ENGAGE Magazine - Volume 3 - Summer 2023

• From Chemist to The Collar

• Hispanic Heritage Month

• Hunger Action Month

• 10 Things To Do This Summer

Freedom to Explore Your Future and Faith

EXPERIENCE CONCORDIA

UNIVERSITY IRVINE

• Over 60 undergraduate and graduate programs

• Proud to be a Hispanic-Serving Institution

• NCAA Division II PacWest athletics

• Student clubs, organizations, and activities

• Chapel, Bible studies, and mission trips

• Around-the-World Semester ® program

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FROM THE EDITOR READERS

Ihope you enjoy this summer issue of ENGAGE Magazine. We’ve even included some fun things you can do this summer and we hope to receive your photos, social media tags and stories about what you did on your summer vacations so we can share them in our next issue. While we know you will find inspiration and some lighthearted joy from reading this issue, we also want to educate you about just how serious we take our mission.

The motto of Lutheran Social Services of Southern California (LSSSC) is embrace, equip and empower. We are able to achieve this for the people that we serve through the support of those in the community like you who care about our friends and neighbors in need. Thousands of people either as individuals or through their churches give time, talent, and treasure so that LSSSC can provide professional expert services that are trauma informed and help others become self-sustaining.

Sometimes the need to embrace hits way too close to home. We’ve even had the need to embrace each other as a staff and organization. This issue is dedicated to the memory of two faithful people who were part of our greater LSSSC family, each in their own special way.

The bright and bubbly Lisa Gillett worked for our Long Beach/ South Bay office for two and a half years in many roles, recently and most notably as a housing counselor for our “It’s A New Day Program.” Sadly, Lisa passed away suddenly on April 23, 2023.

Lisa loved her work at LSSSC and literally said it was her “joy and honor to walk beside our program participants, many who had been

homeless for more than five years.” You can see a video that features Lisa, in part, literally walking beside Martin Anderson, one of the local South Bay people she helped get his own place for the first time.

I hope you will take a moment to watch it here: https://rb.gy/1kubp and see the impact Lisa and her coworkers have had that truly goes beyond providing services. I know you will be as inspired as I was when watching it.

Volunteers are a huge part of the work we do all over Southern California and they come in all ages and from all backgrounds. Some, like AJ Tarts, have volunteered through their churches and alongside their parents seemingly most of their lives.

Tragically, AJ Tarts at the young age of 18 lost his life on May 17. AJ was born in Riverside and grew up in local San Bernardino area Lutheran churches and was a regular volunteer in his community. He often joined his mother Becky, who served as a dedicated church secretary, in serving at LSSSC’s Central City Lutheran Mission (the new Community Wellness Campus) and other projects.

My hope in sharing about Lisa and AJ is to show that everyone, no matter what age, can embrace, equip and empower others in a way that will have a lasting impact.

I challenge you to be more like Lisa and AJ. Plan to be remembered as they both are – those who both supported organizations like LSSSC and those who did their part as individuals one on one with others each day that were right in front of them.

LORI BUTLER, CFRE & THE ENGAGE STAFF

FROM CHEMIST TO THE COLLAR

This summer like most summers, Kinh Vu, a professional chemist in Orange County, can be found after work sitting in the parking lot of a Garden Grove Phantom Fireworks booth. He’s not there because he’s a chemist. He’s there because of his bi-vocational job as the pastor of a local Lutheran Church and his personal passion to raise funds for medical mission work that serves his original home of Vietnam.

Vu first came to the United States when he was just 15 years old. “I vividly remember coming to the U.S. as a teenager in 1975 right after the end of the Vietnam War, Vu recalls. “I was raised in a Christian family in Vietnam which was not commonplace, but not all that unusual," he continued. “My paternal father was brought to a faith through American missionaries in North Vietnam in the 1940’s long before I was born,” he added.

In 1954, when Vietnam divided into two countries, his maternal and paternal grandparents left the North and emigrated to the South seeking safety. “That was the first time our family ran away from the Communists,” he shared. “In 1975, we ran away again from the Communists and from our country, South Vietnam.”

Vu credits his uncle (his mother’s brother) a professor of Political Science at the time for the University of Nebraska at Kearney, as being the critical connection to government contacts who helped his family relocate. In fact, his parents were able to get work through the U.S. Embassy by way of one of his uncle’s friends, a Senator for Nebraska who personally sponsored the family. “He was very well informed as a professor when the

Watergate Scandal happened and President Nixon resigned,” Vu explains. He recalls remembering being told that with President Nixon’s departure, so departed the terms of the Peace Accord that had until then kept his family relatively safe in Vietnam.

Vu came to his new country already knowing some English he had learned in public school in Vietnam. “In sixth grade you picked a foreign language to learn. While others picked French, I picked English. In high school by grade 11 you can pick alternative languages for further study.”

He and his family settled in Pasadena where he was hard working in high school. He soon went on to study chemistry at the University of California in Irvine. It was during these college years that he met his wife through a college church group in Long Beach. Remaining in Southern California, Vu went on to work successfully for nine years as a full-time professional chemist. Although raised in a Christian home, it wasn’t until Vu had an extremely personal crisis in his own life that he felt called to ministry.

A young father, his first daughter was born with asphyxiation. Medical professionals explained to him that she literally was unable to exit the birth canal soon enough and had gone into fetal distress. An emergency C-section was performed but by the time doctors pulled her out she had suffocated on her own amniotic fluid. Distress had triggered the baby to take her first breath inside the womb.

“It was very disheartening for my wife and me. I remember the first day coming home from the hospital. I was taking a

KINH’S FAVORITE MINISTRIES AND PASTIMES

Pastor Vu supports many non-profits in Southern California and across the world to the Asian Continent as well as enjoying hobbies and pastimes. Here’s just a few of his favorites:

1. OUR REDEEMER CHURCH FOOD BAG DISTRIBUTION— Members of Pastor Vu’s church have partnered in the past with Our Redeemer Church. They regularly would fill a shopping cart and donate the food to this important local hunger relief ministry. The food bag distribution takes place every Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Limited to one bag per family per month. Located at 12301 Magnolia Street, Garden Grove, CA 92841. Contact 714539-9541 or see: www.orcgg.org

2. OCEAN WALKER — From a young age founder and Brit, Adam Walker has always had a passion for both swimming and helping others achieve their goals and dreams. Since 2013 Adam and Head Coach Gemma Clarke have coached more than 40 different nationalities from 16 different countries, of course, including Vietnam. They teach the Ocean Walker Technique™ through Swim Camps in pools and in open water. A ground-breaking swim stroke, learned by Pastor Vu, people of varying abilities are able to swim faster for longer, while reducing the chance of injury. https://www.oceanwalkeruk.com/

3. THE VIETNAMESE MINSITERIAL FELLOWSHIP OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — A group of pastors from all denominations like Lutheran, Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist and others. They serve as the local chapter of The World Vietnamese Ministerial Association and meet once a month. Goal is to maintain fellowship and work together to serve those in various Vietnamese Communities. Hosted at a different church each month. Contact: Bau Dang at 714-473-5959.

4. TRIBE & TONGUE — A collective of worship leaders, songwriters, and musicians who are creating worship music to engage, equip, and empower the Church to “worship in Spirit and in Truth”. They started their journey together as friends and classmates at Concordia University in Irvine, and now we serve various Lutheran churches around the country. Vinh Vu who writes and plays music as part of this team is Pastor Vu’s oldest son. https://www.tribeandtonguemusic.com/

5. GOOD SAMARITAN MEDICAL & DENTAL MINISTRY — The medical and dental team that serves 3 areas of Vietnam that St. Paul’s Church supports. With one overarching vision to share love with the people of Vietnam they provide 3 main services 1) Medically and spiritually care for the poor 2) Improve emergency medical services in the country 3) Training physicians. For more details read the breakout article on the next page or visit: GSMDM.org

shower and I started to cry. I had been having to be strong for my wife and other people. It was there as the water poured over me and with my tear ducts fully stimulated that I had a full realization of God’s compassion and understanding of my exact situation. God must have cried just like I was when His own Son died on the cross.”

“This was the exact moment when I started to question what the purpose of life is. I had been working for a well-known pharmaceutical company that made Botox. Botox was being used by important people even presidential candidates, movie stars and actors. I remember thinking that there must be more purpose to one’s lifework, more reward than to just to get a Rolex watch when you retire. “

That’s when Vu was fully drawn to formal Christian ministry. Everyone is a salesperson of sorts, he determined. “If you are working for a company, you are selling your skills even if your title isn’t salesperson. Everybody is doing a sales job.”

“I realized as a pastor, I could have the opportunity to sell - the greatest product in the world – God’s grace and mercy. Now that is a product you can stand by and be 100% assured.” Vu immediately resigned from his job in research and development and enrolled in seminary.

Vu cites many other Pastor friends in the Asian American Community who have left full-time professional careers to enter the ministry. A close friend was a physicist and left to become a Lutheran Pastor. He knows many people who’ve done this. At his

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current church another pastor had left his self-owned electrical company to become ordained.

It was 1991, when Vu left for the seminary. He returned and was ordained in 1995 serving full time as a Pastor at St.Paul’s Church in Garden Grove. Back then, he had time for all the traditional things a Pastor would do, like multiple Sunday Services in English, Vietnamese and Korean. His family spent Sundays after church leading worship at local convalescent homes and engaged in more community service during the week.

In 2008, when attendance dropped, Vu made the decision, like many other Lutheran Pastor’s, to become bi-vocational. He now works full-time as a Chemist and part-time as a Pastor of his church.

“When I first went back to working at a pharmaceutical company, I didn’t advertise that I was a pastor,” Vu shares. "My immediate group of co-workers now know that I am a Pastor and that on the weekends I preach and teach. It’s a doubleedged sword – I have to behave – people are watching. I didn’t want it to affect my work, I just want them to accept me for who I am. I try not to impose my point of view on others who are not Christian or are people of other faiths. I’m not vocal, yet they do know my stand.”

He’s since connected and networked with a whole host of other pastors doing the same. In fact, a part-time Pastor friend of Vu’s from his seminary days became a financial planner when his congregation aged. He preaches part time and provides financial education and counseling to his members.

“As bi-vocational pastors, our church members may not have the luxury of our full-time attention, but we often can bring practical skills to our ministry that go beyond the spiritual.”

Vu also shares about a Thai church in Anaheim where the part-time pastor there is a full-time neuro surgeon who works for Kaiser Permanente. “I preached there in English, and he translated into Thai. That Pastor schedules office hours on Sundays after preaching to check on his congregant’s physical health. I bet he has saved his members a lot of fees,” he chuckles in sincerity.

This concept is eerily similar to the start of the medical mission group that Vu and his congregation support each year with their fireworks stand in front of Farmers & Merchants Bank. That group, Good Samaritan Medical and Dental Ministry (GSMDM), began when a former Vietnamese citizen, wanted to share the Gospel in what used be North Vietnam. He discovered that missionaries were not welcome and what that area really needed and would be welcomed by the Communist government was medical professionals. Today, the group, GSMDM, is mostly Vietnamese American health workers. They have made nearly 20 medical missions to Vietnam.

Vu’s youngest son, who is currently a pianist and church organist following graduation from Concordia University as a Music Major, has also felt called to GSMDM. The young man had traveled as a teen in 2015 with his father Vu who served as chaplain on one of the groups missions’ trips. They were able to pray and comfort patients. The younger Vu, whose sole passion from childhood had been music, has since taken the Dental

Admissions Test. He plans to attend dental school so he can return to Vietnam having fallen in love with the language, the land and the people.

Mai Choy, the oldest daughter of the Vu family, has recently joined one of the most Avant Garde and thought-provoking ministries within Lutheran circles serving as their Social Media Manager. Following a stellar career as an admission counselor in Lutheran Education, his cherished daughter now works for 1517.org. More than a reference to Martin Luther and the reformation of 1517, this nonprofit organization focuses on assuring all people that the work of salvation is finished in Jesus Christ. They have a singular mission to help others hear that they are forgiven and free on account of Christ alone. And, when they aren’t busy teaching Reformation Theology and preaching the Gospel, they teach others about creative production, marketing, and distribution.

All the Vu children picked up not only their father’s passion for ministry but their mother’s passion for music. A piano teacher, Ahn has seen all three of her children become talented musicians. In fact, her other son who was born in 1995, is the lead guitarist and keyboardist for the popular multi-national contemporary Christian Band known as Tribe and Tongue. The band has not strayed too far from their Lutheran roots and played at the LCMS National Youth Gathering in 2022 for high school and college students. He follows in his father’s steps as a bi-vocational leader and teaches music and serves in worship for St Mark’s Lutheran in Houston.

Those who know him know that Vu must have had a good deal of influence on the LCMS’s second Multi-Asian gathering held last May in St. Louis. "As a member of the planning committee, I have been involved for three years. The second gathering also in St. Louis was held for 60 or more pastors, pastor wives, seminarians, pastor students, and other interested ministry partners. The topic of the meeting was ‘How do we strengthen our families and get them involved in serving the Lord and ministry?'”.

“Being a Lutheran pastor or any pastor’s kid can be a turn off to these kids a lot of the time. They may not want to go into our footsteps,” explained Vu about the choice of topic.

“How do we get support in getting the next generation of youth overall interested in serving the church. I believe that could mean serving the church, not necessarily in the church. It could be teaching, social work, director of education or in the ways my adult children are now doing,” Vu remarks passionately.

Perhaps some youth could take a cue from Pastor Vu about how to keep up a healthy ministry even with a fulltime professional career. Several nights a week when he is done with his personal passion of a good hour-long after work swim, Vu finds him self-refreshed and energized to teach an online Thursday night Bible study. The study is no ordinary study of the Old Testament. The study began online during Covid and soon they were joined by others living in Vietnam. The study, which is set to go from 8 – 9 p.m. sometimes gets so lively it goes past 10 p.m. for Vietnamese speaking locals in SoCal. There is no need to worry, according to Vu, for his friends in Vietnam. It's lunchtime in their part of the world.

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GOOD SAMARITAN MEDICAL DENTAL MINISTRY

On top of a mountain in Horn Creek, Colorado during the summer of 1978, a dream was born. A dream that one day, healing for the land and people of a war-stricken country named Vietnam, would come in a form of a medical team.

In 1999, six young adult leaders of the Vietnamese United Methodist Youth & Young Adult Fellowship made a decision to bring back their young people to their homeland to embark on a healing ministry.

In the summer of 2000, the Good Samaritan Medical Ministry made their first trip back to Vietnam. One physician and four young adult volunteers treated 1,100 people in 10 days in the Mekong Delta on a meager budget of $12,000. As word spread throughout the United States, more and more volunteers came to join the team.

In 2002, Dentistry was added, effectively becoming the Good Samaritan Medical-Dental Ministry (GSMDM). In 2003, Optometry was added along with a team of medical-surgical specialists, including Emergency Medicine, working in a close relationship with Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

By 2004, the ministry's growth was explosive; GSMDM made a strategic move north to province of the Cao Bang while anchoring the Emergency Medicine Training Team in Hue. The teams would start coming to Vietnam twice a year. The EM Development Team began to Hue for a week in March of every year. By 2010 a team of 60 internationally recognized EM specialists organized the largest international medical-nursing conference Vietnam had ever seen. And today it remains as the premier medical conference in the country.

After 13 years of work throughout the country of Vietnam, GSMDM made a decision to return to the province of Cao Bang with one single objective: To improve the healthcare system for the entire province. The team had decided “that it is always wonderful to come two weeks every year to help the people ourselves but what happens after we leave? “To make a long-lasting impact on the conditions of the local people, their own local physicians must be able to care for their own. in 2013, the team of primary care physicians from the US has been training local physicians and empowering them to care for their own patients. This training lasts four years. Today this amazing ministry continues trips to Vietnam and has more than 127 servants headed to help this summer. If you are a medical, dental or optometry professional or just someone who wants to help, find out more on how here: http://www.gsmdm.org/summer-missions/.

Not able to go overseas? LSSSC often partners with medical and other providers to provide services. For example, Dignity Healthy and GeriSmiles are working with LSSSC to provide dental screenings to those we serve in the San Bernardino area. To volunteer with LSSSC see: volunteers@lsssc.org.

September is Hunger Action Month. During September the American network of food banks step forward together to raise awareness about hunger. These include food banks that support pantries like Lutheran Social Services’ Project Hand in Chula Vista and smaller food pantries supplying emergency food at our Riverside, Ventura (Thousand Oaks), Orange (Fullerton), Los Angeles (Long Beach/South Bay) and San Bernardino County locations. You can join in fighting against food insecurity in your community. A great way to start is by learning how it affects our friends and neighbors in Southern California.

California produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, yet 1 in 5 Californians — that’s about 8 million — currently struggle with food insecurity. “Food insecurity” is the occasional or constant lack of access to the food one needs for a healthy, active life.

Food insecurity has serious impacts on an individual’s well-being, which may result in poor school attendance and performance, lowered workplace productivity, and physical and mental health problems. Individuals struggling with food insecurity have to make tough decisions that no one should face. No family should have to decide between buying groceries or paying rent, no senior should have to choose between food and medicine, and no parent should have to skip a meal for their children to eat.

While many of us are familiar with food pantries designed to reach families with children, California has seen for a while now a rise in different populations in our communities experiencing hunger. With the rise of tuition, housing and more – many more college students are experiencing food insecurity too.

Concordia University in Irvine, for example, is meeting the need in unique ways. Among the many ways they fight food insecurity for students is by hosting a food pantry at their Veterans Resource Center for all military, veterans, and their dependents have 24x7 access while they are students. Further north in Ventura County, Cal Lutheran University offers a program called the Community Cupboard. This free service provides non-perishable food items, grocery store gift cards, and guest meals

in their cafeteria to any current Cal Lutheran student needing additional support.

Seniors, who could traditionally find free or reduced hot meals at their local senior center, were affected a good deal by COVID 19. Food banks found that they had to increase their services to provide home delivery by 73% to this vulnerable population during the worldwide crisis. Organizations like Meals On Wheels, that already delivered, were stretched by the increase due to decreasing volunteer pools during that time.

So why is food insecurity still so high in Southern California? One reason cited by a 2019 Kaiser Family Foundation; State Health Facts database highlighted that racialized poverty was keeping residents of California who are of color hungriest.

Comprehensive measures of poverty rank California as the state with the highest poverty rate in the nation, driven by its high cost of living. The cost of living burden falls hardest on California’s Black, brown and indigenous residents who experience the state’s highest poverty rates at 19.3%, 15% and 20.3%, respectively.

SNAP (Cal Fresh) Food assistance in California is administered at the County level unlike states like Oregon who administer it at the state level. Counties with less population or more geographic area often have greatly reduced administrative capacity and different priorities that can affect enrollment rates. Those seeking access have different

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SOME LUTHERAN-AFFILIATED FOOD BANKS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

SAN DIEGO

Project Hand- LSSSC LOCATION

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

580 Hilltop Dr. Chula Vista, CA 91910 (619) 425-4061

https://www.stmarkschulavista.org/community/project-hand/

Mon, Wed, Fri – 9 a.m.– 2:00 p.m.

Tue, Thu – 11 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Hot Lunch Every Thursday Noon-2:00 p.m.

2nd Friday of the Month – Drive Thru Food Bank

2nd Tuesday of the Month – Drive Thru Food Bank for Seniors

Trinity Lutheran Church

7210 Lisbon Street

San Diego, CA 92114 (619) 262-1605

https://www.tlcsd.org/

Tue, Thu – 9 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

VENTURA COUNTY

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California - LSSSC LOCATION

80 E. Hillcrest Dr., #101

Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 (805) 497-6207

https://www.lsssc.org/location/ventura-county/

Food, clothing, showers, laundry & mail services

Walk-in Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and 1:30-4:30 p.m. by appointment

Housing counseling and placement services also available.

Ascension Lutheran Church

1600 East Hillcrest Drive

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 (805) 495-0406

https://alcto.org/food-pantry/

Every Friday 10 a.m.-Noon

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

Lutheran Social Services- LSSSC LOCATION

Trinity Lutheran Church 4162 Rubidoux Ave. Riverside, CA 92506 (951) 689-7847

https://www.lsssc.org/location/riverside-county/

Food Pantry Weds, Thursday 10 a.m.-Noon, 12:30 –2:00 p.m.

Valley Community Pantry

Trinity Lutheran Hemet 191 Columbia St. Hemet, CA 92544 (951) 929-1101

www.ValleyCommunityPantry.org | https://vcpcares.org/ Mon-Thu 9:30 a.m.-Noon. Must arrive by 11:30 a.m. Fri 9:30 a.m. - Noon for new clients only. Must arrive by 11:30 a.m.

Closed on Major Holidays

Emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance are sometimes available.

St. John’s Lutheran Church

42695 Washington St. Palm Desert, CA 92211 (760) 345-2122

https://stjohnslutheran.church/ministries/community-outreach

Food distribution, 3rd Saturdays at 7 a.m.

LONG BEACH/SOUTH BAY

Lutheran Social Services- LSSSC LOCATION

1611 Pine Ave.

Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-1321

https://www.lsssc.org/location/south-bay-long-beach/

Food Pantry Hours Mon, Tues, Thurs. 10 a.m.-Noon. Weds. 11 a.m.-Noon, 12:30-2:00 p.m.

Iglesia Luterana Pueblo de Dios

804 E Rosecrans Ave. Compton, CA 90221 (424) 403-4045 / 310-819-0706

https://pueblodedioslutheranchurch.com/

Bagged Groceries Distributed Every Thursdays at 9 a.m. Tickets are distributed Wednesday before each distribution day. Tickets guarantee recipients a bag the following day.

https://newcityparish.com/food-outreach-program-

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Central Lutheran Church/Iglesia Luterana Central 6425 Tyrone Ave Van Nuys, CA 91401 (818) 785-5414

https://centrallutheranvn.spruz.net/mobile-food-pantry.htm

Each Monday from 1-3:00 p.m.

Must Bring a Cart or Wagon for the food received.

First Lutheran Church

6952 Van Nuys Blvd.

Van Nuys, CA 91405 (818) 989-5844

https://www.flvn.org/

Food distribution Sat, Sun & Weds – 6 p.m.

Free breakfast Sat 9 a.m., Except 3rd Saturday of the month.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

Central City Lutheran Mission- LSSSC LOCATION

1354 North G Street San Bernardino, CA 92405 (909) 381-6921

https://www.lsssc.org/location/san-bernardino-county/

First Lutheran Church of Redlands

1207 West Cypress Avenue Redlands, CA 92373 (909) 793-2267

http://www.firstlutheranredlands.org/serve.html

Youth Hope Meals delivered to homeless teens 4th Thu and 5th Wed

ORANGE COUNTY

First Lutheran Church Fullerton- LSSSC LOCATION Caring Hands Ministries 215 N. Lemon Street Fullerton, CA 92832 (714) 871-7820

https://www.flcfullerton.com/

Food Pantry Weds, 9 a.m.-Noon

Hot To-go Meals Every 3rd Tues 4-7:00 p.m.

Hope Lutheran Church

13841 Milton Ave, Westminster, CA 92683 (714) 895-3838

https://www.hopelutheranchurch.us/events/food-pantry/ Every Friday 9 a.m.

experiences when moving between counties that can create some barriers to quick food access.

High costs of fuel and lack of public transportation in some areas of Southern California can also be an issue when accessing free food resources. Families who do have cars can be faced with inequities of filling up their cars with say $20 of gas to pick up $20 worth of free food. And those who use public transportation may only be able to carry home one bag of light groceries that may not meet all the families need for the week.

Faith based organizations like Lutheran Social Services of Southern California are constantly developing unique ways to meet the ever-increasing need. LSSSC is currently working towards raising funds to fund a Farm Truck which will be a refrigerated unit that is just 16 feet long filled with fresh produce. The sides of the vehicle can literally “pop out” to display free fruits and vegetables. “This can be driven to our classic food pantry sites or along with our mobile wellness units that go out into communities offering social services like housing counseling, case management and more,” says grant writer for the project Ruby Ma. “We, of course, welcome a corporation, philanthropist or a church to come along side and fund worthy projects like these that fight food insecurity at the street level”.

Another project that Ma is an advocate for is the Compassion Pantry hosted by The Dwelling Place Church in Anaheim Hills. Stocked with in-kind donations from major markets and food produce that is often “rescued”, this innovative church has set up a model for dignified food pantry shopping. They have used thousands of square feet of their church building to set up their pantry to look like a high-end grocery store. Community members who come to get food receive a dignified “shopping” experience complete with the creation of a shopping list and use of a shopping cart. The “customers” work with volunteers to make a plan so they receive just what their family needs. The food is healthy and nutritious and has butcher area, frozen foods section, bakery and produce isles.

While you and church may not have a place to take on a large-scale project, you can be creative in how you fight hunger. “Sometimes as Christians we are more than happy to give a package of Top Ramen or an old can of this or that to a food pantry. I believe that each of us is called to do better. We should be giving our neighbors in need the best and most nutritious items in our cupboards. Things that we like, eat, and feed our own families,” said a recent volunteer at an LSSSC food pantry who wished to remain anonymous”.

“In one of Jesus’s many parables from the Bible, He shared with others that I was hungry, and you did not feed me…. when you do this unto the least of these you do it unto me. I think if we literally can picture ourselves donating food and resources straight to Jesus, the quality and frequency of what we share will go up tenfold and the looming sense of food insecurity will go down for many people. I want them to know there are real people behind what they receive that they can count on for the long haul” the volunteer concluded.

This September is Hunger Action Month. Here’s just six things you can do to fight hunger.

1. Host a Food Drive or Volunteer

Host a food drive at your work or office and donate the food to one of LSSSC’s food pantry programs like Project Hand in Chula Vista. We have onsite food pantries in Riverside, Long Beach and our Central City Lutheran Mission in San Bernardino. Ask about volunteering.

2. Wear Orange Orange is the color of hunger awareness. Don’t have any orange clothing? Make a donation to or write to LSSSC’s development donation to receive a free orange lapel ribbon.

3. Support A Food Bank At Your Local Church

80% of churches offer some type of hunger support in their communities. Why not support them in their efforts? Don’t have a church? We have listed a few in each county in this magazine.

4. Become an Advocate

Speaking your mind about policies related to food is a great way to get involved to create change.

5. Talk With Your Family and Friends About Hunger

Did you know 43% of food waste occurs at home? What are ways you can reduce our food waste? Did you know that if we recovered half of the food wasted in the US, we could feed everyone three meals per day, every day?

6. Share Social Media During Hunger Action Month

Tell others about the fight to end hunger using the hashtags #HungerActionMonth and #EndHungerNow. Check out LSSSC’s suggested LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram posts on our pages during September.

INVOLVE YOUR KIDS IN PHILANTHROPY

This book belongs to:

COLORING & ACTIVITY BOOK

As a financial professional and the father of a four-year-old myself, I have been thinking it is never too early to start children learning about contributions they can make to charity. In fact, recent studies show that children who learned about giving from their parents are 65 percent more likely to teach their own children to give. Here are some tips I discovered on the best ways to engage your kids in giving, whether they are five or 25.

ELEMENTARY-AGE CHILDREN

1. Talk. Tell your children stories about ways that you give back and some of the organizations you support. Show them what this looks like, for example, take them to the Sunday School class you are teaching and let them help pass things out to the younger kids.

2. Participate in monthly family volunteer days. Even relatively young children can help with activities such as park cleanups or sorting food for a can drive. Get them involved so they feel empowered and proud of their contribution.

3. Provide a three-part “giving allowance” to encourage both saving and giving.

An allowance with equal parts set aside for saving, spending, and giving to charity helps reinforce good saving habits and the value of generosity. Later, sit down and choose together where the donation goes. Take their input seriously and ask them about organizations they enjoy or benefit from to help get them excited about what they can do to help.

For example, we worked with a grandfather who took his grandkids to their church preschool to talk to the director. She shared that they needed some new toys and tricycles. So, the grandpa and his grandkids went to the toy store, picked out the toys and trikes and brought them back to the preschool directly. The kids felt so good about what they could do!

ADOLESCENTS

4. Teach financial literacy & financial values. Sound money management skills set kids up for future success. Giving certainly has a place in discussions about spending and saving decisions. Talk about the 10-10-100 rule. Give 10%, save 10% and live on 100% of what is left. You’ll be amazed at how you don’t miss the money you save and give away!

Introduce “discretionary giving” by allowing your teen to distribute some of the funds you’ve set aside for family giving. Give your teens a budget for giving and let them choose where to direct the funds. They may want to choose one organization to support and have a greater impact or choose several. Again, take them on a field trip to see how the organization works so they can get an up close and personal view. Let them ask questions of the director so they feel connected.

5. Encourage teens to volunteer on their own. Volunteering helps teens learn valuable lessons about responsibility and teamwork while meeting new people. There are many volunteer organizations who are always looking for able workers!

COLLEGE-AGE AND YOUNG ADULTS

6. Expand discretionary giving authority. Once your children have proven that they can be responsible and thoughtful about how they distribute funds you can have deeper conversations with them. Discuss any philanthropic goals in your own will and estate with them.

7. Encourage membership at their favorite charities. Committee membership is a great way to contribute and learn more about an organization and many do have junior boards. Many nonprofits are also looking to refresh their boards by recruiting and cultivating next-gen board members.

8. Continue to engage in conversations about giving. Make sure you continue to talk about giving and volunteer activities with your young adult children. You may even find a common cause or passion for certain types of charities or ministries.

My pre-k son and I may not be having a discussion about our family’s charitable remainder trust anytime soon, but when the time comes, he will be better prepared for a lifetime of continuing on our family's values through a spirit of generational giving.

For those of us with young kids, there’s a few free things we can do now. Email info@ lsssc.org to get a copy of their free activity and coloring book for children. This can help them learn about how Lutherans and others of faith help people. You can also always call your financial advisor for help and advice on how to start your child participating in your family’s plan at any of the above stages.

RYAN DISSELHORST INVESTMENT ADVISOR REPRESENTATIVETHRIVENT FINANCIAL COASTAL WEALTH ADVISORS

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

When the snowstorms hit this winter/spring in the hills of San Bernardino County they were labeled by locals and the media alike as “Snowmageddon” in a twist on a biblical reference to the end times and Armageddon. Perhaps, more fitting than most realized, churches were uniquely positioned to mobilize to help. The group started primarily by churches called themselves Mountain Strong.

Sandals Church of Riverside, which has a satellite congregation in Lake Arrowhead, became a focal point for food/supply distribution and collection. They joined those from other churches like the independent Church of The Woods, who personally banded together their small group bible studies to dig people out of their homes. The Presbyterian Church in Lake Arrowhead became a center for collecting shovels, blankets, coats and more as a makeshift command post. Mt. Calvary Lutheran in Lake Arrowhead, which already runs a year-round food pantry, did their best to distribute supplies and check on the families of those who attend their pre-school. And the local Mormon Bishop filled a helicopter with supplies that landed in the parking lot of their local church in Crestline, CA.

In fact, during a major emergency such as the U.S. saw with Hurricane Katrina, 70% of those stepping up to help were faith-based organizations and churches. It’s a role that’s been important since the beginnings of Christianity. One of the earliest historical records from the fourth century records that St. Basil the Great, a bishop from modern day Turkey established a network soup kitchen throughout a large portion of Europe.

During WWII, churches across Europe stepped up to provide food aid and assistance to those affected. And, back here in the states, Lutheran Social Services of Southern California (then the Lutheran Welfare League) was founded by caring Lutheran Congregations in Los Angeles and San Diego Counties to feed and minister to the people of Southern California.

Today LSSSC serves as a partner to emergency response efforts called the Inter-Lutheran Emergency Response Team (I-LERT) . This network based within the Lutheran community of Southern California as a collaborative effort of the Pacifica and Southwest California Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Pacific and Southwest Districts of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod(LCMS). I-LERT serves as a central hub from which information and training on disaster preparedness is circulated, and through which resources can be directed to individuals, families, and churches in an emergency.

The program coordinator for I-Lert is Pastor Ray Stark of Trinity Lutheran Church in San Diego who is certainly no stranger to emergency response. Until joining ministry full time in 2016, he had a more than 30-year career in law

enforcement, often serving as a first responder. His past roles include serving as a detective for the National City Police, an Investigator for the San Diego District Attorney and Task Force Investigator For The San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.

To prepare your church, learn how to mobilize your church as volunteers or to receive other training and resources anywhere in Southern California see: https://www.i-lert.org/.

Why are Faith Based Community Organizations so effective in a natural disaster, worldwide emergency like COVID 19, fires and floods and more? Let’s examine why:

Congregations more than any other type of group have the facilities to provide “popup” shelters, spiritual relief and counseling, education programs and food assistance and distribution. 1

They are embedded in the local community and have local knowledge, geographic proximity, and geographic proximity in communities. 2

FBCO’s can draw on their extensive network of members and volunteers to deliver services and even conduct emergency fundraising campaigns. 3

Churches are highly motivated to serve others as part of their collective and personal values and beliefs. 4

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September is Emergency Preparedness Month

CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Every year Americans come together to observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15. The month is dedicated to celebrating Latin American culture and American Citizens whose roots come from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. As defined by the United States Census Bureau, the term Hispanic refers to Spanish-speaking people in the United States of any race.

The legislative history of Hispanic Heritage Month goes as far back as 1968. This was when Congress approved the celebration of a just a week from September 5 to 16 as Public Law 90-490 on September 17, 1968. Later, Proclamation 4310 of September 4, 1974, the National Hispanic Heritage Week was approved for September 10-16.

It wasn’t until August 17, 1988, that Public Law 100-402 approved by Congress 100 and the ultimate change was made from one week to a month Today the celebration begins starting September 15 through October 15.

In all of these various proclamations and public laws, it was asked that people of the United States — especially the education community and organizations concerned with the protection of human rights — observe this month with appropriate activities and ceremonies. What better time to exam how Celebrations occur throughout Southern California and plan some celebrations of your own?

According to the last US Census in 2020, Hispanics make up the largest ethnic group in Southern California totaling 39% of the population. We know that across Southern California many festivals, parade and parties, programs, webcasts, and other local celebrations are held throughout the United States during this special month. You’ll even be able to hear Lutheran Social Services inform and celebrate this special month on our podcast Get Engaged that will air on September 15. Churches and places of faith certainly don’t fall behind in these celebrations.

Here are some ways you can engage your community group or church or place of faith in celebrating:

• Host a dinner or community event with typical dishes and music from the HispanicLatino countries represented that make up the culture of your community. For example, each home study group could pick a country to make a specialty food from a different county and share it. Maybe even choose to collect donations to go to projects or missions that help that particular country of origin or groups of immigrants here in the US from that country.

• Plan and hold special worship services, where elements of the Hispanic-Latino culture are included. Check your denomination for the ability to get free or reduced cost hymnals in Spanish. Or better yet, sing modern worship songs in Spanish and in English

.

• Host a guest speaker that can lecture about matters and situations that Hispanics/Latinos are facing.

• Watch a Latinx Film or Documentary featuring Hispanic culture together.

• Learn Spanish together. Whether a formal class or just a few words or scripture verses, this is a meaningful activity.

• Hold joint worship service with another church that speaks in Spanish (or English if Spanish is your primary language). Finding someone to volunteer to translate back and forth is fairly easy if you just ask around.

• Host a virtual lunch and learn featuring members from your group who can share about their culture.

• Learn a Latin dance or two together. Whether your group chooses Samba with The Savior or Mombo with The Master, this could be a team building exercise for any group wanting to have fun and celebrate this special month.

• Give to a group or non-profit that celebrates diversity as they serve. Organizations like Lutheran Social Services of Southern California, for example, provide services, workshops and information in both Spanish & English.

Finally, take photos of how ever your family, you as an individual or your church or other community group chooses to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. We would love to share them in our next issue of ENGAGE. Send your photos directly to our editor at: Lori.butler@lsssc.org.

FROM CHEMIST TO THE COLLAR

(Continued from Page 8)

Vu proudly shares that he considers himself entirely American as he has been here almost his entire life. Perhaps it’s very fitting then for this bi-vocational Pastor and chemist to patriotically dedicate weeks of his time around each 4th of July to raising funds at a fireworks booth for a medical ministry to Vietnam. “I try not to be too political, but there is a misconception about most immigrants. I am certainly not the type of immigrant portrayed in the media,” he remarks.

“I have lived in the Los Angeles and Orange County area for nearly 30 years. It certainly has changed so much that I often worry for my children. The California I came to in 1975 had a strong economy and so much hope and promise. America was a beacon of light for the rest of the world back then and for me personally as a 15-year-old boy especially to be able to freely live out my Christian values.”

“Today the Gospel and focusing on the fact that Jesus will always be our true beacon of light no matter how things change in our country and in the world is what matters most,” he concludes.

It’s clear to see that this experienced working chemist is most truly in his element on Sunday mornings. The 9:30 a.m. service is in English and the 11 a.m. in Vietnamese. You may just want to visit St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Garden Grove some Sunday. You may just discover the perfect formula for launching your own ministry while working in your profession.

WORD FROM DR. LASHARNDA BECKWITH, CEO

(Continued from Page 30)

Just as Ms. Fannie Mae, at the age of 94, prepares to embrace her eternal reward, we are encouraged to live our lives in a manner that reflects our trust in Christ's promises. I had some amazing role models as a young woman. Ms. Fannie Mae is near the top of that list. Her faith in the transformative power of Christ was unwavering. I am truly grateful to have had her influence on my life. May we all find comfort in the truth that closing our eyes to this world can lead to the everlasting joy of life in Christ. May the Peace of Christ live in your soul today and always.

WORD FROM DR. TERRY PAULSON, CHAIR OF THE BOARD

(Continued from Page 30)

SECRET #6 – Be nice to your parents along the way. Before you were born, your parents weren’t as boring as they are now. They got that way from cleaning up after you and listening to your frequent complaints! Your parents are doing the best they can. So, the next time you feel like being upset with them, remember that they love you and you love them!

SECRET #7 – Don’t believe everything they tell you in college. Some of your professors may have done away with winning and losing, but life has not. They may try to tell you that all moral choices are relative, and there is no standard of right and wrong. These opinions don’t bear the slightest resemblance to anything in real life.

SECRET #8 – Be nice to all people you meet along the way. It isn’t just what you know in life that will get you ahead; it is how you treat others you live and work with. Nice people do get ahead.

SECRET #9 – Cultivate your faith. People may try to convince you that God does not exist. Many intellectuals think that their minds are vastly superior to centuries of faith experience. God will be near you all the way through your coming years whether you acknowledge Him or not.

SECRET #10 – Laugh a lot. Take your school, your homework, and your career choices seriously, but always take yourself lightly! People like being with people who smile and make them laugh.

None of us live all these secrets, but it’s worth trying. Make memories, make a difference, and enjoy the journey.

A

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ADVENTURES WITH LUTHERANS

10 HOT THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER THAT ARE COOL

For some of us a visit to someplace new or attending a new event can be refreshing. And, when those activities blend with our faith, they can give us not only a physical and mental uplift but a spiritual one as well. Many such places can be found all over Southern California with a drive of less than three hours from just about anywhere.

Here’s a list of our top 10 things you’ll want to check out this summer:

1. The Barbara Collins Arboretum, at California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Rd., Thousand Oaks.

Cal Lutheran is graced with breathtaking grounds bordered by rolling hillsides. The campus has a variety of trees and plants including those native to So. Cal.

This project is the effort of Dr. Collins, who selected and classified flora. Visitors can learn about botany and enjoy the meditative beauty of the campus gardens which include unique flowers and plants from other countries.

To tour the arboretum, download maps that serve as your tour guide: https://www.callutheran.edu/about/ arboretum/

2. Messiah Fine Arts, Performance of the musical Seussical July 28, 29 & 30 & August 4, 5 & 6.

How Lucky You Are can be more than just a song in this play if you plan now to attend this summer production. Located in Yorba Linda, the Joy Center Auditorium is just a short walking distance from the Richard Nixon Library & Presidential Museum. Also nearby is the Danish Lutheran Church Cultural Arts Centerhttps://www.danishchurchsocal.com

You will find the Joy Center on the grounds of Messiah Lutheran Church in Yorba Linda, 4861 Liverpool Street. For tickets or information: https://www.messiahyl.com/

3. Interfaith Jazz Concert Series, Free performances on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 5 p.m. in beautiful Santa Monica at Mt. Olives Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd. Jazz singer Janice Anderson is the curator for the Interfaith Jazz concert series. Janice has been producing this well-loved jazz series for nearly 20 years. You can also see her performing jazz standards with her quintet all around Los Angeles . Why not take the family to beach first and stay for the music later? For information: (310) 452-1116.

4. Grounds & Vineyard Grace Lutheran Church, 2108 N Euclid Ave, Upland. Worship Sunday mornings 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. in the sanctuary.

What could be more of a blessing then visiting a small, Lutheran congregation in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains with some of the most beautiful grounds we’ve seen?

(Continued from Page 21)

In fact, just behind the church is a small vineyard where they actively grow grapes and produce wine. An insider tip for those of you considering attending LSSSC’s October 7 Gala – a bottle of this delicious and rare wine will be up for bid (Yes, we’ve tasted it and it’s amazing).

Why not plan to stop by and attend worship and take a peek at this vineyard with a quick tour by their Pastor Wesley Menke? Contact: wesley@graceupland.org to let him know you’ll be visiting.

5. The Center for Worship & Performing Arts at Concordia University, 1530 Concordia Ave., Irvine. Professional and Student Performances and Exhibits are offered year-round. For summer, we recommend attending the Zenith Handbell FREE Concert on Saturday, August 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Hear expert ringers from around the country at this inaugural performance. Featuring a wide, virtuosic repertoire, it’s guaranteed to leave you amazed. Directed by Matthew Compton & Alex Guebert, this 30-member ensemble excites with music recently written with composers and arrangers in the ensemble! https://www. simpletix.com/e/zenith-in-concert-tickets-133401

Once there, plan to also visit the campus’s John and Linda Friend Art Gallery in Grimm Hall that will be featuring the amazing works of senior students on display thru August 14.

6. Crafty Connections Retreat, Retreat, Create and Connect at Luther Glen Farm the weekend of August 18 -21. Sitting nearly a mile high on 40 sunny acres, in the heart of apple country in beautiful Oak Glen, California.

Join other crafters for a weekend of crafts and

connections. Bring your current project and get a weekend away to work on whatever you're passionate about.

You can also enjoy being around sustainable agriculture, sheep, goats, chickens, horses, pigs, cows and alpacas!

Contact: lauri@lrcchome.com - Cost is $220 per person.

7. Take A Spirit Hike, Thursday mornings with River of Hope Lutheran Church that meets in The Jewish Community Center of Palm Desert.

Join your hike host Don, a volunteer on the Pacific Coast Trail, as he leads hikes throughout the area. It's a wonderful and casual way to get to know others from the faith community and to experience postcard-perfect views. (714) 598-8623.

8. Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival, June 30 – August 6, 2023, with performances at 5:30 p.m. Kingsman Park at Cal Lutheran, 300 Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. This year’s festival features the plays Two Gentlemen of Verona & King Lear

In 1997 a collaboration between Santa Susana Repertory Theatre Co. and the Drama Dept. produced the first festival featuring a three-weekend run of A Midsummer Night's Dream and was "free" to the public. Due to the success of that first Festival, the Kingsmen Shakespeare Co. formed as a not-for-profit professional theatre org. KSC holds special contracts with Actors Equity Assoc. (AEA) and is a member of the Shakespeare Theatre Assoc. of America (STAA).

Purchase tickets ($15-$120): https://www. kingsmenshakespeare.org/

9. The Totally RAD Foundation’s Touch a Truck Event, Saturday, September 16th, 2023, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 196 N Ashwood Ave, Ventura. A fun family event offering hands-on opportunities for children (and children-at-heart) to explore, climb and touch trucks, emergency response vehicles, heavy

machinery, and other equipment. Kids can get behind the wheels and visit with hometown heroes, while exploring big rigs, fire engines, police cars, construction trucks, tractors and more.

They’ll even be opportunity for those with sensitive hearing to enjoy this event. “No horn” hour (no sirens used) is from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. No pets allowed. Tag your photos using #TouchATruckVentura and #RADFoundation. Tickets: $7 per person or $25 for (4) or more . https:// totallyradfoundation.org/calendar/2023-touch-a-truck

10. Concert for a Cause, The Matthew Shepard Benefit & Big Band Concert August 12 at 6 p.m.– Gloria Dei Lutheran, 33501 Stonehill Drive, Dana Point.

Join a special fundraising event and enjoy the magic and passion of Big Band Music! Several professional jazz artists including our editor’s favorite OC pianist Ron Kobayashi will perform.

Proceeds go to The Matthew Shepard Foundation  whose mission is to "erase the hate and replace it with understanding, compassion, and acceptance".

For info./tickets ($25 gen./$50 VIP): https:// www.eventcreate.com/e/BenefitConcert4Matt

#BETHEONE TO HELP PREVENT SUICIDE

National Suicide Month in September can be a time to remember those who’ve died by suicide. It can be, and should be, a time where talk about prevention and how we can help. Surprisingly the actions of one caring individual most often do save a life.

If you’ve ever wondered what to say or what do or if you have said “the right thing”, this year SAMSHA and the 988 Helpline suggest the following simple tips.

1) CONTACT A LIFELINE CENTER

Never keep it a secret if a friend tells you about a plan to hurt themselves. Call 988 so you can find out resources available in your area or encourage your loved one to call. Calls are routed to the center closest to you that can provide local resources.

2) USE THE DO’S & DON’TS

Talking with and finding help for someone that may

be suicidal can be difficult:

• Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide.

• Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.

• Be non-judgmental. Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or whether feelings are good or bad. Don’t lecture on the value of life.

• Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.

• Don’t dare him or her to do it.

• Don’t act shocked. This will put distance between you.

• Don’t be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.

• Offer hope that alternatives are available but do not offer glib reassurance.

• Take action. Remove means, like weapons or pills.

USE THE 5 STEPS

3) BE AWARE OF SUICIDAL FEELINGS

People having a crisis sometimes perceive their dilemma as inescapable and feel an utter loss of control. These are some of the feelings and thoughts people experience in crisis:

• Can’t stop the pain.

• Can’t think clearly.

• Can’t make decisions.

• Can’t see any way out.

• Can’t sleep, eat or work.

• Can’t get out of depression.

• Can’t make the sadness go away.

• Can’t see a future without pain.

• Can’t see themselves as worthwhile.

• Can’t get someone’s attention.

• Can’t seem to get control.

4) PRACTICE ACTIVE LISTENING

Hearing someone talk is different from actively listening to what a person is saying. Active listening requires concentration and understanding. Practices these skills:

Acknowledge the Speaker - This is as simple as a head nod or “Uh huh.” You’re letting them know you are listening to what they have to say and reminding yourself to pay attention.

You might be the one to help someone by following five Simple Steps:

1. ASK. “Are you thinking about suicide?” , “How can I help?”, and “How Do You Hurt?” communicate you’re open to speaking about suicide in a nonjudgmental and supportive way.

2. BE THERE. This could mean being physically present for someone, speaking with them on the phone when you can, or any other way that shows support for the person at risk.

3. HELP KEEP THEM SAFE. Put time and distance between the person and their chosen method, especially methods that have shown higher lethality (like firearms and medications).

Respond Verbally - Asking questions or making statements helps clarify what the speaker is saying.

Summarize What You Hear - Reflecting on what the listener is saying is also a positive technique. Use phrases like; “what I’m hearing is…”or, “sounds like you’re saying…”

Look the Part - Keep eye contact, maintaining good posture, and stay focused. When you actively listen to someone, you’re letting them know you care about what they are saying and can indicate you’re concerned for their health and safety.

5) GET RESOURCES

https://988lifeline.org/, nami.org and https://afsp.org/suicide-preventionresources can all help. And, if you’ve lost a loved one to suicide a great resource is the book, I Will Grieve For The Suicide by Pastor Peter Preus. He understands both the gravity of grief and the deep feelings of disgrace attached to the death of his first wife Jean. For a free copy reach out to LCMS Life Ministry at: lifeministry@ lcms.org.

4. HELP THEM CONNECT. Develop a safety plan. This can include ways for them identify if they start to experience significant, severe thoughts of suicide along with what to do in those crisis moments. This includes a list of individuals to contact when a crisis occurs.

5. FOLLOW UP. After your initial contact, make sure to follow-up with them to see how they’re doing. Leave a message, send a text, or give them a call.

For more information go to: https://www. bethe1to.com/. Once there you will find not only resources but free advocacy materials like social media posts you can share to help spread the word about Suicide Prevention Month.

"WHEN YOU ACTIVELY LISTEN TO SOMEONE, YOU’RE LETTING THEM KNOW YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE SAYING."

GRANTS: MORE THAN MONEY

As one of the most charitable states in the nation, California has more than 13,694 foundations with $358.5 Billion in assets, of which $21.2 Billion was distributed for charitable giving in 2018. These organizations that have the capacity to make grants are invaluable to nonprofit organizations that work directly with underserved communities. Often, each foundation has its own geographic focus and social issues that take precedence. This can be deeply personal, especially among family foundations that work on a more local level.

MORE THAN JUST ABOUT THE MONEY:

Grants are more than just money used for the operation of nonprofits. This belief runs deep with both the philanthropic community as well as nonprofit organizations. Where foundations’ abilities are able to

view community impact on a more macro level, this advantage allows them to consolidate data and share findings with local community organizations. Their work in fostering connections between organizations and facilitating potential partnerships results in sharing of resources that ultimately generate a more significant community impact. Similarly, nonprofit organizations that have daily interactions with community members facing systemic barriers have a much deeper understanding and insight into community needs and the nuances of navigating systemic challenges.

The grant process, which includes grant applications, meetings with foundations, and reporting, is a great place where these conversations take place to learn and be inspired. Often, it is during these conversations that some of the most innovative programs and partnerships form.

BECOMING A PART OF THE GRANTMAKING COMMUNITY:

One of the most accessible means to be involved in philanthropy in your local community is conversations with wealth management services, like Thrivent Choice, which can provide a pathway for families to create a more targeted and impactful giving structure. With the help of other professionals, families can establish a foundation with a mission statement of their choice and allocate dedicated assets to support causes that improve community development, education systems, health care, homelessness, and more.

Other organizations like community foundations, Orange County Grantmakers, and SoCal Grantmakers provide these functions to family and private foundations; however, their scope of services is broader, reaching the public, independent, community, and corporate foundations and giving programs. Their work provides training on newly identified community needs, board training, leadership development, strategic alignment, grant-making, and impact measures. In addition to formal support, organizations like OC Grantmakers have proactively facilitated regular volunteer opportunities for foundations and network events to engage the foundations in new nonprofits and grant strategies – all of which are invaluable to the larger community.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS NEW IN THE PHILANTHROPY COMMUNITY:

In recent years, one of the most frequently conversed topics in the philanthropy community is how to use grants to grow communities that have been historically underserved and utilize grants to create more equitable grantmaking processes and equitable community outcomes.

One of which is establishing a trust-based philanthropy model in grantmaking. By establishing mutual trust with organizations, nonprofit partners are able to allocate funding to where they need most to grow the organization and better serve the community rather than be restricted to program services.

In the last few years, foundations have leveraged their grantmaking priorities by shifting grant allocations to focus on more grassroots organizations or organizations with an element of advocacy work. Changing systems and policymaking is often a long journey; however, foundations like Weingard Foundation and the California Wellness Foundation are two of the California foundations that are at the forefront of this mission. Their commitment to combat systemic challenges among historically underserved communities is crucial for the mission of overall community health improvement and for the nonprofit communities at large.

FACTS IN PHILANTHROPY IN ORANGE COUNTY:

In Orange County, there are 1,194 foundations with assets of $16.8 Billion assets. In 2018, Orange County-based foundations gave $825.1M to charitable organizations throughout the U.S. One of the largest giving priorities of Orange County-based foundations is education, which incorporates 1,993 grants and $1,185,327,908 in grant dollars.

1

FAMILY FOUNDATION HIGHLIGHTS

Hervey Family Fund

The foundation supports the founding program at Lutheran Social Services of Southern California – Project Hand. Since 1944, Project Hand has provided community-based food pantry assistance in the Chula Vista community, serving an annual average of 4,300 of some of the most food-insecure individuals in the community. grants@sdfoundation.org

2

George Hoag Family Foundation

The foundation is committed to making a positive difference in the communities it serves by improving social conditions, promoting human welfare, and alleviating pain and suffering. https:// georgehoagfamilyfoundation.org/

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

3

The foundation was established in 1944 and supports nonprofit organizations working to improve the lives of individuals living in poverty and experiencing disadvantages throughout the world. https://www.hiltonfoundation. org/

"GRANTS ARE MORE THAN JUST MONEY USED FOR THE OPERATION OF NONPROFITS."

- Ruby Ma

HOUSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS

When Dominque wrote these words to one of our Lutheran Social Service of Southern California offices in Los Angeles, she was not only sharing her story but also the story of so many of the participants in our CalAIM program have experienced.

“I’ve searched high and low on affordable housing sites which are usually scams or property who do accept section 8 have a 3-year waitlist and no availability. The larger property management firms made me pay an application fees of around $50 plus. They say they take section 8, yet, honestly they set their standards so high they tend to deny me because I have low income and low credit score. So, I’m really running around in circles and not getting anywhere. If someone can please assist me in the right direction I’d greatly appreciate it. Please feel free to respond via email or call me.”

She did receive a call back from one of our experienced case managers. It was late Fall and Dominique was able to share her heartfelt wish to be able spend Christmas with her children in their very own new place. The entire team at LSSSC, lead by Manager Imelda Bealer, advocated on her behalf with property management and LACDA (Los Angeles County Development Authority). With a committed collaborative effort from both teams, this grateful single Mom and her family found housing just in time for Christmas 2022. Dominique and her family were very appreciative of LSSSC support which continues to this day.

So impressed by this program participant and several other’s success stories, LSSSC’s CalAIM partner Healthnet has filmed several of their inspirational stories. You can view their stories at https://www.lsssc.org/videos/.

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2023 ENGAGE Quarterly Magazine

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• Advertisers are solely responsible for the rights to the third party images submitted with their ad copy.

• Above pricing is charged per ad.

• All images must be 300 dpi. (images from the web are not print quality.)

• All images must be 300 dpi.(Images from the web are not print quality.)

• Fonts e mbedded.

• Fonts embedded

• Name files clearly, indicating your company name and publication.

• Name files clearly, indicating your company name a nd publication.

• For ads with bleed, export pdfs with 1/8" (.125") bleed settings. No crop marks.

• For ads with bleed, export pdfs with 1/8” (.125”) bleed settings. No crop marks.

• Color requirements—All full color ad artwork must be process color (CMYK). No spot c olors.

• Color requirements – All full color ad artwork must be process color (CMYK). No spot colors.

For advertising inquiries, please call or email: LSSSC Marketing

For advertising inquiries, please call or email: Mark Wimberley 714-685-1800

714-685-1800

marketing@lsssc.org

Ad Material

Ad Material

Upload files at www lsssc org/video-photo-upload/ or email pdf to mark wimberley@lsssc org

Upload files at www.lsssc.org/video-photo-upload/ or email PDF to marketing@lsssc.org

• Name files clearly, indicating your company name and publication.

• Please allow up to 2 business days for confirmation of receipt and the status of your ad.

• Name files clearly, indicating your company name and publication.

• Please allow up to 2 business days for confirmation of receipt and the status of your ad.

• Email marketing@lsssc.org for more detail specifications

• Email mark.wimberley@lsssc org for more detailed specifications. Need help creating an ad? Free ad design (with revisions up to 3 proofs)

Need help creating an ad? Free ad design (with revisions up to 3 proofs).

• Please allow up to 5 business days for first proof. Contact your sales representative for more information.

• Please allow up to 5 business days for the first proof. Contact your sales representative for more information.

A WORD FROM DR. LASHARNDA BECKWITH, CEO

In the realm of Christian faith, the concept of death is often viewed as a transition rather than an end. It is a departure from the physical world and an entry into eternal life promised by Christ. Closing one's eyes in earthly death signifies the readiness to embrace the boundless joys of eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I recently traveled to the East coast and during that brief journey, The Lord spoke into my heart and told me to take the time to go and visit with a dear woman who made a significant impact on my life. Ms. Fannie Mae, a devoted follower of Christ, has lived a long and meaningful life. At age 94, she has witnessed the blessings and challenges of this world. Throughout her journey, she has faithfully anchored her life on the promises of Christ, finding solace and strength in His unwavering love. Nearing her final days, Ms. Fanny Mae reflects on the joys and sorrows she experienced during her earthly sojourn. With a heart filled with gratitude, she is ready to close her eyes to the temporal and open them to the eternal. Her trust in the redemptive power of Christ's sacrifice gives her the assurance that she will be united with her Lord and Savior, free from the limitations of mortality.

For believers, death is not a cause for despair but rather a moment of hope and anticipation. The Scriptures reassure us that through faith in Jesus Christ, we can inherit eternal life in the kingdom of God. I am reminded of Abraham. I am reminded that in times when doubt creeps into our minds, we must remind ourselves of Romans 4:18, “Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping...”

Closing one's eyes in earthly death carries deep symbolism. It represents the act of surrendering one's earthly existence, entrusting oneself into the loving arms of God. It signifies the completion of a life well-lived, the end of earthly trials, and the beginning of everlasting joy. It is a profound moment of transition marked by perfect and eternal communion with God.

(Continued on Page 19)

A WORD FROM DR. TERRY PAULSON, CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Like me, you may have attended a graduation recently and it reminded me I once wrote an article call an Open Letter to Students, it went something like this abbreviated version:

As one of America’s young adults, you hold our country’s future in your hands. As you look at graduating here are some SECRETS OF LIFE for your journey. Sometimes a little truth-telling can be the best kind of graduation gift you can receive.

SECRET #1 – Don’t be your own worst enemy. Henry Ford said, “Most of the bars we beat against are our own. We put them there, and we take them down.” Instead of whipping yourself over mistakes, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?”

SECRET #2 – Life is difficult and unfair; get used to it. College is more difficult than high school; life is more difficult than college. Every increase in the degree of difficulty lets you experience the satisfaction of mastering that next level.

SECRET #3 – Instead of caring about your selfesteem, most people are worried about themselves. Find your own inner appreciation for what you do well. You won’t be good in all areas, so don’t copy the dreams of others. Turn your God-given gifts into a way to make meaning and enough money.

SECRET #4 – Develop a sense of gratitude. You are not entitled to a great job with a high salary, a perfect partner, or an easy life. Be thankful for what life gives you every day. When you expect less, you are happier when you achieve more.

SECRET #5 – Don’t settle for easy teachers or mentors; be excited by the ones that challenge you. When I went from being a great student in high school to being challenged in college, I realized an important truth – your best and most caring teachers are the ones that care enough to challenge you.

(Continued on Page 19)

Terry Paulson, PhD Chair, Board of Directors

Andrew

H. Mansmann, CPA Vice Chair, Board of Directors

Rick

Davis Treasurer, Board of Directors

Rev. Sharon M. Ruff-Richter Interim

Secretary,

Board of Directors

Dr. Lasharnda Beckwith , PhD

President

& CEO

Bruce Dannemeyer, Esq.

Taiwo Ande, Ph.D

Rex Evans

Kyle Fryling

Alison Herald

Rev. Nader Hanna

Stephen Helper

Athena Jones, Esq.

Susan Kroeger

Rev. Scottie R. Lloyd (Col.-Ret.)

Victoria Villa, MSW

Bishop Brenda Bos, Southwest CA Synod, ELCA

Rev. Dr. Michael Gibson, Pacific Southwest Region, LCMS

Bishop David C. Nagler, Pacifica Synod, ELCA

MISSION

Ignited by faith, we live out God’s love by embracing, equipping and empowering vulnerable individuals, families and communities toward self-sufficiency.

VISION

Sharing the love of Christ, we seek to form a community where…

• the vulnerable are safer and stronger

• the dependent are self-sustaining

• the isolated dwell in community

• the weary are given hope.