Spiritual Living Center: Meet Us

Rev. Lisa de Snoo - Pastor and Founder

I'm celebrating my 10th year as a full time Religious Science minister this summer, July 2008. I've been a spiritual seeker in the area of consciousness studies most of my life and have wide ranging, eclectic interests.

At 13 years old I considered myself a “born again” Christian with a voracious appetite for reading both Christian and non-Christian texts-- My youthful selections included the traditional King James Bible, Hildegard of Bingen, and a book by Aldous Huxley called "The Doors of Perception". Around the same time I read an Edgar Cayce book and vowed to one day study at the Association for Research and Enlightenment. I also heard a recording of a hypnosis session on a 78 rpm record called “The Search for Bridey Murphy”.

Something within me responded to the true ideas contained in this diverse collection of information. I considered myself a "born again" Christian because I lacked any other cultural paradigm or touchstone to name or contain the transcendent spiritual experience I had had at Bible camp near Idlewild, CA.

When I was in college I had a room-mate named Shirin. She was the most loving person I had ever encountered. Shirin prayed 5 times a day to Allah. She was a devout woman of faith. I was told in my bible study at Pepperdine University that she would burn in hell unless she accepted Jesus as her Lord and savior.

I knew in my heart of hearts that was not the Truth. At that instant, I stopped identifying myself as a Christian. I loved God, but didn't believe my teachers anymore.

I experimented and explored many paths - some extensively - including philosophy, mythology and symbolism, spiritual texts from the East and West, energy work, psychedelic phenomena, tarot, astrology, EST, Lifespring, Theosophy, the Course in Miracles, and more. As a child and teenager I lived in Palm Springs, California and had a lot of exposure to Native American traditions and sacred places.

Seeking led me to discover The Science of Mind in the late 1980s. Science of Mind answers my core questions regarding who and what is God, why am I here, what is self-realization, why do we have spiritual experiences, what is the law of cause and effect, and more. It is an empowering teaching and I am grateful to have it in my life.

Science of Mind teaches us how to have happier, better, more productive lives.

After a career of 20 years in television production, I went into the ministry full time.

Spiritual growth is a deeply personal process. It is easier to deepen and develop in community and it is a joy to be surrounded by like-minded people on a spiritual path. I sincerely invite you to join us on Sunday mornings at 10:30 at the Marian Center for Non-Profits. You may hear teachings from any of the world religions with a Science of Mind message.

Won’t you join us on Sunday morning? We teach the Perennial Philosophy - the golden thread of Truth contained in all religions. We live, learn and teach the Science of Mind and we are lifelong learners. God is greater than any faith or religion that attempts to explain it, including our own. I am a woman of faith. My faith is empowered and fueled by the practical study of the Science of Mind.

Every student is a teacher. Every teacher must be a student.

You are wonderful.
And so it is.

My spiritual lineage is:
Dr. Jane Claypool, Carlsbad, CA Practitioner Training, Ministerial Training
Dr. David Walker, Los Angeles, CA First Year, Second Year (5 times each)
Rev. Marian Moon, Los Angeles, CA First Year, Second Year
(Dr. Robert Bitzer was Dr. Walker’s and Rev. Moon’s teacher.)

Rev. Lisa Stewart- de Snoo was licensed by Religious Science International in 1998 Ordained by Religious Science International in 2001
Rev. Lisa is the East Coast Facilitator Trainer for Wise Women
Rev. Lisa is a licensed hypnotist and hypnotherapist practicing in private practice in Milwaukee, WI
Rev. Lisa is affiliated with Emerson Theological Institute and is a doctoral candidate in Religious Studies
Lisa is enrolled in the Professional Certificate Program for Non-Profit Management at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Spiritual Living Center of Greater Milwaukee is a member of Religious Science International, is affiliated with INTA -
International New Thought Alliance and
Emerson Theological Institute.

Rev. Scott de Snoo - Pastor and Founder

Reverend Scott de Snoo is a spiritual explorer. He grew up attending a traditional, conservative church. When he was about sixteen, he had a mystical experience that left him challenging everything he’d been taught about God.
The politics of protest of the early 1970s and a seminar in the Silva Method of Mind Control reinforced his rejection of traditional religion, yet his soul still called him to embrace a relationship with God. He spent years reading all he could about scientific discovery, world cultures, and various theories of religious thought. In college, he took a degree in English, but he elected many courses in anthropology and psychology—always seeking a deeper understanding of how culture shapes human perceptions of reality. He concluded that there must be a point at which science and religion meet in perfect harmony
When he was ready, his teacher appeared. In 1991, he began studying the spiritual writings of Dr. Ernest Holmes with Reverend Vincent Kueffner. In Religious Science, he found a satisfying model for a Spiritual Universe. He continued exploring various religions and adopted from them the concepts and spiritual practices that do not conflict with humanity’s vast body of scientific knowledge.
Rev. Scott was licensed by Religious Science International in 1997 and he was recommended for ordination in 2005. Ordination is signifigant in the life of a Religious Science minister. It is the public recognition of Scott's calling to ministry and is a lifetime licensure by Religious Science International.

History of Christmas Celebration

History of Winter Solstice-Christmas

The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.
In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.
The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.
Huge Yule logs were burned in honor of the sun. The word Yule itself means “wheel,” the wheel being a pagan symbol for the sun. Mistletoe was considered a sacred plant, and the custom of kissing under the mistletoe began as a fertility ritual. Hollyberries were thought to be a food of the gods.
The tree is the one symbol that unites almost all the northern European winter solstices. Live evergreen trees were often brought into homes during the harsh winters as a reminder to inhabitants that soon their crops would grow again. Evergreen boughs were sometimes carried as totems of good luck and were often present at weddings, representing fertility. The Druids used the tree as a religious symbol, holding their sacred ceremonies while surrounding and worshipping huge trees.
In 350, Pope Julius I declared that Christ’s birth would be celebrated on December 25. There is little doubt that he was trying to make it as painless as possible for pagan Romans (who remained a majority at that time) to convert to Christianity. The new religion went down a bit easier, knowing that their feasts would not be taken away from them.
Christmas (Christ-Mass) as we know it today, most historians agree, began in Germany, though Catholics and Lutherans still disagree about which church celebrated it first. The earliest record of an evergreen being decorated in a Christian celebration was in 1521 in the Alsace region of Germany. A prominent Lutheran minister of the day cried blasphemy: “Better that they should look to the true tree of life, Christ.”
The controversy continues even today in some fundamentalist sects.
In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday.
The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident.
After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America's new constitution. Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.

Christmas Letter December 2006 - Check for community news!

Religious Science of Greater Milwaukee Christmas Letter 2006

Dear Members and Friends of our Beloved Spiritual Community,
Spiritual greetings and blessings! Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Joyful Solstice and more! I believe with all my heart and mind that we can truly change the world. But first we must each learn to be, to keep and to hold our own peace. As Religious Scientists, we remember that every day is a holy day, every moment is a holy moment…there isn’t one time of the year that is more holy or “magical” or meaningful than any other day. This season is holy because we declare it to be so. I think it is “holy” because we consciously make time to connect with our friends and family in ways we may not the rest of the year.
It is our own consciousness of living a sacred life that we must develop.
It is up to you to create your own experiences.

It is meaningful to notice what has changed in our spiritual community and what has changed deep within us. Look around on Sunday. Talk to students of this teaching and find out how their lives are working. Is your life better with the Science of Mind teaching? Are you happy to be part of our spiritual community? Are you being spiritually fed? Are you doing the spiritual work and taking the action necessary to change your life? Scott and I are grateful you are a part of our community.

We’ve come a long way in 2006. By the end of November, we had already surpassed our 2005 Sunday attendance by 35%, and our total church income was already 63% higher than last year. Our expenses by the end of November were 57% over the entire previous year. Plan to attend our annual meeting on March 18, 2007 to see our final figures for 2006. We are growing in measurable ways and are in the midst of great change.

As a community, we’ve experienced some milestones:
*We moved! We outgrew our lovely little chapel. We remained on the Marian Center for Non-Profits campus but expanded to the Auditorium. Since nature abhors a vacuum, I see the Auditorium filled with Spirit, energy, excitement, enthusiasm, joy, music and PEOPLE! We have a permanent classroom and bookstore! We are grateful to the Marian Center for Non-Profits. Thank you Tim Steep & Annette Wishner and the entire team for “taking the box off” the stage!

*Jr. Church is being led and expanded with Annette Wishner, Practitioner Intern, as our Director of Jr. Church. If you’d like to serve in Jr. Church, please call Annette at home (262)930-8970. You CAN make a difference!

*Our Music Program continues to mature and expand with Deb and Dan Aukofer as our Music Directors. Deb’s songs open our hearts… Jude Kinnear and Tom Janezic are now a part of our church family and have added a vocal & musical richness to our already wonderful program. Dan’s expertise with sound engineering has been an “invisible gift”. Professional sound is something you don’t necessarily notice….unless you don’t have it. And we do! Thank you Dan. Thank you Deb and Dan and Jude and Tom!
Come hear our Choir & Daniel Nahmod on Friday, Dec. 22nd for a Winter Solstice Celebration, 7:00 – 9:30.

*Our Choir is Spirit-filled, talented and fabulous. Thank you Rick, Laurie Bee, Cherylann, Dena, Shelby, Laura, Jo, Eddy J, Melissa, Patty, Deb, Dan, Kathleen, and more!

*We will always cherish our memories of our Church Chartering and Ordination Event. Thank you Co-Chairs Carol Shoberg and Vicki Thull. Thank you Vicki for our beautiful new logo. My heart is filled with gratitude for our committee, Board of Trustees, members, friends and dear colleagues & friends who joined us to celebrate. Thank you! Thank you! Our committee: Carol Shoberg, Vicki Thull, Jan Gruner, Susan Dexter, Don Carlson, Priscilla Kemp, and Susan Bukovic. Dale Friend, our photographer, our Choir, and so many more beautiful volunteers. Connie Taylor for printing and Yee ha!! to Deb & Diana for line dancing lessons! There are so many more folks to name…we also really want to thank our family Mickey, Carl, Terri, Tom, Rob & Kevin.

*We have ongoing Science of Mind classes accredited by Religious Science International.

Take a class! I really believe that “Life goes better with class!” I repeated SOM 100 and SOM 200 at least five times EACH! Class is always different because we’re always changing! We have day classes and night classes. Some scholarships are available.
*Practitioner Consciousness expands and deepens our spiritual community. We have 10 Intern Practitioners; Angela Aukofer, Jo Bruns, Rosie Bush, Don Carlson, Susan Carol Dexter, Barbara Hupfer, Priscilla Kemp, Jeannie Schwartz, Linda Wetherbe & Annette Wishner, and two licensed practitioners: Connie Lindholm and Carolyn Feinberg. We have another group: Jan G., Pam S., Karen B., Sunni B., Deb A., Vicki T., Dale F., Eddy J, Melissa B., Patty C., Ro H., Carol S. and Connie T. are qualified to take Practitioner Training as soon as it is offered!
Work with a practitioner on Sunday! You’ll be glad you did.

*Our Practitioners & Practitioner Interns are moving into teaching by leading workshops and classes. Stay tuned! Come to the World Peace Meditation with Don Carlson in our classroom on Dec. 31st at 6:00 a.m. (yes, a.m.).

*Connie Lindholm is in the process of becoming a licensed teacher. Connie will begin teaching in 2007. Connie is an exciting teacher and a clear thinker. Connie and Rev. Scott did their ministerial training together with Rev. Vince Kueffner and Dr. Tom Sannar. It is important to hear our teaching in different ways, in different voices, so that you can put this teaching to work in your own lives.

*We have night classes in Milwaukee and day classes in Pewaukee at It’s a Beautiful Day Café. Come to class!

*Our Founding Board of Trustees: Jan Gruner, Susan Carol Dexter, Don Carlson, Angela Aukofer,
give so much of themselves all year so that you can have the best church experience possible!
Thank you dear Board!

*We’ve had some wonderful guest speakers visit us including Dr. Jeffrey Proctor and Rev. Patricia Campbell, Rev. Elizabeth Arrott, Rev. Michael Rann & Rev. Gene Ferrara, Dr. Heather Clark, Dr. Candice Becket, Dr. Charles Geddes, Dr. James Golden…and more. And of course our wonderful Science of Mind Students and Practitioner Interns. We are a teaching church and as such, you will continue to witness our leadership core expand.

*Spiritual Cinema has begun with Henry & Paula Eisenhauer offering this amazing gift to our spiritual community. The movies are shown FREE as an opportunity to build community. Thank you Henry & Paula and our Cinema Seva Team! December 15, 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel – Emmanuel’s Gift, narrated by Oprah Winfrey. January 26, 7:00 p.m. – “The Secret” in the Auditorium. Free. We plan free movies once a month during the year, except during the summer months.

*Rosie Bush is our regular, part-time office administrator! And we have a real office! Our office is located at 3195 So. Superior Street, - Room 304, on the floor above the Chapel! Thank you Linda Mrochinski, Charlane O’Rourke-Hertig and the Marian Center for Non-Profits for furnishing our new office! Please write down our OFFICE PHONE NUMBER 414-483-2779. Our beginning hours will be from 9:00 – noon Monday – Thursday.

*We have BRAND NEW furniture in our classroom and for Jr. Church thanks to both Priscilla Kemp and Donald Carlson. Thank you both so very much for doing more with great love than anyone knows behind the scenes. Your treatment work, your tangible gifts, your time and your consciousness bless our community. Namaste.

*We’re a tithing church, and now give a full 15% to good works on the planet. We financially support Religious Science International, The Heifer Project, My Good Mourning Place, new Religious Science churches in the Midwest, and more. Our gifts to Heifer International have made it possible for dozens of families to become self-reliant through gifts of training and livestock! Heifer serves developing countries as well as our own Native American population, Katrina affected farmers and more. Heifer teaches and supports sustainable farming around the globe. We believe in the Law of Circulation and that the law of prosperity operating throughout our community will bless and enrich everyone we come in contact with! We have a foundation of giving. And it is good!

You can be proud of your church and the work we do in the world.
We are making a difference in people’s lives.

*Our Seva Teams are the BEST!! Each team is unique and wonderful! Seva is a Sanskrit word that means loving self-less service to Spirit. Our Seva teams create the consciousness of each service! We have more than 35 members doing Seva each month! Thank you! Spirit is serving our members through you! Join a Seva Team.

We invite you to participate in 2007 in our community in new ways. I am placing a demand upon the Universe that we double in size in 2007 and at least double our income. This or something greater! Let’s get our teaching out into the world so people can realize they are Spirit having a human holiday! Each of us really can live our dreams and lift the bar of consciousness on the planet!
• Come to class and expand your understanding of Science of Mind and to know yourself in deeper ways.
• Volunteer for a Seva Team.
• Bring a friend to church. Did you know that word of mouth is the #1 way churches grow? Tell a friend.
• Plan a social event for our church or serve on a committee.
• Write for our new newsletter.
• Find a way to serve our spiritual community that pleases you.
• Be part of our spiritual community. Make a difference in the world by participating in community.

Giving is a spiritual practice and discipline. If you already give consistently, consider upping your gift just a percent or two. If you give erratically, consider giving consistently and systematically…not just when you come to church. Are you tipping for a good Sunday experience or tithing as a spiritual practice? Often, how we give is symptomatic of how we live.

Tithing is a mystical practice that blesses the giver. Thank you all for your generous and loving support of Religious Science of Greater Milwaukee this year. I am excited as I look toward the future of our spiritual community.

Thank you for being part of our spiritual community. Remember that there is a Power for Good in the Universe and you can use it. Use it to grow in wisdom, understanding, comfort and joy. I accept for you right here and right now that whatever you desire when you pray, believe you have it, and so it shall be done. You are wonderful. You are the light of the world. And so it is.
Namaste,
Rev. Lisa de Snoo & Rev. Scott de Snoo
Pastors and Founders of Religious Science of Greater Milwaukee

Wise Women Weekend
Making Magic -- Feb. 2, 3, 4, 2007
Miracle Springs Resort and Spa -- Desert Hot Springs, California
Dr. Jane Dr. Heather Rev. Lisa

Join Jane, Heather and me for a fabulous weekend of fun, spiritual deepening and relaxation.
Our theme this year is “Making Magic”.
We have VERY special music by Deb Aukofer and Jude Boyd from Milwaukee.
Call 760-434-9579 to reserve your place! Talk to Anita.
Early Bird price is $260.00 for Conference and all meals. After Jan 12th the price is $310.00
Every year is different, so whether you are a returning Wise Woman or this is your first WW weekend…you will have fun and learn some valuable things about yourself at the same time.
Consider coming with a friend, your Mother, daughter or sister, or your partner.
Rooms are priced separately and reasonably. Call today to guarantee your place.
The conference begins Friday evening with supper and concludes around noon on Sunday. The wonderful hot pools are open 24 hours for soaking and swimming. This is a moderately priced spa and spa services are available.
The average temp in February in the desert is about 72. Bring your swimsuit!
Do this for yourself. You deserve it! Join us…you will be happy you did.
Stay a day or two longer if you can. The sunshine is wonderful!!
Love & Namaste, Lisa.

Religious Science of Greater Milwuakee

Our spiritual community began in March of 2003 with a group of 12 people visioning for the highest idea of church we spiritually conceive. We asked the questions of ourselves: "What is Spirit calling me to do?" "What gifts do I have to give?" "What old ideas must I release in order to move into this new way of being in the world?" "How can I serve?" We continued to vision together about once a month for six months. In September of 2003, on International Peace Day, Religious Science of Greater Milwaukee celebrated our first church service.

Our Board of Trustees remains a visioning Board. We are a tithing church, that is, we give at least 10% of our income with great love to those ideas that spiritually feed and excite us. We spend a portion of each Board meeting visioning. All our business is conducted on a "God First" basis.

This September, we will celebrate our 2nd Birthday on Sept. 18th. Please join us at 11:00 o'clock for our Sunday Service.

Our vision is: To inspire a positive, spiritual approach to life. We honor unity and diversity in our spiritual community. Be the one who makes a difference.

Religious Science International's vision is:
Awakening Humanity to Its Spiritual Magnificence.

Rev. Scott de Snoo and Rev. Lisa de Snoo are the Pastors and Founders.

We were charted as a Religious Science International church with full voting privledges in our organization in March of 2005. We currently have about 75 Founding Members.

Look for a special event this Spring celebrating our Church chartering and our Pastor's ordinations. Namaste. (The divine in me honors and recognizes the divine in you.)

Angela Aukofer - Board of Trustees

Don Carlson - Board of Trustees

I, Don Carlson, am a divine expression of spirit having a wonderful human experience. With that being said, I know that every moment of my day is divinely directed. This is why I have had many fulfilling experiences in business, art education, physical therapy, and now acupuncture, all directing me to be a powerful healer. I didn't know this until approximately 1998 when SPIRIT, tossed me into Science of Mind teachings, where I have never emerged. I continue to increase my knowledge with classes, with service to my fantastic SEVA team, and as a trustee of RSGM. I know now that my prosperity and my business grows because of my increased consciousness, that I direct. Ellie's picture is my replacement because she is SPIRIT. She lives now, knowing that only good comes her way, and is always in peace and joy. My mentor! So who am I? I am a divine presence with powerful healing energy that is serving everyone who is intertwined within my human experience. Namaste.

Susan Dexter - Board of Trustees, Secretary

I am blessed to be retired twice! First, from Postmaster of Whitewater, where I finished my postal career that lasted over twenty five years. Then I moved to Health food retail, Travel agent, Loan department at a local Bank, and finally landed at Midwest Airlines in Revenue Accounting. I retired from there after six years of work, and still enjoy traveling on Midwest!

Another passion of mine is learning and teaching. So this year I trained with Jane Claypool, author of Wise Women Don't Worry, Wise Women Don't Sing The Blues. I am certified as a Wise Woman Facilitator, and am anxious to get woman together who find this a topic of interest to them. I have also trained for four years with Jim Morningstar, finishing the School of Spiritual Psychology program. I hold a bachelors' degree in Management from Cardinal Stritch College. My training will continue this fall, when I take my desire to learn this teaching of the Science of Mind at the next level- Practitioner Training.

I love living in Wisconsin, with our diverse weather (if you don't like it, just a few hours and it will change!) and changing scenery. I have lived here all my life, and almost the last 30 with my life long partner Judy. We have a New Berlin home, and enjoy gardening, and Bird Watching from the sun room- if we aren't line dancing or golfing. The share our life with our cat, Durga. We are also blessed with many friends, and share their company while living life to the fullest.

Jan Gruner - Board of Trustees

I knew I had found my spiritual home when I "happened" to attend the second organizational meeting of Religious Science of Greater Milwaukee in July 2003. Although our first service was yet to come in September 2003, I felt I had arrived at the spiritual community in which I could participate and grow. I have been on a lifetime search for a spiritual community of love, peace, fellowship, integrity, purpose and spiritual growth. I found it here.

Science of Mind classes started in January 2004 as the community grew. Classes have deepened my personal spiritual path and ever urge me onward, upward and expanding without limit. I will begin practitioner training in November 2005.

Professionally, I am an OB/GYN nurse practitioner and it is my dream job which I started in March 2004. I began my professional career as a registered nurse and worked for over 25 years as a certified nurse midwife. One of my goals for my "dream" job was to be involved after work in something to which I could devote my time and energy in a meaningful way. Little did I know that that something was serving on the Board of Directors. I am truly blessed to be part of our "visioning" board.

Take a look at my photo. It is my favorite photo. It's in the Grand Canyon, one of my favorite places and it symbolizes my spiritual path onward, upward, expanding without limit.

Deb Aukofer - Music Director of Religious Science of Greater Milwaukee

Dan Aukofer - Music Director of Religious Science of Greater Milwaukee

Ernest Holmes, Founder of Religious Science - Author of The Science of Mind and many other books

Ernest Holmes
(1887 - 1960)
Founder of the Religious Science Movement

Ernest Holmes founded the International Religious Science movement, wrote "The Science of Mind" and numerous other books on metaphysics, and originated the international periodical Science of Mind magazine, which has been in continuous publication since 1927. Holmes' Science of Mind teaching, recognized today as one of the leading viewpoints in modern metaphysics, is a spiritual philosophy that has brought to people around the world a working cosmology - a sense of their relationship to God and their place in the Universe - and a positive, supportive approach to daily living.

Ernest Holmes was born in 1887 on a small Maine farm, the youngest of nine sons. As a teenager, he attended Bethel preparatory school, but he spent most of his time out-of-doors, asking himself "What is God? Who am I? Why am I here?" He mentally tangled with all the local preachers and doubted the answers he got in church. At the age of 18 he left school and formal education and set out on his lifelong course of independent thinking. He went to Boston, worked in a grocery store, and pursued his studies relentlessly. A year late, he discovered the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson. "Reading Emerson is like drinking water to me," he said later. His metaphysical studies intensified, his quest for truth leading him to literature, art, science, philosophy, and religion, and in particular the Christian Science teachings of Mary Baker Eddy.

After Ernest Holmes became acquainted with the writings of Emerson and Mary Baker Eddy, he soon was exploring the writings of Christian D. Larson, Ralph Waldo Trine, Horatio Dresser and Phineas Quimby. Holmes was particularly impressed with the New Thought writings of Larson and eventually abandoned the Christian Science textbook for Larson's works.

In 1914, at the age of 25, Ernest moved to Venice, California. Pursuing his studies, he discovered the writings of Thomas Troward, which fed the flame ignited by his earlier studies of metaphysics. Almost casually, he began speaking on Troward's writings to small but ever-growing groups. Without ceremony, his lifetime ministry had begun. Later, as his audiences grew, he was ordained as a minister of the Divine Science Church.

Ernest published his first book, "Creative Mind," in 1919, continued his studies, and lectured to growing crowds in California and Eastern cities. Meanwhile, he was writing "The Science of Mind," which was to become the "textbook" of the Religious Science philosophy. Published in 1926, it was revised in 1938, is now in its 45th printing, and has been translated into French, German, and Japanese. At the time the book was published, his many enthsiastic students urged him to set up an incorporated organization. He refused at first, but eventually agreed, and the Institute of Religious Science and the School of Philosophy was incorporated in 1927.

On October 23, 1927, in Los Angeles, he was married to widowed Hazel Durkee Foster. They were to be inseparable companions for thirty years. In 1953, the Institute became the Church of Religious Science. On May 21, 1957, he lost his chosen life-companion. Ernest Holmes made his transition to the next experience on April 7, 1960, in Los Angeles. He left no children. But he left all humankind an enduring legacy: the way of life he called Religious Science.

On that way of life, he said this in 1958:

"We have launched a Movement which, in the next 100 years, will be the great new religious impulsion of modern times, far exceeding, in its capacity to envelop the world, anything that has happened since Mohammedanism started.

"We have to have the same faith in what we teach and practice that the scientist has, or the gardener has, and when that great simplicity shall have plumbed and penetrated this density of ours, this human stolidness and stupidity, this debauchery of the intellect and the soul, something new and wonderful will happen. It is the only thing that will keep the world from destroying itself...."

(Abstracted from the booklet Path of Discovery, prepared by Scott Awbrey, Los Angeles United Church of Religious Science, 1987.)

Emma Curtis Hopkins - The Teacher of Teachers

Emma Curtis Hopkins
(1853-1925)
"Teacher of Teachers"

Emma Curtis Hopkins, the author of "High Mysticism" and "Scientific Christian Mental Practice" was a student of Mary Baker Eddy and Christian Science, who started her own school, and some argue that she was the founder of the New Thought movement.

Mrs. Hopkins' gift for teaching showed itself early. Before she was fifteen years old, she entered Woodstock Academy (Conneticut) as a student and because of her genius was given a place on the faculty as a teacher.

Later in life she returned to being a student, taking class instructions in Christian Science, following which she served editorially on the staff of the Christian Science Journal -- only to find her purpose asserting itself and drawing her into the role of independent leadership and of a great teacher.

Authors, preachers, homemakers -- came to her for instruction and she touched them with the quickening power of her illumined soul. As independent teacher, Mrs. Hopkins taught in many cities (among them New York, Chicago, Kansas, San Francisco) having large classes wherever she went. Later she founded a seminary in Chicago. It was a regularly incorporated school and the graduates were ordained ministers and so recognized by the State of Illinois. Students came from all parts of the country to study with her and go out and carry the message of healing and comforting to the people.

Among her students were many who later became prominent teachers and leaders within the New Thought movement, including Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, founders of the Unity School of Christianity, H. Emilie Cady, author of the Unity textbook "Lessons in Truth," as well as Frances Lord, Annie Rix-Militz, George Edwin, Malinda E. Cramer, co-founder of Divine Science, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, New Thought poetess, Elizabeth Town; and considerably later Ernest Holmes, founder of the Church of Religious Science.

After an economic crisis wiped out Charles Fillmore's successful real estate business and his wife Myrtle became sick with tuberculosis, the Fillmores followed the recommendation of a friend and went to a lecture given by Dr. E. B. Weeks, a student of Emma Curtis Hopkins. As a result of this lecture, Myrtle was cured of her illness and the roots of the Unity School of Christianity were set. The Fillmores later went to study with Hopkins herself and continued to develop their religious movement wholeheartedly.

Mrs. Hopkins was way ahead of her times in the freedom offered students in a group activity which the faculty of the seminary became. Her innate teaching quality shows in the leadership her teaching quickened in students who established independent movements now ministering to mankind.

Here's what Charles Fillmore had to say about her: "She is undoubtedly the most successful teacher in the world. In many instances those who enter her classes confirmed invalids come out at the end of the course perfectly well. Her very presence heals and those who listen are filled with new life. Never before on this planet have such words of burning Truth been so eloquently spoken through a women."

This tribute was paid to her in Unity (1925): "Her brilliance of mind and spirit was so marked that very few could follow in her metaphysical flights, yet she had marked power in quickening spirituality in her students."

New Thought has had the unique position among emergent religious movements of having, from the very beginning, women play an integral role in leadership. A critical differentiation between New Thought and Christian Science coincided with the increasing establishment of women and feminist ideas in both of these emerging religious movements. In 1881, Mary Baker Eddy was already well established as the leader of Christian Science. Emma worked on the Christian Science Journal until 1885 when she left to form her own institution. The resulting Emma Hopkins College of Metaphysical Science was highly successful and made huge impact particularly in terms of advancing women in the field.

Specifically, in the first graduation ceremony of the Emma Hopkins College of Metaphysical Science in 1889, Hopkins graduated a total of 22 individuals of which 20 were women. Not only did her school encourage women to take these leadership roles, but she actually based her theology on an interpretation of the Trinity based on ideas initiated by Joachim of Fiore which stated that there were three eras in the history of this traditional trio. The first was the patriarchal idea of "God the Father", the second was a time of freedom for the general population which was signified by the birth of Jesus, and the third, "the Spirit, the Truth-Principle, or the Mother-Principle," focused on the power of women. The latter element of this interpretation of the Trinity was embodied by the pioneering roles which each of these women had in helping to even the playing field of the genders.

Mrs. Hopkins lived until 1925. After her death her sister Estelle Carpenter took over, aided by a teacher, Eleanor Mel. A Miss Ethelred Folsom, who had studied with Mrs. Hopkins and apparently had accompanied her on a trip to Europe, set up an organization to perpetuate Mrs. Hopkins' influence and people were invited to come to classes in Mrs. Hopkins' teachings, and her works were published and distributed under the name "The Ministry of the High Watch."

"Scientific Christian Mental Practice" is Emma Curtis Hopkins' masterpiece, and is one of the greatest of all works based on mysticism. "When the Lord is your confidence you will never find yourself at all deceived by the ways and speech of men and women, though they be very brilliant, if they speak outside of the Principle that demonstrates healing and goodness and life."