3+ day, 6+ hour ago (238+ words) LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) " Lexington church, Illuminate Hope, has helped create a pocket-sized book for people experiencing homelessness: It's called the Compassion Guide. "Compassion in my mind is empathy with action behind it," said Pastor Jordan Wilson. Wilson told LEX 18 the idea came from several nonprofits, churches, and the city. It was spurred because information to help the homeless wasn't in one easy to find location. "We can plug them in with a resource that's already doing it in town, pretty much immediately," said Wilson. Wilson and his team began distributing the guide last weekend. The durable guide has a plastic cover and inside is broken down by section based on the immediacy of the situation. "As these people receive these books we would hope that they feel not only a church but a city that sees them and wants to…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (322+ words) LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) " The Salvation Army in central Kentucky needs to raise an additional $1 million this holiday season to meet growing community needs, officials announced at the annual Red Kettle campaign kickoff. Major David Childs, who has led the local Salvation Army for five months, said the organization faces a significant budget shortfall while serving more people than ever in Fayette, Scott and Jessamine counties. "The reality for our budget is we've run into a little shortfall over the past few years, and we need to raise about $1 million in addition to what we normally do to meet the need of what's coming," Childs said. The increased need comes as inflation and rising costs have reduced the purchasing power of donations. More community members require shelter, clothing and holiday gifts while each dollar donated doesn't stretch as far as it…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (419+ words) FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) " The "Loving Memory Tree" at First United Methodist Church is providing comfort to hundreds of people grieving during the holiday season, offering a place where mourners can honor their deceased loved ones with handwritten tributes. The tree, which displays 400 hand-written ornaments, was created by Reverend Dr. Leanne Hadley after she experienced devastating losses in a single year " both her parents died and she went through a divorce. "I was devastated during the holidays and there was a church in my town. I lived in Colorado Springs and they had candles in their windows," Hadley said. "It wasn't meant to be a grieving place or anything, but during the holidays it was the only place I found comfort." Holly Brunson, who's dealing with her mom's death, finds profound meaning in the tree. "Having lost my mother this year…...

2+ week, 4+ day ago (420+ words) SOMERSET, Ky. (LEX 18) " It all started with a TikTok experiment and a willingness to lend a helping hand. A Somerset church is gaining worldwide attention after their pastor's willingness to help what he thought was a mother in need, showcasing the power of compassion in an unexpected viral moment. TikToker Nikalie Monroe decided to conduct an experiment, calling churches across the country while posing as a mother who needed baby formula for her two-month-old after SNAP benefits were paused. Monroe documented these calls in videos, testing how different congregations would respond to a plea for help. "I am calling your church to see if they're willing to help feed a hungry baby," Monroe said in one of her videos. While some churches didn't respond to her request for assistance, one pastor immediately stepped up to help. "We can-- we can…...