CLC Social Ministry and Mission
November 2022
As you do it for the least of these, you do it for Christ.
(Matthew 25:40)
November’s specific emphasis is to provide support for the Lutheran Diaconal Association (LDA) www.thelda.org. Sunday, Nov. 6, will be LDA Sunday at CLC – Carrie Sovola will speak of her experiences with the LGBTQ+ community during faith formation hour and will also preach. Below is a message to CLC from LDA:
“Since 1919, the Lutheran Diaconal Association has formed people for ministries of service. In the early years we trained women primarily as nurses serving in missions and institutions of the church. Our ministries of changed throughout the last 102 years. Today we serve in congregations, in institutions and wherever God’s people are.
A deaconess or deacon is someone one who serves. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and instructed them to do the same for others. Sometimes deaconesses and deacons do actual foot-washing like Jesus did; but more widely, they serve Christ by walking with those the world easily forgets; the marginalized, the poor, the powerless, the
sick.
People who reach out to others in this way—with care and compassion in a hurting world—are practicing diaconal service, as all the baptized are
called to do. Some of them desire to do this as a professional in ministry and enter a more formal training and formation
process to become deaconesses and deacons. Since the earliest days of the church men and women have been set apart to do
intentional servant ministry.
Deaconess/deacon ministry has come to mean many things: it means serving others on bended knee, and from
positions of leadership. It means entering the hurt parts of society and carrying the light and love of Christ in service to others. It means telling the story of God’s love and helping others to hear God in their own story. It means welcoming the stranger in our midst.
We are nurses, lawyers, engineers, musicians, social workers, chaplains, parish deacs, teachers, campus chaplains, missionaries, professors and so much more.
Life has changed for us at the LDA during the global
pandemic, like it has for you. Stories of ministry abound. Stories like Deaconess Cheryl who serves as a hospice chaplain. She brings love, comfort and a voice for families to their loved ones. Cheryl holds a phone so that loved ones can say final good-byes and stands in hallways and prays for and with people who are dying. Or
Deaconess Sara who works to serve her congregation. Or Deaconess Brittany who brings food to shut-ins and has learned
technology to bring worship to people. Or Deacon David who works tirelessly at his church and community helping people
receive their daily needs. Formation for our students continues as well. A dozen students met for their student seminar. We worshipped, had presentations and much conversation.
We are so grateful for our partnership with Christ Lutheran Church. Your congregation has made a huge difference in our ministry. Your prayer support and financial support are invaluable and help the LDA thrive and reach out to God’s people, during this trying time and beyond. Thank you! For more info www.theLDA.org We would love to talk with you! Or talk to Deaconesses Jane Aicher, Diana Iltzsche, Karen Hernes, or Meggan Amour.”
Help achieve our goal of $2500 in November (over and above giving combined with CLC’s $1200 budgeted amount). By achieving our goal CLC will help Luth. Diaconal Assoc. continue mutual support and service activities that are crucial to effective ministry. Use your weekly worship giving mailed in check to CLC and indicate “LDA” or contribute through PushPay on the CLC website https://clcvalpo.org via the
“Give” button and choose Monthly Social Ministry Emphasis. Thank you to members for supporting monthly social ministry
emphases.
