Covid Pandemic
When Covid 19 was declared a worldwide pandemic we knew things would be quickly changing. The state of Michigan declared a "shut down" Friday, March 13, 2020. The Food Pantry distribution was made quickly and people were told the Pantry would be closed until further notice. Sunday worship was cancelled. Schools and non-essential businesses closed.
The community needed the Food Pantry, it soon reopened with a younger set of volunteers. In partnership with the Inner City Youth Group, food was distributed several days each week. Sunday worship was the sermon posted on Facebook and Coffee Hour was on Zoom. By winter of 2021, we started to have monthly drive-in worship services in the parking lot. With vaccines available, we hoped to return to a more normal way of life.
This page is to keep the members and friends of Iroquois Ave. Christ Lutheran informed on how the
church has reacted, and may continue to react, to the pandemic in worship, service, fellowship and other ways. Check our Facebook page for the most recent updates.
Sunday, January 15, 2022
Jeff Ogonowski Ordinated
Congratulations and Blessings to Jeffery Ogonowski as he answered God's call and was ordinated at St. Philip's Lutheran in Trenton, Michigan. He was installed at St. Philip's as their full-time Pastor.
May his journey be long and fruitful.
Children's Christmas Pageant 2021
In 2020, the Children's Christmas Pageant
was held in the parking lot. In 2021,
we felt safe enough to move inside.
Masks were still worn.
After the Pageant, adults had an important congregational meeting. The children were entertained with Christmas cookie event.
Ah, to be a child again.
Special thanks to all the people,
children and adults, who helped
make this event possible.
Good-Bye and Congratulations to Vicar Jeff
Vicar Jeff has taken his first full time call at
St. Phillip's Lutheran in Trenton.
We wish him every blessing as he continues to serve Christ in a new home.
Jeff was ordinated and installed as Pastor at
St. Phillip's, January 15, 2022.
In the Autumn, Inside Worship Returns
Chilly weather forced us back into the church for Sunday Worship. It was great to hear the full sound of the pipe organ and to see the stained glass windows, Masks are worn and people are safely distancing. Most of the members have been vaccinated.
Friday, October 15, 2021, the kids from Waldorf School joined us to pack toiletries in personal care kits for the ladies at Heartline House, run by Samaratis (formerly Lutheran Social Services of Michigan).
Sunday, October 17, 2021, The Detroit Free Press Marathon forced us to not have worship. Many attended different churches for another prospectives.
Friday Bible Study and a pre-worship Children's Bible Story Time have begun.
Halloween, the birthday of the Lutheran Church, brought tricker-treaters. The Black Panther, the Cowboy Preacher and others passed out full sized candy bars. The surrounding neighborhood, Historic Indian Village, also joined in the the spirit of the season.
Back to School Event Friday, August 20, 2021
In partnership with Inner City Youth Group, a back-to-school event was held. School supplies and other necessary things were given away while the Food Pantry provided groceries.
The kids are ready for school. We hope school this year will be uninterrupted by Covid closures. The students are ready to learn.
Pentecost & Confirmation May 23, 2021
A beautiful day and a beautiful gathering of members, old and young. It was a pleasure to gather on the lawn in front of the church.
After a course of confirmation classes, Delaney well prepared to deliver the sermon on this special day. She was than confirmed, by Vicar Jeff as a full adult member of the church.
Outside worship continued through out the summer. Shade trees protected us from the sun on the hottest day and rain seemed to miss us in 2021, the second Covid summer.
Holy Week & Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021
This has been a quiet year as the Covid pandemic continues. Many are still not vaccinated and the rate of virus transmission was very high in Detroit. Psalm Sunday was celebrated with in car worship in the parking lot, psalms were waved out of car windows. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday were remembered with carefully socially distanced worship inside the church. Easter needed more!
We had a festival service with some people worshiping in their cars, parked on the street, and many live in worship on the lawn. We were rewarded with a beautiful sunny day and heart felt cries of "Alleuluia"
Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, Febuary 28, 2021 10:00am
This year the annual meeting was held online using Zoom. Members receive notice by US Mail and email. Several people reserved a space to attend live, at the church. A Zoom link was made available several days before the meeting. A lively discuss was held as we confirmed the proposed slate of elected officers and made plans for reopening the church building for live worship. Democracy continues at Iroquois Ave.Christ Lutheran Church.
Click image to see 2020 Annual Strategic Review & Planning Report
Soul Sunday
Sunday, February 14, 2021 10:00am
This is in African American History Month and we remember our past with Soul Sunday. Worship was in the parking lot, to protect us from the Covid virus pandemic. We listened to the sermon on our car radios.The weather was cold, about 15 degrees Fahrenheit and this kept many members at home. Vicar Jeff wore his warmest coat as he preached and distributed the Eucharist. At the end of the service, a HOT meal of Soul Food was distributed by the Inner City Youth Group.
Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday
January 17, 2021
It was a cold January morning when we gathered together to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. To stay safe from the Covid Virus, we sat seperately in warm cars in the church parking lot. A special radio transmitter was used to send the Vicar Jeff's sermon to our car radios. Holy Communion was safely served using pre-packed host and distributed using tongs. During a pandemic and with trouble in Washington DC, we were still able to gather safely and remember the life and works of Rev. Martin Luther King.
The Holy Eucharist during the time of Covid
Sunday School Christmas Pageant
December 24, 2020
This Christmas, the Covid pandemic caused us to make many changes. To have a safe event, the traditional pageant was moved to the church parking lot. Masks were added to the costumes. The audience watched from their parked cars. Not the same as usual but splendid none the less. May God bless us, everyone!
Special thanks to all who helped make the pageant safely happen.
The Church Food Pantry Is Back!
Every Fridays 10:00-12:00
It is open every Friday 10:00am to noon. Clients are asked to social distance and wear masks*
Because outside is safer, the food pantry will be set up outside as long as weather permits.
Non-perishable food is provided in boxes packaged at Gleaners. Fresh fruits and vegetables, household essentials, meat and milk are also available.
The Clothes Closet has not yet fully reopened. However, school clothes were distributed in September along with school supplies. Blankets and warm clothes will be available as weather cools.
See the church Facebook page for most recent updates.
*Masks can be provided.
When school reopened in September 2021, the ICYG stopped their weekly distributions. Special Events will still occur. See Announcements on Home page.
Inner City Youth Group, working with the Friday Food Pantry, is able to providing special events like:
Bingo! Hot Pizza! Diaper Delivery Day!
Kinda Makini-Anderson, organizer of Inner City Youth Group, had recently opened an after-school latchkey program at the church. When schools closed March 13, 2020, she knew she had to do something to help kids that depend on school meals.
She started a Healthy Meal program where school lunches were given away three days a week 11:00-1:00. Working out of the parking lot, food could be delivered right in the trunk of a car. Clients also came by bicycle and walking with carts.
It soon became apparent that kids were not the only people who needed food. The program was expanded to help anyone in need. A wider variety of foods and household necessities, and even hot pizza, were made available.
Young volunteers from the community, at lower risk from Covil 19, have helped the program work.
If you want to volunteer or make a donation contact the church office: <iroquoischrist@yahoo.com>
Tap a photo to learn more.
Thanks to Tom Ball & Kinda for photos.
Blue Christmas
Friday December 17, 2020
Partnering with the Inner City Youth Group, we had a special Blue Christmas event giving out food, school supplies, home necessities, Christmas toys and joys to our community.
The free bike raffle gave out four bikes and each child picked out a toy.
Vicar Jeff, with Kinda assisting, proceded over a worship service to bring hope to this bleak year. Several musicians provided beautiful Christmas songs.
A Baptism!
God's Church Continues to Grow
Sunday, August 13, 2020, Tyrra's little granddaughter, Leah, became an official member of Iroquois Avenue Christ Lutheran Church. Because of the pandemic, in the church it was Vicar Jeff, family and very close friends only. It was wonderful watch on Zoom and see our church alive again.
Click on a photo to learn more and enlarge image.
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Even during a Pandemic, Life Goes On
A WEDDING! On Saturday, July 11, 2020, Kinda and Kevin were married. A big traditional wedding and reception had been planned in May. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the wedding was delayed and moved to a tent in the church parking lot. The guests were limited in number but very merry. We wish Kinda and Kevin every happiness in their new life together.