A Historic Church with Today's Values
No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, welcome! New Here?Worship With UsWelcome to Orient Congregational Church
Join our family for worship on Sundays at 10:00 AM in our sanctuary. During the summer we worship outside in our Prayer Garden surrounded by all the beauty that God created. We would love to have you worship with us in person or on our live stream hybrid worship services.
Orient Congregational Church is a caring community of faith for over 300 years and we welcome individuals from all walks of life. Whoever you are and wherever you are in life’s journey you are welcome here. We believe that children should be seen and heard, especially in church! We are a congregation devoted to our community, we love all and seek justice for all of God’s people. You are invited to join us this Sunday for a time of praise, fellowship and contemplation as we celebrate our Savior and explore the mysteries of faith.
Shop The Thrift Store!
Discover unique finds and great deals at the new Thrift Store at Orient Congregational Church, where every purchase supports our community outreach programs!

REV. RONALD GARNER
The Rev. Ronald Keith Garner is an ordained minister who has served with the United Church of Christ for the past 35 years. He is currently the Pastor at Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church where he has been for the past 9 years. His pastorate career includes serving in many of the US states, as well as in London, and was a co-pastor in Bath, England with his wife Maurene O’Hagen, who is an ordained minister in the United Reformed Church. He has two daughters, one step daughter and 5 grandkids.
Prior to attending seminary, he taught elementary school and had served for 11 years as an Infantry Officer in the Army. Concurrent with his seminary studies he became an Army Chaplain.
What keeps him enthused about the United Church of Christ is their prophetic witness in areas of Social Justice, LGBTQ inclusion, and progressive theology, while still allowing for individual theological differences. “That they may all be one” is a touchstone of the United Church of Christ. He feels that one of his tasks as a pastor is to meet people where they are instead of where he might wish them to be.
In addition to his covenant with his congregations, Rev. Ron has extended it to include the surrounding community. His career includes helping to establish a Hispanic congregation in Peoria, Illinois, setting up a help center in a council estate in London, and he currently serves on the Board of Rural and Migrant Ministry in New York. He has established a relationship between his current church and the Migrant Workers Center in Riverhead, New York, as well as the Riverhead Migrant Workers Education Center. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Long Island Council of Churches which operates a large emergency food pantry in Freeport.
Rev. Ron is active in teaching and leading Christian Meditation groups, which include three hybrid groups with folks joining in on Zoom from Florida, Missouri, California, and Australia. He is the New York Regional Coordinator for the World Community for Christian Meditation. This has led him to study Christian mysticism and contemplative Christianity. His practice of Christian Meditation began in 2001 while in London. In anticipation of his future retirement he, with the help of a website designer, has developed a website which he will use to teach meditation, the importance of silence, and contemplation.
Rev. Ron is an avid reader, enjoys walking on the boardwalk at Jones Beach, and adores his five grandkids. He values the history and rural character of small towns (he grew up in one in IA). He devotes time each day to his spiritual life by reading various theological books, studying scripture, and engaging in prayer and meditation. He has worked diligently throughout his ministry to prepare sermons and lead worship that is both relevant to not only a particular time but also to the place where he is serving. This requires continued study of current theological perspectives, a constant engagement with scripture, and an assessment of the needs of the congregation.
As a senior, he has become more aware of the issues that face our aging congregations. He feels that should never allow us to give up on bringing younger folks into the life of a church. As seniors we have a lot to offer. The church often discounts the wisdom that advanced years bring. We are tasked to pass on that faith. His passion for preaching, teaching, and connecting churches with the outer communities is tireless, thus leading him to forestall his retirement.

Social Justice at Orient
“All are welcome” is not enough!
Orient Congregational Church is a leader in standing for human dignity, fairness and compassion in our community, town, nation and the world.
We seek to practice our commitment in both small and broad ways that unite rather than divide, affirm rather than condemn and foster love rather than hate.
We participate in events that support social justice causes locally, statewide, nationally and internationally.
We continue to work toward transforming our community and the world into a more loving, compassionate and life-affirming place.
We work actively to involve youth in social justice activities.

News
Pastor Search Begins
A pastoral search committee representing a cross section of our congregation has been formed and is taking the first steps towards calling a new pastor. The members of the committee are:Diane JohnsonCheryl KaiserSarah Latham AnglumSandra SinclairColin StevensMary...
Events
Office Hours
February 18 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pmThrift Shop
February 22 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pmWorship Service
February 23 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am