103 1st Street, Riverhead, New York 11901, United States
Beacon Light Newsletter
January/February 2026 Issue
Dear Friends and Members of our First Congregational Church,
Happy New Year. First off, thank you very much for the Pastor’s Purse once again this past year. It’s always greatly appreciated especially in the holiday season.
Pretty much all of the articles here will also be featured in our Annual Report for our Annual Meeting (after service on January 25th). Thanks go out, once again to Collene Richardson who fields the articles and edits this newsletter for us.
Looking over the shoulder at 2025 elicits more of a good riddance than a fond farewell. Yet despite the challenges and multiple funerals, there were blessings to be had.
As reflected in our Registrar’s report, church members Gloria Foley, Bunny Burns, Joan Fleischman, Bruce Sandford, Jerry Duvall and Anne Stevens all made their way to heaven in the past year. Their remembrances were well-celebrated in our church and yet our hearts and our prayers continue to go out to the many who grieve their loss. Fortunately, there were some genuinely happier moments for us.
The year itself started without winter storms or icy struggles, but that would change in February. Originally, our Souper Bowl Sunday was scheduled for Feb. 9, but because of the snow which first caused the thrift shot to remain closed on Feb. 6 and then cancelled church for us that weekend, that annual Sunday celebration was just postponed a week and still saw a fine turnout and wonderful offerings.
The next noteworthy date was Ash Wednesday, on March 5, which we again celebrated with our sister UCC churches of Baiting Hollow and Aquebogue. While Old Steeple now had a soon-to-be settled pastor, the Rev. Kerstin Weidmann who preached at that service, Baiting Hollow remains in the search process. The Rev. Dr. Ann VanCleef and the Rev. Dr. Donald Russo are currently handling the responsibilities there. Leadership and members from all three churches attended to receive ashes and begin the new season.
Throughout Lent, we had our Wednesday evenings services in various churches. Participation was decent but not quite robust. None the less, it gave all who attended a fine opportunity to hear other voices in our community. Maundy Thursday saw a communion service at Old Steeple, and the Good Friday service was again held at Baiting Hollow.
For Easter, April 20, we returned to celebrate a Sunrise Communion Service in Grangebel Park at 7:00am, before our Sanctuary Service at 10:00. The Easter lilies and “Breads of the World” added to a lovely celebration in our church.
With the arrival of Mother’s Day, the women of the church stepped up to lead worship, and the men hosted another fine brunch.
On Sunday afternoon, May 18, representatives from our UCC churches gathered at Old Steeple for the Ecclesiastical Council and Installation of the Rev. Kerstin Weidmann. She’s a wonderful addition to both our Association and local Clergy Council.
As summer arrived, I was also honored to be asked to lead the opening prayers for our Town’s Memorial Day celebration at the WWI site. The pace of things did slow down a bit in the summer months, but we were again treated to a fine Father’s Day brunch by the women of the church on June 15, following the service which the men led. We also had a fine after church barbeque to celebrate the 4th of July after our service on the 6th. July also saw the arrival of a new priest at St. John the Evangelist RCC, the Rev. Fr. Gonzalo Oajaca-Lopez who was appointed following Fr. Larry’s transfer. He’s a well-travelled and well-versed man with whom I had occasion to enjoy a lunch together in August.
Yet the big event of August was our Minister of Music George Moravek’s last Sunday with us on the 10th. That saw a nice celebratory brunch after our service of worship. George was much beloved by the choir, congregation and community and will continue to be missed by many. Fortunately, we were blessed to be able to hire Ms. Kimberly Kang, a doctoral student at Stonybrook’s School of Music, who stepped right in on August 17.
Rally Day was celebrated September 21st and that again saw the return of Sunday School offerings as well as a very fine brunch hosted primarily by Meagan Howard.
This year October first brought in disappointment rather than celebration as our Riverhead Country Fair Day and Quilt Show was cancelled due to inclement weather. Yet that was soon turned around with the happy celebration of baby Hazel Marie Hubbard’s baptism on Oct. 19. (Congrats again to Kelli and Dan).
November saw a number of special events. The first was our Suffolk Association’s fall meeting, held in Orient. The following week I was honored to perform a baptism in Spanish for an Ecuadorian family. Mid-month, on Veterans Day, I was again invited to lead prayers for our town’s celebration at the WWI monument. Then all of a sudden it was time for Thanksgiving. Our Bible Study group did a fine job of decorating the altar for our Thanksgiving Sunday and later that Sunday several of us gathered for our Interfaith Thanksgiving Sunday which was held at Temple Israel this year. I was also privileged to arrange for the distribution of 160 Thanksgiving food baskets to local pantries and churches which Long Island Ice & Fuel donated.
Advent arrived before December and the elves got busy. We decked the halls for Christmas with lots of fine touches at church on Dec. 7th, and enjoyed some fellowship time. Unfortunately, we got snowed out the following week. Come Christmas Eve, the sanctuary was well adorned, complete with poinsettias and candles, and the music was great.
Throughout the year we also enjoyed great music with thanks to our dedicated choir and to both Ministers of Music, George and Kimberly. In Spring and Fall, Sunday School (thanks Jane and Sandy) and Adult Bible Study classes on the Psalms and the book of Daniel were offered and well appreciated. Our Thrift Shop remained wonderfully busy throughout the year (Special thanks to all our great volunteers) and times of blessing through fellowship dinners and coffee hours, counseling sessions and visits. The gardens have regularly been well tended, with thanks to Allan, and the buildings are all in decent shape, with still some fixing to come this spring.
This year is sure to bring its own excitement as our God continues to surprise us, lead us, and bless us. May it be a happy and healthy one for all.
Blessings,
Pastor Sean
Join Zoom Meeting -- for Friday morning Bible Study classes or Worship:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86897065711?pwd=a0FZcDg5MnRqKzJMQXRLVzlBTGZFQT09
Meeting ID: 868 9706 5711
Passcode: 7272621
Trustee's Report:
The Trustees during the year were blessed with only dealing with a few maintenance issues, which with members talents and gifts much was rectified. We had air conditioning issues in the parish hall from the wall mounted units. Estimates to repair vs. replace were presented and Trustees will move forward in spring to replace the unit, saved by the cooler weather. We had an irrigation issue with the control box in the office for the grounds around the office, which was repaired by Alan Hubbard, a real blessing to our church.
Estimates were received to scrap and paint the church as well as minor soffit repair. The award was granted to Edvin Construction, after a Church meeting. Work will begin as soon as weather breaks in the spring. The Trustees continue to monitor and address issues of building maintenance and building use. The church continues to receive revenue from organizations that utilize the property for meetings. The church also continues to support the outreach of the Bread and More soup kitchen which has been recognized as a leader in addressing the hunger of those less fortunate in our community.
The Thrift Shop, as much as the public appreciates and patronizes the store, has been a true blessing to the financial well being of the Church. Revenue received has assisted the church in not only making our commitment to the UCC special offerings, but by surpassing it, along with numerous local donations that have truly had an impact on the community as well as on our church.
-Jim Wooten
Deacon's Report:
Our thanks go out to all our Deacons who serve on committees throughout the year. Members have done much to bless us through work with Christian Education, Fellowship, special events, Public Relations and Evangelism and visitation. We are always looking for those who are willing to fill out the ministry teams as deacons of our church. If interested please speak to Pastor or Sandy Gruner.
Buildings and Ground's Report:
The new air conditioner unit for the fellowship hall will be installed in the Spring. It has been ordered and we have a company to complete the work. A vote by the congregation to complete the exterior repairs was held and passed in November.
Following the repair work on the exterior of our church this spring, staining will begin. Otherwise, we have had no major repairs.
The gardens have been “put to rest” for the winter. We continue to have an issue with the homeless sleeping on our church porches and leaving garbage on the grounds. Our thrift shop helper and I try to keep up with this problem.
-Allen Repp
Public Relations and Evangelism:
A thank-you was sent to WLNG for all of their support in airing happenings at our thrift shop. Thanks to their broadcasting many new customers have become regulars at the thrift shop. There is renewed concern about the number of people in church. We struggle to figure out ways to bring new people in and regulars to stay. We are an incredible faith community and in these trying times we hope to bring our support to those who may be troubled, confused or looking to find an open and affirming congregation.
We are all evangelists hoping to spread the word of God and bring people together here at First Congregational. Any ideas for growth are welcome.
Respectfully submitted,
-Sandy Gruner
Stewardship Report:
Thank you to our members and friends who have made a financial commitment by completing the stewardship card. We realize making long-term financial commitments can sometimes be worrisome, but your pledges are necessary for the development of our 2026 budget. Any amount you pledge will help the trustees create a realistic fiscal estimate for the coming year. All pledges are kept confidential.
If you haven’t already, please make a commitment to God and our church with a generous and thoughtful pledge.
-Nancy Repp
Thrift Shop:
The Alley Cat Thrift Shop continues to thrive providing low-cost clothing, bedding, shoes, knick knacks and household items to all. Many thanks for all our volunteers who regularly come to help sort, price and display items. We are especially grateful for Dee Martin who examines, prices and displays the jewelry. Dee sells the more valuable donated jewelry to a local jeweler. Dee and Patty B. examine, research and price our antique items which are sometimes sold on Facebook Marketplace providing additional income.
Please consider giving some of your time to help in the shop. It is our only source of fundraising and provides significant funds to our church. Volunteers are welcome to come any day we are open and you do not have to stay the whole time.
-Nancy Repp
Christian Education:
Following our brief winter break, Adult Bible Study has been scheduled to begin a new study Friday, January 23. We meet in the Fellowship Hall from 10:00-11:00 and all are welcome. For the younger students, we are continuing to work on learning the Lord’s Prayer in Sunday School with the girls. We studied Epiphany and used the opportunity to talk about gifts and gift giving. We are creating a tree of positive words which are gifts to each other and to the world.
We hope to place the tree in the sanctuary when it is finished. We will begin a new unit when we have reviewed the materials on hand.
Respectively submitted,
-Sandy Gruner
Worship and Music:
Although George will continue to be sorely missed by many, we are delighted to have a new Minister of Music, Ms. Kimberly Kang. Kimberly is currently a graduate student at Stonybrook School of Music and is well gifted on the keyboards, both organ and piano. Her music is a blessing to all. Welcome Kimberly! Kimberly and the choir are planning a concert of talented Stony Brook music students in the Spring. Stay tuned for details.
-Melinda Topping
Fellowship:
Our fellowship time is going very well. During the year we had special celebrations for Super Bowl Sunday (soups were served), at Easter we shared breads of the world, a July 4th barbecue (thanks to Rebekah and Jim Wooten) and at Christmas we feasted on cookies baked by several of our members.
Our next social event will be Souper Bowl Sunday on February 8th, 2026. We will share soups, breads, goodies and friendship on this day. We need people to sign up for coffee hour for the upcoming year. Many of the church members and friends stay and enjoy the time connecting with one another. Barbara helps set up and the church provides the coffee. Consider doing a Sunday with another member. Please sign up soon.
-Barbara Parsons
Prayer Shawl Ministry:
We continue to meet via zoom on Monday nights at 7:30. If anyone is interested in joining us please feel free to contact me. You don't have to have a project going every week. Some weeks only a few ladies are crocheting or knitting. We enjoy the fellowship.
In October Sue Hubbard gave a prayer shawl to her cousin Greg Burns and on October 8 we received a very nice thank you card from Elizabeth Burns. She thanked us for the beautiful shawl and all of our continuing prayers for Greg.
The prayer shawls are on the pews for anyone to take as a gift to a person in need.
-Barbara Parson
Visitation:
Pastor, Sandy Gruner and Janet Sanford, try to visit and or call anyone who needs to know we are thinking about them and praying for them. It is also important to remember people who are not sick or grieving but might like to speak with someone from the church. We sent Thanksgiving cards to friends and members near and far. Please call the church office if there is someone who would appreciate a call or a card.
-Sandy Gruner
Pastoral Relations:
The committee met on Saturday, January 3rd. We met, as is specified in the bylaws, to make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees regarding Pastor’s salary for the following year. It is a recommendation and the Trustees can either accept or amend the decision. We scheduled a meeting with the pastor for Sunday, January 11th.
If you have any concerns or compliments, please speak to a member of the Committee. Communication is the only way issues can be resolved and progress made. The committee is made up of a Trustee , James Wooten, a Deacon, Sandy Gruner and two members at large, Susan Hubbard and Jeanne Vecchio.
-Sandy Gruner
Bread and More Soup Kitchen:
Bread and More Kitchen continues serving takeout dinners which include hot soup, a complete meal, dessert, and water on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 6:00. Dedicated volunteers prep, cook and serve the meals. The number of guests this year has ranged from the 60s to 100. All guests are most appreciative of the meal received. St Mark’s Church in Shoreham continues to supply peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches. Beach Bakery in Westhampton and the Riverhead Stop & Shop continue to donate baked goods. Much appreciated financial support comes from grants, organizations, and individuals.
- Jane Kulesa🙝 PR & EVANGELISM 🙝
Ladies Night Out:
Our group has now made the change from meeting in the evening to meeting at lunch time. We've usually taken a winter break to avoid bad weather, but we'll see what the weather forecast is predicting.
It's been a successful year of continuing our get-togethers, getting to know each other better and sharing meals. If you've not yet joined in, please know that you are welcome. Just let me know ahead of time so we can provide the restaurant with an approximate headcount.
-Janet Sanford (H) 631 591- 1063 (C) 516 507- 7897
Missions & Benevolences:
Throughout the year, donations were made to help those affected by hurricanes, The Butterfly Effect (local organization to support young teens), various food banks and Bread and More Soup Kitchen. As part of our church missions we collected food donations during the month of November. All donations were given to the Open Arms Food Pantry at the Riverhead Baptist Church and Church of the Harvest Food Pantry in Riverhead. As always, we collect food donations throughout the year. In these difficult times, with the price of food and limited resources, please consider making a difference by donating generously! In December, the church purchased $200.00 worth of hats, gloves, scarves, sweatshirts, toothpaste and brushes and soap for Maureen’s Haven in Riverhead. The thrift shop has also started to donate unsold men’s clothes to the homeless shelter.
As part of our commitment to the United Church of Christ, members contributed to 5 of their mission projects. They include: One Great Hour of Sharing (supports worldwide ministries that fund health, education emergency relief and more) , Strengthen the Church (to build up the church), Neighbors in Need (a mission offering for justice ministries), Christmas Fund (support for active and retire UCC clergy and lay employees), and Our Church’s Wider Mission (putting God’s love into action in our communiteis and world). For more information go to https://www.ucc.org/.
-Shirley Bergman and Nancy Repp
- Bread and More: Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday - Take out - 5:30-6:00pm
- ALLEY CAT THRIFT SHOP: Tues. & Thurs. 10:00AM – 2:00PM; Saturday 9:00AM-1:00PM
- Bible Study: Fridays 10:00AM – 11:00AM
First Congregational Church of Riverhead 103 First St.
Riverhead, New York 11901
Riverhead, New York 11901
