El Estero Presbyterian Church
El Estero's Mission Giving
El Estero Presbyterian Church provides support to various charities identified either by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) or by our El Estero Church Mission Giving Committee. The Committee receives requests for Mission Funding and meets each year to read applications, review and recommend non-profit agencies as awardees for financial gifts. Application periods are announced during Worship Service and in the church newsletter. Organizations that receive funding are invited each year to share with our congregation their accomplishments. Support for Ministries may also take the form of providing services, materials or physical assistance in making objects requested by the organization.
2022: The nomination period for the congregation to suggest recipients ended in November. The recommendations that the church continue to support the 2021 Awardees was approved at the November Session meeting.
The Deacons held a November fundraiser to benefit the Food Bank of Monterey County raised $4,320. according to information the Food Bank records. Our church family was asked to mail their checks directly to the Food Bank which acknowledged the donations.
2021: The nomination period for members of the congregation to suggest possible recipients to the Outreach Branch which was announced in the Echoes Newsletter, during Worship Service, and on this website, ended on August 19, 2021. The Committee met to review and discuss nominees. Their recommendation was presented to Session who voted to approve on September 14, 2021.
Awardees for 2021 Mission Giving Funds are:
Missions Door in support of Pastor Mark Hall
The Salvation Army of the Monterey Peninsula
The Food Bank for Monterey County
and to Gerald Tanaka's Baja Mexico home building project for homeless.
The Deacons held a very successful Toy, Food and Clothing Drive was held during November. See the photos in the Echoes Newsletter.
2020: The application period 2020 ended in October. The Committee reviewed applications and made a recommendation to the Session. The motion was approved by Session at their December meeting. Recipients of mission giving grants for 2020 were The Salvation Army of the Monterey Peninsula, Pastor Mark and Brenda Hall in Mexico, and Nancy's Project.
The donation check was accompanied by a letter to the 2020 recipients that read:
This donation is being made,
"In Loving Memory of Members of El Estero Presbyterian Church who have joined the Lord
In 2019:
Hisao Yamanishi
Reiko Tashiro Kageyama
Dorothy Ayers Maceira
Royal Manaka, Sr.
And in 2020:
John Mitchell, Jr.
Hiroko Kuwatani
Lily Manaka Uyeda."
Mark and Brenda Hall were in the Mayan town of Totonicapán working with young people who distrusted religion-as-usual. What started as a Bible study with seven friends turned into an interdenominational youth group called Koinonia for those who feel they no longer fit in at the traditional churches. Koinonia is a discipling ministry dedicated to helping them rediscover an authentic relationship with Jesus. These young people also enjoy putting their faith to work in acts of compassion for the poorest in their community.
Missions Door asked them to minister to Guadalajara, Mexico and so they left Totonicapany in 2018 and moved there where he was also asked to Pastor a congregation. Pastor Mark was planning on speaking at our church in July 2020, but due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, he was not able do. He will be in California and is scheduled to deliver a sermon to our congregation on Sunday, July 24, 2022.
Christmas 2022 Letter
Summer 2022 Letter
Christmas 2021 Letter
August 2021 Letter
Easter 2021 Letter
Nancy's Project is a charitable nonprofit organization started by Nancy Costello, to distribute food, toys and other donated goods to farm labor families in Monterey County.
For over 40 years, Nancy collected and distributed food and donations throughout the year. Each December she organized the collection of food, toys, warm clothing and other donations for special Christmas baskets delivered to over 1000 families.
Volunteers continue to carry on her work. El Estero supports this program through Mission Giving Funds.
The Presbytery of San Jose has purchased a home through their Refugee Ministry which has been named Immanuel House which provides transitional housing to newly arrived immigrants and assistance in finding employment.
Special Offerings
El Estero also supports additional projects through Special Offerings which include
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) reaches out to the world in a wide range of methods.
You can learn more by visiting:
Compassion, Peace and Justice Committee