“God’s Work. Our Hands.” is a national day of service for congregations across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), usually celebrated the Sunday after Labor Day.
This year, congregations provided hands-on support to LSSI clients and programs in communities throughout the state.
- Hope Lutheran Church (Long Grove) collected and packed clothing and personal hygiene items for clients entering LSSI’s 28-day residential rehabilitation program in Chicago. Many individuals arrive with few personal belongings and have immediate basic needs. Meeting those needs helps residents focus on recovery, counseling, education, and healing.
- Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Chicago) completed landscaping and gardening projects at Walsh Sober Living Home, including removing shrubs and planting seasonal flowers. The congregation also assembled hygiene kits for children and adolescents participating in the Step-Up School-Based Counseling Program.
- Mark Lutheran Church (Mount Prospect) supported individuals and families served through LSSI’s Homeless Outreach and Meaningful Engagement (HOME) Program by donating hygiene kits, winter clothing, toys, and gift cards for clients experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
- Trinity Lutheran Church (Evanston) will provide residents at Shore Line Place Senior Housing in Wilmette with groceries, toiletries, and household goods later this month. The congregation will prepare 50 bags, decorated by children and youth, with personal messages of encouragement. Carol Wilson, chair of the church’s Faith in Action committee and a member of the church council, led the effort. The group recently learned that Shore Line Place is practically in their neighborhood. “It seemed a perfect opportunity for Trinity to engage with a new set of neighbors and possibly be of service. We decided to do a personal products drive because we knew it was a chance for the entire congregation to get involved.” Church leaders also hope to build ongoing relationships with residents through invitations to community events and fellowship opportunities.
- Augustana Lutheran Church (Andover) used LSSI’s Mindful Giving online wish-list program to support Children’s Community Services in Moline and Galesburg. Donations included baby and toddler supplies and essential household items for children and families receiving foster care, adoption, and family support.
- Trinity Lutheran Church (Olney) members are collecting household goods for residents at Rolling Meadows Senior Living in Taylorville and Victorian Woods in Decatur. Autumn Ryden, an 18-year-old church council member and chairperson of Trinity’s stewardship committee, has volunteered with LSSI. “We are so grateful for the opportunity to contribute in a small way to the important work LSSI is doing for our neighbors,” she said.
- Another youth-led project, by Peace Lutheran in Lake Zurich, took place at the Elgin Addiction Treatment Center. Samantha Rozema, who leads the church’s high school and young adult ministries, recently planned a tour of the Elgin facility, and was eager to positively impact the residents there. “Our young adults learned so much about the benefits of LSSI’s addiction program, how addiction can affect all demographics, and how support for the services offered by LSSI is so crucial,” said Rozema. “Sprucing up the outdoor space is a meaningful way to support client healing as we know the role green space can play in both physical and mental health.” The group also plans to donate clothing during a return visit this fall.
These projects, celebrating “God’s Work. Our Hands.” demonstrate how church partnerships, through the generosity of volunteers and donors, strengthen LSSI’s mission and support clients in communities across Illinois.
If you would like to explore volunteer opportunities for yourself or your congregation, contact Christine Yucha, LSSI’s Advancement Coordinator, Christine.Yucha@lssi.org.
(caption) Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicago, along with LSSI staff, performed landscaping and gardening projects at Walsh Sober Living Home.
