Rick Charchol

My husband, Jason, and I recently moved here from the Toledo, Ohio area where we were members of St. Lucas Lutheran Church. I was a member there for over twenty-five years and served on church council for many years and as council president for nine years. I’ve also been a church elder, weekly offering recorder, and chair of a committee to create the church vision statement, guiding principles, purpose statement and the affirmation of welcome. I look forward to serving as a member of church council here at River of Hope.

Tom Creighton

My life is blessed by my husband, Dennis O’Connor, three adult children, and seven extraordinary grandchildren. I am a retired attorney and hope at times I can bring to the church council whatever professional skills I have left.

My spiritual journey has been through the Congregational Church to the Lutheran Church. I was on the first board of the newly formed Spirit of the Lakes, United Church of Christ, Minneapolis (the first predominantly gay/lesbian church accepted into a mainline denomination around 1987).

I am excited and humbled to participate and serve in the beginnings of River of Hope. Peace.

Shelley Alexa Somerville

I am a preacher, teacher and minister to disadvantaged communities, in particular unhoused families and children, and those who suffer prejudice, abuse and violence for simply being who they are. As a Christian Minister, ordained in 1987, I’ve preached and taught at Protestant and Catholic Churches, offering mystical perspectives on scripture. As a Nonprofit Management Consultant, I have shaped the global strategies of humanitarian organizations, such as Save the Children. As a transgender woman, I was the first-ever trans Member of the Board of the Harvard Gay & Lesbian Caucus, where I led its evolution to the more inclusive Gender & Sexuality Caucus. While I have lived and worked in more than forty countries, I now live and work happily in Palm Springs, where I partner with River of Hope and others to improve lives.

Brad Jewell

I’m Brad. I’ve lived in Palm Springs for the last seventeen years and love it here! I have an IT background, primarily consulting in healthcare IT and working with clients nationwide for over thirty years. I had my own business working with clients to establish project management standards and methodologies and manage projects. I’ve been a member of the ROH Launch Team and accepted the responsibility of collecting the offering and doing the bookkeeping and monthly reporting from the very beginning of our faith community. I plan to continue to serve River of Hope in this role.

Hennigan Kearns

Hi all! My name is Hennigan Kearns and I am a transplant via New York City. I have resided in Palm Springs for three years and have been involved with River of Hope for three years. As a child, I was raised Catholic and some years ago, I converted to Protestantism. When approached about being involved on the church council for River of Hope, I had to think about it for a couple of days before deciding to serve as this service is not to be taken lightly and entails a great deal of responsibility. I will commit myself to River of Hope and utilize my life and work experiences to serve God, my church, and my community to the best of my ability on the River of Hope faith community’s Church Council.

RickyB

Hi, I'm RickyB! As a native Kansan, I moved to the desert in the Fall of 2019 and soon began attending Hope Palm Springs, now River of Hope. Loving the passion of our developing congregation, I joined the Launch Team in 2020. In addition to taking notes during meetings, I am leading the Worship team.

Formerly, I was the Choir Director/Accompanist at Our Savior's Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Topeka. In addition to my musical responsibilities, I also served on their Worship Committee, planning services and themes for the liturgical seasons.

Jeane White

I have been a Christian for as long as I can remember. I was brought up in the Catholic church but became a Lutheran in my mid-20’s. I raised my six children in the church. I love being an active part of River of Hope. ROH is made up of caring, loving, supportive, accepting people. I am living my best life in this church community.

At church, I enjoy coordinating our fellowship events and keeping us well fed. What kind of pie do you like?

Carl Stevens

I’m Carl. I have lived in Palm Springs for three years. I grew up in Orange County and lived the last seven years before moving to Palm Springs & Key West, Florida. I am a happily retired trial attorney. However my passion, wherever I live, is Service. I attended Hope Palm Springs, now River of Hope, at its first official service on Easter 2018 after meeting Pastor Tim. I have been honored to have been able to serve on the Launch Team for most of the time since then.

I love to hike in the beautiful mountains surrounding our valley. I love to walk in the quiet of the pre-dawn city. I love to visit my six-year old Granddaughter in Orange County. My hope is to expand our in-person and online presence in this community and to honor our Lord in doing so.  ALL ARE WELCOME HERE!

John Kristich

Hi, I'm John!

Jimmy Wood

My name is Jim Wood. I go by “Jimmy.” Palm Springs has been my year- round residence the past twenty years. I was raised Presbyterian but have participated in a variety of spiritual communities through the years. I am very grateful to have found “new hope” at River of Hope, where I’ve been warmly embraced by so many in this incredibly loving faith community. Significant, chronic health issues limit my involvement in church, but I have enjoyed serving on the ROH Launch Team the past two years, feeling connected to our faith community via online worship and fellowship offerings, and attending in-person activities whenever I’m physically able to.

Erik Zellers

Hi, my name is Erik Zellers. At 21ish, I escaped from the Missouri Synod Lutheran church with the help of a mysterious and handsome ballroom dance instructor and my trusty Mustang Mach I.  In what seemed like no time at all, I was loving church, clapping on 2&4, swaying, singing in the gospel choir at the Metropolitan Church of Christ, San Francisco, now confident God loves me.

It was there I met my beloved, Matthew, carpooling to a church retreat.  At the end of 2000, we moved to Palm Springs, and shortly later, I was forced onto disability by side effects of HIV.  I've exchanged the drama of the office for the drama of caring for a parrot, three cats, a dog, and Matt. Matt and I have been with Hope Palm Springs, now River of Hope, from almost the very beginning. The director of the Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus introduced me to Tim, for which I am very grateful.  Tim says we can shape the church, so I'm aiming for a hypercube, to blend my love of God with science. I'm currently working on our presence in the Pride Parade and Celebration.