Executive Director Perspective: Ministry in a Pandemic and Looking Towards the Future

This has been a very unique summer here at Toronto City Mission (TCM), without the usual joys of Sonshine Summer Day Camp, our focus has been redirected to other matters. We have certainly missed the excitement of field trips and swim days, bible lessons, fun crafts, lively worship times, and hearing the stories of how much our summer interns have enjoyed their ministry with us. Instead, we found ourselves comparing daily COVID-19 cases, eagerly waiting upon Public Health Officials for daily updates, and ensuring we were practicing safe social distancing and other safety pandemic protocols.

We are indeed living in difficult and unprecedented times. Although disappointed that we were not able to facilitate day camps in our communities, we were still blessed to be able to offer some live, in person programs in July and August! After months of being in isolation, how wonderful it was for our Outreach Workers to be able to re-engage with children, youth, and families! Although in much smaller numbers, our staff in both Kingston Galloway and Flemingdon Park, were overjoyed to share God’s love to the families we serve regularly. It also meant so much to us that families demonstrated real and genuine gratitude for our efforts. Our children, youth, and parents who responded so favourably to our return was a confirmation that our relationships remained strong and our impact on their lives was healthy and robust.  The early weeks of the summer was also a time for us to learn how to safely reengage, and for our staff to minister with care, love, and caution.

This summer we learned that it was wise for us to simplify the way we did ministry. Albeit hard, we learned the importance of letting go of some of our tried and true old ways. We began to streamline our ministry engagement (cutting some of the fat). We no longer relied on elaborate, thoughtful meals and snacks, digital media presentations, talent shows, exciting field trips, or charismatic leaders. But rather, we discovered that our ministry was more about relationship building than extraordinary program planning. 

Further, we also learned to be thankful in times of difficulty. Thankful that in the midst of this global pandemic we clearly witnessed God at work. Thankful to God that through various online platforms, relationships continued to grow. Thankful that our Outreach Staff were able to engage deeper in their communities through volunteering at a local food bank. Thankful that friends (and even strangers) to TCM have continued to make generous donations to help with our COVID-19 outreach. Thankful that our staff has grown in spirit and understanding, as we worked together during these challenging and problematic times. And most importantly, thankful that God has continued to provide for the daily provisions for Toronto City Mission!

As we look to the fall, we ask that you keep us in prayer. Our intentions and hope is that starting in September, we will have a hybrid plan in executing  programs. We still wish to maintain our online presence, but with all care and precautions, our Outreach staff will be undertaking more regular in person programs. As we do so, please pray that our health and safety protocol strategy is concrete, and comprehensive. Further, pray for the safety of our staff and participants, and that we will be able to accumulate appropriate amounts of masks, hand sanitizers, and disinfecting wipes and sprays (PPE’s).  Our objective is still to reach out to our communities to share God’s love. As such our call and purpose remains unchanged, but our delivery will be different. Finally, please pray that as Toronto City Mission continues to serve our communities, we will do so with joy and thankfulness.

We wish you God’s continued blessings as you enjoy the final weeks of summer and look forward to the fall.

In His Service,

Elliott Shin