First Lutheran Church is located at 350 Dolores Way, South San Francisco.  (Corner of Willow and Dolores Way)  For further information call one of the Leadership Board members.  Board members are listed at the end of this newsletter.

There will be a drawing for prizes, and a sundae bar with all your favorite toppings.

Chris Benson, our Financial Consultant,  will be on hand to tell us about the new Thrivent Financial office that will soon be opening in San Mateo.

                                                      NEW THRIVENT FINANCIAL OFFICE

                                                  Location: 400 So. El Camino Real, Suite 775
                                                                 San Mateo, Calif. 94402
                                                                 Phone:        (650) 401-8064
                                                                 Fax:            (650) 401-8069
New Team Members:
    Christopher Benson, Financial Consultant
    James Lee, Financial Associate
    Greg Jordan, Financial Associate
    James Yang, Financial Associate...

There are 10 elected leadership board positions.  The basic requirements are as follows:
         Must be a benefit or associate member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and 16 or older.
         Must make a commitment of at least 1 year, and no more than 4 consecutive years.
         Must be a member of the San Mateo County Chapter.
         Only one member of a family can serve on the board at one time.

At this time we need to elect a new FINANCIAL DIRECTOR. (Adele Koch, our current financial director,
has served for 4 consecutive years--positions of those who have served less than 4 years are open each year too). We also would like to elect a YOUTH DIRECTOR who will work with the youth in our congregations to bring their thoughts, ideas and energy to the board.  We would like to "Join Hands" with the youth every day, not just on Join Hands Day.  There are also advisory positions on the board.  If you feel that you would like to participate but don't want to commit to an elected office, maybe your expertise could be used in an advisory role.  Let us know !  We DO NEED you, your ideas and your Help!!

IMPORTANT:  PLEASE HAVE ALL REQUESTS FOR CARE ABOUNDS IN COMMUNITIES SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS IN TO ADELE KOCH BY THE END OF AUGUST.

CORRECTION to JUNE NEWSLETTER
It was reported in June Newsletter that Redeemer Lutheran Church in Redwood City is having a garage sale in August.  That should have been Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in South San Francisco, on August 18.  Apologies to Redeemer and Our Redeemer.

NATIONAL AWARD RECIPIENT - Volunteer Excellence Awards

Kathy Wendling of Southeast LA Chapter #30476, Prairieville, LA.  The help Kathy provided last year as youth director for the Southeast Louisiana Chapter of Thrivent Financial is an example of the importance of helping others, supported by opportunities provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Kathy says:  "The work with the chapter helped me associate with a wonderful group of people" .  "The chapter strengthens and builds you as a person."  To moblize the youth, and working with the congregational service team she set up an information network so the youth could be easily contacted.  She recruited eight members of the congregation to participate in a Habitat for Humanity home-building project.  When hurricane Katrina came it demolished the community of Chalmette, Louisiana, destroying Kathy's home, church and property, forcing her to relocate 70 miles away.  Kathy quickly turned to help others.  She set up the Family to Family Connection Program on the Southern District's Web site to connect families with needs to those wishing to help.  She assisted in creating and coordinating a district relief office and has since been hired by the district to continue managing it's recovery programs.  Last fall, Kathy coordinated a major Thrivent Feeds the Hungry initiative, providing turkey dinners to thousands of displaced people over the Thanksgiving weekend.  She was a member of the St. Bernard Parish Drug Awareness Committee, bringing together 6000 childred for drug-awareness events.  She has organized parent and student workshops, served as Sunday school teacher and director, Vacation Bible School director and music teacher and as a member of the church council and altar guild.  Kathy says "WE KNOW GOD HAS A PLAN FOR US AND I MUST BELIEVE HIS PLAN LED ME HERE TO SERVE."

One of the benefits that can be obtained is "Reach Out and Give", a book for children 4 to 8 years of age, that helps parents teach children their values about helping others, donating to charitable causes and volunteering from a Lutheran perspective. It shows ways that Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provides opportunities to put those values into action.

Another benefit is "Jubilee" CD, familiar spirituals and favorite hymns.

These and many other benefits can be viewed and ordered online.

2.  Geneology:  This Lutheran Roots Geneology Exchange helps those who wish to trace their family roots, especially those with Lutheran ancestors.

3.  Recipe Exchange:  View a variety of recipes and/or submit your favorite recipe for others to try.

4.  Send greeting cards

5.  Play online games.