The mission of the Social Service Ministry is to enable the people of the Emmanuel to demonstrate Christ’s love by attending to the physical needs in our community and the world around us. “Social“ in this sense does not mean “a friendly gathering” (as in ice cream social), but rather “relating to the welfare of human society” (as in social work). Social Service Ministry tries to rally congregational support for at least three projects each year—one addressing local (Elyria/Lorain County) needs, one regional (northeastern Ohio) needs, and one national and global need.
Social Service Ministry also promotes synodical Mission Support (our fair-share support of the synodical, regional, and churchwide expressions of the ELCA) which is channeled through the Northeastern Ohio Synod in the form of monthly remittances. The Church Council has adopted a position that a minimum of 10% (tithe) of contributed income be earmarked for Synodical Mission Support. Social Ministry also advises the Church Council and Endowment Fund Administrators on how other funds targeted for local, regional and global benevolence might be spent (in other words, those funds in addition to the Synodical Benevolence remitted through the NEO Synod).
