We extend a special thank you to the generous donor who partnered with the Human Care team to provide beds for a family in need.
 
Tabor Lutheran Church, in the heart of Chicago, ministers to many families who move from Latin America and empowers them to build a more stable life. Freddy came from Guatemala a year ago and brought with him the hope of bringing his wife and children to live in the United States once he was more established. With help from Tabor Lutheran Church, Freddy’s dream is now becoming a reality and he is preparing a home for them.
 
The generous people who donated needed beds will help Freddy create a safe and comfortable environment for his children. When churches and donors partner with Lutheran Church Charities, we can offer the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation to those who are in need. We are better together!

The Human Care team is overflowing with gratitude and appreciation towards a thoughtful donor who recently contributed baby supplies and children's toys.
 
Each item donated holds immense significance in the lives of families in need. From the essential baby bathtub ensuring safe bathing experiences to the plates, bowls, and blankets creating a warm mealtime ambiance for toddlers, every donation plays a pivotal role. The shoes safeguarding the little ones' feet during playtime and the toys sparking their creativity are equally invaluable for their development.
 
These tangible blessings will soon reach St. Paul Lutheran Church in Skokie, Illinois, which ministers to unhoused families, and Breakfast with Baby, a ministry that serves young families in need of support.
 
Each donated item will not only provide comfort but also instill hope, reminding these families of the boundless love, grace, and mercy of God. The Human Care team extends a profound thank you to the donor for their generosity and kindness, knowing that their contributions will make a lasting difference in the lives of those they touch.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry received a thank you letter from Dr. Natalia Nieves, Director of Human Services, City of Rolling Meadows, Illinois, for contributing to the success of Family Services Day by being present and sharing resources with the Rolling Meadows residents.
 
Dear LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry,
 
On behalf of the Rolling Meadows Human Services Department, myself, and the many Rolling Meadows residents who benefit from your services, please accept our most heartfelt thank you. Family Services Day was tremendously successful thanks to your participation and support. Your leadership and eagerness to partner with us makes a great difference for the communities we serve.
 
CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

St. John's Lutheran Church in Union, Illinois, hosted a successful 2nd Annual Car Show on Father's Day. Despite the hot weather, attendees enjoyed a good time of fellowship and had the opportunity to interact with the church's Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT).
 
Marty Johnson and Anna Piro from St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Illinois, drove their church's LERT equipment trailer to the show to support the LERT team and won the award for traveling the farthest to attend. The LERT team was available to answer questions and had equipment present for anyone interested in learning more about the tools that help the LERT teams perform their ministry to hurting communities.

The event also saw new people expressing an interest in becoming LERT certified, making it a successful day for St. John's.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is honored to continue their support for Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) by attending the annual C.O.P.S. Kids Camp held in Wisconsin. The Comfort Dog Ministry teams make it a priority to be present for the children who have lost a parent or guardian in the line of duty.

This year, the teams welcomed the children and their parent/guardian at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and will be there for them throughout the week. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and handlers provide comfort and support to the children during counseling sessions, surrounding them with love, comfort, and security that comes from God.

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is honored to be a part of this special week and is committed to continuing their support for C.O.P.S. and the families they serve.

Here are the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams present and ready with open hearts this week:

LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Candace (LCC Staff)
LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Dora (Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee - Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Julia (King of Glory - Elgin, Illinois)

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hannah (LCC Staff)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Mary & Rejoice (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Sage (Concordia University Wisconsin - Mequon, Wisconsin)
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois)

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in Training Olive, Meshach, and Saul
 
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)

Last Saturday, Stars and Stripes Honor Flight welcomed 10 Korean War veterans and 51 veterans of the Vietnam War and Vietnam Era. The veterans arrived early Saturday morning at in Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in Wisconsin to fly into Dulles International Airport. The veterans then headed to the memorials at Washington D.C. honoring our country’s dedicated military men and women who courageously served the United States of America.

Upon their return home to Wisconsin later that night, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Mary (St. Paul’s - Janesville, Wisconsin) and Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois) along with LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Rejoice (St. Paul’s - Janesville, Wisconsin), and Sage (Concordia University Wisconsin - Mequon, Wisconsin) greeted the veterans as they departed off the planes.

The Comfort Dogs and their faithful handlers lined up to welcome the veterans as they walked toward the parade starting point. The sight of the Comfort Dogs and their handlers lining up to welcome the veterans back, and the smiles on the veterans' faces as they were greeted, created a beautiful and touching moment of appreciation and support for their service.

We thank God for the women and men who have served our country with honor, sacrifice and courage and for those who continue to do so today.

Thank you for joining Lutheran Church Charities in supporting our mission to aid vulnerable people in Haiti during these challenging times. LCC has partnered with Grace Lutheran Church in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and its Pastor, Cris Escher, to support the work of Habitat for Children Ministries. Rev. Escher currently serves as the Vice President of Habitat for Children Ministries, and the congregation at Grace Lutheran strongly supports this ministry’s efforts in Haiti.

On June 24, Habitat for Children Ministries will open a much-anticipated pediatric medical clinic in Haiti in the La Jeune area to serve pregnant women and children.
 
We invite you to read the letter from Meschac St Amour, President and Founder of Habitat for Children Ministries, for more details on how you can contribute to this important cause.
 
Let's come together to make a difference in the lives of those in need in Haiti.
 
CLICK HERE to read the letter from President St Amour.

Please join us in our efforts to provide essential funding for the clinic dedicated to providing medical care and essential healthcare services to pregnant mothers and their children.

The current situation of violence and unrest in Haiti has resulted in a critical need for medical care, and together, we can make a difference and bring hope and material support to those in need.

Every dollar counts and can make a huge difference in the lives of those impacted by this crisis. Thank you for your generosity and compassion.

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:15-16 )

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry celebrates the addition of seven new handlers who completed training recently. These new handlers traveled to Lutheran Church Charities in Northbrook, Illinois,  from Florida, Missouri, and Virginia to be trained and equipped in this new role. We give thanks and praise to God for placing on the hearts of these new handlers the willingness and commitment to serve, sharing the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ with those who are suffering and in need.

The new handlers spent much time learning new handling skills, building their knowledge about the ministry and equipping them to serve others in the name of Jesus. The new handlers from the following Lutheran Churches worked together as a team; learning and growing together, united by Jesus:  King of Glory, Williamsburg, Virginia; St. Luke’s, Oviedo, Florida; St. Paul's, Des Peres, Missouri; and St. Paul, Boca Raton, Florida,
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry welcomes and celebrates these new handlers to the ministry:

Sue Glassnap - St. Paul Lutheran Church, Boca Raton, Florida, with Comfort Dog Jemimah
Sarah Nowicki - St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Oviedo, Florida, with Comfort Dog Moriah
Sara Scungio - King of Glory Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Virginia, with Comfort Dog Solomon
Mike Minarik - King of Glory Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Virginia, with Comfort Dog Solomon
Alex Minarik - King of Glory Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Virginia, with Comfort Dog Solomon
Ann Bieller - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Des Peres, Missouri, with Comfort Dog Tabby
Kathy Foster - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Des Peres, Missouri, with Comfort Dog Tabby
 
Please pray for God’s guidance for these new handlers as they go out to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and need.  

In response to a heartbreaking loss within our community, LCC has extended its support and condolences to staff member Rev. Mike Mast (pictured) on the passing of his beloved wife, Debbie.
 
Our President and CEO, Rev. Chris Singer, traveled to Farmington, Missouri, to be by Mike's side and deliver a special Heart of Mercy & Compassion signed by the LCC staff and team.
 
The outpouring of comfort and love from the LCC community has touched and uplifted Mike and his family during this difficult time.
 
President Singer shared: “Debbie was such a pillar of faith and strength to her family and was a dedicated pastor’s wife. The role of the pastor’s wife is often one that requires quiet resilience and tireless effort. Debbie’s faith in Jesus was truly her testimony from all who knew her.”
 
As we continue to hold Mike and his family in our prayers, we eagerly anticipate the blessed reunion promised to all who find peace in the embrace of Christ.

The Pacific Southwest District Convention of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) took place last weekend in Rosemead, California. It drew over 250 attendees who listened to presenters share their ministry work.
 
Numerous attendees visited the LCC booth, where they were pleasantly surprised to discover the breadth of the organization's responses and outreach. Many were inspired to learn about the availability of Spiritual First Aid training nationwide. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Lois (First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, Nevada) and her team garnered significant attention and became a focal point in many pictures and even selfies.

Additionally, six individuals demonstrated their gratitude by acquiring small Hearts of Mercy to gift to someone special. The attendees also expressed a keen interest in forming partnerships with LCC to establish affiliate ministries within their congregations. We are truly thankful to God for the display of enthusiasm and servant-heartedness shown by these remarkable women.