Pastoral Care Program

Purpose & Mission

We compassionately provide caring support and spiritual comfort to congregants who are experiencing any of life's transitions and the familiar trials that characterize daily life. It is a ministry of presence, which is centered in caring acceptance, a non-judgmental stance and physical and emotional availability. It is focused on healing, guiding, supporting, reconciling, nurturing, liberating and empowering people in whatever situation they find themselves.

About Us

Our Pastoral Care (Chaplain) Ministers provide immensely important services for our spiritual community. Rev. Jonora Claybrook, Rev. Marion Hamilton, Rev. Michelle Rennahan and Rev. Marian Whiteman make hospital and convalescent home visits to those desiring spiritual support. Whenever you or a loved one may have such a need, be sure to contact the Center office; also, remember to register your religious preference (“Science of Mind - Palm Desert”) upon entering a hospital, so our Chaplains may easily find you. They bring the Presence of Love into every room, assisting greatly in the healing process. These Chaplains also offer annual classes on how to be comfortable and effective when you make visits to your family and friends during an illness or medical procedure. Additionally, Rev. Marion, Rev. Michelle and Rev. Marian facilitate the monthly Good Grief bereavement support group.

Our two other Pastoral Care Ministers offer significant assistance in very important areas: Rev. Kathleen Childress facilitates classes for families of people with mental health challenges, bringing needed information and awareness to our community, and Rev. Sam Satkin works diligently in the arena of substance abuse and recovery, as well as offering courses in grief recovery.

Contact Person

Dr. Maxine Kaye

Submitted by uber on Sat, 01/03/2009 - 8:52pm

Assistant Minister

Our Assistant Minister arrived at the Center for Spiritual Living - Palm Desert in Spring of 2005, after serving two Spiritual Centers in Northern California. Raised in this philosophy in Southern California, she has been a Minister for 32 years and is well-known as an inspiring teacher and facilitator.

Here in Palm Desert, she conducts the Sunrise Service at 7:15am on Sundays, a meditative, contemplative, heart-opening service, then assists Rev. Joe for the 9:00 and 11:00am services. She and Rev. Jerry Styner facilitate a Wednesday Night Live! service from 7:00 to 8:00pm every few weeks. She also teaches classes in our basic and advanced studies throughout the year, including a four-week Meditation Class each summer.

Dr.Maxine's rich background in Practitioner and Chaplaincy training assists those in our Center who do the uplifting spiritual work of guiding and supporting people seeking prayer and healing.

Agreeing with Ernest Holmes that we should "take what we are doing seriously but not take ourselves too seriously while we are doing it," she believes that, "Everything is sacred, and nothing is serious!"

• Course Instructor
• Minister