In this newletter you will find the registration form for the 2005 Gulf Coast Chapter #30124 Annual Meeting and Chapter Leader election. Please make every effort to attend.  In the meantime, Imagine yourself as part of a group of caring people with the opportunity to decide how best to use funding that benefits people in need and your community. Imagine being able to increase the impact that money has through community involvement, awareness, additional funds raised and the caring work of many hands.

Chapter leaders with the Gulf Coast Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans do just that with the Care Abounds in Communities® program! And with chapter leader elections just around the corner, the time to get involved is NOW! Our chapter will have several leadership opportunities for 2006. At least 5 of our current board members will have served three year terms at the end of this year.   The only requirements are: being a Thrivent Financial member; a desire to help people; and five to 12 hours per month volunteer time (depending on the position).

We very much need you on the chapter leadership board. Without a full board, our chapter will not qualify for the funding that helps people and our community. Help us take full advantage of this unique opportunity to significantly impact our community.  Contact Elaine Brundrett (361) 991-7947, or Jim Bixler (361) 992-1366, today to find out more or add your name to the election ballot.
Call any of our current chapter leaders for more information or bring up the Thrivent for Lutherans webpage. (www.thrivent.com)

If serving on the chapter leadership board does not work for you but you'd like to be involved or volunteer in some capacity, there are many other volunteer opportunities, both short-term and longer-term, available as well. Please contact us and we'll describe how you can make a difference through the Thrivent Financial chapter system in a way that fits into your schedule.

A special congregational coordinator and volunteer recognition party will follow the annual meeting

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VISIT OUR CHAPTER WEBSITE AT: www.lutheransonline.com/gulfcoastchapter

Meet our Chapter Leaders on line.  See pictures of our Join Hands Day activity at the National Seashore.

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                                                    Annual Meeting Registration Form

      The Annual meeting and Chapter Leader Elections for the Gulf Coast Chapter of Thrivent Financial    for Lutherans will be held Saturday, November 12, 2005 at the Back Street Cafe in Sinton, Texas.  All Thrivent Financial members (benefit and associate) are encouraged to attend.  All attendees must register for this meeting.  Member's cost for the meal is $4.00 per plate. Non-members and guest are $14.00. Please mail the following registration to Alice Luedke, 16749 CR 798, Sinton, Texas 78387-5037 to arrive on or before November 1, 2005.  A final count must be submitted to the Back Street Cafe by November 1, 2005.

Name:______________________________________________________

Address____________________________________________________

City/St/Zip___________________________________________________

Other members attending @$4.00/plate:____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Total number of Registrants/plates ____@$4.00 each = $__________(enclose check or Money Order)

Non-members/guest @$14.00/plate_______. Total submitted guest $_______________

Name of Guest:____________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

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Clip and mail the above registration form with check or money order to Alice Luedke, 16749 CR 798, Sinton, TX 78387-5037 to arrive on or before November 1, 2005.  (Any late registrations will pay same as non-member/guest @$14.00.)

            Chapter Leader prospects should contact Elaine Brundrett (361) 991-7947 or Jim Bixler (361) 992-1366 to have their names placed on the ballot.

           Lots of door prizes, gifts and other surprises.  We will look for you November 12th at the Back Street Cafe,  106 E. Borden Street, Sinton, Texas
         
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The Gulf Coast Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will conduct two $5,000.00 activities.  Congregations are asked to collect special offerings for Katrina relief, and have those offerings matched dollar for dollar, up to $5,000.00 each by the Gulf Coast Chapter. (Making a total of $20,000.00).  The start date for this special appeal was September 2, 2005 and will close on October 10, 2005.  Checks should be made out to your congregation marked “Katrina Relief”.  At the end of the collection period the congregation may send one check to the Gulf Coast Chapter of Thrivent Financial marked for Katrina Relief.  Those monies will be matched dollar for dollar up to $10,000.00.    These monies will be distributed to needy individuals affected by Hurricane Kartrina.  This allows both Thrivent Financial members and non-members alike to get maximum benefit from their monetary gift.  

This is a separate appeal from what Thrivent Financial has offered to members hoping to raise 6 million dollars for Katrina relief.  We encourage members to assist anywhere they can.  President Bush has called this the worse natural disaster to strike the United State of America in modern time.  The cost could be in excess of 250-300 billion dollars.  

A number of Gulf Coast Chapter Congregations wait until November and December to hold activities that enable their churches to claim the $1,300.00 allotted by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for their congregations.  Activities should be completed by mid December to allow enough time for reporting by year end.

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**Thursday night Potluck Supper!!  Prayer and medication to follow.