The Social Ministry and Advocacy Committee (SoMinAdCom) guides, informs, educates, and supports Hosanna’s witness and outreach to our hurting world, in Edmonton and beyond. At various times we have partnered with the Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation (E4C), Inner City Pastoral Ministry (ICPM), KAIROS (ecumenical social justice coalition), Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR), Global Hunger and Development Appeal (GHDA), and the Lutheran Church of El Salvador.

Social Ministry Photo Gallery

Community Meal Program — Hosanna serves a full, hot meal 5 times a year (January, March, June, September and November) to guests from the West Edmonton community. The meal is no charge, and is open to anyone who would benefit from a nutritious meal, including members of Hosanna. The average number of guests in attendance at each meal is 50-60 people. At the meals in September, November and January we have been distributing winter coats, mitts, gloves, scarves and boots free of charge to those guests who are in need of such items. The Program is run by the Community Meal Committee. Many additional enthusiastic volunteers help out at each meal, with shopping, set up, food preparation, hosting, serving and clean up. Our volunteers join our guests at the tables to share the meal, and everyone has made many new friends as a result. The Committee looks forward to continuing this ministry in the years ahead.

Similarly, volunteers prepare, transport, and serve lunch twice a year for the Inner City Pastoral Ministry following their Sunday worship service, which is held at the Bissell Centre.

Food Bank — Hosanna is a Food Bank distribution agency. While it has been a mixed blessing that in 2006 Edmonton Food Bank celebrated its 25th year serving those in need, we here at Hosanna’s depot have, from January to mid-May, met the needs of over 150 families. Please pray for these people and think as well how you might donate food items and volunteer a few hours a month.

El Salvador Support Group (ESSG) — Hosanna twinned with two Lutheran congregations in El Salvador in 1990. Across the years and kilometres, we offer financial and prayer support and encouragement to their ministry through education, fundraising, and travel exchanges. Since February 1996, we have granted financial assistance to more than 2 students in their studies in El Salvador.

KAIROS — An ecumenical coalition of Canadian Christian churches of which the ELCIC is a member. SoMinAdCom participates in the advocacy initiatives of the local KAIROS committee in addressing issues of economic, social, and environmental justice, for example the “Water—Tap into it” campaign.

Quilting Group — Meets from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. most Wednesdays from September to April to make patchwork quilts. Some quilts are donated to local agencies and others are sold to raise funds in support of Canadian Lutheran World Relief. No experience needed and no age or gender restrictions!