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 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?  Andrew Prentice, Development  Manager 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  

Little Lamb’s Fall Carnival will be from 5:30-7:30 on Thursday, 

October 3^rd.

Little Lamb Preschool is in need of game helpers (Middle School age and up—Adult helpers are also welcome😊) for a commitment of 2.5 hours.  We would need you to arrive by 5:15, run your game and then help clean your game up and be free to leave by 7:45. 

This is a terrific opportunity to get some volunteer hours as well as have a lot of fun with some very energetic preschoolers. 

Please let Jen Gottlieb know if you will be able to serve at this event. 

Feel free to email at jen.gottlieb@clcvalpo.org or call the preschool at 219-462-6660 #14. 

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 meeting is September 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. 

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

Driver and Volunteers Needed!

Drivers and volunteers are needed for help with the Valparaiso Refugee Families Support Group. 

Help us support our sponsor family in the US!  Our sponsor family is in need of regular rides for the next few months as they wait for their driver's licenses. Can you give some time, maybe twice a month for an easy drive?

We also need volunteers to help with the work of getting the family set up with services, English classes, homework help, fundraising, and other projects that make their life here in the US possible and productive.

If you would like to be a part of this project, please add your name at:

https://tinyurl.com/ValpoVolunteer

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

Thanks to your generosity, we have exceeded our goal!  You have provided all the supplies that we need for 110 Lutheran World Relief School Kits to serve God’s people throughout the world.  The Sunday School youth will help assemble and pack the kits during class on September 29^th, and we will be ready for the ingathering on October 19^th. Any additional supplies collected between now and October 19^th will be used to assemble a few more kits or saved for next year. Thank you again for your support for this important ministry.