Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.
Psalm 71:9
LCC, along with a number of other Lutheran churches in the area, are founding members of Lutheran Apartments in St. Petersburg and Lutheran Residences in South Pasadena. These facilities house low-income seniors age 62+.
The mission of the member churches is to provide for elderly families and elderly persons on a non-profit, below-cost basis, rental housing and related facilities and services specially designed to meet the physical, social and psychological needs of the aged and for their health, security, happiness and usefulness in longer living.
Though the day-to-day operations of the buildings are coordinated by a management company, the member churches, which includes Lutheran Church of the Cross, provide oversight.
According to Terri Ziegler, President Lutheran Residences Inc for Lutheran Apartments and Vice-President Lutheran Pasadena Housing for Lutheran Residences, participation in this mission can range from simply attending the annual meeting to be aware of what is happening, to joining the Board of Directors to add greater expertise and input into the oversight and/or contributing to the quality for life for residents at either building. Possibilities for that are endless and could include things like visits from choir or youth groups, Bible studies, donations of supplies or funds for an event or holiday, donations of food for food insecure residents, game night, and the list could go on.
Their annual meeting will be held on Zoom this year on Tuesday, April 30 at 6:00 p.m. Here is the link for the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82566906977. Please rsvp to tmsziegler@gmail.com by April 29. You must rsvp to Ms. Ziegler in order to be admitted to the meeting.
Like many of the other member churches, LCC’s participation in the oversight of and involvement in this ministry has been lagging. But in this season of Resurrection, we are being challenged to renew our commitment to this ministry to our elders. The leadership of these organizations would appreciate more churches reengaging as their ministry faces challenges for the future.
Pastor Lisa plans on attending the Zoom meeting, and she’d love to have some additional representation from the church on the meeting too. There are many ways, as Ms. Ziegler noted, that we can help, but it starts with being informed. Please let Pastor Lisa know if you plan to join her at the virtual meeting, and then rsvp to Ms. Ziegler so that she will know to admit you to the meeting.
