Four page newsletter: 20080131| Four page newsletter: 20080131 | | |
| Gulf Coast Chapter, The Wave |
| GULF COAST CHAPTER RECOGNIZED: |
The Gulf Coast Chapter was recently recognized at the Leader's Summit in San Antonio. The chapter was given the distinction of 'CHAPTER OF EXCELLENCE.' Only 3 other chapters were given this award. They were Ft. Bend County, N.E. Houston, and West Bexar County.
The award is based on several criteria including number of meetings held, involvement of its members, amount of monies raised, and several others. Hats off to all the Thrivent members, coordinators, churches, and board members for making this possible.
| ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO!!!!!!!!!! |
It's time to get started on those 2008 Thrivent Financial for Lutherans activities and projects.
* Each congregation should have 3 congregational coordinators in place to help carry out the projects for the year. If a new coordinator has been appointed or if you need help, contact Ida Hansen at jbhansen@awesomenet.net.
* Congregations can begin spending their Care in Congregations allocated funds now. Call Thrivent Financial at 1-800-236-3736 to find out the amount of money you have, or go online to www.thrivent.com. In most cases, the amount is the same as last year.
* The annual coordinators’ training will be held on March 1 at St. John’s in Robstown from 11:00 till 3:00 P.M. Coordinators will be receiving a special invitation to the meeting. Door prizes will be awarded, and each congregation that has 3 coordinators present will receive $50 for the congregation.
* Thrivent Financial Associate, Michael Kennedy and Dan Wilkerson, are looking for congregations to visit. If you would like for them to visit your congregation, please contact them at michael.kennedy@thrivent.com or dan.Wilkerson@thrivent.com
| JOIN HANDS DAY ON THE HORIZON |
** JOIN HANDS DAY will be coming up in May and June. Watch for more details.
HATS OFF TO OUTSTANDING CONGREGATIONS FOR CARE IN CONGREGATIONS PROJECTS
Several congregations did an outstanding job last year in maximizing their Care in Congregations projects. They are as follows:
• St Paul, Bishop, had 5 activities
• Peace, Rockport, had 4 activities
• Messiah, Calallen, and Mt. Olive, Corpus Christi, had 3 activities
• Grace, Sinton, had 2000 volunteer hours
• St. Marks, Corpus Christi, had 1760 volunteer hours
• Trinity, Kingsville, raised the most money--$15,555
Each congregation will be recognized by the Chapter Board. Thanks
APPROVED PROJECTS
The following Care Abounds in Communities Projects were approved at the recent board meeting:
• Project Comfort –Abiding Savior Lutheran-Funded $2 to $1 up to $500
• Project Quilting-hands on project for foster children and Bokenkamp for $600
• Community Table—Rockport-hands on project for $600
WEBSITE
The chapter maintains a website at www.thrivent.com . Visit the website for board members and activities within the chapter.
| BOARD MEMBERS ATTEND TRAINING |
Several members of the chapter board attended a training session in either San Antonio or Houston to learn more about the duties of board members. They also learned about the changes in store for this year. Many ideas were exchanged and discussed to help the board become more involved in activities around the region.
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| CARE ABOUNDS IN COMMUNITIES ALERT |
Now is the time to begin planning for any CARE ABOUNDS IN COMMUNITIES projects for 2008. The chapter has been allocated $22,495 for projects this year. Remember that projects have to be approved before you can start them. Approval for projects is given at each board meeting. (see dates below).
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE PROJECT TO REQUEST APPROVAL.
Everyone is asked to comply with the same procedure of receiving board approval before beginning any project. Emergency projects will not be granted unless it is an actual emergency. An emergency would be a sudden and unexpected event, such as a house fire, an accident, etc.
Fill out the appropriate Request for Funding form, present the form to the board, received approval, and then get started.
| CHAPTER BOARD SETS FUTURE MEETING DATES |
The Gulf Coast Chapter Board held its first meeting on January 15. The meeting dates for the year were set. Board meetings will be held on Feb. 26, March 1, April 22, June 17, Aug.19, Oct.21, and Dec. 2. Coordinators training will be on March 1 and the Annual Meeting will be November 8. All dates are tentative. The Feb. 26 board meeting will be held at the Chicken Shack beginning at 6:30. The places for the other meetings have not been determined. Meetings are open to all members.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is starting several new programs this year. One is called "Water to Thrive." It involves raising funds for digging water wells in Ethiopia. The program is brand new, and information will be made available to you and your congregations in a few months.
There is a severe shortage of drinking water in Ethiopia. A series of educational programs will also be offered. You'll have the opportunity to learn about estate planning, Legacy matters, life transitions and many more. Be watching for further details.
Have you recently moved or changed your e-mail address or church membership? If yes, you now have an easy and quick way to not only ensure the information Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has on file for you is accurate, but to also update it – immediately!
The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Web site now has a secure page to review and update this information – with just a few clicks of the mouse.
Go to www.thrivent.com and click on Your Accounts. Enter your User ID and Password (first-time users will need to complete an easy one-time registration) to access the My Accounts page, which provides a comprehensive financial summary of your Thrivent Financial products.
Click “Edit My Page” and a screen will appear showing your name, address, phone number(s), e-mail, church membership information and more. Click on the “Update” link to change any wrong or outdated information, such as where you have church membership.
You also can review and update information on other Thrivent Financial members who reside in your household (e.g., spouse and children).
If you do not have Internet access but need to update information, please contact your Thrivent Financial representative or Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and they will be happy to help you.
| To Submit Articles for Publication.... |
..........in this newsletter, submit information about the activities your church is involved with in any of the Care programs. Email to Rev. Michael Gabby at this address: pastormike@gtek.biz...or mail to Pastor Michael Gabby, 102 Daniel Moore St., Portland, TX 78374.
This newsletter is written for you by volunteer leaders of your local Thrivent Financial for Lutherans chapter, and any views expressed are those of the writer. For questions, comments or to learn more about chapter activities in your area, please contact one of your chapter leaders, who are listed on our Web site at: www.thrivent.com/members. Just click on Information About My Chapter.
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