Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the new members, and some returning members.  We have organized ourselves so that each board member is responsible for individual churches, and the congregational coordinators of each.  We hope that this improves communication between the board and the congregational leaders.

Paul Allvin is returning to the board as Vice President to share his experience with the new members.  He will be responsible for Christ Lutheran in Milford, Good Shepherd in Novi, and Immanuel  in South Lyon.  Paul can be reached at paul.allvin@sundree.com, or by phone 248-926-0585.

Returning in his role as our Director of Records is Don MacQuarrie.  Don can be reached at 248-889-1258 or dfmacquarrie@comcast.net.  Don will be responsible for Lutheran Church of the Ascension in Waterford and Christ of the Lakes in White Lake.

Richard Trudelle has also returned, and again as our Financial Director.  Richard will be working with Cross of Christ in South Lyon and Peace Lutheran in Waterford.  If you need to contact Richard, please send email to carolrichard_2000@yahoo.com.  You may also call him at 248-666-1156.

Karen Kosky has joined our board and can be reached at 248-684-7989 or justbkoz@juno.com.  Karen has stepped into the role of our Congregational Service Team Director and will be working with Faith Lutheran in Highland and Shepherd of the Lakes in Wolverine Lake.

Also new to the board is Mike Pogarch.  Mike will be working with his home congregation of St. Matthew in Walled Lake and also with St. Stephen in Waterford.  Mike has taken on the role of our Community Service Team Director.  You can reach Mike at 248-676-8074 or mpogarch@msn.com.

Also, please let me introduce myself.  I am Ed Smith, and have taken on the role of President, replacing Jim Breaugh who has elected to reduce his role in the day-to-day workings of the board.  Jim's leadership and Love of our Lord and Savior will be missed - I hope to do an adequate job of filling the giant shoes that Jim has left behind.  If you need to reach me, please do so by email at ejsmith3@yahoo.com.  If the matter is urgent, call me at 248-624-6433 and I will call you back as soon as I am able.  I will be working directly with Cedar Crest in White Lake and Christ Lutheran in Waterford.  By the way - if you happen to see Jim, please shake his hand and say "Thank you" for his dedication and service.

I would also like to mention Judy Wargo.  Judy had served the board faithfully in the past and recently stepped down from the board.  As with Jim, if you see Judy, please take a moment to thank her for her service.

Last year, youth and adult members had a ball conducting more than 3,000 activities across the country. The ideas were limited only by the imagination.   In 2005, eight of the 20 Award of Excellence activities chosen by JOIN HANDS DAY were conducted by Thrivent Financial members. Our Chapter received $1,000 to use for this year’s JOIN HANDS DAY activities.

How can you participate in 2006? It's easy. Find a need, form a service team of individuals from six separate Thrivent Financial households, and contact one of our chapter leaders to see how we can help you. We have many resources to help make your activity great, such as:
    - A checklist that includes everything you need to know to conduct a successful activity and receive funding from the chapter.
    - Promotional items to help you recruit volunteers and publicize your activity for optimum attendance.
    - Funding to purchase T-shirts, refreshments, supplies and more.