Following the example of Jesus' teaching and ministry, reaching out to our fellow sisters and brothers in love through mission and service is a valued commitment and ministry to the St. Peter's family of faith.

The following information gives a description and Web site link (if available) to the organizations, programs, and groups St. Peter's United Church of Christ supports with our prayers, labor, and /or financial assistance.

Crop Walk
The Crop Walk community-based fund raising events raise money for local hunger-fighting agencies as well as the international relief and development efforts of Church World Service. Visit their site at www.churchworldservice.org/crop.

St. Peter's Church has been an annual participant in the Ferguson, Missouri Crop Walk since 2003. We look forward to our continued Crop Walk participation.

Eden Theological Seminary
A school of the church, Eden Theological Seminary is committed to the study of theology in the context of the ecumenical Christian community and the contemporary world, preparing women and men for ordained and lay Christian ministry.

St. Peter's UCC has a rich heritage of mission outreach, including founding support to the beginning of what is now Eden Seminary. We are blessed to have past and present involvement with the seminary and look forward to future years of prayerful and financial support to this mission. All of St. Peter's pastors since 1885 have been graduates of Eden Seminary.

Visit www.eden.edu to see a virtual tour of the campus, visit the bookstore, and explore the opportunities for education and ministry.

Emmaus Homes
The mission of Emmaus Homes [www.emmaushomes.org] is to enhance the quality of life for people with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities through life experiences that enable growth and inclusion within each person's chosen communities. This mission arises from faith in Jesus Christ, who empowers all people to affirm and celebrate their worth and uniqueness.

Evangelical Children's Home
Begun as an orphanage in 1858 by the pastor of St. Peter's, the Evangelical Children's Home strives to achieve its mission to "assist children, youth, and their families in their quest for health and wholeness through faithful, professional services." The work and ministry of the ECH reaches the lives of many children who have suffered severe physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect. Many are suicidal or severely depressed. They need love and support, just like children 140 years ago, but they also need something more. They need a new beginning to help offer ways to heal the traumas they have suffered during their young lives. Visit the Children's Home web site at www.newbeginnings-ech.org.

Food Bank
The congregation of St. Peter's Church began operating a Food Pantry in 1981. Since 1995, our efforts have been devoted to the purchase and collection of food and personal care items that are then distributed to several Food Pantries that serve our immediate neighborhood and a portion of the city of St. Louis. All monies spent to support this mission come from the donations made by the members and friends of our congregation.

Habitat for Humanity St. Louis
Habitat for Humanity St. Louis [www.habitatstl.org] is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. We unite people of all races and religions to build houses in partnership with families in need. Our goal is to eliminate poverty housing. We seek to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Join us in this heart-warming process! Help low-income families become owners of affordable housing.

St. Peter's has joined with other St. Louis area UCC churches to sponsor one or more Habitat or Humanity homes annually since 1996.

Lydia's House
Founded in 1994, the mission of Lydia's House [www.lydiashouse.org] is to work in faith to end domestic violence, by being a place of healing and a voice of hope for abused women and their children. Lydia's House increases awareness of domestic violence through presentations in the community and works to end domestic violence.

Neighborhood Houses
Neighborhood Houses [www.neighborhoodhouses.org] is a neighborhood-centered, faith-based organization that supports St. Louis families by helping children become hopeful, healthy, and self-sustaining members of the community. Neighborhood Houses is a ministry of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church/Disciples of Christ. In 2001, specialty programming was refined at each of the four centers in response to neighbors' requests. Dignity House has an Arts and Music focus, St. James Center is Sports focused, Fellowship Center is Family Support, and Caroline Mission is Early Childhood Education and also a Head Start site.

Neighbors in Need
Neighbors in Need is the annual all-church offering of the United Church of Christ that expresses our commitment to ministries of justice and compassion in the United States and Puerto Rico, as we speak prophetically to those in power and advocate for the voiceless. In the spirit of Christ, we seek to confront evil in the world and to alleviate suffering through justice advocacy and direct service.

One Great Hour of Sharing
Through One Great Hour of Sharing, UCC congregations transform themselves and a world in dire need by recognizing in the face of suffering, the face of Christ—assisting refugeeds, sustainable development and worldwide emergencies. The United Church of Christ sets aside the third Sunday in Lent for congregations to receive One Great Hour of Sharing offerings.

Room at the Inn
Room at the Inn provides immediate emergency shelter to families that are homeless. The shelter is a Providence Ministry, sponsored by the Sister's of Divine Providence in collaboration with more than 60 interfaith congregations. The shelter operates 365 days in a year. The program has two parts: a day-site and rotating overnight sites. St. Peter's Church has shared in ministry with Room at the Inn as an overnight host since 1996 and we look forward to continuing this ministry in the years to come.

Sheltered Reality
Sheltered Reality is a national organization of mission-minded youth who use choreography and drumming to share a message of faith and inspiration to young people, encouraging them to make a difference in the world. The group performs at schools, churches, and community events. They also engage in 12 mission projects a year. The local group is housed, facilitated and funded by St. Peter's.