This week, the Palatine Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) helped two Immanuel Lutheran Church, Palatine, Illinois, members who had trees and limbs fall on their roof and properties from the strong winds and storms that occurred this past Friday.

Both families expressed their gratitude to Jim and Karen Beckley, Richard Habegger, Steve MacKay, and Dede Thut for their willing service and hard work.

Lutheran Church Charities recently held two Stihl Chainsaw Maintenance Trainings for 40 chainsaw operators led by Andrew Guettler, Midwest Region Stihl Technical Sales Specialist. Kevin and Thea Krage graciously hosted both trainings in their barn.
 
Andrew gave a very informative presentation on how to best maintain chainsaws for optimal use. After his presentation, each operator took apart his own saw for cleaning and further maintenance tips from Andrew. Each person who attended said they learned many new things that will help them as they serve others. They appreciated the time and information Andrew gave each of them at each training session.

On Thursday, June 17, Northern Illinois experienced several fast-moving storms with high winds in the evening. As a result of these, Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response was called for chainsaw assistance.

One home was located in Lake Barrington, Illinois, and had a large tree fall across the driveway. Jim Beckley and Richard Habegger from Prince of Peace, Palatine L.E.R.T. responded immediately to cut and remove the tree so the homeowner could regain access to their home.

The other home was in Lockport, Illinois, and had a large tree fall next to their home, taking down their electric lines to the house. They also had to fell a tree that was left-leaning dangerously towards the house. Larry and Dan Zagorski from Lord of Life, LaFox L.E.R.T. spent two days felling and cutting these trees for Dan’s neighbor to help this homeowner make his property safe again.

Both homeowners were very appreciative of the quick response and much-needed assistance.

The Palatine and St. John Wheaton, Illinois, L.E.R.T. teams spent two days this week helping a family with an elderly mother and a disabled daughter fell a large dead evergreen tree very near their home using the boom lift. They also removed other dangerous hanging tree limbs around the yard and cleared much-overgrown brush. The teams loaded the LCC 24’ dump trailer and hauled all of the wood and brush away to a donated site for disposal.

The family thanks the following L.E.R.T. volunteers for their willing service:
 
Immanuel, Palatine – Steve MacKay
Prince of Peace, Palatine – Jim and Karen Beckley, Richard and Bonnie Habegger, Mike Kaminski, Dan Swyndroski
St. John, Wheaton – Steve Chester, Marty Johnson
St. Peter, Arlington Heights – Lois Lehman

This was a large job to complete safely, and the homeowners were very appreciative of the professional assistance and care shown to them.

Palatine Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) comprises volunteers from Prince of Peace and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Palatine, Illinois. During the month of May, both churches featured Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. as their mission partner. They asked their respective congregations to donate cleaning supplies to fill 5-gallon flood buckets to give to those in need after a disaster.
 
Home Depot in Mount Prospect, Illinois, donated twenty-five buckets with lids and a case of hand sanitizer. The buckets were assembled and sent with prayers for their future recipients this week for Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response L.E.R.T. teams.

Lutheran Church Charities held the annual L.E.R.T. chainsaw training and service event workday at Walcamp in Kingston, Illinois, on May 14-15. On Friday evening, the Basic LCMS Chainsaw class was co-led by LCC/LCMS Chainsaw Certified Instructors Ed Boerman (ISA Certified Arborist), Marty Johnson, and Pete Springmire.

On Saturday, thirty-six basic and advanced chainsaw-certified LCC staff and L.E.R.T. team members worked as chainsaw and heavy equipment operators and draggers to clear Walcamp grounds of downed or damaged trees, limbs, and brush.

The ten first-time chainsaw operators received individual instruction and guidance from advanced team leaders as they began to practice felling and cutting trees and limbs.

The following L.E.R.T. team volunteers participated in the annual L.E.R.T. Chainsaw Training and Workday at Walcamp:

Illinois
Cross, Yorkville – Scott McGregor
Good Shepherd, Elgin – David Vollrath
Good Shepherd, Frankfort – Joel and Lori Powless
Immanuel, Belvidere – Carl Jurgens
Immanuel, DeKalb – Pete and Christel Springmire
Immanuel, Dundee – Doug and Kelley Hoyt
Immanuel, Palatine – Tim Laabs
Immanuel, Shobonier – Fran Collins
Lord of Life, Elburn – Matt Luhman, Zachary Luhman, Jeff Straughn, Larry Zagorski
Mt. Olive, Rockford – Tom Newton
Prince of Peace, Palatine – Jim Beckley
Shepherd of the Hills, McHenry – Alan Holm
St. John, Sycamore – Steve Brown
St. John, Wheaton – Steve Chester, Palmer Goodwin, Byron Heidorn, Marty Johnson, Dave Mummah, Anna Piro
St. John, Wilmette – Tom Morrison
St. Paul, Matteson – Dennis Pieper
St. Peter, Arlington Heights – Ed Damman
St. Peter, Schaumburg – Ken and Vicki Kiviranta
Trinity, Lisle – Ed Boerman, Mike Kostecki, Dick Sonntag
Trinity, Villa Park – Jim Long
 
Iowa
Trinity, Davenport – Ken Stotmeister
 
It was a good day to enjoy being outside in God’s creation with much work being accomplished, chainsaw lessons practiced, and teamwork enjoyed with brothers and sisters in Christ. Walcamp Operations Director Bill Indelli expressed his thanks to all present for their willingness to serve to prepare the campgrounds for the ministry they do.

Last week, LCC L.E.R.T. team members Alan Holm, Marty Johnson, Bruce Preston, Pete Springmire, and Rich Wren removed a damaged tree and ground the stump and roots from Christ the King Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois. Pastor John and Mrs. Geri Brazeal were extremely grateful for the assistance as this tree was in danger of falling onto the church, and its roots were causing sewer issues.

LCC received the following email after the work was completed:
 
“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” Psalm 107:1-9
 
This is one of my favorite Psalms. It reminds me of the awesomeness of our God and the people who serve him. To those who have suffered great tragedy removing a dying tree from someone's yard is not really important. To us, it was an act of mercy, allowing us to live a better life and conserve our retirement funds for important things, such as serving those in need.
 
Now that the tree has been laid to rest (as Morgan put this task), we can save the $400, which was used four times this year to have the plumbing rodded out to keep waste from backing up. Much of the problem was the roots in the pipes.
 
We also have a school child now who wants to come and help the disaster team cut down trees for people who have been in storms and floods. He wants to be the man who goes to the top of the tree and cuts it down. The pod of kids who were here Monday gave up their morning recess because they wanted to watch the tree removal to see if they would like to do this kind of job. They were very impressed, and we had trouble getting them back inside!
 
We cannot say thank you enough. You guys are always there to help us through a crisis, whether it be big or small. Do not forget you can also always count on us! Love you guys to the moon and back.
 
Pastor John and Geri Brazeal, and Christ the King

Christmas Sharing is a 51-year partnership of nine churches in Wheaton and Warrenville, Illinois, and the D200 school district. The schools' social workers identify families that need assistance, and invite them to participate in the Christmas Sharing program. Normally, the families go shopping for shoes, boots, clothing, household items, toys, and food at the churches on the second Saturday of December. This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was a drive thru pickup of gift cards and food. St. John Lutheran, Gary Methodist, and Trinity Episcopal churches in Wheaton were partners at the St. John property as one of the three distribution sites.
 
Many St. John, Wheaton L.E.R.T. and other church volunteers served nearly 400 families directing traffic flow, registering families, loading boxes into vehicles, distributing gift cards, and offering prayers. Although everyone was very wet and cold, they all felt it was a great day to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ as they joyfully served families in need.

A team of L.E.R.T. chainsaw volunteers from St. John, Wheaton and Trinity, Roselle in Illinois, completed requested work at two different homes for congregation members. The team removed a large diseased evergreen tree and a maple tree dangerously hanging over a neighbor’s yard. They used the boom lift, ditch witch, dump trailer and stump grinder.
 
The willing servants were Kristin Bilar, Steve Chester, Jan Gerveske, Palmer and Judy Goodwin, Marty Johnson, Anna Piro, Tom Prickette, and Dave Vance.
 
Both homeowners were very appreciative for all of the hard work and willing service.