

Introduction

Rev. Elisha Christopher (they/them) is the Spiritual Director and Senior Minister at the Center for Spiritual Living Santa Cruz. Their call to leadership began at The Launching Pad—an innovative, intentional spiritual and residential community for young adults in Berkeley and Oakland, CA. Under Elisha’s innovative leadership, residents gained mindfulness and communication skills while managing an ‘open-door’ ministry.
Education

At 30 years old, Elisha was singled out by the renowned Dr. Jean Houston and invited into her foundation’s prestigious Emerging Leaders Initiative. Elisha has studied under Dr. Houston for nine years. Her teachings form the foundation of Elisha’s capacity as a teacher and communicator.

Rev. Elisha also studied the Science of Mind philosophy of Ernest Holmes and received their ministerial training through the Holmes Institute and Centers for Spiritual Living School of Spiritual Leadership in Santa Rosa, California. They licensed as a Minister of Religious Science in 2020 and installed as the Spiritual Leader CSL Santa Cruz in 2022.
Focus

Rev. Elisha is a synthesizer. While Ernest Holmes and Jean Houston form the foundation of their teachings, Elisha draws inspiration from a pantheon of spiritual traditions and schools of thought.

Most notable is Elisha’s gift for connecting traditional religious practices with the principles of permaculture, the discoveries of neuroscience and the limitless gift of music and creative expression.

This new perspective gives us a unique, hope-filled look at the human experience and world we inhabit.
Teachings

Our lives are challenging. We live in a magnificent world struggling with division, injustice and polarization. The planet we know and love is under threat.

Yet we must endure.

Rev Elisha’s gift for synthesizing wisdom across multiple bodies of knowledge offers us new tools to overcome the challenges we face with grace, compassion and, most importantly, spiritually-grounded action.

Rev. Elisha’s teachings help us unravel and reconceptualize our circumstances so that we can be the person our family, our community, our world—we—want to be.

From there, anything is possible.
Sundays

Elisha@cslsantacruz.org

Rev. Elisha Christopher

Spiritual Director

REMEMBRANCE

Rev. Grace Lovejoy

Grace Lovejoy passed peacefully from this life on May 29, 2026, at the age of 77 in San Jose, CA. She spent her life devoted to spiritual growth, lifelong learning, and helping others discover their highest potential.

As a Minister in the Church of Religious Science (Centers for Spiritual Living), Grace was a deeply
spiritual woman whose faith guided every aspect of her life. She touched countless lives through her wisdom, compas-
sion, and dedication to helping others find meaning, healing, and purpose.

Ecclesiastical Team

Rev. Tamara Merrill

Assistant Minister

Tamara is a staff minister who has been involved with Science of Mind for many years and has recently, February, 2019, become a new minister. She is available for ceremonies, memorials, weddings and is a talented officiant for your event.

Chap. Cheryl Stromstad-Snyder

Chaplain/Practitioner

Cheryl became a licensed practitioner in 2004 through Centers for Spiritual Living, Santa Cruz, CA. She studied at the University of Santa Monica and received her Master’s in Spiritual Psychology in 2009.

Chap. Wendy

Chaplain/ RScP Practitioner

Wendy is a licensed practitioner, an endorsed chaplain for Centers for Spiritual Living (CSL), a certified Spiritual Director, and a member of Spiritual Directors International.

While she works in both hospice and hospital chaplaincy, she thrives in supporting individuals through contemplative, empathetic listening in her private practice.

“I have always been a spiritual being, with distinct memories of experiencing the presence of Spirit from early childhood. Though I spent 30 years working in science, the two fields were always enmeshed for me in ways others often couldn’t see. Throughout my life, I developed a personal theology that remained true to me, even when surrounded by conflicting beliefs. In 2016, my spiritual path fully integrated into my daily life. A dear friend introduced me to a community that shared my worldview, leading me to the Centers for Spiritual Living, where I found a true home and a teaching that perfectly matched my theology.

Just weeks into my first Foundations class, I felt a clear call to become a chaplain and a practitioner—a calling I had previously ignored. From that moment, my path unfolded. I became a licensed practitioner in 2021 and earned my Master of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary (SFTS), University of Redlands, in 2024. My calling was solidified during a year-long residency providing spiritual care in crisis situations at UCSF Health Saint Francis Hospital, where I worked with individuals from all walks of life, specializing in trauma-informed care and grief support.

In January 2026, I completed my Certificate in Spiritual Direction and Formation from SFTS, joined Spiritual Directors International, and became an endorsed CSL chaplain. Today, I am honored to serve on the CSL Chaplaincy Committee.

During my practitioner training, when asked about our core calling, the immediate guidance I received was simple: ‘Love Everyone.’ I carry this message daily in my work, play, and community service at CSL Santa Cruz. The love within this community mirrors the love in my heart, and I am profoundly grateful to call it home. It is my absolute delight to offer prayerful, spiritual, and emotional support, opening my heart to help others discover the answers that have always resided within them.”

Should you be interested in working with me, I can be reached through CSL Santa Cruz at wendy@cslsantacruz.org and on my website at wendylistens.com.

Skye Leona

RScP, Practitioner

I have been an active member of our community for 22 years and a licensed Science of Mind practitioner for 16 years. Through the Science of Mind teachings something new and pure was kindled deep inside me, a sense of personal power, fully supporting me in all aspects of my life and it is my passion to support others to flourish and thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Don Seemann

RScP, Practitioner

I am a licensed Practitioner for CSL Santa Cruz and have been in practice since 2005. Praying with individuals and watching the Christ consciousness blossom within them is his favorite and most rewarding part of the work. Some important things to know about me are:

Topher Steele

RScP, Practitioner

Topher Steele is a visionary entrepreneur and accomplished business leader with over 20 years of experience. He holds a degree in Business and a Minor in Entrepreneurilsm. Topher has been a practitioner for 7 yrs.

Jessica Kreiss

RScP, Practitioner

Jessica started her spiritual journey at a very young age, but her practitioner studies began in 2009 at Center for Spiritual Living San Jose. From there, she took classes at the Peninsula, and also at The Launching Pad, a spiritual community for young adults.

Shira Stone

RScP, Practitioner

I’ve been blessed by spontaneous spiritual experiences ever since I was a child, which have given me a felt experience of Divine Love. It is my joy and honor to be a vessel for this Love through prayer. I became a licensed practitioner in 2011, and I am happy

Sandy Nee

RScP, Practitioner

In the sun-drenched embrace of Salinas, where the whispers of the ocean harmonize with the gentle rustle of leaves, a beautiful tapestry of transformation and enlightenment has been woven. As a licensed practitioner with Centers for

Amron Ennis

Trustee

Pamela Cameron

Trustee

Cathy Krizik

President/Art Director

Rev. Elisha Christopher

Spiritual Director

Emily Nahnsen

Trustee

Nate Saucier

Trustee/Web Design

Melanie Yunk

Trustee

Kathy Jackson

Trustee

Diane McIlvain

Trustee

Admin Team

Jason Osmanski

Office Manager

Lea Simoni Reed

Finance Manager/Board of Trustees

Music Ministry

Lori Rivera, the music director at CSL Santa Cruz

Gitanjali Lori Rivera

Music Minister

Valerie Byrne

CSL Band – Vocals

Michael Santa Cruz

Percussion

Etienne Franc

Bass

Susan Pankratz

Tech Goddess

Team Members

Ellen Wild

Hospitality

Cheryl Schmitt

Gardener

Mavis Musitelli

Prayer Ministry and Congregant Care

We Invest In Our Community

At CSL Santa Cruz we are committed to making a tangible impact on our community and the wider world. We invest 5% of all donations we receive back into our local community. Each quarter we choose an organization based on their alignment with our CSL Global Vision of building a world that works for everyone, rooted in inclusivity, compassion, and collective well-being.

By channeling a portion of our resources towards these local organizations, we aim to catalyze positive change and contribute to the creation of a world that works for everyone. Through this practice, we extend our spiritual values into actionable efforts, strengthening the fabric of our community and reinforcing our commitment to universal prosperity and harmony.

Rev. Elisha Christopher
Spiritual Director, Center for Spiritual Living Santa Cruz

About Us

The Global Vision of Centers for Spiritual Living

Who We Are

Rev. Elisha Christopher

Rev. Elisha Christopher

REMEMBRANCE

Rev. Grace Lovejoy

Ecclesiastical Team

Rev. Tamara Merrill

Chap. Cheryl Stromstad-Snyder

Chap. Wendy

Skye Leona

Don Seemann

Topher Steele

Jessica Kreiss

Shira Stone

Sandy Nee

Board of Trustees

Amron Ennis

Pamela Cameron

Cathy Krizik

Rev. Elisha Christopher

Emily Nahnsen

Nate Saucier

Melanie Yunk

Kathy Jackson

Diane McIlvain

Admin Team

Jason Osmanski

Lea Simoni Reed

Music Ministry

Gitanjali Lori Rivera

Valerie Byrne

Michael Santa Cruz

Etienne Franc

Susan Pankratz

Team Members

Ellen Wild

Cheryl Schmitt

Mavis Musitelli

We Invest In Our Community

2022

2023

2024

2025

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Sign Up For Our Newsletter