Spotlight on our Speakers

Our Resident 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. Shen 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.

Charles Moore is the first Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) alumni to be hired to work full time for the organization. He is currently the Director of Programs & Operations, oversees all program planning and management in all the facilities where RTA operates. He also audits workshops, coordinates alumni projects, and manages the organization’s steering committees.

Charles holds a bachelor’s degree in human services from Mercy University and a master’s in professional studies from New York Theological Seminary. To learn more about how RTA changes lives, view this video, The Soul of RTA: https://youtu.be/IKcgorDoE-g?si=r3bQLX7RIZ5z-4-7

We are pleased to welcome Patrick O’Neill for another interesting presentation. Patrick and his wife, Rose, joined this congregation in 2018 and have contributed to our success by serving the ministries, the board, and giving presentations. This next one is on Law, Ethics, and Religion.

Since the early days of civilization (still an unrealized concept) human behavior has been constrained by the precepts of law, of religion and of morality. However, each of these modes differ in their teachings, and further, have changed (and in some cases sadly failed to
change) over time. In our search for meaning, how can we determine what Justice, equity and compassion mean?