A parent losing a child is not the natural order of things, and inconceivable to most.  When LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hannah (LCC Staff) and her handler went to Parkland Preparatory Academy in Bartlett, IL, this week for an Emergency Site Visit request, it was definitely God’s plan for them to be there.  The staff was struggling to accept and care for one of their own staff members who had lost a son fairly recently, and last week her daughter was tragically killed. 

Hannah Comfort Dog and her handler were requested to be a support and comfort for the staff after the unexpected death of a previous staff member who is the daughter of a current staff member at the school. And while the grief was palpable, there were also some smiles as Hannah lay her head on their laps, and they prayed for their friend and co-worker.

While they were there, another grieving teacher – after losing a brother – was concerned for his mother and how she would handle the loss.  Hannah Comfort Dog and her handler were there to comfort him, too, and be an encouragement for him as he cared for his mother.  As it has been shown so often, God has a plan – and uses his people, and his soft, loving creatures, to be there for each other.

Lutheran Church Charities staff and LCC affiliate churches and volunteers were on the ground in New Orleans, Louisiana, this weekend through yesterday to bring HOPE to the brokenhearted and grieving community after the devastating New Year’s Day attack in the French Quarter that claimed 14 precious lives, ages 18-63.

“As we woke up in the morning of the new year, we were devastated to learn of the tragic news in New Orleans. Our hearts are broken for the 14 lives senselessly lost, for their loved ones and families, and for the many who were injured and scarred by this incident,” said Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President/CEO. “We lift our prayers up for them and ask that the Holy Spirit would be near to them now amid the sorrow and hurt. I am grateful for our teams who arrived in New Orleans, as they truly delivered the hope and peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ.”

Rev. Eric Johnson, President of the LCMS Southern District; Rev. Paul Ernewein, District Disaster Relief Coordinator for the Southern District of the LCMS; and Rev. Gregory T. Manning, pastor of Broadmoor Community Church and formerly of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in New Orleans, invited LCC to bring Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC), K-9 Comfort Dogs, and LCC Spiritual First Aid™ Care Teams to grieve with those who have been deeply affected by the tragic incident, including law enforcement officers, and to provide spiritual and emotional support. The teams ministered together in the French Quarter and in various other areas around New Orleans for four days.

​On Monday, the LCC Teams had the privilege of presenting Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to Police Captain Lejon Roberts and Lieutenant Travis Ward of the 8th District NOPD. These gifts were a heartfelt expression of gratitude for their unwavering service to the New Orleans community during these challenging times.
 
“You could tell that the Captain was deeply moved when he learned that his community members had signed the heart. The weight of the world seemed to lift from his shoulders as he realized he was not alone in his struggles; the love and compassion of those around him enveloped him like a warm embrace,” shares Sarah Sekki, LCC Director of HMC.

We were touched by NOPD 8th District’s Instagram post thanking us for the gesture: “A heartfelt THANK YOU to Sarah and the Hearts of Mercy and Compassion Ministry and Lutheran Church Charities, for honoring our brave officers with the beautiful hearts sign and the blue cross memorials on Bourbon and Canal Street for the victims. This kind gesture for the police officers of the eighth district is truly touching and appreciated.”
 
Day in and day out, law enforcement officers witness unimaginable tragedies and face challenges that many of us cannot comprehend. The weight of responding to mass casualties, violent crimes, and relentless calls for help takes a toll on their hearts and minds. Their work never truly ends, yet they continue to serve with courage and dedication, sacrificing so much for the safety of their communities.

We were blessed to be joined by Rev. Ernewein, who offered prayers with law enforcement, asking for strength, protection, and peace for those who serve. “The entire station house came together in a beautiful display of unity. They paused their meals and joined hands, lifting their voices in prayer, creating a powerful atmosphere of hope and healing. It was a moment where faith intertwined with community spirit, demonstrating that during times of crisis, we find strength in togetherness,” Sarah said.

We were honored and humbled to be present with the New Orleans community in their pain, offering comfort, compassion, and the hope of healing.
 
We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support received from our donors and volunteers, whose generosity enables us to provide comfort to those in need in New Orleans.
 
Together, we can bring light into the darkest of times and continue to be a beacon of HOPE and healing to those suffering and in need. Thank you for walking alongside us!

We invite you to take a moment to reflect on the names of the victims, acknowledging their lives and the love they shared with others. Let us collectively hold their families in our hearts and prayers, as they seek healing.

Andrew Dauphin (26)
Kareem Badawi (18)
Brandon Taylor (43)
Hubert Gauthreaux (21)
Matthew Tenedorio (25)
Ni'kyra Dedeaux (18)
Nicole Perez (27)
Reggie Hunter (37)
Martin Bech (27)
Terrence Kennedy (63)
Elliot Wilkinson (40)
William DiMaio (25)
Edward Pettifer (31)
LaTasha Polk (47)

Recently, our teams for LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Eden (Peace - Columbus, Nebraska), Katie & Phinehas (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska), and Nicodemus (The Rock - Seward, Nebraska) provided loving support to the community of West Point, Nebraska, as they mourned the passing of Jill Recker, a cherished para-educator. With their gentle presence, our dogs helped bridge the gap between grief and healing, reminding everyone that they are not alone in their sorrow.

Jill loved education and working with children. She loved playing games and cards, attending her daughters’ events, and taking walks. She was an avid sports fan, never missing the opportunity to cheer on her beloved Chicago Cubs and Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Jill battled cancer for many years; she was a fighter with a deep faith in Christ. The principal, students and staff were saddened by her death and will miss seeing her each day. Comfort Dogs Eden, Katie and Phinehas spent time at St. Paul Lutheran School, West Point, NE on Tuesday sitting with the students and teachers letting them know they are loved, seen and cared for as they continue to process the loss of Mrs. Recker.

The heartfelt gratitude expressed by Principal Quick and Pastor Gierke reflects the deep impact our ministry has on those facing such challenging times.

Last Thursday was supposed to be an exciting day as the students and teachers returned to school after the Christmas break in Sussex, Wisconsin. It should have been a time for the children to see their friends and teachers, sharing stories of their adventures during the break or what presents they got for Christmas. It would have been a day of getting back into a schedule,  with students filling their minds with knowledge and new skills.  But on that first day back to school, a tragic accident happened when five-year-old Finn, a lover of Legos, Avenger superheroes, school, and his family, was struck and killed by a school bus.

Losing Finn in this tragic way has deeply affected the students, parents, teachers, and community. This young child’s death is a loss that is difficult to comprehend and hard to put into words for so many.

On Friday, January 3, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Mary & Rejoice (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), and Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois) with their handlers and ministry partners were present at the prayer vigil held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. The community came together to mourn this precious child and to support one another in their grief and shock. The church was filled with family, friends, students, teachers, first responders, and community members who gathered together in prayer for God’s strength, hope, and help and to be there for Finn’s family who needed the support and comfort of the community.

It was God at work, bringing people together to lift one another up and reassure them that they are not alone. The Comfort Dogs were there welcoming a gentle embrace and accepting the much-needed touch of their fur. The gentle and welcoming eyes of Charity, Mary, Rejoice, and Samson, promised a safe and loving place for the children and parents. The handlers’ smiles, prayers, and quiet acceptance brought a calmness to the moment.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 )

Last Friday morning LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Dora (Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee - Milwaukee, Wisconsin), and Sage (Concordia
University Wisconsin - Mequon, Wisconsin) were at Silver Spring Intermediate School where the heartbreaking accident happened. School had been canceled for the students on Thursday and Friday but the Comfort Dog Ministry teams were there to support the teachers who were in shock and heartbroken. They love and deeply care about the students and do all they can to educate and protect them. It showed in their faces and tears how much this tragedy affected them. The Comfort Dogs and their handlers gave the teachers and school staff the time and place they needed to feel cared for, seen, and loved.

On Monday, January 6, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Dora (Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee - Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Mary & Rejoice (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois),  and and their supportive and caring handlers and ministry partners were there when the students returned to Silver Spring Elementary to care for and comfort the children. So many of the children, teachers, and staff had been there when this horrible accident happened taking such a precious life.  The principal, teachers, and the children were so grateful and relieved to have the Comfort Dog Ministry teams there.

Comfort Dogs Charity, Dora, Hagar (Faith Lutheran - Appleton, Wisconsin), Mary &  Rejoice, Samson, and Tobias will visit the students and staff of the other schools in the district throughout the week to give them a safe place filled with warmth, comfort, and unconditional love. It is a long journey of healing for this community. We pray for them to lean on God and one another, and to trust that they are not alone through their grief and healing. They are loved beyond measure.

 "And to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:19)

Happy birthday to our Hearts of Mercy & Compassion ministry, which was launched on this day five years ago! Since January 2020, HMC has provided hearts and crosses to individuals, families, and groups who have suffered loss or are honoring a loved one. Hearts also are given to celebrate victories, recognize milestones, express appreciation, and uplift people during adversity.
 
“We thank God for the opportunity to share in the sorrows and celebrations of people He dearly loves,” said HMC Director Sarah Sekki. “The circumstances and settings change, but every heart given communicates the love, hope, and presence of Jesus our Savior.”
 
HMC hearts and crosses are hand-crafted and prayed over by woodworking volunteers in multiple locations across the country. The heart itself universally depicts love and is painted blue to represent hope. Hearts may also include a red, blue, yellow, or white stripe to acknowledge connection to service as a first responder. Some hearts are purple to recognize our veterans. All hearts have an Ichthus fish with a Scripture verse as a symbol of God’s grace

Hearts of Mercy are also given at the observance of Confirmation and Baptism. Presented as gifts, each heart is uniquely personalized with a name and often filled with hand-written messages of support.
 
“Lutheran Church Charities has grown as a ministry because of the emergence of Hearts of Mercy & Compassion,” said LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer. “HMC has opened up new means for us to offer care and show compassion in public venues and in private moments. Even after we leave, HMC hearts and crosses remain to show ongoing love and support for families and communities. We pray that the LORD would continue to use HMC to advance the good news of the Gospel and grow His kingdom across the country.”
 
This month, LCC will highlight significant HMC ministry moments and imagine how God might use this ministry in the future.

With their playful spirits and loving natures, Always and Love are ready for winter adventures, excited to spread joy and comfort wherever their paws may lead them.

As they explore the wonders of God's beautiful world, they will be on a mission to bring love and comfort to all they encounter.

Each of these delightful pups has been paired with its own Bible verse, which will guide them as they grow and develop their unique personalities. We encourage you to follow their journey on Facebook, where you can witness their adventures and share in the joy and hope they bring to those in need.
 
Welcome, Always and Love, to the ministry of presence, comfort, and hope! We can't wait to see the incredible impact you will have on the lives of many.

Lutheran Church Charities is always recruiting new volunteers to help train these amazing animals. If you are interested in joining us on this mission, please contact LCC at [email protected] or click here for further information.