St. John's offering therapy dog program
I've often noticed that when my kids are having a bad day, our big dog Marcus is the best therapy they've got.
If it's my daughter looking for comfort, Marcus enjoys extra-long hugs and snuggling. If it's my son, the dog gets a little extra scratching behind the ears. He seems to help just by his presence and unconditional love.
So when I heard about the comfort dog program at St. John's Lutheran Church, Algonquin, it made sense to me. St. John's has acquired a beautiful golden retriever named Butter who was dedicated for ministry and outreach purposes recently in a church service. Butter is a proud graduate of the K-9 Parish Comfort Dog program sponsored by Lutheran Church Charities of Addison.
Liz Fischer, one of Butter's handlers, said the program was started after the 2008 campus shooting at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, that left six dead and 18 wounded.
"They took some therapy dogs to campus and were so impressed with how they were able to impact and connect with the students there who were in shock and panic and grief," Fischer said. "They saw that by having the dogs there they were such a calming influence."
LCC decided to make a program out of it, as a tool for churches to use in ministry. Butter and her handlers have visited hospitals, an adult day care center, and homebound church members. Like most dogs, she brings comfort just by being there.
"When we go to Cherished Place, an adult day care center, she will go from person to person," Fischer said. "If the person puts their hand out or appears at all receptive, she will go to them and let them pet her, maybe put her head on their lap."
At the Algonquin Christmas tree lighting in Riverfront Park, Butter worked the crowd, stopping to let people pet her and especially giving attention to children in wheelchairs.
The blue vest she wears is all the introduction she needs. "Please pet me," it says.
Butter's handlers receive training, too, since the dog often becomes a bridge for communication. The church members are trained to be good listeners and sometimes find opportunity to pray with the people that Butter befriends.
St. John's has had the dog since June, and expenses for her keep so far have been shared by her handlers and Bob Hammond, a church member who serves as Butter's caretaker. But Fischer said the congregation will assume responsibility for Butter's daily chow and other needs this year, and LCC needs to be reimbursed for training expenses.
A Sweetheart Dance will be held this Saturday, Feb. 13, at the church activity center, 300 Jefferson St., to raise funds for Butter's ministry. The benefit is co-hosted by the Greater Fox Valley Chapter of USA Dance. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Admission, which is $8 for USA Dance members and $12 for nonmembers, includes a waltz lesson. Open dancing from 8 to 11 p.m. features ballroom and Latin music and swing. The dress code is "dressy casual;" leave your blue jeans and gym shoes home in the closet.
Haiti help: Looking for a way to help earthquake victims in Haiti?
Elgin's Epworth United Methodist Church is putting together supply kits to provide basic health tools for people living in decidedly unhealthy conditions. The church, located at the corner of Randall Road and Highland Avenue, will collect supplies throughout the winter months and ship them periodically.
They're looking for donations of hand towels (not kitchen towels) from 15 x 25 in. to 17 x 27 in., washcloths, sturdy combs (not pocket-size), nail files or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers), bath-size bars of soap, adult toothbrushes in original single-brush packaging, and adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages.
Financial gifts are also welcome so more supplies can be purchased. For more information, call the church at (847) 931-5400.
Celebrations: Congratulations to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 115 N. Spring St., Elgin, which is still celebrating its sesquicentennial.
It was 150 years ago last Fourth of July that the congregation was officially organized, and St. John's celebrated with special services last summer. In February 1860, the young congregation chose its name and purchased a building, and that anniversary will be observed Sunday, Feb. 28, with another special service.
The Rev. Clifford "Hannibal" Frederich, current pastor, will turn over the pulpit that day to a visiting dignitary, the Rev. Dan Gilbert, president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Northern Illinois District.
Gilbert will be the guest preacher for both Sunday services at 8 and 10:30 a.m.
And speaking of old churches, Congregational Church of Algonquin had already been around for a decade when St. John's was organized. The Congregational Church celebrated its 160th anniversary last weekend with a special jazz-style service. Congratulations to all!
"In the Spirit" covers churches and synagogues in the Fox Valley area; contact cmchojnacki@yahoo.com to submit information or ideas for upcoming columns. Please submit upcoming event information in the previous calendar month.