In September LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion joined hands with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to provide support directly to children battling cancer and their families who care for them.
 
We offered special gold-colored Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to match the color of the childhood cancer awareness movement, along with heart-shaped boxes filled with uplifting child-friendly toys and resources, aimed at brightening the days of these young warriors undergoing treatment.

The chaplains at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have been busy in September, distributing the goodies-filled heart-shaped boxes to many young patients. The director of the chaplains expressed deep gratitude for your prayers—they mean so much to the patients, their families, and the entire St. Jude care team.
 
The boxes have been a delightful highlight for the children. One 7-year-old boy was overjoyed to find a flashlight inside, and many of the kids have been pretending to be doctors, playfully instructing others to “follow the light with their eyes only.” The sour suckers have also been a big hit! The chaplain shared that the children truly value the messages of hope and the prayers they receive, as they reflect the caring community surrounding them.
 
Thank you for your generous support of this new initiative that brought joy to many families. It is through your kindness that we can continue to spread love and care through the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion in new and meaningful ways each year!

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and it's a reminder of the challenges faced by children battling cancer and their families who care for them.
 
As the month unfolds, LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion is joining hands with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to provide support directly to these families.
 
LCC is offering special gold-colored Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to match the color of the childhood cancer awareness movement, along with heart-shaped boxes filled with uplifting child-friendly toys and resources, aimed at brightening the days of these young warriors undergoing treatment.

Childhood cancer affects 1 in 285 children. The journey through treatment can be incredibly difficult, both physically and emotionally. Major illness is often ranked among the most stressful life events, underscoring the magnitude of this battle.
 
St. Jude has been working tirelessly in this fight, dramatically increasing the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent over the past 60 years. This remarkable progress is a testament to the groundbreaking treatments and unwavering dedication of the St. Jude team.

Each month from April to October Honor Flight Chicago carries hundreds of veterans to Washington D.C. for a Day of Honor.

Upon their arrival back home in Chicago, Jim and Gene and all the other veterans on the flight were welcomed with great honors! Tim Laabs, representing LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion presented both of them with purple hearts filled with words of respect and appreciation for their service from family, friends and LCC coworkers.

“It was my honor and privilege to attend this month’s Honor Flight return trip of veterans at Midway Airport in Chicago, and to present a customized Heart of Mercy & Compassion to LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry staff member, Jim Morrison, and LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry volunteer, Gene Weisbecker. I am humbled and thankful for the service and sacrifice of not just these 110 veterans on the Honor Flight last Wednesday but all veterans and all military personnel currently serving on my behalf.  I highly encourage everyone to attend this monthly event at least once in their lifetime to experience what will be a lifetime memory,” says Tim.

Jim and Gene and their attending family members were thrilled to see so much support from the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog handlers and to be recognized by all LCC staff members via messages and on the Hearts of Mercy.

“It was joy to see so many LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers as I arrived in D.C. and returned home to Chicago last Wednesday.

I want to thank them all for being there. 

The Honor Flight was one of those experiences in life that was so impactful, it is hard to describe. Unless you have experienced it, the honor is difficult to put into words,” shares Jim Morrison.

Please join LCC to honor and thank Gene and Jim and all veterans for their service to our country ensuring that we continue to uplift and celebrate them long after the flight has landed.

This year, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Julia (King of Glory - Elgin, Illinois), Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois), Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois) and Comfort Dogs in training Eternity, Gethsemane, Glory, Honey and Olive and their handlers were there to support the community and families, at McHenry County Suicide Prevention Task Force’s annual "Never Walk Alone", letting them know they walk with them in love, comfort and presence.  

The mission of the McHenry County Suicide Prevention Task Force is to raise awareness of mental health and suicide prevention, provide education, implement prevention programs and provide support for those affected by suicide within McHenry County, Illinois.  Each year they hold "Never Walk Alone" that brings awareness for suicide prevention in McHenry County. Never Walk Alone is a non-competitive awareness walk, a chance to honor those who have died by suicide, and the opportunity to hear stories of healing and hope for the future.

It was good to see and be with so many people at this very special and important event.

Thank you so much to your organization and all of the dogs and handlers for attending the 3rd annual McHenry County Suicide Prevention Task Force’s Never Walk Alone walk.  The walkers had a wonderful time petting the dogs and receiving their sweet comfort.  They truly made a huge difference and were the best addition to our walk.
 
Warm regards,

Nicole O’Dea 
Never Walk Alone, McHenry County Suicide Prevention Task Force

“Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God. “With gentle words, tender and kind." (Isaiah 40:1-2 )

Lutheran Church Charities will be deploying back to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Ruidoso, New Mexico, to provide training, chainsaw work, and spiritual/emotional care to survivors of the wildfires and flash flooding that occurred in July.
 
This mountain community has lost 1,400 homes plus many of its downtown businesses due to these two devastating events. Pastor Jason Rust welcomes the presence of LCC and LERT volunteers so willing to bring the hope of Jesus Christ to his hurting congregation and community
 
Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and Marty Johnson, LCMS and LCC Chainsaw Instructor, will provide LCMS Basic LERT, Assessment, and Chainsaw training, as well as work with this new local team for several days to provide chainsaw assistance to those in need of tree removal.

Additionally, LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer will lead the congregation of Shepherd of the Hills in a training session of Spiritual First Aid™, a biblically based framework for emotional and crisis care. The program helps Christians show support to people who are dealing with grief, loneliness, emotional stress, and spiritual suffering, especially after a tragedy. 
 
“What’s remarkable about Shepherd of the Hills is that it is a church that wants to recover as a congregation, so it can help the community around them,” Singer said. “They said, ‘We want to help, but we don’t know how. Please come be with us and teach us.’”
 
Then, they are going to take what they learn in Spiritual First Aid training, and immediately put it into practice in the field, Singer said.
 
Shepherd of the Hills connected with LCC after two pastors in Texas who knew Pastor Rust reached out on his behalf.
 
The LCC response will include all four ministry areas: LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs, Hearts of Mercy & Compassion, and LCC Disaster Response initially, and then follow up with Human Care assistance.

Lutheran Church Charities is overjoyed to announce the addition of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Saul and his dedicated team of handlers and ministry partners from Bethany Lutheran Church in Parma, Ohio, to the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry.
 
In August, the team from Bethany Lutheran Church participated in extensive handler and ministry training, where they met their wonderful K-9 Comfort Dog Saul. The bond that formed in those early days laid the foundation for a powerful partnership focused on providing comfort and joy to those in need.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams from St. Paul Lutheran Church, Napoleon, Ohio, with Damascus Comfort Dog and Trinity Lutheran Church, Toledo, Ohio, with Claudia Comfort Dog and Lazarus Comfort Dog were there to support and celebrate with Saul’s Comfort Dog Ministry team at their commissioning at Bethany Lutheran Church on Sunday, September 22. 
 
The Comfort Dog Ministry team at Bethany shared how wonderful it was to have the other LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams present on Sunday to share all of the joy with them and how their experiences and words of encouragement were such a blessing to Saul’s team.

Saul’s Comfort Dog’s Bible verse is 1 Timothy 1:15: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst."

Bethany Lutheran Church’s handlers and caregivers for K-9 Comfort Dog Saul include: Carrie Broa, Tina Fandrich, Ingrid Lewis, Tim Lewis, Sandra Sefl, Jamie Spacek, Peggi Stahnke and LCC K-9 Police Ministry Handler, Bert Eggelmeyer.
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is one of presence. When the Lord calls, we must go and serve Him. Bethany’s Comfort Dog Ministry team has heard the call and has said, “Here I am. Send me.” God is with them as they begin this new journey as part of the LCC K-9 Ministry.
 
Please keep LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Saul and the team at Bethany in your prayers for God’s guidance as they go out to share with so many who are hurting and alone, the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ.
 
As we celebrate this joyful event, we invite you to join us in our mission. Your support and involvement are crucial as we continue to expand our outreach and provide comfort to those who need it most. Whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word about our ministry, every effort counts. Together, we can make a difference in our community and beyond. Thank you for being a part of the LCC family!

Last weekend, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Southwest and Northeast Ministry teams came together for a gathering filled with training and fellowship, dedicated to enhancing their handler skills and deepening their ministry impact.

These moments of connection are not just about improving techniques; they are a testament to the love, support, and divine purpose that unite us all. Each session embodies our commitment to serve those in need, as we collectively share the mercy and compassion of Jesus Christ with those who are suffering.

It is truly inspiring to witness how God orchestrates these gatherings, bringing together passionate volunteers with a shared mission to offer hope and healing in our communities.

Last weekend there was much fellowship, learning and growing together during the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry Southwest Regional Gathering led by the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry staff and hosted by Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas.
 
Lutheran Church Charities thanks God for the wonderful turnout of over 60 handlers and ministry partners who came together from the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams:
 
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wichita Falls, Texas with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Elijah
Messiah Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Gabriel
Messiah Lutheran Church, Plano, Texas with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Triton
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Joy
Bethany Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Martha
King of Kings Lutheran Church, Glenpool, Oklahoma with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Persis
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fort Worth, Texas with LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Pax & Phoebe

Soon to be LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Teams:
Bethany Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas - third Comfort Dog Ministry team
Our Savior Lutheran Church, McKinney, Texas
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fort Worth, Texas - third Comfort Dog Ministry team
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams participated in Spiritual First Aid training and certification. This training will help equip the handlers and ministry partners even more as they care for others struggling with everything from mild stress to mass trauma. It is an amazing opportunity for the Comfort Dog teams as they continue to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
 
The handlers also enjoyed some refresher training of their handling skills as they trained with the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Elijah, Gabriel, Joy, Martha, Pax, Persis and Phoebe. It was a lot of fun incorporating the ministry partners as well into the training. 
 
During the regional gathering everyone joined in Comfort Core Conditioning – Rising to Your Best with Amber Fuentes. It was a fun and energetic way for everyone to kick off the gathering. Amber did a great job emphasizing and demonstrating the importance of proper form and technique to stay healthy and flexible.

The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams and LCC staff members are thankful for the warm hospitality and delicious food provided by the Bethany Lutheran Church and the Southwest Region during the training.
 
LCC looks forward to sharing Spiritual First Aid with the other LCC K-9 Comfort Dog regions across the country who will be 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.

On September 20th and 21st the Northeast LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry gathered together at Our Savior’s Way Lutheran Church in Ashburn, Virginia for K-9 Handler Training and to refresh their skills and build confidence.
 
The attendees were excited to  learn more about Spiritual First Aid and have a new tool to use in the ministry as they go out to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ with those who are suffering and in need. The room was filled with sharing and discussion as they broke into groups to reflect on different scenarios of the Spiritual First Aid.
 
The gathering brought old friends and new friends together to reflect, encourage, and celebrate in fellowship and worship.
 
Our Savior's Way Lutheran Church, Ashburn, Virginia with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Amos 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Old Bridge, New Jersey with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Lily
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Baltimore, Maryland with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Kezia
Trinity Lutheran Church, Hicksville, New York with LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abraham & Beloved
King of Glory Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Virginia with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Solomon
Messiah Lutheran Church, Lynnfield, Massachusetts with Joyce Sauca and Karen Kline, former LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Team Lydia
 
We give praise and thanks to God for this opportunity to come together to learn, grow and encourage one another.

At FedEx Ground in Grayslake, Illinois, overnight loading and warehouse workers, and incoming morning drivers, loaders and office staff were greeted with the smiles of handlers and the furry greetings from LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois) and five LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in training Shadrach, Olive, Zion, Zechariah, and Gethsemane for the company's Suicide Awareness/Prevention Engagement Activity on Wednesday morning and then in the afternoon with LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Tobias and Hannah (LCC Staff). 

The handlers welcomed each of the FedEx workers with warm smiles and open and loving hearts, and the workers were happy to receive comfort and calmness in the midst of a busy warehouse.  Before going home, one of them  stopped at each of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and said, “I’m definitely not too tired for this!” 

September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention month. FedEx Ground in Grayslake provided their workers during both shift change times with bracelets and pins, a cool drink, and a quiet moment in a noisy warehouse with an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog that has no other agenda but to love them and make them feel special.

We are thrilled to announce the resounding success of the recent annual Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Disaster Response Conference held at the International Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
 
This event brought together sixty-five dedicated Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) leaders from various districts, all united by a shared commitment to enhance our disaster response capabilities. Over five enriching days, participants engaged in vital training sessions focused on safer and more efficient disaster response methods.

We are filled with hope and determination as we reflect on the achievements and learnings from this conference. LCC is committed to being present for those in need, inspired by the collective efforts and dedication demonstrated during this event. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by disasters and share the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ with those suffering and in need.

On Tuesday, September 24, the HMC team from Island Lutheran Church in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, traveled to Winder, Georgia, to express their appreciation for the dedicated first responders in the community.

It is clear that the prompt actions of the two Student Resource Officers (SROs), who apprehended the Apalachee High School shooting suspect within minutes, along with the swift response from various units to secure the area, prevented further loss of life. 
 
Island Lutheran church members signed each of the seven hearts of gratitude, showing their support. They added words of encouragement saying, “God is using you to show His great love and mercy” and words of gratitude including, “Thank you for your selflessness."
 
The team recognized the bravery and commitment of the SROs, the Winder Police Department, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, and the Barrow County Fire, EMS, and 911 Dispatch teams for their exceptional efforts. They visited each department separately, spending time with and praying with them.

At the Barrow County Emergency Services buildings, as the team presented hearts, the first responders shared stories of their experiences. Some of them had children at the school while they were on duty. 
 
Amidst their anxieties and worst fears, they selflessly stayed on duty, with their teams, to secure the school, and, only after that was accomplished did they step away to go find their children. 
 
They knew the best way to protect their children was to do their jobs. What sacrifice was shown and what an honor to have had the opportunity to support them in their roles as first responders!
 
We are incredibly thankful for your support, which makes it possible for us to BE THERE where we are needed most. Your donations are making a tangible difference in the lives of the people our dedicated teams of volunteers are able to help. The love, healing, and comfort we are able to provide are a direct result of your generosity.

Last week, the heart and soul of Lutheran Church Charities LCC shone brightly as 12 dedicated LERT chainsaw volunteers gathered to participate in the "Saluting Branches" event at the Abraham Lincoln Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois. This noble initiative was further supported by three additional LERT volunteers who lent their hands at the Wood National Cemetery in West Allis, Wisconsin. The mission of this event is profound: to honor American service men and women by providing essential tree and landscape care for the national cemeteries that serve as hallowed resting places for our veterans.
 
This year marked the eighth consecutive year that LCC LERT has proudly served those who have bravely defended our freedom. The commitment of our volunteers is a testament to the compassion and respect that underpins our organization's mission. As they trimmed trees, cleared brush, and tended to the grounds, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of reverence and gratitude.
 
One volunteer shared "Being part of this event reminds me of the importance of honoring our heroes. It’s not just about the work we do; it’s about the respect we show to those who served and have given so much for our freedom.”

The following LERT volunteers felt that it was truly an honor to participate in this special event:

As we reflect on this meaningful event, we invite you to join us in our mission. Whether through volunteering your time, donating resources, or simply spreading the word about our initiatives, your support is invaluable. Together, we can continue to honor and uplift the legacy of our veterans, ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten.