Four page newsletter: The Arlington County Chapter, Summer 2006 Newsletter| Four page newsletter: The Arlington County Chapter, Summer 2006 Newsletter | | |
| Arlington County Chapter, THE ARLINGTON BEAT SUMMER 2006 |
| JOIN HANDS DAY RELAY IN THE RAIN -- STILL A SUCCESS!! |
Despite a storm-induced cancellation at 9:30pm, our Join Hands Day celebration on Saturday, June 24, at Relay For Life of Arlington was a rollicking success! Nearly 40 Thrivent Financial members and friends joined hands to raise over FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS for the American Cancer Society! After the hard work of raising the money, almost every team member made it to Thomas Jefferson Community Center on Saturday the 24th to celebrate. A few folks who had signed up for later walking shifts were not able to be there because of the rain, but they were with us in spirit.
Team members received Relay For Life t-shirts, Thrivent Financial ball caps and festive leis to go along with the beach theme. We enjoyed box dinners catered by Desiree Jessimy (Advent member) and a variety of snacks and beverages. All expenses were paid by Thrivent Financial with seed money provided specifically for Join Hands Day projects. Our team sold about 15 lap-counting bead bracelets, and it seems that 11 or 12 laps was the highest number achieved before the rain arrived.
Team Captain Marianne Hetzer thanks everyone who participated in this event. “Without a doubt, the best part of this event was bringing together folks from all four Lutheran congregations in Arlington. I saw how we can be a strong force for good in our community and for spreading the good news outside our church buildings.”
| BETHANIA FOR KIDS CHALLENGE |
The Arlington County Chapter is excited to join other Thrivent Financial chapters in the Mid-Atlantic Region in the Bethania Kids Challenge. Thrivent Financial volunteers across the region are working together to raise $100,000 to build a new Bethania Kids orphanage in India for some of the world's poorest children. The facility will serve abandoned and disabled children who are without government assistance.
To help meet that goal, we ask that Resurrection, Our Savior, Faith and Advent congregations each raise at least $250 by November 1, 2006. This will help build the orphanage and sponsor a child for one year with clothing, food, immunizations, shelter and Christian love. Donations are tax deductible and the Mid-Atlantic Region of Thrivent Financial will supplement a portion of each gift, up to $30,000, through the Care in Regions program.
Fund-raising packets have been sent to all congregational coordinators. The packets contain an inspirational DVD, publicity materials and talking points. The chapter that raises the most funds by November 1, 2006 will receive $5,000 toward a charity of its choice. Information about the process is included in the packet of information. Please pray for the success of this wonderful cause and join your fellow Lutherans in helping kids so far away and in such great need.
| THRIVENT BUILDS WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - DC PROJECT |
On Saturday, May 20, 14 willing pairs of hands of Arlington County Chapter volunteers worked on a Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity project on Clay Street in SE Washington, DC and members of the youth group at Our Savior prepared wonderful lunches that the volunteers enjoyed. Our efforts will help Jewel Childs, and her son Perry, realize their dream of owning their own home. In addition to the volunteer builders, our churches raised $1,124 to help the DC Chapter of Thrivent (who is sponsoring this effort) meet its financial obligation to the project. Thank God for your involvement! The only problem: we had more folks volunteer than we could keep busy at the build site! If you still wish to volunteer, it's not too late. DC Habitat for Humanity has told us that they need a couple of volunteers most Saturdays. Please contact: Nancy Eddy, Volunteer Coordinator; DC Habitat for Humanity; 843 Upshur St., NW; Washington, DC 20011; 202-882-4600 x224 (tel); 202-882-9343 (fax); nancy.eddy@dchabitat.org
| THRIVENT BUILDS WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - WESTBROOK FOREST PROJECT |
You may have read in national magazines and in Thrivent Financial publications that Thrivent and Habitat for Humanity have formed an alliance to provide funding support for building over 300 homes in 2006 -- 10 homes in each of 30 Thrivent Financial regions. One of these approved projects is at 11316 Lee Highway in Fairfax, very close to two townhouse projects that 14 Lutheran congregations financed and built several years ago.
This project, called Westbrook Forest, is a 14-unit condominium. “Our" unit, on the third floor, has four bedrooms and two baths -- a total of 1240 square feet. The affiliate managing this project is Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia (HFHNV) at 4451 First Place South, Arlington, VA 22204. HFHNV has built / restored 50 homes in Northern Virginia in the past 15 years.
The grant for this project was submitted by the Dulles Chapter with the understanding that there will be coordination amongst the Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County chapters and that all Lutheran congregations in Northern Virginia would be invited to join the team to finance and build this condo unit. The cost of the unit is $250,000. The Thrivent Financial grant is $175,000 (70%); Habitat will raise $50,000 (20%), and the local Lutheran congregations have been asked to collectively raise $25,000 (10%).
The terms of the grant require that 50% of the volunteers building this unit be Lutherans and 25% of the Lutherans be Thrivent Financial members. Based on previous Habitat projects that local Lutherans enthusiastically supported, this should not be a problem. Want to help? If you are interested in supporting this project of building “Decent and Affordable Housing” here in Northern Virginia, contact the appointed volunteer “Thrivent Builds Specialist” for the Westbrook Forest build: Allen Wild. He can be reached at 703-471-6567 or via email at AllenWild@aol.com.
| THRIVENT FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AT RESURRECTION |
The Care in Congregations® Committee has worked with the Youth of RLC to supplement their fundraising activities so they can attend the 2006 ELCA Youth Gathering in San Antonio. The gathering is July 5-9. The RLC youth have been holding fundraisers for the past six months in preparation for the trip. Thrivent Financial teamed with the youth on a pancake breakfast in March at which $500 was raised and supplemented, a baked potato lunch in April at which $400 was raised and supplemented, and a yard sale in June at which $1,727 was raised and supplemented with $300 from Thrivent Financial.
The Care in Congregation Committee is looking for another congregation service program while funds remain available.
Resurrection has used Care Abounds in Communities funds allocated by the Arlington County Chapter Board for two projects this year. The first was a supplement to the Lenten Wednesday service offering designated for Lutheran Disaster Relief. The number of large-scale disasters in 2005 left many in the RLC congregation wondering how to designate funds among all the needs. The Social Ministry Committee decided that the Lutheran Disaster Relief Program would be the expert on fulfilling the needs. Over $3,200 was raised during Lent, and Thrivent Financial supplemented $1,600.
The second supplement was a fundraiser held to honor the Reverend George Handley on the 50th anniversary of his ordination. The funds raised will go to the Lutheran Archives in Philadelphia. Pastor Handley is currently on the board of this worthy institution. A supplement of $1,000 has been requested. The funds raised are still being determined at this time.
Additional fundraisers are planned for later in the year, including the Arlington County CROP walk held in October and the Gifts of Hope program in December.
| CARE ABOUNDS IN COMMUNITIES PROJECTS -- 2006 |
Philadelphia Urban Ministries: Jr. High Youth Ministry at Our Savior raised $1,123 and was supplemented with $1,000
Lutheran Disaster Relief appeal at Resurrection raised $3,200 and was supplemented with $1,600
Lutheran Archives in Philadelphia (in honor of Pr. George Handley's 50th anniversary of ordination) fundraiser at Resurrection raised $2,282 and was supplemented with $1,000
Arlington Street Peoples' Assistance Network (A-SPAN) Bagged Meals for Homeless program at Advent received $1,000 for project expenses
| LEADERSHIP BOARD MEETINGS AND CONTACT INFORMATION |
Upcoming meetings and events:
Saturday, August 26 – Retreat and Congregational Coordinators Training (Date tentative)
Monday, September 18 (7:30pm) Faith (date subject to change)
Monday, October 16 (7:30pm) Our Savior
Monday, November 20 (7:30pm) Advent
Monday, December 18 (7:30pm) Resurrection
Contact Board Members
President Sharon Brickhill (Advent) brickhil@hhmi.org
VP Rich Kauzlarich (Our Savior) rkauzlarich@cox.net
Records Dir. Marianne Hetzer (Advent) mwhetzer@comcast.net
Financial Dir. Wendell Anderson (Advent) annwen@erols.com
Congregational Svc Team Dir Tom Maxwell (Resurrection) t.maxwell@att.net
| ARLINGTON COUNTY CHAPTER VISION STATEMENT |
Our vision is to be a dynamic organization of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members. We practice careful stewardship of human and financial resources to demonstrate care and concern for others by bringing volunteers together to make a difference in Arlington, Virginia and beyond.
This newsletter was written and edited by volunteer leaders of your local Thrivent Financial for Lutherans chapter to keep you informed of chapter news. If you have any questions and/or comments about the content of this newsletter or would like to learn more about chapter activities being planned in your area, please contact one of your chapter leaders. To access your chapter leader contact information, go to www.thrivent.com; Members/Chapters; Information About My Chapter; View Leadership/Activities/Website; Chapter Leadership Board.
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