CHAMPAIGN COUNTY THRIVENT CHAPTER MINUTES
Saturday, April 12, 2003 8:30 a.m.
The first meeting of the Champaign County Thrivent for
Lutherans Chapter meeting was called to order by President,
Judy Rademaker at St. John's Lutheran School, Champaign.
Present: President, Judy Rademaker; Records Director,
Lynette Renfrow, Financial Director, Erwin Osterbur;
Congregational Service Team Director, Mike Johnson;
Communications Director, Pastor John Setterlund; Assistant
Financial Director, Bobby Schnitkey; Community Service Team
Director, Bob Hesterberg; Youth Director, Pastor Melinda
Halom; Transitional Advisors, Bruce and Eleanor Dani;
Financial Associate Advisors, Rick Craig, Congregational
Coordinator, Ronda Craig; and Norm Fisher.
After discussion, Norm Fisher was appointed as the
Internet Advisor.
Eleanor reported that they had set up meetings this past
week (2 lunches and 1 dinner) for the congregational
coordinators of each church in the chapter to become more
familiar with Thrivent,
Operating Funds - Chapter has project funding as well as
chapter expense funding. It was decided that the host
church for meeting expenses. Receipts for any of these
types of items should be turned in to Erwin for
reimbursement. Approval was granted for purchase of a portable device to allow meetings to be recorded by the Records Director. Discussion of getting a digital camera for
the chapter and the expenses that go with it, such as Kodak
paper and ink reel etc. was assigned to the Internet
Advisor, Norm Fisher.
Funds Available for Care Abounds in Communities:
Eleanor Dani had a request for funds from the Sr. Youth
of St. John's who will be having a garage sale on to raise
funds for a mission trip to the Rosebud Indian Reservation
in South Dakota. For these kinds of projects we need to
make the distinction from the onset who and how we will
support them. We do not want to start paying for the
expenses of the trip, but could pay for supplies, and
materials to do the work needed.
Pastor Setterlund requested a project of some type to
raise funds to provide a portable ultra sound machine for
Augusta Victoria Hospital (the Lutheran Hospital) in
Jerusalem. Cost approximately $10,000. After discussion it
was decided to have Pastor Setterlund approach Carle or
Provena and other organizations, such as Red Cross, etc.,
and see if they have any type of program in place to take
care of things such as this or if any used equipment is
available.
Ronda Craig has two requests: The first is for Eastern
Illinois Food Bank. On Saturday, May 10th, the postal
carriers will be holding their annual food drive. On May
12th, volunteers from St. John's, Pastor Setterlund's
congregation and a local Boy Scout troop will sort the food
that is collected. No cost for us to do this but $500 is
requested to pay for the truck to go to the different areas
to pick up the food.
The second project is to purchase Library books for St.
John's Lutheran School. The average cost of a hard-back
book is $11.00. $800 is requested.
Bobby Schnitkey had a project request for a fund-raiser
for "All God's Children Preschool", in Mahomet. A garage
sale will be held in September and funds raised will be
used for fixed equipment for the school and scholarships.
Rick Craig - Rev. Hubert in Royal, asked if funds would
be available for Confirmation by the Lake. This is a thirty
year old program where each summer in June, 125 eighth
grade catechism students attend for a week of catechism
instruction and community building. Discussed the
possibility of providing funds for construction or building
supplies or teaching supplies.
Discussed "Mission Trips" and what we support and what
we cannot support without busting our budget. It was
decided to develop a short, clear and concise statement to
clarify the boundaries and guidelines for these "mission
trips". We need to define what the definition of community
is and whether the benefits to the community are spiritual
or hands on. How are we going to receive requests for
projects? Will they come from the board only? Use the three
Congregational Coordinators to bring information to their
congregations by sending minutes and/or agendas to them;
allow them to come to meetings with their requests? Each
chapter has quarterly mailing that is available to us
through the home office, where we can introduce the chapter
officers and inform Thrivent members what the Chapter is
doing; It was decided to table setting up guidelines to
organize and coordinate these programs until after the
training session in May.
Habitat for Humanity projects were discussed.
Judy Rademaker had a request for a family in the Gifford
area; a father and daughter are both suffering with cancer.
The Gifford Lions Club would be the primary fund raisers
and Judy thought it would be some type of meal. [ed: information found here]
John Setterlund moved we to match $1,000.00 initially.
Bob Hesterberg seconded the motion for two $1,000.00
grants. Each recipient will receive $1,000.00 matches if
$2,000.00 is made. We will match $ for $ up to $1,000 for
the father and $1,000 for the daughter. Call to question on
the motion was made. A unanimous vote on $ for $ match up
to $1,000 for each recipient was passed.
How Thrivent members will be identified at a fund raiser
such as this was discussed. Using a sign-in sheet stating
name, and time of arrival and time of departure, as well as
a box indicating whether the person is a Thrivent member
was suggested.
Ronda asked whether Pastor Wright had contacted anyone
about a project he had in mind. His request is to update a
room that is used for pre-school and boy scout meetings in
the old parsonage. Painting, acoustical tiles, etc. needs
to be replaced. This project was tabled until the May
meeting.
Other items discussed as possible projects for matching
funds included the Thomasboro Fire Department is building a
new building and have asked for matching funds. A child of
someone at the CIB Bank in Rantoul has Cancer and have
inquired about possible matching funds.
Join Hands Day is June 21st.
A motion was made to approve $500 to the Eastern
Illinois Food Bank, this was seconded by Pastor Halom. MC.
Motion was made by Lynette Renfrow to approve $800 for
books St. John's Lutheran School. Seconded by Mike Johnson,
MC.
Our meeting in June will be held at St. Matthew. Date
and time will be determined at our next meeting. Our next
meeting will be on Monday, May 5th, at 6:30 p.m. at
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. At that time we will
discuss our nominees for the National Board of Directors.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynette Renfrow, Records Director