ABOUT
OUR PASTOR
Rev. Dr. Ann Michele Rogers Brigham
Rev. Dr. Ann Michele Rogers Brigham is the Interim Minister for Old Steeple Community Church. She began her work on June 1, 2023. Rev. Ann, as she is known around Old Steeple, shares this about her life and ministry:
“Hello friends, I welcome you to Old Steeple Community Church, UCC! Please, come and share our spiritual journey and allow us, together, to pray for God’s love to surround us, hold us and keep us connected in covenant to be “better together.” We welcome all who seek, listen, inquire, and gently care for all creation. Wherever you are on the journey, come hold the Christ light with us in worship, meetings, mission outreach, fellowship and fun!
Let me share a little about myself. I grew up in Wilcox, Arizona and Collins, Mississippi, places my parents and grandparents called home. I graduated with a B.A. from Mississippi College and a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1993, I completed a Doctor of Ministry degree at Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, MA. I also completed five units of Clinical Pastoral Education and was active as a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors for many years. I maintained a private practice as a pastoral counselor through the years in places where I was in ministry.
As an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ for 35 years (and an ordained Baptist minister for the first 10 years of my career in ministry), I have experience as a chaplain, missionary, pastor, teacher, and pastoral counselor. I was the Protestant Chaplain at Bentley University in Waltham, MA, while in the Boston area and served churches as a local pastor in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Vermont, Northern California and Mississippi. I served a four year term as a career missionary to Thailand in the early 80’s, teaching at Thammasat University in Bangkok. In 2016, I worked as teacher at Christian University in Thailand in Nakom Pathom and was a Mission Associate with Global Ministries (UCC/Disciples ministries).
My ordained standing is with the Southern New England Conference, UCC, but I am glad to be connected to the New York Conference, UCC, experiencing life and community on Long Island and beyond. What joy it is to serve in this place, with you, the congregation of the Old Steeple Community Church, UCC. I look forward to learning and growing in faith with you as your Interim Minister.
Regarding my family, I am the proud mom of William Paul Brigham and Ann Martha Brigham. Martha’s partner is Erin Anderson. I am “Grammy” to Sierra Brigham (Paul’s daughter). Sadly, my dear husband of 35 years, Bill Brigham, died in 2008.
OUR VISION
Our vision in the UCC is "United in Christ’s love, a just world for all." We celebrate that vision and honor our covenant to belong to one another in our denomination each time we speak together our UCC Statement of Faith. To learn more about our denomination, United Church of Christ, please go to ucc.org.
United Church of Christ Statement of Faith in the form of a doxology:
We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify:
You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image, and set before each one the ways of life and death.
You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself.
You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.
Amen.
WHAT WE DO
CONGREGATIONAL CARE
“Our goal is to create a beloved community…”
God's love is made real and God's compassion is shared as we support each other through life's joys, sorrows, celebrations, and challenges. We care for each other through phone calls and visits from our minister and lay visitors. Come join us for worship, special services, or other programs where we share community and care for one another. We are a community where ALL are welcome and celebrated as beautiful reflections of God—all genders, all races, all faiths, all orientations, all backgrounds, all abilities, all ages, all struggles, and all hopes. If you are in need of pastoral care, we please contact the church office, 631-722-3070.
SUNDAY SCHOOL & CONFIRMATION
At Old Steeple, we believe children and youth are foundational to our life as a faith community. Squirmy, giggly, wiggly and all! Cries, laughter, and all other children sounds bring light and love into our congregation. Every Sunday during our morning service, kids pre-k through 5th grade are invited to join our teachers for their Sunday School time after a brief time together in the sanctuary worship space. Together, we explore and wonder about our faith through imagination, play, community service, and prayer. We follow a "safe conduct policy" at Old Steeple. Please call our church office for more information about our offerings for Sunday School and Confirmation for youth.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
We feel equally called to reach out locally, nationally, and globally, to those who are not members or friends of Old Steeple Church.
Every year we decide which 12 projects we will support. We also gather non-perishable food for our local food Banks year-round.
Read more about our outreach below.
OUTREACH
Our goal is to share God's kindness and generosity with all whom we encounter. We feel it is an essential part of who we wish to be. We reach out so serve the larger community and beyond. Here are some of our ministries:
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Maureen’s Haven (feeding the homeless)
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CWS (Blankets and hygiene kit collections)
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Habitat for Humanity
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Yearly Scholarship Programs (for local High School graduates)
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AA
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NA
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Heifer Project International
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Local and Global Disaster Funding (UCC)
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Prayer shawls and baby-caps for newborns (Local Hospital)
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Crop Walk
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Veteran’s of the Cross
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Back to School Supplies
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Local Food Bank support
HISTORY
