Meet the Steadmans

Brian and Jessie Steadman were born and raised in Alabama and Florida, respectively. After marrying in 2000, they moved to Austin, Texas where their love for and enjoyment of cities first took root. This desire to live and serve in an urban setting continued to grow the years they spent in St. Louis, where Brian completed his MDiv. Upon completion of seminary, the opportunity to serve as church planting intern for Resurrection Park Slope became the perfect next step for them following graduation. Brian and Jessie, with their children Georgia and Eben, moved to Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn in 2008. They welcomed Claire, their third child and a native New Yorker, in 2009. Brian also began serving as an assistant pastor later that same year. From October of 2012 until September of 2015, Brian focused on Hurricane Sandy recovery as Director of Resurrection Brooklyn Relief. As Sandy recovery ministry came to a close, a new chapter began with the launch of a new worshipping community in and for the neighborhood. Resurrection Sheepshead Bay held its first public worship service on November 22, 2015. From 2018 to 2022, Brian was a bi-vocational pastor, working for a construction company as Assistant Project Manager and Director of Safety. Brian also returned to Resurrection Park Slope to serve as Interim Pastor in 2021. On April 10th, 2022, Resurrection Sheepshead Bay held its last public worship service as a congregation in Sheepshead Bay. On Easter Sunday, April 17th, 2022, Pastor Steadman and the Sheepshead Bay congregation joyously began a new chapter with their sister congregation, Resurrection Clinton Hill (now Resurrection Brooklyn). From 2022 to 2025, Brian likened his pastoral ministry to Nehemiah and Ezra rolled together, rebuilding a building and rebuilding a people. The church was able to purchase their first facility in the 20-year history of their church planting network, a 100 year old glorious ruin. All while bringing back together three sister congregations into one to pursue renewed growth and vitality after three hard years post COVID. 

The Steadmans may have moved to NYC with excitement for urban ministry, but you might say you can take the Steadmans out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the Steadmans. As a family, they began spending day trips and long weekends in the Catskills almost as soon as they arrived in NYC in 2008. Since they didn’t have a lot of money to spend on family vacations, Jessie scoured the internet for free to cheap places to stay for families in vocational ministry. She was able to find a pastoral retreat in Stone Ridge, NY and the Steadmans have made it their home away from home throughout the years. They have been hiking the peaks and valleys of the Mid-Hudson Valley, swimming in the lakes and streams, and enjoying the charms of upstate NY for 17 years. As their children became young adults with their own lives, Brian and Jessie began dreaming of the possibility that the next stage of their journey could find them working and living in the Mid-Hudson Valley rather than spending all their free time commuting there from south Brooklyn. June 1st, 2025, that dream became reality as Brian began serving as the 22nd pastor of the Reformed Church of Port Ewen.

Brian and Jessie enjoy hiking, college football (Roll Tide!), grilled meat, disc golf, pickleball, and gardening. They love trying local food and drink establishments, from off the beaten path greasy spoons to the fancier Catskills dining. Brian enjoys golfing and fishing all over Ulster County.

Cheri Van Deusen
Office Administrator

I have been the Office Administrator at the Reformed Church of Port Ewen since 2005. I really enjoy my position at the church because I get to personally know all the members and love to help anyone in need. Sometimes a kind word or a listening ear is all that is needed.

I was born and raised in Rhinebeck, New York but now call Kingston my home. I love to work on my gardens and my house. I also love to read, play piano, and cook for others. Another passion of mine is watercolor painting. My children are my four animals—one dog, two cats, and a lovebird.

Linda Bresnahan-McCarthy
Organist and Choir Director

It seems I have always played a keyboard.  My first instrument was an antique pump organ rescued by my parents and transported to our  basement.  After a succession of pianos, lessons,  playing piano for Sunday School, where my mother was Superintendent, and singing in choirs,  I graduated at age 14 to playing  organ in church.  Music was always a central part of worship for me, so it was only natural that I became an organist and choir director.  

In addition to playing organ, I am a percussionist with the SUNY Ulster Community Band and vocalist with area ensembles.  I provide piano instruction  privately.  

I am blessed to lead the Choir and Congregation of the Reformed Church of Port Ewen in worship.  It allows me to share the gift of music and enhance the worship service for our church family.