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.
Donations made to El Estero Presbyterian Church are deposited into the General Fund. Special Fund Raisers for Missions are announced in the church newsletter and here along with information about how to donate directly to the non-profit organization.
2024: The Awardees for this year are:
Nancy's Project
Samaritan's Purse
Gerald Tanaka, International Disciple Training, Inc.
Rev. Mark Hall with Mission's Door
Salvation Army - Monterey Peninsula Corps
Food Bank for Monterey County
Seed USA - Rev. Jong H. Lim - Nicaragua
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance earmarked for Hurricane Milton disaster relief
The Outreach Branch also conducted a Holiday Donation Drive for the Salvation Army- Monterey Peninsula Corps of children's toys, pajamas and blankets that concluded on November 17, 2024.
2023: The Awardees for this year are:
Nancy's Project
Samaritan's Purse
Gerald Tanaka, International Disciple Training, Inc.
Samaritan's purse for Maui Fire Disaster
Rev. Mark Hall with Mission's Door.
The Outreach and Deacons cosponsored a very successful a Drive Up and Drop Off Holiday Donation Drive on October 14, 2023 from to benefit the Salvation Army - Monterey Peninsula Corps.
2022: The nomination period for the congregation to suggest recipients ended in November. The recommendations that the church continue to support the 2021 Awardees were approved at the November Session meeting.
The Deacons held a November fundraiser to benefit the Food Bank of Monterey County that 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 recipients has ended. 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 International Disciple Training, Inc.,the Baja Mexico home building project for homeless for which Gerald Tanaka volunteers and leads a Mission trip each Summer.
The Deacons held a very successful Toy, Food and Clothing Drive which 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 has since been able to visit our church and speak about his ministry several times and most recently on February 11, 2024. His sermon can be viewed at the "Messages" section.
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
Peace and Global Witness Offering
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) reaches out to the world in a wide range of methods.
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