Introducing Our New Senior Associate Pastor: Rev. Dr. Diane Janssen Hemmen

We are thrilled to welcome our new senior associate pastor, Rev. Dr. Diane Janssen Hemmen. Her first day among us will be Tuesday, Sept. 2. The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC) unanimously presented Diane as their candidate for this position at the Aug. 4 Session meeting. Diane firmly believes that Village Church is the call that God intends for her in this season.

Diane was born to South Dakota dairy farmers and grew up going to church three times a week (or more), the rhythms of twice-a-day chores, eating her Grandma’s cookies, and a longing for autumn to come so school would start again in their town of 400. Her love of learning, community, and cookies continues to this day. Her gratitude for God’s welcome and presence keeps growing broader and deeper.

Diane is a graduate of the University of Sioux Falls, The Divinity School at Duke University, the University of North Carolina Hospital’s Clinical Pastoral Education program, Princeton Theological Seminary Youth Ministry Institute, Columbia Theological Seminary, and the PC(USA) Transitional Ministry Education Consortium.  She also completed training with Healthy Congregations in familial and organizational systems theory, becoming a facilitator and a facilitator trainer. She has served the Presbyterian Church in many roles, including a trauma level-2 hospital, hospice, and home health chaplain, but she mostly recently served as head of staff at First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Diane is married to Rev. Dr. Gregg Hemmen, who will be on sabbatical this fall and will have time to participate in Village Church activities. They have two children, Ainslee (23) and Eli (21), who were born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, while Diane served at University Presbyterian Church—the congregation that ordained her. Diane loves her family, a good puzzle, celebrating diversity, nurturing the flourishing of others, and chocolate.

After studying her application and written responses to questions, interviews with her references, participating in a creative, interactive teaching session led by Diane, meeting (and eating!) with her many times, the APNC witnessed several examples of her pastoral care, leadership, teaching, organization, budgeting, and conflict-management skills. She demonstrates a desire to discover needs through listening and work toward mutual goals. Diane exhibits approachability, curiosity, a kind heart, a desire to connect with others, and a sense of humor.

We are excited for you to meet her and look forward to our shared ministry. Thank you again to the APNC for their faithful, diligent work! 

One member of the APNC shared, “Diane’s energy and enthusiasm along with her vibrant, friendly, and soulful spirit make her a perfect fit for this robust position! Her breadth of experience, extensive Biblical knowledge, and keen desire to understand our ministry at Village Church will ease her transition into this role. Personally, I was touched with her sense of compassion when she responded to one of our questions with, ‘We all need our souls to be held.’ She told us that she hopes to cultivate curiosity, help others learn to tell their story, and engage people where they are. We know you will enjoy her pearls of wisdom, which she seems to share just at the right moment. Be sure to introduce yourself, and if you want to be fast friends, remember to bring chocolate!”

Diane shared with the congregation: “One of the things I love about the Presbyterian Church is that we are a connectional church. For example, Village brought me together with Gus Breytspraak (a member of the APNC) who is a fellow Duke alum and a passionate supporter of adult faith formation. We discovered our connection to Tom Johnson and his daughter Amy, my friend since summer church camp in North Dakota! Gus genuinely wanted to know me—a pleasant surprise, but it should not have been; that is what Presbyterians do! I love that about our church. We value our connectedness, our valuing of differences in theology and practice while maintaining shared beliefs, and our witness to the love of God we show with our lives. Village is a vibrant, strong community that amplifies the love of God in and through its connectedness, and I look forward to discovering connections with the members, friends, and staff of Village Presbyterian Church. Onward in hope!”

We look forward to welcoming Diane in person on Sept. 2!