Who Are We?
Hear from our Members
Video courtesy of Big Dipper Media Co. from our 120th Anniversary Service
Mission and Vision
Here at Peace, we strive to be open and welcoming to all people of all identities, beliefs, and backgrounds! We value intergenerational experiences, diversity, and following Christ's teaching to love one another as we would love ourselves! In 2023 we updated our Mission and Vision statements to reflect these values.
Mission: To provide an open and welcoming community so All may feel God's love.
Vision: To embrace the diversity of Christ's church to help all know God's love no matter where they are on life's journey.
What to Expect
When you visit Peace UCC Shawano, whether it's for a Sunday morning worship service at 9:00, a fundraising event like our Chili Dinner, a Youth Group event held once a month, or a community event like our Annual Non-Profit Showcase, you should expect to feel welcomed as you enter the space. You should expect to find a diverse congregation made up of people from the ages of 6 months old to 95 years old. People who have been divorced and remarried and those who have been married over 40 years together. People from the queer community and people who work in all sorts of different job fields from blue collar to white collar. One of the greatest strengths of this congregation is its diversity and ability to love everyone not despite of the differences, but because of them. When you come here you should expect to feel God's love emulating from each individual you interact with because we believe in living out Christ's teachings with our very lives!
Our staff
Rev. L. Gail Irwin was born and raised in California and grew up in the United Church of Christ. She received her M.Div. at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley and was ordained in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
After serving two settled pastorates, she has spent the past 14 years specializing in Intentional Interim ministry, serving eight different churches in transition, both UCC and Presbyterian.
She is also a freelance writer and the author of the book “Toward the Better Country: Church Closure and Resurrection”. She is married, has one adult daughter and lives on a farm where her husband raises dairy heifers. In her spare time, she enjoys music, gardening and bike riding.
Current Council Members 2025
Bob Smits - Council President
Joel Whitehouse - Treasurer
Stephanie - Recording Secretary
Heidi Cynor - Corporate Secretary
Richard Menning, Kristin Gehm
Isabella Cynor-Youth Representative
