We are St. Pauls United Church of Christ

What We Believe

  • We believe in the triune God: Creator, resurrected Christ and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God in the world.

  • We believe that each person is unique and valuable.  We believe that we are called to be in community and that God invites us to cultivate a space where all can feel valued and loved.

  • We believe that God calls us to be servants in the service of others and to be good stewards of the earth’s resources. ‘To believe is to care; to care is to do.’

  • We believe that a continual exploration for God in our lives fosters a genuine relationship with the Divine and each other, allowing us to cultivate love, deepen our faith and provide purpose and direction in our life.

  • We believe that the UCC is called to be a prophetic church. As in the tradition of the prophets and apostles, God calls the church to speak truth to power, liberate the oppressed, care for the poor and comfort the afflicted.

  • We believe that no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey —regardless of race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, class or creed — we are all beloved children of God. 

  • We celebrate the fact that each person is on a spiritual journey and honor the fact that each journey is unique and different.

  • We believe the UCC is called to be a united and uniting church. “That they may all be one.” (John 17:21)

  • We believe in the power of peace, and work for nonviolent solutions to local, national, and international problems.

  • We believe in an “Open Communion” table which means that all people of faith are invited to join in the sacrament of Communion. Communion Sundays are always the first Sunday of the month and we have both gluten and gluten free bread, as well as wine and grape juice so all can truly feel welcomed here.

  • We believe that all baptized belong to the community of the Christian church. We typically practice infant baptism, but any and all are welcome to be baptized if they so desire and have not yet been baptized. We baptize during worship when the community is present because baptism includes the community’s promise of ‘love, support and care’ for the baptized.

  • We are a people of possibility. In the UCC, members, congregations and structures have the breathing room to explore and to hear…for after all, God is still speaking…

Learn more about our ministries and missions below

Our Ministries
Our Ministries
Missions & Outreach
Missions & Outreach

Staff and Leadership

  • Rev. Dr. Amy Nyland

    PASTOR

    Rev. Dr. Amy Nyland has served in ordained ministry since 2009, following her graduation from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. After ordination, she began her ministry in Wisconsin as an Associate Pastor. In 2011, she accepted a call to the East Coast, serving as Pastor of a congregation in New York’s Hudson Valley.

    In 2014, Pastor Nyland was called to serve as Executive Minister for the Regional Synod of New York, becoming the first woman in the history of the Reformed Church in America to hold this role. During her tenure at the Synod, Pastor Nyland worked with the New York Conference (UCC) to establish the first Association comprised of RCA churches that dual-affiliated with the UCC, called “Reformed Association.”

    After six years of synod leadership, she returned to congregational ministry in 2020, accepting a call to serve a church in Fishkill, New York. she earned her Doctor of Ministry degree from Duke University Divinity School in 2021 and continues to invest in theological education as an adjunct professor at both New Brunswick Theological Seminary and Duke Divinity School.

    Pastor Nyland is the proud mother of three adult sons. Justin, 33, is a logistics manager and the father of three young children. Joshua, 30, is a graduate of Hope College and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he works as a cheerleading coach at several area universities. Joseph, 29, is a U.S. Army veteran who works in real estate in Louisville, Kentucky, where he lives with his dog, Pepper.

    In her free time, Pastor Nyland enjoys hiking, traveling, cooking, and tackling home improvement projects. An avid reader, she often jokes that she reads more than anyone should. She is also a fan of The Pitt and spends much of her time walking with her two dogs, Sofie, a miniature poodle, and Avi, a standard poodle—both of whom happily participate in church life.

  • James Armfield

    MUSICIAN

    James joined our staff in March of 2026. Bography coming soon!

  • Chris Sparrow, Bells Choir Director

    Chris Sparrow

    BELLS CHOIR DIRECTOR

    Chris Sparrow was called to take over the Bell Choir directorship when the previous director retired and moved out of the area. She had played bells approximately 5 years and has a music background including playing piano and oboe (high school band). 

  • Tara Nooyen

    Office Administrator

    Tara Nooyen has been part of the St. Pauls UCC Family since 1998. She had previously served as an interim Administrative Assistant for the church but permanently came to work in the office in 2025. She also previously served on the Board of Mission and Stewardship, the Board of Deacons, and as the Church School Superintendent. Tara also participated in the WI UCC Lay Academy and leads worship several times a year.

  • Mike Nooyen

    CHURCH PRESIDENT

    Mike Nooyen has been a member of St. Pauls UCC since 1998. He has previously served on the Board of Trustees, the Board of Mission and Stewardship, the Board of Deacons, and the Board of Christian Education. In addition to serving as the church president, Mike is also one of our Sound and Media Technicians. In his free time, Mike is also a member of Lincoln Lodge F&AM of Wisconsin #183, which meets at St. Pauls.

Boards and Committees

  • Board of Christian Education


    The Board of Christian Education at St. Paul's United Church of Christ fosters young people's spiritual growth through Sunday School and Confirmation programs. They provide meaningful education, helping children understand Christian teachings, while creating welcoming spaces for learning and encouraging a relationship with God.

  • Board of Deacons

    The Board of Deacons is vital at St. Pauls United Church of Christ. They welcome members, prepare Holy Communion, and ready the Sanctuary for worship. Their dedication supports church activities and outreach, fostering community and love within our congregation. Through their service, they embody the spirit of fellowship and nurture meaningful connections among all who gather.

  • Board of Trustees


    The Board of Trustees at St. Pauls United Church of Christ ensures our church is welcoming and safe. They handle maintenance, repairs, and improvements to meet the needs of our congregation and community. Their commitment supports our mission of worship, events, and outreach while preserving our space for service and fellowship.

  • Board of Mission and Stewardship


    The Board of Mission and Stewardship at St. Pauls United Church of Christ prepares for mission work and promotes generosity. This team supports outreach, addresses community needs, and encourages us to give our time and resources. Together, we nurture stewardship, enabling our church to share love, compassion, and hope.

  • St. Pauls Foundation

    Information Coming Soon.

  • Mental Health Task Force

    Information coming soon.