History
The Stony Brook Community Church is located in the heart of the historic Village of Stony Brook, first settled by English whaling captains and their families in the early 1630's.The community lies in the Town of Brookhaven, which celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2004. The surrounding area, located on the north shore of Long Island, about 60 miles east of New York City, is exceptionally beautiful with its residents fiercely proud of its heritage and outstanding natural setting.
For almost 200 years, the Stony Brook Community Church has been a beacon of hope in the village of Stony Brook. Its steeple provided guidance for ships seeking safe harbor and its walls have been a haven for many across the years.
Who we are
Historically, our roots have been in the Methodist tradition and our polity is still United Methodist. We have many positive attributes; a strong and friendly core membership which cuts across diverse economic, ethnic and political persuasions. The congregation includes people who belong to European, Scandinavian, Celtic, Asian, African American, Hispanic, Jewish, Russian and Native American cultures. It is our goal to be inclusive and open to learning from, and enriched by sharing the faith journey of others. In the context of Christian community we seek to address issues of life in belief and practice.
We cherish this diversity. Respect for differences and a commitment to the dignity for all our fellow beings is the basis for our fellowship. We seek to provide Christian nurture for people of all ages and stages of life. Our values reflect the mainstream and we are committed to supporting families, ensuring opportunity and honoring freedom and responsibility. Perhaps what unites us is a mutual respect for one another and a questioning, intellectual curiosity.
We believe we are thinking, questioning congregation and would hope all our membership is comfortable in such an environment with its associated give and take. There is an unusual depth of talent available in our congregation for music, teaching, administration and spiritual understanding. We have an excellent music ministry (the church is located one mile from Stony Brook University; several of our music directors have been, or are, graduate students in their renowned Department of Music).
The church has many things going for it and has a lot to offer. We want to keep what we have worked so hard to build over the years, but recognize the need to grow in order to flourish and survive as an effective Christian witness in the community.
Physical Facilities
The church owns over 5 acres of land, on which is placed several buildings: the sanctuary, seating 150 persons, the Sullivan House (administration) which is a large 3-storied Victorian villa, the Hague House (with two rental units), the Opportunity Shop (Op Shop), the Priscilla Smith House (one rental unit), the Education Building with gymnasium, and the Parsonage.
The church building was erected in 1860, built as a traditional New England steeply-spired sanctuary by shipwrights (the steeple is held together by wooden spikes; no steel bolts are used). The church is located on a nicely landscaped plot with a small adjacent cemetery, partly owned by the Town of Brookhaven. The property is located close to Stony Brook Village, the Long Island Railroad and major local highways. The building has an elevator for handicapped access.
Sharing space with church activities, the education building is home to the North Shore Montessori School, a telephone crisis hotline, Alcoholic Anonymous, AlAnon, and numerous other groups and organizations.
Worship Services
For many years there has been a single Sunday worship service starting at 10.00 am, with the Sunday School overlapping. The children and youth attend the first 20 minutes of worship and then go to the classrooms to participate in Sunday School activities. Lay persons partake in scripture readings. Services are informal yet dignified. A small, but dedicated choir of about 12 voices provides music at services and special events throughout the school year. Partaking in communion services is open to all.
Christian Education and Youth Programs
Sunday School is provided from September through June for children and youth at 10.00 a.m. during the regular service as described above. An older youth group meets on Sunday evenings. With the leadership of the Children and Youth Ministries Coordinator and with a small, but enthusiastic and capable group of parents, a broad range of programs is organized.
Missions and Outreach
The church supports Habitat for Humanity and recently participated in building a house in North Bellport. We also financially support the Response crisis hotline and the Three Village Meals on Wheels program. The church also aids the Ministries at Coram, Taproots, Victims Information Bureau, Three Village Lending Aids Society, Community Youth Services, Echo Arms Nursing Home, and numerous regional charities through the Social Concerns Fund. Many of these programs, now grown to maturity and independence, had their genesis and were nurtured through their formative years by our congregation. They are like our grown children, and we are very proud of their accomplishments.
As our name suggests, we believe strongly in investing in our community. We believe that with enlightened spiritual and administrative leadership, continuing dynamic programs for the children and youth, and strengthened outreach programs, the church will provide well for the needs of all our congregants and the greater community.
