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Interim Minister Rev. Diane Miller
The Reverend Doctor Diane Miller started her two-year interim ministry at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church on August 1, 2006. She is a graduate of Macalester College [in Humanities and American Literature], Harvard Divinity School, and has an honorary doctorate from Starr King School for the Ministry. She has served, among other churches, as minister or interim minister in San Francisco, Belmont, Massachusetts, Golden, Colorado and Providence, Rhode Island. She has managed the Department of Ministry for the UUA, was a candidate for President of the UUA, and was on the committee which crafted the UUA Principles and Purposes. She serves on the board of the UU Service Committee.
Diane recently completed her third interim ministry in recent years, in Providence Rhode Island, a congregation about our size. In the two years she was there, the church membership grew by fifty-six persons; the annual fund increased by $41,000 last year, and even more this year. The same trend was true at her previous interim ministry at the Jefferson UU Church in Littleton, Colorado where they substantially increased membership and conducted a successful capital campaign, as well as increasing their annual giving by $86,000. She has been minister during a major building project; recognizes the importance of music to the worship service, and the importance of religious education and strong lay leadership and stewardship to a vital congregation. She is a good preacher and pastor, gracious and friendly, and passionate about ministry. She is single, with two grown sons. “I try,” she says, “to tip the scales in the world toward the good.”
Diane said in her ministerial record which was sent to search committees, “I hope for an interim ministry with a congregation entering new challenges, changes, and celebrations. My ministries have been marked by membership increases and growth in financial support and generosity. I like challenges, and expect that every congregation will face problems. Together, we can orient the congregation and leadership toward the future. My hope is to work with a congregation which cherishes its heritage and community, and faces the future with hope and enthusiasm.” She was the unanimous choice of the search committee and the Board of Trustees.
“I have high expectations of parishioners,” she said, “and I also remember that they are volunteers. Their service to the church needs to serve their spiritual growth and serve to strengthen their best selves. It should also be full of fun and satisfaction and inspiration. Everything the members do, and that I do, is part of the overall ministry of the church. It should express both the love and the joy of being part of a congregation.”
The citation which she received with her honorary doctorate from Starr King School for the Ministry said, “Historian of women in ministry, advocate of women educators of religious leaders, friend and leader within your own pioneering generation, you inspire those who follow. Wise and compassionate minister to congregations and colleagues, enabler of theological education, you are a calm presence who gracefully balances vocation and family , wry humor, good sense, and realistic expectations. You faithfully strengthen the institution and give voice to the ideals of the Unitarian Universalist Association.”
By the regulations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, Rev. Miller will not be eligible to serve as our settled minister.
The MDUUC Interim Minister Search Committee:
Elisabeth Andreason
John Hopper
Marcia Newey
Doug Schuster, liaison
David Stanley
Arliss Ungar, chair
David Wilcox
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Director of Lifespan and Religious Education - Heather Sawyers
Heather Sawyers is the Director of Lifespan and Religious Education. Heather has been a member of MDUUC since 1999, has served as the Religious Education Assistant for one year, Acting Director of Religious Education for 2004-2005, and has been chairperson of the LEAP(Lifespan Education and Programming) committee for 2 years. Heather also has extensive experience as an Our Whole Lives Sexuality Educatior, and educator in the MDUUC Religious Education program. Professionally, Heather has a background in Child Development, and Business. Heather is also the current president of the PCD Liberal Religious Educators Association, and an alumni of PCD Leadership School. Heather lives in Concord with her husband and three children. |
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Ministerial Search Committee
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| Posted by cmsadmin on Saturday, January 20 @ 15:18:49 CST (0 reads) |
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Anonymous writes "Do you want to get involved in the search for our new settled minister? Take a look at the application below...
Application pdf file
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LEAP Winter Brochure for 2007
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| Posted by cmsadmin on Thursday, January 11 @ 23:15:04 CST (1 reads) |
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Hot off the press! All of the upcoming adult programs for the 2007 winter season.
Full text pdf file
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Do*****ent: Sermon September 24, 2006 "Ding Goes the Triangle!"
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| Posted by cmsadmin on Monday, September 25 @ 23:57:44 CDT (5 reads) |
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Anonymous writes " "Ding Goes the Triangle!" Presented by Rev. Diane Miller, Interim Minister
Triangles have many useful properties, but in church life and in communication, we need to watch out for them.
Full text pdf file
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"First Impressions, Lasting Impressions" Rev. Diane Miller
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| Posted by mduuc on Thursday, September 14 @ 13:01:03 CDT (3 reads) |
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art writes "
First Impressions, Lasting
Impressions
A Sermon for the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Congregation.
Rev. Diane Miller, August 27,
2006
It is a great joy to be with you this morning, here in
your pulpit for the first time. To be a minister in this faith tradition, to be
entrusted by you with freedom of the pulpit and the mantle of ministry, is an
honor and a privilege. I pledge to you
at the outset that I will do the best I am able, to serve, lead, and advise you
in this time of transition.
Full Text
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Bridging Service —There's Something About Dragons 08/13/06
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| Posted by mduuc on Sunday, August 13 @ 19:07:48 CDT (75 reads) |
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Arthur writes ""Bridging Service —There's Something About Dragons”
John Wright 08/13/2006
What is it about dragons that has fascinated us through the ages? In
many lands and cultures, dragons have been a symbol of both opportunity
and obstacle, of power used both positively and negatively.
Several of our youth "bridged out" of our high school
group, becoming "young adults" in the eyes of our church. Much like
facing a dragon, these youth will be facing their own tests. Indeed, we
are all called upon to face dragons of one sort or another.
John
Wright, a member of our congregation and a student at Starr King, considered
the possibility of looking at the image of a dragon as an ally to
growth, rather than as a "battle to the death".
Full text
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