2025 Seabury Award

Each year, the Seabury Celebration of Service honors older adult members from local UCC churches and the Episcopal Diocese of Washington for their volunteer contributions. This year, Little River is pleased to nominate Brian Payne for the Seabury Award! This celebration is sponsored by Seabury Resources for Aging in Washington, DC: seaburyresources.org. Brian will be accompanied at the service by the Rev. Dr. Shelli Poe as well as a number of Little River members. All are welcome to attend the service at the National Cathedral at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 20. Please let Carrie Douglas know if you would like to join a group for lunch following the service. 

Brian Payne

Brian Payne has been a member of our congregation for over 35 years, and has volunteered in every imaginable way from leadership roles to master of ceremonies at numerous celebratory all-church events. His wisdom, wit and compassion have enriched every task, role and project he has undertaken.

Since 1989, Brian has served on multiple boards and committees including Trustees, Deacons, Stewardship and Endowment, and currently is a member of our Antiracism and Open and Affirming ministries. From 2000-2001 he was Moderator for a term, and beginning in 2007 was Church Clerk for seven years.

Brian has overseen several fundraising efforts including the construction of a Contemplation Garden in 1992 and a walkway for our Memorial Garden in 2025. His affinity for finances led him to serve on the Endowment Fund Committee for 13 years up to the present time, three as Chair. Brian has served on two Search Committees and on a Pastoral Support Committee.

Drawn to education and learning, Brian taught youth Church School and several adult education series including for the eight overseas “Footsteps” study tours which he coordinated and led starting in 2002.

On top of the above, Brian volunteered for dozens of buildings and grounds work days for over twenty years. He also used his carpentry skills to construct bookcases for our choir music and our archives. The leadership of Little River UCC is honored to nominate Brian Payne as a 2025 Seabury Celebration of Service Honoree.

Brian Payne