~ Staff ~

Barbara Resendez

Barbara Resendez a Board member since 1997, enjoys her ninth year as Executive Director of the Big Sky Retreat. Multifaceted, she is currently working in the financial field as a wealth strategist and mortgage consultant, as well as marketing health and relaxation products, and promoting an environmentally-friendly fuel product in Denver, Colorado. She has taken up sailing, and in her spare time you’ll find her on the dance floor—dancing! She became a true devotee of this Retreat the first year she attended in 1992, and hasn’t missed one yet.

Lynn Catlin

Lynn Catlin, attending his sixth retreat this year, took over the Sound Engineer function in 2002. He lives in Boise, Idaho with his 3 sons, attempting to travel and explore as often as possible.  He has also started playing guitar and enjoys playing golf, hiking, and mountain biking when he can.  The last year has been especially exciting for Lynn, as he has accepted a position as Umpire in Chief for the local Little League for the coming year and also traveled solo to Hawaii.  During the trip he accomplished a long time dream while piloting a glider for a short time over the North Shore of Oahu.

David Gordon

David Gordon is a multimedia entrepreneur with his own media-to-video business and website development and hosting company. He created and gifted the beautiful Big Sky Retreat's website, and developed and hosts and maintains it, and administers 52 metaphysically oriented internet mailing lists. Connee Chandler, introduced him to the Retreat in 1997.

Dr. Elizabeth Marshall

Dr. Elizabeth Marshall (Head Cashier), Senior Minister of the Inglewood Church of Religious Science, began attending this Retreat in 1980. She has been active for many years in Religious Science International and was awarded the Youth Champion Meritorious Award for outstanding service to RSI for 35 years. Under her leadership, her Inglewood, California church provides community services such as a parent co-op pre-school, parenting classes, ESL classes, aerobics classes, plus space for Toastmasters, AA meetings, and the Inglewood Cultural Arts programs. In 2006 Dr. Elizabeth was honored for her 30 years of devoted service at the Inglewood Church.

Dr. Otis Thomas

Dr. Otis Thomas (Former Board member, Salute to the Day) is a renowned chiropractic physician in Houston, where he continues to utilize Applied Kinesiology and explore holistic and alternative healing. He and his wife, Peggy, a Lifetime Member of the Retreat, recently celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary. They have two sons and eight grandchildren. For many years Otis was a member of the Board of this Retreat, attending for the first time in 1977.

Jim Bueker

Jim Bueker (On-Site Liaison) and his wife, Penny, have served as greeters for the Gala since their first event in 2004. A member and supporter of Unity Houston, Jim is the proud father of three sons and one grandson. Since his retirement his biggest joy and challenge is raising his 14 year-old grandson. He enjoys gardening, cooking and playing Pickle ball (a racket sport played on a court the size of a badminton court). He won three medals in the Houston Senior Olympics this year.

Lisa de Snoo

Lisa de Snoo (Volunteer Coordinator) has been a spiritual leader in the New Thought community for many years. She has served as Staff Minister for the Carlsbad, (California) Church of Religious Science, Pastor of the Charlotte (North Carolina) Church of Religious Science, and is currently serving as Co-Pastor/Co-Founder of “Spiritual-Living Center of Greater Milwaukee.” But those are just addresses. The truth of Lisa is that she touches the heart of each person she meets and inspires that heart to break loose upon the world by remembering it is a celebration of perfection. (Bio provided by husband/Co-Pastor Scott) Lisa first attended the Retreat in 2000.

Don Hayhurst

Don Hayhurst (Audio Visual Assistant) is an active member
of the Temecula Valley Church of Religious Science. He volunteers wherever he is needed. Don has been in Religious Science since 2001 and finds that it agrees with his own understanding. Don is a retired Service Representative for Transamerica-DeLaval. His career required extensive travel to Saudi Arabia, American Samoa, Algeria, Jamaica, Japan, and several islands in the Pacific Ocean. Don is a veteran of World War II and served later in the Coast Guard for six years. He and his wife, Penny, reside in Sun City, California. Don has been a ‘regular’ of the Retreat since 2004.
 

Penny Hayhurst

Penny Hayhurst (Activities Coordinator) serves as a Staff Minister at the Temecula Valley Church of Religious Science in Murrieta, California. She attended the first years of the Big Sky Retreat from 1976 through 1982 and has recently become a ‘regular’ again. Penny was raised in a metaphysical household, her parents being involved in Unity. She discovered Religious Science in Salt Lake City in 1966. She had the honor of working for Dr. Jack Addington for five years at his Abundant Living Foundation and for six more years at Silent Unity in Unity Village, Missouri. Currently she is enjoying teaching metaphysical concepts through the accredited classes offered by RSI. Penny is married to the wonderful Don Hayhurst!

Clarke Odden

Clarke Odden (Former Board member, Salute to the Day, Book Store) has been a practicing chiropractic physician for over forty years. He is certified in Applied Kinesiology and utilizes multiple testing disciplines and treatments for a wide variety of musculoskeletal and internal conditions. Clarke began his metaphysical studies in the 50’s, and was introduced to Science of Mind and Unity School of Christianity in the 60’s. He served for twenty-three years as a founding Board member of this Retreat, and has missed very few years since coming that first year in 1976. Clarke has also served intermittently as interim Minister to the Salt Lake Church of Religious Science for ten years. He enjoys speaking, teaching, and demonstrating chiropractic and metaphysics.

Gerri Steward

Gerri Steward (Ministry of Prayer) is the Spiritual Leader of the Butte Unity Truth Center in Butte, Montana, having served there for six years. She has served as secretary of the Butte Ministerial Association for the past six years and is currently President of the Safe Space program for victims of domestic violence. She and her congregation are currently restoring an 80-year-old historical monument church. Gerri has been married to her husband John for forty-two years. They have two grown married daughters who have given them three grand children. Gerri, a strong supporter and regular attendee of the Retreat since 2002, is over-seeing both our Ministry of Prayer and our Contemplation Room this week.

Rev. Ruth Fatur and Rev. Bob Fatur

Rev. Ruth Fatur, retiring from ministry after twenty years, is looking forward to a new adventure with her husband, Bob. The Big Sky Retreat is the annual watering hole for her spiritual thirst. Since 1990 she has cheerfully lent her support whenever needed. "I always receive far more than I give!" she says.

Rev. Bob Fatur retired from ministry after 20 years, is passionate about a his new career in the travel business with YTB.  He's also passionate about the Big Sky Retreat and is looking forward to returning next year.