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Great news! On behalf of LCR’s congregation, LCR’s Council has approved six Hopes and Dreams projects for funding.

What is the Hopes and Dreams Committee?

In 2021, LCR celebrated our 50th Anniversary with a Jubilee Celebration and capital campaign that allowed us successfully pay off our mortgage.

Now, our members have chosen to devote the money that used to be set aside for mortgage payments to fund not only our own ministries, but also other faith-building or life-giving endeavors.  

Our Hopes and Dreams Committee reviews project proposals and allocates funds.

The members of the Hopes and Dreams Committee represent a wide cross-section of the congregation, and they are Carol Barrett, Brian Chesnut, Kris Kant, Curt Martel, Neil Rammel, Paul Sudkamp, and Karen Woodworth.  

Under LCR’s Constitution, the committee’s chair is LCR’s Vice President, Steven Ray, and its secretary is Melissa Sommer, LCR’s Executive Secretary.  

The Hopes and Dreams Committee began the hard task of reviewing and rating proposals in February and in March made its recommendations to Council. On May 18, Council voted to approve six projects.

Approved Projects

  • Crayons to Computers (for a comprehensive campaign) -  $10,000
  • ELCA Disaster Response (for relief for US hurricanes) - $5,000
  • Manna From Heaven (food distribution and chicken program) - $7,000
  • LCR Pop-Up Food Pantry - $2,500
  • ELCA Disaster Response (for California Fires relief) - $1,500
  • Dream Invest Grow (smokeless stoves and classroom construction) - $10,000

        TOTAL GRANT MONEY AWARDED: $36,000

Next Steps 

Grant recipients have already received letters confirming their awards, and LCR’s committee sponsors are following through to deliver the funds to make the projects a reality.  

You’ll see LCR’s hopes and dreams in action when a Pop-Up Food Pantry pops up at the church on Saturday, May 31, during LCR’s Rummage Sale and distributes food to needy households.  

Manna From Heaven will soon receive needed funds that will help pay for food deliveries in southeastern Appalachian Kentucky and replace its chicken program that a recent flood destroyed.  

And in July, LCR will send a record 34 people to DIG in Guatemala to install smokeless stoves and to build three elementary school classrooms for the people in the mountain community of Valencia.

All recipients will give updates on the progress of their projects, and LCR’s Annual Report will provide the details.  

We are blessed to be able to share our resources and to lend our hands to do God’s work.  

Thank you, LCR!

Written by LCR Council Vice-President Steven Ray