Church Leadership

Pastor – Bob Stewart

Pastor Bob has been a Licensed Local Pastor since 2017 and prior to coming to First UMC, Portsmouth served at St. Paul’s UMC in Manchester, NH for 7 years. Bob is married to Sharon and has 2 children and 6 grandchildren. He and Sharon are a team and serve God and their ministry together with a passion for the development of the spiritual life of the congregation, the church children, outreach and mission.

Director of Music – Bevan Bloemendaal

Bevan is a Pastor’s kid and a 3rd generation church organist, pianist, choral director and vocalist from the Midwest.  While studying music he traveled Europe as a vocalist and shares his passion of storytelling through the ministry of music.  He believes that if you don’t feel moved to an emotional response he hasn’t done his job.   He has been with FUMC since 2003 and resides in the New England area with his partner of over 2 decades and have 2 four-legged little boys named Jett and Jaxx.

Lay Leader & Sound Technician – Sue Sarosiek

With a singer/songwriter daughter Sue understands the nuances of overall sound balance, synchronizing, testing and adjusting equipment ensuring that the audible output is one that is fitting to the occasion, song,  and speaker using the equipment.  She has been a member of FUMC now for almost 15 years and is an active part of the church community.

Lay Servant 

Dave Richards