We encourage you to participate in the Operation InAsMuch/JOIN HANDS DAY on Saturday, May 2, 2009.  This national day of volunteering is sponsored by America's fraternal benefit societies, including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, to generate awareness about the impact of grassroots volunteerism.  It encourages youth and adults to come together to identify, plan and conduct activities to improve their communities.

In the local area, there are twenty-two (22) Lutheran churches participating.  How can you participate in 2009?  It's easy.  Contact your church to find out if they are particpating in an already established Operation InAsMuch activity on May 2 and sign on to help.  Otherwise, 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, including:

- 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.

To strengthen the impact of this special day of service, we prefer chapter service teams to participate in the already established activities of OperationInAsMuch/ JOIN HANDS DAY activities on May 2, but eligible activities may be held between April 1 and June 30.  Also, activities held on May 2 may be considered for national recognition by JOIN HANDS DAY-see the JOIN HANDS DAY website at www.joinhandsday.org.

You'll find that the rewards of participating far outweigh the time and effort involved in planning an activity.  So tell your family, friends and congregation about this day, then "join hands" and see the power of membership grow!

Your chapter leadership board is here to help you along the way.  Please call Mrs. Tommie Wicker at (803) 276-8106 for more information.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans chapters like ours give members like you a vehicle to demonstrate your care and concern for others. And two chapter programs provide the fuel—funding and resources for you to deliver an even greater impact in your congregation and community: Care in Congregations® and Care Abounds in Communities®.

These programs provide an excellent opportunity for you to help others, your congregation and your community.

$ 2,667     Fundraiser for Hamn
  1,000     Fundraiser for Newberry Community Choir
  1,000     Love offering for Rankin
     354     Love offering for Tate
  1,000     Fundraiser for Gray
  1,000     Tornado Relief Fundraiser
  1,000      Hot dog supper
     500      Boston Butt sale for Little Mountain Fire & Rescue
     700      BBQ for Dominick
     950      Love Offering for Price
  1,500      Fundraiser supper for Shealy
  1,500      Hands on Project to roof house
  1,000      Turkey stew fundraiser for needy families
  1,000      Stoney Hill Center Turkey Stew Fundraiser
  1,000      Love offering for Wicker
     189      Heartland School of Religion fundraiser

Did you know that Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has a program called Care in Congregations® where funding is provided to Thrivent Financial members to conduct fund-raising and/or hands-on service activities to benefit your congregation or its related Lutheran institutions? In fact, Thrivent Financial members are encouraged to use the funds to help the congregation in its ministry to the community.

During 2008 fifty-one (51) activities with over 5300 volunteer hours resulted in Thrivent Financial granting over $33,000 to help Lutheran  congregations in Newberry County.  If you see a need in your congregation that could be helped through this funding, please contact a Thrivent Financial congregational coordinator in your congregation. If you don't know who your three congregational coordinators are, please contact one of the Board Members and they will help you get in touch with a coordinator.

October 15, 2009 - - - Chapter Gathering/Election Meeting - - Stoney Hill - - 7:00 pm
   RSVP to Mrs. Faye Hawkins (364-1417) by October 11

PLEASE NOTE:  These are PROPOSED dates; if there is a change, you will be notified.  Please RSVP by dates listed so that the proper amount of food can be prepared.

Advisory Positions
Financial Associate Advisor:  Jim Braswell, FIC    (803) 276-2755     jim.braswell@thrivent.com
Special Advisor:           Jacqueline Perry              (803) 276-5378     jackieperry49@hotmail.com
Special Advisor:           Carolyn L. Torrence         (803) 945-7620     carolyntorrence@mailstation.com