By Julie Kessler, Presbyterian Church of LaPorte
Adella Dutra
A new director of youth ministries at The Presbyterian Church of LaPorte brings a bright personality and abundant energy to her work.
Adella (pronounced AHdella) Dutra began her position in July 2013 and has already established herself as someone dedicated to youth ministry.
“I’m getting to know the kids — I take them out for coffee or ice cream, we’ve had a pool party and also a mission event where we baked lasagna for a homeless shelter.” Next up is a beach party, with more events and mission plans for the upcoming year.
“To nurture them, encourage growth, and bring them together as part of the church family, that’s the big picture. I want to plan events that will help kids and teens to grow as individuals and grow closer to God.”
Dutra joins Christian education teachers in looking over a curriculum and selecting materials for Sunday school, which resumes in September.
Another facet of her ministry will be organizing meetings for the Choir Club, which began last spring and looks to meet each midweek, half the time singing and the other half studying Bible lessons. She is also updating the database to better understand the kids’ relationships to the church. “You have kids who are regular churchgoers, kids who attend but whose parents may not be attending — it’s important to understand that, to know how best to do the work.
“All our work in the church is partnering with others involved in these ministries,” Dutra said. “Pastor Sally (Wicks) is very wise about things and very easygoing; it helps a lot.”
Dutra’s accomplishments and experience are key to her new position, which will be 20 hours a week. Her major in college was music education — she plays cello — she has a background in teaching schoolchildren, and “my entire life has been involvement with the church.”
Wicks described Dutra as “a beautiful young woman with a warm, sincere faith and a wisdom beyond her years. Adella has a unique way of looking at the world that is in part born out of her dual Brazilian and American cultural heritage. One of the lovely features of her Brazilian heritage is her instinct for hospitality; she has a very welcoming personality.”
Presbyterians have been working diligently in the last year to rethink and redesign youth ministry, said Wicks. “Adella coming on staff is the icing on the cake. She makes everything fun and I’m thrilled she has come onto our staff.”
Dutra and her husband Sullivan have one child, Daniel, 7 months old.
The Presbyterian Church of LaPorte, 307 Kingsbury Ave., has two Sunday worship services: contemporary at 9 a.m. and traditional at 11 a.m. For more information, call 362-6219 and visit www.yourhomechurch.org.