First Lutheran Church Awards $40,600 in 2025 Grants

Be the reason future generations know what mattered in Decorah. Fund Decorah News today. DECORAH — The First Lutheran Church Trust Fund Board announced $40,600 in grant distributions for 2025, supporting educational opportunities, youth programs and vital community services throughout northeast Iowa and beyond. "The First Lutheran Church Trust Fund serves as a living witness to God's love and concern for the world by supporting Christian education, humanitarian efforts and other vital ministries within and beyond our congregation," said Jim Martin-Schramm, Trust Fund Board president. The board, which includes John Anderson, Paul Berland (secretary), Mike Ludeking, Jim Martin-Schramm (president), Amy Schlachtenhaufen and Kendra VanSloten, along with ex officio members Mark Gowdy-Jaehning (FLC council president) and Greg McGohan (FLC treasurer), approved the following distributions at its December meeting: Education and youth development ($25,445) $10,000 to Educational Partners in Covenant (EPIC) provided $1,000 scholarships to 10 First Lutheran students attending Lutheran colleges: Brady Benzing (Wartburg), Seth Bolson (Gustavus Adolphus), Connor Evelsizer (Luther), Sydney Kipp (Luther), Alex McGohan (St. Olaf), Nathaniel Roberts (St. Olaf), Julia Severtson (Luther), Kamryn Steines (Wartburg), Brady Stille (Wartburg) and Gwenyth Thompson (Luther). ELCA colleges may match these scholarships, doubling their impact. $5,445 for Camp EWALU and other Bible camp experiences, providing nearly 30 camperships and additional stipends for two camp counselors. $9,000 enabled 21 youth and four adult leaders to participate in the First Lutheran Youth Group's trip to Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp in Montana. $1,000 supported seminary student Nicole Kiefer at Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Community services and social support ($15,155) $3,005 to the pastor's discretionary fund for critical social services and emergency housing support. $3,500 to the Decorah Food Pantry. $500 to the Decorah Free Clinic for general support. $1,200 to Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation for social services. $1,200 to Northeast Iowa Helping Services for Youth and Families for domestic violence services. $500 to Undue Medical Debt for medical debt forgiveness in northeast Iowa. On average, $1 erases $100 of unpayable medical debt, meaning the gift will ease about $50,000 of debt. $1,000 to Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp for capital improvements. $2,400 to Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) for refugee resettlement services. Since 1939, Global Refuge has assisted more than 800,000 new arrivals rebuilding their lives in the U.S. Additional managed funds The trustees also administer distributions from other designated funds: The Weston Noble Music Ministry Endowment provided $3,000 to support First Lutheran's music director. The Gipp Family Scholarship Trust, established to honor Alvin and Jeanette Gipp, awarded a $500 scholarship to Gwenyth Thompson, an active youth member attending Luther College. Established in 1984, the First Lutheran Church Trust Fund transforms one-time gifts and bequests into perpetual support for ministries beyond the congregation's operating budget. Working with professional investment managers, the fund ensures that every gift continues giving year after year. For more information about the First Lutheran Church Trust Fund or to make a gift, contact First Lutheran Church at 563-382-2638 or visit www.FirstLutheranDecorah.org/give. For more information about the First Lutheran Church Trust Fund or to learn about making a gift, contact First Lutheran Church at 563-382-2638 or visit www.FirstLutheranDecorah.org/give. Get the inside scoop! Subscribe to the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and receive local news, expert a