FACILITATOR: Marilyn Zwicker
Marilyn came to Eremos by way of a poetry workshop a few years ago. She loves facilitating and being part of book groups because she always discovers new insights and new ways of seeing. Having traveled to Iona last June she is looking forward to discussing Tracy Balzer’s book.

FACILITATOR: Laurel Dixon
Laurel Dixon is an English teacher who resides in San Antonio. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and a Master of Arts degree in Secondary Education, both from Texas State University. Additionally, Laurel earned a Master of Divinity degree from Austin Seminary in 2011. She is an ordained minister, and board-certified chaplain where she worked for many years as a professional chaplain for both hospitals and hospices. Laurel is a blood cancer survivor who enjoys cooking, baking, movies, writing, photography, hanging out with friends and her sweet cat, Mabel.

FACILITATOR: Elizabeth Ann Gates

Elizabeth Ann Gates is by nature contemplative and a teacher.  An experienced facilitator, she uses her love of writing and literature, especially poetry, to create unique quiet day experiences for the seasons of our lives.   Elizabeth Ann graduated from Seminary of the Southwest (Master of Arts in Religion) and Adelynrood School for Spiritual Direction.  She has been a friend of Eremos for many years.

FACILITATOR: Regina Moser
Regina Moser, M Ed, RYT: Joining us from Northville, Michigan, Regina brings her spiritual direction training to her attentive facilitation of each book group she leads for Eremos. “Listening with the ear of her heart,” Regina invites you to join her and the other welcoming participants in sharing your thoughts and feelings on the book.

FACILITATOR: Becky Rische
Becky Rische is grateful for the broadening and deepening and hopefulness that Eremos has managed to get passed her skeptical mind and cautious heart over the last 20 years.  It was one of the later guiding forces beneath her journalism degree as she observed and wrote about agriculture, business, engineering, and science, mostly for The University of Texas.  Now in retirement, she has found publishing places to explore Christian spirituality in print and the wild online world.  She works to remain mindful of the other gifts of support and challenge offered by her husband, adult daughter, pastors, friends, an enthusiastic dog, and a tolerant horse. She finds herself trembly when infrequently noted as a prophet, and agitated, then eventually humbled when encountering one.  Studying the prophets with Lisa, a daring friend, and the wise wonderings of Eremos voices is a welcome exercise in hope.

FACILITATOR: Lisa Baker
A daughter, sister, wife, mom, new-ish mother-in-law; a long-time volunteer and avid learner who is new to this contemplative space. I am especially looking forward to learning alongside each participant as we search together for wisdom from this book and the Biblical accounts of the Old Testament prophets, that we can use to guide our lives and love others more generously every day…here on out.

FACILITATOR: Deborah Franke

Deborah Franke is a third-generation Texan from Karnes County who made a beeline to Austin as soon as she could in 1985.  Currently navigating her way to a new pursuit of professional shalom creation, she has experienced many times the life-changing wonders of eremos friends gathered around a special book to draw out diverse perspectives, shared wisdom, and the deep sense of community.

As a life-long learner, she has a Masters in Organizational Development with a Graduate Certification in Conflict Resolution from Abilene Christian University; executive program training from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University and the Kellogg Graduate School of Management; and a BA from the University of Texas at Austin.  Since 2010, her consulting company has focused on meeting facilitation and communication strategies.