Jim has served at St. Paul Lutheran Church in New Cumberland for 15 years. He is or has been
  • Teacher for the 3 & 4 year olds
  • Lector & Communion Assistant
  • Hand Bell choir participant
  • Member of Worship and Music Committee
  • Head Usher
  • Past Council President
  • Responsible for the church website and all staff computers at the church (Pastor, Secretary, Organist & Library)

As a Sunday school teacher, Jim serves as an important role model to other parents and church members, as well as the children to whom he teaches Lord’s Prayer and introduces the bible. Through his actions and commitment Jim demonstrates his belief in the importance of living out his faith in God and serving others. When people see the pleasure and satisfaction Jim gets from volunteering his time and talents, they tend to want that same satisfaction, and will often find ways to imitate Jim and follow his example. Jim and other members of St. Paul volunteer provide physical comfort and hope to the areas poor and homeless when, for a week each year, they help at the emergency homeless shelters in downtown Harrisburg churches.

Jim exemplifies the Thrivent mission of caring for others by actively living-out his faith. He uses his leadership and communication skills to engage and motivate others to apply their own talents in service to the community.

Jim served as the Cedar Cliff Band Boosters Vice President for two years and President for two years. He remains an active member of the hospitality committee. Jim provides leadership and encouragement to students and teachers in the music program at Cedar Cliff High School. He demonstrates by his actions that the music program is important and worth everyone putting forth their best efforts.

Jim served on the West Shore Chapter Board as Vice President for two years and Past President for two years. He is currently serving as Chapter Advisor and continues to maintain the chapter website. Jim shows respect and care for the members of his community, including his fellow Thrivent members, and the members of the Chapter Board, by enthusiastically embracing the roles and responsibilities of the Board, and providing direction and encouragement on Board-level programs and initiatives. His commitment to the program is a great inspiration to others.

He consistently makes a point of preparing for meetings, sharing information in a timely manner, welcoming discussion, listening to everyone’s ideas and concerns, encouraging others to develop their abilities, and then making suggestions that are well reason and reflect the best interests of the organization. During his time on the Board, Jim fostered a team approach to helping the community while meeting Chapter challenges. His unassuming personality and commitment to the program has been a key factor in the success of the Chapter.

Barbara served as Thrivent Builds Specialist for Upper Northampton and Lower Northampton County Chapters. She very rarely, if ever, missed a meeting for either chapter. She organized with the churches to provide workers, meals, prayers, etc. I can only guess the amount of time she commits to Thrivent. Barbara was also instrumental in the Bowl-a-thon to support Thrivent Builds. Through her dedication to Thrivent and her tireless efforts she encourages others to do their best to help an organization which tirelessly helps others.

She was also Chapter President under Lutheran Brotherhood as well as Chapter President when Thrivent first merged together Lutheran Brotherhood and Aid Association for Lutherans. During her terms with both organizations, she worked tirelessly to the benefit of all the churches and the organizations.

Barbara also coordinates the insurance for the places where approximately 16 square dance clubs within the Mid-East Penn District hold their dances and classes. She has been involved in square dancing for 37 years in different capacities (i.e. dancer, caller’s wife, and teacher.) During these years she has inspired others to join Square Dancing because of her enjoyment for the dance.

At New Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Barbara has served on Church Council, helped with Altar Guild, coordinated usher schedule, helped with coffee hour, helped with funerals, and served as Pastor’s assistant. She serves approximately 20 hours per month on all the activities.

Marie Waltermire tirelessly works to promote Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and its mission of “caring for others.” Her passion for this mission is evident by the enthusiasm, energy and commitment she brings to the countless activities and programs with which she is involved. Examples of Marie’s volunteering with and through Thrivent Financial are many.

In 2006 and 2007, Marie served as president of the Somerset County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. In this position, she promoted the use of all three Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Care programs, spearheaded Care Abounds in Communities® and Care in Regions® activities, and made arrangements for meetings and activities. She also worked closely with the Thrivent Financial congregational coordinators from her chapter, encouraging them to use the Care in Congregations® program.

Marie and her husband also participated in two trips for the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity program in 2007 — one in Costa Rica and one in Biloxi, Mississippi. On those trips, Marie was described as “an inspiration through her good nature, hard work, energy and loving sprit.”

In addition, Marie coordinated the chapter’s JOIN HANDS DAY projects, including an intergenerational project in which potatoes were planted in the spring and harvested in the fall for donation to local food banks. As part of that effort, she solicited donations from local businesses for lunch and snack items for the event volunteers. She also led a trip to the Sight and Sound Theater as a fellowship event open to all Thrivent chapter members.

Marie also is active in her church, Messiah Lutheran, serving as the Congregational Council President. She is lauded as an inspiration to others who want to put their faith into action. Her activities at the church include a position on the Altar Guild and serving as a lay reader and Sunday school devotionals leader. She also counts and deposits the offering each week and is chairperson and chief coordinator for the church’s funeral dinners.

Through his work with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and active participation in his church and community, John Ungerman is a leader and mentor who encourages and inspires others to serve.

John, a Thrivent Financial senior financial consultant, is an enthusiastic advocate for Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity. Last year, he energized members of his congregation and his chapter of Thrivent Financial to Lutherans to travel to Biloxi, Mississippi, to help build a home for those struggling to rebuild their lives following Hurricane Katrina. With work still to be done, and with a strong commitment to helping those in need, John will lead another Thrivent Builds team to the Gulf Coast in 2008.

Community involvement is important to John. As the synod representative to the Lutheran Charities Advisory Council, he connects many social ministry organizations and a Lutheran school with the community at large. His support in 2007 included planning, promoting and participating in a bike-a-thon and phone-a-thon that raised nearly $70,000.

John’s passion for working with the elderly in his community is exemplified by his many hours of support for Manatawny Manor. He serves as the Advisory Council Chair of the organization, which offers many forms of care for the elderly, including units serving exclusively individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions. In addition to this position, he volunteers his time at the institution and helps transport residents to community events and appointments.

He is an active participant at St. James Lutheran Church as the church council secretary and men’s Bible study leader. He offers his financial and engineering expertise to the congregation through his participation as property committee chair, a capital campaign committee member and an endowment committee advisor.