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Did you see the Big Red Truck when it was in the Pacific Northwest? On Friday, March 16 the Thrivent Builds Mobile filled the parking lot at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Mercer Island. For 4 hours, from 2 - 6 PM the truck was open for tours, questions and lots of fun. For the kids, there was a hammering contest and an opportunity to don the yellow hard hats worn on Habitat sites. For the adults, sign-ups were being taken to help at the Snoqualmie site beginning April 14 all the way through November. If you weren't able to see this multimedia traveling exhibit, plan on it the next time!
The East King County chapter of Thrivent has voted to encourage the 27 churches in our chapter to Join Hands with Lutherwood Camp and Retreat Center this May 5. That date marks the eighth annual national day of volunteering sponsored by America's fraternal benefit societies, including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, to generate awareness about the impact of grassroots volunteerism. Last year, youth and adult members conducted nearly 3,000 activities across the country. Darin Richards, Intern at Lutherwood Camp and a senior at Trinity Lutheran College in Issaquah, comments, "We encourage as many volunteers as possible to lend a hand in getting Lutherwood ready for the summer. There are a LOT of opportunities this year from splitting firewood to building picnic tables. The youth groups can paint, clear trails and spread woodchips." EKC Chapter President, Kathy Fisher continues, "I don't know if you have ever participated in a Join Hands Day event before ... it is a national day of service - joining teens (and kids) with 'older' folks to make a positive impact in their community. I am hoping that many of your youth directors will want to participate. There is every project from painting and tiling, to clearing paths. They will have childcare available, so parents with younger children can participate." Lutherwood is planning to work from 9 am - 5 pm (with a BBQ at 5 pm). If you have any teens who would like a leadership opportunity, Darin Richards is organizing the leadership teams. You can contact him at 425-293-5349. Leaders will go up on Friday, May 4th for training. The EKC chapter of Thrivent will provide JHD t-shirts for all participants -- so, please forward this to your youth director and have them contact the chapter (eastkingcochapter@yahoo.com) or Kathy Fisher (kfisher@htlcmi.org) with a head count and t-shirt sizes needed. "I would love to know by April 2nd - so I can order shirts in time!" Join hands, improve the community while having fun, and watch the power of volunteerism grow!
Join us for the Habitat for Humanity EKC Annual Breakfast fundraising event on Wednesday, April 25 at the Bellevue Hilton Hotel from 7:30 to 8:30 am. Our theme this year will be "Framing Our Futures" with the emphasis on "Our" and the idea that all of us are affected by the need for simple, decent, affordable housing. Habitat's mission extends beyond the homeowners to the entire community. Please reserve this date on your calendar and notify your friends and business associates. For more information contact Mary Martin at
It's happening again! The Habitat for Humanity EKC-Thrivent Builds Golf Tournament and Auction, in partnership with Eastside Lutheran Churches, is ready to tee off on Monday, May 21 at Bear Creek Country Club in Woodinville. Last year's event was so successful that all 27 area churches met their commitment toward Thrivent Builds. The EKC chapter of Thrivent will once again be sponsoring the Auction and dinner after the golf tournament. Get your foursomes ready to take in the sun and golf on a fantastic course. Sign-ups can take place by visiting the golf website at http://habitatekc.org/golf.htm. Donations for the auction are being solicited as well and can be made at the same website.
On Friday, May 19, 2007, the East King County chapter of Thrivent will be honoring a graduating senior with a $500 award to Habitat for Humanity in that student's name. The award is presented to a student for Outstanding Community Service. Last year was the first year that the award was given. Plan now to attend the Honors Convocation on Friday, May 19 in the Chapel of Trinity Lutheran College, Issaquah to help us honor an outstanding student!
We have finished building our two Thrivent/Habitat homes in Snoqualmie Ridge. The dedication was on a very wet December day. It was fun to see so many in attendance. Best of all, the new homeowners couldn't believe this was actually happening! They had always dreamed of owning a home, but didn't think it would ever work out. Woody Carlson, Chapter Specialist for Thrivent Builds notes, "It is fun to be part of a program that really works and really changes lives. Guess what? We get to do it again! Thrivent and Habitat are providing more funds and another lot at Snoqualmie Ridge." The Golf Tournament and Auction mentioned above are the events that are expected to raise the $30,000 needed for this year. After that, Carlson says "All we need to do is provide workers and lunch makers. Ant this is what Lutehrans are good at: volunteering and eating!" Starting in April there are 32 weeks to build this house. Carlson has calculated, "If we have 16 Lutheran congregations participating and everyone took two Saturdays, or one Saturday and a week day, we would get this house built almost entirely by Lutheran volunteers! Contact Woody Carlson, Chapter Specialist at
The East King County of Thrivent wants to celebrate those beautiful quilts that are made by the volunteers in our churches for various relief organizations with a Quilter's Luncheon on Thursday, June 14 at First Lutheran in Bothell. We are looking forward to seeing all our area quilters as you share techniques, display quilts and share in fellowship. Our special guest will be Rev. Don Haven, Lutheran World Relief, Western States Mission Advancement. The program will begin at 10 AM with hands-on quilting, sharing of ideas and creating templates. Bring a full-size or larger bedsheet, if you are interested in making a template. At 11, meet your East King County chapter Thrivent leadership team. A message from Rev. Haven about the important part quilting plays in the world follows. We will then bless the quilts being donated and enjoy lunch. Please plan to bring a 60" x 80" quilt to donate to Lutheran World Relief and receive a roll of batting (one per congregation) for future projects. RSVP to the chapter at eastkingcochapter@yahoo.com by June 1st with the number of quilters who will be attending. We would like to highlight your efforts in our program and newsletter, so please let us know how many quilts you make annually and who receives them.
The East King County chapter of Thrivent has been busy giving out money. Have you been a part of that yet? Upcoming events include several Easter projects. Pilgrim Lutheran in Bellevue will have the proceeds from their Easter Breakfast support Lutheran Compass Center Shelter for Women. Contact Heidi O'Connor at hocbeach@yahoo.com for information. Holy Trinity, Mercer Island has an Easter Breakfast that supports a variety of homeless projects, including Compass Center for men and the Cascade Center for Women. Contact Laurie Sperber at laurie.sperber@gmail.com for info. The Easter Candy Sale at All Saints in Bellevue will help support youth and mission events. Contact Cindy Bushmeyer at cbushmeyer@comcast.net for information. The members of Cross of Christ are having a fundraiser to help support LBT missionaries Rob and Eishnee Veith on Sunday, April 15. Contact Beth Elness-Hanson at elness-hanson@cp.fuller.edu for additional information. Lutherwood Camp and Retreat Center Spring Auction occurs on April 21. Contact Bob Merrill at bob.merrill@camplutherwood.org for more information. On April 27 Sammamish Hills Lutheran Preschool will host a Fun Art Night. Contact Karen Harmon at kagharmon@comcast.net for information. The Spring work period ends for the quilters for Lutheran World Relief on May 15. They hope to have 60 quilts ready for shipment then. Contact Lois Schelp at donandlou@netzero.net for more info. Two events in June focus on the Community Lunch program on Capitol Hill. Contact Michelle Billmaier of Wooden Cross at w.cross@verizon.net or Don Jensen at director@communitylunch.org for more details. Finally, one of the most creative projects approved is the Dog and Car Wash at Holy Trinity Lutheran on Mercer Island. Proceeds from this August 26 fundraiser by the 4th and 5th graders enable additional purchases to be made at Christmas time for the Angel Tree activity that benefits Compass Center. Contact Kathy Fisher at kfisher@htcmi.org for information. Remember, project ideas can be submitted using Form #1 available on-line at lutheransonline.com/eastkingcountychapter and hitting the link to Chapter Forms. To assure that your project is received in time, please submit them via e-mail by the Tuesday before our regular monthly meetings. Our chapter meetings are the second Wednesday of the month. All projects need to be submitted for approval by the October 10 meeting. Final paperwork (Form #3) must be completed by November 12, 2007.
Vice-President, Dan Selmann, is a member and attends Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Kirkland, WA. That information was not included in the last Newsletter. Thank you for noticing!
Did you know that as a member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, you are a part of one of nearly 1,400 groups, or chapters, of Thrivent Financial members? The chapter system provides opportunities for members to "make a difference" by helping others through fund-raising or service activities. It also is an integral part of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' mission and vision because it helps maximize the good that we do for others. As chapter members, we help fulfill the "caring for others" portion of Thrivent Financial's mission: "Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a faith-based membership organization called to improve the quality of life of its members, their families, and their communities by providing unparalleled solutions that focus on financial security, wellness, and caring for others." In addition, we have the opportunity to play an important role in Thrivent Financial's vision: "Our vision is to be the organization that Lutherans, Lutheran congregations and Lutheran institutions seek first when pursuing their financial goals. More than creating financial solutions, we add the unique capability of enabling Lutherans to demonstrate their care and concern for others." Through use of our chapter Care programs, we are able to "demonstrate care and concern for others." As a chapter leader, we strive to be involved in a variety of good causes throughout our community. Would you like to join our chapter leadership? We have a need RIGHT NOW for a Youth Director. In addition, we will be having elections in the fall. Begin to think now if you would like to serve on our board. Contact us at eastkingcochapter@yahoo.com with any questions.
Welcome to our 134 new members joining the East King County chapter of Thrivent this year! We think this area is pretty special and hope you do too. If you have not found a church to call "home" yet, please check out our church links on our webpage at lutheransonline.com/eastkingcountychapter. If you have any questions regarding our chapter, contact us at eastkingcochapter@yahoo.com.
The following events are area-wide events that we hope you can participate in: Saturday, May 5 Join Hands Day at Lutherwood Camp and Retreat Center. Contact Darin Richards at 425-293-5349 or Kathy Fisher at kfisher@htlcmi.org with questions. Monday, May 21 East King County Chapter of Thrivent, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Mercer Island, Habitat for Humanity and Union Bank of California sponsor the second annual Golf Tournament and Auction at Bear Creek Country Club in Woodinville. Go to habitatekc.org/golf to register. Thursday, June 14 Quilter's Lunch at First Lutheran in Bothell. Contact eastkingcochapter@yahoo.com to register. Wednesday, October 10 Last day to submit projects for approval to EKC chapter leadership. Monday, November 12 all final paperwork must be submitted for 2007.
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