FUUN Employee Spotlight:  Rev. Diane Dowgiert

Rev. Diane is available by appointment.

Please contact her by email at LeadMinister@FirstUUNash.org
or call 615-383-5760 ext. 3302

Rev. Diane Dowgiert comes to First UU Nashville with 20 years of ministry experience. She holds degrees from Metropolitan State University of Denver and Starr King School for the Ministry. With a background in social services, Diane has a passion for responding to the needs of the local community, bringing Unitarian Universalist principles and values to social justice issues. She has served Unitarian Universalist congregations in Coralville, Iowa, Greensboro, North Carolina, Tucson, Arizona, and Marietta, Ohio. Outside of church, Diane enjoys hiking and quilting. Her family consists of her husband of 45 years, two adult sons, one daughter-in-law, and one adorable cat.

What does Unitarian Universalism mean to you?

Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition with roots that run deep into the past, a living tradition that changes and evolves to meet current day need, a living tradition that holds a hopeful vision for the future. Unitarian Universalism is more concerned with life here and now than with a possible after-life. We work to create a heaven here on Earth and we work to eradicate the hells that exist here on Earth. We believe that salvation is collective, for everyone, not just a chosen few. We seek religious and spiritual truths not just in one book, but in many sources. We are held together not by common belief but by the covenant we make with each other, a promise to abide together in the spirit of love and service. We strive toward a set of commonly held principles. We welcome and celebrate diversity in all its forms.

Briefly describe what you do at FUUN

As Developmental Lead Minister, I am hired by the Board of Directors to work with the congregation on an established set of goals that will strengthen the congregation for its future ministry. Developmental ministry is intentionally time-limited, usually somewhere between 3 and 7 years, depending on the scope of work that is hoped to be accomplished. In addition, I perform the duties of the Lead Minister — leading worship, providing pastoral care, collaborating with and supervising the paid staff, representing the congregation in the larger community, working with the lay leaders of the congregation, performing weddings, child dedications, and memorial services, and generally leading the congregation in fulfillment of its mission.

Are you a part-time or full-time employee?

I am full time.

What is the most time-consuming part of your job?

As with any minister serving in a lead position, a large percentage of my time is spent preparing for worship — researching and writing a sermon, choosing readings, hymns and stories, coordinating with the Worship Committee and other service participants.

What is your busiest day of the week, and why?

It varies by week depending on what committees are meeting, what else is going on at the church, or any pastoral emergencies that may arise.

What improvements, if any, have you made to your job?

As a Developmental Minister, I specialize in serving congregations in transition after a settled minister has resigned or retired. I don’t necessarily make improvements in the job, but I definitely do things differently than my predecessors. A period of developmental ministry is a time to closely examine the congregation’s practices, including how the role of the minister functions.

What do you love best about your job?

I love Unitarian Universalist congregations. I love getting to know a congregation — its people, its history, its traditions, its triumphs and failures, its challenges, and its hopes and dreams.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Keeping it all in balance. There is always more to be done than there is time. Remembering that churches move at the speed of church which is sometimes frustratingly slow.

What are some things you do that the congregation might not be aware of?

Part of what I do as a Developmental Minister is help the congregation discover the things they weren’t aware their previous minister did, and then, to examine whether or not it is something they expect their minister to do going forward.

What’s been one of your proudest moments working at FUUN?

I am most proud of making it through a year of global pandemic and all the challenges that went along with it.

How does your work support the mission of FUUN?

I strive to do my work in such a way as to embody the mission of FUUN, creating community, nurturing spiritual growth, and acting on our values in the larger world.

Is there anything else you want people to know about your job?

In normal times, other than Sunday morning, much of the work of ministry is invisible, witnessed by only a few or not seen at all. Time spent in study and writing, time spent on the telephone or Zoom or exchanging emails, time spent in hospital rooms — these are but some examples. In this abnormal past year, my work has been more invisible than usual, conducted almost exclusively from behind a computer screen.

Tell us about your family (pets, people, etc.)

My family consists of my husband of 47 years, two adult sons, one daughter-in-law, one grandchild, and one adorable cat.

How do you keep your work/life balance?

I spend as much time outdoors as possible walking, hiking, or gardening. I love to get together with family and friends to cook, eat, and play games.

Ruth Bader Ginsberg. She was a trailblazer for women. I would have loved the opportunity to learn from her about how she managed to do all she did and leave such a mark on her profession.

What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?

I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else, nor do I want to. Ordination to the ministry is a lifetime vow, a vocation and a calling. I will likely be doing ministry in some form until the day I die.

If you could choose anyone as a mentor, who would you choose and why?

Ruth Bader Ginsberg. She was a trailblazer for women. I would have loved the opportunity to learn from her about how she managed to do all she did and leave such a mark on her profession.

If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?

Tirelessness.

What top three traits define you?

Perseverance. Sense of humor. Love.

What is the one thing you cannot resist?

Black licorice.

What do you like to do when you’re not at the office?

Take naps. Binge-watch old TV shows.

Where is your favorite place to be? (only non church answers allowed!!)

At the kitchen table with my whole family.

What do you think is the greatest game in history?

Scrabble.

What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?

I was tear-gassed. No, it wasn’t at a protest, but at the first rock concert I attended when I was 16.

If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Tacos.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

Probably faint in disbelief.