Rev. Dr. Sydney Lehman Steen Doctor of Spiritual Studies

Curriculum Vitae

Ordained Minister of Religious Science Ordained Minister of Interfaith Traditions

Inspirational Speaker, Teacher, Writer, Spiritual Activist Music Director, Professional Pianist, Singer, Composer

EXPERIENCE

  • Associate Minister: Unity of Portland 2017- July 2020

  • Director Ministry of Prayer, Prayer Chaplain Coordinator; Unity of Portland March 2014 – July 2020

  • Music Director; Unity of Portland January 2008 – July 2020

  • Concert Artist, Jazz Pianist, Clinician, Product Specialist for Yamaha Pianos/Yamaha America January 2004 - 2008

  • RScP, Spiritual Counselor June 2000 – Current

  • Professional Musician and Composer Los Angeles, Ca.

    1985 – 2004

    ASSOCIATE MINISTER HIGHLIGHTS AND INNOVATIONS

    Supported Senior Minister in daily operation of Unity of Portland, including policies, procedures, communication, and leadership training with a focus on engaging, empowering and equipping volunteers and new leaders.

    Regular speaker for Sunday, Midweek, Holiday services, Special Events, Weddings, Memorials, sacred celebrations.

    Extensive experience creating and producing events ranging from Sunday Celebration Services, Holiday Services and Taizé chant services to Pet Blessing Services, Labyrinth Walks, Workshops, Spiritual Retreats, and World Day of Prayer programs.

    Established a new midweek service, “Wednesday Night Alive” and served as primary leader, speaker, inspirational teacher, cheer leader, and musician.

    Originated and wrote curriculum for affirmative prayer class, “ROCK Your Word” which presents SMT in clear and powerful language for students of both Unity and CSL, and weaves together Unity and SOM in practicality, harmony and balance.

    Initiated and established a Practitioner Training modality for Unity of Portland.

PROFILE

My passion for Science of Mind is rooted in my childhood. I grew up in Religious Science Churches. My earliest influencers and teachers included Dr. Tom Costa, Dr. Tom Johnson, Rev. Eleanor Jackson, Dr. Frank Richelieu, Dr. Robert Bitzer, Bill Hornaday, and even Dr. Arleen Bump. While other kids were at the beach, my time was divided between transcribing Oscar Peterson solos and memorizing phrases from the Asilomar talks that my mom would bring home every year on cassette tapes! My purpose is to continually see Spirit in all people, places and things, and to bring these dynamic and powerful principles to the world in a greater way.

www.RevSydney.com

Sydneylehmanspirit@gmail.com ReverendSydney@gmail.com

Sydney Lehman Steen Spirit Activist Today

@LehmanSteen

Rev. Dr. Sydney Lehman Steen-2

ASSOCIATE MINISTER HIGHLIGHTS AND INNOVATIONS

(cont’d)

Established a Spiritual Counseling practice in service to the Unity of Portland community, chaplains, and all who desire support. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Created community events to engage newcomers, promote inclusivity, and offer deeper spiritual and social connection.

  • Holiday Sweater Sunday

  • Groovy Sunday

  • Prayer Slams

    Designed and Created workshops to deepen understanding and present spiritual principles in immediately usable, applicable ways. Examples:

  • Opening Your Recovering Heart; A Spiritual Retreat for the Hazelden-Betty Ford Foundation

  • Finding Your Way; A follow-up to White Stone

  • Empowering Prayer; a 3-hour “quickstart” for SMT

  • Active Faith; Live in and as that which you desire

    now.

  • Breathings of Your Heart: A Women’s Retreat Developed a user accessible digital protocol for

    meetings and classes when “in the room” is not possible.

    Co-Facilitated “best practices” protocol for live- streaming Sunday services.

    LEADERSHIP

  • Associate Minister, Unity of Portland 2017-2020

  • Keynote Speaker at ANTN 2018 Conference

  • Director, Prayer Chaplains, Unity of Portland

    2014-2020

  • Music Director, Unity of Portland 2008-2020

  • Music Director at ANTN Conference 2016, 2017, 2018

  • Sacred Ceremony Creator & Lead Facilitator Unity of Portland 2019 Women’s Retreat

  • Founder, Spirit Activist Today; a Facebook gathering place which offers suggestions, insights and possibilities for Spiritual Activism rooted in the Integrity of New Thought.

Rev. Dr. Sydney Lehman Steen-3

LEADERSHIP (continued)
• Church Board Experience, Board of

Trustees North Hollywood Church of Religious Science:

o Member 2001-2002
o Vice President 2002-2003 o President2003-2004

EDUCATION
Doctorate of Spiritual Studies 2019; Emerson Institute of Theology
MA in Religious Studies 2016; Emerson Institute of Theology
Ordained Minister of Religious Science 2016; Emerson Institute of Theology
Ordained Minister of Interfaith Traditions 2016; Emerson Institute of Theology
BS in Music Theory, Towson State University 1983

PERSONAL
Married since 1997 to Charles H Steen (Addiction Counselor at Hazelden-Betty Ford Foundation, guitarist and singer)

One awesome son, Forrest, age 21; currently studying to be a commercial pilot

We share our home with: 1 neurotic Border Collie mix and 1 spoiled cat.

Hobbies include: spiritual activism, reading, geeking out over metaphysics and spirituality, hiking, vacuuming up pet hair, and occasionally binge-watching West Wing, Friends, Queer Eye, and Outlander