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The chapter website is: www.lutheransonline.com/galvestoncountychapter Pictures of your Board of Directors are on the website. If you don’t know them, go and see who they are! New director pictures will appear in 2010.
At the November election at Memorial Lutheran in Texas City officers for the Galveston County Chapter of Financial for Lutherans were elected for 2010. Of the ten possible positions all were filled except the Director of Communications position. The elected directors and positions are: President, MaryAnn Waldon; Vice President, Ruby Wulf; Financial Director, Kathy Olson; Records Director, Sheri Foltz; Congregational Advocates Director, Delores Bahr; Assistant Financial Director, Faye Mortensen; Community Service Team Director: Claudean Smith; Events Director, Dorothy Garrick; and Youth Director, Carolyn Howard.
In the spring of 2010, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will launch a program called Thrivent Choice. As the name implies, it’s designed to give members choice in directing some of Thrivent Financial’s charitable funds. Thrivent Choice is still being developed, but here’s a preview of the two main elements of the program: Voting: All adult benefit and associate members will have an opportunity to vote on how to direct charitable funding among a short list of national charities. Choice Dollars: Eligible benefit members will be able to direct dollars to thousands of Lutheran nonprofit organizations like schools, camps, colleges—or even your Lutheran congregation. Eligibility is based on your involvement with Thrivent Financial, through your ownership of Thrivent Financial life, health or annuity products or your leadership with our chapter. Note: Directing Choice Dollars will be subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Thrivent Choice Program. Participation will be simple and easy, without any complicated forms to complete. You’ll be able to vote or direct Choice Dollars either online or by phone.
As the year draws to a close, so does the Care in Congregations® Program. As we reflect on the program’s accomplishments, we recognize that all money raised and the help given to congregations through the program would not have been possible without the leadership and support of chapter leaders and congregational coordinators. Thank you! As a small token of our appreciation, Thrivent will be mailing each congregational coordinator a thank-you gift in mid-December. Again, our heartfelt thanks for working with Thrivent Financial to make a difference in your congregation! Thanks for your leadership and support!
As the Congregation Coordinator’s role ends, a new position begins in January 2010 in Thrivent. Previously, there have been three coordinators required for each congregation, now in the new position there will be one person who serves called the Congregational Advocate. The Congregational Advocate from each congregation will need to be appointed by the Galveston County Chapter Board of Directors at the January meeting. Persons who were Congregational Coordinators who are willing to serve as a Congregational Advocate are requested to contact Delores Bahr at dbahr3456@yahoo.com or Mary Ann Waldon at mbwaldon@gmail.com. by January 6 for appointment at the January meeting. While no Congregational Funds will be available for Coordinators to direct in 2010, there will be Thrivent Choice Dollars that can be directed to your congregation by Thrivent members. As 2010 progresses more information will be forthcoming on how this occurs.
On Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. two new homes will be dedicated in Dickinson at 3000 Virginia and 3002 Virginia. Congregation and Thrivent members who assisted in building these homes will want to attend this ceremony with homes being presented to the new occupants. What at joyous occasion!! While there have been weather set backs the date has finally arrived. God’s blessings on all who made this possible and for the new occupants who will live in these homes. Special thanks to Dale Jorgenson who worked with the Galveston County Chapter as the Thrivent Builds Specialist in directing the congregational fund raising and work efforts for the homes.
Galveston County Chapter is one of the chapters that has been approved by Thrivent to work on one new home next year. Karen Libassi from Thrivent and Peggy Baldwin from Habitat for Humanity will assist the chapter in guiding congregations in fund raising and in the work effort for building the homes. Look for more information early in 2010.
The Giving Plus Program will no longer be available for contributions to various designated organizations beginning in 2010. Rather Thrivent Choice dollars may be used to support various programs of a member’s choice. More information on the selected programs will be available in 2010.
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