Join us as we celebrate "A New Chapter in Hope and Healing" at our first VIRTUAL Moment in Time gala fundraiser at 6:00pm on Oct. 8 - at the location of your choice! Guests will enjoy a fun evening of live and silent auctions, raffles and much more! Proceeds directly benefit ECM's mission to provide hope and healing for children in St. Louis' juvenile justice system.

For the children in St. Louis’ juvenile detention centers, being thought of and cared for by people you’ve never even met is HUGE! It reminds these kids that even though they have made some big mistakes and feel so hopeless, alone, forgotten and often unlovable; they are still cared for, still remembered, still worthy of being loved. Thanks to Janet Houseman and friends at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Eureka for providing Goodie Bags and masks for each child in the St. Louis County and City Juvenile detention centers. These small gifts are signs of God’s love and grace, carried out by our friends at St. Francis, to remind the kids in detention that they are more than the worst thing they have done; they are STILL beloved children of God. There is tremendous hope and promise in that knowledge for all of us - and especially for the children we serve in St. Louis’ juvenile justice system.

Kids LOVE birthday parties – especially when it’s for them! Being celebrated with a birthday party is a reminder that we are important, valued and loved – something many of the children in detention have had too little of. That’s why ECM partners with congregations like St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Ellisville and Metropolitan Congregations United to host monthly birthday parties for the children in St. Louis City and County Juvenile Detention Centers. Volunteers like Margaret Davis (MCU) and Richard and Margaret Eidson (St. Martin’s) represent their congregations who provide pizza, treats, a birthday card and gift for each child with a birthday that month; Ted Drewes generously donates frozen custard. For some of the kids, it’s the first birthday party ever held in their honor. THANK YOU to everyone at Metro Congregations United and St. Martin’s for helping ECM remind the children that they are beloved children of God, they are important, they are valued, and they are loved! Metropolitan Congregations United St. Martin's Episcopal Church, Ellisville, Mo.

Our friends at Transfiguration Episcopal Church in Lake St. Louis hosted the June birthday party at the St. Louis County juvenile detention center and were represented by Karen and Tammy.  They provided pizza, candy and soda for all the children and gifts for those with birthdays in June. Thank you Transfiguration Episcopal Church - Lake Saint Louis!
“Heavenly Father, whose blessed son came not to be served but to serve: bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy...” (BCP, p. 260)

When the pandemic hit and stay-at-home orders were issued, ECM found ways to continue serving youth in the juvenile justice system in St. Louis. We took our program for court involved youth experiencing grief and loss virtual. Despite the challenges, the most recent 5-session “Hope & Healing” program was a success. One participant in the group who is also pregnant was surprised and grateful to receive some baby gifts with her Certificate of Completion. Thanks to our supporting congregations, individuals and a grant from the Diocese of Missouri, ECM is able to bring Hope & Healing to children in the juvenile justice system in St. Louis, even during this time of social distancing.

With the help of volunteers from our supporting congregations, ECM Chaplains continue to bring the kids in detention some happiness and hope with reminders that they are not forgotten and that someone cares. Little things often mean a lot to these kids, who are touched by such simple acts of kindness. Special thanks to Tina Warhover and volunteers at St. Timothy's and Rudy Walz and volunteers from Holy Communion for these treat-bags and activity books!