St. Paul's United Church of Christ
Elgin, Illinois
JULY 2022

Celebrating our Open & Affirming Mission

Lt. Hooker will visit St. Paul's this Sunday with the Elgin PD PRIDE Cruiser. Sponsoring this message of inclusive love and support is one of the ways we demonstrate to the community that “no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” This June we also made our Open and Affirming welcome public with the addition of framed rainbow symbols on our Plank Rd church sign.

In 2018 St. Paul's voted "to commit to the ongoing work of an Open and Affirming congregation, trusting in God’s grace and guidance from the Holy Spirit to fulfill this affirmation." We based our mission and vision on Jesus' new commandment: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. - John 13:34. Let's celebrate together the inclusive and just vision inspired by our faith in a Savior who came to bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed (Luke 4:18). Read our full Our Open and Affirming (ONA) Statement here.

Diaper Ministry News

This Sunday, July 3rd, we are collecting diapers size 4, 5, and 6. Our next distribution date is July 19th. Did you know that diapers cannot be purchased with WIC or SNAP financial assistance? The Diaper Ministry at St. Paul's aims to provide diapers to local moms, families, and babies in need. We partner with events hosted by the Elgin Partnership for Early Learning and the Elgin YWCA.

Volunteers Needed

A sign-up sheet is in the narthex for the next Northern IL Food Bank mobile pantry on Tuesday, July 19th. Please sign up to help distribute food and/or diapers by July 12 and remember to include your phone number on the sign-up sheet.

Scholarship Applications Now Being Accepted

Scholarship applications are available in the Church Office beginning July 5th. Please contact the church office to pick up an application or have one mailed to you. Completed application are due in the church office by 1 p.m. on July 28th. If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Scholarship Committee (Kylie Smith, Doug Volkening and Karen Westerman). Please remember the Scholarship Fund when giving a donation or memorial.

Step It Up Shoe Donations

July Missions Project

“Step-it-Up” is coming in July. We’ll be donating and helping First Baptist Church of Elgin provide new gym shoes for kids in need so they can have a brand new pair when they start off the new school year. Please consider purchasing a new pair of sneakers for a boy or girl. Bring them to church any time in July and place them in the “Step-it-Up” box in the narthex. Learn more about the Step It Up Ministry. Thank you!

Summer Women's Bible Study

Join leader Linda Schambach for a time of evening fellowship, friendship, and prayer studying the bible with Liz Curtis Higgs' book Bad Girls of the Bible. The study meets Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 PM at the Mission House and runs through July 19th. Contact Linda at 815-272-8099 or milddr@aol.com.

Summer Coffee Hour Host Sign-Up

Would you like to sponsor coffee hour? There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the hall across from the kitchen. You may bring whatever you would like to serve and the Fellowship & Hospitality Ministry will make coffee and juice to serve along with it. Please see Janet Werner for more information.

Financially Speaking

The total receipts for the month of May was $17,646.35 which included $645.00 for OCWM, $220.00 for Building and Maintenance and $189.50 in loose offerings. As of May 31st we have taken in $335.00 for Ukraine.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Karen Westerman, Financial Secretary

47% of the pledges have been paid through May. Thank you for your generous financial commitment to St. Paul's church.
Judy Reimer, Stewardship Ministry

July Anniversaries

Herman & Judy  Volkening 07/04​
Chet & Sarah Westerman 07/17​
Dan & Roberta Wayeshe 07/18​
Dave & Mia Berna 07/20​
Ryan & Kylie Smith 07/21

July Birthdays

Bill Snyder 07/02​
Charles LeVault 07/05​
Winifred Heinrich 07/07​
Anne Heinrich 07/14​
Patrick Kelly 07/15​
Wayne Schambach 07/16​
Tommy Patz 07/18​
Jay Shircliff 07/21​
Melanie Werner 07/24​
Marge Absolon 07/26​
Kelly Langston 07/27​
JoAnn Shircliff 07/27​
Kandy Jones 07/28​
Isaac Volkening 07/31

We ask forgiveness for any omissions.
St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Elgin, IL
St. Paul's Website
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Our mailing address is:
St. Paul's United Church of Christ
PO BOX 5598
Elgin, IL 60121

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