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LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Elijah (Our Redeemer – Wichita Falls, Texas), Martha (Bethany – Austin, Texas), Miriam (Emmanuel - Kingfisher, Oklahoma), Pax and Phoebe (St. Paul – Fort Worth, Texas), Persis (King of Kings – Glenpool, Oklahoma), and Triton (Messiah – Plano, Texas) and their handlers were present to listen to those who are grieving, bringing them comfort, love, friendship, hope, and prayer.  The teams spent time with students and staff at Cheri Cox Elementary School, where Daniela and Sofia Mendoza attended. Daniela was a fourth-grade student, and Sofia was a second-grader. The teams also brought comfort to staff and students at The Learning Experience, the preschool that James Cho, age 3, attended. In addition, they visited with students and staff at Mary Evans Elementary School, Allen High School, McKinney Boyd High School, Lowery Freshman Center, and staff at the Allen Independent School District office.
In the afternoon, the teams visited first responders at the Allen Police Department, Allen 911 Dispatch, Allen Central Fire Station, and the Collin County Medical Examiners Office. James Casner, Assistant LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, presented LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) to the Allen Police Department and Allen Central Fire Station, and Keith Leimbach, Top Dog for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Miriam (Emmanuel – Kingfisher, Oklahoma) presented an HMC and mini stuffed dog to Allen 911 Dispatch. The scripture on the hearts is Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and crosses were placed at the Allen Premium Outlets memorial site. Throughout the week, people signed and left condolence messages, prayed, and paid their respects in honor of the eight lives lost. The teams listened as people shared stories of being there that day. Please join LCC as we pray for Allen, Texas community during this incredibly difficult time and for all of the first responders who heroically responded to a very difficult scene.
LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them. Please support us by prayer, and if you are so moved, help us with travel expenses. Thank you for being a part of the Mercy and Compassion Ministry of Lutheran Church Charities.
On Saturday, May 6, eight people were killed, and many were injured, some with critical injuries. Shoppers and mall staff were running to hide as a gunman got out of his car and began shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets in Allen, Texas. The heroic actions of a law enforcement officer present at the mall saved many lives. We pray for and grieve with the families of those killed in this latest tragedy: Kyu Song Cho (37), Cindy Cho (35), James Cho (3), Elio Cumana-Rivas (32), Christian LaCour (20), Daniela Mendoza (11), Sofia Mendoza (8), and Aishwarya Thatikonda (26).
In less than 24 hours, Lutheran Church Charities was invited by Rev. Michael Newman, President, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Texas District, to bring the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to the shocked and hurting community that has been greatly impacted by this horrific event.  Bonnie Fear, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, James Casner, Assistant LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, and the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams arrived on Sunday to be with families, survivors, and all of the first responders who serve them. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Elijah (Our Redeemer – Wichita Falls, Texas), Martha (Bethany – Austin, Texas), Miriam (Emmanuel - Kingfisher, Oklahoma), Pax and Phoebe (St. Paul – Fort Worth, Texas), Persis (King of Kings – Glenpool, Oklahoma), and Triton (Messiah – Plano, Texas) and their handlers are present this week to listen to those who are grieving, bringing them comfort, love, friendship, hope, and prayer. On Sunday evening, the LCC K-9 Ministry teams were present for those who attended the Cottonwood Baptist Church community vigil.
On Monday, the hearts/crosses were placed at the Allen Premium Outlet memorial site for people to sign and leave condolence messages, pray, and pay their respects in honor of the eight lives lost. The teams listened as people shared stories of being there that day. The teams have also visited with students, teachers, and staff at Allen High School, Mary Evans Elementary School, Cheri Cox Elementary School, and The Learning Experience to help calm fears and comfort the sadness they are experiencing. Pastor Will Kemp from Tangible Grace Lutheran Fellowship partnered with the teams for the Allen High School visit.  The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers also spent time with first responders at the Allen Police Department, Allen Central Fire Station, Allen 911 Dispatch, and other schools in the Allen Independent School District this week as invited.
Please join LCC as we pray for Allen, Texas community during this incredibly difficult time and for all of the first responders who heroically responded to a very difficult scene. LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them. Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President/CEO, Presents at LCMS NID General Pastoral Conference in Wisconsin5/10/2023
 Lutheran Church Charities was an exhibitor at the annual LCMS Northern Illinois District General Pastoral Conference held at Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan, Wisconsin, last week. Approximately one hundred pastors and thirteen exhibitors were in attendance. Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President/CEO, gave a presentation on LCC ministries at the request of NID President Rev. Dr. Allan Buss, who also gave a NID update among other presenters. “I am very grateful to have been invited not only to share the exciting things the Lord is doing through LCC’s partnerships with our churches but also to have been blessed with the fellowship, worship, and learning with my brother pastors here in the NID," Rev. Singer said. LCC staff members Shannon Beshara, Tim Laabs, and Dona Martin with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Emma (LCC Staff) also represented LCC exhibiting various ministries. LCC's objectives were to share information about the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry, build relationships, emphasize that LCC is a partnership with their congregations, and share overviews of how we can support them.
LCC Disaster Response Holds Annual L.E.R.T. Chainsaw Training and Service Workday at Walcamp5/10/2023
Lutheran Early Response Team  Lutheran Church Charities held a Basic LCMS L.E.R.T. chainsaw operation and safety classroom instruction at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Illinois, on May 5. This class was co-led by LCMS Chainsaw Certified Instructors and LCC advanced team leaders, Marty Johnson and Pete Springmire. The hands-on chainsaw training and workday was held at Walcamp in Kingston, Illinois on May 6. On Saturday, forty-seven basic and advanced chainsaw-certified LCC staff and L.E.R.T. team members worked as chainsaw and heavy equipment operators and draggers to clear downed and dead trees, limbs, and brush from the camp. Bill Indelli, Walcamp Executive Director expressed his sincere thanks for all of the work completed to prepare for campers. The seventeen first-time chainsaw operators received individual instruction and guidance from advanced team leaders as they began to safely practice felling and bucking trees and limbs, as well as serving with chainsaw team members. A new chainsaw operator stated, “I never thought I would learn so much about chainsaws and safe operation - and enjoy fellowship with a group of people I had never known before. I’m looking forward to serving in this way.”  Illinois Fellowship of Faith, McHenry – Alan Holm Good Shepherd, Frankfort – Joel Powless Immanuel, DeKalb – Pete and Christel Springmire Immanuel, Dundee – Jon Bartelt, Bill Conforti, Carl Fischer, Matt Flynn, Al Navarro Immanuel, Palatine – Troy Horbach, Kurt Spaletto Lord of Life, Elburn – Mark Holstein, James Okkema, Eric Poss, Tom Raisanen, Larry Zagorski Prince of Peace, Palatine – Kurt Spaletto St. Paul, Rockford – Dean Ulrich St. Peter, Schaumburg – Missy Dieckman, Bob and Barb Royce, Laurie Trudell St. John, Wheaton – Susan Brown, Steve Chester, Palmer and Judy Goodwin, Max Hernandez, Marty Johnson, Jeff Johnston, Julianna Madden, Kathryn Madden, Dave Mummah, Anna Piro, Jonathan Schaeffer, Dave and Martha Schlesselmann, Rich Wren Trinity, Lisle – Ed Boerman, Mike Kokstecki Trinity Roselle – Kristin Bilar Zion, Ottawa – Dave Reif Wisconsin St. Paul, Grafton – Mark and Beverly Brueggemann, Kaye Voss St. Paul, Janesville - Lark and Terry Sanders   LCC was blessed to have fourteen new handlers representing ten affiliates from ten states at the Replacement Handler Training last weekend. LCC is happy to welcome these wonderful individuals who have been called to go out and serve their home communities to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those in need.
The handlers spent a lot of time learning new handling skills and building their knowledge about the ministry. Each handler worked with either their affiliate’s dog or with a LCC K-9 Comfort Dog in training. LCC welcomes the following new handlers to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry: California LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Rahab (St. Andrews Lutheran Church - Stockton) Laura Moore Colorado LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Devorah (Redeemer Lutheran Church - Fort Collins) Bambi Brady, Rodney Heiden, Jodi Monares Georgia LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Lizzie (Trinity Lutheran Church - Savannah) Chelsea Baldwin Indiana LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jared (Holy Cross Lutheran Church - Fort Wayne) Karen Albertin, Peggy Krueger Missouri LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Noah (Timothy Lutheran Church - St. Louis) Megan Enderle LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Sheba ( Immanuel Lutheran Church - Washington) Debbie Hinrichs Nevada LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Lois (First Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - Las Vegas) Jeremiah Porrino North Carolina LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Faith (St. Stephens Lutheran Church - Hickory) Anthony Callicut Tennessee LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Job (Christ the King Lutheran Church - Memphis) Cheryl Lockhart Virginia LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Amos (Our Savior's Way Lutheran Church - Asburn) Heather Ann Novak, Kim Perdos Lutheran Church Charities is honored to welcome Hickory Police Officer Anthony Callicutt as a LCC K-9 Police Ministry handler.
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