First Congregational United Church of Christ

The Rev. Gregory J. Rupright (“Greg”) is a native of Fort Wayne, IN where he attended Homestead High School, graduating in 1979.
Greg earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and History from Hope College, Holland, MI in 1984.  From 1984-1986, he studied at New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New Brunswick, NJ, but decided to complete his theological education at Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY, earning his Master of Divinity Degree in1989.  Greg served as the Part-Time Licensed Interim Minister of First Reformed Church, Union City, NJ from 1990-1994.  Having accepted a Call as the Minister of Word & Sacraments of Emanuel United Church of Christ, Woodhaven, NY (served from 1995-2005),  Greg was ordained by the Metropolitan Association of the UCC New York Conference on November 17, 1996 at Broadway UCC, New York, NY.

In 2005, Greg was called to serve as the Settled Minister & Teacher of Rutherford Congregational Church, UCC, Rutherford, NJ until September 28, 2014. He moved to New York City in October of 2014, was married to his partner of twenty years, Hector Ramon Mencia Rivera, on November 20, 2014, and has worked various secular temporary jobs before accepting the Call to serve as the Pastor & Teacher of First Congregational, UCC on August 28, 2016.

Greg is an amateur pianist and organist, loves all kinds of music, and enjoys studying the Medieval, Renaissance, and Reformation historical periods.  In his spare time, Greg likes to hike.

Payton Dziekan is an educator, double bassist, and contralto based in Rochester, New York. Payton is a proud public school educator, directing the DeWitt Road Elementary School orchestras and supporting students as a low-string specialist at Willink Middle School in Webster, NY. She also serves as Director of Music Ministries at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Fairport, NY.

Payton’s work focuses primarily on providing equitable and accessible participation in music for learners and musicians of all backgrounds and abilities.

As a performer, Payton has enjoyed a varied career of orchestral, choral, chamber music and solo performances. Most recently, Payton served as principal bassist of the Center Stage Pops Orchestra (Rochester NY) and Eastman Music Educators Wind Ensemble. She is a frequent member of pit orchestras for local theatre productions, including the March 2025 Webster, NY premier of Hadestown. Payton is also an active contralto, and was most recently featured as a soloist in Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Rochester.

Payton is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, studying music education, double bass and vocal performance. Her previous teachers include Owen Lee of the Cincinnati Symphony, Curtis Burris of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and Charlie Nilles of the National Symphony Orchestra.

In her spare time, Payton is an avid connoisseur of iced lattes and funky socks. She loves to spend time in nature and with her loved ones, write songs, perform with her bluegrass band and take far too many photos of her one-eyed cat, Morris.

Playing the piano and organ have been Bea’s vocation and avocation! Bea started piano lessons when she was five years old; she continued through high school and on to Houghton College where she received her Bachelor of Music degree, majoring in piano and minoring in organ and voice. After that she attended Syracuse University where she received her Master of Music degree.

Prior to her present position as organist at the First Congregational Church in Fairport, Bea was organist at South Avenue Presbyterian Church, Hilton Baptist, East Rochester Methodist and Presbyterian churches, and the United Church of Christ in Pittsford, NY.

Besides her organ positions, Bea has also taught many private piano and organ students and has worked as piano accompanist in several school districts. She was the piano accompanist at Greece Arcadia High School for twenty years and the piano accompanist for Pittsford Musicals shows for thirty years. She has accompanied many talented and gifted high school vocal and instrumental students in Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music and in New York State music competitions. Currently she accompanies the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade choirs at Martha Brown Middle School; she has also accompanied at Johanna Perrin, Minerva Deland, and Fairport High School.

“My mother told me she prayed for a daughter who would always love music. I know God answered her prayers. I will keep continuing to use my talent as long as God gives me health and strength.”

--Beatrice Benedict