Our leadership teams support this spiritual living community in service to provide a safe and respectful environment that supports healthy spiritual growth.
Meet Our Leadership & Staff
Rev. Bobbi Becker
SENIOR MINISTER and SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
I found the philosophy of Science of Mind about 20 years ago; a New Thought philosophy that brings religion and science together with spiritual tools that when applied affirmatively, transforms our lives. Our teachings incorporate the ancient wisdom of spiritual traditions throughout the ages.
The founder of Science of Mind, Ernest Holmes, said, “You belong to the universe in which you live, you are one with the Creative Genius back of this array of ceaseless motion, this original flow of life. You are as much a part of it as the sun, the earth and the air.”
“Earlier in my life, I practiced a belief of never enough which lead to a life viewed through the lens of never enough for anything or anyone that came my way. Eventually, I saw myself as not enough to have what I desired. In other words, I had adopted and helped create a prison of thought and belief that was keeping me small; the smallest box for my life from which to grow. This belief showed up as my life and the small place I had chosen to live from.
My life’s work began from the idea that I am responsible for the expression called “my life as” it appears and as it appears not! This news was both good and challenging. Henry Thoreau said, “Not till we are lost, so we begin to find ourselves.” From that place, I began a journey of coming to know that there is a power in the Universe and I can use it. In fact, I am part of this infinite energy.
My life shifted as I incorporated this new understanding through the practice of positive spiritual practices like meditation, taking classes, and being in a community that supports my journey. All of this has resulted in a more abundant, prosperous, and joyful life. This change continues, and I find my life expanding in ways that continue to amaze me.
Rev. Bobbi is a graduate of California State University Long Beach with a degree in journalism and public relations, graduate studies in communications, and a masters in consciousness studies from the Centers for Spiritual Living — School of Spiritual Leadership.
Rev. Donna Baranyay
Rev Donna Baranyay has been a licensed practitioner with CSL for 17 years and a practicing Religious Scientist for over 33 years. She is proud to serve our beloved Jewel by the Sea. She is also a minister, hospice chaplain, grief counselor, and coach focusing her work in spirituality, grief, and end of life care. She also maintains a blog on her website Oursacredjourneys.net.
Lisa Ortiz
Lisa Ortiz has served with the SBCSL youth since 2014. She became Youth Director in 2017 and is loved by the entire Youth program. “Young people require authenticity,” she says, and this is my “passion in working with the youth”. She continues, “I am committed to youth church because without young people there is no church. A great teacher himself, Thich Nhat Han says “children are the flowers in the garden of humanity.” I delight in spending time with kids and I like who I am when I am in my role as director. I am showing a whole new generation how they might use our principles to navigate and create their own world. That is a very rewarding experience and one that every parishioner should be engaged in one way or another. Because without those flowers, our garden simply will not grow”. Lisa welcomes questions and communication with any and all parents. She has also established a required training program for all youth leader volunteers. If you are a parent, or desire to volunteer, and have questions, please feel free to send her a message.
Lindsey Hundley
Lindsey Hundley is a graduate of the USC Thornton School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy. Hundley has established herself as a piano soloist, vocalist, music director, educator, arranger and omposer, performing a broad range of styles. As a performer, Hundley has performed alongside artists including: Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Rickie Byars, Bennie Maupin, Barbra Streisand, Kurt Elling, and Jack Sheldon. Hundley has been a spiritual music director since 2001, working as a soloist and choral director for adult and youth choirs. Lindsey began working for Centers for Spiritual Living in 2012 and has served as a musical director, arranger, guest artist, and resident musician for local CSLs including: Huntington Beach, Harmony Center, Namaste, Seaside, Lakewood, Laguna Woods, Pasadena and Redondo Beach. In 2020, Hundley became the musical director for Seal Beach CSL. Lindsey is looking forward to a bright future at Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living where the sky is the limit.
Meet Our Leadership Council
John Partington
John began his spiritual journey with the Huntington Beach Church of Religious Science under the leadership of Dr. Peggy Bassett. He has been a member of the Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living for 4 years serving as an usher, greeter, service coordinator, and fundraising committee member. He is currently the Chair of the Leadership Council. John is very active in the Huntington Beach, California community having served on the 4th of July Executive Board, the Board of the Kiwanis Club of Huntington Beach, is the current President of the Huntington Beach Fire Outreach Foundation and is the Kiwanis advisor to the KIWANIS Club at Edison High School. He is currently the owner of New Direction Training and a partner in Crestcom SoCal, a leadership and management development company. He trains new managers and managers with decades of experience with updated management techniques. His 40 years of management experience has been a key to his success.
Marjorie Wray, RScP
Marjorie Wray has been in the Science of Mind community since 1985 when she started attending Huntington Beach CSL. In 2015, she joined Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living, bringing her Practitioner License she’s held since 2012. Marjorie has extensive leadership experience in key areas that help keep our center running smoothly. From leading the Usher Teams, coordinating fund raisers and events, to serving on the SBCSL Leadership Council as Chair, and Vice-Chair, Marjorie makes herself available to serve in whatever capacity she can that will assist those around her in community and personal growth. With a BA in Education an MA in Psychology, 18 years of experience teaching Financial Planning, and more, Marjorie brings her professional expertise and spiritual principles together to serve through one of her greatest strengths; “to see the bigger picture and integrate the pieces”.
Janice Guevara
Janice Guevara joined the Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living’s community in 2009. She completed her Practitioner training and graduated in 2014. For several years, Janice has served on the planning committees of our annual events and brings joy, humor, and support to her commitments. After 31 years, she retired from Los Angeles Airports in 2019, and now works in the Workforce Development Division of Goodwill Industries in Long Beach where we provide job training programs for people with low or no income.
Pam Watanabe, RScP
Pam & her husband, Keith, have been attending Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living for over 15 years. Prior to that they attended the Huntington Beach CSL. In her secular life, Pam worked in Healthcare Management for over 25 years. She became a Practitioner in 2016. She has served the SBCSL community in many ways. She’s been co-chair of the annual fund raiser for 6 years and has been the Volunteer Chair for the past 3 years. She has also participated in the choir, Christmas parade & served as the wedding coordinator on several occasions. Most recently she made over 100 free masks for congregants before they were widely available. Pam is currently representing the Practitioners on the Core Council and publishes the “Waves of Joy” newsletter each week. “SBCSL feeds my spirit and allows me to explore my spirituality in a deeper way. I love to stay involved because our “Jewel By the Sea” fills my heart with gratitude and a deeper sense of community.”
Florann Limpus
Florann Limpus has been attending Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living for 30 years. She recalls a time when she first came into the church, “I would cry because I felt home, I missed hymns and meditations”. Florann has served twice on the Core Council over the years. She has also served many years in the leadership of the Kitchen Ministry. If there is an event in the church community, Florann’s presence is a stable factor of support, encouragement, and humor. Lot’s of humor!
Jim Thomason
Jim has been a member of The Center for Spiritual Living since 1994, having originally started at the Pasadena Church of Religious Science moving to Seal Beach CSL in 2019. He is looking to get more involved in our church activities and connecting with our wonderful community. He has been happily married to his wife Brenda for 25 years. Jim is currently employed by Kaiser Permanente in Pasadena where he works as a Business Consultant in Business Systems and Reporting. He has a long history of working collaboratively and improving business processes. He has a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering from VA Tech and a Masters in E-Commerce from National University. He is committed to lifelong learning and enjoys cycling, fly fishing, and pickleball.