 Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Ministry teams from all over the country gathered at the Hilton Chicago/Northbrook, Illinois, from Wednesday, July 26 through Friday, July 28, for Lutheran Church Charities 2023 K-9 Ministries National Conference titled "Presence, Comfort, Hope - Together We Serve." More than 480 participants and 90 LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs came together to celebrate all that God is doing through the LCC K-9 Ministries while also equipping and inspiring hundreds of LCC K-9 Ministry volunteers. The keynote speakers shared tools for assisting with grief, trauma, mental health challenges, and more.  The theme of this year's conference was "Presence, Comfort, Hope - Together We Serve." The bible verse we chose to go along with this is Psalm 43:3, "Send forth Your light and Your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell." In addition, we used the symbol of a lighthouse. Each day as our handlers and ministry partners go out with the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs, they are an accepting, comforting, and compassionate presence sharing the love and light of Jesus. Many times, they are that lighthouse to people they encounter and with whom they build lasting relationships.  LCC would like to thank all of the attendees for making this year's conference such a memorable event, as well as all of LCC's dedicated volunteers who helped make the conference a success. A special thank you to our fabulous keynote speakers, Rev. Chris Singer, Patrick J. Kenny, Dr. Beverly Yahnke, John Schlimm, Dr. Alan Wolfelt, and breakout session presenters, who enriched the attendees with their message. The 2023 conference was a great reunion and an opportunity to form new friendships as we reflected back on the past few years of ministry while also looking ahead to the future. Our prayer is that everyone left the conference with a renewed sense of unity, purpose, and excitement to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry never charges those we serve. Thank you for being a part of the Mercy and Compassion Ministry of Lutheran Church Charities.
 On June 25, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abraham & Beloved (Trinity - Hicksville, New York) and their team were invited to the Nassau County Legislative Meeting in Mineola, New York. At the meeting, Legislator Rose Walker and Legislator Laura Schaffer, presented the team with a Citation on behalf of the work the comfort dogs have done in the community and specifically the work they did at Lindenhurst Middle School after the stabbing of a student. In addition, tennis balls were presented to the dogs. In turn, the LCC K-9 Ministry team presented Mrs. Walker with an LCC Heart of Mercy & Compassion. Legislator Walker has been a great supporter of the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and always thinks of them for community events or opportunities to serve in the community. Legislator Walker has always taken the time to put the community first and she is well loved for all of her efforts. She has even self proclaimed herself "grandma" to Abraham and Beloved and always ends her visits with them with "Grandma Rose loves you and is so proud of you".   Remembrance and HealingLutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog® Ministry was invited by the City of Highland Park to return to Highland Park, Illinois, on Tuesday, July 4, to be present with the community for the one-year anniversary of the Independence Day Parade mass shooting that occurred on July 4, 2022, roughly fifteen minutes after the parade had started. Seven people were killed and forty-eight others were wounded.  Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President/CEO, James Casner, Assistant LCC K-9 Crisis Response Coordinator, and the following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams were present throughout Highland Park on July 4 for a day of remembrance and healing: LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Asher (Faith - Lake Forest, Illinois), Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Eunice (LCC Staff), Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), Michael (LCC Staff), Myra (St. Andrews - Park Ridge, Illinois), Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois), Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois), and LCC Comfort Dogs In Training Galilee and Zacchaeus and their handlers. Last year on the same day, Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry (HMC) responded to the Independence Day Parade mass shooting in Highland Park, providing support to the shocked and hurting community.
"We Are Highland Park" The Fourth of July looked much different in Highland Park this time around as the community remembered those who lost their lives during last year’s parade and the impact they made. Instead of the usual parade, there was a community walk, preceded by a remembrance ceremony at Highland Park City Hall and other commemorations. LCC's K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Thank you for being a part of the Mercy and Compassion Ministry of Lutheran Church Charities. WE REMEMBER
On Friday, June 30, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Eunice (LCC Staff), Julia King of Glory - Elgin, Illinois), and Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois), and LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in Training Galilee and Samaria attended the memorial reception of George Bryson, the father of Cheri Blazek, from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The dogs and handlers were able to bring comfort to the family and friends of George and physically surround them with love. The handlers were told stories of George’s life, how he loved his family and serving others through the choir and food ministries. His smile shined brightly and George’s love for the Lord even more. The LCC K-9 Ministry teams were honored to serve this family and continue to lift up in prayer all who loved George.
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