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.

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.

Six Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog Teams from three states, plus LCC Care Teams from Illinois, will deploy Friday to Southern California to offer compassionate care and support for Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations impacted by the devastating fires ravaging Los Angeles County.
 
LCC teams will lead two Community Care events on Saturday at First Lutheran Church in Venice, CA, and Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica, CA. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams from California, Nevada, and Washington will be on hand to listen to congregation members and area residents, pray with them, and offer pets and cuddles with the golden retrievers.
 
These events are designed to bring hurting community members together to process the physical, emotional, and spiritual journey of a disaster, to be vulnerable in the presence of others, and, ultimately, to experience a taste of the hope found only in Jesus.

The need is great. About 20 families from Pacifica Christian High School, which conducts classes from Pilgrim’s campus, have lost their homes. Pilgrim also has welcomed members of Pacific Palisades Lutheran Church and is conducting joint worship services together. 
 
“The devastation from these tragic and truly unprecedented fires is widespread and stunning, and it will require a multifaceted response by our entire LCC team,” said LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer. “We are blessed to be partnering with our churches on the West Coast. Our first step will be to care for the hurting with a ministry of presence, administering and training with Spiritual First Aid™ and providing that golden comfort of our K-9 teams."

On Sunday after worship, LCC Care teams will lead Spiritual First Aid™ Rapid Training workshops at First Lutheran Venice, CA, and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange, CA, plus two more sessions at the Pacific Southwest District office in Irvine on Monday and Tuesday.
 
After training, LCC Disaster Response and Care teams will assist congregation members in engaging their communities with basic needs and the love of Christ.

“Please pray today for the families and individuals who have been impacted — so many have evacuated and are anxious about their loved ones and homes," Rev. Singer said. "Pray also for open doors as LCC meets together with Synod, District, and Church leaders to encourage, collaborate, and mobilize faith into action. Your earnest prayers and kindhearted support are greatly appreciated."