Dianne Rodriguez, M. Div., a former ballet dancer, has explored through her own journey the deep connection of body, mind and spirit. Dianne is passionate in helping others connect and integrate a full-bodied spirituality that shapes the “blessed being” of our human experience. Through lived experience with ability and disability her spiritual direction ministry is shaped by a belief that through grace all lives are works of art. Dianne has been doing spiritual direction for 15 years after having graduated from a three-year training program in the Art of Spiritual Direction, as well as training in giving the 19th Annotation Retreat of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Her desire is to companion others so together we can deeply listen to the story of the Spirit through the chaos, the grief, the joy, the challenges, the mystery and the awe of day to day living.
After graduating from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in May of 2005, Pastor Dianne Rodriguez was called as minister to First Parish Church, U.C.C. in Jamesport, NY on Long Island. That same year she was ordained as a U.C.C. minister, of Word and Sacrament. Prior to this call she served at Bethany Congregational in East Rockaway for two years as a licensed minister and Spiritual Director. During these years she volunteered at Christa House, a resident home for those dying of AIDS. She also worked with a colleague to help facilitate spiritual gatherings for those with brain trauma. She completed a three-year spiritual formation certification as a Spiritual Director from the Cenacle Retreat Center in Ronkonkoma, NY.
Spiritual direction brought a discerning depth into her ministry at First Parish Church, U.C.C. as she helped the congregation discern God’s will and vision of what it meant to be a church in the 21st Century. In addition to working with her own parish, Dianne collaborated with a lay leader from Bethany Congregational, U.C.C. to explore developing a Spiritual Lifelines ministry which would serve to help enrich the spiritual life of a congregation challenged by our ever-changing world. Dianne was overjoyed having been given the opportunity to serve at Forest Grove UCC for 3 months as sabbatical supply pastor several years ago. Upon her return Dianne completed Intentional Ministry Training which is part of a transitional ministry training through the Interim Ministry Network.
Dianne’s phone: 516-673-1231 Dianne’s email