April 21, 2020
Second Presbyterian Church is a Matthew 25 Church. "I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me." Matt. 25:35-36. The mission team strives to lead the church in carrying out this vision.
Second Presbyterian is also a connected church, partnering with other churches in the Presbyterian Church (U. S. A.) in world-wide mission. Of all the ways we come together, the Special Offerings represent the single, largest collective effort of Presbyterians to create positive impact and share God's grace and love. There are four denomination-wide special offerings. The One Great Hour of Sharing, given at Easter, goes to relieve hunger, disaster, and poverty. The Pentecost offering, given last year on June 9th, supports young people by nurturing their faith, ideas, and unique gifts which they then share with the church and the world. 40% of the offering remained with our congregation to use for children and youth programs. The Peace and Global Witness offering supports ministries of reconciliation and peace. It was given on October 6th, World Communion Sunday. 25% was retained by the congregation to invest in the Tywanza Sanders Legacy Foundation. The Christmas Joy offering, given on December 22nd, celebrated the gift of church leaders, past, present, and future. Half of the offering goes to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions, giving critical financial assistance for current and retired Presbyterian ministers, missionaries, and other church workers in their time of need. The other half goes to leadership development programs in Presbyterian-related schools and colleges. More information at presbyterianmission.org
Second partners with other Presbyterian churches in the state for two other special offerings. On Mothers' Day, May 12th, we remembered Presbyterian Communities residents in need. More information at prescommunities.org. What used to be called Thornwell Home for Children, which took in orphans and other children whose families were unable to care for them, is now a major provider in state-wide service to families in crisis, offering counseling and parenting training, as well as their residential and foster programs. Our offering to support their work was given on November 25th. More information at thornwell.org
The week-end of May 24th-26th was when the "Seconds, Please" Tea Room was held. With a lot of hard work, good fellowship, and delicious food, we cleared $4,500 for missions. Here are the recipients last year.
Water Mission, providing safe drinking water in many countries
Our 2nd to None team, ready to "walk for water" again this year, had to walk virtually.
Mission Co-Worker, Leisa Wagstaff in South Sudan
Medical Benevolence Foundation, medical missions in Haiti, Congo, etc.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, trained volunteers work around the country and world
Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, providing chaplain care in local emergencies
Hands of Christ, offering school uniforms to local elementary students
We hope that Second will again be a distribution center. Watch for news and sign-ups!
Sea Islands Hunger Awareness, offering food and some new wells on Johns and Wadmalaw
Shaw Center, after school events at this City of Charleston recreation center
Several of Second's members offer "homework help" there after school.
Star Gospel Mission, providing transitional housing to men in Charleston
Since Spoleto was canceled, so was our Tea Room for this next May. This means we will have to be creative in some other way and some other time to support these and other missions this year. You are invited to come join us in that planning!
Second Presbyterian Mission Team: Sarah and Marion Mitchell, Sarah Stevens, liaison with Session, David Savard, Patterson Smith, Cathy Hinson, and Kate Stanton