![]() Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:15-16 ) LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry celebrates the addition of seven new handlers who completed training recently. These new handlers traveled to Lutheran Church Charities in Northbrook, Illinois, from Florida, Missouri, and Virginia to be trained and equipped in this new role. We give thanks and praise to God for placing on the hearts of these new handlers the willingness and commitment to serve, sharing the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ with those who are suffering and in need. The new handlers spent much time learning new handling skills, building their knowledge about the ministry and equipping them to serve others in the name of Jesus. The new handlers from the following Lutheran Churches worked together as a team; learning and growing together, united by Jesus: King of Glory, Williamsburg, Virginia; St. Luke’s, Oviedo, Florida; St. Paul's, Des Peres, Missouri; and St. Paul, Boca Raton, Florida, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry welcomes and celebrates these new handlers to the ministry: Sue Glassnap - St. Paul Lutheran Church, Boca Raton, Florida, with Comfort Dog Jemimah Sarah Nowicki - St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Oviedo, Florida, with Comfort Dog Moriah Sara Scungio - King of Glory Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Virginia, with Comfort Dog Solomon Mike Minarik - King of Glory Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Virginia, with Comfort Dog Solomon Alex Minarik - King of Glory Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Virginia, with Comfort Dog Solomon Ann Bieller - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Des Peres, Missouri, with Comfort Dog Tabby Kathy Foster - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Des Peres, Missouri, with Comfort Dog Tabby Please pray for God’s guidance for these new handlers as they go out to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and need.
![]() Last week a tragedy happened to a small community in Williamsburg, Iowa, when 13-year-old Nolan Bayer was killed in a UTV accident and his eleven-year-old friend was severely injured. Nolan had just finished 7th grade at Lutheran Inter-parish School in Williamsburg. Nolan's family, which includes three siblings, attend St. John's Lutheran Church, in Victor, Iowa. In light of this heartbreaking event, Pastor Stuart Rethwisch has requested the presence of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams at Nolan's visitation and funeral on behalf of Nolan’s family. Nolan had a special bond with Joanna Comfort Dog , whom he had met during her previous visit to St. John's. The comfort and love shared by Joanna brought joy to Nolan, making him a cherished friend to the comfort dog team. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Joanna (Christ Lincoln - Lincoln, Nebraska), Eden (Peace - Columbus, Nebraska), and Michael (LCC Staff) and their teams said “Here am I, send me,” to this request and traveled four hours to be there for the Bayer family and all those who knew and loved Nolan. Hundreds of people came to support Nolan’s family. The three Comfort Dog teams met and visited with Nolan's grandfather. One of the handlers shared Joanna's Bible verse with him and asked for his favorite. He said there were so many but then said, "God is love" as tears streamed down his face. He found solace in the support of the hundreds who attended Nolan's visitation. As a man of strong faith, he expressed that above all, he felt God's love in his heart during this difficult time. His wife and Nolan’s grandmother, Betty, was in hospice and passed away later that same evening. When Nolan’s funeral service began, a young girl came over to Joanna Comfort Dog, gently touching her fur. The handlers were seated in the narthex and asked her if she wanted to sit next to Michael Comfort Dog and Joanna Comfort Dog, which she did. She remained there during the entire service with Joanna’s head in her lap and cuddled up to Michael as well. At the end of the service, Joanna’s handler said to this young girl, “Jesus loves you and so does Joanna, Michael, and Eden.” She looked up at the handler with a sweet smile on her face. The little girl was Nolan’s friend and classmate. God works through the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry, sending the teams to love, comfort, and carry others’ burdens during loss and grief. We give thanks to Him for showing us how. "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2) We hold close in prayer Nolan’s family and loved ones as they move forward in this life without him. We pray for God’s comfort and love to guide them through. ![]() Over the last couple of years, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry has been invited by United Airlines at O’Hare International Airport to be there for International Flight Attendant Day on May 31, in honor of the flight attendants and crew members. The mission of these dedicated women and men who serve as flight attendants is to keep passengers safe, ensure everyone follows security regulations, and secure the flight deck. Although work hours may be challenging, getting up early and staying late, flight attendants must make flights comfortable and stress-free for passengers by providing care, comfort, and reassurance. International Flight Attendant Day is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize them for their wonderful efforts. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Grace (LCC Staff), Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois) along with Comfort Dogs in training Abednego, Meshach, and Saul loved visiting with the flight attendants and crew members on International Flight Attendant Day to uplift them and show their love and appreciation for all they do for their passengers. The flight attendants were so grateful the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and handlers were there for them that day. Many came into the room with the plan to take a nap before their next flight and were surprised to see the dogs. Some even shared that spending time cuddled up with our Comfort Dogs was better than a nap. Many of the flight attendants remembered the Comfort Dogs from last year. Several flight attendants shared with the handlers about their dogs and how they miss them as they travel for days, sometimes weeks, at a time. One flight attendant recently found out her dog has a brain tumor and there isn’t anything the vets can do about it so she spent a lot of time with each dog. For many of the flight attendants and crew members O’Hare International Airport in Chicago is not home base, and many didn’t even know the event was going on so it was a nice surprise for them. We thank God for these women and men who often travel from place to place for extended periods, missing their families, friends, and pets. We pray for them to feel the comfort of His presence, peace, and love as they go through these separations from those they love and the day-to-day stresses of their jobs. You’ll travel safely, you’ll neither tire nor trip…Because God will be right there with you; he’ll keep you safe and sound. (Proverbs 3:23)
![]() Lutheran Church Charities celebrates the addition of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Rejoice and her team of handlers and ministry partners at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Janesville, Wisconsin, to the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry. In April, the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry team from St. Paul's Lutheran Church attended handler and ministry training and met their K-9 Comfort Dog Rejoice. After that time, the team actively trained with Rejoice Comfort Dog to build on their handling skills. LCC is excited to announce that LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Rejoice and her dedicated and eager team have successfully completed the placement process. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams from the following churches were there to support and celebrate with Rejoice’s Comfort Dog Ministry team at their commissioning at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Sunday, May 26: Brookfield Lutheran Church, Brookfield, Wisconsin, with Charity Comfort Dog Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wisconsin, with Sage Comfort Dog Faith Lutheran Church, Appleton, Wisconsin, with Hagar Comfort Dog Lord of Glory Lutheran Church, Grayslake, Illinois, with Tobias Comfort Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Greenville, Wisconsin, with Samaria Comfort Dog St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Janesville, Wisconsin, with Mary Comfort Dog Zion Lutheran Church, Marengo, Illinois, with Samson Comfort Dog ![]() Even though their LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs are no longer with us, handlers from Rhoda Comfort Dog, Levi Comfort Dog and Butch Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog also joined in the celebration and encouragement of St Paul’s newest team. Rejoice Comfort Dog’s Bible verse is Philippians 4:4-5: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry rejoices in the Lord and thanks Him for continuing to grow and bless this ministry. St. Paul's Lutheran Church handlers and caregivers for K-9 Comfort Dog Rejoice include: Top Dog Faith Stephens, Dawn Oas, Lark Sanders, Terry Sanders, Denise Skelly, Peter Skelly, Melissa Ruff, Coire Ruff and LCC K-9 Police Ministry Handler Brent DeRemer. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is one of presence. When the Lord calls, we must go and serve Him. St Paul’s Comfort Dog Ministry newest team has heard the call and has said, “Here I am. Send me.” God is with this team as they begin this new journey as part of the LCC K-9 Ministry. Please keep LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Rejoice and the team at St. Paul's 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. Supporting the Glenview, Illinois, Community After Tragic Loss of 17-Year-Old High School Senior5/21/2024
![]() The community of Glenview, Illinois, was shaken by a tragic accident on Sunday, May 12, resulting in the loss of 17-year-old Marko Niketic, a high school senior, and leaving two other teens in critical condition. Glenview is a neighboring community for Lutheran Church Charities and the location of the accident was only 10 minutes away. Lutheran Church Charities swiftly responded by partnering with Pastor Matthew Douglas from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenview to offer support and comfort to the grieving community. LCC staff members, including Rev. Chris Singer, President/CEO; Denise Snider, Director of Human Care; and Sarah Sekki, Director of Hearts of Mercy & Compassion joined Pastor Douglas and church volunteers at the memorial site, where family, friends, and neighbors gathered to pay their respects. ![]() Amidst the outpouring of support, LCC brought a Heart of Mercy & Compassion cross in memory of Marko for those present to sign. Additionally, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Emma and Hannah, with their handlers Dona Martin (LCC K-9 Ministry staff) and Barb Granado, comforted and extended compassion during this difficult time. When tragedy hits a community, Lutheran Church Charities stands as a beacon of hope and compassion, recognizing both the brokenness of the world and the healing work of the Holy Spirit in life's difficult times. Through personal observations at memorial sites and community vigils, the staff witnessed the profound impact of support, outreach, and the beauty of human connection amid sorrow. These tender moments, small gestures, and heartfelt conversations serve as a testament to the resilience and kindness that emerge in times of darkness, reminding us of the power of community and love to bring light to the darkest of days. Here are some personal observations of the support and outreach that the staff saw: ![]() Amid Glenview’s brokenness, I witnessed the community gathering to honor and remember a remarkable son, brother, friend, and neighbor. In their immense grief, they took a moment to sign the Heart of Mercy & Compassion cross to express their heartfelt goodbyes and to embrace the family with love. A woman approached the memorial site and wrote on the side of the cross: “I lost a nephew in the same way.” She drew a cross next to her comment. She shared that her nephew died in a car crash just before he graduated college. He was engaged at the time, she said, explaining that, although she didn’t know the family, she wanted to come and lay flowers because she knows how difficult the grief is. We prayed for the family, to rely on God for strength, and that those around them would support them through this dark time. She was deeply grateful for the prayer. ![]() As I moved through the crowd I observed how the comfort dogs provided a safe and comfortable space for people to share their pain and loss to help them process the trauma they were experiencing. Many people returned time and again to be with the dogs. I was blessed to see the Holy Spirit work through a relationship formed at the memorial site. Pastor Douglas came to the memorial early in the day and met Marko’s best friend from high school. He comforted him and prayed with him. Later that evening, Pastor Douglas offered to lead the vigil for the large group of family, friends, and neighbors who had gathered. The best friend’s relationship with Pastor Matt made the family feel comfortable and he was invited to speak. Pastor Douglas' conversation with Marko's friend helped him convey who Marko was and the fun he had. He also had the opportunity to proclaim God’s saving grace to all the people there. He spoke the gospel confidently because “that is what Marko believed,” he said.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Help St. Paul's Students, Teachers Cope after Tragic Death of 13-Year Old Chloe5/21/2024
![]() Last Thursday, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Hagar (Faith Lutheran - Appleton, Wisconsin) and Samaria (Shepherd of the Hills - Greenville, Wisconsin) responded to the request to be there for the hurting school and church community at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Boduel, Wisconsin, after Chloe Zernicke, 13 years old, died in a tragic ATV accident. Principal Aaron Landgrave, who serves at St. Paul Lutheran School has had a strong tie to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry for many years. He was the former principal at St. John's Lutheran School in Lombard, Illinois, and handler for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Eve Comfort Dog there. The news of Chloe’s sudden and unexpected death affected him deeply. He reached out to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry to help be a source of comfort, compassion, and presence for the students and staff at St. Paul Lutheran School who loved and knew Chloe. The students and staff were very appreciative of having LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hagar and Samaria’s presence. When Samaria visited a class of 7th graders they all knew Chloe. One boy sat down on a chair and kept gently touching and petting Samaria’s ears. He didn’t say much and Samaria just stayed with him until recess. The kindergartners shared with the handlers and ministry partners that Chloe came and gave them hugs each day. Chloe’s sister is in the kindergarten class at St. Paul. ![]() Comfort Dog Hagar’s team visited the 4th graders, who were creating a banner in honor of Chloe. So many children spent time with Hagar seeking her closeness and comfort. Many of the younger children that Hagar and her team visited were still processing what they had been told that morning. The children were petting both Samaria and Hagar as they walked out the door. God guided Comfort Dog Hagar and Samaria’s team in those small moments. In those moments you saw the Lord making sure each child received the comfort they needed. On Monday, Hagar and Samaria Comfort Dogs with their teams returned to St. Paul Lutheran Church to be there to love, support, and comfort the family and friends who attended Chloe’s visitation and funeral. The community came together sharing their love and support. Chloe’s confirmation verse reminds us to draw near to God and take hold of His hand as nothing will separate us from His love for us. "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[ neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39) LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Helping Craughwell Elementary Heal after Tragic Loss of Young Mother5/21/2024
Last week LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry received a request from the Executive Director of Students Services at Troy Craughwell Elementary School in Joliet, Illinois, to be there for students and staff on Tuesday and Wednesday who were struck by a horrific event in their school community. A young mother named Melissa was tragically killed right outside of her home where she lived with her three precious children. ![]() LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Jael (Trinity - Hobart, Indiana), Michael (LCC Staff), Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois), LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Nigel (LCC Staff), and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog in Training Saul were there for the students and staff as they continued to process the shock, loss, and grief of this tragedy. Both of Melissa’s two children, one in third grade and one in fourth who attend Craughwell Elementary, returned to school on Tuesday. The LCC K-9 Ministry teams made sure each Comfort Dog spent time with Melissa’s two children along with the students, teachers, and other staff. During this visit, there was one boy who cried for over an hour with his counselors. He then went over to the table where there were activities to help the children. Samson Comfort Dog and his handlers went over and stood by him at the table and within minutes the boy stopped crying. The young boy petted Samson and took comfort in the love, warmth, and safety Samson offered willingly. The Comfort Dog team spent much-needed time with the teachers who were carrying the weight of Melissa’s loss and how the tragedy affected their students. The love and care the teachers have for their students and families was evident to the teams of Jael, Michael, Nigel, Samson, and Saul. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry received this note from Michelle Laird, Executive Director of Students Services: We are so grateful for the support that your organization has provided to our children and staff. I have received nothing but positive feedback about the comfort and care they each have felt. It has definitely been a bright spot in a very traumatic time for our community. Again, thank you for your quick response times, your flexibility, and the grace you have shown our school community. Thank you, Michelle
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