Mission Council Application for Mission Organizations Form HERE
Our Mission Council Team Members
Campus Ministries
Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (ICVF)
Knox serves college students seeking to find Jesus and how He fits into their lives through our continued support of campus ministries. The purpose or mission is to provide a Christian presence on campus emphasizing student and faculty transformation as they come to or grow in their faith, campus renewal by love, grace and justice, connecting students to God so they will become change agents for good.
Our geographic scope is downstate Illinois college campuses (Intervarsity) Chris Swiney is Associate Regional Ministry Director for the Great Lakes West Region.
Cents-Ability
Deposit spare change in the yellow funnel on the Mission table. Your coins benefit Presbyterian Hunger Programs.
CROP HUNGER WALK
Every year in October, Knox joins others in Naperville for the CROP Hunger Walk. 25% of money raised supports local hunger relief programs. Please join us in walking or sponsor a walker. More info is available at napervillecropwalk.org.
Dupage PADS
DuPage PADS is committed to end and prevent homelessness in DuPage County by serving as a model for providing interim housing, transitional and permanent housing, and supportive services for people who are homeless in a setting that encourages responsibility while offering the opportunity for independence and self-sufficiency.
Hesed House
Hesed House’s mission is to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless and give people the chance to hope again. Hesed House is a national model for ending homelessness – one person, one family at a time. Locally, we continue our efforts to meet the needs of the homeless and the hungry. ‘Hesed’ means God’s unconditional love. Knox supports this mission by providing food and volunteers on the 4th Saturday of the month, September - May.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Hesed House has not been able to allow volunteers inside the shelter to prepare and serve meals like we have in the past. During this time, our support has changed to a “Drive Thru, Drop-Off” of a hot Ready-To-Serve Dinner, Ready-To-Reheat Breakfast, Lunch Bags and other Special Supplies needed at Hesed House. The number we are feeding and the special supplies needed have been changing each month, so watch for the sign up link released approximately 10 days before the drop off in the Knox Wednesday Email to find out what is needed later that month. The link will also be posted on this page below. In addition, let Bruce Burkelman know (contact info below) if you would like to be on the Driver Invite List to help with the drive thru at Knox and then transporting the meals and supplies to Hesed House. When the pandemic is over, and volunteers are allowed back into Hesed House, it is expected we will return to our previous method of support.
In addition to the drop off, you can sign up as a driver to help with the drive thru at Knox and then transporting the meals and supplies to Hesed House. When the pandemic is over, and volunteers are allowed back into Hesed House, it is expected we will return to our previous method of support.
Hesed House Homeless Support during the Covid-19 pandemic:
- “Drive Thru, Drop-Off” of meals and supplies 4th Saturday of each month, September 2020 – May 2021: 9/26, 10/24, 11/28, 12/26, 1/23, 2/27, 3/27, 4/24, and 5/22
- After signing up, drop-off: 4:00-4:30 pm at Knox (Drivers to arrive at 3:30 pm)
You can use this link provided each month to sign up to bring one or more items and/or helping. Questions, or to sign up, email Bruce Burkelman or call 630-209-1421.
Taco Night Recipes for the drive thru drop-off are here.
There is also an ongoing need for other supplies at Hesed House that can be dropped off by individuals at the shelter. For the current list of Hesed House In Kind Donations and drop off instructions click HERE.
NOTE, at this time, Hesed House is NOT accepting clothing, furniture, or other household items for drop off at the shelter. You can donate these items to the Wayside Cross Thrift Stores in Aurora. For information click HERE.
Addresses for Hesed House:
- In Kind Donation Drop Offs: White Box Truck in lower parking lot, 659 South River St, Aurora, IL 60506 (check Hesed House website here for hours)
- Drivers for the “Drive Thru, Drop-Off” will be given specific addresses and instructions each month as the drop off locations at Hesed House have been changing
Loaves & Fishes Community Food Pantry
Knox supports Loaves & Fishes in several ways:
- Hunger Sunday (1st Sunday) Bring food or other needed
items. Click here to see most needed items. - Financial support: including personal donations. Envelopes are in pews.
- Volunteers: A complete list of positions can be found at loaves-fishes.org/volunteer/
Naperville Cares
Naperville CARES serves the community by helping local families in financial crisis meet their essential needs. Naperville CARES does this by providing emergency financial support and resources. CARES also has a Car Program which provides reliable transportation by repairing vehicles donated by community members. Go to loaves-fishes.org/naperville-cares-becomes-loaves-fishes-cares/
Pullman Presbyterian Church
Knox Presbyterian has been a partner-in-mission with Pullman Presbyterian in Chicago for more than ten years.
Knox and Pullman worship together annually on Pentecost and World Communion Sundays. Our Confirmation class visits Pullman every year to worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Knox and Pullman serve together each summer through the Dakota Partnership for shared mission outreach to Native American Dakota Sioux in South Dakota and Montana.
SamaraCare Counseling
Samaritan Interfaith, a faith-based counseling center founded by Knox Presbyterian Church and three other Naperville churches in 1971, provides spiritually integrated, therapeutic counseling to individuals, couples, children, and families, regardless of religious affiliation. Circumstances can sometimes interfere with one's ability to cope, and we may need to seek outside help. Samaritan Interfaith is here to help individuals reach balance and wellness in their lives and can help restore hope to those who may be struggling with life's situations.
Samaritan's counseling services address issues such as:
- Depression and anxiety
- Marital relationships
- Major life transitions
- Job/career changes
- Grief and loss
- Spectrum disorders
- Learning disabilities
Samaritan Interfaith's Access Program can help provide counseling at an affordable cost for those unable to afford the care they need. For your convenience, you may log onto an anonymous online depression screening tool at www.samaritancenter.org.
Teen Parent Connection
Teen Parent Connection (TPC) is a nonprofit organization in DuPage County which provides comprehensive programs and services related to teenage pregnancy and parenting. For over 20 years, Knox has assumed the responsibility for providing the facility, childcare and family style meals as one of our vital mission and outreach programs.
Looking for an opportunity to help out teenage moms (and dads) and their little ones this new year? Why not sign up to provide and serve a pre-planned meal to TPC young parents and their infants and toddlers on Tuesday evenings? There are dates available from September through May for you to get involved. Meals need not be home cooked or complicated. Instructions, reimbursement and personal support are available. Dinner is served at 6:00 p.m., allowing you to finish before 7:30 p.m.!!
Click Here for the current meal calendar and more details!
Wayside Cross Ministries
- Wayside Cross is a Christian ministry serving people in need living in the Fox Valley area through the following outreach efforts:
- Lifespring serving women in need. Knox women lead a monthly group creating scrapbooks as an outlet to re-building their lives
- Master’s Touch serving men in need
- Urban Youth serving young people from at risk environments
- Hope Outreach providing job training, clothing, furniture and appliances through a resale shop
- New Life Corrections serving men in prison
Fill-A-Truck Sunday
Thank you all for our largest donation drive to date!
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Each spring Wayside Cross Ministries truck for our Annual “Fill-A-Truck” Sunday. Clean your closets, dresser drawers, and storage areas. Give us your outgrown or ratty clothes.
Your donation of CLEAN CLOTHING will help us serve hundreds of people with meals, clothing, and lodging. Your clothing will either be distributed through the Community Outreach Program or turned into $$$ for WCM in the Hope Chest Resale Store. Even ripped or torn clothing is turned into $$$ by recycling to organizations that provide clothing to 3rd world countries.
Because of a limited number of personnel and the large variety of donations we can only receive clothing; games and small children’s toys, toiletries for both men and women; and unopened products of Tylenol and seasonal allergy medicine.
If you would like to donate furniture or large items at any time, WCM is interested. Arrangements can be made for furniture pick-ups by calling Wayside Cross Ministries 630-892-4239 or filling out the form at the WCM website. If you would like to know more about this mission opportunity or Wayside Cross Ministries, contact Gary McGregor.
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