Leadership Staff
The Rev. Dr. Kelly Sprinkle, Interim Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Kelly Sprinkle (he, him, his) is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ specializing in intentional interim ministry. He began serving as a pastor in 1995, was ordained in 1997, and became a UCC clergy person in 2002. He currently serves as the Intentional Interim Pastor at the Congregational Church of Huntington United Church of Christ in Centerport, New York, and has previously served as Intentional Interim Minister at UCC congregations across New York State. Earlier in his ministry, he served as pastor in Chicago, Illinois, and East Lansing, Michigan. He has also served as the Protestant Chaplain and Interim Dean of Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University.
He is a frequent contributor to the United Church of Canada’s worship magazine, Gathering: Resources for Worship Planners, where his contributions include weekly worship planning resources, liturgy, and original hymn lyrics. His Advent hymn, “Something Stirs Beneath the Starlight,” will appear in the forthcoming Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2026-2027 issue of Gathering. He designs worship that integrates ancient and modern practices, embodying progressive theology and expansive language for the Divine and humanity.
He serves on the Board of Directors of the New York Conference of the United Church of Christ and as Chairperson of the Personnel Committee. He completed training through the Interim Ministry Network. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Campbell University), Master of Divinity (Duke University), Master of Public Administration (Syracuse University), and Doctor of Ministry in Preaching (Seabury-Western Theological Seminary).
Ron Rudaitis, Church School Director
Ron Rudaitis has more than 20 years experience in education, communications, and multi-media. Now he brings his love of education and experience working with children of all ages to his role as Church School Director for the Congregational Church of Huntington, United Church of Christ.
“Religious education has always been an important part of my life, from earliest memories of my father teaching me ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ through my school years at St. Aidan’s elementary school and Chaminade High School, where religious education was as vital as math, English, and science,” Ron explains.
“On a personal note, one of the biggest deciding factors for me becoming a member of the Congregational Church of Huntington is when my wife and I saw the ‘time for children’ part of the service. We always knew we wanted to raise our child in a community of faith that was inclusive and gave everyone a role. Here, the children are engaged in such a meaningful–and fun–way. As Church School Director, I work closely with the Pastor and Children’s Ministry to continue to provide a safe, engaging learning environment for our children, rooted in our faith and our community.”
Ron lives with his wife, son and daughter in Greenlawn, NY, and previously served as a New York City Public School Teacher, as well as an Emmy Award-winning Television Producer, producing educational documentaries that celebrate diversity and the human experience.
Kenneth Zagare, Director of Music
Kenny Zagare has been directing the acclaimed vocal ensembles at Malverne High School for over a decade, focusing on technical prowess and inclusive, multicultural programming which has inspired audiences from neighborhood to festival stages. He also instructs a rigorous collegiate music theory course, and musically directs the school’s fully-staged musical each spring and summer. Through his tailored, collaborative coachings, his students have auditioned and been selected for participation in such honorary choirs as NMEA All-County, NYSSMA All-State, NAfME All-Eastern, the MYO Chorale, and the ACDA All-Eastern/All-National Choir.
He previously spent sixteen years as Minister of Music at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Lake Ronkonkoma, where he led the adult and festival choirs and managed the church website, live streaming and social media pages. He is a member of the eVoco Voice Collective and a freelance accompanist between Nassau and Suffolk counties. He also spent four years accompanying the MYO Suffolk & Suffolk Symphonic Choir, performing at venues such as Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.
Kenneth received his BM in Music Education from the Crane School of Music, and completed his MS in Education at SUNY Stony Brook.