With honor, we share the intention of Bishop Lanette Plambeck to appoint the Reverend Dianne Ciesluk as the pastor of Cross Winds United Methodist Church in Maple Grove. Acting on behalf of the congregation, the Cross Winds UMC Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) has affirmed the Bishop's intention. Her appointment will officially begin on July 1, 2025. 

Dianne brings more than 22 years of pastoral experience within the United Methodist Church. She holds a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary and a Master of Religious Education from Duke Divinity School—an impressive academic and spiritual foundation. Originally from Duluth, she currently serves as pastor of La Crescent UMC and Dakota Riverside UMC, where she has been faithfully leading since 2020. 

Dianne describes herself as a compassionate, relational and empathetic leader.   The foundation of her ministry is built by grounding everything she does in her love for God and love for others.  She begins by listening deeply and building relationships. She has a passion for engaging people in discipleship and strives to equip others to carry out the mission of the church.  In her words, she believes “We are the transformation of the world.  The local church is the outpost of Jesus Christ’s discipleship.”   

Dianne has felt a clear calling to serve at Cross Winds.  She has stated that she is excited to get to know the Cross Winds family and the broader community we serve, and she is eager to listen, share in our vision, guide us, and journey alongside us in faith and ministry. 

A welcome reception will be planned following Dianne’s arrival in July, and a farewell for Stina in June. 

We ask for your prayers for all involved during this time of transition- especially for Dianne and the La Crescent and Dakota Riverside congregations she is departing, as well as Pastor Stina. May this season of change be filled with grace, hope, and the Spirit’s leading. 

 “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”   Jeremiah 3:15 

More information about Pastor Dianne.

Education

• Master of Divinity (equivalent) from Luther Seminary, 2005
• Master of Religious Education from Duke Divinity School, 1992
• Bachelor of Art (Elementary Education) from the College of Saint Scholastica, 1989

Appointment/Ministry Experience

• La Crescent UMC and Dakota: Riverside UMC, 2020-present
• Stanton UMC, 2019-2020
• Little Prairie UMC, 2017-2019
• Grace UMC (Pequot Lakes), 2008-2017
• Eveleth UMC and Gilbert UMC, 2006-2008
• United Campus Ministries; UMD (Duluth), 2004-2006
• Glenville UMC, 2001-2003
• Korean-Madisonville UMC (Cincinnati, OH), 1995-1997
• Community UMC (Circleville, OH), 1992-1994

Theological Perspective

My theological perspective is Wesleyan. Growing up in the United Methodist Church, I learned about and grew to appreciate Wesley’s understanding of the Order of Salvation. Wesley lived a life in which there was to be a balance between inward piety and outward social holiness. Because of this strong call to inward and outward demonstrations of faith, I believe that when one hears the gospel and embraces it for their own, it demands a response of faith in God that starts a person on a lifetime journey of growing into a new and transformed being. I consider myself an evangelical Christian believing in the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and proclaiming the grace of God to all people as revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Gifts for the Ministry

My strongest gifts for ministry include worship design and preaching, teaching, relational ministry, pastoral care, leadership development and vision casting. My primary gift for ministry is connecting with others. I genuinely enjoy people and take great interest in people of all ages and stages of life. I am sincere in my care of people and seek to allow God’s presence and power to be used through me. I am a creative, well-organized person, who greatly enjoys designing and leading worship and preaching. I enjoy teaching both adult and youth faith formation opportunities. I know that there is always opportunity to connect and grow in relationship with God, others and the world.