As we head into the summer of 2005, your Flaming Gorge Chapter leaders would like to extend their wishes for a safe and enjoyable summer.  Remember your chapter leaders are always available to help you with your Congregational and Communities fundraisers, and we hope that you are planning some of these events during this summer.  Several congregations in the chapter have not used their Congregational funds as yet, so congregational coordinators try to get some events going where you can take advantage of the funds available to your congregation.  The summer months are a great time to plan some of these events.

The Chapter would like to extend our farewell wishes to Pastor Paul Cain, who was our chapter Vice-President.  Pastor Cain took a call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Morrill, NE and had to resign this position.  We would like to thank Pastor Cain for his service to our chapter for the last couple of years.  On that same note, we welcome Pastor Richard Meyer from Trinity in Evanston, who will serve out the
remainder of the term.

Each chapter consists of a chapter leadership board made up of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members elected by members in the chapter. The board provides strategic direction, leadership planning and administration to support members and others who volunteer through one of Thrivent Financial's chapter Care programs (Care Abounds in Communities™, Care in Congregations® and Care in Regions™) or other chapter activities.

Each chapter leadership board is comprised of five required elected positions. In addition, five optional elected positions and a number of appointed advisory positions are available.

All elected leadership board members have equal voting rights—the advisors do not vote in chapter leadership board matters.

The chapter leadership board is responsible for allocating dollars to community service teams through the Care Abounds in Communities™ program.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a caring organization like no other. One way Thrivent Financial shows its concern for members and their families is by offering a wide variety of benefits designed to enhance their quality of life.

As a member, you may order complimentary books, videos and CDs—valuable resources on personal finance, healthy living, caring for others, as well as help to support you in your faith. You'll also find other helpful products and services offered at significantly discounted prices.

These value-added member benefits distinguish Thrivent Financial from other financial services organizations.

Members can view and order benefits from Thrivent Financial's Web site at www.thrivent.com/fraternal/benefits, or order by calling 1-800-372-8236.

As mentioned above, several congregations have not used their funds yet. Through the Care in Congregations® chapter Care program, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provides funding for Thrivent Financial members to conduct fund-raising activities and/or hands-on service activities to benefit a congregation or its related Lutheran institution(s). Members are encouraged to help the congregation in its ministry to the community. Funding comes directly from Thrivent Financial to the congregational service team's congregation.

A congregational service team includes all Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members who want to come together to help a particular congregation or its associated Lutheran institutions. Teams help by conducting fund-raising activities (including appeals/collections) and/or hands-on service activities such as painting the church or building cabinetry for the fellowship hall.

The congregational service team must have three Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members from separate households registered as congregational coordinators. These members do not need to be members of the congregation.

In addition, at least six Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members (benefit, associate and/or youth members), each from a different household, must participate in an activity to receive supporting funds from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans through the Care in Congregations® program. Congregational coordinators may be included in the required six member households.

Participating congregational service team members may differ from one activity to the next, and participants do not need to be members of the congregation benefiting from the activity. (If the six-member-household requirement is met, nonmembers may and are encouraged to participate in the activity.)

Funds that a congregational service team uses to help its congregation or related Lutheran institution(s) come directly from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans through the Care in Congregations® program.

Note: A congregational service team also may conduct Care Abounds in Communities™ activities to benefit individuals, families, local communities or organizations that are exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. (This includes charitable, educational and religious organizations.) In these situations, the service team requests funds and accesses resources from a chapter leadership board through the Care Abounds in Communities™ program.

It will soon be time to elect a new chapter board.  Howard Smith, Lee Splett and Marilyn McDonald have served the designated amount of time allowed by Thrivent Financial and will no longer be able to serve on the chapter board after this year.  Please prayerfully consider running for a chapter position. Contact a board member ASAP if you would be willing to run for a position on the board.  The chapter board will meet in early fall .

Enjoy the rest of the summer and Stay Safe!
                                                                                                  Submitted by,
                                                                                                  Marilyn McDonald
                                                                                                  Records Director