Staff

Elizabeth A. Reed, Ph.D. is an ordained United Methodist minister as well as ordained Cherag within the Sufi Ruhaniat International. Originally from West Point, Georgia, she relocated to Ohio in 1977 after completing Master of Divinity seminary studies at Emory University. For ten years, she served local congregations and a program position for the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. During this time she published articles related to youth ministry, educational concerns, and issues of women in ministry. She served on many judicatory boards, and credits her eight years with the denomination's national Commission on the Status and Role of Women for deepening her perspectives on issues of justice as well as shaping her commitment to inclusivity.

After completing her Ph.D. in 1991, she has worked as a psychotherapist and spiritual director. For twenty years her ministry has been centered through Shalem Center which she founded and directs. About fifteen years ago, this work expanded to include both interfaith and peacemaking concerns, a shift in focus that began when Shalem Center linked with Abwoon Study Circle. Today Elizabeth's work involves (in addition to Director/administrative work, psychotherapy and spiritual mentoring) supporting programs related to the Native Middle Eastern translation and spiritual practice work of Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz.

Elizabeth also volunteers locally leading Dances of Universal Peace, is a part of the national interspiritual group the Tent of Abraham, Hagar, and Sarah. Her most recent projects have included writing A Healing Journey with the Aramaic Lord's Prayer and Breathing with the Divine Breath: Deep Inner Healing in the Beatitude Way (on-line meditation courses) and the publication of Abwoon Circles: Starting a Local Group (a "how-to" guide to organize and teach or facilitate small local groups based on the resources of Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz).

Amy Alwood works ¾ time as the Abwoon Bookstore Manager and Shalem/Abwoon Administrative Assistant.  She is a lifetime resident of Worthington, OH and graduate of the Ohio State University with a degree in Fine Arts. She has worked as an administrative assistant in health care offices prior to and post-graduation.   As a singer-songwriter she performs locally and regionally with the Alwood Sisters.  Her paintings frequently display in local galleries and art shows.  A lifelong learner, Amy is currently pursuing graduate studies in Medical Dietetics at OSU as a full-time student.

Amy daily manages the large variety and number of administrative details at Abwoon Resource Center.  This ranges from bookstore management: maintaining inventory, fulfilling bookstore orders, and maintaining accounting and other record-keeping.  She cheerfully responds to an array of email and phone inquiries on issues that range from registration payments for workshops to how to make donations to the Abwoon work.  She is the webmaster/mistress for ARC where the site reflects her writing, design as well as her technological skills.

The Abwoon Resource Center benefits from Amy’s artistic and musical talents and expertise.  First and foremost, Amy is responsible for the audio and video equipment and recording at ARC sponsored events with Neil Douglas-Klotz.  She therefore plays a major role in resource development when those recordings are developed into new resources sold by ARC.  Her artistic skills are reflected in design work on all new recording jacket covers. 

Elizabeth says of Amy “she has a primary job to manage me..... keeping me focused and on track daily with the next project and next priority!”