In September 2024, North Carolina was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, primarily in its western Appalachian region, causing significant destruction of infrastructure and residential areas.
 
Lutheran Church Charities Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) volunteers assessed 104 sites and completed 70 sites during a three-week deployment in western North Carolina in September and October 2024.

They were invited to return to cut and remove fallen and leaning trees from homeowners' properties, as many of these hard-hit communities are still devastated and have just become accessible. Deaconess Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, has been in North Carolina since last week assessing damage in Hendersonville, Asheville, N.C., and surrounding areas.

This week, Deaconess O’Day, Jamie Miller, LCC Disaster Response Equipment Manager, and 23 Lutheran Church Charities LERT volunteers returned to serve out of Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church in Hendersonville with Pastor Jonathan Christensen. They will also be working with Pastor Jeffrey Skopak from Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Asheville.

Three LERT women volunteers met with a homeowner and her family down the road from Mr. B’s. As they listened to the homeowner's harrowing story of how the fierce waters swept her home off its foundation, they offered not just material assistance through gift cards but also the invaluable gift of prayer and the hope found in Jesus Christ.
 
Despite their dire circumstances of living in tents and a mobile home with burst pipes, the family felt a renewed sense of connection and support, knowing that they are not alone in their struggle. Pastor Christiansen has been informed to ensure continued follow-up, fostering an ongoing relationship of care and community.

Serving last week were the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams: Genesis with Tom and Sue Baldwin of Good Shepherd, Turlock, CA; Isaac with Julie Blyckert of Redeemer, Spokane Valley, WA, and Miriam Deuel of Christ the King, Coeur d’Alene, ID; Lois with Diana Bartholomew and Cheri Baker of First Good Shepherd, Las Vegas, NV; Micah with Marilyn Hunter and Jonna Dolinta of Light of the Valley, Elk Grove, CA; Rahab with Bobby and Laura Moore of St. Andrews, Stockton, CA; Salome with Drew Santibanez of Faith Community, Las Vegas, NV.

Blessings to all, and thank you for your continued support of those in need.
 
Risen Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Michigan, is currently helping a Syrian refugee family who arrived in the U.S. a little over a year ago through legal channels. The family is here legally and has the right to work. The father, Mustafa, holds a degree in English and works as a translator. However, he is unable to work at this time as he is caring for his wife, Hala, who is receiving treatment for stage 3 colon cancer.
 
The couple has a baby, as well as a 4-year-old and a 5-year-old. Despite doing everything they can to care for their children, they are in need of financial support during this difficult time. Risen Christ Lutheran Church is surrounding this family with love, and emotional and spiritual care, and is doing all it can to provide financial assistance.
 
We ask that you prayerfully consider joining us in supporting the family during this challenging period. Your generosity would be a true blessing to them.
 
In Christ,
 
Pastor Rennie Kaufmann
Risen Christ Lutheran Church
Plymouth, Michigan

Lutheran Church Charities has been deeply engaged in bringing hope and compassion to those impacted by the devastating wildfires around Los Angeles. Over the weekend and into the first half of the week, LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer led two Community Care Events hosted at First Lutheran Church in Venice and Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica. These gatherings provided a safe space for individuals to share their stories, receive prayer, and experience the hope found in Christ.

All six LCC Comfort Dog teams stopped by Los Angeles Fire Station #110 in Marina Del Rey, CA, just south of Santa Monica, to uplift firefighters logging long hours day after day. They delivered a Heart of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) and greeted members of the station house on the driveway with pets and wagging tails.
 
The teams also visited the Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center, which coordinates LA’s emergency planning, training, response, and recovery efforts.
 
The teams presented another HMC to thank workers who face stress-filled days at the city’s crisis nerve center. The dogs’ calming presence brought smiles and a chance to catch their breath.

Across town, the Comfort Dogs and their handlers made an unscheduled appearance at the third annual Pasadena Neighbor Day for residents to get to know one another better. The celebratory event went on as a means of strengthening acquaintances and getting a breather from the stress.
 
Yesterday the Comfort Dog teams visited the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office to encourage staff members working to limit insurance fraud, as well as Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, CA, to bring joy to service members and their families.
 
The deployment continues through the remainder of this week with visits to Flintridge Prep School, which is resuming classes today, and a pair of outings to the Los Angeles County Department of the Medical Examiner/Coroner.

Six Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Teams from three states, plus LCC Care Teams from Illinois, will deploy Friday to Southern California to offer compassionate care and support for Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations impacted by the devastating fires ravaging Los Angeles County.
 
LCC teams will lead two Community Care events on Saturday at First Lutheran Church in Venice, CA, and Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica, CA. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams from California, Nevada, and Washington will be on hand to listen to congregation members and area residents, pray with them, and offer pets and cuddles with the golden retrievers.
 
These events are designed to bring hurting community members together to process the physical, emotional, and spiritual journey of a disaster, to be vulnerable in the presence of others, and, ultimately, to experience a taste of the hope found only in Jesus.

The need is great. About 20 families from Pacifica Christian High School, which conducts classes from Pilgrim’s campus, have lost their homes. Pilgrim also has welcomed members of Pacific Palisades Lutheran Church and is conducting joint worship services together. 
 
“The devastation from these tragic and truly unprecedented fires is widespread and stunning, and it will require a multifaceted response by our entire LCC team,” said LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer. “We are blessed to be partnering with our churches on the West Coast. Our first step will be to care for the hurting with a ministry of presence, administering and training with Spiritual First Aid™ and providing that golden comfort of our K-9 teams."

On Sunday after worship, LCC Care teams will lead Spiritual First Aid™ Rapid Training workshops at First Lutheran Venice, CA, and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange, CA, plus two more sessions at the Pacific Southwest District office in Irvine on Monday and Tuesday.
 
After training, LCC Disaster Response and Care teams will assist congregation members in engaging their communities with basic needs and the love of Christ.

“Please pray today for the families and individuals who have been impacted — so many have evacuated and are anxious about their loved ones and homes," Rev. Singer said. "Pray also for open doors as LCC meets together with Synod, District, and Church leaders to encourage, collaborate, and mobilize faith into action. Your earnest prayers and kindhearted support are greatly appreciated."

To provide care and assistance for the crisis response, LCC will need help from faithful, generous donors and volunteers like YOU who are willing to support and serve.
 
Help us BE THERE to bring HOPE FOR THE HURTING with your financial gift to Southern California Fire Response fund.
 
“The support you can offer right now will go directly to helping families and LCMS congregations in Southern California affected by the fires,” Rev. Singer said.

For many years, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Reuben and his dedicated handler from First Lutheran in Yuba City, CA, have fostered deep and trusting relationships with the brave first responders in Sutter County. These invaluable connections paved the way for the Comfort Dog Ministry teams Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California) and Rahab (St. Andrews - Stockton, California) to step in during times of unimaginable loss, offering comfort and support to those who serve our communities selflessly.
 
In light of the recent heartbreaking losses in Sutter County, including an 11-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs have stepped forward to provide much-needed emotional support to those affected. Invited by the Sutter County Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney, Micah, and Rahab Comfort Dogs, along with their dedicated teams, spent two impactful days with local law enforcement and emergency responders, including the Sheriff’s office, District Attorney’s office, Yuba City Police Department, and the Sutter County Fire Department These brave men and women, who confront tragedies daily, often bear an emotional burden that can be overwhelming.
 
Through gentle interactions and comforting presence, the K-9 Comfort Dogs help alleviate some of this stress and grief. Testimonials from officers and staff highlight the profound impact of these visits, as they reflect on moments of solace and connection amidst the chaos. LCC remains committed to bringing hope and healing during these challenging times, reminding us all that we are not alone in our sorrow.
 
LCC's mission is rooted in bringing hope and healing through faith-driven actions, and the compassionate presence of our comfort dogs serves as a beacon of support in the darkest of times. By standing alongside our first responders, we exemplify the power of community and the importance of trust in healing the wounds of crisis.
 
We pray for all those who respond when a crisis occurs in our communities for God’s protection, peace, comfort, and clarity.

During their last day in New Orleans last Tuesday, the teams presented hearts to the Orleans Parish Coroner, the director of Project NOLA, and Jeremi, one of the victims of the attack who was recovering in the hospital.