The Rev. Dr. Daniel F. Diss, O.S.L. is a native of south central Illinois growing up on a dairy farm operated for six generations by his family. He is a graduate of Millikin University (B.A.) and Yale University (M.Div). He completed his doctoral work at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary specializing in congregational developement emphasizing mission, evangelism, and the social sciences. Dr. Diss is a preacher of national note having preached at numerous national and regional events. He is an avid camper, gardner, pet owner, movie and history buff, and reader. He came to our congregation after serving as a resident/hospital chaplain at (Alexian Brothers Medical Center) and as a part-time associate pastor at Granville Ave. UMC in Chicago, a predominately African-American congregation. Before moving to Chicago-land, he served congregations in the central part of Illinois; was part of the faculty and staff with the HIV/AIDS unit of SIU School of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases); and as the campus minister at the Wesley Foundation, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign campus. Dr. Diss serves on the Northern Illinois Conference Annual Conference Committee and serves at the vice-chair of the committee, is the Chair of Daily Proceedings for the Annual Conference when in session, and chairs the Northern Illinois Conference Section on Stewardship of the Nurture Ministry Team. He also serves on the Northern Illinois Conference HIV/AIDS Global Ministry Task Force, consults with the Safe Sanctuaries Task Force of the Northern Illinois Conference, and is a consultant and teacher in the Northern Illinois Conference Small Group Ministries Institute. He is a life member of the Order of Saint Luke, a religious order within the United Methodist Church committed to the Wesleyan ideals of vibrant preaching and sacramental living; he was recently elected and installed as the Prior of the Northern Illinois Chapter of the Order. Dr. Diss serves on the Board of Directors of the Reconciling Ministries Network and chairs the Church & World Committee of the RMN Board.
