Sacred Ground is a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith.  Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity.

The 10-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.

Christ Lutheran Church, in partnership with St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, invites you to join in this discussion circle on Wednesdays at 6:00 – 7:30pm beginning on January 12  and meeting  every other week for 10 sessions. We will meet via Zoom.  

For registration, go to: https://clcvalpo.org/SacredGround

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Owen ( jlo46383@msn.com) or Kathy Sutherland (ksutherland54@yahoo.com).  For more information about Sacred Ground, please see this link: https://episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground/about

2021  ANGEL  TREE  PROJECT  A  GREAT  SUCCESS

THANKS  TO VERY  GENEROUS  DONORS

Priscilla Bible Study is very grateful with the outcome of our 2021 Advent giving project.  The generosity of the donors exceeded our expectations!   Not only did we reached our initial goal of $1,600 five days before the cut-off date, additional donations came rolling in.  Together, we certainly shared God’s love to some wonderful adults & children, and we have extended more joy over the birth of the Christ child to 91 adults & children in our community.

THANK  YOU  ANGEL TREE  DONORS  FOR  YOUR  SUPPORT  &  GENEROSITY!!!

For this Advent Season, 57 adults & 34 children, living in Porter County, were sponsored by our partner groups  >  KidsReach at Hilltop Neighborhood House, Housing Opportunities, Disabled American Veterans, & our congregation.  Each sponsored adult & child received a $25 gift card (9 adults received a $15 gift card).

A total of $2,186 was donated for our service project, & just $1 remains in the Angel Tree Fund  (because the figures would not divide evenly).

Family units sponsored by our nonprofit partners:  Housing Opportunities with Lisa Franko, Hilltop Neighborhood House (KidsReach Program) with Amy Osburn, Disabled American Veterans of Porter County with Mr. Ed Seykowski, as well as CLC with Jenny Bias & Diana Iltzsche for men in the NCMS program.  Priscilla Bible group really appreciates the wonderful helpfulness of these partners.

Members & friends confidentially donated money to the established 2021 Angel Tree Fund & then gift cards for a few local stores were purchased by members of Priscilla Bible Study Group.  The gift cards were distributed to our nonprofit sponsors in a real Christmas card & envelope with a cordial holiday message.  Our sponsors delivered the Christmas cards & gift cards to their recipient families on or before Christmas Day.

The generosity of our donors was overwhelming & heart-warming!  The path for sharing the joy of the birth of the Christ-child was 91 people wide!

First Contact, Inc. http://firstcontactinc.org  and Mike Steiner Special Needs Memorial Fund.

Each month the Social Ministry highlights a special giving opportunity and volunteer opportunities.  January’s emphasis is to support 1) First Contact http://firstcontactinc.org and 2) the Christ Lutheran Mike Steiner Benevolence Fund.

First Contact is a not-for-profit interdenominational resource and referral ministry, which endeavors in the name of Jesus to assist Porter County residents in need.  The vision of FC is to engage a community of givers, through churches, individuals, and organizations to help support those facing hardship.  FC has offices in Valparaiso and Portage.  When Porter County residents come to the offices of Christ Lutheran with needs as described above, First Contact is our partner in helping address these needs.  FC also welcomes volunteers to help staff their office hours.

Mike (Marjorie) Steiner was a member of Christ Lutheran who in her will asked her family to donate her financial savings (about $15,000) to CLC.  She asked that these monies be used to help CLC members who at a particular time have social, physical, and financial needs.  The Social Ministry and Mission Committee established policies and procedures for making effective use of these funds to benefit those needing help with rent, utilities, emergency food, medicine, and counseling.  Since it has been quite a few years since Mike’s gift, and since numerous CLC members have benefited, the fund needs new donations each year.

Help achieve our goal of $2500 in January (over and above giving combined with CLC’s budgeted amount of $1200).  By achieving our goal CLC will help First Contact and Steiner Fund continue to thrive.  Use your weekly worship giving envelope mailed with check to CLC and indicate “FC/Steiner” or contribute through PushPay on the CLC website https://clcvalpo.org via the “Give” button.  Thank you to members for supporting monthly social ministry emphases.

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Men's Shelter Update

New Creations Men's Center (and Resale Shop) at 2102 Calumet Ave, 219-548-3548  You can help feed our neighbors experiencing homelessness: New Creations Men’s Center continues to be home base for both single men and women between homes, providing daily meals and a space to be during the day. Overnight services began at area churches on October 15. Christ Lutheran will resume our hosting in April 2022.

In the meantime, you can help New Creation feed their guests. Lunch supplies can be dropped off at the resale shop counter during hours of operation (usually 10-5). Requests include:  Lunch meat, Fruit, Individual juice, Snack cakes, and Chips.  Dinners are also appreciated; please call New Creations (219-548-3548) for more information about quantities and scheduling of dinners. Information to follow soon on our scheduled night to feed the men. Meanwhile please pray for those in our community living in cars, tents and on the streets.

Immanuel Food Pantry https://immanuelvalpo.org/food-pantry 1700 Monticello – drive up drop off items.  Donations can be dropped at Immanuel, best done Tuesdays and Thursdays 1-3 pm, at entrance between church and school. Contributions especially appreciated now are holiday food items such as gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, cake and cookie mixes.  Also, cooking oil, salad dressing, ketchup, mustard, olives, pickles.

Hilltop Food Pantry https://www.hilltophouse.org/hilltop-food-pantry 606 Union St.

Housing Opportunities https://hoi.help/pantry 2001 Calumet Ave., 219-548-2800

There is a basket inside door #3 for food donations for Housing Opportunities.