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, Elizabeth 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, Elizabeth has worked as a psychotherapist and spiritual director. For twenty years her ministry has been centered through Shalem Center, which she founded and directs. Twenty five years ago, her work expanded to include both interfaith and peacemaking concerns. This shift in focus ocurred when Shalem Center linked with Abwoon Study Circle.
Today Elizabeth’s work involves (in addition to Director/administrative work and spiritual mentoring) supporting programs related to the Native Middle Eastern translation and spiritual practice work of Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz (seen at the Abwoon site). She leads workshops and retreats on the Divine Feminine, Aramaic themes, and aspects of Sufi spirituality.
Elizabeth also volunteers locally, by leading Dances of Universal Peace, and internationally as part of the Board of Directors for the Dances of Universal Peace International. 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 (online meditation courses) and the publication of Abwoon Circles: Starting a Local Group, which is a “how-to” guide to organize and teach or facilitate small local groups based on the resources of Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz.