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About Old Steeple Church

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

We recognize Jesus Christ as the head of the church. We believe that to follow in Jesus’ footsteps is to embrace his vision as he declared in Luke 4:18;

 

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free..."

We are a progressive Christian faith community. We do not base our criteria for membership on any tests of faith.  We accept and honor each individual’s authentic testimonies of faith as sufficient.

We are an inclusive faith community believing that all of God’s people have a place in the congregation, including:

  • Conventional Christians and questioning skeptics

  • Those of all sexual orientations

  • Those of all classes and abilities

 

We take the Bible seriously, but not literally.

We believe that the way we behave towards one another is the fullest expression of what we believe.

 

We strive for peace and justice among all people.

vision
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WHAT WE DO

Beloved Community

BELOVED COMMUNITY

“Our goal is to create a beloved community…”

Our church is inspired by these words from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We are focused on being inclusive of all people, including but not limited to; conventional Christians and questioning skeptics, believers and agnostics, women, men and children. Those of all gender identities, sexual orientation, classes, and abilities.

Self Care

SELF CARE

We strive to build a compassionate church-community, tending to all with love and kindness. 

 

We offer support, understanding and affirmation to all who seek us out. We visit the sick and pray for those in need of pastoral care. We worship regularly and share the sacraments with all who wish to partake. No one is excluded. Everyone can contribute and participate.

Other Care

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: 

  • Maureen’s Haven (feeding the homeless)

  • CWS (Blankets and hygiene kit collections)

  • Habitat for Humanity

  • Yearly Scholarship Programs (for local High School graduates)

  • AA 

  • NA

  • Heifer Project International

  • Local and Global Disaster Funding (UCC)

  • Prayer shawls and baby-caps for newborns (Local Hospital)

  • Crop Walk

  • Veteran’s of the Cross

  • Back to School Supplies

  • Local Food Bank support

What We Do
outreach

HISTORY

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