I was born August 28, 1962, and, my mother tells me, ate my baby food listening to The Beatles, still my favorite pop group. I grew up in Oyster Bay, Long Island (NY) and was baptized in Christ Church Episcopal in Oyster Bay. I graduated from Oyster Bay High in 1980 and headed for the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook seeking a degree in Geology since I loved to collect minerals. Though it seemed the thing for me, it turned out to be the one thing that was not for me. Disillusioned I went to work at Powers Chemco Inc. in Glen Cove mixing 1,000-gallon batches of photographic fixers and developers for the graphic arts industry. I did this for four years until I’d had enough and sought entry back into higher education for a degree in Chemistry to move ahead at Chemco. However, the Lord had another plan for me. Whilst in prayer about this new direction in my life the Lord began speaking to my heart and placing the desire for entering into the ordained ministry there. During this time I had left the Episcopal Church and found a church home in the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oyster Bay under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Jeff Glassey.

I went to Pastor Jeff with what was upon my heart and thus began a 9-year education track. But before the full brunt of this took place my wife, Sue and I were married on June 7, 1986. So, she and I have been on this journey together from the beginning. The first five years was spent working fulltime at Chemco and attending late afternoon and evening classes at SUNY Old Westbury attaining a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, with honors, and then spent four years on a full-tuition scholarship at Drew Theological Seminary culminating in a Master’s of Divinity degree, Magna Cum Laude in 1993. I was ordained Deacon in 1994 and was appointed to the three-point charge of Callicoon, Hankins, and Narrowsburg where I served for four years. I was ordained an Elder in 1997. In 1998 I asked to be moved as I felt the mission and ministry I’d been sent there to do had been accomplished and it was time for someone else to take the ball and run with it. I was then appointed to Naugatuck UMC where I served for seven years. While it is true I did not ask to be moved, nevertheless the welcome my family and I have received and the wonderful people we have met have reinforced the fact that this was an excellent move for my family and me. I welcome the opportunity to be your pastor and for us to work together to build up the kingdom of God here in Cheshire.

Now to the really important bits: my wife and I have been married for 19 years, and we have three beautiful children, Matthew, 11, Adam, 8, and Sage, 1 ½ . Sue was born on December 28, 1962 and grew up in Bayville, Long Island. She has a degree in Secretarial Science and worked for an insurance company, a lawyer, the Town of Oyster Bay’s Town Hall, and at the Alumni Office at Drew University. She is currently at home tending to the house and our children, a full-time-plus job in itself. Matthew is going into the 6^th grade and has been playing the trumpet for nearly a year, and auditioned for and made the Waterbury Youth Symphony as the only trumpet in the Debut Orchestra. Their end of the semester concert was held at the Palace Theatre in Waterbury. He’s enjoyed playing Little League Baseball with the Peter J. Foley L. L. in Naugatuck since he was 7 and has been in the Majors for the past two years. His choice position is catcher. Matthew also enjoys playing basketball, riding his bicycle, scooter and inline skates, building with Legos and K’nex, and playing video games on his PS2 and Nintendo 64. Adam is going into 3^rd grade and also enjoys baseball and has been playing since he was five and is now a part of the 8-year-old Minor League All-Star Team. Adam’s position is pitcher, 3^rd and 1^st base. He also enjoys basketball, bicycling and scooters. He also likes to do cartwheels and play video games, he’s got a Gamecube and Gameboy Advance. Both boys will be attending the Highland Avenue School. Sage, now 1½ enjoys walking, playing with her bro’s, laughing, trying to speak in sentences, playing jokes, and dancing to music. As for me, I enjoy digital photography, caring and growing uncommon and exotic, arid-dwelling plants affectionately known to many as "fat-plants", most of which come from Africa.

My family and I are looking forward to becoming more and more a part of the worshipping and social community of Cheshire. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, and out and about the town!

The Peace & Joy of Jesus Be Yours Always,
Pastor Steve