Getting to Know CLC

Curious how God changes lives in and with this congregation?  Join us to for our “Getting to Know CLC” series as we explore 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) February 9, 16 and 23 in the Sanctuary, followed by an opportunity to formally stand with the congregation, confess our faith together, and declare that "Yes! God has something for me here."  

Register for our series:

https://groups.planningcenteronline.com/groups/2494676/members

CLC Social Ministry and Mission

January 2025

“Spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed” (Isaiah 58:10). 

First Contact, Inc. and Mike Steiner Congregational Member Needs Memorial Fund.

Each month the Social Ministry highlights a special giving opportunity and volunteer opportunities.  January’s emphasis is to support 1) First Contact Porter County https://facebook.com/firstcontactportercounty and 2) the Christ Lutheran Mike Steiner Benevolence Fund.

First Contact is a not-for-profit interdenominational resource and referral ministry, which endeavors in the name of Jesus to assist Porter County residents in need.  The vision of FC is to engage a community of givers, through churches, individuals, and organizations to help support those facing hardship.  FC has offices in Valparaiso and Portage.  When Porter County residents come to the offices of Christ Lutheran with needs as described above, First Contact is our partner in helping address these needs.  FC also welcomes volunteers to help in staffing their office hours.

Mike (Marjorie) Steiner was a member of Christ Lutheran who through her will asked her family to donate her financial savings (about $15,000) to CLC.  She asked that these monies be used to help CLC members who at a particular time have social, physical, and financial needs.  The Social Ministry Committee established policies and procedures for making effective use of these funds to benefit those needing help with rent, utilities, emergency food, medicine, and counseling.  It has been years since Mike’s initial gift, and numerous CLC members have benefited, so the fund needs new donations each year.

Help achieve our goal of $2500 in January (over/above giving combined with CLC’s $1200 budgeted amount).  By achieving our goal CLC helps First Contact and Steiner Fund thrive.  Use your weekly worship giving envelope with check to CLC and indicate “F.C./Steiner”, or contribute through Subsplash on the CLC website https://clcvalpo.org via the “Give” button.  Thank you to members for supporting monthly emphases.

“Faith at Work” Participants needed!

In the spring 2025 months we are looking for CLC members, guests, & friends who would be willing to reflect and share about vocation, call, and their faith at work. We will likely have several people with similar work situations participate in the same week as a group panel to share their thoughts. Guiding questions will be provided before the sessions, such as : What called/calls to you in your work? Does your work give you a particular window on God at work in the world, or on the needs of the world? Is there a way that you understand your work as service to God and neighbor? Are there places in your field/your work that are a struggle to fit with your faith, or where you feel a tension/disconnect? How have your thoughts about your work changed as you’ve moved deeper into your field and grown in faith? 

Please talk to Pastor Erica or Karen Hernes karenhernes@gmail.com if you are interested in participating. 

CLC Congregation,

Happy New Year! As 2024 comes to a close and we enter into 2025 together, I am filled with gratitude for what this past year has brought our youth ministries here at CLC. We were able to experience so many life-changing and transformative experiences in 2024, such as the Youth Gathering in New Orleans, Quake in Chicago, and our acceptance into the ELCA Formation Co-Op program! 

As we enter this new year, I am excited to see the ways in which God will continue to move in our community! Thank you for being a part of the lives of our youth and for praying, supporting, and walking alongside our youth throughout this past year and in this new year also. As I reflect on the ways we have gathered together in community this past year, one of my favorite understandings of the cross has always been the vertical and horizontal relationships that it represents. We are in a vertical relationship with God, but we are also called to be in horizontal relationships with one another as neighbors. I continually see the neighborly love that this community has for our youth and the intergenerational relationships that our congregation continues to build.

It is my deepest honor and blessing to be a witness to the ways God’s love is reflected in the relationships and community at CLC. Entering into 2025, I look for ways that the image of the cross will continue to make itself apparent in our community and beyond. Thanks be to God!

Blessings on your New Year,

Kaitlyn Jedrzejowski

Director of Youth Ministries

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Formation Co-Op Updates!

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 Sign-Up Genius. 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!

Volunteer with our CLC Youth Ministries!

Have you been sensing a call from God or have been interested in potential ways to become involved with the youth ministries at CLC? If so, we would love to hear from you and discern where God is calling you! Below, you will find various volunteer opportunities, along with descriptions, within our youth ministries. If any of these speak to you and you are interested in learning more, please reach out to Kaitlyn, Director of Youth Ministries, at kaitlyn.jedrzejowski@clcvalpo.org!

Fusion Volunteer Description

· As a Fusion volunteer, you will be invited to share testimonials and share your perspective from lived experiences with the youth

· Fusion volunteers will coordinate with Director of Youth Ministries and other volunteers to decide upon specific topics for lessons in Fusion

· To encourage youth to think of the ways they find their story within God’s greater story, volunteers are encouraged to ask reflective questions

· Fusion volunteers will attend weekly gatherings from 9:20-10:20 A.M. on Sunday mornings from the beginning of September until the middle of May

· Fusion volunteers will build nurturing relationships with the members of Fusion and walk alongside them as they explore their faith

· Participating in discussion with Fusion youth as a way of showing that we are all on a walk of faith together

· Lead and facilitate games and activities that are done in Fusion

· If so choose, can volunteer the remainder of the 2024-2025 year as a way of first experiencing the program.

Circle Volunteer Description

· As a Circle volunteer, you will be invited to share testimonials and share your perspective from lived experiences with the youth

· Attend weekly meetings from 7-8 P.M. on Sundays (or 6-8 P.M. for dinner with members of Circle) from mid-August to mid-May

· During discussions, spark curiosity through open-ended questions as an important way to encourage high schoolers to engage in self-discovery and reflection 

· Circle volunteers will actively listen to the reflections and perspectives of the members of Circle

· Circle volunteers may be asked tough questions, explore deep subjects- as volunteers, when these questions emerge, invite the high schooler to explore the question with you, especially if it is not easily answerable

· Circle volunteers may be asked to help plan lessons by coming up with topics of conversation, discussion questions, and providing ideas for games/activities, collaborating with the Director of Youth Ministries and other volunteers

· Circle volunteers are encouraged to participate in discussions as a way of sharing your thoughts and experiences with Circle members

· If so choose, can volunteer the remainder of the 2024-2025 year as a way of first experiencing the program.

Popcorn Fest Committee Member

· The Popcorn Fest Committee helps with the planning and execution of Popcorn Fest beginning in July/August through the time Popcorn Fest ends

· Utilizing information from previous years’ Popcorn Fest fundraisers, the committee member will help brainstorm ideas for improvements to the fundraiser

· The committee member should be present on the day of Popcorn Fest to help answer any questions and ensure that the fundraiser runs smoothly

· Committee members will keep files and spreadsheets of quantities and supplies needed for the fundraiser

· Committee members will assist in the ordering of Popcorn Fest items for the fundraiser.

Fundraising and Event Planning Chair Description

· The Fundraising and Event Planning Chair will help with the planning and execution of various fundraisers held throughout the year, which include, but are not limited to:

* Popcorn Fest

* Silent Auction

* Easter Bake Sale

* Trivia Night

* ELCA Youth Gathering Dinner

· The event planning chair will assist in brainstorming ways of which the church can be more connected with local schools in the area, especially Valparaiso High School

· Will provide ideas on ways in which the youth can be better connected with the congregation through intergenerational events

· The Fundraising and Event Planning Chair will help lead and facilitate outreach events on behalf of the church.

Trip Leader Description

· Trip leaders will provide supervision alongside the Director of Youth Ministries at overnight trips

· Anyone who is a trip leader will have a completed and up-to-date background check on file with the church

· Trip leaders have the option to serve on overnight trips such as Quake, the ELCA Youth Gathering, Synod Mission Trip, church lock-ins, and other events as they come up

· While not required, it is highly encouraged that trip leaders have some form of CPR/First Aid training 

· Trip leaders may be asked to also provide transportation for youth attending the overnight trip, especially for overnight events that are not local.

Youth Board Description

· As a member of Youth Board, you will attend, as able, monthly meetings at the time and date determined by the Board 

· Youth Board members collaborate with the Director of Youth Ministries to brainstorm ideas and provide input on the work of the Director of Youth Ministries

· Youth Board members will assist with fundraisers throughout the year through preparation work and presence at the event

· Youth Board members, as individuals who are seeking the growth and development of the youth ministry programs, will work together to implement new ideas into the programs.

Confirmation Mentor

· Accompanies Confirmands beginning in 7th grade and continuing through their 8th grade year and beyond as they develop a spiritual foundation through Confirmation

· Support them in their Confirmation service project, helping them brainstorm ideas that align with the Confirmands passions and gifts and serving alongside them with their service project

· Mentors will meet monthly with their mentee for a time of conversation and to engage in some form of a spiritual practice (reading and reflecting on Bible passages, prayer walks, journaling, etc.)

· Mentors will also read a Confirmation book with their mentee and spend time in conversation and reflection around the meaning of the book and any takeaways from the reading

· Mentors are encouraged to pray for the faith formation of their mentees.