Spotlight on our Speakers

Our contracted Minister, Rev. Diane Diachishin graduated and was ordained by All Faiths Seminary in NYC in 2022. She taught music for 30+ years in private and public-school systems. She has been an active member of the UUCRT for 25 years, wearing many hats. Diane has been Chair of Pastoral Care, served as VP and Secretary to the Board, and Chair of Sunday Service Ministry.

She facilitated the study and practice of Compassionate Communication for several years and currently facilitates the monthly Soul Matters group. Diane considers herself a life-long Unitarian. From the age of four, summer vacations were spent with her family and her Star Island community, at an ongoing retreat for UU’s of all ages, which still continues to be a source of renewal and inspiration for her. Diane is passionate about her family, playing music, hiking, and travel.

Cynthia Gilkeson: “I am a 62- year-old political activist and mother of two adult children and partner with Pauli. I’ve been a member of the UUCRT for 30 years. I call myself a witch and have been practicing for about 40 years.”

Rev. Elaine Strawn (she/her) is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, a Spiritual Director, and a facilitator of classes on spirituality and leadership. Prior to working with the Central East Region, she served for 23 years as the minister of a growing UU congregation, a Good Officer for her UUMA Chapter and an adjunct consultant for the Central East Region. Currently she serves as co-chair the region’s Commissioned Lay Ministry Council.

Rev. Beth Dana, Minister of Faith Development at First Unitarian Church, Dallas TX is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist, raised in Albany, NY. She received a B.A. in Religious Studies and Metropolitan Studies from New York University in 2008. She studied abroad in Ghana, and took two years off from undergrad to serve the Unitarian Universalist Association. She earned her Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York in 2012. She now lives in east Dallas with her wife Erin and their twins Ellery and MD.