Reverend R. M. Peluso

Director
Reverend R. M. re-encountered Judaism years of practicing eastern meditation. Zen and Tibetan Buddhism have been important influences. Rev. R. M. says
"The Interfaith path illuminates our spirituality because each faith tradition speaks a different language...." Rev. Peluso
teaches meditation using a variety of creative techniques for students previously unaable to meditate.
Pre ordination (The New Seminary 2006) education includes a masters degree and doctoral studies in speech-language pathology at Columbia University and New York University, respectively. She is a certified bilingual, multicultural practitioner in that healing art as well as hypnosis, specializing in treatment of communication stress disorders. Rev. Peluso served on the ministerial staff of The Interfaith Spiritual Community and The Community of Peace and Spirituality in New York City for three years. A published writer, Rev. Peluso served as editor-in-chief of Interfaith Today. Since ordination, her passion has been creating unique ceremonies for weddings and other life-cycle events through her company, Art of the Ceremony.

Father Giles Spoonhour

Venerable Advisor
Father Giles, a leader in the Catholic Church reform movement is a married Catholic priest affiliated with the Federation of Christian Ministries and is the head Priest of St. Sebastian's Parish Association, in Putnam Valley, NY, under the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America. Father Giles is one of the co-founders of The New Seminary in New York and has served as the Spiritual guide and teacher since the New Seminary was first formed. He also helped to found the Interfaith Temple and has acted as the Spiritual Leader since its inception.

Reverend Dr. Joshua Volle

Assistant Director--On Leave
Reverend Joshua was ordained as an Interfaith Minister in June of 2007. Since then he served for two years as a Dean of The New Seminary and teaches several courses for the TNS electives program; "Metaphysical Interpretation of the Bible", "Spiritual Mind Treatments", and "Practicing the Presence of God". His teachings come from Nature traditions, the metaphysical interpretation of the Judeao-Christian sacred texts (including the Gnostic Gospels), the Tao Te Ching and is all grounded in the philosophy of Science of Mind. In addition, Reverend Joshua is on the faculty of NYU and is an international behavioral researcher in the fields of HIV prevention and Family Planning.

Reverend Eunice Coldman

Reverend Eunice Coldman joined the ministerial staff of The Interfaith Temple even before ordination on June 12, 2011 as an Affiliate Minister. Spiritually and religiously a Protestant, she calls her faith path “Bapticostal” and also serves as Administrator for the Rivers of Living Water Family Worship Center, a “radically inclusive” church in Harlem, and acknowledges the church’s Pastor Vanessa M. Brown’s support for her journey to ordination. “Sister Eunice” is also a level two Reiki healing practioner. Rev. Coldman will soon officiate her first wedding.

Reverend Mary-Rose "Janani" Engle

Reverend Janani was raised Roman Catholic, as a result religious ritual was an important part of her childhood. She brings sensitivity and understanding of the Buddhist, Islamic and Hindu traditions, through study and active participation in these faiths since 1993. She started teaching meditation in the 1990’s to women inmates at Rikers Island. She studied Arabic and Qur'anic Studies at the American University in Cairo. She has also lectured on Hinduism and Hindu Archetypes at Boricua College and The New Seminary for Interfaith Studies. Ordained in 2009, her ministerial focus is on community, ceremonies, counseling, and raising awareness at the United Nations. When not ministering, Mary-Rose is a certified colon hydrotherapist.