Four page newsletter: Arlington County Chapter March 2007 Newsletter| Four page newsletter: Arlington County Chapter March 2007 Newsletter | | |
| Arlington County Chapter, March 2007 Newsletter |
| Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) to Receive Chapter Assistance in 2007 |
The Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) is Arlington County's food pantry. Over 500 families per week receive nutritious groceries to take home and prepare as they wish. The four Lutheran churches in Arlington have supported AFAC individually over the years, but in 2007, the Chapter will coordinate the efforts of Thrivent members and other volunteers to help AFAC raise funds to purchase the building they currently occupy on S Nelson St. The property, for sale with a $1.1M asking price, is in a good location and is well-suited to AFAC's needs. Owning the property (mortgage-free) will provide more available cash for food and client services and will guarantee long-term stability and a voice in neighborhood development discussions.
Possible Chapter activities include a progressive dinner with each congregation hosting one course, a volunteer work day at AFAC, a restaurant benefit event and / or a boxed cereal drive. Contact Project Leaders Chris Johnston (chris1223966@yahoo.com) or Elizabeth Morse (emorse@centexhomes.com) if you have other suggestions or would like to volunteer.
| Chapter and Congregational Activities Already Underway |
A team from Advent will support the Arlington Street People's Assistance Network (A-SPAN) for the third year in a row by preparing bagged meals for distribution to needy folks in the Clarendon area. Team members requested $1,275 in "hands-on service" funds to cover the cost of food and paper supplies for the 60 meals they prepare and deliver each month.
Resurrection members hope to raise at least $1,000 in weekly Lenten offerings, in order to receive $1,000 in approved supplemental funds, to support For Immediate Sympathetic Help (FISH) Arlington. FISH provides transportation to people in need, often to and from medical appointments. A recent shortage of volunteer drivers has forced the organization to resort to paying for taxi service.
The youth group at Our Savior made and sold submarine sandwiches for delivery to hungry football fans on Super Bowl Sunday. Care in Congregations supplemental funds helped the youth raise over $1,000 to help pay for their trip to the LCMS National Youth Gathering later this year.
Our Savior volunteers assisted with a Thrivent Builds Habitat for Humanity project in Fairfax, VA. The workers helped build a unit in the Westbrook Forest Condominium at 11316 Lee Highway which the Dulles Chapter of Thrivent Financial is sponsoring. Our Savior's first build day, January 20, was frigid but fulfilling. "We made great progress thanks to our builders and food providers!"
Advent members plan to install a stone-paver labyrinth on their property at S 23rd St and S. Arlington Ridge Road. It is hoped that the labyrinth will benefit members, friends and neighbors in a variety of ways. A special appeal, combined with Care in Congregations supplemental funds, could contribute $2,600 of the nearly $50,000 anticipated cost of the project. See Advent's website for more information (www.adventlc.us).
| What IS Thrivent Financial for Lutherans? |
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a Fortune 500 organization and is the nation's largest fraternal benefit society with nearly 3 million members. The organization and its members provide approximately $200 million annually for outreach programs and activities that support congregations, schools, charitable organizations and needy individuals.
Fraternal benefit societies such as Thrivent Financial for Lutherans are unique not-for-profit organizations that offer their members opportunities to achieve financial security and to help others. Although fraternals have evolved to meet the changing needs of their members, their mission remains the same: to help their members help themselves and others through charitable and benevolent activities; and to provide opportunities for their members to achieve financial security. Contact Thrivent Financial Consultant Greg Roemer at greg.roemer@thrivent.com for more information about Thrivent's financial services.
| Join Team Thrivent in Relay For Life of Arlington! |
The Chapter is sponsoring a Relay For Life team again this year, and we are hoping for clear skies and fair weather! Last year's event ended prematurely because of a ferocious thunderstorm, but not before Team Thrivent raised over $5,000 for the American Cancer Society.
"Relay For Life® of Arlington is a fun-filled overnight event designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer. At the event, we celebrate survivorship and raise money to help the American Cancer Society in its mission to save lives, help those who have been touched by cancer, and empower individuals to fight back." Our team, along with many others, will gather at Wakefield High School (4901 S. Chesterfield Rd, 22206) on June 23 and 24 where we will take turns walking or running laps around the track. Our goal is to have at least one team member on the track at all times. Aside from walking or running, there is plenty of time for food, fellowship, and fun with team members and other teams. The event includes music, games, contests and on-site fundraisers.
But Relay is much more than a walk around a track. It is a night for people who have shared similar experiences to comfort and console one another. During the event, we honor survivors during the Survivors Lap and we remember those we have lost to cancer during the Luminaria Ceremony. We also celebrate life, friendship, and a chance to work together toward a cancer-free future.
The Relay For Life website is www.relayarlington.org. Click on Sign Up and follow instructions to locate Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Team members do not have to be Thrivent members, or even Lutheran! All are welcome!
Here are some other ways to support our team and the American Cancer Society:
Go to www.relayarlington.org, click on Donate, and locate Thrivent to make a contribution to our team.
Purchase luminaria which are decorated bags with the name(s) of loved ones who are fighting cancer, or have in the past. The lighted luminaria line the walking track after dark, inspiring walkers and runners through the night.
Purchase $5 raffle tickets for a chance to win a 2007 Dodge Nitro from Tysons Dodge Jeep.
Contact Team Captain Marianne Hetzer (mwhetzer@comcast.net) for more information or to sign up "off-line."
| Visit the NEW Chapter Website! |
A very basic website has been developed as another means of communication between Chapter leaders and members. Visit the site at www.lutheransonline.com/arlingtoncountychapter. You will find a calendar of events, contact information for Board members, links to important forms, past newsletters and basic information about the Chapter. We welcome suggestions for other features. Contact Marianne Hetzer (mwhetzer@comcast.net) or use the feedback form on the website.
April 1: Palm Sunday You are welcome at Faith, Our Savior, Resurrection or Advent
April 5: Maundy Thursday Check each congregation's website for worship times and more info:
April 6: Good Friday www.faithlutheranarlington.org; www.osva.org; www.relcarlington.org;
April 8: Easter www.adventlc.us
April 16: Chapter Meeting at Our Savior, 825 S. Taylor St, 22204
May 5: Join Hands Day
May 21: Chapter Meeting at Resurrection, 6201 N Washington Bl., 22205
June 18: Chapter Meeting at Advent, 2222 S Arlington Ridge Rd, 22202
June 23 - 24: Relay For Life, Wakefield HS, 4901 S Chesterfield Rd, 22206
| Chapter Leader Contact Information |
President Rich Kauzlarich rkauzlarich@cox.net
Vice President Chris Johnston chris1223966@yahoo.com
Records Director Tom Maxwell t.maxwell@att.net
Financial Director Wendell Anderson annwen@erols.com
Cong Service Team Director Elizabeth Morse emorse@centexhomes.com
Communications Director Marianne Hetzer mwhetzer@comcast.net
Assistant Financial Director Brian Brunsvold chicabrunsvold@juno.com
| Why Do I Receive This Newsletter? |
Some of you may wonder why you receive this newsletter if you do not attend Advent, Faith, Our Savior or Resurrection Lutheran churches. The simple -- but sometimes confusing -- reason is that Thrivent assigns members to the Chapter based on residence address. You must specifically request to be transferred to the chapter that serves your congregation if that is your desire. Regardless of where you attend church, we hope that you will consider this YOUR chapter and join in our activities. We are making a major effort this year to focus on projects that demonstrate our care for those in need in Arlington County. We welcome your ideas and participation.
| Ready to Help, but Short on Time? |
If you're short on time (who isn't?) but want to help others in your community, getting involved with the Arlington Thrivent chapter might be the answer for you. The Chapter already has the framework in place if you have an idea for a new service project, or you can jump into an on-going program like preparing bagged meals for A-SPAN, joining the Relay For Life team, or helping brainstorm ideas with the AFAC project leaders. At any level of involvement, you have a wonderful opportunity to make a difference and help others in a way that fits in your schedule. Please contact a Chapter leader to find out more!
| Arlington County Chapter Vision Statement |
Our vision is to be a dynamic organization of Thrivent Financial for Lutheran 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.
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