The Care Closet was established in 2023 with the support of former Pastor Lucy Wynard so that St. Paul would be a resource for our neighbors and community members in time of need.
This space provides items such as blankets, sleeping bags, tents, socks (and other clothing items), laundry packets, personal care items, food cards, gas cards, and bus passes.
Some of the items are donated by our congregational members. We also partner with the organization, Youth2Youth 4 Change, which regularly donates similar items.
This fall, we are starting the Sunday Loose Change Jar program:
Look for the jar at the back of the church when you come in to worship—we are happy to help you recycle your loose change each week! 

Welcome to a place that makes gently used, second-hand clothing available to the wider community every month!
Lydia’s Closet began August 11, 2010 as an outreach ministry in conjunction with the Soup Lunch Ministry, and you can find it in the lower level of the church.
The name was selected from a scripture passage in which Lydia, a woman who sells purple cloth, opened her heart to God:
"One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message."—Acts 16:14
The St. Paul congregation collects used clothing (a great excuse to clean out your closet!) to stock the closet for Soup Lunch guests. All items are 25¢ each. Proceeds are given to Soup Lunch. As of May, 2018, we have given back over $2,200 to Soup Lunch.
Thank you for your generosity and support!

What's an OWLS meetup like?
Here's a short write-up of one from March 2024:
"In a busy Holy week, eleven OWLS gathered for a hearty German potluck with hot dish, sauerkraut, and salads—plus cake and ice cream for dessert. Future programs were announced and several summer events were discussed. Possible group activities highlighted include a Sky Carp game, Historic Auto Museum visit, Lake Geneva mailboat tour, pizza party, and White Pines theatre performance."
Member Roger Neitzel has written reports of OWLS meetings since 2012. Three books containing reports and pictures from each meeting are on display as OWLS History.

Comfort quilts are made for inpatient care, as well as wall hangings, table runners, and other fabric options.  
Whether you have more to learn or more to create, Piecemakers is a space for everyone interested in the art of textile crafting.

The St. Paul Soup Lunch started 16 years ago as a “small group” idea. In October of 2008, seeing the need in our neighborhood, we started serving lunches every other Wednesday. By January of 2009 this ministry had grown to a weekly Wednesday lunch staffed by a core of dedicated volunteers.
The Soup Lunch has been funded by selling cookbooks, grants, and multiple fundraisers. We cook enough to serve 100 weekly, averaging 80-90 each week. 
At Christmas time we serve a special Christmas dinner with a Gift Shop to enable our guests to select 2-3 gifts each, as our guests are part of our extended church family. Guests give back by sharing extra food and paper products.
For the last 3 years on the 1st Wednesday of the month, we have hosted a group of students from Beloit Turner who assist in serving the meal. Soup lunch is not only a blessing to our guests, but to the Turner students and our members who serve. We enjoy the fellowship that we share each week.