Gary Deinstadt

An ordained, seminary trained, Interfaith Minister with a Masters in Divinity from the All Faiths Seminary International and a licensed wedding officiant, I’m dedicated to creating an atmosphere that provides the platform for your desired experience.

Around the age of thirteen I realized there were two things I wanted to accomplish in life; I wanted to be a minister and  a jazz pianist.  At the time, I had the love, support, and access to pursue both.  I began studying piano with the church organist and had a pastor who recognized my interest in the ministry.  He once gave me the opportunity to lead the sermon for the congregation one New Year’s Eve. Only four people showed up that night — but I’ll never forget how right it felt, and how grateful I was for the opportunity.  I‘m fortunate to have grown up in an artistic and musical household.  Work as a pianist came to me early on and I realized that I was making more money playing gigs than the kids flipping burgers.  So, I eventually left my aspirations for the ministry behind and pursued music professionally.

Through the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some great artists.  I’ve always had a high work ethic in everything that I do.  My efforts eventually led to an extensive career as a composer & musical director at CBS, receiving two BMI film and television music awards, and nine Emmy nominations.  In 2007 & 2008, I took home the Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition.  In music and/ or in ministry, joy means everything and the rewards are endless!

 

Music is a language. It’s a path… a way to find meaning.  I find many parallels in the creative process of making music and the co-creative experience of striving to become more like God.

 

The high mission of any art is, by its illusions, to foreshadow a higher universe reality, to crystallize the emotions of time into the thought of eternity. (The Urantia Book)

 

The practice of art is not to increase ones egotism or a false sense of self-mastery, but permit an eventual change of ones level of being (Gurdjieff)

 

We’ve all received many gifts and have discovered many things that are going on in and around ourselves.  We’ve heard much about the Angels that guide us.  We’ve heard about the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, the profusion of Gods in Hinduism, the spirit indwelling of everyone and everything in Taoism, the Buddha-hood within, and the oneness of the Father and Son in Jesus.  We’ve come to know and trust the Creator of all things, the loving Father, the God within us, the God around us.  My motive and hope is to devote all of my talent and abilities toward the creative development and ennoblement of one’s higher powers of mind and spirit. 

Gary is delightful, an accepting and gentle soul.  He delivered the eulogy for a family member with attention to detail and loving, good-humored respect.  I would recommend Gary, without reservation, to preside over any ceremony where reverence and celebration of the uniqueness of the individual’s are of utmost importance.
Kathleen E. - Rhinebeck, NY
As the pastor of the Croton Falls Presbyterian Church I am very pleased to have Rev. Gary Deinstadt assist as service leader and pulpit supply at our place of worship.  Rev. Gary’s winning and embracing personality as well as his enlightened and inspiring message makes him very well liked by the congregation.  I strongly recommend Gary Deinstadt as a progressive and spiritually well-founded faith minister.
Rev. Dr. Hans B. Hallundbaek, M-Div., D-Min. Pastor Croton Falls Presbyterian Church
Dear Rev. Gary, Thank you so much for being the officiant at our wedding. We really appreciate how you took the time to meet and talk with us whenever we wanted, and all the materials you had prepared for us were extremely helpful. Before the ceremony and during the preparation process, your calm, prepared, caring way helped us to relax and plan the wedding ceremony that we really wanted to have, even if it didn’t fit the traditional mold. During the ceremony, you brought humor, life and kindness that at times made us laugh and other times brought tears to our eyes. You dealt with all the unexpected things that came up during the ceremony with grace and flair. Again, we couldn’t be more appreciative of the contribution you made to our special day. We already recommended you to another friend! Thanks again,
Maria & Dylan