Poverty in Northwest Indiana

Join us as we continue to deepen our welcome and understanding in our community and beyond.  We will learn from 2 local organizations that CLC supports through our social ministry outreach.  

Sept 8: Project Neighbors Paul Schreiner, Executive Director and Larry Baas, Board Member

For over 50 years Project Neighbors has worked to strengthen Valparaiso by engaging in a wide range of actions: housing, healthcare, daycare, public discourse, education, economic development and human relations. Come learn about the work of Project Neighbors and how they address needs in NWI. 

Sept 15 Is My Neighbor in Poverty?  Jen Trowbridge, President and CEO of CoAction

We are defining what it is, regulation wise, and why does CoAction exist (and why the heck did they merge with Housing Opportunities!).

Sept 22 Is Poverty a Choice?  Jen Trowbridge, President and CEO of CoAction

Experience the elements that contribute to financial hardships and what you can do to alleviate some of the causes and conditions for your neighbors.

Sunday School Begins September 8!

Our Sunday School classes welcome children 3 years old through those entering 4th Grade – please 

follow the link below to register:

https://clcvalpo.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2465341  

September Altar Gifts

Holy Communion       Ellen Swayne ~ In Memory of Charles Swayne

Altar Candles              Sara and Jeremy Long ~ In Memory of Edna and Fred                                                                                                         Eickemeyer 

                                      Bill and Jorunn Scheiderich ~ In Honor of our 22nd Wedding

                                      Anniversary (9/1)                   

Eternal Lamp              Vicky White ~ In Memory of our 59th Wedding Anniversary

Grief Support Group 

(Next meetings are September 11 & 25)

This support group is for those that have suffered a loss, and is open to anyone in the community. The group meets every other Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the conference room (room 209) and is facilitated by Pastor Jane Aicher. If you or someone you know is interested in this group but are unavailable at this time, please contact the church office. 

LWR Quilting Update

Our long quilting day last week was a success! We got at almost 20 extra quilts tied. We enjoyed the day so much, we decided to do it again in September. We'll meet from  9am-3pm on Wednesday, September 18th at CLC. Lunch will be provided by a Thrivent grant.

We still have 4 bins of matched sets to layer and tie, so there's plenty to work on. Please plan to come for as much time as your schedule allows. Bring friends, too! Many hands make light work.

The LWR Ingathering at CLC is earlier this year. All quilts and kits will be packed up on Saturday, October 19th. Quilts will be displayed on the pews at CLC from  September 22nd-October 13th.
 

Student Instrument Needed

A young musician from the congregation is in need of a musical instrument for the school year. Their rental contract is ending soon and it is more economical to own them. Music is one of the best parts of their day! Would you please dig in your closets and basements or ask your friends for this instrument? 

This middle schooler is looking for:

* an alto saxophone

They are willing to pay for this instrument but has a tight budget. Even if the instrument needs some repairs, they'd be happy to have it!

Please contact Phil Hahn at philhahn@aol.com or 219-241-8803.

Join the Retreat Team!

Come help us discern a theme and dream up a meaningful experience - we'll have an initial gathering on Sunday September 15, immediately following the second service. Questions? Please call the church office.

St. Andrew's would like to invite you and your parish members to attend 

St. Andrew's Second Annual Murder Mystery Dinner

Friday, September 20th

We are limited as to seating so sign up by Monday, September 16th.  

Call Michelle at 219-462-4946 for tickets.

You will board the Kankakee Riverboat Kankakee Krisis, Queen of the Kankakee for an evening of murder and mayhem. Boarding begins at 5:30 pm and dinner will be served promptly at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $10.00 per person, or a donation to the food pantry. The mystery is set in the 1940’s, and costumes are encouraged, but not necessary. Prizes will be given for best-dressed and for the first to solve the mystery. Questions? Please call Michelle Klemczak at 219-462-4946 or email her at mklemczak@standrewsvalpo.org

Youth Ministry Updates

God on Deck! Are you on deck?

When you hear the words “on deck” in performances or during a baseball game, its phrasing means that the individual is available and ready for action. Our Youth Board recognizes the importance of this phrase; as followers of God, we are called to be “on deck,” ready to accompany one another always. This idea of always being ready for action was one that truly resonated with our Youth Board. The story of the Good Samaritan provides a wonderful visual for what it means to be “on deck.” The Samaritan was walking down a road, and while perhaps unexpectant of what would take place, was still entirely ready to help care for the beaten man on the side of the road.

Over these next few weeks, you will be hearing from various individuals who have been a part of our youth ministries in all sorts of ways. From involvement in Fusion, as a parent, to serving as a chaperone, our hope is that you can hear some of the stories of why these people were ready for action! We are so grateful for the ways that these individuals are ready for action with our youth ministries! If you are interested in hopping on board with us and being a volunteer with the CLC Youth Ministries, please contact Kaitlyn, Director of Youth Ministries, at kaitlyn.jedrzejowski@clcvalpo.org.

Fusion- Help Wanted!

Here at Christ Lutheran, we know the power and importance of relationship and community! With Fusion starting up on September 8^th, we are looking for high school and adult volunteers to help lead and walk alongside our students in Fusion! If you are someone who loves being in conversation with others, enjoys playing games, and has an appreciation for projects and bringing discussion to life through action, then we hope you will consider volunteering with Fusion. There will be a training for volunteers on September 8^th following the 10:30am service for individuals interested in learning more. If you have any questions relating to Fusion, please contact Kaitlyn, Director of Youth Ministries. 

Fellowship at the Circle Table!

If you are like me and love to cook, there is a wonderful opportunity to help provide dinners for our high school group, Circle! Every Sunday from 6-8pm, our high schoolers meet for a time of community, conversation, and faith formation. Part of this time together includes a meal in which we can be together in fellowship. This has been a long-time tradition at Circle, because we know the beautiful ways in which a shared meal deepens the relationships between our youth! If you are interested in providing a meal for Circle, please sign-up using the SignUpGenius. Our high schoolers love connecting with the individuals who help provide dinners for Circle and it is just one of the many ways we grow and nurture our relationships with all here at CLC!

Social Ministry Monthly Emphasis

September 2024

Compass International Family Center, Valparaiso  http://compassIFC.org   equips international neighbors of all ages in Northwest Indiana with the educational services and support needed to thrive in their new community.  Compass is “Open Arms * Hand in Hand” equipping new neighbors with language and life skills needed to thrive in the US strengthening our community by breaking down divisions and isolation. With approximately 90 children and 40 adults joining 50 annual volunteers each week each Compass night is an opportunity for growth and new friendships.  Compass offers the following free services for all ages:  Adult English classes, Citizenship classes, K-12 tutoring, English learner preschool, Childcare, and soccer skills/drills, arts and crafts, and other fun enrichment projects. 

Project Neighbors – Freedom Recovery Fund  https://projectneighbors.org/frf    Led by Project Neighbor’s Black Board members and staff, the FRF is a sustainable and comprehensive resource for the Black community in Valparaiso.  The FRF helps address systemic issues and racial inequality.  Funding is allocated as follows:  Personal Incentive Accounts (e.g. home/business ownership), Emergency Grants (e.g. unforeseen reduction in income), and Legal/Advocacy Assistance (e.g. generating wills/trusts and estate planning to help build legacy of wealth).  The FRF aims to engage a network of community leaders who share a common goal of improving the quality of life of Black community members in Valpo.

Help achieve our goal of $2500 in September (over and above giving combined with CLC’s $1200 budgeted amount).  By achieving our goal CLC will help Compass and Project Neighbors Freedom Recovery Fund continue mutual support and service activities that are crucial to effective ministry.  Use your weekly worship giving mailed in check to CLC and indicate “Compass/FRF” or contribute through Subsplash on the CLC website via the “Give” button and choose Monthly Social Ministry Emphasis.  Thank you to members for supporting monthly social ministry emphases.

Lutheran World Relief

School Kits

We are in the middle of our drive to collect school supplies for Lutheran World Relief, and thanks to your generosity, we just need the following items:

• 70-sheet notebooks of wide- or college-ruled paper, approximately 8” x 10 ½” (100)
• 30-centimeter ruler, or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other (50)
• Pair of blunt scissors (20)
• Box of 16 or 24 crayons (40)
• 2.5" erasers (20)

Our goal is to complete at least 100 school kits this year.  There is a basket in the Gathering Space for donations. 

If you happen to have the ability to lead a Thrivent Action Team to help us purchase supplies, we can help you with your application.  Please let me know (kathyjopage@gmail.com).

Gathering supplies with your children is a great way to remind yourself and them that we need to continue to love our neighbors, near and far.  It helps us all remember that God’s love is everywhere!  Thank you for your support!