Five For Five

Second Church supports the Presbyterian USA Five for Five giving program - "around the corner and around the globe, supporting Presbyterian mission" - by participating in these special offerings and basic mission support:

Peacemaking Offering - First Sunday in October

The Peacemaking Program looks for opportunities around the globe for rewarding peaceful efforts. Recent efforts include: creating a market for crosses made from spent bullet casings by former soldiers in Liberia, giving them much needed income for their families; and sending young adults to Colombia, a Young Adult Travel Study Program, to learn firsthand about the lives of displaced people. Through such people and programs, God's peace is manifest around the world.

Christmas Joy Offering - Sunday before Christmas

Supporting ministries that make real God's love in Jesus Christ throughout the year, these gifts support programs such as responding to the needs of church workers in hurricane-devastated areas of the Gulf Coast, and helping students attend racially diverse schools to discover the gifts that God has planted within them, and to nurture those gifts to serve not only their own communities but all of God's people.

One Great Hour of Sharing - During Lent, especially on Palm Sunday and Easter

One Great Hours of Sharing (OGHS) has responded to a record number of hurricanes in the past year, including Katrina, Rita, Stan, and Wilma; and such other disasters as the earthquake in Pakistan. In addition to disaster relief, OGHS gifts are used to address chronic world needs, such as ready access to clean water and medical care, sufficient food, and a firmer grasp on hope. Through your outstretched hands, more families have felt the embrace of God's love in very tangible ways.

Basic Mission Support

Basic Mission Support is the funding sent by congregations to support the mission budget of their presbytery, synod, and General Assembly; these funds strengthen congregations, support mission service personnel, and provide leadership training and scholarships.

Pentecost Offering - Day of Pentecost (seven Sundays after Easter)

This offering supports children at risk, youth, and young adults. More than 750 young adults since 1994 have served as Young Adult Volunteers (YAVs). Over 25% of YAVs pursue theological education, full-time mission service, or other professional church leadership roles. Almost $1.8 million has been raised since 1998 for ministries with children at risk, both in local communities and abroad. Presbyterian Youth Connection assemblies help young people develop leadership skills and deepen their faith nationwide.