Licensed CSL Prayer Practitioners

At age 19, Mike read "Autobiography of a Yogi", by Paramhansa Yogananda, and the spiritual flame within his soul was rekindled. In 2010 Mike walked through the doors of Awakened Heart for the first time, and soon after began taking classes, starting with "Foundations for Living". In the Science of Mind teachings he discovered clear and practical teachings around spirituality that appealed to his viewpoint of the unity of life. In 2016 he became a licensed practitioner. He lives with his wife of 45 years, Barbara, and their beagle Buford.

Gretchen Kennedy, RScP attended the first Sunday Service that Awakened Heart conducted in November of 2005, started taking 4+ straight years of our classes in January of 2006, and became a licensed Practitioner at Awakened Heart in 2010. She  was a teaching assistant after getting licensed, became a teacher and has taught and assisted our classes for 15 years. She joined the CORE Council (Awakened Heart's Board) in 2007, and in all that time, she has only taken 3 years away. Gretchen is now the Vice President of the CORE Council, and she is also on the Board of Regents, which manages issues, concerns, and suggestions, Sunday speakers and more. After 30+ years of a successful career in traditional and digital marketing, Gretchen conducts a significant portion of the marketing for Awakened Heart (web master, newsletters, social media, print, etc.). To Gretchen, the endless wonder and awe of Life as taught by the Science of Mind philosophy is how Love operates IN, AS, THROUGH, AND FOR everything AND everyone, how Freedom truly reigns, how simple our releases of limited beliefs and unhealthy patterns can be, and how immediate and profound intentional choices elevate our inner peace, our Joy, the health of our bodies, and the world around us. A little curiosity and a few deep breaths open us to infinite possibilities that are ALWAYS here, Now, With just that pause, each of us is capable of stepping into more Consciousness of what might or might not be here, be real, all leading to different feelings and outcomes of Greater and Greater Good. Gretchen cherishes holding people wherever they are with true Compassion and curiosity, whether in Practitioner sessions or as a hospice volunteer. 

I have been a Practitioner since 2018, beginning my journey with the series of prerequisite classes taught at the Greater Philadelphia Center for Spiritual Living, by Minister Bob Dean. I went on to complete my Practitioner training under the guidance of Rev. Dr. James Mellon, head minister of the Global Truth Center in Westlake Village, CA, and received my official Practitioner Certification from the Emerson Theological Institute. In service to my community, I spent three years on the Board of the Greater Philadelphia Center for Spiritual Living and also served as an Adult Advisor to their vibrant Teen Group, including at the Mid-Atlantic Winter CSL Teen Retreat. My inspiration for becoming a Practitioner has always been to more fully embody this teaching and to live its principles in my daily life. Being a part of three different Science of Mind centers has been a source of tremendous joy for me, offering community, connection, and warm, loving relationships. I believe this teaching comes alive only when it is practiced and applied in real, everyday ways. Each day I ask myself: “What are you thinking? Do you want to live the results of these thoughts?”

Mary Jardin Wimberley is the Spiritual Director of Awakened Heart CSL Teaching Center. When Mary discovered Science of Mind in 2014, it wove together various threads of her Spirituality and enriched it further by deepening her understanding of Unity Consciousness, Forgiveness, Self-Inquiry, the Creative Process and more. She embraces the concept of “open at the top,” as she continues to expand her understanding of how limitless we actually are and how we can create prosperous and fulfilling lives. In particular, Mary has fallen in love with the receptive and creative practice of Visioning and uses it in the community and for herself to receive divine guidance and direction. It has informed and inspired many talks, services and creative projects including her expression as an artist. In 2022, Mary completed Practitioner Studies and soon was guided to the position of Spiritual Director. She facilitates the Visioning Team, the Practitioner Team and Dream Weavers (activities and events) at Awakened Heart CSL Teaching Center as well as giving talks, holding consciousness, designing services and leading creative workshops. During Practitioner Training, Mary delighted in the healing sessions and prayer work with her fellow students and continues to relish this practice with members of the community. Mary has also discovered a true passion for teaching the transformative curriculum of CSL. Within her classroom, a sacred circle is formed due to her deep presence, reverence and connection. Mary received her BA in Education and Fine Arts at Michigan State University. The joys of her life include family, teaching, speaking, making art, gardening and all things creative and Spirit-filled. Mary’s history of writing and telling stories informs her work, adding color and humanity in her communication with clients, teaching classes and speaking. Mary’s joys, skills and passions have led her to a rewarding vocation as a SOM Practitioner. It is the greatest privilege and joy of Mary’s life.