Welcome to our first official newsletter for 2009!  In this edition you will get some specifics as to what will be happening in the coming year!  We will be busy and know that you and your service teams will be active and energetic as well!  

Our first major event is the Congregational Coordinator’s training at Redeemer Lutheran Church in South San Francisco on Sunday, March 1 at 1:00 p.m. You can read more about this in the article on page 2.  We’ve already planned the date for the JOIN HANDS DAY and that event is scheduled for Saturday, May 30.  If you have any ideas about what you would like our chapter to work on for that day please let one of the board members know.  We will hold our annual ice cream social this year again and we hope to have at least two educational workshops offered by our Thrivent financial reps.  

Finally, you’ll be hearing more about THRIVENT BUILDS.  Our branch and the San Francisco branch of THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS have joined together to build a home with Habitat for Humanity.  This means that we must volunteer our time, give funds, and offer our various skills in the building project.  There is more information about THRIVENT BUILDS on page 2 of this newsletter.

I’m looking forward to a great year of growth, service, and caring.  I hope you are too!

Regards,
Jeffrey L. Schufreider, President
San Mateo Chapter Branch

We are looking forward to an exciting social and productive 2009!

You may have already received a postcard from Thrivent with information on this event. Please note that the location has been changed to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at 609 Southwood Dr. (at the corner of Southwood and El Camino Real), South San Francisco, CA, 94080.

Please RSVP with your name and the number of guests to Marion McDowell by phone 650-591-5949 or email mmcdowel@seq.org.

Thrivent Financial budgeted $125 million at the beginning of the alliance and allocated $105 with a plan to add the remaining amount if Thrivent Builds proved successful. Based on member response and results to date, the final $20 million is now being committed. The increased support comes at the midpoint of the alliance with Habitat.

In the past two years, more than 650 homes have been built with families in need of simple, decent, affordable housing thanks to Thrivent Financial members, Lutherans and other volunteers. That’s 650 families who have the increased financial security that comes from homeownership.

300+ FAMILIES WILL BE HELPED THIS YEAR. YOU CAN PLAY A PART!
So many American families struggle with even basic needs like food, electricity and a safe place to live. Some of these are families here in San Francisco. You can help change that.

Help us this year to build a home and strengthen a family—including the joint San Mateo Chapter and San Francisco Chapter home project in San Francisco. You and other members of our chapter will work side-by-side with families to build their homes. No experience is necessary. All you need is a willing heart.

Watch your church bulletin and chapter newsletters throughout the year for information on how you can help with a Thrivent Builds homebuilding project.

Help us build better lives and a better community.

The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Web site now has a secure page to review and update this information – with just a few clicks of the mouse.

Go to www.thrivent.com and click on Your Accounts. Enter your User ID and Password (first-time users will need to complete an easy one-time registration) to access the My Accounts page, which provides a comprehensive financial summary of your Thrivent Financial products.

Click “Edit My Page” and a screen will appear showing your name, address, phone number(s), e-mail, church membership information and more. Click on the “Update” link to change any wrong or outdated information, such as where you have church membership.

You also can review and update information on other Thrivent Financial members who reside in your household (e.g., spouse and children).

If you do not have Internet access but need to update information, please contact your Thrivent Financial representative or Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and they will be happy to help you.

Vice President: Frances W. Lange, 650-871-8326

Records Director: Marilyn B. McKenna, 650-573-8681
mbmckenna@mintz.com

Financial Director: Eugene Van Duyn, 650-574-0287
evanduyn@sbcglobal.net

Congregational Service Team Director: Marion Moore McDowell, 650-591-5949
mmcdowel@seq.org

Communications Director: Beth E. Lau, 650-368-3087
bethshabelman@sbcglobal.net