In addition to Trish and Cindy's leadership, visiting faculty will present during some retreats. The following teachers have offered their gifts and passions to the Spirations CIRCLE program:

Sr. Lucy Slinger, FSPA, has an eclectic background that includes a Ph.D. in science education with an emphasis in environmental education, an M.S. in plant pathology, a B.S. in biology, and theological and philosophical studies that include eco-justice, earth literacy, and world religions courses. Before joining the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in 2002, Lucy spent twenty years as a professor of teacher education. With a passion for the sacred dimensions of all of creation and learning to live in "right relationships" with self, others, God and Earth, Lucy has traveled to all the continents, and has especially enjoyed her work alongside indigenous peoples of Africa and Australia. Lucy offers: "These experiences have deepened my understanding of the Divine Mystery in the unfolding and emerging universe."


Rev. Zuiko Redding is the resident teacher at Cedar Rapids Zen Center. She began studying and practicing Zen Buddhism as a university student in the early 60s. After finishing her bachelor's degree at University of Houston, she entered the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she obtained a Ph.D. in sociology in 1976 and embarked on a career as a university professor.

Zuiko began serious study of Zen in Milwaukee in the early 1980s, and later practiced in Minneapolis with Rev. Dainin Katagiri. In 1992, she received novice ordination in Japan and trained at Zuioji Temple and its mountain monastery, Shogoji, receiving certification as a teacher in the Soto tradition in 1996. She returned to the United States in 1997.

Cedar Rapids Zen Center was founded in April, 2000, and has about thirty members from around the area. It offers a regular schedule of zazen (meditation), dharma teaching and retreats, including regular meditation offerings at Anamosa Men's Prision. Information about Zen Center and pictures of it are posted on the web at www.avalon.net/~crzc.


Richard Bruxvoort Colligan is a composer, liturgical theologian, and in his words, the "head pancake maker" in his house. (Yes, he's also the husband of program director, Trish.) Richard makes his way in the world as one with Christian roots whose spiritual practices are wide and deep, and informed recently by his MA studies in Theology and the Arts at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. In addition to his love of the Old Testament Psalms, Richard has been captivated by the Zen Buddhist painting series, The Oxherding Pictures, around which he has recorded a concept album with notes on Zen-Christian dialogue. Richard offers himself to the role of Minister of Worship Arts at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In the fall of 2007, a CD and book flowing from his passionate work with the ancient Psalm texts will be published by Fortress Press. With his wife and son, he lives next door to a shepherd in Strawberry Point, Iowa. Learn more: www.worldmaking.net

Heather Michele Olson is a healer, a writer, and a spiritual director. She received a BA in nursing and women's studies from Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN and she completed a certificate program in spiritual direction at the Center for Spiritual Guidance in Minneapolis. Heather Michele currently works as an RN in the Regions Burn Center in St. Paul, MN where she also serves as a burn survivor volunteer coordinator for the SOAR program (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery) in conjunction with the Phoenix Society. She has worked as a nurse and a spiritual director with hospice patients and their families, and has spent many years as a nurse in obstetrics and newborn nursery care. She has a passion for the entire expanse of life and death and life again, and chooses to spend most of her days in the hardest (and richest) parts of the journey.

Heather Michele is a life-long feminist, introvert, chocolate-lover and member of the Evangilcal Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). She strongly feels called to ordained ministry in the Lutheran church, and, she also feels a deeper calling to life-long, life-giving partnership with her loving spouse, Jessica. Heather and Jess share a 100-year-old home together in St. Paul. As "Auntie" she deems her nephews the greatest teachers and blessings of her life. Heather Michele blogs, journals, and is slowly-but-surely writing her memoir about healing, wholeness and faith.


Mary Ellen Lewis, certified leader of InterPlay®, is a dancer, teacher, ritual maker, and retreat leader. She has danced for church and community events for over 30 years, and led workshops, small group studies, and women's retreats in a three-state area. Mary Ellen has studied with Cynthia Winton-Henry and Phil Porter, the creators of InterPlay®, and at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA. She practices InterPlay® with two groups in Des Moines, Iowa, where she lives.

Joan Forest Mage, founder and director of Life Force Arts Foundation, is honored to serve as a shamanic healer, educator and performing artist in her hometown of Chicago. A Certified Movement Analyst, she has studied shamanism, energy work and healing ritual with numerous teachers, including the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, and has worked as a Shamanic Practitioner since 1995. Joan has over thirty years of professional performing and teaching experience as a dancer, singer and theater performer, and two music CDs to her credit. She has an MA in Applied Professional Studies from De Paul University's School for New Learning, with the focus area "Creating Healing Ritual Through the Arts: A Contemporary Paradigm." Joan has taught arts and body movement since 1985 and shamanism since 1996. Learn more: http://www.lifeforcearts.org/