annual report 2015 - christ lutheran church · approval of minutes –2014 annual meeting - a...

Annual Report2015

Christ Lutheran Church exists to

invite people into a life-changing

relationship with Jesus.

Who We AreOur Mission Statement

2 Annual Report - 2015

If you watched the State of the Union address re-cently, you heard the President talk about what makes our country strong and that got me thinking about OUR congregation. As I reflect on the year, I thank God for the things that make our congregation strong.

While there are many things that Christ Lutheran has done for years and continues to do, this year we made the courageous decision to follow God’s lead in starting a mission congregation and renovating our fellowship center. The number of people involved in this endeavor has already begun to energize the congregation and get members involved in ways they have not been in the past.

I firmly believe our commitment to service, both locally and globally, is something that continues to strengthen us as a family. We send missionaries to Guatemala, Arizona, New Mexico, Egypt, and vari-ous places locally to serve those in need. It makes me think about how Jesus met the needs of those he ministered to and talked about our commitment to the poor and hungry. Lindsey Guadioso and Debbie Price have done an amazing job finding opportunities for members to serve.

In addition to these things, we stay committed to Christian education and offer a multitude of oppor-tunities for people to learn and grow together. The new format for Wednesday nights has seen a number of new classes for parents while their children learn about Jesus. We continue to offer adult Bible studies nearly every day of the week and the youth are as ac-tive as ever. While it is hard to replace someone like Kathleen, I am thankful for the amazing job Esther Siegen does with our young children and look for-ward to the arrival of Steven Neaton, our new youth director.

For all these reasons and more, our congregation is stronger than it has ever been and I can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store for us. May God bless our faith journey this year.

Congregational ReportBen Wobrock, Council President

3Annual Report - 2015

Council Candidates

Steve Anderson Lise Choate Jesse KaneI have been a member of Christ Lutheran since 2009. When my wife and I moved to Valencia I believe I was drawn to Christ Lutheran because of my family’s deep Christian values and growing up in a Lutheran congregation. I currently attend 9:30 worship, a Bible study on Tuesday night, Spiritually Fit on Thursday night, and recently helped with the planning of the Men’s Retreat in Lake Hughes. I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Church Council and look for-ward to the coming years.

Christ Lutheran Church has been my church home since I moved to CA in 1998. I grew up in Brooklyn Park, MN. My faith journey began at Prince of Peace Lutheran church where I sang in the kids choir and was confirmed. I graduated from Augusta College in Sioux Falls, SD. I moved to CA for a teaching job and I wanted a friendly, fam-ily Lutheran church. I went to a few services and I was hooked when Pastor Joe said he would make the sermon short because the Vikings game was starting! Mike and I were married in the old sanctu-ary in 2000 and became official members at CLC in 2004. My son Blake does not miss a Tuesday night at Impact and daughter Kayla has enjoyed growing her faith serving on Wednesday nights in crafts and learning about the Bible at confirmation. I started sharing the love of Jesus at CLC through VBS music 10 years ago. I enjoyed 4 years of Youth Adventures and now am leading the 7th grade girls in Confirmation. I’m ready for the love of God to fill my life even more as a member of the Church Council. As a busy mom, wife, teacher and friend this verse keeps me going.

“I can do most anything through Christ who strengthens me!” Philippians 4:13

Council candidates were nominated by a special committee. All candidates have agreed to be nominated. Members of the 2015 nomi-nating team were elected by a voice vote at last year’s Annual Meeting. Members of the Nominating Team are listed in the minutes of the 2015 meeting. Our constitution prohibits nominations from the floor. There are three three-year terms and one two-year term to be filled.

My family and I have been attending Christ Lutheran Church for about 10 years, since moving away from our previous Lutheran Church, My wife and I, as well as our chil-dren, are involved in many activities at CLC. My wife has been involved in the youth ministries for many years. Our two children have always been actively involved in youth ministries, both as participants and as assistants. I have been deeply involved in many of the group activities that take place here at CLC, most recently with the prayer ministry which takes place every Sunday between services. I am actively involved in many aspects of the Capital Campaign, from working on the initial phases of the campaign to helping with campaign teams. I am so grateful that we are a part of such a wonderful Church family here at Christ Lutheran Church.

4 Annual Report - 2015 5Annual Report - 2015

Mary SpadaroMy name is Mary Spadaro and I have been a member here at Christ Lutheran Church for about 25 years. My Lutheran roots run deep as my mother is both Swedish and Norwegian and her ancestors settled in northern Minnesota. In my early years here at CLC, I was a member of the choir, Church Council, song leader with our Saturday night service and worked with the junior high youth, taking them on many adven-tures. I met my husband Chuck at a Luther-an singles retreat at Camp El Camino Pines and we were married here in 1992. Chuck was in the choir and the annual passion play for many years and sometimes played guitar, bongos & congas for services. CLC has been a 2nd home for our two daugh-ters, Beth & Alicia. They were baptized here and participated in every program offered from the preschool, Sunday school, Kids of the Kingdom, VBS, confirmation, all choirs and youth groups. They now both work with children as counselors at our Lutheran camps each summer as well as through programs at their universities. Beth is a senior at UC Davis and Alicia a sophomore at Cal Lutheran. My husband Chuck passed away two years ago. Since then, I have found comfort and support with our Ladies Grief Group and am looking forward to retirement; having worked in the lending industry for almost 40 years. I enjoy leading music and playing guitar for our women’s retreats and at our visits to senior living facilities. Christ Lutheran Church has been a big part of my life and I am ready to follow the call to serve again on Church Council should it come to be. Thank you.

Present: All Council members, with the exception of Jean Wims; Pastor Joe Campeau, Pastor Mike Matzek, and 78 members of Christ Lutheran Church.Rick Putnam, Council President, called the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. He welcomed all and thanked them for their attendance.Pastor Joe opened the meeting with prayer. Rick Putnam briefly introduced the Annual Report to the congregation, reminding us to review the Budget Narrative. Approval of Minutes –2014 Annual Meeting - A motion was made by Larry Wims, sec-onded by Bret Wims to approve the Minutes of the 2014 Annual Meeting . By voice vote the minutes were approved as written.

ReportsCouncil President – Rick Putnam summarized his report (pages 7-8 in the Annual Report), noting that it was a year free of sidetracks by emergencies. There were no questions on his report.

Pastor Joe – Referenced his report on pages 9-11, adding that the Congregation is fun-damentally sound but faces challenges. We are doing well but need to get moving, as greater things are still to come. Worship attendance needs to improve. Our Fellowship Center needs serious attention, and we need to plan for a Mission congregation in ex-panding areas. Both of these will require a Capital Campaign. The Youth Ministry position needs to be filled, and we need to do a better job of letting the community know we’re here. There were no questions for Pastor Joe.

Pastor Mike – Referenced his report on pages 12-14, adding his thanks to Staff and to Rick Putnam for their support during Pastor Joe’s medical leave. There were no questions for Pastor Mike.

Council Election – Rick introduced the current Council members, expressing special thanks to Atherton Carty for his three years of service. Atherton and Rick are both outgo-ing members of the Council. He then introduced this year’s nominees to serve a three-year term. They are Meg Schaap, Steve Miller, and Jean Wims, who is currently completing an unfinished term. State law prohibits accepting nominations from the floor. A vote was called for and taken. Ballots were distributed, collected, and counted. There were 78 total ballots, with the following results: Meg Schaap – 74; Steve Miller – 74; Jean Wims – 76.

Nominating Team – Rick introduced the six candidates nominated by the Council to serve on the 2015 Nominating Team. They are: Christine Dickerson, Bill Kopatz, Marie Edmiston Ash, Kurt Schreiner, Shelly Kane, and Kisha Tate. A motion was made by Walt Krego, seconded by Chad Herr, to elect the team. By voice vote they were unanimously elected.

Adoption of the 2015 Budget – As in previous years, Teri Gaudioso gave a comprehen-sive review and explanation of the budget recommendations by Council, with a line-item explanation where changes occurred between the 2014 and 2015 budgets. Chad Herr seconded the motion by Council to adopt the 2015 budget. By voice vote, the budget was unanimously approved.

Pastor Joe again thanked the members of the Congregation for their support and their loving gestures to him and Barbie, and to Council and Staff for performing their jobs so capably during his medical leave last year.

A motion was made to adjourn, seconded, and unanimously approved.

Pastor Mike closed the meeting with prayer.The 2015 Annual Meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.Respectfully submitted, Marie Edmiston Ash, Recording Secretary

Minutes from 2015 Annual Meeting

Pastor JoeCan you feel the energy?

Do you sense the developing momentum – like when an animal coils its muscles in preparation to pounce, and then releases that pent-up intensity with explosive power? If you haven’t noticed it yet, you will. I’m sure of it. Because, that’s what is taking place here at CLC, as the Holy Spirit continues to work among us and in us. The Lord has been preparing us for this moment, this burst of mission-driven energy, as he leads us into the future and invites us to follow him, find family, and boldly act with faith for tomor-row.

Over the past year we have experienced a number of changes: Two staff people decided to leave their positions. Kathleen Kahovec and Debbie Price both did exceptional work leading us in ministry. My deepest thanks to them both. But because the Lord is faithful to his people, he led us to extraordinary individuals who are continuing that ministry and taking it along refreshing new paths. Esther Segen, Lindsey Gaudioso, and, now, Steven Neaton are exciting, talented additions to our staff.

Some of the highlights of this past year include:

• The amazing number of places #flatpastors showed up;

• A completely redesigned Wednesday program for kids and adults, including the wonderfully successful “Kitchen”;

• New podcast, “Originals”;

• First-ever “Christ in the Passover” event;

• Compassion Weekend, in which nine projects to serve the community involved 162 people;

• A women’s retreat, and a first ever men’s retreat;

• Conversations and engagement with two consultants, one who is guiding our capital campaign, and one who is advis-ing us on ways to connect to our community and build the strength and vitality of CLC in preparation for planting a new mission church.

• Development of new statements to communicate our vision and mission (Following Jesus – Finding Family #crosshere).

But in a way that has all been prelude – the coiling of our muscles – for what is about to happen in 2016. Here are some of our priorities for the coming year:

• We are undertaking an important renewal in our life together as we develop specific ways to more effectively reach out to the community and invite people to join us in our faith adventure. We will grow this family.


• We are training ourselves and developing a system to be a more intentionally welcoming community. We will strength-en our family ties together, and with those who are our guests.

• We are also stretching ourselves to make tangible our vision to Follow Jesus, Find Family. We will do so as we extend our life together to a new part of our valley, widen our family circle, and fulfill our responsibility to the next generation of potential followers through establishing a new mission congregation.

• We are also committed to renovating our existing Fellow-ship Center to better serve our needs for both gathering and Sunday school space, through which we can continue to build family relationships. Completing this project will also better equip us to welcome our preschool parents and our neigh-bors to spend time on this campus and see it as their home and a potential family for them.

In order to accomplish this, we have established a capital cam-paign, under the theme Faith for Tomorrow, through which we will grow our discipleship and our response to God, and raise the funds that will make it financially possible to achieve our goals. We are looking for 100% response from our congregation, in whatever way and to whatever degree each can participate. In healthy families, everyone joins in to help support and encourage the family, its individuals and its efforts.

A tiny band of people who had faith for their tomorrow planted CLC over 50 years ago. It is now our privilege to act with faith for the tomorrow that God has in store.

1. We are revamping how we work with guests on Sunday morning. Like most churches, we struggle with intention-ally greeting people who are here for the first time. We’re going to put a table out front to welcome people and be available to answer questions (Where do I take my kids the first time I’m here? Where are the bathrooms? Can I take communion?) We’ll also have more training for ushers and greeters as they recognize the people who are new. The purpose of this is to make it easier and friendlier for people who come across our campus.

2. We are going to start member-guest events this spring. These are going to be small groups of people who gather with the express purpose of inviting friends who don’t have a church home to be part of our fellowship. Usually what churches do is invite people to events on their campus that are tailored for people who are already members. The problem is that only brings in the people who are already members. We’re going to do some stuff outside with small groups of peo-ple who intentionally invite people to things off campus. The goal is to make friendships and work our congregation into the life of the community.


Pastor MikeBig things to look forward

to in the next year

3. Finally, we are going to be working on a couple of bigger “splash events”. The goal here is to make an impact on the community. We want to share the love of Christ with those around us in a place where the community already is. For instance, we have 1200 people here for Christmas Eve services and we invite everyone we can. But what if we were out in the Walmart parking lot the Sunday night before Christ-mas? How many people typically pass through there? How much easier is it for someone who has never been to church before to attend something like that than to cross the threshold of the church building?

There are two reasons for doing these things: First, it strengthens our congrega-tion. It is easy for an established congrega-tion to coast along on what we have been doing and the people established here. But when we coast too long, we stop inviting and reaching out. We need to sharpen our skills and share the wonder and grace that God has given us.

Second, we need to practice for planting a new church. A new daughter congregation needs to be able to reach out and make an impact in the community from day 1, not after 18 months of figuring out how to do things. By practicing and experimenting, we give the new congregation a head start.


Thanks to the faithful support of our CLC family members, we are able to do wonderful things here in our community and all over the world.

2015 Budgeted Income

2015 Actual Income

2015 Actual Expense

$1,030,202 $1,010,625 $983,8362015 Surplus$26,790


2015’s income grew by 1.2% over 2014, although we had budgeted for a 3% increase. However, our expenses were also less than budgeted, so we ended the year with a $26,790 surplus.

The primary reason our expenses were less was the changes in staff we experienced. Debbie Price, our Outreach Coordinator, left in April and we didn’t fill the position until September, with Lindsey Gaudioso.

After Kathleen Kahovec retired in February as our Children & Youth Minister, we created a part-time children’s ministry position and a full-time youth director. Esther Siegen joined us as Children’s Minister in July and Steven Neaton will be our Youth Director as of January 25, 2016. We’ve had some donations specifically to support creating these two posi-tions, so we have a restricted fund of $52,335 available to supplement our budget if needed.

Financial OutlookOn solid ground


Construction scheduled to begin August 2016

Improving the Fellowship Center to better serve the needs of the CLC family

• Large main hall

• 2 classrooms

• Fireside room

• Larger kitchen

• Renovated rest rooms

• Laundry room

• Stage

• Media storage, and other much needed storage

• Landscaping changes to pro-vide more shade and seating.

Plans are moving along to renovate our Fellowship Center. Our primary objective is to create an inviting space that can accommodate our existing activities and ministries, and allow for new ministries and outreach. Con-struction is targeted to begin in Au-gust and be completed before 2017 Vacation Bible School. This render-ing is an example of how the newly remodeled Fellowship Center might look. There will be a new café area which can be separated from the main hall. We anticipate this being a wonderful gathering spot on Sunday mornings for coffee and fellowship.

Rendering is conceptual and subject to change as the Fellowship Architectural Design progresses.

Fellowship Center


People anticipated to be moving into the new Five Knolls community.

1650+

Why plant a new church?

There are 100,000 new people moving into the Santa Clarita Valley. Over 50 years ago, a group of people came here and founded CLC so that the next genera-tion could know Jesus. The work that they started has gone on for three generations now and will continue here. But we can’t reach the whole valley from our current location. We’re called to go. So, we’ll go to another part of the valley and reach more people.

How do we pick a location?

We are looking for a major growth area that is easily accessible and underserved by churches. We believe that we’ve found that in the center of the Valley. Growth has gone up the 5 and out on the 14, but now the center is being built. And there are no churches there. We want to reach those people for Jesus.

What’s the first step?

We need to practice reaching out and bringing people in. Over the next year, we’ll do “splash events” in the community and work on our invitational skills. We’ll need to bring in a hundred new people to CLC - both to increase the health of this congregation and bring us up to a healthy weight for planting a new congregation. Once we build up these numbers and habits, we’ll be ready.


Save the Dates

February 16 – March 11 21 Days of Devotion and PrayerFebruary 21 Advance Commitment Wine & Cheese PartyMarch 11 Prayer Service and 12- Hour VigilApril 24 Celebration Worship Service and Party

Capital Campaign


Faced with exciting opportunities and challenges, a Capital Campaign Team was established in June 2015 to prepare our family of faith to begin a journey together that will lead us into a deeper faith and understanding of what God is doing in and through us, and what His plans are for the future of our ministry here in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The goals of our Faith for Tomorrow Capital Campaign are to raise $3,000,000 over three years and experience unity that results when every member of our faith family participates.

Preparing for the journey, we created a list of talking points and a Question and Answer sheet to help members better understand the vision, the needs and the benefits that a new Fellow-ship Center and mission congregation offer both for our ministry here and for our community.

After conversations with a dozen capital campaign consultants, we interviewed three of them on campus, and recommended engaging the consulting services of Denis Greene from Church Development. Our consultant will help us move forward with our capital campaign and will benefit our congregation by providing resources that will help cultivate generosity and teach our congregation the Biblical principles of giving and serving God’s purpose.

We hosted two information meetings for the congregation, creating a sense of unity and ex-citement and gratefulness for the new opportunities that God has put before us. The congre-gation then voted on November 15, 2015 to begin this Capital Campaign.

So now, we are on the move…united as a family of faith, following Jesus, who is putting a new song on our hearts and writing a new chapter in the story of Christ Lutheran Church and our Faith for Tomorrow. There will be exciting opportunities for everyone to serve and to partici-pate in all the activities and events that we have planned.

On Sunday April 24th, at a celebration worship service and party, we will be asking our church family to make a three-year financial pledge, over and above regular giving.

We have already had two Campaign Leadership meetings with the consultant.

• Eight action teams have been established: Prayer, Advanced Commitments, Administra-tion, Children & Youth, Events, Communications, Commitment & Follow Up, and Thanks

• A Campaign Prayer has been written

• A Faith for Tomorrow Brochure is in the process of being developed

• Eight Home Fellowship Gatherings have been arranged

• Exciting plans for Vision Sunday on January 31 are underway

• An Advance Commitment Wine and Cheese Party on Sunday February 21st is being organ-ized

• A 21 Day Devotional Book is being written by members

• A song for our campaign is being composed

• A Prayer Service and Vigil are being prepared for March 11

• Activities for Children and Youth are being planned

• A video booth is being created

• A Celebration Worship Service and Party is being designed

We are really excited about this journey we are taking together and invite all of you to come along with us and experience great joy as we put our faith and trust in God and simply let Him carry us forward with Faith for Tomorrow.

Felicity Grover “Faith for Tomorrow” Campaign Director

Thank you to all those who offered their time and talents through the year to allow us to offer uplifting and meaningful worship experiences.


Worship is our priorityAs with any family, it’s important for our church family to gather together on special occasions. But we like to gather for all kinds of things…here are a few things we did together in 2015:

• Christ in the Passover: we had a guest from Jews for Jesus share about the traditional Passover meal and how it points to Christ.

• Basics of Faith: we welcomed 17 new members and their families after four weeks of Bible study, teaching, and fellowship together.

• “Twisting the Truth”, a summer Bible study, helped us to navigate God’s word in light of today’s culture, and stand firm in the truth.

• We enjoyed fun crafts, games, face-painting, and glitter tattoos at our Mid-Summer Block Party. CLC Youth hosted and did a great job handling the cooking, the cleaning and everything in between!

• Hollywood Bowl: a CLC group ventured down to Hollywood to see the B52’s and enjoy a first-rate fireworks display after a festive picnic.

• Wednesday Night Worship: This fall we offered a brief time of wor-ship on Wednesday nights. We wanted to provide a special service where everyone in the family can come, from the youngest to the oldest, and grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus. We had preschoolers worshiping with their grandparents, and everyone was encouraged to get to know CLC better by submitting questions about the church. We look forward to continuing this service in 2016.

• Back-to-Confirmation Night: Parents of our 7th and 8th Grade Confirmation class were invited to join their kids for a night of Confir-mation. They got a behind-the-scenes look at the worship, lessons, games, and small groups that their kids participate in every week…plus they got milk and cookies.

• Looking ahead: in 2016 we are bringing back Friendship Dinners and hosting our first ever Marriage Retreat!

CLC Connecting

If you have a calling, we’ll help you start it. If you see a need,

we’ll help you fill it. And if you have a talent, we will definitely

make use of it!


It has been an amazing experience taking charge of the Children’s Ministries here at Christ Lutheran Church. God continues to work through this ministry showing our children and those involved His love. From hosting two communion classes and being a witness to 13 fifth graders receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion, to training new acolytes to serve on Sunday, this year has been amazing.

We kicked off a new Wednesday night children’s program. Starting at 5:45 PM with a family-style worship and then having the pre-K through 6th graders rotate through Bible story, music and games station! The rotation system has proven to keep things moving in a fast paced manner and keeps the children engaged in the activities.

We had our inaugural “Campfire Night” on Wednesday, October 7th. “Kids” of all ages made s’mores, crafts and enjoyed an awe-some worship time together in the “Back-yard”. We are looking forward to having a “Campfire Night” in the spring!

Sunday School continues to be well at-tended. This year we had a very successful production of “A Tree Lot Christmas, Joining Jesus’ Family Tree.” Under the leadership of Mrs. Tammy Gordon, the kids did a fan-tastic job and the music was so much fun! Afterwards, those in attendance enjoyed fellowship, hot cocoa, cookies and our very own Christ Lutheran Church Christmas Tree Lot!

The Kid’s Church ministry continues to be a fast paced hour where the kids are learn-ing about Jesus’ love for us all. We have centered this fall around a theme verse: “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” –Psalm 121.2. Through stories, music, games and discussion we correlate our Bible lessons back to this verse, and show Jesus’ grace for us all.

Some of the other activities the Children’s Ministry was blessed to organize included the “Harvest Festival, Trunk or Treat & Chili Cook Off” and Christmas Caroling. On Saturday, October 24th CLC was overrun

with families, not only from our church, but from the local community to celebrate our Harvest Festival. We estimated that there were some 300 people pass through that evening. We served well over 200 hot dogs and by 6 PM not a single drop of chili from the 7 cook-off contestants was left! We provided over 70 small pumpkins as a craft for the children. We provided small prizes for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in the chili cook-off, as well as the best decorated trunk or treat cars! It was a fun filled evening and provided us the opportunity to share God’s love with our community. Seeing a few new faces at Church on Sunday from the people who attended our Harvest Festival was the icing on the cake!

Christmas caroling proved to be a strong outreach to the local community. The Moore family allowed our kids to use their driveway and sing to the passing cars. Their home is located on a wonderfully decorated street in Valencia. Although we caroled on a Wednesday night we were still able to sing to approximately 10 different cars full of folks driving by the neighborhood to look at the Christmas lights. Lives were touched as they heard our carols of Jesus being born. What a blessing! We had with us a large chalkboard with our CLC website and hashtag. Folks took video and pictures of the carolers as they drove by. We look forward to caroling next year, on a week-end, and sharing Jesus’ love through song to a larger audience!

Although 2015 was a transition year for the Children’s Ministry, our faith and trust in God saw us through and blessed us. I am looking forward to new challenges, new outreach and a fun and fulfilling 2016.

In Christ,

Esther Siegen

Director of Children’s Ministries

Children’s MinistriesOur focus, our future...

16 Annual Report - 2015 17Annual Report - 2015


Youth MinistriesKeeping a steady course in a year of changeThis was a year in transition for CLC’s Youth programs. As a search was underway for a new Youth Director, a team of dedicated parents and young adults led Sunday School and Impact for 25 – 30 students each week. Some of our highlights included:

Easter Breakfast – thanks to the Congregation, we served breakfast to about 400 people and were able to put funds toward our Mission Trip

Mission Trip – this year, we tried a new mission trip location in New Mexico working with Next Step Ministries. Approximately 60 youth and adult volunteers grew closer to God and one another as they made repairs to homes in the Navajo community of Crownpoint, then shared their experiences through testimonial and songs on Mission Sunday.

Fall Retreat to Mt. Pinos – about 30 youth and adults participated in a one-day retreat at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church in Frazier Park, followed by hiking at Mt. Pinos. We knew it would be cold, but were surprised to find there was still snow from an earlier storm! Everyone enjoyed fellowship and hot cocoa around a bonfire in the snow.

Service projects – as part of the Youth’s desire to be more active as the “hands and feet” of Jesus, we took part in a couple of service projects. The first was creating hand tied fleece blankets that were given to clients of Bridge to Home. In December, we volunteered at a Christmas event for children with special needs in the Fellowship Center.

We are excited to welcome our new Youth Director, Steven Neaton, this month.

We are happy to welcome our new Youth Director, Steven Neaton. Steven was selected after a lengthy search which included interviewing many highly qualified candidates.

We look forward to a continuation of our favorite youth activities as well as the new ideas Steven will be bringing.

Thank you to our fantastically dedicated search team and adult volunteers for keeping things running so smoothly during this time of transition.


CLC at WorkLives being changed through the work of

dedicated missionaries

Christ Lutheran Church takes the command to go out into the world to make disciples for Christ very seriously. Over the years we have been a presence in China, Africa, Mexico, Arizona...

In 2015, members and friends of CLC embarked on mission trips to New Mexico, India and Guatemala. Our Egyptian Mission Team unfortunately had to postpone their trip to work at Kasr El Dobara church in Cairo due to unrest in the region. They are hoping to make another try in 2016.

If you needed any proof that we are a congregation of do-ers, look no further than our mission teams... from 16 to - well shall we say over 60? - our missionaries have been enthusiastic and tireless!

We anticipate our future will include many more visits to the mission fields.


Missions and OutreachContinuing our tradition of being the hands and feet of Jesus

Boxes of Love

Utilizing Canning Hunger’s Box of Love program, our congrega-tion helped to provide Thanksgiving day meals to 140 families in need.

Giving Thanksgiving

Over 40 volunteers from Christ Lutheran Church assisted in the annual Giving Thanks Giving community event. Taking place at the Newhall public library, our congregation was able to be a part in providing and serving approximately 1,800 meals to fellow community members. This was a wonderful event to be a part of; “by the community, for the community.”

Giving Garland

Working with the following local organizations, Department of Child & Family Services, Senior Center, Angel Tree, Convalescent Hospital, and Penny Lane, we utilized the love and support from our congregation to provide Christmas gifts for those in need. With the help of wonderful volunteers we were able to provide almost 200 gifts to individuals to brighten their Christmas.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

This ministry made and delivered 764 items to the following groups: baptisms, individuals, Hope Gardens, Mothers of Little Ones, Senior Center, Olive View Hospital, SCV Child & Family Center, Operation Gratitude Wounded Warrior, and Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. This ministry was led by Jean Long and uti-lized the hard work of some wonderful congregation members: Marie Ash, Debbie Fechser, Chris Bryne, Andrea Howell, Sharon Wuerl, Sandie Brookman, Rachael Hansmire, Karen Eames, Helen Barlow & Sonia Speers. Such items as Blankets, shawls, scarfs, hats, booties, & teddy bears were knitted, stitched and sewn by these women.

Lindsey Gaudioso began as Missions and Outreach coordinator in September of 2015


2015 brought some much-needed home-improvements to our campus. As you no doubt have noticed, we replaced the aging carpet in the Narthex with brand new carpeting. It gave a fresh new look to the space and was so cushy when first installed that our custodian, George, felt compelled to lay down on it! We also replaced carpet in the entry way to the offices with wood-like laminate that everyone seems to love and we repainted the entry way, as well. Lastly, we totally overhauled Room 9/10 in our Education Center. The well-worn and stained carpet was replaced with easy-to-clean flooring that still looks stunning! Other improvements include a brand new sink and vanity, new paint and new blinds for the windows. In fact, ALL of the blinds in the entire Education Center were replaced since many of the old vertical blinds were broken and had become an eye-sore. As with any home, the list of things that can be improved never seems to get shorter; however, we are pleased we were able to ac-complish these projects to beautify our church and make the spaces much more user-friendly.

Rooms 9/10 with new flooring

Our Facilities


A year at the preschool is always filled with energy and wonderful experiences for the preschool families. We embrace each child, and provide an environment that is rich with educational opportunities. We show them how special God made each and every one of them, and build on their unique strengths. We work very hard to make this the best preschool in the Santa Clarita Valley, and appreciate the staff’s dedication towards this goal. Some of our highlights are:

We raised enough funds to replace our slide with an amazing double slide!!!!!

We retired our annual BBQ at the beginning of the school year with a more intimate Cookies and Milk event for each classroom. Pastor Joe’s wife Barbie baked hundreds of her famous cookies for our gathering. What a wonderful way to begin the school year!

Susan Necessary began writing parenting articles for our Facebook site called Dear Parents. The four-part series covered important issues such as; bullying, al-lowances, and family budgets, how to view a day at the preschool, and cooking family meals. They were such a huge success and we plan on having her write more. Check out our Facebook and tell us what you think.

This year we announced, on Facebook, The Signal newspaper’s annual voting of the BEST in different cat-egories. We posed to them how fun it would be if they voted and if we won. Well, the public REALLY stepped up we won BEST PRESCHOOL IN SANTA CLARITA! It warmed our hearts and we are so grateful to everyone who voted.

Above all, we know this is a special preschool where lifelong friendships are made, and God’s love is known. We are blessed!

Director Chris Porrazzo

Assistant Director Monica Santiago

Office Manager Tami Pittock

Events & PVC Coordinator Susan Necessary

Preschool


25816 Tournament RoadSanta ClaritaCalifornia91355

(661) 259-0200

www.clcscv.org

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