We	the	members	of	St.	Paul’s	United	Church	of	Christ	value	and	welcome	a	diverse congregation.	We	believe	all	persons	are	created	in	God’s	image	and	are	loved,	valued and	blessed	equally	by	God.	We	celebrate	everyone	including	people	of	all	ages,	races, cultures,	sexual	orientation,	gender	identities	and	expressions,	family	configuration, economic circumstances,	physical,	cognitive	or	emotional	abilities,	education,	or spiritual	and	religious	traditions.	We	hereby	declare	ourselves	an	Open	and	Affirming Christian	community,	that	all	persons	are	invited	to	fully	share	and	participate	in leadership,	ministry,	fellowship,	worship,	sacraments,	responsibilities,	blessings	and joys	of	our	church	family.
We	strive	to	demonstrate	in	all	ways	that	“no	matter	who	you	are	or	where	you	are	on life’s	journey,	you	are	welcome	here.”	We	commit	to	the	ongoing	work	of	an ONA congregation,	trusting	in	God’s	grace	and	guidance	from	the	Holy	Spirit,	to	fulfill	this affirmation.
We encourage each other to bring questions, experience joy, feel included, and be part of something greater than ourselves. We support local programs as well as the Special Missions Offerings of the United Church of Christ. Welcome!
In 2009 we found ourselves at a crossroads. Like many churches with old buildings, our maintenance costs became more than our budget for ministry and mission. We decided that the future quality of our community and ministry was more important than a structure or its nostalgia, and we sold our building in downtown Elgin - our church home for 130 years. We worked hard and prayed hard for the chance to continue our ministry in a new space and with a renewed vision to "be the church." In 2012 we completed construction of our new church on Plank Road - still serving Elgin, but now also neighbors with Gilberts, Hampshire, Pingree Grove, and Campton Hills. In December 2017, we made the final payment on our mortgage! God is good!