MARCH 2015
Christ Lutheran Church • Highlands Ranch, CO • Gathering † Gifting † Sending
ELCA Barnyard Sunday Baaaaa said the baby goats. Don’t believe me, come hear them for yourself on March 8! Brittany Carpenter will be returning to CLC with a small selection of baby barnyard animals to help us emphasize ELCA’s Global Barnyard Project. This project or ministry p project is a successful way to empower local villages (primarily women) in the African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia. The purpose is to provide families with a livelihood and vehicle to climb out of poverty and feed their families. The goats often considered the “poor women’s cow,” are particularly adaptable to this purpose because they: · are able to survive by eating drought-resistant shrubs and grasses · can also have babies often and throughout the year · produce highly nutritious and easily digested milk · do not need much space and are easily handled Local people from the villages apply for an opportunity to attend animal husbandry classes on ELCA sponsored cooperative farms located in their respective countries. There they learn how to care for the animals. A team of ELCA relief workers determine how many animals each village can support in terms of grazing land and water. The women are then given a starter herd. As the goats multiply, the villager increases her herd and percentage of the babies are given back to the cooperative to provide the animals needed to continue the program. In addition the animal husbandry classes also act as trainers and mentors for new people in their villages who wish to become goat herders. What a great ministry to be a part of so easily by purchasing the animals! Donations will be taken from March 7th to April 5th. Just stick a check in the offering plate and mark it Barnyard project or goats. We also have envelopes in the Narthex. Thank you!
Calling all CLC/Thrivent Members! THANKS to all the CLC/Thrivent members who have taken action to designate their CHOICE Program dollars in the last 45 days! March 31 2015 is the final date to make your Thrivent CHOICE dollar designations that you've received in 2014. As of December 31, only 43 of a possible 114 CLC members had made their CHOICE dollar designations. That's just 37%! Please go to www.Thrivent.com to double check your online Thrivent account to determine if you have CHOICE dollars to designate. OR if you are not set up online, you can call 1-800847-4836 and select "Thrivent Choice" when prompted and talk to a Thrivent representative about your CHOICE dollars. Whether you choose to designate CHOICE dollars to Christ Lutheran or another charitable cause, please use the dollars you've received. If you have any questions feel free to call Steve Strom, Thrivent Congregational Advocate at C.L.C. 479-650-8510.
Cow $500 Fish $250 Sheep $125 Goat $50 Pig $30 Duck $20 Chicks $10
MARCH PRESCHOOL NEWS
The weather has sure been interesting all around our Nation this year. And, Colorado is known to have more winter after March begins. Let’s hope that is not the case. We have come to conclusion that kids need to be outside as much as possible and see that sunshine! The school continues to register for fall classes and we cannot believe how fast time is moving. We will talk about the Lost Son and Washing Feet for Chapel this month and our Storyteller will visit as well. We love watching the children grow in Jesus. They are so much fun every day! We wish everyone a healthy Spring as we prepare for the arrival of Easter. Many blessings, Deb and Blair