This summer we will elect four members to the Member Board of Trustees. Below is the list of those who have been nominated to fill the open seats. All nominees will be placed on the ballot.
- Abigail Edwards
- Fran Hamilton
- Michele Hojnacki
- Marisol Landin
- Regis Reeves
- Sandra (Sami) Ross
- Shawna Summers
- John Wetzel
They have provided the following photos and bios to help Awakening Together members decide who to vote for during this year’s Member Board of Trustees election. This year, members will elect four people to the Member Board of Trustees. Nominations end on Tuesday, June 9 @ 5 pm ET. Ballots are mailed to members on Wednesday, June 24. Voting closes on Wednesday, July 8 @ 5 pm ET. The candidate forum will be held in the sanctuary on Sunday, June 28 at 7:00pm ET.
Rev. Abigail Edwards is an ordained minister through Awakening Together since 2021, deeply committed to the path of spiritual mentoring and service. Her spiritual journey began with a profound encounter with Ram Dass’s “Be Here Now,” leading her to explore various spiritual traditions, including Zen Buddhism, A Course in Miracles, and Native American teachings. Abigail’s dedication to spiritual growth is reflected in her extensive training in a myriad of healing modalities as well as her practice as a death doula, where she offers compassionate support to those transitioning from this life.
With a background in Integrative Breathwork, Hatha Yoga, and various holistic healing practices, Abigail embodies a grounded and well-rounded approach to spiritual mentoring. Her teachings are centered in love, presence, and the understanding that healing occurs when we embrace our true nature. Abigail’s passion for guiding others is fueled by her deep conviction that only Love is Real, a belief she imparts to those she mentors.
As a spiritual mentor, Abigail offers a compassionate, non-judgmental presence, helping others navigate their spiritual paths with clarity and courage. Her approach lives in her commitment to living a life of service and her gentle, yet profound, approach to life.
Rev. Fran Hamilton is honored and willing to serve if elected to the Member Board of Trustees. She is grateful for the community and resources offered by Awakening Together. They have been so helpful, consistently pointing to Truth. A long-time student of Eckankar, Fran has worked as a researcher, caregiver, environmental consultant, archaeologist and teacher, earning degrees in anthropology and archaeology along the way. A lover of poetry and paradox, she enjoys writing and editing. Fran trusts opportunities to serve will be made available for each of us, since service to all life is the way of it.
Rev. Michele Hojnacki has been a member of Awakening Together since 2012. After her Ordination, she has served the community by facilitating the Gentle Healing program, MPP classes and the daily Thoughts of Awakening contemplation group.
Rev. Marisol Landin is our Awakening Together Sanctuary Director. Marisol’s search for something beyond the world began at the age of 19 when she read “A Return to Love” by Marianne Williamson. Years later she found ACIM which brought on an experience of awakening. It did not last long, but something had opened. From that moment on she knew there was something more. Around the same time, she came across “The Power of Now” by Eckert Tolle. which opened her heart and desire for the Truth even further. The desire for Truth became alive again when she found Regina’s teachings and Awakening Together. Marisol knew this was her way back home and what she truly longed for. Marisol is grateful to have gone through the Ministerial Preparation Program and for doing three years of Gentle Healing and sees the Awakening Together community and all the teachings offered as a beacon of light.
Marisol was elected to the Member Board of Trustees in 2023 and is running for re-election.
Regis Reeves started counseling and developing communication strategies in 1985. Briefly operating his own practice from the late 80’s to the early 90’s, he left the office with setting with the intent to develop new techniques and skills that would give clients greater and faster success in their turnaround. Today Regis is internationally known for his keen insights and ability to get to heart of matters regarding blocks that hinder personal growth and self-development. As personal Self-development Coach, speaker, writer and spiritual advisor Regis is helping individuals and groups unlock and remove blocks that keep them from reaching their highest aspirations and good. Whether goals are career, health, spiritual awakening and purpose, Regis is proficient in providing successful partnerships with groups or individuals and motivating them to their full potential attaining their highest good.
Regis dedicated much of his studies in the field of Communication Theory and has a degree in Communications from the University of Memphis. Also studying success, motivation and time management through the Success Motivation Institute, Regis is known for his no-nonsense approach to human development and living an authentic life. Ordained and licensed in ministry in the mid 80’s, studying Hebrew and Greek origins in theology, Regis is gifted in integrating higher purpose and personal goals into one single intention.
Having been a successful multi-business owner, musician for Grammy Awarding winning artists, radio host, mid-level business, family counselor, teen mentor, ministry administrator and health advocate, Regis is now serving across the United States and internationally helping others believe in themselves and seize their highest potential as he fulfills his purpose doing the work of a Self-Reliance teacher and coach.
Rev. Sami Ross, a newly-ordained AT minister, has joyfully found a home in Awakening Together’s community. The stepping stones along the way have led Sami from Catholicism to the power of thought to A Course in Miracles. However, an emptiness was present. Sami was an avid student of ACIM but the question remained: “How does one apply these teachings?” When Sami “stepped into” the AT website, the question was answered. She devoured all of Regina’s audios; some several times. She had finally found a teacher and teachings she could relate to as well as practices that have become her lifestyle. The AT Sanctuary has become Sami’s favorite “place” to be, soaking up the wisdom shared in its many programs and Sunday gatherings. Inner Wisdom first guided her to offer a weekly program in which she “taught herself” and trusted guidance with the content. Currently, Sami is a part of two daily practices in the Sanctuary which continue to nourish her spirit and encourage her practice. It is an honor to serve the AT community in gratitude for all its gifts given.
Rev. Shawna Summers is currently our Sanctuary Director Admin Assistant. Shawna fell in love with Regina’s teachings in 2015 and knew Regina was her next teacher. Shawna took the first Gentle Healing (GH) class in January 2017, completed the three & a half years, then went on to facilitate a GH Group. She completed the Ministerial Preparation Program (MPP) courses and was ordained in June 2019. In April of 2018, Regina invited Shawna to “teach” in the sanctuary. She was scared, but it turned into a huge blessing! Through facing that fear and many others, she has chosen to listen to Inner Wisdom and follow its guidance to the best of her ability in Life. In January of 2019, Shawna moved from Northern California to La Veta, Colorado. She took every in-person retreat offered that year, immersing in the honest & inspired depth of the teachings by Regina and others. She is very grateful to live in Colorado, enthralled by the gorgeous beauty of the Rocky Mountains. She still lives in La Veta and loves this little town in Southern Colorado. She is deeply in love with the Awakening Together online community as a safe and supportive space to share everything!
Shawna was elected to the Member Board of Trustees in 2023 and is running for re-election.
John Wetzel grew up in a household of love and joy, fear, and doubt, stability and instability. With a strong Catholic upbringing we were taught not to question our Faith. That worked until it didn’t.
Fear was a primary motivator for questioning what I had learned, for if I didn’t question it, I was doomed. I certainly wasn’t a worthy Catholic or human being according to the voice in my head.
In my later teens my older brother, Dan, introduced me to something called A Course In Miracles. I felt a glimmer of hope that contrasted wildly with the fear, despair and loss that I was feeling. I set out on a rocky road of faith and doubt, self-medication and self-condemnation, joy and the abyss.
Decades later, I remain on that path. I’m accompanied by my brother, friends with similar and diverse views, a stronger trust in inner guidance as well more brothers and sisters I have met at Awakening Together.
I am grateful for it all.