News for the week of June 21, 2026

A few of us at CLC have been thinking about the possibility of a Civil Rights Pilgrimage and have identified an experienced leader who will explore with us the possibility of a trip. 

We would learn history by WALKING…… We would visit Montgomery, Birmingham, Selma, and Atlanta. • Get the BIG PICTURE at EJI Legacy Museum and Memorial • Take a walking tour of downtown Montgomery and see MLK’s “Dexter Church” - Freedom Rides Museum - Rosa Parks Museum - slave market square • Walk the bridge in Selma and learn about Jim Crow south from a Foot Soldier • See Birmingham 16th St Church, Ingram Park, Jail where King stayed, “dynamite” hill, and much more • Plus enjoy some EXCELLENT Southern cooking & BBQ. 

If you are interested in exploring this possibility, please join us after the 9:30am service on Sunday, July 5^th.  No commitment is necessary.  We would like to gauge the interest of folks at CLC to this kind of trip together. If you can’t be there on that Sunday but would like more information, contact Pr. Erica or Kathy Sutherland.

Sheltered in Grace: We did it and then some!

June 21, 2026

We launched Sheltered in Grace with a Foundation Goal of $120,000 to replace the sanctuary roof.  We have not only met that goal, we’ve exceeded it – by a lot.  As of this week when writing this note, we’ve already received pledges of $177,297. Thanks be to God!

Because of your generosity, our Council has reviewed and approved a contractor bid which, gratefully, actually came in under what we anticipated.  We anticipate the project getting started in August, but of course, that’s just the beginning.

Because of your generosity, remember that every dollar above the actual cost of the project is going directly to our mortgage principal, to reduce our monthly payments and free up resources for ministry.  Already we have more than $57,000 going directly to that principal.  Thanks be to God!

Once we’ve received all your gifts and the project is complete, after all your generosity has been applied to the principal, we will ask our lender to recalculate our payments based on the new balance.  Our calculations show that paying down our mortgage by every $100,000 frees a little over $13,000 per year in budget relief. 

We are at 69% of the Hallelujah Goal, and there is still time to be a part of what we’re doing. Gifts are received through August 1. If you have not yet made your commitment, or if you feel moved to do more, join us as God is doing something remarkable!

Give or make your commitment at clcvalpo.org/shelteredingrace.  Interested in giving appreciated securities, a tax refund, or an IRA charitable rollover? Check the box and Heather Budnik will be in touch.

We built this place together. Let’s protect it and then some.

June Altar Gifts

Holy Communion       Marilyn McGawn ~ In Memory of Malcolm

Altar Candles               Michael and Lois Felten ~ In Memory of Bob Bauer

Eternal Lamp              Paige and Karl Reichardt—In Celebration of our 60th Wedding Anniversary

Christ Lutheran Church offers a Grief Support Group every other week on Wednesdays from 9:30 - 11 am in the Conference Room. (209). The group serves adults who have experienced a loss of a spouse, parent, child, friend, or neighbor. The core group of peer support welcomes others to walk together in our grief journey .

Come when you can. Coffee and Kleenex available. 

The group is facilitated by Cheryl Slack, a Stephen Minister. You may contact her at 219-241-0677 or one of the pastors if you have any questions.

Upcoming dates are July 1, 15, 29

CLC Social Ministry and Mission

June 2026

As you do it for the least of these, you do it for Christ.  (Matthew 25:40)

Social Ministry Emphases for June.  Each month the Social Ministry highlights a special giving opportunity.  June’s emphasis is providing support for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana http://www.foodbanknwi.org  and Project Neighbors https://projectneighbors.org or https://www.facebook.com/ProjectNeighbors. 

The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana’s (FBNI) mission is “to provide food for hungry people in NW Indiana through a network of charities increasing public awareness and advocating solutions for the issues involved with hunger and acting as an info &referral source to the community”.  FBNI is based in Merrillville and is affiliated with and meets the guidelines of Feeding America www.feedingamerica.org and distributes over 2 million pounds of goods/year through 90 network charities in NW Indiana.

Project Neighbors (454 College Ave.) is a Not-for-Profit organization in Valpo. By addressing issues of race, class and poverty, Project Neighbors’ goal is to build healthy families and neighborhoods, where diversity of all kinds is welcomed and cherished.  Project Neighbors’ accomplishments in Valparaiso include affordable housing at Caroline's Place, Neighbor's Place, Respite House, The Crossing, childcare and preschool at Hilltop House, community health centers in HealthLinc, and the region's only low-power, all-volunteer community radio station, WVLP, among other “risks-turned-rewards.”

Use your weekly worship giving envelope mailed with check to CLC and indicate “FBNWI/PN” 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 the monthly social ministry emphases.

Your Love is Needed in Sunday School!
Your love – your kindness – your faith – your time. These are the best gifts you can give! Our young folks come to Sunday School each week ready to meet Jesus, to learn about God’s love and faithfulness, and that happens as they get to know YOU! We are looking for caring adults to join our team-teaching groups.

Leaders for each group are part of a rotating team that allows for lots of flexibility in scheduling. Our Youth Helpers are amazing! The curriculum is anchored in the Good News and makes preparation easy.
 

The gift of relationships with faithful caring adults is so crucial to our kids – and the gift of relationships with faithful, curious, joyful kids is so lifegiving for us adults!

So please pray about joining us – contact Pr. Erica ([email protected]) or the church office with interest or questions.

Adult Faith Formation Hour - your ideas welcome!

Planning is in the works for our Adult Faith Formation opportunities on Sunday mornings next year. Ever year we're surprised by how quickly the schedule fills with good things! If you have an idea, a series you'd like to lead, a guest you'd like to invite, etc - please be in touch with Pr. Erica ([email protected]) so that we can do our best to fit all these good opportunities into the calendar!