This past Sunday at Bethany Presbyterian Church, Susan Brouillette, LUM program director, was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church.

The Service of Worship & Ordination was a wonderful celebration with worship, music, and speakers. Some highlights of the service were LUM students singing "Joy, Joy, Joy - Down in My Heart"; LUM summer teacher, Derrick Williams-Bacon, singing throughout the service; remarks & prayers from Joe Micon, LUM executive director, and Ellen Elly, wife of first LUM executive director, the Rev. Ron Elly; as well as from many friends of LUM such as the Rev. Don Nead, the Rev. Kevin Bowers, the Rev. Tracey Leslie and the Rev. Dr. Bradley Pace. Also in the spirit of Susan's role with LUM as the director of the Immigration Clinic & the Social Justice ministry, the Epistle reading was read in six different languages — Arabic, Chinese, English, German, Hindi & Spanish.

At LUM, Susan will now also serve as the LUM Chaplain. She will serve as a support to the LUM clients, guests, families, staff and board members. Susan's expertise and new role with LUM will be sure to have an immediate, positive impact on our services to the families and children in our community.

Join us in congratulating the Rev. Susan Brouillette on this significant accomplishment and wishing her the best as she begins the next phase of her spiritual journey.

Eileen Hession Weiss, a familiar face at LUM, has returned to serve as the business manager .

Eileen initially retired in 2013. She returned last year to assist with LUM Camp , and has also served as the LUM business manager for four years and was a LUM project manager for 21 months. Additionally, Eileen has directed Jubilee Christmas , Tax Assistance Program , Community Thanksgiving Celebration and Hunger Hike , and assisted with the LUM Good Samaritan Fund Follies . Besides her work with LUM, another highlight of her career was when she was elected to serve as the City Clerk for the City of Lafayette from 1984-1995.



Eileen is excited to return to LUM as the half-time, business manager.  Joe Micon, LUM executive director stated, “ We’re always thrilled to work with Eileen and are confident that she will once again add so much to our work with assisting those in need in our community. " Eileen shared, " This opportunity came at a perfect time. Although I still live in Illinois, it gives me a chance to use my God given gifts while contributing to this community that I love, through the good work of LUM. "

In her free time, Eileen enjoys being with her grandchildren (Campbell Rose, Max, and Nicole), singing and ministering at her church in Des Plaines, IL, and serving as president of her condo board in Elk Grove Village, IL.

The St. John's/LUM Food Pantry (6th & Ferry Streets, Lafayette) needs volunteers for the summer months especially Monday mornings in June. Specific days and times that volunteers are needed are as follows:

Volunteers are needed to work the Distribution Window, Check-in/Data entry, and pick up and deliver food (truck driver). A weekly commitment is requested. Volunteers may work 2.5 to 14.5 hours per week.

Please consider signing up for a few shifts this summer. Our community needs volunteers like you to offer this vital resource . For more information, click HERE or email Katy Travis, St. John's/LUM Food Pantry director at foodpantryadmin@stjohns-laf.org . PLEASE SHARE.

Would you, or someone you know, make a good  LUM Camp Counselor ?

LUM Camp is a week-long, over-night camp program for low-income children from 8 to 10 years old.

Volunteer camp counselors must be 18 years old , enjoy working with children and be able to spend the entire week at camp. Counselors are needed from 11 a.m. Monday,  July 30  to 4 p.m. Friday,  August 3 . 

For additional information, click  HERE .  PLEASE SHARE.