Four page newsletter: Winter 2010| Four page newsletter: Winter 2010 | | |
| Mount Baker Chapter, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans News |
Welcome to the first 2010 newsletter from the Mount Baker Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. We, as your Board, are honored to serve you, our community and especially our Lord Jesus through our partnership with Thrivent. A short synopsis of this partnership is that Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provides funds for our communities; administered by your local elected board; to benefit needs that are near and dear to YOU as Thrivent members. This unique fraternal arrangement allows YOU to direct financial support, volunteer your valuable time, and enthusiastically fundraise to help your neighbors in need. In 2009 YOU and Thrivent participated in 18 fundraising projects and 17 hands-on work projects here in Skagit, Island and Whatcom Counties. YOU helped to feed the hungry, provided quilts to the needy, helped build a greenhouse for a community garden, gave underwear to a homeless shelter, and supplied funds for folks suffering from a flood. Yes, all this and much more was done through your local chapter last year. These community needs were aided by YOU and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
It has been asked several times how the Mount Baker Chapter can help those in Haiti who so desperately need our help. "Care Abounds in Communities" monies can only be used in the United States, so there is no way to use local funding to help with this horrific natural disaster. An excellent way to support the Haitians is to donate through Thrivent's "Helping Haiti" effort. Thrivent will match one dollar for every two dollars donated until the goal of three million dollars is reached. (Two million dollars donated by members and an additional one million dollars from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.) A very easy, safe way to donate has been set up on the Thrivent web site (www.thrivent.com) where you can use a credit/debt card or give through a bank account. Your gift can go to: Lutheran World Relief, ELCA Disaster Response, LCMS World Relief/Human Care, or WELS Committee on Relief. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans then funnels these donations, plus the matching monies, to these efficient, long established Lutheran relief organizations.
If you have already made a donation through any one of the above charities, you can still apply for Thrivent matching funds by calling 1-800-236-3736, verifying your membership and donation. Thrivent will then match your contribution under the same program mentioned above. If you choose not to use the website donation area, you can send checks may be mailed to one of the 4 disaster organizations and mail to: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Attn: Fraternal Services, 4321 North Ballard Road, Appleton, WI 54919. Please remember to note "Helping Haiti" on the memo line of your check.
May God bless you for your generous hearts!
Mount Baker Chapter elections were held in November 2009 at our local congregations. The newly elected officers are:
President: Karen Bellingar. Karen's home church is Our Saviour's Lutheran in Bellingham. She and her husband own and manage Bellingar Storage. (cell) 360-303-1193 (email) bellingarstorageinc@msn.com
Vice President: Bryan Jones. Bryan is an active member of Christ the Servant Lutheran
Church and is employed at Jones Engineering.
Records Director: Burnice Moore. Burnice is a retired elementary school librarian and is a member of
Central Lutheran Church.
Financial Director: Janet Congdon. Janet attends Christ the Servant Lutheran Church. Janet and her
husband own and manage Master Lube, a quick lube shop in Bellingham.
Director of Congregational Advocates: Diane Williams. Diane attends Faith Lutheran Church and is a personal care provider.
Communications Director: Corey Peterson. Corey attends multiple churches in Skagit County and works at Lutherwood Camp and Retreat Center as an administrative assistant.
Events Director: Marilyn Tangen. Marilyn is a very active member of Fir-Conway Lutheran. She is retired and enjoys traveling with her husband Don.
Thrivent Builds Chapter Specialist: Al Peraino. Al and his wife Judy are members of Trinity Lutheran in Burlington and he works in the Mt. Vernon School District. Al can be reached for any questions or volunteer opportunities concerning the Thrivent Builds/Habitat for Humanity project. (home) 360-424-5802 (email) peraino.ajm@verizon.net
Thrivent Builds Chapter Specialist: Sorena Brussea. Sorena and her husband Wayne also attend Trinity Lutheran Church. Sorena works at Regence BlueShield and has again volunteered to be the financial person for this years building project.
There are positions still open. If you have any interest in joining our board, we are always looking for
new members. We meet every third Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
in the Fairhaven district of Bellingham with dinner provided by our Thrivent Financial representatives.
We are beginning to talk to people about serving on the 2011 Chapter Board. Please prayerfully consider this avenue of service to your community.
| Thrivent Builds - Skagit County |
Have Hammer? Will Travel?
Again Thrivent has provided funds for Thrivent Builds Homes, which is a partnership between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity. This unique affiliation will bring an affordable home to another local Skagit County family by the end of this year.
Al Peraino once again is our Thrivent Builds Chapter Specialist for this project. Al will be looking for volunteers, gifts of materials and services, along with financial contributions. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is responsible for 65% of the funding, the Skagit Habitat for Humanity affiliate is responsible for raising another 25%, and your local Thrivent Chapter (you and me) are responsible for raising the last 10%. Dollarwise, this 10% is $14,500. This can come as contribution dollars, gift-in-kind materials, and/or professional services. As with any work project, many hands make light work. Please contact Al at 360-424-5802.
| New Thrivent Choice Program Information |
The Care in Congregations Program that ended in 2009 is being replaced with the Thrivent Choice Program in the spring of 2010. Because Thrivent is a membership organization, they have created Thrivent Choice to be a member-focused program, instead of a congregation-focused or institution-focused program. That means members eligible for Choice Dollars will be able to direct some of Thrivent Financial's charitable funds among Lutheran organizations and congregations enrolled in the program. This new approach acknowledges members for their ownership in Thrivent Financial and helps Thrivent Financial benefit congregations and communities through its members.
There are two elements of this new program.
1. Voting: In April all benefit adult members and associate members will be eligible to "vote" to distribute a portion of Thrivent Financial's charitable funds among a short list of national charities (Lutheran and non-Lutheran).
2. Choice Dollars: Beginning this summer approximately 30 percent of benefit members will be eligible to direct Choice Dollars to thousands of Lutheran nonprofit organizations, including Lutheran congregations. The eligibility for Choice Dollars is based on a benefit member's involvement in Thrivent Financial - via fraternal benefit society product ownership, past participation in the GivingPlus program, and volunteer leadership.
Note: Directing Choice Dollars is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Thrivent Choice Program. If you have any questions about the new program, contact the Fraternal Service Center at 800-236-3736.
All Mount Baker Chapter Board meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 1720 Harris Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225. Visitors are welcome.
Applications for Care Abounds in Communities funds are being accepted by the Mount Baker Chapter Board. Please mail to Post Office Box 30376, Bellingham, WA 98228 (or contact Karen Bellingar at 360-303-1193 for more information)
March 31, 2010, is the last date to donate with matching funds available for Thrivent's "Helping Haiti" effort. See details on page 1.
WATCH YOUR MAIL for your opportunity to vote in the new Thrivent Choice program. Your input is an integral part of this program. See more information on page 3.
May 1, 2010 - Join Hands Day - watch for more information.
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