CLC Social Ministry and Mission
November 2023
Each month the Social Ministry Committee highlights a special giving opportunity. November’s specific emphasis is providing support for the Lutheran Diaconal Association www.thelda.org. 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 have changed throughout the last 103 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.
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 Subsplash 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.
