Our Mission
ARTICLE III of the Constitution and ByLaws:
St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Skokie has as its objective the development and maintenance in this community of a Christian congregation on an evangelical basis, for worship and promotion of Christian life, and the furtherance of the Kingdom of God by all available means.
Our Vision
St Peter’s United Church of Christ will embrace the growing diversity in our neighborhood, and will enjoy the adventure of welcoming and loving all people equally, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, economic status, or physical and mental ability. We will continue to grow as a church together, and strive to reflect and support our community in unique and Christ-centered ways. We will do more for the groups we already support and find additional opportunities to serve. We will encourage participation within our own congregation and inform the wider community about the work we are doing for the common good.
Friendly Acceptance
We are a congregation of growing diversity. We embrace and enjoy this adventure. We know that we need to continue to grow as a church together. We acknowledge the call to understand our cultural complexity and strive to reflect our community. We have a special interest in how the stories, values and connections of our diverse congregants shape our life and mission. We open-heartedly affirm that: “no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”
Community Outreach
Our church practices outreach missions, locally and globally, to benefit our community and its institutions. In an effort to improve the quality of life, the resources we provide include food and clothing, volunteer time, spiritual counseling, money, advocacy, space usage, knowledge, networking, and low-cost basic goods. Our future vision is to do more for the groups we already support and / or find additional opportunities to serve. We also intend to provide information and encourage participation within our own congregation and the wider community about the work we are doing for the common good.
Sense of Tradition
Our church has a long, rich history spanning over 150 years. Established on May 5, 1867, as St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church by German immigrants, it was the first church in what was then called Niles Center. Many of the founding members were pioneers in the development of the community. These deep roots have guided our missions, activities, and work ethic. Decades of worship, education and fellowship have been nurtured within our landmark building and continue to flourish today. We strive to adapt to our culturally and economically diverse community. We continue to learn from the past to inform the future.
Our Open & Affirming Covenant
We the parishioners of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Skokie, make before God and ourselves, a promise to live our daily lives with love, honor and respect, believing that since we’re all made in God’s image, all people are created equal. And thus, all people are to be treated, loved, and welcomed equally, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, creed, color, race, economic status, or physical/mental ability. We therefore welcome all people to share our Church for the purposes of worship, marriage, baptism, funeral and fellowship, with full participation in the life and ministries of the Church, asking that those who come have no intent to do harm and welcome others to our church as well. People shall be embraced with love and the knowledge that we are all one in the eyes of God.