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This Church changes lives!
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News for the week of 5/16/2021
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Summer Worship & Updating our COVID precautions
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Like you we were encouraged by the CDC’s recent announcement, which reflects the
substantial progress we are making together in controlling this pandemic. We were delighted by the personal freedoms available to those who are vaccinated even as we remain aware of those for whom vaccines are not yet available or possible: our children under 12 and beloveds of all ages with compromised immune systems and other medical concerns.
Throughout this pandemic we have kept the wellbeing of the vulnerable and our sense of
being community together as our foremost concerns - our priorities and focus remain the same. While personal freedoms for those who are vaccinated have increased, our Christian and congregational responsibility remains the same: to love and serve our neighbors, especially those who are vulnerable, both in our midst and in our surrounding community. For their sake, both in solidarity and out of abundant love and concern, our congregation will continue to shape our worship and our activities
in ways that help keep them safe.
However, thanks be to God, we have learned much better which are the most effective and
necessary safety measures. While livestream worship will continue as our primary gathering, the coming summer months allow us to return to outdoor worship which we’ve learned is even safer than we hoped. We’ve learned about transmission indoors and what’s important to mitigate and what is less so. We are excited that over the next few weeks we will be able to, safely, draw closer to the unfettered in-person worship we are all longing
for.
Already this week
we began adjusting our in-person, indoor worship opportunities:
- Because our Pastors are vaccinated and can maintain a good distance, they will remove their masks for preaching and other portions of worship leadership.
- Lectors and Prayer Assistants who are vaccinated are welcome to remove their masks for their portion of leadership, should they feel comfortable doing so.
- In the distribution of Holy Communion, we will return to speaking “the Body/Blood of Christ, given for you” individually, while retaining the practice of waiting until we’ve moved to the side before consuming the bread and wine.
- Beginning on Pentecost Sunday we will join in congregational song, singing a Sending Hymn at the end of the service. (Before we sing, exterior doors will be opened to increase ventilation.)
When worshiping indoors, because masks both protect our unvaccinated sisters and
brothers and prevent them from infecting others, we expect those who are vaccinated to continue wearing masks so as not to single out those who cannot: our children and those who are vulnerable. (Neither checking for vaccination at the door nor creating two separate populations in worship are desirable for Christian community!) Because physical distancing remains crucial to protect the health of the unvaccinated, we will continue to honor 6’ distancing and our rearranged seating; the reduced
capacity means we will continue to require registration.
Our Thursday Evening Summer Outdoor Worship will begin on June 3, and we are excited that:
- Because we will be outdoors and able to remain distanced, we will return to singing together. Our Worship team is excited to teach us a new sung holy communion service, composed by Marty Haugen (who wrote our beloved Holden Evening Prayer
service).
- Since we’ve been blessed with a big “church backyard,” we don’t expect to need registration or capacity limits.
- We’re invited to bring our own camp chairs/blankets to sit on, though folding chairs will also be available.
- We will not require masks during our outdoor worship, but we will ask for appropriate distancing.
Of course, our concern for the vulnerable is best lived-out by encouraging those who are
able to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Please encourage and, when possible, assist your neighbors and friends to make vaccination appointments. If they, or you, need help with that process, please call us in the Church Office (462-6660) and we will be glad to connect you with those who can help.
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CLC Social Ministry and Mission
May 2021
Do justice…love kindness…walk humbly with your God
(Micah 6:8)
In July, CLC will have been partnering with Cheyenne and Jennie Stewart and their family for just under two years. So much has changed for them, including two new jobs— and now they will be stepping out on their own, leaving their Housing Opportunities-supported
apartment in July.
If you’ve ever moved house, you’ll know how expensive that can be. If you can help defray those costs, we’d like to offer you two possible ways:
1. Come enjoy CLC’s talent show and picnic on Saturday, May 22nd, and treat yourself to a frozen dessert— and a free-will offering will be collected to support the Stewarts’ move, all as part of one of our confirmand’s service project.
2. If you cannot attend and still would like to donate, you can do so through CLC’s giving options:
- Electronically - Go to clcvalpo.org and use the GIVE button to make a donation to "Stewart Family" through our online giving portal.
- Cash or check - Drop a donation in the offering, in the lockbox, or send it through the mail. Be sure to clearly indicate "Stewart Family" on the donation.
Please note that these donations are not tax-deductible and will not appear on your giving statement.
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Men Shelter
Update
The men in the New Creations program have overnight housing through Housing Opportunities for the next year.
The need for dinners, breakfast and pantry items are ongoing. Many things like canned foods, milk, bread, plastic wrap will be needed for the men.
Please check out the list of items each week and sign up to provide a meal to about 10-12 men.
https://signup.com/go/RKPSSEY
Mark your calendars for some all-ages fun!
Saturday, May 22, 4pm, back turnaround - Church Variety Show and Picnic Come share a real talent or a "talent" - everything from
the sublime to the ridiculous is welcome - google a few knock-knock jokes, play your kazoo, and join the fun!
We'll gather outdoors - bring your sunglasses and a picnic dinner!
(Rain date is Sunday, May 23 at 4pm.)
Register here: https://clcvalpo.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/737953
Evenings, June 13, 15, and 17 - Plan to join in our all-ages outdoor VBS, with serious and silly activities for children and adults!
Sojourner Truth House Walk
In our partnership with our sister congregation, Bethel in Gary, Christ Lutheran is joining them for a walk, rain or shine, on Saturday, June 12 at 9 am to raise funds for Sojourner Truth House, a social services organization in Gary. (See flyer below) We'd love to
have you join our BC(Bethel/Christ) Truth Trekkers team and walk with us or if that is not possible, we encourage you to make a monetary donation to help us meet our $500 goal. There are a number of ways to make your donation:
1. See the link in the flyer below.
2. Make a check out to Christ Lutheran Church, put walk in the memo line, and put it in the blackbox by the church office.
3. Put any cash donation in the black box by the church office with a note that it is for the BC Truth Trekkers team.
4. Give your cash or check donation to either Kathy Lundstrom or Kathy Sutherland who will be outside the sanctuary before and after the in-person 10:30 service on Sunday, June 6.
For those who are able to walk as a part of our BC Truth Trekkers team, we will carpool and leave Christ Lutheran at 8:10 am Saturday, June 12 for Bethel where we will begin our walk at 9 am. Or you can drive to Bethel (411 Montgomery St. Gary, IN 46403) on your own
to be ready to walk at 9 am. We will walk for about 2 miles. Thank you for supporting this worthy cause and our partnership with Bethel.
Graduations
Each June we acknowledge those members and friends of our congregation who have graduated from High School, College, Technical and/or Advanced Degree Programs during the past year (summer 2020- summer 2021). Please
submit the student’s name, graduating school and school that they will be
attending in the fall to jen.bias@clcvalpo.org.
AND
Retirements
Similarly, if you have retired during the past year (summer 2020- summer 2021) please submit your name, where you retired from and what your future plans are so we may recognize your years of service and dedication to
jen.bias@clcvalpo.org.
We will recognize these achievements on Sunday, May 23.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Christ Lutheran Church
Youth Ministries
Confirmation Class (in person, recorded)
Wednesdays, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
May 19th
Circle Senior Celebration
Sunday, May 23rd, Noon – 2:00pm, at the Schmidgalls Home
Circle will be celebrating our CLC seniors as they prepare for high school graduation! Come out for an afternoon together as we put a new twist on a Circle tradition. Our seniors will have a chance to share about what
CLC has meant to them and spend time hanging out. Seniors who participated in Circle will also receive a special gift from us! There is a pool, a big yard, and space to relax and hang out. Email clint.mullet@clcvalpo.org for more details!
Graduation Sunday is May 23rd
We will be recognizing our CLC high school graduates on May 23rd, 2020! Fill out the information form included in this newsletter OR email clint.mullet@clcvalpo.org to get signed up. We will be recognizing those who choose to participate with recognition in our worship services, our service bulletins, and the June newsletter. Participants will also receive a special gift from the church!
Summer Trips
Confirmation Camp (all current 5th – 8th graders)
June 13th – June 18th at Camp Lutherwald
Cost: $355.00 (No deposit required for registration)
Servant Leaders Camp (all current 9th – 11th graders)
June 27th – July 2nd at Camp Lutherwald
Cost: $355.00
Christian Growth Committee Request
As pandemic restrictions loosen their grip, the Christian Growth Committee is looking ahead to the time we can resume offering a meal or reception following a funeral of our CLC members.
Since our faithful volunteer team has been inactive for over a year, it seems important to update the volunteer contact list.
For anyone unfamiliar with this ministry: When a family desires to have a meal or refreshments served after a funeral, volunteers are sent a group e-mail of food needs and helpers needed. The volunteers e-mail their response as to what they can provide or how they can help.
If you would like to be part of this caring ministry, please respond to memcgawn@comcast.net
If you have served as part of this team previously, please respond as well, just for clarification.
For anyone who does not use e-mail, but would like to be involved, call:
Marilyn McGawn 510-5106(home) or 307-6900(cell)
"Serve one another in love." (Gal 5:13c)
Caring Meals
Christ Lutheran has an email list of people who would like to be contacted when a meal schedule has been made for folks after the death of a loved one, after surgery or during illness, or after the birth of a baby. Just since COVID hit, we have provided 9 meal schedules for
people. If you would like to be added to this list, please send a note to amyknauff@gmail.com. You will only be notified when there is a current schedule. There is no obligation. Also, if you or someone you know is in need of meals, please contact Amy Knauff or one of the pastors.
Sandy & Dave Keammerer are always collecting the following items for Lutheran World Relief (LWR). Please drop off at the church.
BABY CARE KITS
All clothing items newborn to age 2
(2) gowns or sleepers: long- or short-sleeved (no feet)
(2) t-shirts: lightweight cotton
(1) jacket/sweater/sweatshirt: with hood, or include a baby cap
(2) pairs of socks
(2) receiving blankets: medium-weight cotton or flannel, or crocheted, or knitted with lightweight yarn, up to 52" square
(4) cloth diapers: flat fold preferred
(1) hand towel: dark color recommended
(2) gentle soap bars: 4-5 oz., bath-size, in original wrapping
(2) diaper pins: or large safety pins
3-ply baby yarn and flannel fabric in increments of .75 yards.
FABRIC KITS
(2) spools of thread (250-300 yards)
(2) pieces of cotton/cotton blend fabric (3 yards)
PERSONAL CARE KITS
New and in original packaging
(1) bath towel: lightweight, dark color preferred (between 20' x 40" and 27" x 52")
(1) toothbrush: adult size/NO TOOTHPASTE PLEASE
(1) nail clipper
(2) bars of soap
(1) STURDY comb
PRAYERS
MEMBERS: Jean Albers, Connor Byrne, Deb Will, Joyce Spoljaric, Josie, Ed W. Seykowski
FRIENDS AND FAMILY: Lee Gun Seeto (friend of Jessica Byerly), Carol (friend of Jessica Byerly), Juanita (Mother of Linda Griffith), Gary & Sharon (parents of Melissa Summerville), Victor (friend of Ramona), Amanda (friend of Melissa Summerville), Dan Murfey, Ed Krentz
Military: Justine, Joe and all of those serving in the military, especially in the time of a pandemic.
For all those affected and infected by COVID
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