Morris County NJ Chapter

Two page newsletter: October 2011

Two page newsletter: October 2011

Morris County NJ Chapter, October 2011

Care Abounds In Communities Projects Serve Many Needs

The Lutheran congregations of Morris County are helping to meet the needs of individuals, organizations, and groups through organizing projects, raising funds, and providing additional funds through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The Morris County NJ Chapter has approved funding of over $19,000 to 57 projects this year. Examples of projects are food pantries, shelters, disaster relief, a lift for the disabled, Habitat for Humanity, holiday gifts, school supplies, and a mission trip to Haiti. Reimbursement has also been provided for Celebration cakes (e.g. baptisms and Confirmations) and mailing of items to organizations.

Give Through "Thrivent Choice"

As you may be aware, Thrivent Financial now designates Thrivent Choice Dollars to eligible benefit members based on their Thrivent Financial volunteer leadership, their insurance premium amount and their contract value of qualifying products. Choice Dollars are designated on a quarterly basis and after premium payments are received. These Choice Dollars can be directed to Lutheran organizations that have registered, as well as to your local congregation. Please go online or call Thrivent to see if you have Choice Dollars waiting to be directed! The 2011 Choice Dollars must be directed by March 31, 2012.

Call: 1-800-THRIVENT (1-800-847-4836)
Say: "Thrivent Choice Dollars"

You will probably have to give the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
A Thrivent representative will tell you if you qualify for the Thrivent Choice Dollars and the amount you have to designate. If you qualify, tell the representative the name and location of the Lutheran congregation or Lutheran charity you want to receive your Thrivent Choice Dollars. You can ask your congregation if they have designated a particular purpose for these dollars. Tell the representative if you want the dollars to go to the same agency in the future (this eliminates another phone call).

PLEASE CALL SOON! Many dollars have not been directed and we can do so much with those funds!
Please contact your Congregational Advocate if you have any questions.

Number of Congregational Advocates Increases to Eight - More Opportunity for Funds

Thrivent Financial would like to encourage more participation by congregational members in Thrivent programs. It has therefore increased the number of Congregational Advocate positions from each congregation to eight.
Each advocate will be responsible for helping members of the congregation to understand their needs, while partnering with Thrivent Financial representatives and chapter leadership to identify and execute charitable, educational and social activities to meet those needs. Thrivent Financial Benefit member who serve as congregational advocates will be able to direct an additional $25 from Thrivent to Lutheran organizations (including their own congregation).

Encourage Giving in Your Congregation

As noted above, Thrivent Financial is providing increased opportunities for giving among members and within congregations. Help to encourage this by getting the word out in church newsletters, bulletins,

announcements, etc. It is also helpful to advertise how the funds distributed from Thrivent to the congregation will be used for (Youth, Food Pantry, etc.). It would be helpful to publicize this in the community as well, as there are Thrivent members who do not have a church affiliation.

2012 Morris County NJ Chapter Board Election

Thrivent Financial members will be able to elect a new Morris County NJ Chapter Board during November. Ballots will be provided to each congregation. Note that there are open positions that need to be filled. If you are interested, please contact Wannetta at 973-361-3045. Elections are important to show that we are an active chapter with many members and have a representative form of government.
Following is our list of candidates:

President:            Darlene Wyzga                     Director of Congregational Advocates: Wayne Widmann
Vice President:     Kathy Malmstrom                 Communications Director:                     OPEN
Financial Director: Bill Keane                             Youth Director:                                     OPEN
Records Director: Jack Hallik                             Events Director                                     OPEN

For members, by members.
This newsletter was written by volunteer leaders of your local Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Chapter to keep you informed of chapter news. If you have any questions and/or comments about the content of this newsletter or would like to learn more about chapter activities being planned in your area, please contact one of your chapter leaders. Go to Thrivent.com, click on Locate a Chapter, enter your ZIP Code and click on your chapter's name.