Social Concern Department

God is love. As a Christian, we are called to love our neighbor, and to serve our community by following the teachings of Jesus Christ. We are also expected to act as light and salt, thereby making a positive impact in this world, and seeking and upholding justice for all. This is the vision and mission of the Social Concern department is all about – to minister to those in need and to uphold justice. One of our mandates is to direct the resources of SCBC into under-resourced communities by encouraging volunteers and offering spiritual and financial support. We currently have eight people serving in the Committee. Additionally, we have many other volunteers helping us out in short-term projects and other capacities.

In the recent years, it is encouraging to see that a growing number of our members are taking the initiatives to reach out to people in need through serving in inner-city soup kitchens and other efforts. But we are no where close to done - there's still a lot of work a head of us! Come join us!

Our Journey towards Fasting God’s Way
Isaiah 58:6-7

As we look into the direction God has called SCBC to go in the future, we are reminded of God’s clear love for the poor, the oppressed and the disadvantaged in society. We have a responsibility as a church and as God’s people to show His love to those around us who are less fortunate than ourselves. Coming in early 2010, as a church we will be entering a sermon series focusing on the poor. In addition, we will have the chance to participate in our community both corporately and individually to make a difference to the oppressed in society.

Now is your chance to participate in the planning of this initiative. If you would like to be involved, please join us for a planning meeting on Tuesday July 14, 2009 (7- 9:30 pm) @ SCBC in room 162. If you have any questions, please contact us below:
Janice Tsui – janio_33@hotmail.com
Jasmine Kwong – kwong.jasmine@gmail.com
Byron Lee – byronlee@gmail.com


Join us in our ACE program. Please note all information below is tentative and subject to change due to operational requirements.

Application

Going Out from SCBC

1. Generate a database of volunteer opportunities with Christian Organizations. Focus on ways that individuals or groups within SCBC can go out to partner with the community to show love to the poor.



2. During the Focus on the Poor month, approach all cell groups and fellowships within the church (focus will be on English, but attempts will be made to co-ordinate with the Chinese fellowships as well) with this database and encourage them to take up the challenge and connect them with these opportunities and these Christian organizations.

Partnering Together within SCBC
We will have 3 programs focused on how SCBC can reach out as a church to the poor.

1. Kick-Off – Christmas for Kids (December 2009)
   We will partner with Urban Promise and run the shoe-box program at Christmas for the poor and needy children in Toronto. This year, we will also host the children at Christmas Time in the gym for them to open the presents that have been given to them by the people of SCBC. This program will be used as a prelude to the Focus on the Poor month in January/February.
   



2. Apply the Passion – Cooking for the Poor (February, 2010)
   We will spend a weekend using the church facilities and cooking up a storm. Then teams will break out and donate the food to soup kitchens and to community partners. In addition, teams who want more interaction with the poor will be able to sign up for soup and sandwich runs in the downtown core.
   



3. Continue the Passion – Canning (August, 2010)
   We will spend about a two week period picking various fruits and then bringing it to the church to can and preserve. We will use this opportunity as a fundraiser. Half of the funds will go to support the poor, the other half will go to the church building. From the relationships that have been build, we will invite our contacts (i.e. the poor, Christian helpers, etc.) to participate in this event with us.

Communication

Focus on the Poor
We plan to market this and make the SCBC community aware of the upcoming Focus on the Poor month that will occur in January of February. Within the marketing will be announcements, skits, bulletin board material, etc.
We also plan to highlight how SCBC already supports the poor through testimonials by Christine Lee, Elita Fung and Linda Lee. Finally, we want to highlight the opportunities that are available in Christian community organizations to serve the poor through an information fair session after the worship service.

Education

We will have a sermon series for a 4-week period with a focus on the poor. The tentative dates are as follows (depending on the availability of guest speakers).

Jan. 10, 2010 – SCBC Pastor (Physical possessions and Introduction)
Jan 17, 2010 – guest speaker
Jan 24, 2010 – guest speaker
Jan 31, 2010 – guest speaker

Let us walk with passion and see how amazing our God is when we obey Him!!!!!

If you are interested in joining our department or want to serve with us to reach out to our community contact us.

Please click here to see current opportunities.

Ministry Contacts:
Social Concern Department Chair - Raymond Chow 905 780 2377 or rkwchow@rogers.com

God Stories  (please click name to read their stories)

Steve Chu, Linda Lee and Byron Lee

Dorothy Wong (a volunteer)