Diane L. Damico

Diane L. Damico, creator of the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Praise Service at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Hamilton Township, died on Sunday, May 22, 2011. She was 74 years old.
A pioneer in contemporary liturgy and music, Diane Damico (neé Manners), empowered generations of youth and adults to find their voice, literally and figuratively. A lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, Diane's faith, creativity, and compassion inspired countless people.
Diane was born in Trenton, attended Junior Four and graduated from Trenton High School. In her youth she was a very active member and leader at Wesley United Methodist Church in Trenton. Following graduation she worked at U.S. Steel National Tube Division in various capacities including secretary to the head engineer. She left that position due to ill health in 1964 and began her lifelong, voluntary vocation of creating innovative Christian worship.
In the late 1960s Diane began working with youth in the community to use music and readings to express their aspirations for themselves and their world. Called the Rising Generation, they stimulated Trenton-area audiences to think and dream.
In the early 1970s, she and her dear friend Evelyn Frascella, now deceased, inaugurated The Unified. This group of high school youth from diverse Christian traditions united to offer contemporary worship in churches throughout New Jersey. At the time, Diane's use of The Beatles' music entwined with scripture and poetry was startling both in form and because it was led by teens. Yet the service's unexpected nature awoke people to hear the Christian message of good news with fresh ears. And her careful cultivation of teen leadership of Christian worship was a paradigm for the full participation of youth in the life and witness of the church.
In 1979 St. Mark United Methodist Church in Hamilton invited Diane to begin a Contemporary Choir. The choir broke ground, bringing a panoply of contemporary music into the worship life of the church. Comprised of adults and youth, the choir periodically traveled to other churches offering music and worship. Diane worked collaboratively with other musicians and pastors, always creating opportunities for new people to sing or participate.
At the turn of the millennium, in consultation with the ministers, Diane developed the 9:30 a.m. Praise Service at St. Mark which features a praise band and a braiding together of scripture, message, and contemporary music. Her aim was to create a community of praise that used the full range of gifts that each person - congregant, minister, liturgist, or singer - possessed to worship God.
While Diane played an irreplaceable role as initiator, and touchstone, she was always inviting and cultivating other leaders so that the worship life of the church would grow and thrive. Wishing to augment liturgical language, Diane sought out other leaders in the church to form and lead an ASL Sign Choir, a String Ensemble, a Liturgical Dance Troupe, and, most recently, a Contemporary Youth Choir.
Throughout her life, and during her many years of public ministry, Diane struggled with numerous illnesses that limited her physically. Yet her genuine love of other people and belief that "with God all things are possible" propelled her forward through hardship. Indeed one of her final acts was to write her own memorial service. It is not only her liturgical work but the generous and caring manner in which she undertook this work, that bear witness to her and to God's goodness.
"So you see how through the years I've had great struggles," Diane recently told the United Methodist Women, "but I've also been blessed with God's work, God's people, and God's love."
Diane is predeceased by her parents, Elmer Noble Manners and Dorothy Carol Manners, and her brothers, Robert Manners, William Manners and Dean Manners, she is survived by her devoted husband of 51 years, Anthony L. Damico of Hamilton; her daughter, the Rev. Noelle Damico, and grandson, August Xavier Damico Geary of White Plains, N.Y.; her brothers, Richard Manners of Yardville, Drew Manners of Hamilton; and sister, Emma Giordano of Phoenix, Ore.
A memorial service, officiated by the Reverend Robert L. Marks, will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday (June 4) at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 465 Paxson Ave., Hamilton. Written by Diane, the service will feature contemporary music, dance, signing, string ensemble, and scripture.
Relatives and friends may call from 2 to 4 and again from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday (June 2), and from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday (June 3) at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 465 Paxson Ave., Hamilton. A Prayer Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday (June 3) at the church with an interment to follow in Riverview Cemetery, Trenton.
Contributions may be made in Diane's memory to St. Mark United Methodist Church, 465 Paxson Ave., Hamilton, NJ 08690, where a special fund has been established.
Arrangements are by Saul Colonial Home, Hamilton Square. www.saulfuneralhomes.com.