In January 2020, Cote Brilliante was awarded a grant through the Missouri Faith Leadership Council for an After-School program (3:00pm–8:00pm), five days per week, with our neighboring school, Hickey Elementary. The program offered activities, dinner for any child in the community and transportation home. When Saint Louis Public Schools closed due to the COVID -19 pandemic, the program ended. However; it was quickly repurposed to meet the needs of the families impacted by job loss, food insecurities, mobility limitations, mental health concerns and education deprivation. Continue to read more here.

St. Mark has three working server switches at the church, and our Technology Committee would like to offer them to any other churches who might need them. We just did an upgrade, but they are all in good working order. We’d prefer donating them (since they are costly) as opposed to recycling. Do you know of anyone who might need them? Please contact Rev. Dr. Dave Burgess by email here.

It is Giving Tuesday!

Although we will not be able to hold our annual Christmas concert, you can still enjoy us at this special virtual concert. Register today at www.homefortheholidaysstl.com.

The 14^th annual Advent Vespers of Second Presbyterian Church will be presented virtually beginning on Sunday, December 6. The Vespers will highlight the relevance of Psalm 130 and include readings and choral anthems plus handbell and organ music.

To watch the Vespers, go to https://secondchurch.net/music/couts-music-series/ The Vespers will be available for viewing from December 6 though December 20. For further information call 314-367-0367 or email [email protected]

Presbyterians Today wants to see your light shine this holiday. Submit pictures of the candles you are lighting (actual candles or how you are shining light in the world by living out the words of Matthew 25 to give water to those who thirst, visit those in prison and clothe the naked). Include your name, church and a brief description of the picture. Send to Donna Frischknecht Jackson at [email protected].

Isaiah 9:2-7.  

Even in the midst of a surging COVID-19 virus, we can still have a faith-filled, earth-friendly holiday! Some top- of- the- list items: Make home-made items to eat or use. Use natural material rather than plastic. Be supportive of local businesses and crafters. Donate to local charities.

Contact: [email protected] or 314-941-9378

In Illinois - Click Here | In Missouri - Click Here

To assist congregations with the preservation of church history, the Presbyterian Historical Society awards annual Heritage Preservation Grants to PC(USA) congregations, covering up to $500 of the cost to digitize official church records. Qualifying congregations must be at least 50 years old.

For 2020, applications are due on December 15. Grants must be used within a two-year time period. You might want to share this with your congregations, especially older and smaller churches. Learn how to apply.

The COVID 19 pandemic has created an unprecedented loss of jobs and hardship on families within the geographical boundary of the presbytery. Food pantries connected to our presbytery and PCUSA congregations are reporting a much higher demand than usual. As we enter the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, the presbytery is making available Hunger Program grants to hunger programs connected to our congregations or those programs that partner with the presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a program called the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to help nonprofits and faith-based organizations prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks.

Here are several examples of projects the NSGP funds: Surveillance equipment; Physical protective measures such as fences, blast-proof windows, and concrete barriers; Active Shooter Training; Security Training for employees, or members/congregation

PDA is here to assist in the 2021 application, which is always a difficult, complicated and time-bound process. If you are interested in learning more, please let PDA know by November 30, by contacting David L. Myers, Senior Advisor at [email protected] or by calling 502-200-4878.

Please submit your grant request to [email protected]. Note in the subject line Second Wave Grant.

By the way, First Wave Grants are still available. Please contact Liz Kanerva at the above email for more information. (Learn More Here)

If you are interested in becoming a Certified Church Administrator, you can now take the core educational requirements without leaving your place of work or your family. In 2019 The Church Network launched our first attempt at online certification courses, and it was a great success! For 2021, virtual core classes are especially important.

Seminars will be offered on Thursdays from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Eastern time, with the eight sessions of Module B in the winter of 2021 and the eight sessions of Module A in the fall of 2021.

Registration is open for the virtual event hosted by the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators, to be held February 4–6. Explore “Anything But Ordinary Time” with APCE, from the comfort of your own home.

What does it mean to care for creation? Are Christians called to respond to climate change? Is it possible to LIVE SUSTAINABLY for the benefit of future generations? Theologically curious high school students are invited to apply before January 1, 2021 for the 2021 Lux Summer Theological Institute. Safety permitting, the program will be held in-person at Presbyterian-related Monmouth College (Monmouth, IL)

Funded by the Lilly Endowment, the Lux Institute is an opportunity for students to engage with a topic of global importance and participate in a living-learning community through study, worship, service, recreation, and vocational exploration.

Scholarships are available to cover all program expenses for the two-week program, with the exception of travel. A free shuttle to/from Chicago airports is provided.

For more information: lux.monmouthcollege.edu