Through our contributions to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Church World Service, St. Peter's members can respond immediately with available funds and workers on the ground in afflicted areas. We send out food, medicines, blankets, water purification equipment and emergency shelters.  We field teams of medical and psychosocial workers.  Even though it is never enough, we try to do our part to bring relief to devastated communities.

Whenever we are motivated, we can contribute more by writing a check to St. Peter's by the Sea and designating a specific area of concern or noting "Presbyterian Disaster Assistance" or "Church World Service."

Our primary mission is centered not on ourselves, but on our community, as we seek to respond to specific human hurts and hopes. God's call is for every member to be involved in mission and ministry right where they live and work.

"...what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8

God Calls us to Missions

There are three areas in which Jesus set the example of God's call to mission.

Spiritual Mission is spreading the Good News of God's love, grace and call on our lives. Jesus set the example by preaching, teaching and making disciples.

"Go make disciples" Mathew 28:19-20

The St. Peter's by the Sea's Mission Team includes about 12 volunteers and meets monthly each first Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. As St.Peter's Mission Statement advocates, members of the Team focus on the community, seeking "to respond to specific human hurts and hopes." We are alert to the needs of our neighbors and prayerfully attempt to assist the religious and social service organizations ministering to the vulnerable among us.

The Mission Team allocates funds from the annual mission budget to responsible agencies and projects in which members of our congregation are actively involved. We celebrate the work of missionaries in the field, such as Paul and Pat Stock in Pakistan and Tracey King in Central America. The Team interprets three special offerings a year: One Great Hour of Sharing at Easter, Peacemaking on World Communion Sunday in October, and the Christmas Offering.

The Mission Team encourages volunteer participation in ecumenical and interfaith programs in the community, many of which St. Peter's had a hand in initiating years ago. We are grateful that so many of our members are willing and able to donate time and talent where it is needed.

Together in Education

One of our congregation's outreach programs which has consistently attracted the greatest number of volunteers is "Together in Education" at the 15th Street Elementary School in San Pedro.

The first of about 30 volunteers began assisting boys and girls (and even some adults) with reading and math in 2000. Their efforts were accompanied by a share of the funds raised in St. Peter's capital campaign "Keeping Our Promise: Celebrating Children, Mission and Song."

In addition to regularly serving as Literacy Advocates in the classroom, some St. Peter's members read one-on-one with a child in the library as part of the Wonder of Reading program. Others participate (along with a Santa Claus whom St. Peter's supplies) in the distribution of gift books to each student at Christmastime. And still others don tall red and white striped hats and go into each room to read The Cat in the Hat and other favorite books to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday every year.

"Together in Education" was an innovative project for our congregation and originally included service with Toberman Neighborhood Association and the Harbor Area YWCA. We were able to make significant contributions of learning materials, software, furniture, and shelving in the students' centers. We are grateful that after almost nine years TIE continues to thrive at the 15th Street School, bringing joy to the hearts of tutor and student alike.