Six Lutheran Congregations in Minnesota Receive 2022 Servant of Christ Award
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) has recognized a Lutheran congregations in each of the six Minnesota synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as 2022 Servant of Christ Award recipient.
The Servant of Christ Award honors congregations that are leaders in social service outreach or have come forward with extraordinary service to address special needs in their community. The award is extended to one or more congregations in each of the six Minnesota synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Congratulations to the six 2022 honorees:
Diamond Lake Lutheran Church in Minneapolis helped develop the LSS Welcome Home Program in Minneapolis 13 years ago that offers friendship to families experiencing homelessness and helps them develop housing stability. When a family is referred to LSS, volunteers at Diamond Lake Lutheran collect and set up all needed furniture items, bedding and towels, hygiene items and cleaning supplies. In addition, the congregation generously provides a week’s worth of groceries and plans special gatherings for families.
In 2021, Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer began a “Freezer Meal Ministry” that provides meals while also creating caring community. What began as an idea for families to make meals together while supporting one another, took on new meaning as the program expanded. Together, as volunteers make and freeze meals for their families, care is taken to provide extra portions for others in the community. These extra portions are frozen and stored at the church, and later distributed to seniors at Delft Center in Spicer and delivered by the pastor to those who are grieving, experiencing illness or welcoming a baby.
Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in St. Paul partners with many local community organizations, including Merrick Community Service—providing Meals on Wheels, a food shelf, and employment services—and weekly food bags to students at Farnsworth Elementary School. Through Lutheran Social Service, Gustavus Adolphus supports refugee resettlement and young families experiencing homelessness throughout the year, and also offers general financial support in areas with the greatest needs.
Knife River Lutheran Church in Knife River offers generous financial support to international, regional and local mission partners, including Lutheran Social Service. This year, the church also honored Lake County First Responders with 87 gifts of gratitude to law enforcement officers, conservation officers, and other staff.
For almost 40 years, St. Pauli Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls hosted a fall turkey supper with proceeds given to mission partners to care for their neighbors. When the turkey supper was discontinued, the congregation provided community fall events with a freewill offering. Since the start of the pandemic, members have given generously to support social ministry organizations, including LSS. From quilts and prayers to food support, clothing ministry and warm hospitality, St. Pauli Lutheran Church brings generosity into all aspects of its mission.
Recently, Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna teamed up with Lutheran Social Service as a partner to provide Behavioral Health and Youth Services. An LSS behavioral health professional now has an office inside the congregation to welcome members of the church and the wider community to receive supportive services. With a similar commitment, Trinity Lutheran has also made space in their facility for an LSS youth caseworker who welcomes youth experiencing homelessness in a warm, safe space to receive resources and coaching.
“These amazing congregations have a passion to serve in so many creative ways to meet important needs in our community,” said Pastor Julie Wright, director of Church Partnerships and Volunteerism for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. “We are honored to work as partners with them in our shared ministry of service to our neighbor.”
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota began in 1865 when a Lutheran pastor and his congregation opened an orphanage for children near Red Wing in southeastern Minnesota. Today, with 2,500 employees and nearly 10,000 volunteers, Lutheran Social Service helps one in 65 Minnesotans through services that inspire hope, change lives and build community. Statewide, the organization seeks to foster safe and supportive homes for children, restore health and wellness in families, empower people with identified needs to live the lives they imagine, and promote health, independence and quality of life for older adults. For comprehensive information about the work of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, visit www.lssmn.org.