MISSION & OUTREACH
On the second Sunday of each month, the Mission Moment is presented in church. During the Mission Moment, we learn about one our mission partners listed below.
Your gifts to the St. Lucas UCC General Fund help support these wonderful organizations!
​The mission of Unleashing Potential is to close the opportunity gap for children and youth by building on their strengths. We create educational and empowering experiences through early childhood education, after school programs, youth development and enrichment camps.
EDEN SEMINARY
February
​Founded in 1850, Eden Seminary is a graduate school that prepares men and women for ordained Christian Ministry. Eden is one of seven seminaries of the United Church of Christ. By educating men and women for the future ministry, Eden strives to strengthen the life of the church through a critical reflection of faith and supporting Christian discipleship.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
March
From disaster relief in the form of providing water to the people of Flint, Michigan, humanitarian aid in war torn Syria, and aid for famine relief in Ethiopia are just some of the examples how One Great Hour of Sharing provides many forms of relief in over 130 countries around the world. One Great Hour of Sharing enables the United Church of Christ to quickly respond to disasters and other urgent unexpected needs as they arise.
EVERY CHILD'S HOPE
April
ECH was founded in 1858 and cares for over 1400 children a year by providing a variety of programs in St. Louis and Kansas City that are dedicated to preventing child abuse, treating emotional trauma and mental health issues, and providing after care and follow-up services. These programs are designed to strengthen families and encourage all family members to reach their full potential by leading healthy, productive and self-sufficient lives.
ISAIAH 58
May
Serving South St. Louis since 1970, Isaiah 58 provides a variety of services to meet the needs of low income residents in the area around south Grand. Some of the services that Isaiah 58 provides are operating a food pantry and thrift store, utility assistance and job placement assistance.
EMMAUS HOMES
June
Emmaus is focused on the contributions that people with developmental disabilities can make to society. Although there are some residents on the Emmaus campus, Emmaus has moved to the group home model. Emmaus serves clients in 50 group homes located throughout the Missouri side of the St. Louis metro area. Most all of the homes have 24-hour support staff to take care of the residents.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
July
Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all. Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and works toward that goal with a comprehensive program in which hard-working St. Louis families invest their time into actually building and owning a home.
CAMP MOVAL
September
Camp Mo-Val is a camp and retreat center located several miles west of Union, Missouri. Run by the Missouri Mid-South Conference, Camp Mo-Val serves hundreds of campers and families each year. Camp Mo-Val consists of 280 acres that includes a lake, streams, native prairie and forest land.
LYDIA'S HOUSE
October
The most dangerous time for a woman in an abusive relationship is when she is leaving that relationship. Lydia's House is a place for women to go when they are wanting to get our of an abusive relationship. Lydia's house works in faith to end domestic violence by being a place of healing and a voice of hope for abused women and their children.
FEED MY PEOPLE
November
Feed My People, a Christian inter-denominational organization, strives to show God's love and compassion to all His people, but particularly to His people in need. Feed My People was founded in 1982 by Carol and John DeGuire to meet the growing needs of the poor in South St. Louis County. "We treat each person who comes to us for help with dignity. Besides their daily needs, we try to give them hope for a brighter future, and let them know that we care and that God cares." Today, Feed My People has over 14 programs, including a Thrift Store at each location as primarily a service to our clients, but is also open to the public.
STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH
December
The Strengthen the Church (STC) Offering reflects the shared commitment of people across the United Church of Christ to cooperatively build up the UCC. Conferences and the national setting equally share the gifts given by members and friends through their local congregations. The funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations. By your generosity to this offering, you build up the Body of Christ.
