Pastor's Corner

Greetings Sisters and Brothers, 

My name is Rev. Stephen O. Stepp. Yes, my initials are SOS. My mother chose the name Stephen after the martyr Stephen in the Bible. The SOS came from my father who served in the US Navy for over 37 years. Now, I was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and Church of Peace United Church of Christ is the church where I was baptized, confirmed, and married. I left Fond du Lac in 1979 to attend the University of Wisconsin-Stout and received a bachelor's degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. After college, I worked in the service industry for over 13 years, and then I was a stay-at-home dad for our family of 6 for 13 years.  I returned home to Fond du Lac in 1996 and purchased the home I grew up in just 2 blocks from the church. In 1997, I recieved my first call to ministry in Jr./Sr. Department of our Sunday School as the Superintendent for 120 youth. I truly fell in love with teaching youth about Jesus Christ. In 2007, recieved a profound call from God to ordained ministry.  I left Fond du Lac again and began a new journey at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.  I graduated in 2011 with a Masters of Divinity Degree. I was ordained at the Church of Peace on November 26, 2011, and led my first worship service the next day at Zion United Church of Christ in Lowden, Iowa. After almost 9 years at Zion UCC, I accepted a new call. On September 21, 2020, I was installed as the called pastor here at Church of Peace.

     Thank you for getting this far, because my journey has led me home once again and I love being back at the Church of Peace UCC because this congregation is committed to the life and service of Jesus Christ. We have a vibrant congregation that contributes a great deal to Fond du Lac and beyond.  I believe that is our purpose as Christians, to proclaim the life of Jesus Christ by the way we live and love others. That is how we serve God, by serving God's people. That is what I believe, and that is what I teach.  Oh yes, I believe that attending worship services should be fun and meaningful. The hope I have for everyone who joins us is that they will feel the presence of God through the Holy Spirit and be moved to action.   (to be continued)