
The Rev. Dr. Markene Meyer
Founding Priest
Jesus invites, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life… Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.”
Over the years my experiences as a guest in Benedictine monastic community have been both formative and restorative. Those experiences were the inspiration for planting Trinity Lakeside. As a “new monastic” community (or 21st century expression of devout Christian community), our shared joy is living and teaching the more contemplative side of the spiritual life—practices like prayer and worship which deepen our communion with God, enlivening and enabling all that we are and all that we do. Planted in the heart of the DFW metroplex, we pray that in Christ we can be both sanctuary of rest for the weary and “hospital for the wounded.”
As people on our own journey of healing in Christ, we find joy in worshiping God together, praying and interceding for the Church and the world, and caring for souls—nurturing growth and restoration, healing and wholeness in Christ. We pray that as people experience Christ’s peace at the Abbey, they will bring his more restful way into their everyday lives. We hope to see you at the Abbey!
Rev. Markene is an ordained priest in the Anglican Diocese of C4SO (Churches for the Sake of Others) and a trained spiritual director. She is experienced in the areas of Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Direction, having served with the Spiritual Formation and Leadership Department at Dallas Theological Seminary, and holding a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation from DTS. She is the author of Thrive: Life-Giving Disciplines for a Chaotic World, a gentle introduction to the ancient practice of abiding by a simple rule of life.
In addition to caring for souls, Markene enjoys nurturing life in the garden, renovating houses, hiking in the Rockies, experiencing God in beauty and the arts, writing and conversing about the spiritual life, and gathering around great food and wine with friends and family.
The Rev. Dr. Erick Arowo
Assisting Priest
The Rev. Dr. Erick Arowo is a priest ordained by the Anglican Church of Kenya in 2008. He is married to Caroline and they have two young children. He grew up in an African Indigenous church, became a Christ-follower in high school and joined the Anglican Church, attracted by their evangelical faith commitment and ancient roots. He served as Campus Ministry Facilitator with Intervarsity Kenya (FOCUS-Kenya) and as an exchange student ministry intern with Intervarsity Norway (NKSS), during which time he discerned a call to vocational Christian ministry.
Upon ordination, he served as a bi-vocational priest to young adults at a Nairobi Anglican parish and training pastors in the East African region. He holds a PhD in Old Testament Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. His passions are teaching God’s Word and pastoral care. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry and from Kenya.

The Trinity Lakeside Board of Directors

A native Virginian, Hilary Dawson moved to Texas in 2013 to be closer to her sisters and their families. She works for the Department of Homeland Security, managing hiring and training issues under Customs and Border Protection. She received a BA in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia and in her professional career has worked in conservation, higher education, defense contracting, and the Federal government.
After college, Hilary discovered the Anglican form of worship. She was drawn to it by her love of words, the rhythms of worship, and the incorporation of beauty in worship. She values Anglicanism’s connection to the communion of saints—both the historic church as well as believers around the world today, sharing prayers that have endured for centuries. She seeks sustainable life rhythms through praying the Daily Office, following the seasons of the Church Year, and observing Sabbath rest.
Hilary is an avid reader, always looking for additional bookshelf space in her home. As a writer, she is a firm believer in the eternal merit of the Oxford comma. She appreciates gardens and gardening, and enjoys arranging flowers for friends. She lives in Argyle with two miniature dachshunds and is a regular at the local coffeehouse, pretty much knowing every person that walks in the door!
Shelley Frew came to know Christ in high school in response to a deep desire to know God in a more personal way. That began a new life and life-long journey for her since the late 70s. When her children were teenagers, she earned her masters at Dallas Theological Seminary. Her vision for others to know the transforming love of God deepened as she worked with student leaders through the seminary’s spiritual formation program.
She is a trained spiritual director who mentors, offers spiritual direction, writes and teaches in the local church. She enjoys reading, art, and coffee with kindred-spirit friends. She and her husband Dean have four grown children scattered across three different states. They enjoy their time together and visit their children every chance they get.


Jen J. is married to David, and both Jen and David are active in cross-cultural work. Before she began following Jesus, Jen received a Marketing degree from The University of Texas at Austin and worked for years in different marketing roles. Today Jen runs her own marketing consultancy business and travels the world encouraging and empowering leaders from marginalized communities.
Jen received her Masters from Redeemer Seminary and enjoys teaching, training and counseling others. She enjoys traveling, hiking, fair trade fashion, time with friends, writing and exploring other creative endeavors.
About Trinity Lakeside
A peaceful, contemplative community where weary souls find renewal and rest in Jesus.
Get In Touch
Rev. Dr. Meyer: markene@trinitylakeside.org
Trinity Lakeside Abbey
170 South Woodland Trail
Double Oak, TX 75077
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Affiliations
Trinity Lakeside is affiliated with C4SO (Churches for the Sake of Others), an Anglican diocese built on five key values: Kingdom, Spirit, Formation, Mission, and Sacrament.
The Diocese of C4SO is in the province of the ACNA (Anglican Church in North America).
(c) Trinity Lakeside, Inc. — All rights reserved