 Peace Lutheran Church in Fremont, IN, recently rejoiced on a special occasion—the birth of baby Hope, daughter of Pastor Rudolph and his wife, Tirzah.
To celebrate her baptism, the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) team presented a Heart in her honor on behalf of the congregation. This meaningful gift symbolizes love, hope, and God's saving grace. Notably, this is the first baptismal Heart ever given by the Peace congregation—a beautiful expression of faith and a touching reminder of the new life we have in Christ. What a joyful way to mark both a physical birth and the spiritual rebirth found in baptism! LCC Comfort Dogs and HMC Bring Hope to Grace Lutheran School  Last week, heartbreak swept through the halls of Grace Lutheran Church and School in Jacksonville, Florida. The sudden and tragic death of Don Wolff—a beloved husband, father, and pillar of the school’s teaching community—left students and staff reeling with grief. In the midst of that sorrow, comfort arrived in an unexpected but familiar form. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Peace (Trinity - Orlando, Florida) and Zoara (Island - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina), alongside their devoted handlers, made the journey to Grace Lutheran just hours after the news broke. As they walked through the doors, the weight of sorrow was palpable. Teachers tried to hold it together for their students. Young hearts wrestled with confusion and pain. And yet, with every gentle nuzzle, every patient presence, the Comfort Dogs offered what words could not—a tangible reminder that no one grieves alone.
When Tragedy Strikes Without Warning
“What happens when that horrible tragedy happens unexpectedly in your community? That’s what happened for us,” Barbara Wendorf, member at St. John's Lutheran Church in Chatham, IL shared solemnly. “By afternoon, four beloved members of our community were gone. We needed a team of people to help us”
On April 28, tragedy struck the close-knit town of Chatham, Illinois, when a vehicle crashed into the YNOT Outdoors Summer and After School camp. The devastation was immediate and heartbreaking: four young girls lost their lives, and six others were left injured. The incident shook not only the families directly affected but also the broader Chatham community—children, educators, first responders, and local organizations alike. In the wake of this unimaginable event, Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) quickly mobilized its K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion teams, answering the call to bring presence, peace, and the comfort of Christ to a grieving town. A Glimpse into the Ministry in Action
The short video highlighting LCC’s presence in Chatham offers a glimpse into the quiet yet powerful work of Comfort Dogs at schools, vigils, and with first responders. Watch as children gently embrace the dogs, people write messages on Hearts of Mercy, and a grieving town begins to heal—together.
Presence at the Point of Pain
Just days after the tragedy, nine LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams returned to Chatham. Their mission was simple yet profound: to BE THERE.
At the request of YNOT Outdoors and the Chatham School District, Comfort Dogs and their handlers visited Chatham Elementary School, Glenwood Elementary School, and YNOT Day Camp. Each school bore the weight of collective grief, and each child carried a story of fear, confusion, and sorrow. Alison, the daughter-in-law of the camp owner, reflected: “The dogs were wonderful! Many kids and staff loved on them. You could see the nerves and hesitation on many of their faces, but they lit up when they saw the dogs.” Comfort Dogs Esther, Jael, Jordan, Michael, Noah, Rachel, Tabby, Zion, and Kare-9 Britta (with Veteran Dale) sat beside the children, laid their heads in trembling laps, and silently communicated: “You are not alone.” A Vigil of Sorrow—and Strength
The first vigil saw young people weep openly, clinging to parents and teachers. A young girl who had witnessed the tragedy firsthand stood silently by the crosses, processing unspeakable pain. LCC team members gently offered presence and the assurance of God’s enduring love.
Bianca, a grieving mother, spoke through tears: “My daughter was best friends with Rylee. They had plans to go to the University of Iowa together. Rylee’s mom will be so happy to receive the cross and heart.” The second vigil took place at Glenwood High School’s football field, drawing hundreds. There, messages covered the Hearts of Mercy, and tears fell alongside flowers, candles, and stuffed animals. Students embraced tightly, whispering prayers, sharing memories, and holding space for each other’s grief. Words from the Field: Reflections of Hope
In the aftermath of such sorrow, each Comfort Dog team carried home memories etched with emotion. When asked to describe the vigil in one word, here’s what they said:
A Healing Gift for First Responders
In the days following the vigils, signed Hearts of Mercy were delivered to first responders in Chatham. Each one bore words of gratitude and encouragement—visible reminders that their courage and compassion had not gone unnoticed.
Accompanied by Comfort Dogs, the visits offered brief moments of peace for the men and women who had witnessed the horror firsthand. One firefighter’s 18-year-old son, also on the scene that day, was visibly shaken. The ministry teams offered not just kind words, but connection, prayer, and presence. “Just being there brought a smile, a tear, a moment of comfort,” said Chuck. “The response we kept hearing: ‘Thank you for coming. Thank you for being here.’” The Power of Showing Up
Be Part of the Healing
The healing in Chatham has only just begun. As a community rebuilds its heart, you can be part of the continued support:
 Held at Zion Lutheran School in Brighton, CO, the vigil drew hundreds of mourners, including classmates from various high schools, teachers, and coaches, all gathering to honor Zane's memory. Zane was only 16 years old, but he left a lasting impact on everyone he met. He valued his faith, family, friends, neighbors, education, sports, and the great outdoors. Many of his classmates and friends donned camouflage attire as a gesture to honor him, symbolizing their respect and admiration for the young man who touched their lives in so many meaningful ways. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Devorah and Zacchaeus, alongside their dedicated team, provided a calming presence that truly made a difference. Attendees expressed their gratitude, sharing sentiments like, “Dogs make everything better” and “I feel better after petting the dogs.”
 Earlier this year, the dedicated HMC team from Brookfield Lutheran Church in Brookfield, WI, traveled on a mission trip to Guatemala, where they built a home for a family in need, and shared a powerful Heart of Mercy & Compassion with them.
A second HMC brought by the team was just recently gifted to a Guatemalan mother (pictured) grieving the loss of her newborn child. The missionary who worked with the Brookfield team learned about a woman, who had just welcomed twins into the world and faced the heartbreaking tragedy of losing one during delivery. Last week, the missionary connected with her, offering not only heartfelt support but also a Heart of Mercy & Compassion brought by the team from Brookfield--a symbol of hope and empathy that transcends borders. This experience is a testament to the incredible impact that LCC's HMC affiliates have on individuals and communities, reminding us all of the power of compassion in times of crisis, no matter where they are in the world.
 Resurrection Lutheran Church, Franklin, N.C., delivered an HMC to the Macon County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), N.C. last week in memory of their comrade, Deputy Jim Lau, who was killed in the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene, while serving in the line of duty.
Sheriff Brent Holbrooks was present to receive the heart, as well as other members of the MCSO staff. The Sheriff’s office was so enamored by the offering that they posted on their Facebook page about it saying, “Yesterday, we received this beautiful gift to honor the life of Deputy Jim Lau.” Thank you to Resurrection Lutheran’s Pastor Glenn Roseman and Elder Charles Moody for gifting this heart in the Macon County community. At LCC, we deeply appreciate the unwavering dedication and selfless sacrifice of our first responders who work tirelessly to ensure the safety of our communities. Their commitment often comes with great personal cost, and we stand beside them in gratitude.
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