November 25th, 2019
 
Greetings and Happy Holidays from Lutheran Campus Ministry of Fresno,
 
As the year end draws near and we bid farewell to a decade, I’m humbled and grateful for the support many of you have shown not only to LCM but also the kindness that’s been displayed in the midst of transition. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has graciously welcomed me into my position and invited me into their lives and congregations.
 
This year LCM was blessed with many individual gifts and congregational offerings which helped further our mission. In August we were especially fortunate to offer school supplies to young adults in need thanks to the many generous in-kind donations and financial gifts received through our School Supplies Drive. I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to not only award one Darcy Jensen Scholarship to a recent high school graduate, but three scholarships this year due to a generous financial gift.
 
The Bulldog Pantry was also blessed with generosity this year. Due to the dedication and determination from Erica Bird and Student Coordinator Heidy Gonzalez, the pantry was awarded financial grants which allowed the pantry to not only remain open in the summer, but also serve more families in need this Fall. The pantry welcomed another Student Coordinator, Jacqueline Avina this past Fall and we are grateful for the continued partnership with California State University, Fresno. The pantry was also fortunate to receive many in-kind donations this year and with partnerships in the valley, the footprint of the Bulldog Pantry continues to leave a lasting mark in Fresno.
 
As 2019 comes to a close, I humbly ask you consider making a year end gift to Lutheran Campus Ministry of Fresno and the Bulldog Pantry. This year, like many others we’re joining the #GivingTuesday movement on Tuesday December 3rd, 2019. Each year on December 3rd, #GivingTuesday serves as a global generosity movement intended to help others through gifts, donations, services and time.
 
For those willing and able to make a financial gift, please visit our website www.lcmoffresno.org and click the “Donate” button on our home page. Financial gifts can securely be made online through PayPal on our recently launched Online Giving platform. Financial gifts can also be mailed in the enclosed envelope. Please make checks payable to Lutheran Campus Ministry of Fresno and in the memo line, please indicate what fund you would like your gift placed.
 
This year your generosity can further support LCM and the Bulldog Pantry through in-kind donations. The following wish list items would be helpful and appreciated to further our work. 

1. Copy paper
2. Standard size business envelopes
3. Small regular size envelopes (giving envelopes)
4. Office Depot, Target or Wal-Mart gift cards
5. Stamps
6. Disinfectant wipes
7. Indoor trash can bags
8. Plastic quart or gallon size bags
9. Paper, plastic or reusable grocery bags to carry groceries
10. Nonperishable food (rice, pasta, beans, canned goods, peanut butter, canned meat, canned vegetables)
11. Toiletry items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant, lotion, tissues, toilet paper)
12. Shelf stable for food the Bulldog Pantry

 
As always, purchases made on AmazonSmile support the work of Lutheran Campus Ministry of Fresno. To support LCM on AmazonSmile, please select Lutheran Campus Council of Fresno as your charitable organization on AmazonSmile.
 
Lastly, I’d like to take a moment to thank the generous members of the Lutheran Campus Ministry Board who’ve served this past year: Erica Bird, Terry Roberts, Jeff McGrath, Lori Kamlade, Paul Werfelmann, Janet Baker, Linda Hurst and Gwen Hansen. 
 
On behalf of Lutheran Campus Ministry of Fresno, thank you for your support.
 
Wishing you a merry and bright Holiday season,
 
Autumn Scherf
Ministry Associate
​Lutheran Campus Ministry of Fresno

​Dear Friends,
 
It’s been far too long since I’ve written, and this post is long overdue, but I suppose it’s better late than never. My usual response is “it’s been a busy time of year” but now that we’re headed into the actual busy time of the year, I’m not quite sure I’m prepared for what lies ahead.
 
In preparation for the holiday season, this past month my partner and I deep cleaned our house and remodeled our living room. We decided to rearrange furniture, hang up new décor and rejuvenate our living space. The project itself was bigger than expected and neither one of us foresaw the project to be just as big as it was!
 
In the midst of rearranging furniture my partner asked me why I have so many religious pieces of décor hanging on the walls of our home and asked if we could perhaps take a few down. Initially I was hurt and disappointed that he wanted to change things up but then I realized he didn’t know why the pieces were so important to me. In conversation I shared that one piece was a high school graduation present, another was a gift I received on the way across the country after my grandfather died, one wrote one of my favorite bible verses that got me through a difficult time and many more stories surround the walls of our home.
 
Over the course of the next few days I realized how my literal walls are filled with spirituality but my figurative walls that I carry on my shoulders need some improvement. I found that although I am surrounded by religion every day at both of my jobs and at my home, I’m not necessarily enriching my own personal faith.  I suppose in between rearranging our living room, I found that even the most devout and faithful follower can struggle with practicing their faith and perhaps it’s time I rearrange my own life too.
 
My goal now is not to have a Christ Centered Home but a Christ Centered Heart.  My question for you is which are you currently practicing, and which will you strive for?
 
Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving,
 
Autumn Scherf
Ministry Associate                                
Lutheran Campus Ministry of Fresno