How Your Ministry Support Can Help Save You Taxes

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By Cathy Ritchie, Enrolled Agent

As we approach the end of the year, there are some actions you can take that may help lower your taxes while continuing to support the ministries of LCR. With new tax law changes set to take effect January 1, taking action before the end of the year might be beneficial depending on your situation.

New Changes*

  • Beginning in 2026, charitable contributions may be limited for people who itemize — contributions will have to be reduced by 0.5% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
    Example: with $100,000 AGI, the first $500 of contributions will not be deductible.
    Additionally, overall itemized deductions may be limited depending on your AGI.

  • For people who don’t itemize deductions (take the standard deduction), beginning in 2026 there’s good news — you may be able to deduct up to $1,000 ($2,000 for married couples filing jointly) of monetary contributions.

“Oldies but Still Goodies”

There are a couple of strategies for making charitable contributions that can help you on your taxes whether or not you itemize:

  • Donation of Appreciated Stock — If you donate stock that has increased in value, you can avoid paying capital gains tax and may be able to deduct the fair market value of the stock at the time of your donation, saving even more money.*
    LCR appreciates your completion of this type of donation by December 15 to ensure the contribution is completed by year end. Contact the office for donation information.

  • Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) — If you are at least 70½ years old, you may be able to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution of up to $108,000 from your IRA.
    The distribution will be excluded from your income, saving you money on taxes whether or not you itemize, and lowering your AGI.*

*As with anything tax-related, before you take action it’s recommended that you discuss your personal situation with your tax advisor.

Saplings in the Garden!

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The Saplings group that meets on our church campus spent time in The Promise Garden this week planting garlic and bunching onions! It’s always a joy to see young hands at work: learning, growing, and helping care for God’s creation.
(Photos shared with permission from the Saplings Director.)

A Tribute to Meribeth Cooper, Faithful Friend and Leader

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by Marge Mynhier

On August 3, a beautiful Coral Bark Maple, accompanied by a commemorative plaque, was dedicated to the memory of our sister in Christ, Meribeth Cooper.

 

Meribeth was a faithful participant in the Tuesday Morning Bible Study and led the LCR Book Club, keeping it active during the COVID years. In her honor, the group is now known as Puddy’s Pages—a tribute to her childhood nickname.

We are grateful to the members of her Bible Study, the Book Club, the Mary and Martha Bible Study, and the Wednesday Morning Men’s Group (of which her husband Mike is a member) who contributed to the purchase of the tree.

 

Breathe in the Spirit, Breathe out God’s Peace

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In Scripture, the breath of God is the source of life itself. From the opening verses of Genesis, where God’s Spirit breathes across the waters, to the risen Christ who breathes on the disciples and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” breath is a sign of God’s presence and renewal. Every inhale is a reminder that our lives are held by grace, and every exhale can be a release into trust.

Breath practices have been used across Christian history as a way to enter prayer, calm the mind, and draw closer to God. In our busy, restless world, learning to slow down and breathe deeply is not only good for our bodies but also for our souls. It creates space for us to be still and know that God is near.

Last month, we experienced a beautiful expression of this through our Sound Bath Experience with wellness practitioner Keon Roebuck. Surrounded by the gentle tones of singing bowls, chimes, and drums, participants were guided into rest, clarity, and renewal. Many left with a sense of peace they had not felt in a long time, testifying to how the Spirit can move through sound and silence alike.

We are excited to welcome Keon back on Sunday, November 9 at 5:00 pm for another evening of restoration. This time, the gathering will focus on Breath Works in combination with a Sound Bath. Together, we will explore how intentional breathing can help us release tension, center our hearts, and become more open to God’s presence.

What is “Breath Works”?
A Breath Works session gently guides participants through simple breathing exercises designed to calm the nervous system, release stress, and bring the mind and body into balance. Through focused breathing patterns, participants often experience a sense of grounding, greater clarity, and deeper spiritual openness. Combined with the meditative sounds of singing bowls and chimes, Breath Works can become a powerful practice of rest and renewal in God’s presence.

Events like these remind us that spiritual renewal does not have to look the same for everyone. Some find connection through song, some through silence, and others through breath and movement. What unites us is the God who meets us in every practice of stillness and joy, calling us back to wholeness.

Details on how to sign up for the November event are available on our calendar. We hope you will join us in discovering the gifts of breath and sound as we continue to grow in faith, rest in God’s Spirit, and renew our lives for the journey ahead.

Miracles Take Time: Building Confidence and Hope for Young Women

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Rev. Karen Castillo, president of the Augustinian Lutheran Church of Guatemala (ILAG), describes her church’s work for women and girls not as something miraculous, but as a gradual awakening within their communities.

ILAG, one of the Lutheran World Federation’s newest member churches, joined in 2018. Today it has 17 congregations in three regions of Guatemala, most of them in remote areas serving indigenous communities where female leadership has not traditionally been welcomed.

From the beginning, ILAG has been shaped by a commitment to education and equality. That vision started with Castillo’s parents, who founded the church 29 years ago, and it continues today through Casa Milagro, or Miracle House—a boarding school for girls on ILAG’s campus in Guatemala City.

Casa Milagro houses 15 girls, ages 10–20. Its purpose is to help young women repair their self-esteem, become empowered against abuse, and prepare to support themselves through education and small-business training.

“We listen. Our policy is to never tell congregation members what they need. We listen to what they want. Our ministries come from the needs of the people,” Castillo explains.

Through this listening, Casa Milagro was born. While families were initially hesitant to send their daughters, trust slowly grew. Today, girls at Casa Milagro not only learn that abuse is unacceptable but also gain the courage to speak up, return to their villages with confidence, and share their experiences with their communities. Each girl attends alongside a “buddy” from her village, ensuring mutual support when they return home.

Castillo acknowledges the challenges of leading in a male-dominated society but points to the slow transformation of both men and women in the church as they studied scripture together and discovered a vision of equality rooted in God’s love.

Casa Milagro graduates are visible signs of this transformation. They return to their communities not with superiority, but with humility and strength, modeling new possibilities for girls and women across Guatemala.

At LCR, we are honored to partner in this work. You’ll have an opportunity to support the Milagro Women’s Education Center at our upcoming Guatemala Gala on Friday, September 12, 2025, 7:00–9:00 PM at the Atlanta Country Club. Join us for dinner, speakers, and a raffle benefiting this life-changing ministry.

Read the full interview with Rev. Castillo at lutheranworld.org/news/guatemala-miracles-take-time-and-trust

 

 

Keep Looking

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In the heat of July, when schedules loosen and summertime haze sets in, it’s easy to feel adrift. But what if this season invites us to see more, not less? Check out this article from Living Lutheran about how one mother’s summer moment became an invitation to pay attention—to the sky, to joy, and to God’s presence in ordinary things.

In “Keep Looking,” writer Kimberly Knowle-Zeller recounts a drive with her kids when they start spotting shapes in the clouds. What begins as a bit of backseat chatter becomes something more. “If you look long enough, you can see a shape,” her son says. It’s a reminder that clarity and beauty don’t always arrive instantly. They emerge slowly when we pause and keep looking.

This summer, many of us may feel like we’re floating through the weeks, unsure of what’s next or weighed down by the news. But Kimberly invites us to try something different. Instead of rushing to fill the blank spaces, what if we slowed down and looked up? What if we paid attention?

Here are a few ways she suggests we practice presence:

  • Lie in the grass and watch the sky. What shapes do you see? What memories or hopes stir?

  • Make a joy list. Write down the things, big or small, that are bringing you joy right now.

  • Pray over the headlines. When the world feels overwhelming, pause and lift up one person or place in prayer.

Kimberly writes, “What if we took my son’s advice and really looked to see what’s emerging?” In this quieter month, maybe that is our invitation too: to keep looking for grace, for wonder, for God.

Read the full article here: Keep Looking – Living Lutheran

MUST Ministries Serving Summer Lunches for 30 Years

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This summer marks the 30th anniversary of the MUST Ministries Summer Lunch program, which now provides food to nearly 8,000 children each week. What began as a grassroots effort to deliver simple lunches in brown paper sacks has grown into a vital food program. Today, each Kids’ Kit includes five breakfasts, five lunches, snacks, and drinks—enough to nourish children for a full week.

For many kids, school lunches are their only reliable meals. When school is out, MUST steps in to fill the gap and prevent hunger during the summer months.

LCR is proud to support this important work. In May, Heather and Dana delivered a $3,800 donation to MUST Ministries, designated specifically for the Summer Lunch program. This gift will provide hundreds of meals to children in our community.

To learn more or to help pack and deliver meals, visit mustministries.org/summer-lunch

Reflections from Synod: Shared Challenges, Shared Strength

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By George O’Donnell

Thank you for the honor and privilege of representing LCR at the 2025 Synod Assembly. We were very impressed with the common concerns and opportunities that were shared by the many speakers and other delegates in both formal presentations and casual conversations over the three days of the Assembly. We definitely felt that our congregation is not alone in the issues that face us going forward and that we may be better positioned than most.

By now, you have probably heard that Bishop Strickland was re-elected for another six-year term as Bishop of the Southeast Synod. Among other elections Pastor Ruth Hamilton, who recently served LCR as Interim Pastor, was elected as Secretary of the Southeast Synod.

We also heard moving and challenging presentations from a variety of guest speakers and attended informative breakout sessions on congregation management and fund raising.

Each day was highlighted with a worship service that was especially moving.

A full recap of all activities and votes is available via this link.

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