Rochester NY Chapter - Photo Album

Deaconess Harris Named Valparaiso Distinguished Alumna
Tom Madden from Valparaiso University presents the award to Maggie Harris.	Thrivent chapter leaders Diane Van Auken, Ed Jarvis, Kristin Romell, and Georgette Peterson present a donation to Community Lutheran Ministries in honor of Maggie�s service.
Deaconess Maggie Harris was honored recently for her many years of service to Community Lutheran Ministry in Rochester. Her friends gathered at Reformation Lutheran church for dinner and fellowship. The award, given by the University, honors alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their chosen ministry. Over 160 people came to honor Maggie, including Tom Madden from Valparaiso who presented the award. Representatives from the Rochester Thrivent chapter were also there to donate $100 to Community Lutheran ministries in praise to God and in honor of Maggie�s service. Community Lutheran Ministries supports families in one of Rochester�s poorest neighborhoods by providing warm clothing, school supplies, homework help and summer day camps for the neighborhood. To see a wish list for Community Lutheran please go to Community Wishbook.

Good Shepherd�s Shawl Ministry Warms Bodies and Spirits
Elsie Batholoma weaves Prayer shawls on a loom in her Canandaigua home.	Elsie makes sure the fibers are pushed tightly for maximum warmth and softness.
The dedicated volunteers of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Canandaigua have expanded their Prayer shawl ministry mission. They continue to knit, crochet, and weave prayer shawls and also make premie caps, and chemo caps to donate to hospitals, and winter hats and scarves to donate to social service agencies. All items are made with prayer and dedicated to the Glory of God. The program continues to be supported through the Thrivent �Care Abounds in Communities� program, supplying both purchase of textile supplies and funding the many volunteer hours - expected to top 2000 hours in 2011! One volunteer makes her shawls in a most unique way. Elsie Bartholoma weaves beautiful shawls on the full-size loom in her Canandaigua home. When visited recently to demonstrate this time-honored craft, Elsie insisted that she be given no special attention. �I do this to spread The Lord�s love to people who may need a little bit of warmth in their lives�, said Elsie. �I do not want to draw attention to myself�. As she worked she talked of the peace that she feels as she weaves the soft yarns. He hands flew back and forth as her feet moved the loom . A lovely piece of fiber art emerged, ready to be finished into one more woven hug for somebody in need.

Hope Lutheran Youth Group Sells BBQ Dinners for the Big Game
Pork BBQ dinners go flying out of the kitchen at Hope Church on Superbowl Sunday. Thrivent provided matching funds.	Adult leader Leanne Bohn packages up the dinners for takeout enjoyment. The meal included salt potatoes and Cole slaw for $8.
The halls of Hope Lutheran Church in Greece were filled with the most wonderful aromas on Sunday, February 1st as the Youth Group and their adult counselors packaged up Pulled Pork Barbeque dinners for hungry congregants to take home and enjoy for the Superbowl. The fundraiser will help the youth on missionary trips to India later in 2011. Leader Leanne Bohn said, �The Barbecue sale is a good fundraiser for our group. It saves people cooking time and they come back year after year. We are so grateful to Thrivent for helping us meet our goals.� The group raised over $900 and received $305 from Thrivent in matching funds.