Meet Our Staff

Daniel F. Diss, Senior Pastor

Pastor Daniel came to Glen Ellyn in July 2017 as our pastor. Before coming to Glen Ellyn, he served as the Senior Pastor at Grace Church in Joliet. He has served congregations throughout Illinois including Genoa, Chicago, Farmer City, Champaign, Riverton, and Danville. He is a native son of Illinois growing up on a dairy farm near Taylorville. He graduated from Millikin University (BA) in Decatur, Illinois; Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois (DMin); and Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut (MDiv). He has served in local congregations, campus ministry, and the hospital settings. He is enjoys a variety of activities from painting, photography, creative writing, and nature walks to white water rafting, rodeos, and traveling around the world.

Contact: dr.daniel.diss@gmail.com

Position Currently Vacant; Search on-going

Laura Hollinger Antonelli, Director of Student Ministries

Laura Hollinger Antonelli is an ordained minister in the Christian Church Disciples of Christ, Laura joyfully serves as the Director of Student Ministries here at First United Methodist Church. She previously served as Associate Dean of Rockefeller Chapel, followed by working with the non-profit Interfaith Youth Core and as Director of Religious Education at First Unitarian Church in Hyde Park, Chicago. Though she has a love of ministering to God’s beloved of all ages, she takes particular delight in working with children, youth, and young adults.

Contact: student@geumc.org