Program Contact

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Christine Ruddy, our Children’s Ministry Director, has been a student of New Thought principles since 1999, following a series of life changing events, when she had the blessed opportunity to attend a New Throught retreat. Christine and her family attended the Unity Church of Whidbey Island for several years before moving to the Portland area in 2003 and have attended the Thought Center for Spiritual Living since early 2006.
Christine has a degree in psychology, is a published author and has worked in social services, specifically in childcare and mentoring for the last 20 years.
Christine shared, "I believe that the New Thought teaching encourages and allows children to bring their best and highest good to the world. I am excited each week to work with each child and family as well as the dedicated team of volunteers."
Christine recruits, trains and coordinates the many volunteers for both our infant and children’s programs. She ensures teachers and parents are connected and informed.

Crystal Dawn Walker is a Labyrinth Leader. She is currently enrolled at Marylhurst University, pursuing a degree in Spiritual Psychology and is a member of Labyrinth Network Northwest. She conducts monthly labyrinth walks at Marylhurst and throughout the Portland area.

Connie has been active with New Thought Center for Spiritual Living since 2004. She is an active volunteer in many areas within our community, including: The Peace Now Team, a volunteer in Children's Ministry, as well as several outreach activities with Sisters of The Road, The Commonway Institute and the Inter-Religious Action Network.

Andrea Travers is a 2nd term Trustee who has served as Secretary and interim Treasurer. As V.P., Andrea is focusing on developing a Volunteer Appreciation program for NTCSL. She is an ordained Interfaith Minister and Director of the Washington Coda, Inc. substance abuse treatment programs including Stepping Stones (SS) which is an NTCSL outreach ministry. SS provides supported housing for the early reunification of children in foster care with their mothers. Andrea has 30 years of corporate management experience and has volunteered as a CASA and Counselor in many settings. She is a doctoral candidate at Wisdom University and is creating an interactive web-site integrating the 12 Steps of AA with the 8 wisdom traditions.

Jim Cox is a founding member of New Thought Center for Spiritual Living. He has served as chief organizer of our Service Leadership team for two years. Jim along with his wife Karen now help organize the Committed Couples social group.

Betty has worked for our spiritual community in the front office since 2004.

Loretta G. Reith, RScP is a founding member and spiritual practitioner of New Thought Center for Spiritual Living in Portland, Oregon. Loretta became certified as a spiritual practitioner in 2003 and recently became licensed as a UCSL practitioner. Loretta passionately serves as the coordinator of New Thought Women’s Prison Ministry at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, Oregon. She facilitates weekly services held inside the minimum facility and mentors women in the Home for Good Program. The power of prayer is demonstrated in Loretta’s personal life through the compassion carved out in her consciousness as a result of praying through some difficult life situations. Loretta’s devotion to God and her daily spiritual practice propelled her to voraciously study the teachings of various New Thought teachers, Buddhism and learn a cleansing and purifying Vedic practice from a master in India. Loretta continues to assist Sharif Abdullah and Commonway Institute in its membership drive and visioning about Creating a World That Works for All. Loretta facilitates meditations, visionings and relationship retreats with her life partner. Loretta is always available to pray, provide hospital visits, facilitate memorial services and sacred space cleansing ceremonies. In addition to her service work she is available for fee-based one on one sessions for spiritual counseling. Please see Lorettareith.com for more information.

Rev. Dr. Sally Rutis a former Registered Nurse, was ordained in 1988 and received her Doctorate in Religious Studies in 2003. In Rev. Sally's ministry, she has provided spiritual and administrative leadership as Teen Director and as a visionary and co-founder of several ministerial training programs. Currently she oversees the Practitioner Program, the Prayer Ministry, and the Spiritual Growth Circle Program at New Thought Ministries of Oregon. She provides leadership that is collaborative and community oriented, recognizing that we all heal and grow together. Highly sought for the warm and comfortable wedding ceremonies she helps create, Rev. Sally brings years of experience, a dynamic teaching style, and a deep healing consciousness to all aspects of her ministry.

Rev. Cheri Unger enthusiastically brings her professional skills of deep listening, caring and compassion into her ministry as an Associated Minister of New Thought Center for Spiritual Living, a Religious Science Licensed Practitioner, Director of the Sacred Silver Sages, and founding choir member. She was ordained in December 2001 and served at Living Enrichment Center. In 2004 as part of the founding Ministry team, Rev. Cheri sponsored the Sacred Silver Sages, bringing them under the umbrella of New Thought Ministries of Oregon. She initiated, implemented and coordinates the Sunday meditation. Rev. Cheri's background includes a BA in Nursing and a Masters in Counseling. Rev. Cheri serves her spiritual community with joy, dedication and commitment and with the intention to realize God everywhere, in all circumstances. She is ready and willing to serve her spiritual community as called.