News You Can Use

For Your Church Newsletter

From Lutheran Community Services April 2008

Editors: Following is some information about LCS that you might want to include in your newsletter. This information is prepared for church newsletter editors, secretaries and pastors. Your help in getting the word out is appreciated and will help LCS achieve its mission of “Sharing God’s blessings by helping others in need.” Comments about format, timing or content are welcome. Contact Steve Tindall (stindall@lcsde.org). 302 654 8886.

Predatory Lending

LCS’s battle against predatory lending practices continues…We sent letters to legislators, mostly signed by constituents – Senators Charlie Copeland, Harris McDowell, and Karen Peterson; Reps. Terry Spence, Gerald Brady, Diana McWilliams, Nick Manolakos, John Kowalko, Greg Lavelle, and Debbie Hudson; plus Gov. Ruth Ann Minner. LCS developed this strategy to combat exploitive payday loans, high interest rates for low income people, exotic mortgages etc. We asked legislators to enact legislation to stop the practice. Only Gerald Brady, Debbie Hudson, and Nick Manolakos responded, to their credit. If you are interested in writing your legislators and need help, contact LCS at 654 8886, x100 or check out a sample letter at www.lcsde.org.

There Is ‘Room at the Table’

This year’s annual free fundraising breakfast will be Wednesday, May 7, 8 a.m. at the Dupont Country Club. Come see how LCS has grown with the support and pledges of our donors. A new video describes ways we are changing – with new food distributions, expanded home repairs for seniors, and more. And we’ll be showing off our new logo. We’ve enriched the menu, too. Call 654 8886 or email info@lcsde.org if you want to come or have questions.

Gimme Shelter Golf Tournament

The Mission Golf Tournament has been reconstituted as the Gimme Shelter Golf Tournament with new leadership, a broader mission and hopefully a broader base of support. The tournament director is Larry Friday from St. Mark’s, who is taking over from Greg Johnson. Beneficiaries of the Gimme Shelter Tournament are Habitat for Humanity (via Thrivent Builds), LCS, and Sojourners Place – each of which occupies a different niche in the effort to provide emergency housing for low income people in our area. The date: Friday, May 16. The Place: Porky Oliver. Prizes: Lots. The cost: $89.00 per person, which includes a golf cart, 18 holes of golf, and lunch. Questions/sponsorhips? Contact Larry Friday 302-478-5824. Mail registrations to Gimme Shelter Golf Tournament, c/o St. Marks, 501 Duncan Rd., Wilm. DE 19809. Make out checks to St. Marks, but put GSGT in the memo. Register by April 18 and Tee off for housing!

LCS Wants Help With Grants

LCS relies on many sources of income to support its ministry. But last year we helped more people than ever before – 68,000. To support that growth we must keep on the look out for new sources of funding. To a considerable extent LCS relies on grants. Our development person (Steve Tindall) would welcome people with a smattering of experience in this area who want to help identify new grant ideas and help craft winning proposals. If you are interested contact Steve at 654 8886, x105.