On Saturday, July 13, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry handlers Jim with LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Nigel, Gene with LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus, and Toni with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jeremiah presented a Heart of Mercy & Compassion to the widow Nancy and daughter Lynda of Doward Douwsma, a veteran who served in Naval Air Intelligence in the Vietnam War from 1961-1965. Doward was stationed in Guam and flew in many missions. He was in hospice for over a year, and Jeremiah and his handlers visited him regularly throughout the year, including weekly visits toward the end. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry provided emotional and spiritual support to Doward and his family during his final days, and it was an honor to visit Doward and his family. Lutheran Church Charities Human Care and Disaster Response ministries continue to provide cleanup and recovery efforts across the Houston metro region, almost 10 days after Hurricane Beryl left a wake of debris and damage to homes (photo credit: Nancy Beckcom, Trinity Lutheran Church Tyler, Texas). More than 40 families from Trinity Klein Lutheran Church in Spring, Texas, have requested help for chainsaw assistance and debris removal after suffering significant tree and wind damage to their homes and vehicles. Hundreds of thousands of Houston area residents are still without power. In response, LCC President/CEO, Rev. Chris Singer coordinated the mobilization of the Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) from Trinity Lutheran Church in Tyler, Texas. The Disaster Response volunteers have been on the ground in Spring, Texas, and Tomball, Texas, cutting trees and limbs and clearing debris from 15 homes — with at least 26 more families lined up for assistance in the next two to three weeks, said Deaconess Suzanne Fingerle of Trinity Klein Lutheran. Last week, LCC Human Care organized a resupply of Trinity Klein Lutheran's food pantry, which ran out of goods and groceries after a surge in need. "Orphan Grain Train and other distributors have stood up to help fill the shelves for the church and community, and we are so thankful for their donations of food and supplies," said Denise Snider, director of LCC Human Care ministry. Currently, Trinity Klein Lutheran is serving 150 families (or roughly 1,000 people) per day — a 50 percent increase from normal demand, said Lauren McCardell, director of the food pantry. "We know families are beginning the long process of cleanup. In some cases, they are rebuilding their lives," LCC’s Snider said. "At such an important moment for them, we stand ready to offer emergency assistance, tangible goods, and most importantly, the comfort and hope found only in Jesus Christ.” The cleanup and recovery work started after Dan Reimer, interim executive director at Trinity Klein Lutheran asked LCC to provide assistance to Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations and families around the Houston metro area. LCC is able to provide this assistance because generous donors and volunteers are willing to serve and give. But additional assistance to provide food, logistics, and home-to-home support and care is still strongly needed, Singer emphasized. "Any financial support you can offer will go directly to helping families in the Houston area," Singer said. Thanks to donors like you, LCC will continue to BE THERE to provide mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are struggling and in need along the Texas Gulf Coast. Your faithful prayers and kindhearted support are greatly appreciated by the many people affected by Beryl and those responding with help. LCC never goes where we are not invited. |
| Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, Lutheran Church Charities Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) leaders and volunteers began assessing damage and providing assistance to homeowners immediately with chainsaws, boom lifts, and heavy equipment. Currently, they have 21 requests for assistance and expect this list to grow during the week. LCC leadership is also reaching out to churches in the district to see if they or their congregation members may need assistance. LERT teams are ready to respond where needed. |
The LCC LERT team served out of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, using skid steers and the new LCC boom lift that was given to LCC Disaster Response by a generous donor. The team removed widow-makers (hazardous hanging branches caught high in the treetops), and dangerous trees and limbs left after an EF-3 tornado that struck the town six weeks ago.
Lutheran Church Charities and the Mid-South District extend their thanks to the following LERT volunteers:
ILLINOIS
Lord of Life, Elburn – Larry Zagorski
St. John, Wheaton – Marty Johnson, Dave Mummah, Rich Wren
St. John’s, Wilmette – Tom Morrison
The family is very thankful for the team’s expertise in safely and efficiently removing all of the limbs without damaging their home. They are feeling safer now and can stop worrying that the next storm could cause further damage. All of the LERT volunteers are glad they could make a difference for several families and share the mercy, compassion, and presence of Christ with them.
If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
The note read:
We want to thank you for the visit on June 25, 2024, to our hospital and for bringing Persis to our staff. Persis helped bring some smiles during this difficult tragedy. We also thank you for the prayers that were spoken with our staff. The ministry your team provides to others is a blessing. Please continue to pray for everyone affected by this tragedy. Thanks again for thinking of us during this time.
DCMC Administration & Staff
Toy Donation from Immanuel, Des Plaines, Illinois, Benefits Two Ministries
Breakfast with Baby is a wonderful ministry that meets monthly to support local families by providing warm meals, fostering community connections, and supplying essential items for families with young children. We are grateful for this collaboration and its impact on families in need.
Tabor Lutheran Church Receives a Generous Kitchenware Donation for Families in Need in Their Community
The donated items will be instrumental in supporting families in need within the community. We extend our deepest gratitude to the generous donor for their kindness and generosity towards those who will benefit from these essential household items.
Collaborating with Others to Provide Items for Those in Need
The donated shoes and clothes will be shared with the Free Store in Downtown Chicago, a vital initiative that collaborates with First St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Chicago Help Initiative, St. Chrysostom, and Lutheran Church Charities. The Free Store plays a crucial role in providing essential items to individuals who are experiencing homelessness.
Your donations will directly benefit those who rely on the Free Store for basic necessities. Thank you to Naperville Running Store and GiveNKind for their generosity and to all those involved in supporting this important cause.
Rev. Whybrew of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Strasburg extended an invitation to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry to join in offering comfort and solace to those affected by this tragedy. The vigil held at Stewardson-Strasburg High School last Thursday provided a space for students, staff, and community members to lean on each other for support.
We are deeply grateful to the group of school superintendents, principals, and LCC staff who helped set up the Crosses and Hearts in memory of the three girls. This display serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the love they shared with those around them.
Despite the sadness, there were moments of solace and even smiles among the grieving families, supported by friends and families. One of the local teachers spoke of survivor guilt as her children were with her, safely. She emphasized how everyone is united in faith, emphasizing their reliance on God, and His promises, to cope. The vigil highlighted the community's resilience, unity, and unwavering faith as they mourned their loss together.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Esther and Jordan from Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Collinsville, traveled immediately to be there for the hurting communities of Strasburg-Stewardson. They spent time with those who knew and loved Edie, Karly, and Sienna, surrounding them in love, comfort and protectiveness as the dealt with the shock of this unthinkable loss. The teams for Esther and Jordan returned to Strasburg-Stewardson on Tuesday, July 16, for the visitation held for Edie Whittenberg, Karly Wetherell and Sienna Bostedo.
We remember the families and loved ones of these three precious children of God and pray for them to be wrapped in God’s loving and comforting arms.
We thank God for the wonderful turnout of at least 100 handlers and ministry partners who came together from the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams:
Atonement Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio, with Rosie Comfort Dog
Cornerstone Lutheran Church, Carmel, Indiana, with Magdalene Comfort Dog
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, with Naomi Comfort Dog
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, with Jared Comfort Dog
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Louisville, Kentucky, with Mercy Comfort Dog
Peace Lutheran Church, Fremont, Indiana, with Dove Comfort Dog
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Napoleon, Ohio, with Damascus Comfort Dog
Trinity Lutheran Church, Toledo, Ohio, with Claudia Comfort Dog and Lazarus Comfort Dog
Upcoming LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Teams:
Atonement Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ohio – second Comfort Dog Ministry team
Bethany Lutheran Church, Parma, Ohio
Cornerstone Lutheran Church, Carmel, Indiana – second Comfort Dog Ministry team
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Indianapolis, Indiana – second Comfort Dog Ministry team
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Louisville, Kentucky – second Comfort Dog Ministry team
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Westlake, Ohio
The handlers also enjoyed some refresher training of their handling skills as they work with the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs. It was a lot of fun incorporating the ministry partners as well into the training.
LCC looks forward to sharing Spiritual First Aid with the other LCC K-9 Comfort Dog regions across the country who will gather at different times throughout this year for fellowship and refresher handler training as the ministry continues to learn and grow in God’s kingdom.
| After the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl that left a swath of damage and debris across the Houston metro area and the Texas Gulf coast ... LCC Human Care and Disaster Response are responding this week with support and resources to BE THERE for our church partners, their parishioners, and others affected in the region. | Photo: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration |
We are ready to BE THERE!
| Photos: Dan Jones | Lutheran Church Charities has been asked by Dan Reimer, interim executive director at Trinity Klein Lutheran in Spring, Texas, to provide assistance to Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations and families around the Houston metro area. Multiple communities along the southeast Texas coast have been without power for a week and are still sorting through damage and clearing debris in the aftermath of tropical cyclone Beryl, which roared ashore as a Category 1 hurricane on July 8. Currently, 40 Trinity Klein families have reached out for help after suffering significant tree and wind damage to their homes, which has left them without electricity and sweltering in the Texas heat and humidity. |
Trinity Klein families are among more than 2.5 million people in Houston who have been waiting for power to be restored. “Pastors are telling me that getting the lights and air conditioning back on is the greatest need,” Rev. Singer said. "But we also are assessing immediate and ongoing human care needs. We need to provide much more help to the many communities that are hurting during this time."
| Last week, LCC organized a resupply of Trinity Klein's food pantry, which ran out of goods and groceries after a surge in need. "Orphan Grain Train and other distributors have stood up to help fill the shelves for the church and community, and we are so thankful for their donations of food and supplies," said Denise Snider, director of LCC Human Care ministry. "We know families are beginning the long process of cleanup. In some cases, they are rebuilding their lives," Snider said. "At such an important moment for them, we stand ready to offer emergency assistance, tangible goods, and most importantly, the comfort and hope found only in Jesus Christ.” |
Thanks to you, LCC will continue to BE THERE to provide mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are struggling and in need along the Texas Gulf Coast. Your faithful prayers and kindhearted support is greatly appreciated by all the many people affected by Beryl and those responding with help.
We NEVER charge those we serve!
Serving Together in the Comfort of Jesus!
| Lutheran Church Charities has deployed five Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) chainsaw and heavy equipment volunteers to Rogers, Arkansas. They are working with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Mid-South District at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church to remove widow-makers (hazardous hanging branches caught high in the treetops), and dangerous trees and limbs left after an EF-3 tornado that struck six weeks ago. The team is using skid steers and the new LCC boom lift that was given to LCC Disaster Response by a generous donor. |
Thanks to You, We Can BE THERE!
If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund or LCC Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
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