LUM Reflection:
Always More Left Over
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A Message from Joe Micon, LUM Executive Director
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LUM has focused a lot in recent weeks on issues of food distribution to those in our community who don’t have enough good, nutritious food for themselves or their children. During this process I have paid special attention to the miracle story
Jesus Feeds the 5,000
. Found in all four Gospels, it remains one of scripture’s most powerful teachings of faith, compassion and service. And it is a teaching that touches, in real and practical ways, virtually everything that goes on at LUM.
As the disciples gathered to figure out what to do about the hungry crowd, they could only pool 200 denari. A young boy had five loaves and two fish. It wasn’t enough, but Jesus was filled with compassion and miraculously, faithfully, moved quickly forward. The story is a lesson to us about beginnings. But it is also a powerful lesson about endings. Because miraculously, faithfully, there was
more left over
than Jesus started with — 12 baskets full of broken pieces! I love this story, because during my time at LUM, I have always found there to be
more left over
than when we start something.
There are more children doing better in school now than we ever imagined when LUM first started the After School and 5th Quarter Summer Learning Programs. There are more neighbors receiving paralegal help and support through the LUM Immigration Clinic. There are more chronically homeless individuals who have turned to addiction getting help because LUM found creative ways to offer information and support.
Service fosters deeper relationships with others.
If you volunteer at LUM, you can’t help but develop a keener knowledge of poverty and income inequality. When you see the faces of those we serve, learn their names and hear their stories, you can’t help but grow in understanding. Your friendships are strengthened. Your perceptions are broadened. Your heart is expanded.
I believe so very firmly that our faith is enriched through service at a place like LUM. We are challenged to be more loving. We become more generous with our time and treasure. We respond more fully to the prophet’s call to justice.
Thank you for joining with us
; for your prayers of support; for the service you render; for the dollars you donate; for performing miracles at LUM each and every day!
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Remembering LUM This Lenten Season
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There are only a few more days until the end of the Lenten Season. Many of us have been “preparing” through
prayer
(justice towards God),
fasting
(justice toward self), and
almsgiving
(justice toward your neighbors). As you reflect on giving — perhaps you would consider a legacy gift to LUM — an organization pledged to fighting for justice for you and your neighbors.
Whether you use
cash, appreciated securities/stock, real estate, artwork, partnership interests, personal property, life insurance
or a
retirement plan
, the benefits of Estate Planned Gifts can make this type of donation attractive to you as well as LUM.
Meet with your professional advisor to learn how informed estate planning can increase the overall value of your estate with a gift of tax-burdened assets (like IRAs, 401(k), or savings bonds) to Lafayette Urban Ministry. We hope you will remember Lafayette Urban Ministry in your will. Once you’re ready, let us know. Joe Micon, LUM executive director, is eager to meet with you to help you leave a legacy and fulfill your giving goals of supporting LUM.
Simply email or call Joe Micon
to begin the process (
jmicon@lumserve.org
| 765-423-2691). More information on
Giving to LUM
may be found at
lumserve.org/donate
.
Whatever you decide — we sincerely hope you have a fruitful Lenten journey and a blessed Easter.
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Stuart & Branigin
Service Day
Supports LUM
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Commitment to Local Food Programs
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This year's
Day of Service at
Stuart & Branigin LLP, Lafayette, focused on supporting local food programs including the new
LUM Protein Food Pantry. Coordinated by Virginia del Real Marquez, marketing coordinator & led by Thomas B. Parent, managing partner, the Stuart & Branigin team and their families volunteered at the local food bank and are also collecting food & monetary donations for the
LUM Protein Food Pantry.
Their donation of food, paper products and monetary gifts will give the new LUM food pantry a needed boost.
Thank you, Thomas Parent, Virginia del Real Marquez and the entire Stuart & Branigin Team!
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LUM Students Enjoy the Warm Weather
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After School Program - Recreation Activities
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After the LUM students ate their healthy snack and finished their homework, the teachers and volunteers took them to the local park and also let them play in the playground at the LUM Youth Center. The LUM students loved playing outside, and the fresh air and physical activity was great for them too. During the next eight weeks the program will include as much outdoor activities as possible.
If you or your group would like to support the LUM students with a donation or volunteer with the LUM
After School Program, click the appropriate button below.
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West Lafayette Recommends Grant for LUM
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LUM Emergency Shelter to Benefit from Grant
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Lafayette Urban Ministry has recently been recommended for a
Community Development Block Grant
from the City of West Lafayette (IN). LUM has been recommended to receive
$7,217
to support the work of the LUM
Emergency Shelter
.
CDBG is an important resource for local governments in their efforts to provide both transitional and permanent housing, as well as supportive services, to families and individuals experiencing homelessness. This grant money will be used to support the LUM homeless guests. Thanks to David Heckert, LUM Emergency Shelter director, for his work on this grant.
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