While we cry ourselves to sleep, gratitude waits patiently to console and reassure us that there is a landscape larger than the one we can see ( S. Breathnach). For those feeling stressed by the holidays, this sermon will look at the benefits of the … read more.
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.
Celia Reissig is a writer of fiction and creative non-fiction. She writes in Spanish, Spanglish, and English. She is the author of 3 books of poetry—Talking to Myself (Oter Bay Press, 1977), Reflections/Reflexiones (Ghia Editorial, Argentina, 2000), and Huellas/Traces (Editorial Dunkin, Argentina, 2020); her work has also been published in various
journals and literary magazines, Her creative nonfiction piece “Where Oblivion Shall not Dwell” is featured in the book Home: An Imagined Landscape published in 2016 by Sollis Press.
Additionally, she has conducted creative writing workshops in Spanish at the Hudson Valley Writers Center in Sleepy Hollow, New York, has read her work throughout the New York metropolitan area, and has collaborated with artists on a variety of creative projects. Originally from Argentina, she immigrated with her family to the United States as a
child. She currently resides in Beacon, New York.
Joyce White is a member at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills in Kingston where she serves on the
Worship Team. Like many of us, she wears many hats: past Vice President of the Board, developing and implementing Healthy Congregation policies and procedures, and facilitating LGBTQ programming and social actions.
