Sing to the Lord a New Song

News from Our Executive Director

Day by Day Sing to the Lord a New Song

Earth and all stars, Loud rushing planets, sing to the Lord a new song!
Hail, wind, and rain, Loud blowing snowstorm, sing to the Lord a new song!
 

We at CLEF are actively engaging and encouraging our schools during these stressful and difficult times.  Our commitment remains unchanged; to provide academic excellence to all students in our school communities within a safe and healthy Christian environment. Our sincere wishes go out to all our families and friends; may you have the patience of Job and the wisdom of Solomon as you remain sheltered for the near future.

By now the whole world is aware of the threat and consequences of COVID-19. But is the whole world also aware of hope and peace that is found in the love of our Lord and Savior? Today we are asked to be patient, to shelter-in-place and to practice social distancing. While we wait, we wish to serve. While we shelter, we still seek Him. While we practice distancing, we still draw near in prayer.

Classrooms and labs, Loud boiling test tubes, sing to the Lord a new song!
Athlete and band, Loud cheering people, sing to the Lord a new song!

At CLEF our mission is to partner with Chicago Lutheran schools so they can instill in our children a love of learning and a love of Jesus as they grow in wisdom and stature. Each day we are eternally grateful, along with our teachers, staff and principals for the precious opportunity to serve and to teach our children.

God has done marvelous things. I too will praise Him with a new song!

While we may not be first responders, our schools can be first teachers, first listeners, first helpers, first comforters, and first givers of hope and healing in a fearful world. CLEF strongly supports our schools in providing academic excellence and in helping students to realize their God given talents.

Knowledge and truth, Loud sounding wisdom, sing to the Lord a new song!
Daughter and son, Loud praying members, sing to the Lord a new song!

Our schools have closed temporarily, but our hearts and mission remain the same. Here is what the CLEF staff has done to help keep our children learning and to stay connected with our families:

  • > Providing online best practices for remote learning opportunities
  • > Ongoing leadership and instructional coaching support for principals and teachers
  • > Serving as a clearinghouse for information and resources ensuring that all schools have equal access to relevant data
  • > Assisting our schools in applying for the Paycheck Protection Program made available to not-for-profit institutions through the CARE Act
  • > Continuing to support students with diverse learning needs through the efforts of our special education coordinator and select agency student service providers
  • > Providing health and welfare calls to each of our principals by our school health nurse
  • > Advising schools regarding potential cases of Coronavirus and other health needs
  • > Monitoring the ongoing availability of Title Funds for our students

Our schools, teachers and principals have done an exceptional job in making the transition to remote learning. They are all constructing virtual classrooms for real-time learning; providing story times, videos, and learning exercises; and streaming worship, chapel services, and daily prayers via social media. All our schools are reaching out to their communities with a message of hope, compassion and care during this difficult time.

God has done marvelous things. I too will praise Him with a new song!1

None of us can help everyone. But all of us can help someone. And when we help them, we serve Jesus. Lord, give us the strength and wisdom we need to fulfill your plan for our lives, at this time and in this place.

Day by day…Oh, Dear Lord, three things I pray…to see thee more clearly,
love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly…day by day.2

Day by day sing to the Lord a new song and live your faith with acts of grace.

Janet Klotz

Executive Director

Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation

 

1. Earth and All Stars-Psalm 96:1, Lutheran Service Book (2006) No. 817

2. Day by Day-St. Richard of Chichester, 1197-1253, “Day by Day,” in The Hymnal of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, 1940, Hymn 429. Also, Godspell 1971