I have spent my whole life embraced by the rolling hills and glistening waters of New York’s Finger Lakes. This place has shaped the rhythms of my days and the stories I carry — woven from farmland sunsets, quiet winters, and the steadfast communities that call it home.

My vocation has taken many forms: years in the classroom as a Middle School English teacher, guiding emerging voices toward the joy of language; and, for the past decade, serving as a pastor with the United Methodist Church. Today, I oversee the missions of the Emmanuel Outreach Center, a collaborative ministry of Newark First UMC, where neighbors come together to meet tangible needs and tend to the soul of our community.

Along the way, writing has been another way I have prayed, listened, and offered what I have. I have been blessed to publish Beneath the Same Slow Sky, a collection of poetry steeped in the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes, and Abandoned Barns, a Lenten devotional exploring the quiet places where God’s presence lingers.

I hold a deep appreciation for creation, believing this earth is a holy gift to be cherished. I am equally passionate about the work of social justice — the slow, steady work of ensuring compassion and equity for all. Here, I hope my words will be a gathering place, where stories open wide enough for each of us to find ourselves and perhaps glimpse the grace that holds us together.

Blessings on your journey.

dl