LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hope (Faith - Marietta, Georgia) was honored for her tireless work in support of Cobb County Drug Treatment Court.

Among her monthly visits, Hope touches participants in her county's accountability court programs. Men and women who are working to turn their lives around from poor choices they made spend 18-24 months re-learning how to be whole and to become productive members of their community.

This process is stressful as they deal with their issues, and Hope continually provides a calming presence as they work through the court system.

I want to express my deep gratitude for your continued support of Lutheran Church Charities and our mission to bring the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus to those who are suffering and in need. Your generosity has brought meaningful impact to people throughout various regions around the world, including Haiti, Ukraine, Turkey-Syria, Ghana, Israel, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Myanmar, to name a few.
I also want to thank you for joining me in prayers for peace in the Israel-Hamas war. This war has deep roots throughout history and therefore raises deeply complex and sensitive issues. The conflict has reverberations here in America and in other parts of the world, as seen in walk-outs, angry protests, and continued frustration expressed.

Therefore, since the Israel-Hamas war is a highly intricate and multifaceted issue, and because any involvement requires a comprehensive understanding, significant resources, and a careful approach to avoid exacerbating tensions, we are choosing to remain steadfast and faithful in our prayers at this time. Prayers and the pursuit of peace continue to be of utmost importance as well as the most appropriate response. In 1 Timothy 2:12 we are encouraged to lift up “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” But especially, our prayers are being lifted to the Lord on behalf of every member of the body of Christ, regardless of their nationality or side in this conflict.

Your continued support and partnership are invaluable to us, and it enables us to fulfill our existing commitments effectively. We remain dedicated to our mission and look forward to keeping you updated on our progress and achievements. We will continue to seek avenues for sending support to those hurting throughout the region, but we will refrain from doing so until we can be confident that your financial support will truly reach the people for whom they are intended. The support given to The Four Homes of Mercy in Bethany, Israel, previously gathered will be delivered at the next available opportunity.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

In response to the devastating tragedy that occurred in Lewiston on Wednesday night, the network of LCC-affiliated churches across the nation mobilized to provide relief and comfort to those affected.

As soon as news of the tragedy broke, staff, congregants, and volunteers came together to make a plan to BE THERE for the community. Their actions were inspired by their faith and guided by an overwhelming desire to help those in need.

Several LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams immediately started preparations to deploy when it was safe to do so.

Now that the shooter is no longer a threat to the community, Lutheran Church Charities has been invited by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod New England District President Rev. Robert D Beinke and Rev. Timothy Sandeno, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Gorham, Maine, 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.

LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer, Bonnie Fear, LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, Jody Lockwood, HMC Representative and the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams will be deploying to Lewiston this weekend to be with the families, survivors, and all of the first responders who serve them.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Caleb (Immanuel – Valparaiso, Indiana), Claudia (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), Gideon (St. Michael's – Bloomington, Minnesota), Jared (Holy Cross – Fort Wayne, Indiana), Kezia (Emmanuel – Baltimore, Maryland), Lily (Good Shepherd – Old Bridge, New Jersey), Lydia (Messiah – Lynnfield, Massachusetts), and Magdalene (Cornerstone – Carmel, Indiana), and their handlers will be present to listen to those who are grieving, bringing them comfort, love, friendship, hope, and prayer.

LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion from Suburban Bethlehem (Fort Wayne, Indiana); Trinity (Toledo, Ohio); Cornerstone Lutheran (Carmel, Indiana); and LCC (Northbrook, Illinois) have joined hands to send Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to Lewiston along with K-9 Ministries Coloring Books and Mini Stuffed LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs.

Their selfless and compassionate efforts are aimed at providing comfort and hope to the people of Lewiston during these difficult times. We hope that these resources will serve as a reminder that people across the nation love and support them. We pray that the community finds solace in the presence of these comforting resources.

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.
 
Serving Together in the Comfort of Jesus!

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry received a request for the Comfort Dogs to be at Harvard High School, Harvard, Illinois, after the sudden and tragic death of a junior, Jack. This young man was much loved and cared about. He was a very sweet kid, involved in band and theater and had great grades. The superintendent reached out for our Comfort Dog teams to be there last Thursday and Friday for the hurting students and staff.

Students were very somber with teary eyes when LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Eunice (LCC Staff), Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), Samson (Zion Lutheran - Marengo, Illinois), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois) entered the room. But as they began to join the Comfort Dogs on the floor, their mood lightened, and eventually, there were even smiles.

The Comfort Dogs spent part of the time with Jack's friends in the band. A few were there the whole time. Eunice got pets and hugs till they were doing better. There were a few smiles at the end of the day as the band members went to rehearsal for the school play they were doing.

Jack's heartbroken dad and grandmother were at the school on Friday and spent some time with Mary. They also were very appreciative of the dogs being there. During these moments of sadness and loss, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs with their teams travel to be there with the hurting, to notice, love, listen, and comfort.

We pray for Jack Ellis' family, friends, and teachers for God's comfort, hope, and strength as they process his loss.

On Wednesday, October 18, LCC human care volunteers delivered much-needed clothing, blankets, shoes, and kitchenware to the Refugee Store in Chicago. The refugee store is a collaboration between First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, St. Chrysostom Episcopal Church, Chicago Help Initiative, and Lutheran Church Charities.
 
All donated items are given directly to refugees at no cost. The leadership team was extremely grateful for the donations. If you want to contribute to the store, they accept all sizes of heavy winter coats, winter boots, all clothing, essential household goods, and warm blankets.
 
To donate items, contact Denise Snider at [email protected]

On Friday, October 20, the Lutheran Church Charities Human Care staff delivered 500 children’s books and a check with your donations to Christ the King Lutheran Church and School in Chicago. 
 
The books will help fill the shelves of the school library, and the monetary donations will support the students' scholarship fund. Pastor John Brazeal, Principal Geri, and the teachers are extremely grateful for your donations. With tears in their eyes, they explained that the children could not go to school if they had not received the support. 
 
Thank you for your generosity and encouragement!

Pastor Scott Burmeister and lay leader Eric Wendelbo of Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, along with Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President/CEO, and Tim Laabs, Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) Project Manager, are eager to see the Lord work through the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry to bring comfort and care to the people of Tulsa. Eric has deployed to Uvalde and Allen, Texas, with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Persis (King of Kings - Glenpool, Oklahoma) and has a profound understanding of the importance of being there to serve people in their time of crisis and need. 
 
Pastors Priem and Reimnitz, along with the board of elders of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Raymore, Missouri, have given their blessing to the addition of Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry to their church’s outreach efforts. Lay leader Roger Fox has gathered a group of Seasoned Saints who are eager to construct hearts and crosses, as well as bring these symbols of Jesus’ love to those in their community. Chris Singer and Tim Laabs look forward to working with this eager team as they share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus with the community of Raymore and beyond.  
 
Lutheran Church Charities now has 17 Hearts of Mercy & Compassion affiliates in 14 states. Click here to see the map. For more information about HMC, visit www.heartsmc.org.