Annual Report 2017 - Lafayette Urban Ministry
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A Letter from Joe Micon, LUM Executive Director
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How pleased we are to present to you, on the front cover of the
2017 Annual Report
, “
A Prayer for LUM
.” It was recently written and shared with me by Dr. James Davidson and the Rev. Don Nead. Along with LUM’s first Executive Director Rev. Ron Elly and Dr. Thomas Hull, Davidson and Nead were instrumental in the early formation and development of LUM.
These four LUM “Dream Team” members knew then, that in order for LUM to grow and to have a positive impact in the lives of the needy in our community, it must become a place that seamlessly integrates both the spiritual and social aspects of our Christian faith. As LUM begins its 46th year of ministry to at-risk families and children in our community, how powerful it is for us to receive Jim and Don’s prayerful expression of why it is that LUM is here.
{To review the entire
LUM Annual Report 2017
, click
HERE
.}
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The Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who lost his life in June of 2015 along with eight members of his congregation at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina, once shared in a sermon that “Our calling is not just within the walls of the congregation, but in the life & community in which our congregation resides.”
In eulogizing Rev. Pinckney, President Obama shared that Pinckney’s faith demanded that he perform deeds along with preaching words; that the sweet hour of prayer is supposed to last all week long; that putting faith into action is about more than just individual salvation, it is about our collective salvation; that to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and house the homeless is not just a call for isolated charity, but the imperative of a just society.
In the pages of this
Annual Report
, I hope you will look beyond all the data and dollars, as impressive as they are, to the deep reservoir of communal faith from which these things flow. I hope you gain a sense of what it is that motivates us as LUM donors, volunteers, staff and board members, to accomplish all the many works of charity and social justice that happen here.
At LUM’s board meeting last month, board secretary Joan Low (Greater Lafayette Stake LDS) shared a story about Dr. King’s final words.
As far as anyone knows, the last thing Martin Luther King, Jr. said as he leaned over the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis was to saxophonist Ben Branch. “Ben, be sure you play my favorite song tonight, ‘
Precious Lord
.’ Play it real pretty.”
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord,
Lead me home.
LUM’s work is often difficult. Staff members work long hours. Volunteers always wish they could do more for those we serve. Decisions have to be made every day about how to best allocate limited resources. It is in the midst of these difficulties that so many of us at LUM draw upon our reservoir of faith to help lighten the load.
“Thank you” Jim Davidson and Don Nead for sharing your “
Prayer for LUM
” and for reminding us yet again of LUM’s mission and what motivates us to accomplish it.
My deepest gratitude to each of you - LUM’s donors, volunteers, staff and board members - for expressing
your
faith through your special involvement in and support of the Lafayette Urban Ministry.
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In 2017…
- Lafayette Urban Ministry served 5,166 households
- More than 3,000 individuals volunteered in a LUM program
- 1,605 individuals, churches, civic organizations, foundations or local businesses contributed financially to the work at LUM
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Poverty is the greatest thief.
More than depriving a neighbor of food or shelter or warmth, it steals away hope.
While other thieves may take away
the past, poverty steals the future and self-respect.
Lafayette Urban Ministry is in the business of restoring human dignity.
Through voluntary efforts and contributions we give back the hope, the future, and the self respect which all God’s people need and deserve.
Ours is a Christian ministry that welcomes congregations and
people of all faiths.
We give witness to God’s saving
love & prophetic power by
loving neighbors, seeking justice,
empowering the least among us, and renewing the Church’s social ministry.
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Focused on Volunteers & Social Justice
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Yesterday, the staff members of
Lafayette Urban Ministry
participated in a daylong “retreat” at Hanging Rock Christian Assembly Camp, West Lebanon.
The main retreat topics for discussion were LUM Volunteers and the LUM Social Justice Ministry including the
Campaign for Hoosier Families
as well as the LUM
Immigration Clinic
. Overall, it was a very productive day filled with lively discussion allowing everyone to give input resulting in great ideas for serving volunteers and clients better in all of the LUM program areas.
Additionally the retreat gave the LUM staff an opportunity to learn more about each other — creating a stronger, more effective team. By the end of the day, everyone was refreshed and motivated to be more effective in their work with clients, guests, volunteers, children/students & families. Thanks to
Hanging Rock Christian Assembly Camp
for hosting the retreat.
Picture above L to R —
Row 1
: Kaitlyn Hettinger, Saidie Spikes, Gayle Koning, Susan Brouillette, Linda Hicks;
Row 2
: Fanesta Williams, Tricia Sembroski, Joe Micon, Connie Kepner Davis, Tiffany Finch-King;
Row 3
: Danny Pillott, Amanda Bajzatt, Connie Decker, Nate Gick, David Heckert, Josh Prokopy, Ben Murphy; not pictured: Pablo Malavenda. To view more photos, click
HERE
.
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Purdue's Row-A-Thon Benefits LUM
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All-Day Rowing Spectacular in the Mall
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Purdue Rowing Team presents “Row-A-Thon 2018” in support of the
LUM Good Samaritan Fund. Purdue Crew's donation to LUM from Row-A-Thon is one of the largest gifts each year.
Row-A-Thon takes place all day in the Tippecanoe Mall (Lafayette). The co-ed team members row a marathon of 26 miles in three hours on indoor rowing machines while raising funds for LUM. Stop by the Mall and check it out. Purdue
Row-A-Thon 2018 is scheduled for:
- Saturday, February 17
- 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Tippecanoe Mall, Lafayette
You may make a donation in person at Row-A-Thon or by mail. Please make checks payable to
Purdue Crew Club and mail your checks to:
Purdue Crew—Row-A-Thon, 355 N. Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907.
Thanks to Purdue Crew president, Hannah Stefanik; Head Coach David Kucik; and the entire rowing team and coaching staff for their continued support of Lafayette Urban Ministry.
The
LUM Good Samaritan Fund is an emergency financial assistance program which provides our community’s neediest families and children with a strong and reliable safety net. Help is offered for utility bills, rent, and prescription medications. In 2017, the Good Samaritan Fund provided assistance 2,032 times and $115,314 was shared.
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Music Ministry Concert to Benefit LUM
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Sponsored by First United Methodist Church
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The Concert details are as follows:
- Music Ministries Concert
- Sunday, February 25
- 1:30 p.m.
- First United Methodist Church, 1700 State Rd 26 W, West Lafayette
- FREE & Open to the Public
The Music Ministries of First United Methodist Church Concert will feature 11 church ensembles with children, youth, adults, choral, instrumental, and handbells. Refreshments will be available after the concert. A
free-will offering will be requested which benefits Lafayette Urban Ministry and one other local agency. It will be a wonderful afternoon of music and worship — all for a great cause.
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