I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.” John 13:34-35, Common English Bible
These are among the last words Jesus gave to his disciples the night before He was crucified. Taking care of one another is a natural extension of the Christian life.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE COMMITTEE
The Congregational Care Committee is the heart of community life at First and meets each month to discuss community needs and how best to meet them. Reaching out to someone from the committee can be a point of entry to receive pastoral care, be added to our weekly prayer list, or to get in touch with one of the many deepling caring volunteers that support our community members in a variety of ways.
We encourage all members of the congregation to stay in touch by various means. If you are aware of anyone at First who needs support please contact us. Newcomers seeking community support can also reach out directly to Masha Koyama, chair of First ELC and member of the Congregational Care Committee at chair@firstelc.ca to be connected to resources or to learn about the supportive community life at First.
PASTORAL CARE AND SUPPORT
Pastoral care is available to those needing support during difficult times. Illness, death, family crisis, and workplace stress are all issues where our pastor can help you find strength and support through our faith. They can meet you at home, in hospital, in her office, or anywhere else you would feel comfortable. If a friend or family member is in need of support from our pastor, do not hesitate to reach out. First ELC is currently in a temporary pastoral vacancy, and does not directly employ a pastor. Those in need of help can contact pastor@firstelc.ca or by phone at (416) 977-4786 and volunteers from the First ELC community can connect you to community support or nearby pastors for emergency care.
During the vacancy, parishioners at First can contact the following people in pastoral emergencies:
Pastor Michael Mills
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Phone: (416) 766-1424
Email: pastor@redeemerlutheran.ca
Pastor Elaine Boone
Advent Lutheran Church
Phone: (416) 493-1435
Email: pastorelaine3@gmail.com
Pastor Katharina Moeller
St. George’s Lutheran Church
Phone: (905) 277-2631
Email: k.moeller@sympatico.ca
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Dennis Miles hosts the Men’s Breakfast, which is a long-time tradition at First. It is always the 2nd Saturday of the month, all year round at 8:00 am. The group meets at the Eggspectations restaurant, 45 Carlton Street. Please contact d3miles@gmail.com if you would like to participate.
WOMEN’S BREAKFAST
A monthly Women’s Breakfast launched in May 2022. Interested women are sincerely invited to join this group for supportive conversation and friendship on the second Saturday of the month at 8 AM. Meetings are currently online. Christine Mehling is one of the coordinators of this group. Please contact us to be added to the email list.
LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS
We partner with local agencies to provide space, volunteers, and donations for wider outreach. We work with the Toronto Metropolitan University Student Union Good Food Centre Break-Feast program, providing free breakfasts to students. We also collect donations for the Toronto Overdose Prevention Society.