Disappointment

I am profoundly disappointed with our North Carolina state government. Our state is figuratively strangling some of the most vulnerable people in NC, specifically indigent nursing home residents! The state has not increased the rate that Medicaid pays for nursing home care in four years, that's 4 years!!! Our great nurses and nursing assistants rightly demand a wage increase every year. If they don't get more money, they can go somewhere else. The people that work at LSC aren't asking for the moon, but just enough to get by. And the price of food and electricity and gas keeps rising for LSC just like it does in our own homes. In the language of the farmers I grew up with, we are eating our seed corn. Lutheran Services Carolinas' seed corn is low turnover, quality care, and quality of life, all the things that make LSC communities a great place to live. How do we sustain what we have built for 50 years when we haven't had an increase in four years? And it gets worse. On January 1, 2014, every indigent nursing home resident in the state will be hit with a 3% Medicaid rate cut! Now, the law says that by January 1, 2015 the state is to decide on a plan to give us some of that money back in some type of "quality" incentive, but no one has decided on what that criteria might look like and if we get all, part, or none of that money back. It appears the cart is way ahead of the horse. It seems like we should have created a plan, then implemented the plan. We have implemented a plan, now we have to decide what the plan is. This rate cut is evidence of a larger problem. Nursing home expenditures are not the state's problem. Nursing home expenditures are stable. But Medicaid is rapidly expanding to cover more and more people. Somebody has to pay for that. Isn't it a shame that the poorest, oldest citizens in our state are bearing that burden? That is the disappointment!

Fab 50!!!!

On Monday, October 21, 2013 I joined about 100 people at the Hilton, Charlotte for a banquet in honor of the ten Fabulous 50 honorees from our District of our state health care association. Fab 50 winners are nominated by their peers and represent the very best direct care workers in North Carolina. Lutheran Services Carolinas had 3 of the ten honorees: Sherron Barnes from Trinity Oaks in Salisbury, Paulette Powell from Trinity Ridge in Hickory, and Noel Hathcock from Trinity Place in Albemarle! They were accompanied by their proud administrators (Bill Johnson, Tonya Hilliard, and Courtney Adams, respectively), their families, and some of their coworkers. COO Kesha Smith and I joined the party. It’s not often we get to visit, eat a great meal, and celebrate such important people. Sherron, Paulette, and Noel were gracious and spoke after receiving their individual awards, as did the other seven winners. One of the things that always impresses me most, and I have been to almost every Fab 50 event since it started, is that the honorees all say almost the same thing, but in their own unique and wonderful words about their vocation. It isn’t a job, it’s a vocation, a calling! Those words are what help keep me going till next year’s event, and are the words I want to share with you. Here’s what I got to hear: the glory belongs to God!, love to care, serve, we are all family, I treat others like I want to be treated, love the hugs and kisses, above and beyond, “my” residents, I do it out of love, without the residents we wouldn’t be here tonight, and on and on! Wow! I’m sorry that my words can’t do justice to the outpouring of love and devotion I see at each annual Fab 50 event. These ten are among the best caregivers in North Carolina. And there are hundreds more back home caring for people while we are at the banquet. So go visit your local health care community this week and thank those direct care workers! Call a CNA you know and thank them for their service; they make the world go round!

Below is the Lutheran Services Carolinas 2012-2013 Annual Community Stewardship Report, which highlights the great work and community benefit that happens through LSC.  Enjoy!

Community Stewardship Report – 2012/2013

In 2011, Lutheran Services for the Aging (LSA), established in 1960, affiliated with Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas (LFS), a social ministry established in 1976 that has provided foster care, adoption, and veteran’s services as well as refugee resettlement, disaster response, residential care for people with disabilities and other services for vulnerable populations in both North and South Carolina. 

In June 2012, the Boards of LSA and LFS approved the name Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC) for this new collective ministry.  The ministries of LSA are, generally speaking, represented by LSC senior services and the ministries of LFS are represented by LSC child and family services.

The new name is a reflection of the affiliation and represents the coming together of two long-established social ministries, who together have provided nearly 90 years of combined service to the people of the Carolinas.

The introduction of that new name also included new names for some LSC senior services programs, including the Lutheran Homes. LSC’s Lutheran Home - Hickory is now Trinity Village; Lutheran Home - Albemarle is now Trinity Place; and Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks is simply Trinity Oaks.

Though the Lutheran Homes have proudly and compassionately served thousands of frail elders and others since 1962, sadly, the word Lutheran can make non-Lutherans feel excluded. The name Trinity was chosen as a strong and more inclusive name for these faith-based LSC ministries.

Also changing to the Trinity name were Abundant Living Adult Day Services, which has become Trinity Living Center; Elms at Tanglewood, which has become Trinity Elms; and Crescent View Retirement Community, which has become Trinity View.

LSC senior services opened its first ministry, a Hickory nursing home, in 1962 and has since expanded its services to include both frail and active seniors.  In 2012, 364,367 days of care and services were delivered to 2,474 older adults.  More than 1,400 employees delivered those services, and 2,363 volunteers supported residents, clients, and staff with 22,375 hours of volunteer work.

Recently, LSC has initiated the expansion of its home and community-based services by assuming the administration of the Rowan County Family Caregiver Support Program.  LSC is also a partner in PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), which opened January 2012 in Catawba County. In addition, LSC is collaborating in the development of PACE initiatives in Forsyth and Gaston Counties and in the development of SearStone, a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community in Cary. 

Today, LSC senior services is ranked as the 51st largest not-for-profit multi-site senior living organization in the United States and ranks 23rd in the provision of not-for-profit nursing home beds with an annual budget of nearly $100 million.  

In June 2010, LSC, then LSA, launched a $5 million capital campaign to add four new nursing homes, improve existing buildings, and expand home and community-based services.  The first of those homes, Trinity Grove, admitted its first resident June 6, 2011; the next nursing home, Trinity Glen, opened in June 2012, and Trinity Ridge will open in July 2013.

LSC seeks to serve and strengthen the communities in which they are located as indicated by the following:

SERVICES

• Nursing homes in Albemarle, Hickory (2), Salisbury, Wilmington, and Winston-Salem (2)
• Assisted living in Salisbury, Hickory, Arden, and Clemmons
• Independent living apartments at Trinity Oaks
• Independent living in a continuing care retirement center in Salisbury
• Independent living in a rental retirement community in Arden
• Specialized care for people with dementia in Hickory, Salisbury, Clemmons, and Wilmington
• Adult day services with specialized care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia in Salisbury
• Partnership in adult day services in Hickory
• Caregiver support in Rowan County
• Co-sponsorship of a HUD low-income elderly housing project in Hickory
• Rehabilitation services for post-acute and post-surgery patients at all nursing homes
• Respite care
• Hospice care
• Information and referral services for Lutheran congregations across the state
• Geriatric care management on a contract basis throughout the state
• Emergency shelter assistance for disaster relief or elders at risk

RESIDENT/CLIENT ACTIVITIES

• Project Linus – creating blankets and dolls for newborns of area hospitals
• Cultural diversity events
• Support of civic groups through memberships and fundraisers

• Habitat for Humanity volunteers
• Victory Junction toys and blankets for children with disabilities
• Salisbury Symphony volunteers
• Literacy Council volunteers
• North Carolina Transportation Museum volunteers
• Public library volunteers
• Provided stuffed animals to children in crisis
• Provided health and hygiene supplies for disaster relief
• Hospice volunteers
• United Way volunteers
• Humane Society volunteers
• Trinity View Singers perform at area health care facilities
• Trinity Oaks Ringers and Singers perform at area health care facilities
• Lap robes and crafts for nursing home and assisted living residents within and outside of LSA homes
• Tray favors for Meals-on-Wheels recipients
• Rowan Helping Ministries, Rowan Regional Medical Center, Meals on Wheels, and American Red Cross volunteers
• In-house volunteers
• Various programs for soldiers overseas
• Donations to food pantries, homeless shelters, libraries
• Samaritan’s Purse shoeboxes
• Gifts for Christmas to various organizations
• Safe Halloween trick-or-treat nights
• Community Easter egg hunts
• Ministerial appreciation events

EDUCATION

• Student internships for healthcare management or administration, business, recreation, psychology, sociology, and religion
• Intergenerational computer training and activities
• Provide service opportunities for student volunteers
• Preceptors for healthcare administrator AITs (administrators-in-training)
• Community college sites for classroom and clinical training for certified nursing assistant and CNA II programs
• Provide school supplies
• Mentors for college students
• Mentors for children at risk
• RN and LPN clinical training site for colleges and community colleges
• Clinical site for high school occupational training programs
• Vocational training site for exceptional children’s program
• Variety of school projects

HEALTH EDUCATION AND SCREENING

• Health educational programs open to the public on issues relating to personal health, Alzheimer’s, etc.
• Alzheimer’s support groups
• Grief support groups
• Participation in local health fairs
• Information and referral program
• Speaker’s Bureau
• Blood pressure checks

ADVOCACY

• Share information with all constituents on important issues such as adequate Medicaid funding, senior services, long term care
• Member Rowan L.I.F.E (Life Improvement For Everyone)
• Participation in civic organizations such as Civitans, Rotary, Kiwanis, Altrusa
• Diversity training/awareness for residents, staff, and communities
• African Descent Strategy Team of the NC Lutheran Synod
• Member of Board of Directors N.C. Health Care Facilities Association
• Member Board of Directors Wellspring Institute
• Member of LeadingAge
• N.C. Journal of Medicine Editorial Board
• Member American Health Care Association
• Board of Directors of Lutheran Services in America
• Member chambers of commerce across all service areas
• Member of other local and state committees and task forces

ENVIRONMENT

• Recycling programs
• Waste reduction programs
• Ecologically-sensitive decisions in construction and development projects
• Recycle computer/technology items
• Recycle medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.)

SUPPORT SERVICES

• Food drives
• Clothing drives
• Host Senior Games
• Host community disaster preparedness events
• Provide volunteer opportunities for the community
• Provide concert site for school performers, bands, and choirs
• Provide concert site for symphony
• Host luncheons for area centenarians
• United Way Day of Caring
• Humane Society support
• Domestic violence shelter support
• American Cancer Society fundraisers
• Relay for Life fundraisers
• American Heart Association fundraisers
• Leukemia and lymphoma fundraisers
• Alzheimer’s Memory Walks
• American Red Cross Blood drives
• Alzheimer’s Support Group host and sponsor
• Provide community service opportunities
• Stanly Community College Service Learning Programs (vocational training)
• Provide badge opportunities for scouting
• Stanly County Youth in Transition Program (employment training)
• Group Homes for the Autistic (employment and skills training)
• Stanly Partnership for End of Life Care
• Nursing scholarships
• Suzuki School of the Arts performance site
• Bridges programs to encourage students and classes to visit residents
• Adopt-A-Grandparent programs
• School supply drive
• Campbell’s label collection for schools
• Bucket Brigade for disasters
• Christmas presents for needy children
• Voter registration program
• Provide meeting space for various groups, Rotary, Lions, Knights of Columbus, church groups, Girl Scouts, ombudsmen, community organizations
• Community service work program
• Thank you meals for area emergency service personnel
• Collect and recycle used eyeglasses
• Donate walkers, wheelchairs, etc. to Salvation Army, others
• Donate Physician’s Desk Reference books to nursing programs
• Donate medications to county community care clinics

COLLABORATIONS

• Partner with St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and Bethany Lutheran Church in sponsorship of Lutherhaus, Inc., a 50-apartment HUD low-income, elderly housing complex in Hickory
• Partner with Adult Life Programs, Inc. in ownership of an adult day care building on the campus of Trinity Village (Lutheran Home – Hickory)
• Partner with Lutheridge, Inc. in a land lease for Trinity View (Crescent View Retirement Center) on the Lutheridge campus
• Agreements between LSC and Salisbury Academy, Catawba College, Livingstone College, Hood Theological Seminary, Caldwell County Community College, Catawba Valley Community College, Stanly Community College, Forsyth Community College, and Winston-Salem State University to promote institutional and personal collaboration and friendship.

On the child and family services side, LSC:

• Helped 60 veterans in North and South Carolina transition from homelessness back to dignity and self-sufficiency.

• Protected 419 children at risk of abuse and neglect in foster care.

• Improved the lives of 45 people battling severe and persistent mental illness by providing them with services to prevent unnecessary or repeated hospital admissions.

• Placed 19 children in loving adoptive homes.

• Provided sanctuary to more than 300 refugees and continued supportive services to over 500 other recent arrivals.

• Helped more than 300 families avoid homelessness through supportive services and life-skills training; provided homes, care, and support to nearly 100 people with developmental disabilities or similar life challenges; and provided counseling services to more than 80 men and women in crisis.

Christ said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Love, care, compassion, and respect encompass the work of the LSC ministries.  All who work with LSC work with integrity and in a transparent manner.  

A gleam in your eye

The following story is making its way around the internet, and was shared with me by my brother.  It's not new and many would find it hokey.  However, it is true and it is exactly why Lutheran Services Carolinas is a strong, vibrant, important, growing ministry serving thousands of people!  All across and throughout our LSC family, most people have that gleam in their eye!  Have a nice gleam!  Ted

 How you choose to see things…

Three men were laboring in a field of boulders and large stones.  Sweat ran from their foreheads as they swung their heavy picks again and again.

A curious passer-by approached the men and asked each what he was doing.

The first man answered in a stern and abrupt voice:

Can’t you see, I’m breaking rocks!

The second man replied in a matter-of-fact way:

Can’t you see, I’m earning my salary!

The third man smiled--his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm--and proclaimed:

Can’t you see, I’m helping to build a cathedral!

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.  It will make or break a company, a church, a home.

The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.  I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

 ~ Charles Swindoll

A Good Day

I worked an 8-hour shift on Friday as a nursing assistant at Trinity Grove, Lutheran Services for the Aging's nursing home in Wilmington, NC. I am proud that I started as a certified nursing assistant and try to pull a shift once or twice a year to help keep me humble and to keep in touch with the real world. Trinity Grove didn't disappoint. I worked with two other CNAs on the rehab unit: constant, fast pace, lot of change. When I work as a CNA, I don't hide my day job, but I don't broadcast it either. Toward the end of the day one of the residents figured me out and ask to see me before I left. This resident was toward the end of a lengthy stay in rehab and on the way home. When I went down to visit, the person pulled out a handwritten list. Was it going to be good or bad? The resident proceeded to share the following list: * love the neighborhood design of the building * room laid out well and wonderfully decorated * raised gardens and manicured lawn easy on the eyes * love the children's outdoor playground * live plants are great, fake are sad * staff are top of the line! * rehab nursing assistants & nurses are kind, loving, professional * therapists are professional and tops * food is delicious * recreation therapy is great, way beyond bingo * Administrator John Frye is always out and about, not in his office, even delivers resident mail sometimes to get to know everyone * Environmental services keeps building spotless I laughed and told the resident that I was waiting on the but--things that were wrong. There were none. There were a few very good ideas on how to make the building more resident friendly when we build the next building, which was very helpful. We will continue to learn and serve even better in the future. My mission was accomplished. I got to live in the real world of our ministry, and get a good dose of humble for the work of the men and women who execute our mission every day to express God's love in Christ that those we serve!

Good visit with Lutheran Home Albemarle yesterday afternoon with residents and staff. All happy and cool though my car said 104 degrees!

LFS/LSA Addresses SC and NC Lutheran Assemblies

The South Carolina and North Carolina Synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America met this past weekend in Columbia, SC and Hickory, NC, respectively.  LFS/LSA was given an opportunity to address both assemblies.  Below are our remarks to share the good news of the work of LSA/LFS with each of you.

South Carolina Lutheran Synod Presentation 6-1-12

Good evening and thank you I am Ted Goins and it is my honor to speak to you today as the president of both Lutheran Family Services (in the) Carolinas and Lutheran Services for the Aging. As many of your know, it was about two years ago that we began discussing the affiliation of the two organizations.
That affiliation was approved by the Synod and by both Boards last September.

What you may not know, however, is that the affiliation has already meant great things.
The affiliation has allowed LSA and LFS to be better stewards. By sharing technology, communications, payroll, insurance, accounting, and development services, we have been able to eliminate duplication and reduce the cost of doing business. We need to be more efficient in this economy, and in any economy.

Each organization has brought great strengths to the affiliation. For LSA, those strengths lie in its lean management structure, its size, and its financial strength. For LFS, its strengths come from its home and community-baseservice network and its case management services. Together, those strengths will allow the ministries to survive and to thrive.

I have learned a lot more about LFS over these two years and I’m astounded by the depth, the diversity, and the complexity of their services. Foster care and adoption; services for veterans, refugees, and those with developmental disabilities; mental health services, counseling, low income housing…I’m sure I’ve forgotten something. I am in awe of the quality and scope of LFS services and their ability to provide those services throughout a large part of both North and South Carolina.

Before I turn this over to Bethany Vause, the executive director of LFS for South Carolina, I want to talk about a bit of scripture that has been running through my mind a lot lately. It is from Numbers 11:23, when God asks Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short?”

Each and every day, people from all walks of life seek services from LFS. It might be a veteran on the verge of homelessness, it might be a child removed from an abusive home, it might be a refugee family looking for a safe place to live.

They are struggling.

LFS, too, has struggled. We’ve struggled with a broken economy, shrinking resources, rising costs, and uncertain government policies. Some days we wonder if we will be able to serve all of those who seek our services.

But the Lord’s arm is not too short. All things are possible through faith and prayer. The Lord’s arm is long enough to hold all of us in his embrace.

Now, I’m going to let Bethany get to the important part, talking about the people we walk with whose lives have been improved because of you and your ministry to the children and families of South Carolina.

Thank you. As Ted mentioned, my name is Bethany Vause and I have the privilege of serving Lutheran Family Services as the Executive Director in SC. Although fairly new to my position, I am not new to the organization and over the almost 15 years I have worked with LFS, I have seen endless examples of partnership and support from the Lutheran congregations of SC. Just last weekend I was with the women of the ELCA and they provided us with an abundance of supplies for the many vulnerable populations we serve. While we have grown accustomed to your support, our appreciation for your generosity has not lessened. I would like to take a minute and say thank you and share with you a few ways your support has impacted the lives of our clients…

Due in part to mental health problems associated with military life, Floyd called home the damp space under the steps in the park. After 35 years of suffering, he sought medical help from the VA and was placed in LFS’ Kinard Manor, a transitional housing facility for homeless male veterans in Greenwood SC. In less than 7 months in a supported living environment, Floyd obtained a job and moved into his own apartment. Today, he is the lead chef at an upscale restaurant in the coastal area of SC….

Sarah was only 13 yrs old when she came to LFS. She is the second (2nd) oldest sibling of six (6) children all of whom having suffered from physical, sexual abuse and neglect from both parents and relatives.

She was well-mannered but very shy and as we began working with her we learned that she was the mother figure for her siblings; preparing their lunches, ironing their school uniforms, etc. Sarah appeared to be a very bright young lady and worked hard at school; however, her family history hindered her from being able to express herself freely to others.


Once Sarah was placed in our foster home she began to flourish and became more social. Her self esteem began to build.

In November of 2011, Sarah was adopted by her foster mother. It gives me great pleasure to also report that Sarah graduated high school this past Wednesday. We at LFS are extremely proud of Sarah. Despite the many obstacles that she has faced, Sarah will be attending Coastal Carolina University this fall and plans to pursue a degree in Business.

Recently, a young man who once lived in one of our foster homes, contacted us to see if he could come in and review his medical history. Before coming to LFS, he was placed in numerous foster homes and residential settings. He should have been a statistic, however, he was able to overcome his background and is currently serving in the armed forces, is happily married and a father to two beautiful young children.

Thank you for the support you provide to Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas and thank you for the impact you make on the lives of the families of SC.

North Carolina Synod Presentation, 6-2-12

Thank you and good afternoon. I am honored to be up here representing Lutheran Services for the Aging and Lutheran Family Services (in the) Carolinas. I want to give you an update on both LSA and LFS, but before I do, “thank you” for your work today at our Lutheran Homes. We are very very proud of our nursing homes, we love to have visitors, and we especially love that hands-on involvement in your social ministry at the Lutheran Homes.!

A year ago I stood before you and announced that LSA and LFS were examining a formal affiliation of the two organizations. That affiliation was approved by the Synod and by both Boards last September and it has already accomplished great things.

The affiliation has allowed LSA and LFS to be better stewards. By sharing technology, communications, payroll, insurance, accounting, and development services, we have been able to eliminate duplication and reduce the cost of doing business. We need to be more efficient in this economy, and in any economy.

Each organization has brought great strengths to the affiliation. For LSA, those strengths lie in its lean management structure, its size, and its financial strength. For LFS, its strengths come from its home and community-based service network and its case management services. Together, those strengths will allow the ministries to survive and to thrive.

And finally, while LSA and LFS have to be business-like, they are first and foremost Lutheran social ministry organizations answering Christ’s call to serve. The affiliation will allow both ministries to continue their missions of service to others.

Because of the affiliation, I have learned a lot more about LFS and the phrase “small but mighty” keeps coming to mind. I’m astounded by the depth, the diversity, and the complexity of LFS services. Foster care and adoption; services for veterans, refugees, and those with developmental disabilities; mental health services, counseling, low income housing…I’m sure I’ve forgotten something. I am in awe of the quality and scope of LFS services and their ability to provide those services throughout a large part of both North and South Carolina.

I’ve also learned how those services have improved lives for people like Katie.
• After 14 years of illness and nearly 30 hospitalizations because of her bipolar disorder, 31-year-old Katie is now living an abundant life that includes friends, family, and a part-time job thanks, in part, to the efforts of the LFS Assertive Community Treatment Team. The team created a successful care plan for Katie that includes regular visits to her home, which have enhanced her quality of life and reduced her risk of re-hospitalization.
• I also learned about Latrece, a veteran and an unseen casualty of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her Post Traumatic Stress Disorder left her homeless and unable to function, until LFS provided her with a home, treatment, and access to the services she needed. She is now enrolled in college and preparing to move into her own apartment.

In 2011, LFS served nearly 2,000 individuals and more than 240 families and will soon expand its services for adults with disabilities in South Carolina.

Lutheran Services for the Aging is also answering Christ’s call to serve by improving and expanding its services for today’s elders and while preparing for the 10,000 baby boomers that turn 65 every day!

When I spoke to you here last year, we were just one week away from opening Trinity Grove, the fulfillment of a 30 year dream to build a nursing home in Wilmington. Since opening, Trinity Grove has already provided rehabilitation and skilled nursing care to more than 310 seniors.

Many of you may also remember, several years ago LSA purchased a large Winston-Salem nursing home that was in serious disrepair with depleted supplies, broken equipment, and a largely forgotten, mostly African-American population. A week from tomorrow, we will celebrate the completion of Trinity Glen, one of two nursing homes that will replace that aging home. We are moving in on June 19! The other home, Trinity Elms, should begin construction in Clemmons at the end of this year.

And if that wasn’t enough ministry,, just about 5 miles from here, Trinity Ridge, the nursing home that will replace Lutheran Home – Hickory West is now under construction.

Yet as wonderful as our nursing homes are and as wonderful as these new nursing homes will be, not everyone will need a nursing home as they age. That’s why, in addition to these four new nursing homes, LSA has expanded its home and community-based services and we are now able to offer geriatric care management, information and referral services, and caregiver education to most areas of North Carolina, as well as a specialized program of caregiver support in Rowan County.

These new nursing homes and the expansion of our home and community-based services are only possible because of your contributions to our Keeping the Promise capital campaign, which we’ll report on later today.

Finally, LSA is also involved in three PACE initiatives. PACE stands for program of all-inclusive care for the elderly, and PACE allows low income seniors in need of nursing home care to live in their own homes, but have their medical needs monitored by regularly attending an adult day care program. LSA is a partner in the Catawba County PACE program which opened in January, is renovating the Gaston area PACE center now, and is working on the development of another PACE program in Forsyth County.

But LSA is not about programs, it’s about people.
• People like 85-year-old Stan Johnson who competed against Jesse Owens for a spot on the 1936 US Olympic Team.

• And people like 97-year-old Katie Watson, who returned home after rehab at Lutheran Home – Albemarle where she still mows her own yard. She also enjoys hunting and fishing - even got two deer last October!

• And of course there are the stories of our veterans. I was able to attend a Memorial Day service at our Trinity Oaks Retirement Community in Salisbury this week. The entire program was first class, but what really touched my heart was a special tribute to one of their late residents, Bill Terhune. Bill was a WW II Navy medic who asked to be buried at sea. His wife received a video of the burial from the Navy which she shared with everyone at the program.

I want to conclude with a bit of scripture that has been on my mind a lot lately. It is from Numbers 11, when God tells Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short?”

Each and every day, people from all walks of life seek services from LSA and LFS. And sometimes we wonder if we will be able to serve them. Just like all of us gathered here today, they are struggling with the effects of a broken economy, job loss, shrinking resources, increased health care costs, and uncertain government policies. Some days it almost seems like too much for any of us to bear.

But the Lord’s arm is not too short. All things are possible through faith and prayer. The Lord’s arm is long enough to hold all of God’s children in his embrace.

Thank you all for walking with us on the journey!