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.

Beverly Braxton’s commitment to peacemaking and bringing people together has been a consistent thread throughout her life in Warwick, New York. Before her 30-year teaching career, she was among the first trained mediators in Orange County, helping neighbors resolve conflicts through local village courts.
Following the events of 9/11, Beverly’s students, with broad community support, created the Sanfordville Peace Wall Memorial as a lasting symbol of healing and hope. In 2012, Beverly founded Family Central, a parenting support network designed to reduce isolation and strengthen connections among families. In 2016, she launched community forums such as Warwick Working Together, which created space for
residents to address civic polarization following Warwick’s Blue Line controversy. In March 2021, deeply concerned by the growing division in the community, Beverly convened a group of residents to imagine new ways of connecting across differences. From that shared vision, We the People Warwick—an all-volunteer organization dedicated to constructive dialogue, personal storytelling, and action projects that strengthen community bonds and renew hope—was born.

Patrick O’Neill is a former President of the UUCRT Board of Trustees. Coming from a re￾source-free environment, he achieved a successful career as an engineer and corporate Vice President, and earned
a Ph.D. He fought in war, and upon reflection, against war. He is married to the beauteous and charming Rose O’Neill.

Steve Gorn’s Indian Bamboo Flute is said to ‘re-align the cells’ and invite us to experience the yoga of sound as a meditation, the synchronisation of mind and body. He is featured on the Grammy winning recording Miho-Journey to the Mountain,” with the Paul Winter Consort, the Academy Award winning Documentary film, “Born into Brothels,” as well as recordings with Paul Simon, Jack DeJohnette, Glen Velez and numerous Indian and western musicians. He explores the intersection of Buddhism and Art, and the
transformative role of music, through his performance and teaching. www.stevegorn.com

Keith Jordan has been involved with our congregation since the 1980’s and has been a member since 1994. He has held a variety of leadership positions in the congregation. He has been a mental health professional for over 35 years and enjoys songwriting and gardening.