The St. Paul UCC Leadership Team

Jana Chwalisz

Senior Pastor

Reverend Jana Chwalisz has been in professional ministry, acting in the roles of Christian Educator and Associate Pastor since 1997, and was called to transfer to the United Church of Christ in 2006, receiving her ordination as a pastor in 2009. At St. Paul she has served as the Associate Pastor and now in her current role as Pastor. Pastor Jana received an MA in Clinical Psychology before pursuing her second master’s degree in Christian Education from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. She returned to graduate study in 2004 to complete the courses of theological study for pastoral leadership in the church. Pastor Jana and her husband Steve, are the parents of 2 grown children, Bryce and Katherine, and are grandparents to their first grandson.

Renee Kruper

Music Minister

Growing up in northeastern Pennsylvania, Renee Kruper began her love of music at the age of 5, when her parents bought a piano. After receiving a degree in music education from Marywood University, she received a Master’s of Education from National Louis University. Music ministry has always been a large part of her life, serving churches in New York and Pennsylvania before moving to Illinois. Renee has been Music Minister at St. Paul for over 20 years. She is married, lives in Cary, IL with her husband Jack, has three children and five grandchildren.



Kim Roessler

Office Manager

Kim has been a member of St. Paul UCC since 2006. She graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. While at Augustana she met her husband, Bill. They have two daughters, Kate and Erin, who both live in Kentucky. Kim’s hobbies include cooking, knitting, crocheting, and fostering dogs. 




Bernie Hempel

Council President

Bernie is a DEVOTED Green Bay Packers fan and was married at St. Paul to her wife Dawn in our sanctuary. Her smile graces our church every week in welcoming all who join us with love and grace. Her energy and passion infuses all that she touches.

Chris Sprague

Council Vice President

Chris and his wife Jen joined St.Paul in 2022 after spending years searching for a home church. He is happy to be on the St. Paul Church council and enjoys home improvements/woodworking and playing the guitar in his spare time.

Rollin Hamelberg

Council Treasurer & Finance Chair

Rollin is a lifelong St Paul UCC member, and was baptized and confirmed at the church. He is married and has two sons, Cody and David.


Malorie Fredrick

Council Secretary Chair

Malorie is a lifelong member of the UCC and started coming to St. Paul in 2010, and loves watching her kids grow in their faith.

Nancy Schmit

Council Congregational Care Chair

Nancy and her husband Steve joined the St. Paul UCC family in 2021 after working with Sunday Suppers and participating in several adult education opportunities. Nancy works to help seniors better understand their Medicare options, and in her free time enjoys year-round hiking and spending time with family and friends.

Andy Bullock

Council Worship Chair

Andy Bullock has been a member at St. Paul since 2020. He has spent time in several of the mainline denominations over his lifetime and has finally landed with the United Church of Christ. He enjoys making music and brewing beer.

Lauri Ducharme

Council Children's Christian Education Interim Chair

Lauri and her husband Pete are long time members of St. Paul and Lauri is excited about re-launching our children's education programs and bringing our young children back into the church building after a long absence after COVID.

Wayne Gault

Christian Education Youth Chair

Wayne is a father of two great kids. Wayne works in data engineering for healthcare and his hobbies include camping, photography, target archery and bee keeping. He was raised as a Methodist in Indiana and his own youth group was very important in his own faith journey.

Nancy Bullock

Council Community Care Chair

Nancy joined St. Paul United Church of Christ in January 2020 with her husband Andy and loves seeing live theatre in Chicago. Her serving passion is around supporting the processes and ideals of empowering the food insecure individuals in the surrounding community at  St. Paul United Church of Christ.

Jim Stumpf

Council Buildings and Grounds Chair

Jim joined St. Paul in January 2020 and enjoys working on prairie restoration projects in his spare time, which is very little because of his service to St. Paul. And his constant care for our grounds and our building.



Steve Schmit

Coffee Fellowship Lead & Finance Committee Member

Steve and his wife Nancy joined the St. Paul UCC family in 2021 after working with Sunday Suppers and participating in several adult education opportunities. Steve works with Nancy to help seniors better understand their Medicare options. He enjoys hiking, backpacking, photography, and baking birthday cakes for youth in social support programs.

Jessica Worst

St. Paul Suppers Lead

When not shopping or prepping for St Paul suppers, Jessica is shopping and prepping for dinner for her own brood. Otherwise you’ll find her in the minivan driving to all the activities, walking in a forest preserve, or gardening at home or church.

Robin Jones

Council Member at Large

Robin joined St. Paul in 2014. Robin loves being the Lead Coordinator for the Pop-Up  Food Pantry at St. Paul United Church of Christ and directs and organizes our Food Pantry Outreach every month.

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