East Liberty Presbyterian Church Staff
Not sure who to talk with? Give us a call at 412.441.3800.
Our office hours are on weekdays from 9 am–5 pm. If you prefer, you also can send us an email and we’d be happy to help answer your questions.
Program and Ministerial Staff
The Rev. Dr. Michael A. Diaz
Senior Pastor and Head of Staff
Rev. Dr. Michael Diaz serves as Senior Pastor and Head of Staff at East Liberty Presbyterian Church—the Cathedral of Hope in Pittsburgh. Ordained in both the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), he brings more than 17 years of pastoral leadership dedicated to building creative, inclusive, and transformative communities of faith.
A native of Houston, Texas, Dr. Diaz earned his Bachelor of Arts in New Testament Studies from Oral Roberts University, followed by a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Guided by a passion for helping the church grow not only in spirit but also in mission and sustainability, he later earned an MBA from Hult International Business School. His ministry is shaped by the conviction that the church is not merely a place of worship, but a living movement of Jesus, justice, and joy. He currently serves on the Anti-Racism Transformation Team of the Pittsburgh Presbytery.
A lifelong percussionist, Dr. Diaz understands music as a form of prayer that restores the soul and calls the heart to action. When he’s not preaching or drumming, he’s still searching for the best homemade flour tortillas in Pittsburgh—a mission that keeps testing his faith. He shares life with his partner, Nino, and their beloved rescue dogs, Jazz and Rita.
On staff since November 2024.
Contact Information:
Email
412.441.3800 x223
The Rev. Sarah Robbins
Covenant Pastor for Care and Connection
Rev. Sarah Robbins serves as the Covenant Pastor for Connection and Care at East Liberty Presbyterian Church.
Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in 2010, she brings more than 15 years of pastoral leadership to this position. Her years of work as a transitional/interim pastor—most recently at Sixth Presbyterian Church—has given her the opportunity to share God’s radically inclusive and expansive love with all. She is confident this joy will continue here at ELPC.
She has also served as the Moderator of the Pittsburgh Presbytery as well as on the Commission on Ministry. She currently serves on the Executive Committee.
Rev. Robbins earned a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education from Westminster College followed by a Master of Divinity and a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. During that time, her focus on transformational leadership and a desire for well-informed pastoral care began. It has been her experience that deeply listening to communities of faith and continually experimenting with new ways of worshipping and witnessing lead to joy amidst life’s struggles.
Rev. Robbins met her spouse, the Rev. Ben Robbins, at Westminster. He has served as the Head of Staff at Northmont Presbyterian Church since 2018. They live in Squirrel Hill with their 9-year-old child Liam, and Sarah’s sister Anna Woomer.
The Revs. Robbins enjoy movies, any Britbox crime drama, rewatching the West Wing, and trying new restaurants in their sabbath time.
In her alone time, Rev. Robbins loves to cook but cannot bake. She is adamant that milk chocolate and decaf coffee are a waste of time. She loves to kayak, has an affinity for anything coastal, and is drawn to all that is rainbow or blue.
Over the last several years, Rev. Robbins has had the privilege of traveling on pilgrimages with other clergy to Jerusalem, Japan and Scotland. She would love to tell you about her learnings over coffee and hear about your journeys too!
On staff since October 2025
Contact Information:
Email
412.441.3800 x221
The Rev. BJ Woodworth
Covenant Pastor for Spiritual Life, Taizé, and Transitional Ministries
BJ has served in the PC(USA) for the last 28 years as a teacher, pastor, spiritual guide, and companion to university students and young adults. He graduated from Westminster College and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PTS), and received a certificate in Spiritual Transformation from the Transforming Center in Wheaton, Illinois. He is currently completing his Spiritual Direction training at the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction, which focuses on “the ancient art of Christian spiritual direction in a multi-faith context.” He also is a coach for the PC(USA)’s 1001 New Worshipping Communities initiative. BJ loves to create space for people to cultivate and nurture their inner wisdom for fruitful life and work in the world, as well as for people on retreat to withdraw for times of rest, renewal, and reflection. His own spiritual path has been influenced by the desert mothers and fathers, Richard Rohr, creation, Henri Nouwen, yoga, the Enneagram, Celtic spirituality, Thomas Keating, the Ignatian exercises, brewing beer, solitude, silence and stillness, centering prayer, and living in the city. He has lived in East Liberty since 1994 and is married to Katrina, who is a hatha yoga teacher and yoga therapist. They have four children: Kyra, Elena, Alex, and Zach. He is an avid homebrewer, enjoys playing soccer, and loves to read.
On staff since July 2020.
Contact Information:
Email
412.441.3800 x241
Wil Forrest
Coordinator of LGBTQIA+ Ministry
Wil is a Pittsburgh native who lives in Crafton Heights. He earned a Masters of Arts at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 2009, a Masters of Arts in College Student Personnel Administration at the University of Central Missouri in 1996 and a Bachelors of Science in Psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1993. Wil’s first career was working with college students in residence halls, in Greek-lettered organizations and in the classroom. After 15 years of being away while living in West Virginia, Ohio, Missouri, Rhode Island, and Maryland, he returned to his hometown of Pittsburgh. Wil seeks to serve God through his service at ELPC, through mission work around the world, and in every relationship. He joined the staff in 2010. A member of ELPC since 2005.
Contact Information:
Email
412.441.3800 x218
Sara Hackett
Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministries
Sara (she/her) has a degree in Christian Education from Westminster College and a Master’s of Arts from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. The list of things that bring Sara joy while working here at ELPC is endlessly long but includes storytelling, crafts, silliness, shared meals, good questions, the genuine prayers of the kids, the graciousness of the youth, the endless love given by volunteers, and the ability to use glitterglue at work.
Sara has worked at ELPC since August 2012.
Contact Information:
Email
412.441.3800 x220
412.673.2926 (Cell)
Dr. Edward Alan Moore
Director of Music and Arts
Dr. Moore joined the staff of ELPC in February 2011, after moving to Pittsburgh from Washington, D.C., where he served churches in DC and Virginia as well as being a faculty member of the Catholic University of American School of Music. A native of Girard, Ohio, Dr. Moore earned the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Organ Performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.
In the past few years Dr. Moore’ performance schedule has included concerts at East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, St. Paul Cathedral, and Heinz Chapel in Pittsburgh, The Presbyterian Church, Sewickley, Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown, Ohio, the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, and the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine and the Riverside Church in New York City. As a choral accompanist he has been the featured organist with the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, the Fairfax Choral Society in Virginia, the Bucks County (Pa.) Choral Society, and the Bach Consort of Washington, D.C.
He has teamed up with Pittsburgh pianist Nathan Carterette to form The Arsenal Duo, presenting concerts that unite their respective instruments in a unique and spectacular fashion.
Contact information
Email
412.441.3800 x224
Anqwenique Kinsel
Director of Hope Academy of Music and the Arts
Anqwenique is a Pittsburgh native and an extremely versatile vocalist and educator specializing in opera, classical music, jazz, and soul. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Voice Performance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has performed and collaborated with Chamber Music Pittsburgh, Attack Theater, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, BOOM Concepts, composer Daniel Bernard Romain, Luna Loba Collective/Shey Rivera-Rios, Roger Humphries, Nicole Mitchell, Kenny Peagler, and many others. Anqwenique has been recognized with many awards and opportunities for her creative work. She most recently was a recipient of the 2023 Aggie Award by the Bloomfield Garfield Corporation for her creative community work and completed the 3rd SCALE Fellowship cohort, a program of the Equity Impact Center for Black women in music. She was a 2024 UNISOUND Black Teaching Artist in Residence and participated in the Yoga Roots on Location teacher training cohort 6. Anqwenique has a history of working in collaboration across disciplines in visual art, photography, performance art, and immersive theater.
As a longtime educator and teaching artist, Anqwenique serves learners of all ages. In addition to her vocal and performance practice, ANQWENIQUE consults frequently as a teaching artist, program designer, and cultural advisor. Her workshop series Just SING! for vocal and personal wellness is supported by Duolingo and The Opportunity Fund. Consulting and program partners include Community Forge, Con Alma, TLC Libations, the Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and others. Currently Anqwenique is proudly serving as the president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the National Association of Negro Musicians and the interim director of Hope Academy for Music and the Arts at East Liberty Presbyterian Church.
Contact information
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412.441.3800 x212
Jim Tinnemeyer
Director of Administration & Facilities
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412.441.3800 x239
Gerald McClendon
Mission Ministry Coordinator
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412.441.3800 x238
Support staff
Rachelle Calfee
Bookkeeper
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412.441.3800 x234
Jen King
Administrative Assistant for Pastors
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412.441.3800 x222
Norma Meyer
Administrative Assistant to Worship & Music and Communications
Contact Information:
Email
412.441.3800 x211