Staff

Pastor

Chuck Van Houten

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Pastor

Chuck Van Houten

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Rev. Van Houten was appointed to the Stony Brook Community Church by Bishop Martin D. McLee on July 1, 2013. 

A Native of Long Island, Pastor Chuck comes to us after leading The Centerport United Methodist Church through twelve successful years of Ministry, Mission, and Growth, where he was Senior Pastor from July 1st, 2001 - June 30th, 2013. While there he was a founding member of the worship band "Leap of Faith," worked to establish numerous new mission initiatives along with the membership of the church, worked with the church to discern the need, establish and hire an Associate Pastor, and lead many small group studies and sermon series credited with the spiritual development of the congregation there. In addition, Chuck also helped to lead CUMC through a successful Dream Catching, and Capital Improvement Campaign from 2011-2013. The Centerport church is in the process of experiencing the new ministries that came about as a result of this process, and is now in the building phase/physical renovations financed through this campaign. Ironically, Pastor Chuck was appointed to our church here in Stony Brook the same week the main construction projects got underway at Centerport.

Prior to being in Centerport, he was the Associate Pastor at The Mamaroneck United Methodist Church in Westchester county from July, 1996 - June 2001 where he was in charge of Christian Education and all Youth activities. In addition, he was a member of "The Circuit Riders," the resident rock and roll worship band at MUMC, and helped to lead "Sunday Night Live," a once-a-month Rock and Roll worship service. Prior to his time at Mamaroneck Chuck was the Student Pastor at The United Methodist Church of Port Washington from September, 1995 - July, 1996. After having been hired as the Bass soloist for the church in Port Washington in 1982, Chuck became a member of the church there and in 1993 began the process of discerning his calling to the ministry.

Pastor Chuck began his seminary career at New Brunswick Theological seminary in September of 1994. After transferring in September, 1997 he graduated (magna cum laude) from the Theological School at Drew University in May, 1999 with a Masters in Divinity (MDiv).

Previously, Chuck had graduated from Long Island University's C.W. Post Center, in May of 1983 with a Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) in Music, with an emphasis on vocal performance.

Chuck is an avid musician, singer, runner, pastor, and enthusiastic leader of small group studies that are open to all in the surrounding communities of Long Island.

You can contact Rev. Van Houten at:

Church office: 631-751-0574 (mornings Mon-Fri).
Office Hours: By appointment (




Music Director and Organist

Joan Wingerter

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Music Director & Organist

Joan Wingerter

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Joan Wingerter is a retired teacher from the Northport/East Northport Public Schools, where she taught music and social studies. Over the years she has played in several churches in the Northport area. Before coming to Stony Brook in 2004, she served at the Lucien Memorial Methodist Church in Kings Park for over twenty years. Joan has served as Secretary and Newsletter Editor for the Suffolk Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. She played in their members' recitals and as part of their Noontime Recital Series. In September 2005, she performed in a solo recital at the Northport Presbyterian Church.

We are certainly blessed to have such an accomplished musician and dedicated organist as Joan. Come and hear her play on Sundays!

Joan can be reached at  631-544-9430.




Youth Director, Choir Chimes Director

Dr. Karen Van Houten

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Dr. Van Houten is an accomplished music educator, private voice and piano instructor, church musician, theatre performer and vocal/musical director. She received a Masters in Music (Voice  Performance) from Peabody Conservatory (Johns Hopkins University) and Ph.D. in Vocal Performance from NYU. She has trained young performers for professional work on Broadway and National Tours as well as regional, school and community productions. For over 15 years, her children’s performing arts company – Simple Gifts Productions – has presented shows and cabarets with kids/teens in grades K-12. She has spent over 30 years serving in various churches as organist, pianist, cantor, choir director and choir chimes director. For the past 3 years, she has served as SBCC’s Youth Director. Open to kids in grades 4-12, MYF projects have included youth worship services, bake sales and food/clothing drives for groups in need, service projects, game nights, mystery trips and joint meetings with youth from the area’s cooperative parish.   




Church Secretary

Elizabeth Twiss

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Church Secretary

Elizabeth Twiss

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Liz Twiss came to Stony Brook from Seattle where she was office manager for a medium-size Episcopal church. Her extensive non-profit experiences include managing all food events for a large Seattle city church; co-chairing what was then the largest annual rummage sale in the country (grossing over $250,000 in five days); serving as executive vice-president for the multi-orchestra Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras; and spending 30 years as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, representing children whose parents were accused of abuse. Liz has graduate degrees in oceanography and philosophy; a term as coordinator of international meetings and publications for a large medical association; a fondness for baking, music, and history; and — most importantly — three grandchildren, one of whom lives in Stony Brook (explaining the move from Seattle).