103 1st Street, Riverhead, New York 11901, United States
Beacon Light Newsletter
January/February
THE BEACON LIGHT
Please update your Zoom information for the church. This is a link for both Sunday Worship and Friday Bible
Study. When you can’t make it in-person, you can join us online:
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 885 1770 4747
Passcode: 7272621
Meeting ID: 885 1770 4747
Passcode: 7272621
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Dear Friends and Members of our First Congregational Church,
Just about all of this newsletter is directly out of our Annual Report. As I know many missed the meeting, it’s reprinted here…
Despite our pandemic that turned endemic, an aging congregation, and an economy that has been less than wonderful (and complete with some steep gas prices), as we look over our shoulders at 2022, we can sincerely say that it wasn’t a bad year for us here at First Congregational Church of Riverhead. Our programming generally ran as it should. We did have to postpone our Annual Meeting because of snow,
but that was basically it for the big bumps. There was both Adult Bible Study and Confirmation Classes for most of the year. Worship ran smoothly and was both in-person and online (thanks to a boosted internet connection in the sanctuary), and our services were regularly enhanced by Dee Laveglia’s playing and singing.
Although we continued to miss the choir, we were treated to some special music in the year, and several of our singers helped to get us all singing. Attendance was consistently less than robust, but sincere, warm, and welcoming.
We stayed with much of the programming that we’ve come to love including our Souper Bowl Sunday celebration in February that saw many donations collected in addition to the great soups after worship, and in the later months, our Mother’s Day and Father’s Day special worship and the really wonderful brunch and
lunch, respectively. Our Thrift Shop ran smoothly and well throughout the year, with the same winter break as always, and open on our $1 clothing sale days. The clothing sale out front on our Riverhead Country Fair
Sunday went particularly well. We again had several occasions to celebrate with the wider community, including our Ash Wednesday and Holy Week services with our sister UCC churches in Aquebogue and Baiting Hollow, and our midweek Lenten
services, Easter Sunrise Service, and Interfaith Thanksgiving Service with our Riverhead Clergy Council congregations. Additionally in November, we celebrated Rev. Anton’s retirement at Old Steeple with a Saturday evening of fellowship and then a shared Sunday Service of Worship.
As for the new and noteworthy, there were also a few other good things to come our way. I was glad to see that arrival of the historic trail marker on our front sign which is complete with a playable QR code. Our Covered Dish fellowship hour in September was a big hit, and the Coffee, Cookies and Crafts fellowship hour. December made for a fun time for many of us. Two other fine celebrations in the year were Andy Kassay and
Terry Minnick’s wedding in our sanctuary on November 5th, and the Christmas Organ Concert which George Moravek offered on December 18th. And of course, our Christmas Service of Carols and Candles was lovely again this year (and complete with new candles!).
It should be noted, too, that our Thrift Shop has done wonderfully well this year, with many thanks to our great team of volunteers, Bread & More continues to feed many hungry souls three times each week, and our various
12-step programs are all going well. There are many wonderful people giving much for the good of others.Yet into every year, some sadness, it seems, must come. Faithful member and volunteer Lois Borman made her
way to heaven in April and we mourned her passing with a gravesite service at Calverton in July. And Alice Summerville, who had long served on our Boards and did much for our church over the years, was taken to heaven in September. Alice’s funeral was held in our sanctuary and followed with a luncheon, and a Service of
Internment was held at Calverton a few days later. We were also saddened to learn of our long-time janitor Doug Tate’s passing in October. The hope is to have a service for him this spring. And just before Christmas, we and all entire community were greatly saddened by Sister Margaret’s passing.
Although not a death, we were still sad to see our wonderful office manager Henza leave us in November, but we did see her off well, with a fine luncheon on Nov. 9th. (She decided that rather than stay with us, she would
retire with her husband and move to Florida. Imagine such a thing.) We welcomed Lorraine DeArmitt onto the staff as our bookkeeper in November and expect to have a regular new janitor and new office manager in the near future.
Special thanks go out to the chair of Board of Trustees Nancy Repp and to her husband Allan for all they continue to do for our church. And thanks to the many Board members and volunteers who continue to do much to enhance our life together and make things work.
We also look forward to George Moravek returning to our organ this January, the return of the choir, and the reception of some new members, several of which have been regularly worshipping with us of late. There are blessings yet to come. Thanks be to God.
Respectfully submitted,
The Rev. Dr. Sean B. Murray, Pastor
ZOOM
Please update your Zoom information for the church. This is a link for both Sunday Worship and Friday Bible
Study. When you can’t make it in-person, you can join us online:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88517704747pwd=bmJZenJNUFlHK2I1eHl4dHFmbmRsdz09
Meeting ID: 885 1770 4747
Passcode: 7272621
Meeting ID: 885 1770 4747
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees and Deacons continue to meet jointly each month. Unfortunately, we are working with areduced number of trustees and deacons due to lack of volunteers. Many thanks to trustees Janis Meyer and
Melinda Topping and deacons Dot Walsh, LuAnn Seaman and Barbara Parsons who have finished their 3 yearterms. We need 4 trustees and 5 deacons to fill our boards in 2023. Deacon Alice Summerville, who recentlypassed away had served in many capacities over many years and will be missed.
The year ended with our secretary Henza retiring and moving to Florida. We are still looking for a newsecretary. Lorraine has been hired as bookkeeper. We have enjoyed our pianist, Dee Laveglia throughout theyear and thank him for sharing his talents. George Moravek will be replacing Dee in January.
Financially, we have stayed within our budget and continue to operate at full speed. Many thanks to those whodonate their time and resources to help things run smoothly. The thrift shop has had a very successful year.
Thank you to all our volunteers who continue to sort, price, display and sell our donated items. The thrift shopdonated up to $2500.00 of its proceeds this year to local charities. The thrift shop is vital to our finances and
because of their success we did not have to have any major fundraisers.
Our 2023 budget reflects anticipated increases due to inflation as well as a musical director. The trustees conservatively estimated our income and recognize some fundraising may be necessary. As we approach 2023,
the trustees and deacons look forward to a new year with hope and optimism.
~Nancy Repp (Chair)
REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE
Repairs and maintenance to our church and office building have been minor this year keeping our expenses to a minimum. In January 2022, the thrift shop kitchen and linen room were painted, and new floors installed. Thank you to Dave Gruner for arranging this to happen. Minor roof repairs over the church kitchen were
completed in January. The floors in the parish hall were lightly sanded and polyurethane applied in August. Repairs were completed in the sanctuary bathroom and the air conditioner units were cleaned and filters replaced in the fall. If you are aware of any necessary repairs, please inform Allan Repp.
~Allan Repp
PUBLIC RELATIONS
This article is written as a retrospective of the past year. It has been a year where public relations have trumped evangelism. As a church, we have subscribed to coverage on WLNG radio. Gary, our contact there, has been amazing, broadcasting any and all articles relating to our Church News about the dollar clothing sale, half-price
sale at the thrift shop, yard sales, Sunday School dates, and dedication of the new carillon have all been aired many times prior to the event. In addition, our church has had an ad in the Giving Corner of the News Review,
located at the back of the paper. Posters for each event have also been distributed throughout the community.We are each an evangelist, living and speaking as God would have us do. It is our responsibility to speak proudly of our church and invite friends and neighbors to become part of our community of faith. A final bit of
PR and Evangelism is each member and friend's opportunity to have the carillon rung in honor or memory of a loved one. someone on a particular day. There are forms in the back of the sanctuary. Continue to read the Beacon Light
for information about what is going on in our beloved church. Be well and Happy New Year.
~Sandy Gruner
MUSIC AND WORSHIP
Our church has been fortunate to have Dee Laveglia providing music for our Sunday services this year. He has provided us with his talent as a musician, with his wonderful ability on the piano. He has also put the organ to good use. Perhaps his most unexpected gift to us has been his vocal talent often for the prelude and postlude of
the worship hour. I mentioned his wonderful ability on the piano, but also in speaking to him after hearing one particularly beautiful song that was completely unknown to me, I found that it was based on a poem titled
“September”. The lyrics were very touching, and he had set the poem to music.
The only thing missing from the music of our worship service has been the lack of a choir. In November, our former organist/choir director, George Moravek approached our church about returning as our music director. It is our hope that George will be able to renew the choir and perhaps bring some new voices to the church to
expand the music program in our Sunday Worship. George will be starting on January 15, 2023. Choir rehearsal is at 9:00.
~ Melinda Topping for the committee
PASTORAL RELATIONS
The Pastoral Relations Committee met with Pastor Sean in November to review the suggestions and requests from church members for enhancing church services as well as those of Pastor. The majority of feedback from the congregation has been positive. The Committee exists as a liaison between the Pastor and the congregation.
If you have any concerns or compliments, please speak to someone on the committee. The Committee members are Jane Kulesa, Marion Maino, Jane Joerchel, Sandy Gruner and Pastor. We try to accentuate the positive and work on the five S’s. They are success, surprises, satisfactions, solutions and sorrows. By
bringing concerns and compliments to the Committee, gossip and misinformation are kept to a minimum. We feel this is a constructive approach to conflict. We will be meeting again soon so please consider bringing
one the S’s to a Committee member.
~Marion Maino
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry continues to meet via Zoom each Monday. Although we wish we could meet in person, so many of us have moved away that it makes a lot of sense to meet this way. We continue to crochet prayer shawls for the church. Prayer shawls are made to be a comfort for those who need it. When one wraps
the shawl around themselves, they feel the love and comfort of God’s goodness. Each shawl is left on the pews of the church for anyone to take and present to friends or family. The group also make “lapghans”. These are smaller and are used for those in wheelchairs to not only bring them comfort, but to bring them warmth. The
tag which is place on each shawl reads: “This was handmade for you by the Prayer Shawl Ministry of our Church. As it was created, we prayed for you. We asked God to give you courage, strength and the knowledge that your friends at First Congregational Church of Riverhead are thinking of you – and that God loves you.
Know when you pull this shawl around your shoulders, or lay it across your lap, you are similarly covered by our prayers and surrounded by God’s love.”
When we have an overabundance of shawls we share them with different groups. This year we shared them with Peconic Bay Hospital, Hospice and the nursing home. Additionally, this year we crocheted baby blankets
to add to the bags donated to new east end mothers and delivered by Social Services.
We enjoy all these activities, but mostly enjoy the friendships made over the years. The Prayer Shawl Ministry has created lasting love and friendships. We laugh, we cry, and we enjoy each other. The current members of the ministry are: Marion Maino, Barbara Parsons, Luanne Seaman, Jane Jones, Pat DiScioscia, Ginger Duvall,
Sandy Daniels, Lorraine DeArmitt, Fran Nill and Marion Stark. All are welcome to join.
~Marion Stark
FUNDRAISING
The thrift shop has done so well this year that our needs for fundraising has been minimalist. One yard sale was held and two clothing dollar sales.
~ Marion Maino & Nancy Repp
BREAD AND MORE
Bread and More Kitchen continues to serve guests hot dinners on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 6:00. All meals continue to be take-out with no guests entering the building. Each night has a group of five or six volunteers who cook the dinner, prep everything for take-out, serve, and clean up.
Additional volunteers have stepped up in 2022 and more would be welcomed. During 2022, the number of guests served has ranged from the 30s to 80s each evening. On Wednesday, dinner trays are picked up to
provide meals for overnight guests at Maureen’s Haven. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches continue to be provided to our guests each Thursday. Beach Bakery of Westhampton supplies assorted desserts and the Riverhead Stop and Shop donates assorted breads and baked goods. Local farmers have generously donated
vegetables and other items from their farm stands. With the arrival of cold weather, warm clothing (sweatshirts, jackets, sweaters, hats, and scarves) has been distributed. The clothing is much appreciated by those in need. Riverhead Rotary generously purchased a much needed new refrigerator for the kitchen. Financial support
continues to come from many sources: grants, local churches, and service organizations. Many individuals and families are regular donors and continue to support the mission of Bread and More Kitchen.
~Jane Kulesa
LADIES NIGHT OUT
Thankfully 2022 blessed us with the opportunity to meet each month on the last Thursday for an informal sharing of a meal and time together to socialize. Until the COVID restrictions completely took away this
pleasant gathering time, we pretty much took our night out together for granted. What a joy to break bread together!As always there is an ebb and flow to the number attending each time, but an average is 10-12 ladies.Everyone is welcome and our usual meeting place, the Pulaski Street Grill is extremely accommodating.
~Janet Sanford
THRIFT SHOP
We had an enormously successful year in the thrift Shop. Donations have continued to pour in on a regular basis. And our clientele remain loyal and enthusiastic. Our community which we support, has in turn supported us by spreading the word to others to come in and shop. The refurbishing of the kitchen and linen room floors done last January while we were closed has made a nice
difference in our physical appearance. Because of the financial success of our shop the Boards generously voted to assign some moneys on a regular basis both to our special missions program and also to numerous local charities.
In the early fall we held a special well- attended $1 sale to help clear some space in our garage.
Sadly during this past year our long time employee and helper Douglas Tate became quite ill and passed away. We all miss his presence; may he rest in peace.
As always, we are so appreciative of all our volunteers who staff the shop each week. We welcomed several new members who have helped to fill some of the vacancies of seasonal helpers as well as those who have moved away. We also say thanks to all who donate so generously.
~Shirley Bergman & Janet Sanford
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The Christian education offerings currently include confirmation class, after worship on an every-other week basis and our adult Bible study. That class meets Friday mornings from 10:00-11:00 both at the church and on
Zoom. For more information, please speak with Pastor Sean.
FELLOWSHIP/SOCIAL
We have re-instituted our coffee hour on a regular basis whenever someone volunteers. Please note, that you can provide store bought items and milk to keep it simple and easy and Barbara Parsons will make the coffee. The church provides coffee, tea, cups, plates and napkins. The sign-up sheet is located on the kitchen door. Ask a friend to help you. It is always great to spend a few minutes visiting with our fellow parishioners
following church.
Throughout the year we have had several "special" coffee hours including our annual "Souper Bowl Sunday" (Save the date: February 12, 2023), sharing of a variety of breads during Lent, a "Welcome Back Brunch" in September and "Crafts and Cookies" in December.
~Barbara Parsons
MISSION/BENEVOLENCES
Our first mission is our traditional Souper Bowl Sunday fund raiser. This year we raised $172 and collected numerous cans of soup which were donated to our Bread and More Soup Kitchen.
During the months of March through May we took a special collection and donated over a thousand dollars to St. John’s Ukrainian Church toward the war relief effort in the Ukraine.
Our special missions were as follows: In April for “One great Hour of Sharing” -$226; in June for “Strengthening the Church”- $250; in October for “Neighbors in Need” -$250 . Our December mission, “The Christmas Fund” will also add an additional $250. We also contributed $18 to the Pennies for People program.
~Janet Sanford and Shirley Bergman
VISITATION
Our visitation committee has continued to function rather informally during the past year. There have been some in-person visits made, but the majority of our contacts have been either by phone or via cards. We’ve
tried to keep in touch with the many members who have relocated out of state. The zoom feature for our church service and for Bible study has been a great help in keeping those far away feel included.
Sadly, we bid farewell to one of our long-term members, Alice Summerville, who died in October. Alice was a gifted, creative soul who shared her many talents with us in so many ways. Alice had served on both boards and was always ready to lend a hand with decorating, cooking, volunteering at the thrift shop, or whatever else
came up. Rest in peace, dear Alice.
~Janet Sanford for the committee
STEWARDSHIP
Thank you to all our members and friends who have pledged their support this year. The ministry and missions of our church take place because of the spiritual and financial gifts of our members and friends. With your
support, we provide a place to worship our God. Your donations open our doors to 7 AA meeting each week. Bread and More provides 3 warm meals for the homeless and less fortunate. In addition, this year we made
donations to several local organizations. Each pledged amount helps the trustees create a realistic fiscal estimate for the coming year. All pledges and amounts are kept confidential. Pledges should be mailed or
dropped in the church offering plate. Thank you for your support.
~Nancy Repp, chairperson
- Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday - Take out - 5:30-6:00pm: Bread & More/INN
- ALLEY CAT THRIFT SHOP: Thursday 10:00AM – 2:00PM Saturday 9:00AM-1:00PM
- Bible Study Fridays 10:00 – 11:00AM
First Congregational Church
of Riverhead 103 First St.
Riverhead, New York 11901
