ABOUT US

We are a community of faith that is curious about what God is doing in our world today. Together, we listen for God’s voice and seek to follow God’s call in our lives.

WHO WE ARE

We are a beacon of love in the heart of downtown. We are a faith community committed to caring for the place and the people where we have been planted. Our building is a bustling community space that is home to the United congregation and many other community groups that find connection and comfort here.

COME VISIT US

Our church facility is located in downtown Middletown on the corner of North Street and Orchard Street. You will know us by the big glass doors and the Thrift Shop sign on our front lawn. We are across the intersection from the Thrall Library and we are next door to Orange Bank and Trust.

PARTNERSHIPS

We serve the community through our low-cost Thrift Shop and partnerships with Freedom Farm Community, the Middletown Warming Station, The Guild of St. Margaret's Soup Kitchen, Jewish Family Services, and the "No Kid Hungry - Backpack Program" run by the Lions Club and Middletown School District.

OUR STAFF

PASTOR

Rev. Sarah Henkel

Sarah is the Stated Supply Pastor for United Church. She took on this position in March 2022 after six years of residency in a multifaith community engaged in hospitality work in Rockland County. She is a member of the Freedom Farm Community, a Christian intentional community in Middletown committed to strengthening connections to Creator, creation, and one another. Her partner, Will is one of the farmers who helps grow the food at Freedom Farm that is shared with United Church Thrift Shoppers at a summertime farmstand on the church lawn. Sarah and Will have two daughters who love being preacher’s kids and farmer’s kids because of all the great snacks that come with these roles.

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Joseph Bertolozzi

United Church’s Music Director since 2019, Joseph Bertolozzi studied at Vassar College, the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, Carnegie Hall Professional Workshops and The Juilliard School. He’s toured the US and Europe for the US State Dept. on some of the finest and oldest pipe organs in the world, including St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Both his “Bridge Music” and “Tower Music” albums charted in the Top 20 of the Billboard Classical Music Charts. He is the subject of a chapter in Oxford University Press’s “Environmental Sound Artists” and the films “Bridge Music,” and “SOUNDHUNTERS” for Europe's ARTE Channel.

SECRETARY

Wendy Michaels

Wendy is the friendly face who will greet you in the church office Tuesday thru Thursday. She is an experienced administrator retired from thirty-three years of service at the Town of Walkill Justice Court. She is married to a loving spouse, Bob, and together they have two grown children, Cody and Emily. She was baptized in the United Church (then First Presbyterian Church) and loves her church home. If she’s not in the office, you can find her at the beach!

Sue and Gary have been involved in the care for this church for many years. After retiring from a successful childcare business that she built from scratch, Sue served as Property Manager for United Church. As an outgrowth of this position and her care for the Middletown community, Sue helped initiate and grow the United Church Thrift Shop, which she now manages and runs with the help of incredible volunteers.

Gary is our behind the scenes Jack of All Trades building caretaker, keeping the facilities running smoothly for the United Church congregation, the Middletown Spanish Seventh-Day Adventist Church nesting congregation, and myriad community groups that share use of the space.

Sue and Gary are parents to two grown children, Leah and Mike. They have four grandchildren who can regularly be found helping their Nana around the thrift shop.

THRIFT STORE MANAGER

BUILDING MAINTENANCE

Sue Wyman

Gary Wyman

OUR FACILITY

We want to share our beautiful space with our community. Click below to learn more or call our church office (845-343-2131) for details.

LEARN MORE