Monday, March 22, 2021

MISSION COMMITTEE

 As we looked at meeting agendas and notes from the past 12 months in preparation for writing this report, it was clear that the St. Mark congregation’s dedication to supporting missions in 2020 has not been altered by the pandemic. We realized in March that mission fundraising activities would look different in 2020. We also knew that the mission trip to Guatemala would be postponed. However, it is with gratitude that we present the ways that our St. Mark missions have been successfully supported this year.

 Our annual Mission Fair was held in February. Representatives from our core local mission partners participated in our worship service and interacted with the congregation at display tables in the narthex. This was a wonderful way for St. Mark members to learn more about and connect with the local missions that our members support. 15 

The Lenten Water Challenge provided funding of approximately $4,000 for nine wells that were built by Marion Medical Mission volunteers and members of the communities receiving the wells. 

The Circle of Concern Golf Tournament under the leadership of St. Mark, was cancelled this year. Because of generous donations, the Golf Tournament exceeded the profit from 2019 with a total of over $30,000. 

The ABC Sale has long been a major source of support for our local missions. This year the church did not fill up with items contributed by the congregation or include hundreds of “shopping” people from the St. Louis area. However, our generous congregation gave more than $6,800 through our “Virtual ABC Sale.” In addition, small items of value, donated by members of our congregation, have been sold online. Jaclyn Morgan initiated this method of fundraising and in 2020 has achieved over $6,000 in sales. Missions receiving support through these donations include: BBJ, Isaiah 58 Ministries, Lafayette Industries, Mound Ridge, Peace Meal, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services, and UKirk. 

This year we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Christmas Alternatives. Our International Missions will receive over $10,000 supporting Marion Medical Mission, Medical Benevolence Foundation, PCUSA International Agriculture Missions, PCUSA Mission Co-Workers Mark Hare & Jenny Bent in Haiti and Jed & Jenny Koball in Peru, and PCUSA Plan Grand Dos Scholarships to children in Nicaragua.

 In addition to Session allocated general mission giving through PCUSA, also supported are five PCUSA Special Offerings supported by St. Mark: One Great Hour of Sharing, Pentecost Offering, Peace & Global Witness Offering, Thanksgiving Offering and Christmas Joy Offering. 


St. Mark members generously gave in-kind donations in support of local mission partners during the Mission Committee’s “Drive-through” Sunday events and “Church Foyer” collections. These “Drive-through” events will continue in 2021. 

• 2020 food and hygiene product collections were record breaking at St. Mark. These included the February Super Bowl of Caring, followed by the Superhero Sunday food and personal care item collection in May which netted over one- and one-half tons of donations for Circle of Concern and Isaiah 58 Ministries. Another food and hygiene product “Drive-through” collection was held in September. In addition, when the church foyer was opened on Tuesdays and Thursdays, more donations were received. Our mission partners are incredibly grateful for the in-kind as well as cash donations received throughout 2020. As we approach 2021, we anticipate that the economic environment will continue to be challenging and ongoing support will be needed. 



• The annual back to school drive included socks and underwear for Isaiah 58 Ministries as well as over 500 pounds of school supplies for Presbyterian Children Homes and Services.

 • Coats and winter clothing donations to Isaiah 58 Ministries filled three SUVs and included cash donations. 

• The Mission Committee/PW women’s “60 gifts for 60 children” in support of Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services exceeded our expectations with more than 60 gifts collected. 

THANK YOU, ST. MARK! Your contributions during this difficult time have touched many lives locally and internationally. God is Good!

 – Joyce Blackwell, Clarice Hutchens, Christine Polak – Co-Chairs

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