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 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.

Blessing of the Animals - Feast of St. Francis

All through September, we’re marking the Season of Creation in worship, and it will wrap up on the Feast of St Francis with a Blessing of the Animals! Bring your pets to the back turnaround on September 29 at 12:30 for a brief service of blessing for these creatures, who are such a blessing to us!

Getting to Know CLC 

Join us to learn more about Christ Lutheran's ministry, history, and teaching! We'll gather for a 3-week series during the Formation Hour on Sundays (9:20am-10:20) September 22, 29, and October 13 in Room 209. Please scan (or click) the QR code to register. Call the church office 219-462-6660 if you have any questions. 

https://clcvalpo.churchcenter.com/groups/seasonal-classes/getting-to-know-clc-fall-2024

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. 

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF Truck packing day is Saturday, October 19 from     2 - 5pm.  The semi-trailer will be arriving around 2pm.  Whether you are able to assist with paperwork of ready to move boxes, we could use your assistance that afternoon.  Baked goods to share with our guests that will be bringing their boxes would be appreciated.  Sign up sheets are in the gathering area.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Becky Fry 219.241.6854.

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

Senior Group

All are Welcome!!

Thursday, SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 - 9:30 a.m at church 

Breakfast buffet followed by presentation about beekeeping by Tom Muchesko. 

PLEASE let me know either way via email response if you are able to attend.  Our arranged speakers take time to prepare a program on our behalf, and if few people are attending, we cannot ask them to go through that effort. 

Also, kindly advise what contribution you can make to the breakfast buffet.  So far, a coffeecake and banana bars will be provided.   

Wednesday, OCTOBER 9, 2024 - Trip to the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Michigan City, IN -- Marvel Comics and Kapow Toy Collection 

An art museum docent will lead us through the Marvel Comics and Kapow Collection of comics and toys from the l960's.   

PLEASE respond by return email if you are able to attend.  We will need a certain number in order for our group to be docent led. The deviation from our normal Thursday is due to the special exhibit expiration and docent availability. 

Meet at church back parking lot at 10:00 a.m. on October 9 so that we can carpool to the museum.  Tour will last about an hour or so.  We will then have lunch near the museum.    

Lastly, please include Sue Reinhold in our private prayer requests as she is currently hospitalized. 

Questions, please contact Beth Bigham 219 477 3937 

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. 

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

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.