The St. Paul UCC Leadership Team
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 is now in her current role as Senior 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 proud grandparents to their 13 year old grandson.
Senior 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 30 years. She has been married for over 51 years to her husband Jack, lives in Cary, IL and has three children and five grandchildren.
Senior Office Manager
Kim and her husband have been members of St. Paul UCC since 2006. She graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. While at Augustana she met her husband, Bill and they have two daughters, Kate and Erin, who both live in Kentucky. Kim’s hobbies include cooking, knitting, crocheting, and fostering dogs. Kim has her CPA and was a corporate accountant before joining the staff at St. Paul UCC. Kim is in charge of running the church on a day-to-day basis and keeps the church organized, fully functioning, and provides all of our ministry teams with focused and effective guidance and support.
Council President
Chris is focused on living through the word and helping others around him. Chris believes that every day we have an opportunity to positively impact the lives of others. Chris and his wife Jen joined St. Paul in February of 2022. Their family includes two children, Max and Caiden along with too many animals! Chris is also a proud member of the fundraising ministry at St. Paul and really enjoys the St. Paul trivia nights. Chris is currently launching his own company focused on inspirational leadership and his wife Jen is a High School biology teacher.
*Member-at-Large
Council Vice President
Herald is an entrepreneur and a professional in the IT Services Industry, with over 4 decades of work experience, running a business that is named after Christ and seeks to operate by values inspired by Christ. Herald is originally from India. He worked in India and Saudi Arabia before moving to the US in 1997. Herald has a BS and MBA from MKU, India and an MBA from Booth School, University of Chicago. Herald and his wife Blessy joined St. Paul UCC in the spring of 2023, and feel truly blessed by the church, the non-judgmental community of genuine Christian love and care, and the caliber of teaching at St. Paul. Herald and Blessy are blessed with three grandchildren in Iowa and believe that in and through Christ, we get to be our best versions and be vessels of love, mercy and care; that there is no place for exclusion and hatred in His Name.
*Member-at-Large
Council Secretary
Julie, originally from the Northwestern suburbs, now resides in Johnsburg, a Northern suburb. She pursued higher education at DePaul University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Project Management and Law Enforcement, before advancing her studies at Keller Graduate School, where she obtained an MBA in Wireless Technology and a Master’s Degree in Networking. Julie married her wife, Alex in 2024 at St. Paul UCC. Her dedication to the church has provided her with meaningful connections and opportunities to deepen her faith. Julie is embracing her spiritual journey and feels that St. Paul UCC is the perfect place to grow and serve.
*Member-at-Large
Council Treasurer & Finance Ministry Chair
Rollin is a lifelong St Paul UCC member, and was baptized and confirmed at the church. Rollin’s family has been an integral part of the St. Paul UCC community and his family’s influence continues to be a foundational part of our history. Rollin is a police officer at Elgin Community College with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. He is married to his wife Dawn and has two adult sons, Cody and David. Rollin and Dawn live in Algonquin, IL.
*Endowment Fund Board Member
Building & Grounds Ministry Chair
Bill and his wife Kim have been members of St. Paul UCC since 2006. Bill and Kim met in college at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois and have two adult daughters, Kate and Erin, who both live in Kentucky. They just celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary. Bill has filled many roles over his 19 years at St. Paul as a dedicated member, including Council President of the church.
Christian Education Ministry Chair
Lauri finds great joy in working with the elementary age children each week and participates in the adult education opportunities at St. Paul. Lauri and her husband Pete have been members of St. Paul UCC for 20 years. Their blended family includes three adult children , their spouses, and six grandchildren. Lauri has served and participated in many of the ministries of St Paul over the years and appreciates being a part of this welcoming, accepting, and affirming community that provides a safe place to love, learn, and serve together.
Community Care Ministry Chair
Nancy is passionate about working with St. Paul in supporting community food, housing and equity needs in the Northwest suburbs. Nancy and her husband Andy joined St. Paul UCC in January 2020 and their blended family includes 3 grandchildren (with one on the way!) and 4 adult children. In 2024, Nancy guided the Community Care Ministry in providing 285 Thanksgiving Boxes/Meals to Sunny Hill Elementary School and Schaumburg High School and over 200 meals per month to Journeys: The Road Home in Palatine for those needing food assistance. Nancy is also heavily involved in participating in the Woodstock Pride Parade every June, and is excited to continue her faith journey with the St. Paul congregation.
Congregational Care Ministry Chair
Nancy has over forty years of experience in the health insurance industry. In 2017, she started her own insurance agency specializing in helping seniors understand and enroll in Medicare. Her passion for helping others extends to her work with congregational care at St. Paul. Nancy coordinates the Prayer team and several church events throughout the year. She is also passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+ community, participating in the Equity and Inclusion team and coordinating St. Paul’s participation in the Woodstock Pride event. Nancy and her husband, Steve, discovered St. Paul in early 2021. They have two grown daughters and recently welcomed their first grandchild. Nancy just started the best job of her life as “Grandma Nancy.”
Human Resources Ministry Chair
Bernie graduated from Elgin High School in 1978 and was one of 1,240 graduates that year. Formerly, Bernie was a Union steward for her work at the United States Postal Service. Her road to being on the Church Council was the doing of Marty Gregory. Marty asked Bernie’s wife Dawn if they wanted “a job”. They said “sure!” They started out as greeters, then became ushers. Bernie still loves being a greeter/ usher at St. Paul, which gives her joy to see all of the smiling faces. Bernie enjoys helping where help is needed at St. Paul.
Worship Ministry Chair
Andy is interested in church music from all times and styles. He has been involved in church choirs for many years and is currently leading the Worship Ministry at St. Paul, which is charged with managing the worship experience and logistics of our weekly services. Andy and his wife, Nancy have been members of St. Paul since 2020, joining just before COVID pandemic changed the worship experience for everyone! He is also leading the Equity and Inclusion group, which focuses on issues of social justice. Andy has been an avid homebrewer for over 20 years and enjoys bicycle riding when the weather cooperates.
Member-at-Large
Robin joined St. Paul in 2014. Robin and her wife, Linda, joined the church immediately following the wedding of their dear friends, Bernie and Dawn. Pastor Jana performed the ceremony for Bernie and Dawn, which was the first legal same sex wedding in Barrington, making front page headlines. St. Paul United Church of Christ was on the cutting edge of progress, and that spoke volumes to Robin. Pastor Jana would go on to perform Robin and Linda’s wedding in 2015. Robin was an integral part of getting the church’s first food pantry up and running in 2021 and serves on the counting ministry. Robin is a retired police officer and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Non-Council Member to HR
Chris and her husband have been members of St. Paul UCC since 2010 and are active members of the St. Paul Chancel Choir. Chris was a business analyst in project risk management for financial institutions prior to retiring in 2023. She enjoys spending time with family, friends, their dog Amber, and reading. She is married, lives in Algonquin, IL with her husband Mark. Between them they have four children, their spouses and five grandchildren. Chris’ life is blessed by faith and family and she is grateful for opportunities to grow spiritually and contribute to her community.
Non-Council Member to Finance for Fundraising
Alexandria “Alex” was born in Oak Park and raised in Glenview. She met her wife Julie while attending a Toys for Tots event and a few years later they were married by Pastor Jana in 2024 and became St. Paul UCC members.
Professionally, Alex has had a diverse career. In 2024, she founded her own marketing company, HomeTown Hug. Alex was invited to lead the church’s fundraising group, where she is focused on strengthening the community and is excited to grow within the church, deepen her faith, and continue building relationships within the church.
Non-Council Member Coffee Fellowship Chair
Finance Committee Member
Steve leads St Paul's Coffee Fellowship ministry, supporting volunteers that provide and serve treats & beverages in Memorial Hall after Sunday services. More than 50% of service attendees regularly enjoy each other's company and fellowship in the hour after service ends. He is also a member of the Finance committee and supports Congregational and Community Care Ministries wherever help is needed
*Endowment Fund Board Member
Christian Education Youth Program Chair
Wayne is a father of two great kids, Norah and Robert and husband to wife Kathleen. Wayne works in data engineering for the healthcare industry and his hobbies include camping, photography, target archery and bee keeping. He was raised as a Methodist in Indiana and his own youth group experiences were very important in his own faith journey. Wayne is a graduate of Purdue University in Electrical Engineering and has an MS in Computer Science From DePaul University.
Council Assistant Treasurer
Glenn and his wife Barbara joined St. Paul in 2016 and have been active members. Glenn has served as Treasurer and is currently in the role of Assistant Treasurer in addition to sitting on the Endowment Fund Board. He is a retired Pilot having flown for United Airlines for 28 years. He enjoys cooking and is a member of the St. Paul Suppers team supporting those in our community with food insecurity. Glenn is also a member of the AV team and if you join us online – he’s the man behind the camera. Smile!
*Endowment Fund Board Member