The team members shared their experiences while working at Grace Lutheran:

"We poured our hearts into the work because we wanted to help in any way we could. We painted 40 or more outside classroom doors, 4 bathrooms, cafeteria walls, narthex, and walls between classrooms. We bought plants to put out in front of the church, hoping to make the congregation bring back smiles on their faces."
 
"Witnessing older students mentor younger ones and hearing the children's joyful songs during chapel was a beautiful experience. Each moment was infused with prayer, reminding everyone of God's guiding presence in our efforts. The experience left everyone with full hearts, a renewed sense of purpose, and a shared belief in the transformative impact of serving others through Christ's teachings."

The team was grateful for the opportunity to serve both the church and the school. As they watched the team at work, the students frequently expressed their gratitude and grew increasingly optimistic, witnessing the transformation unfold right before their eyes each day.
 
Lutheran Church Charities extends sincere thanks to the following LERT and SFA volunteers and congregations from Illinois for their unwavering service, heartfelt prayers, and steadfast support. Your commitment makes a profound difference and brings hope to those suffering and in need.
 
Cross, Yorkville - Linda Arnold, Pastor Erik Gauss, Carrie Howard, Barb and Gary Lewison, Mike Moe, John Sleezer
 
Trinity, Lisle - Ed and Jan Boerman, Dale and Beth Durfey, Linda Fergusen, Jim and Veronica Reuter, Ed Schwartz, Skip and Karen Sorenson, Wayne and Sandy Witek, Kent Worrell

In early February, David and Paige received life-changing news from the doctors monitoring David’s recovery: his progress had been so extraordinary that they were able to return home to Mt. Carmel, Illinois. This joyful moment was celebrated with immense gratitude by the Hospitality House Care Team at Faith Lutheran Church in Carpentersville, IL, who had been by their side through this difficult journey.
 
Throughout the family's stay at the Hospitality House, the care team provided not just support, but a source of unwavering stability during a season of uncertainty and hardship. But they were not alone in this mission. More than 20 churches came together, offering their hands in service, their resources in funding, and their hearts in behind-the-scenes support, lifting up the family when they needed it most. During this time, new and lasting friendships were formed—friendships built on the unshakable foundation of Christ’s love.

On Sunday, February 23, Faith Carpentersville held a special lunch to honor David, Paige, and their family, and to pray over them as they prepared to return home. The Human Care Team presented Dave with a Heart of Mercy & Compassion, signed by the medical team who supported him in both the hospital and during his rehabilitation. The heart is a powerful reminder of the love and care he received from the medical team.
 
We want to offer our deepest, most heartfelt thanks to everyone who has prayed over Dave and Paige, to the Faith Carpentersville Hospitality House Team, to those who provided transportation to and from the hospital, and to everyone who helped meet the family’s many needs. Dave and Paige are overwhelmed with gratitude, and in their own words, they couldn’t have made it through this journey without your incredible support. Thank you for everything you’ve done, and for showing the love of Christ in such powerful, transformative ways.

The LCC Human Care team has partnered together with The American Red Cross, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, and Partners for Our Communities (POC), a local non-profit, to provide essential support to the survivors.
 
This collaborative effort focuses on helping families find new housing and acquire vital items for their daily lives. Partners for Our Communities will manage the casework for each family, while Lutheran Church Charities will assist by providing funds for security deposits and necessary furniture.

Driving to the Wildfire Resource Hub in Pasadena, California, in late January, St. John’s Lutheran Church volunteer Heather Wilkins didn’t know what to expect. She prayed, “Lord, I don’t know what I’m going to be doing or what will happen, but I know You do.”
 
Heather was among nine St. John’s members, fresh off learning Spiritual First Aid™ (SFA) at an LCC Rapid Training workshop, who volunteered at the Emotional/Spiritual Care area of the Resource Hub, which was supplementing two Disaster Recovery Centers of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
 
The Wildfire Resource Hub brought together 45 agencies from government, disaster response, medical, financial, and religious — all vetted by Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) — to provide direct services to those impacted by the Southern California wildfires: hygiene kits, an extra pair of eyeglasses, food, air purifiers, and so much more.

“I was shocked at how big it was — the line to get help was wrapped around the building, several hundred people had been waiting since 4 in the morning,” Heather said. “There is just so much need.”
 
With such great demand, the St. John’s volunteers were deployed to encourage and engage people waiting for hours, asking “How are you holding up?” or “What assistance would be most helpful to you?”
 
“So many people just wanted to talk,” said Jodi Rahn. “They showed us before and after photos on their phones. They wanted to share their stories with us as a way of releasing stress.”

Active listening is a key aspect of Spiritual First Aid, helping those affected by trauma feel heard and process the flood of emotions, as well as assessing their true needs.
 
“They’re going through a process. It’s not a one-and-done circumstance. Their trauma is compounding,” said Jodi, who said the SFA training was a refresher from her experience as a community service officer. “SFA equipped us to ask the right questions and interact in compassionate ways — a touch on the shoulder, an offer to pray, offering to help find resources.”
 
Rev. Tim Deviler, campus pastor at Orange Lutheran High School, agreed.
 
“SFA expanded upon the training I received as a hospital chaplain,” he said. “It prepares you for encountering people with a variety of emotional states and be there for them.”
 
Ellen Koldewey, also a member at St. John's Lutheran, added that she was touched by the response she encountered.
 
"The people in line who had waited for hours were so appreciative. They were so grateful to have someone listen and express concern for them," she said. "They had so much loss, but what they hungered for was community. They really wanted to be with each other and know they were not alone."

For LCC to continue to provide training for crisis response in California and elsewhere, we need help from faithful, generous donors like YOU who are willing to support and serve.
 
Help us continue to BE THERE to bring HOPE FOR THE HURTING with your financial gift to the Southern California Fire Response fund.
 
“The support you can offer right now will go directly to helping families and LCMS congregations in Southern California affected by the fires,” said LCC CEO Rev. Chris Singer.

When the Southern California Wildfires began, no one expected it would become such a large-scale disaster. The size and impact have been overwhelming, according to two LCMS pastors who are working with Lutheran Church Charities.
 
“It has completely taken us by surprise. We have been unable to get back into our community,” said Rev. Dr. Martin Lee, executive pastor of Palisades Lutheran Church in Pacific Palisades.

Palisades Lutheran remains standing, while other churches and structures have burned, yet the congregation will not be able to return there for at least six months. The church has worshipped in a joint service with Pilgrim Lutheran in Santa Monica and held services on the beach.
 
“We’ve been vanquished, so to speak. We’re exiled, refugees, without a home,” he said.
 
For Rev. Dr. John Palka of First Lutheran Church Venice, CA, the fires have been traumatic for the whole region of Southern California.
 
“We’ve heard over and over a sense of loss, dismay, and confusion,” Pastor Palka said. “It’s a trauma, a communal trauma.”
 
Both attended LCC Community Care Events in January and learned how to cope and respond in unprecedented circumstances.
 
“I had never been through a tragedy like this before. No one in my congregation had,” Pastor Palka said. “We’re so grateful that LCC is here to help us. They’ve been down this road before. They know the questions to ask. They know what we will be encountering and experiencing.”
 
Pastor Lee sees the Holy Spirit bringing the Body of Christ together.
 
“We pray for clarity of vision and purpose for our church. But not just our church. We see it as an opportunity to collaborate,” he said.
 
Palka agreed. “Darkness and tragedy are a part of life. But the light that comes to us during these tragedies is the light of Christ.”

Serving last week were the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams: Genesis with Tom and Sue Baldwin of Good Shepherd, Turlock, CA; Isaac with Julie Blyckert of Redeemer, Spokane Valley, WA, and Miriam Deuel of Christ the King, Coeur d’Alene, ID; Lois with Diana Bartholomew and Cheri Baker of First Good Shepherd, Las Vegas, NV; Micah with Marilyn Hunter and Jonna Dolinta of Light of the Valley, Elk Grove, CA; Rahab with Bobby and Laura Moore of St. Andrews, Stockton, CA; Salome with Drew Santibanez of Faith Community, Las Vegas, NV.

Blessings to all, and thank you for your continued support of those in need.
 
Risen Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Michigan, is currently helping a Syrian refugee family who arrived in the U.S. a little over a year ago through legal channels. The family is here legally and has the right to work. The father, Mustafa, holds a degree in English and works as a translator. However, he is unable to work at this time as he is caring for his wife, Hala, who is receiving treatment for stage 3 colon cancer.
 
The couple has a baby, as well as a 4-year-old and a 5-year-old. Despite doing everything they can to care for their children, they are in need of financial support during this difficult time. Risen Christ Lutheran Church is surrounding this family with love, and emotional and spiritual care, and is doing all it can to provide financial assistance.
 
We ask that you prayerfully consider joining us in supporting the family during this challenging period. Your generosity would be a true blessing to them.
 
In Christ,
 
Pastor Rennie Kaufmann
Risen Christ Lutheran Church
Plymouth, Michigan

Lutheran Church Charities has been deeply engaged in bringing hope and compassion to those impacted by the devastating wildfires around Los Angeles. Over the weekend and into the first half of the week, LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer led two Community Care Events hosted at First Lutheran Church in Venice and Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica. These gatherings provided a safe space for individuals to share their stories, receive prayer, and experience the hope found in Christ.

All six LCC Comfort Dog teams stopped by Los Angeles Fire Station #110 in Marina Del Rey, CA, just south of Santa Monica, to uplift firefighters logging long hours day after day. They delivered a Heart of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) and greeted members of the station house on the driveway with pets and wagging tails.
 
The teams also visited the Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center, which coordinates LA’s emergency planning, training, response, and recovery efforts.
 
The teams presented another HMC to thank workers who face stress-filled days at the city’s crisis nerve center. The dogs’ calming presence brought smiles and a chance to catch their breath.

Across town, the Comfort Dogs and their handlers made an unscheduled appearance at the third annual Pasadena Neighbor Day for residents to get to know one another better. The celebratory event went on as a means of strengthening acquaintances and getting a breather from the stress.
 
Yesterday the Comfort Dog teams visited the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office to encourage staff members working to limit insurance fraud, as well as Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, CA, to bring joy to service members and their families.
 
The deployment continues through the remainder of this week with visits to Flintridge Prep School, which is resuming classes today, and a pair of outings to the Los Angeles County Department of the Medical Examiner/Coroner.