WILLMAR — Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota has recognized Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar as the 2020 Servant of Christ Award winner for the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The award honors congregations that are leaders in social service outreach or have come forward with extraordinary service to address special needs in their community.
According to a news release announcing the award, Vinje Lutheran Church is being recognized for its special care and compassion for older Minnesotans who are served through LSS Meals.
Vinje Lutheran has donated more than 1,000 shelf-stable meals that are individually packaged with hand-written notes of encouragement and artwork made by youth of the congregation. Meal packages bring joy to older neighbors who rely on these meals during winter storms when door delivery is not possible.
Each year, the award is typically extended to one congregation in each of the six Minnesota synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
