Recently, the LCC Human Care team partnered with Immanuel Lutheran Church in Glenview, Illinois, and members of the community to donate forty-two bags of clothing, forty-five pairs of shoes, and bedding to migrants in Chicago. Earlier this year, First St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Chicago, St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church of Chicago, Chicago Hope Initiative, and LCC formed a partnership to open a store for migrants and families in need. While working with the community service network and other Christian churches, First St. Paul's recognized that migrants lacked basic needs items and wanted to create a space for people to pick up what they need. They did not have the building space, so St. Chrysostom's down the street offered their gym for the summer months. Chicago Hope Initiative, which provides social workers for migrant families, joined the partnership to show migrant families to the store to receive basic supplies. First St. Paul and St. Chrysostom's coordinated volunteers for logistics and to run the store. LCC was invited to the ministry network to broker resources from other local churches and non-profits so they can provide much-needed items to “The Store.” With school starting at St. Chrysostom's, their gymnasium was no longer available to house “The Store” for migrants. Just recently, a new home was found for “The Store.” It now has a new permanent home for two years, which will give them time to grow and develop the program. Our LCC staff had the opportunity to see the new site for “The Store” as we delivered donated items. We are grateful for the ministry of “The Store” and the impact it will have. Many of the people only arrive with the clothes they are wearing and a backpack with a few personal belongings. When people come to the “The Store,” they will be able to pick out clothes, shoes, household items, toys for children, and furniture to help them settle into their new community in Chicagoland. Please pray for the partnership of First St. Paul, St. Chrysostom's, Chicago Hope Initiative, and LCC as we work together to serve those in need. If you, your family, group, or congregation would like to collect items for the store, contact Denise Snider at LCC at dsnider@lutheranchurchcharities.org. Congregations Come Together to Make a Difference in the Life of a Refugee Pastor and His Family8/16/2023
Pastor Alex Merlo of Iglesia San Pablo in Aurora, Illinois, has been assisting Pastor Fernando Garcia, a recent refugee seeking asylum in the United States, in finding a job, transportation, and a home for his family. Last week the family moved into a temporary apartment until the end of the month when they will be able to move into a duplex on the church's property. This past week God brought together a donor, and members of Immanuel, East Dundee, and Iglesia San Pablo to touch the lives of two families to provide the needed resources to furnish an empty apartment and the duplex, which will be their new home. A senior citizen moving into an assisted living facility donated some of her furniture to LCC to be used for a family in need. LCC was privileged to facilitate two congregations, Immanuel, East Dundee, and Iglesia San Pablo, Aurora, working together to impact the lives of two families in their congregations. Immanuel congregation paid for the moving truck and provided volunteers to load a household of furniture in East Dundee. The donor’s donation will furnish a two-bedroom home for Pastor Garcia and his family at San Pablo, Aurora. Volunteers Jon Bartelt and Matthew Flynn from Immanuel East Dundee drove the truck to Aurora, where Pastor Merlo, and members of their congregation, with Pastor and Mrs. Garcia, unloaded the furniture. This is truly a picture of members of the Lord’s Church working together to change the lives of his people.
LCC received the following update from Pastor Doug Warmann of Trinity Lutheran Church in Roselle, Illinois, on the young widowed mom of six children that the congregation has been assisting. This past Sunday afternoon, twenty-five members, family, and friends gathered before Trinity's baptismal font to witness the baptism of baby Clayton Isaiah and welcome him to God’s family. Following the baptismal ceremony, Jessica asked to address the group to express her gratitude and appreciation. Without the help that God provided through the Church family after Mark’s death and her work injuries, she, her five children, and her unborn baby would not have made it to this day. Clayton was born in March, after Jessica’s rehab for her work injury and maternity leave, Jessica has been able to return to work. Returning part-time to work was made possible with the help of several Trinity members and 18-year-old Natasha, who provides childcare for Jessica while she is at work. It has been only a little over a year ago, in June, that Mark passed away, and Jessica and the children are still grieving Mark's death. The future is still a financial struggle for the family, but through God’s provision through His family, the Church, she and her family can face each day with hope. Trinity thanks you for helping them to minister to this family in need. Your donations are making a huge difference in the lives of Jessica and her children.
A Large Donation of Family-Size Boxes of Cereal Stocks Put Your Hands Together Food Pantry5/31/2023
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