Social Ministry

The Deacon Committee (now called the social committee) began its official operation at a meeting on September 27th, 1931. Already formed in the spring of that year, the committee consisted of 9 women and one blessed man, Jacob Talvila. This is how Veikko Saarela, in his book, "Agricola, An Anchor in the Waves", writes and continues that, "One of the Congregation's most successful practices has been the love shown towards your fellow man." Agricola's best 10 years in social work were spent when a full-time deaconess came to work at Agricola.

After the completion of Suomi-Koti, many of our elderly members found a common home, filled with activities, and the closeness of friends. A Finnish -speaking staff is important where the learned second language often begins to weaken and disappear as people age. Those elderly, who live in nursing homes in various parts of the greater Toronto area, should be found, so that visits could be organized for them. The social committee needs younger volunteers, especially Finnish-speaking volunteers to help out.

The social committee is planning a special Sunday for the elderly at the Church with a luncheon at the end of the service. The social committee has held many Valentine's day specials, and other events. The Christmas dinner is already a thirty year tradition. For the first time, at the Christmas dinner 2005, we asked for voluntary donations towards the Global Hunger Appeal. We received donations totaling $1300.00. Thank you for your donations.

Donations are given regularly to the Food Bank. The Social committee also sponsors two needy children to summer camp yearly. Otherwise, these children would not get to go and reap the benefits of summer camp.

Recently we received delightful news from a Vietnamese family, who came to Canada from a Malaysian refugee camp in 1979. Agricola's social committee coordinated their sponsorship. The family's three daughters, who have grown to become attractive, persevering, industrious young women are Canadian citizens now. They are all graduates of Toronto's universities. The family is most thankful to Agricola's congregation for giving them the opportunity for a new and better life.

If there are others who have been a part of this sponsorship, their thanks goes out to you also. We are glad to have helped and proud of them. God's love knows no bounds and our actions and work also are unlimited and beyond measure.

Agricola's social committee bought a small, old school bus (some years ago) and later, a fifteen passenger van. With the van we were able to transport children to the Bible camp at Hannah Lake in Sudbury, every summer. This van was used for many other trips. Congregation members were taken to Church picnics and to visit other congregations. Children were picked up from home and brought to Sunday School with this van. This van even made its way to Florida with 12 "girls", the average age being about 70 years. It was a most successful trip!

One more project should be mentioned which has continued to be a blessing. Some years ago, lightning caused a fire that burned down an older couple's house in Parry Sound. With the social committee's chairperson's suggestion, Agricola's members coordinated a week-end house-building bee. Members came forth with donations and a group of volunteers; many of them skilled craftsmen. They began their work on a Friday evening. By Sunday afternoon smoke was already rising from a brand new cottage. This is how the Agricola men's "Beaver Group" was born. They have completed many construction projects and repairs and Agricola has benefited from donations that have come in from their work." God has helped us to this day. Thank you, in God's name."