It's a bird! It's a plane! Wait - who is it?

We have been through a pretty easy and quick transitional process (OK relative to others, I can tell you it was quick) and we still are awaiting our new pastor and family in August.  However there has been one thing constant at UDLC and one beacon of light holding us together...

Pastor Dyan Lawlor, UDLC's own Superwoman.  Sure she will tell you how all of the committees and lay leaders worked harder, but she has been our rock and our go-to for a congregation and she has done it with laughs and smiles, and with all the mounting stress she has been our shepherd.

She has always worn many hats, but right now she wears even more....

Observer

Dyan works in many places in the church and community and is willing to sit back when she knows people know more than she does and listen to what others may have as far as solutions.

Now, she may have insights or ideas on projects, issues, or upcoming events, she knows others have the skills and time to make these things even better.

Pastor and Preacher

Sunday Mornings, Women's Bible Study, Confirmation, Lent, Wedding, Baptisms, Funerals, Pre-School Chapel, etc...

Sure her title is PASTOR and the name brings certain expectations, but her dedication to doing her best no matter how many meetings, events, personal conflicts, or other things come up are apparent in all she does.  She is a teacher, elder, mentor, and learner when she needs to fill those areas.

Fixer

Moral Support

Dyan has been leading groups to take part in the Appalachia Service Project since 1985 and in those years she has led multiple churches, 100s of youth, and changed the lives of dozens of families in the Appalachia Region of our country.  More importantly, she has changed lives of families at UDLC.  She has taken parents, students, Church Council members, grandparents, and adults who may have never gone on a trip or worked with Youth any other way.  They have come to see the value of mission and service in building relationships and stronger people.

Friend

Dyan's friends/family at UDLC will tell you that when you have a friend like Dyan, even the bad stuff seems like something you can deal with.  She has an infectious laugh, a brilliant smile, a philosopher's heart, an artist's eye, and she cares.

YOGI!!!!

AND SHE KNOWS HOW TO HAVE FUN AND KEEP IN SHAPE.  WAIT YOU THOUGHT IF I HAD THIS PHOTO I WOULD NOT USE IT?  COME ON!  DO YOU SEE HOW AWESOME THIS IS TO SHOW YOU THE REAL DYAN BUSTING OUT OF HER SHELL!


I know, you all are saying.  Well this is a nice thing to do and a great way to pat her on the back, but there is also an important reason for this.  Dyan is approaching summer which, in the church year, people will say is the SLOW TIME.  Yet it is is not so SLOOOOOOWWWW this year.

We have lots of work to do, lots of projects, lots of small tasks to fill, and if you have the time maybe you can take a hat from her collection for a while and if you do, maybe she will teach you a yoga position or 2!

For those of you who may have not seen the video made for Dyan's 25th Anniversary of ordination here is the link...It gives you an insight to Dyan!