Our Staff.
Tim Edmondson
Pastor
Rich Cook
Director of Music
RickyB
Office Manager
Gil & Crystal Shif
Directors of Digital Ministry
Our Church Council.
The Leadership of our church, the Congregation Council, is a strong team of volunteers elected by the congregation to carry out the business of the church and support its ministry. The Council is charged with all financial, administrative, business, personnel, and structural guidance. Please feel free to contact our Council Members with your questions and ideas about how we “build a church.”
RickyB, President
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.
Paul Daniels, Secretary
Hello, I am from Minneapolis, where most of my family lives, including my 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren. I'm able to see them quite often as I am still working on a monthly basis. I love being here in Palm Springs all of the other time. I'm excited to be serving on council at this time in the young life of River of Hope. We are poised to continue growing and offering an important worship and service community to Palm Springs and beyond. I have served on church council and as congregation president in other churches. I am grateful to bring what I learned in those previous settings to this exciting, and at times challenging, setting we find ourselves in today. I look forward to the months and years ahead to see what God has in store for us as we seek to do God's will for the sake of our neighbor in this place—and beyond.
Corley Price, Treasurer
Hi, I'm Corley!
Allan Holden
Hello, my name is Allan R. Holden. My husband, Marc, and I moved here in 2014, from San Francisco, where we were members of Many Journeys MCC. Prior to that we lived in Norfolk, VA, where we attended New Life MCC. I was a member there from 1996 until 2010 when we moved to San Francisco. I was on the New Life Board of Directors from 1997 until 2001 and again from 2008 until 2010. I was also a part of their Christian Education Ministry and their Choir. I look forward to serving as a member of church council here at River of Hope.
Don Line
I was born in Fargo, North Dakota, lived in San Diego for 45 years and moved to Palm Desert in 2003.
My first wife was a Lutheran pastor, Rev. Laurie Line. I remarried to Barbara Tilley in 2005. I have two grown children living in San Diego. I enjoy hiking, playing golf, and playing with our our four cats.
Contact information via text: 619-520-9431. My daughter, Rachel Line works for the Pacifica Synod and introduced me to Pastor Tim.
Paul Molinelli
Hello, I’m Paul Molinelli. I was born and raised in the Chicagoland area and have made Chicago my home for nearly 40 years. In 2010 I purchased a small “getaway” condo here in Palm Springs and have grown to be very fond of The Desert. I am now mostly retired from simultaneous careers in Arts Administration (30 yrs) and Real Estate (25 yrs). In my spare time I enjoy active endeavors (biking, hiking, Pickleball, yoga, gym, walking, exploring) as well as motorcycling and doodling around on the piano. And the older I get, the more I find I enjoy life’s simple pleasures. I 1st attended Hope Palm Springs / River of Hope in 2019 at the recommendation of my Chicago Pastor Craig Mueller. I have fond memories of attending Hope Palm Springs outdoors in Victoria Park during the Covid social-distancing era. My views during the service were stunning with Mt. San Jacinto in the background.
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.