St. Paul, Chelsea

10/21/2026

We at St. Paul UCC are just positively thrilled to announce the hiring of our new Children and Family Ministry Coordinator, Martha Gantz-Ndegwa! We think that members of our church and community are simply going to love getting to know Martha, and we are excited to be in ministry with her. Welcome to St. Paul, Martha! Come to worship this Sunday, October 25th to meet Martha.

Get to know Martha in her own words:
"My name is Martha and I am excited to join the St. Paul UCC community and share in the sacred work of nurturing children and families. Originally from Kenya, I bring a background in psychology, education, and years of ministry experience with children, youth, and college students. I recently completed a 27-month spiritual formation program through the Transforming Center, deepening my desire to live and serve from a place of attentiveness to
God’s presence.

At the heart of my ministry is a simple conviction: every person is beloved, and every child deserves to be seen, heard, and welcomed as they are. I hope to create spaces where children can encounter the love of Christ, ask honest questions, grow in compassion, and
discover that faith is not only something we learn but something we live together.

I moved to Dexter this summer, from Chicago, with my husband Jeremy, and our two sons Luke (16) and Elam (9). I love travelling, reading, deep conversations with friends, contemplative prayer, and finding glimpses of God’s presence in the ordinary moments of
life. I look forward to knowing the children and families of St. Paul, learning alongside them, and helping cultivate a community where love, wonder, and belonging can flourish."

10/17/2026

St. Paul has supported Faith in Action for all 4 decades it has existed. They are an essential community organization that does so much to help people. This morning, our confirmation students learned about the many things that FIA does. Our students received Meijer gift cards to go shop as a team to stock the pantry with things they think families might need or want.

10/07/2026

Building on yesterday’s post-if you are a family thinking of bringing kids to church, we have so many ways that you and they can experience our beloved community. We have this new “prayground” at the front of the sanctuary that many children enjoy experiencing during the service. We also offer a Bible oriented, play based Sunday School program that begins about half way through worship. Come and see! If you’re already here, spread the word!

10/06/2026

Friends, please be aware of our policy regarding children in church:
If your kids are loud, please still come to church.
If you’re running late because getting everyone out the door was a battle, please still come to church.
If your toddler won’t sit still, please still come to church.
If your baby needs to eat, please still come to church.
If your child asks questions at the least convenient time, please still come to church.
If someone cries, drops a toy, needs a snack, or has to make their third trip to the bathroom, please still come to church.
If your child doesn’t know all the words, all the prayers, or exactly when to sit and stand, please still come to church.
If you feel like you spent the entire service managing your children and heard approximately 12% of the sermon, please still come to church.
If Sunday morning feels messy instead of peaceful, please still come to church.
If you’re worried your children are distracting the people around you, please still come to church.
Because children do not learn how to be part of the Church by staying home until they can sit quietly.
If your child has a disability, please still come to church.
They learn by being here.
They learn the hymns by hearing us sing them.
They learn the prayers by hearing us pray them.
They learn to worship by watching us worship.
They learn that church is home because we make room for them here.
The wiggles, whispers, dropped crayons, crying babies, and little voices are not interruptions to the life of the Church.
They are evidence that the Church is alive.
So bring the babies. Bring the toddlers. Bring the big kids. Come late. Sit in the back. Sit in the front. Step out when you need to and come right back in.
Just come.
Children are not simply the future of the Church. They are part of the Church right now.
Thanks to the many different churches sharing this online right now.

09/22/2026

One of the 3 of us will usually be there to gather the group: Sue Bauer, Sheri Hillman, Laura Koch (coming from Co-op teaching )
Note time change from last week 😉

09/22/2026

Hey, friends! We are really excited to share that St. Paul UCC in Chelsea, Michigan recently voted as a congregation to create and support a new, part time ministry position at our church. Maybe this sounds like a job for you or someone you know!

Children & Family Ministry Coordinator
St. Paul United Church of Christ — Chelsea, Michigan

Part-time | Approximately 12 hours/week | $22/hour

Do you love working with children and families? Are you organized, creative, and excited about helping a ministry grow?

St. Paul UCC is seeking a Children & Family Ministry Coordinator to help us build a joyful, welcoming, and sustainable ministry with children and families.

We believe children are not simply the future of the church—they are a vital part of its present. This position will help create meaningful opportunities for children to learn, connect, play, explore faith, and experience a genuine sense of belonging.

What you'll do:

Coordinate weekly Sunday School and support teachers and volunteers
Help select curriculum and equip volunteers with resources
Build relationships with children and families
Plan occasional children’s and family events
Bring creativity and new ideas to children’s ministry
Help us notice and respond to opportunities for growth

We're looking for someone who:

Enjoys working with children and families
Is organized, dependable, relational, and creative
Communicates well and works effectively with volunteers
Can bring structure while remaining flexible
Has experience in church ministry and/or working with children (preferred)
Has a bachelor’s degree (preferred, but not required)

Sunday morning presence is essential, with flexibility for some remote work. A background check is required.

St. Paul UCC is an Open & Affirming congregation committed to the full inclusion of all people. We’re not simply looking for someone to maintain a program—we’re looking for someone who wants to help cultivate a ministry.

To apply: Please send a resume, references, and a brief cover letter to St. Paul United Church of Christ at [email protected]

09/15/2026

09/11/2026

This Sunday….Join Us ‼️