The Welcoming Ministry shall be responsible for keeping the membership files current; maintaining contact with newcomers, friends and members; orienting newcomers and new members to the functions of the Congregation; and welcoming newcomers at worship services.

The Rev. Diane Diachishin inducts new members Stephen Deutsch (left) and Stephen and Michelle DiLorenzo and their son, Emmet, on Nov. 5.
The DiLorenzo’s daughter, June, was in RE at the time.

On November 5th during the regular service, the Welcoming Ministry conducted an induction ceremony for three new members: Michelle & Stephen DiLorenzo and Stephen Deutsch.

The DiLorenzo Family moved to NY this past summer. They have lived in 7 different states over the past 15 years, and are excited to be settling down in their (hopefully) forever community of Cornwall, NY. They were part of a UU congregation in Augusta, GA, and are grateful for the welcoming community of UUCRT. Stephen teaches Philosophy at West Point. Michelle is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with a special interest in literacy and reading disorders.

June is in 2nd grade. She loves arts & crafts, audiobooks, and outdoor adventures.Emmett is 2 yrs old. He loves trains, dump trucks, and splashing in puddles.

Steven Deutsch was born and bred in Bronx, NY. (Some of you share that background and can exchange stories about the old days with Stephen.) He received a degree in Civil Engineering from CCNY and served as the Town Engineer and Building Inspector for the town of Woodbury for a number of years. Now retired, he still occasionally does House Inspections.

He and his wife moved to Orange County in 1968 where they raised four children. They had met as members of a choral society in NYC, a society that sang in Carnegie Hall and in the Lincoln Center. Sadly, Stephen, after 56 years of marriage, lost his wife this past July, Stephen enjoys playing the piano, reading, walking, and gardening. He resides in Cornwall, NY. Michelle, Stephen, June, Emmett and Stephen, we are delighted to have you join our community!