Program Staff

Bob Abarno

Bob Abarno, a pastor for thirty-six years, is currently serving a congregation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. He participated in Shalem’s Spiritual Guidance Program, class of Summer 1991 and has ministry experience as a spiritual director, retreat leader and pastoral counselor. Married to Eleanor, they prayerfully support one another in their ministries, while they share their home with two very independent cats.

Eleanor Abarno

Eleanor Abarno, a graduate of the Spiritual Guidance Program, has worked with both Shalem's Spiritual Guidance Program and the Personal Spiritual Deepening Program. She is a theologian, spiritual director, and retreat leader. She and her husband Bob are a “clergy couple,” Eleanor serving as a parish pastor in the ELCA, and Bob in the UCC.

Douglas Battenberg

Douglas Battenberg is an Episcopal layperson, spiritual director, economist, group and retreat leader, and a graduate of Shalem's Spiritual Guidance Program.

Martha Campbell

Martha Campbell, Director of Shalem's Spiritual Guidance Program, is a spiritual director, retreat leader, a licensed psychologist, and a graduate of Shalem’s Spiritual Guidance Program.

Amy Cole

Amy Cole, a Presbyterian lay woman active in the postmodern evangelical church, is a writer, teacher, spiritual director, wife, lover of the outdoors (especially raptors!) and graduate of Shalem's Spiritual Guidance Program.

Philip Cover

Phil Cover is a Catholic priest, a graduate of Shalem's Spiritual Guidance Program, and currently an assistant executive director with the National Catholic Education Association. He also serves as a spiritual director, retreat leader, and pilgrim guide to the Sinai and New Mexico deserts. His spiritual roots are in the contemplative Christian tradition, from which he tends to the transformative work of the heart. He is co-author of Journey with Purpose and The Inner Working of Lent.

William C. Dietrich

William C. Dietrich (Bill), is Executive Director of Shalem, program staff member for several of Shalem's local and extension programs, a Quaker and a spiritual director.

Rose Mary Dougherty, SSND

Rose Mary Dougherty, Shalem's Senior Fellow for Spiritual Guidance, currently works as a volunteer at Joseph's House, a hospice for formerly homeless men who have AIDS, and offers retreat and group spiritual direction for hospice care-givers. She is a sensei (teacher) in the lineage of the White Plum Sangha.

Tilden H. Edwards, PhD.

Tilden H. Edwards, Jr, Shalem’s Founder and Senior Fellow, is the author and editor of six books related to the spiritual life, and an Episcopal priest.

Katy Gaughan

Katy Gaughan is registrar for the Spiritual Guidance Program and Shalem’s Webmaster. When not at Shalem, she can be found drumming and facilitating drum circles in and around the Washington, DC, area.

Ethel Hornbeck

Ethel Hornbeck, a lay Presbyterian, is involved in various contemplative ministries inside the church and out. She is a graduate of Shalem’s Spiritual Guidance Program and holds an MTS from the Washington Theological Union, where she pursued an ongoing interest in the women mystics.

Donald Krickbaum

Donald Krickbaum, Episcopal priest and retired Dean of Trinity Cathedral, Miami, Florida, is a spiritual director and formation teacher, and graduate of Shalem's Spiritual Guidance Program.

Rich Macheski

Richard Macheski, married, father of four and an educator for 31 years, graduated from Shalem's Spiritual Guidance Program in 2002 and tries to find new ways to incorporate his spirituality in his daily affairs.

Virginia (Ginny) Niemeyer

Virginia (Ginny) Niemeyer, is a Catholic laywoman, wife, mother, grandmother, spiritual guide, retreat facilitator, and graduate of Shalem’s Spiritual Guidance Program.

Gigi Ross

Gigi Ross, the Assistant Director of the Spiritual Guidance Program, also serves as a mentor and presenter for the Personal Spiritual Deepening Program. Gigi has a Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Washington Theological Union. She is a prayer group and retreat leader and a spiritual director.

Charles J. Stephens

Charles J. Stephens is a Unitarian Universalist Minister, spiritual director, husband and father of three, gardener and graduate of Shalem's Spiritual Guidance Program.

Phillip Stephens

Phillip Stephens is a voice specialist, staff member of the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware, associate of the Order of the Holy Cross, spiritual guide and retreat facilitator. He is interested in cross-cultural studies and inter-religious dialogue, and is a graduate of Shalem’s Spiritual Guidance Program.

Liz Ward

Liz Ward is an Episcopal layperson and a graduate of Shalem’s Spiritual Guidance Program. She is an experienced spiritual guide and retreat leader and has assisted several local churches desiring corporate discernment.