Two page newsletter: End-of-Year Newsletter| Two page newsletter: End-of-Year Newsletter | | |
| Central Blue Ridge NC Chapter, Care in Our Region and Beyond |
| Going to the Gulf Experience |
Greetings Chapter Members! Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Christmas is almost here. Chapter Elections are complete, and your new slate of officers will be taking the helm for an exciting 2008. As your outgoing chapter president, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on a few special events.
It has truly been an honor and privilege to serve on the board. The chapter leaders volunteer many hours to see that funds are distributed in a fair and timely manner. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is our nation's largest fraternal benefits organization. The work that you all put into local care projects, submitted through your congregational coordinators, is a vital and central part in serving this mission. It has been a heart-warming experience for me to see just how God's Love is expressed in so many ways.
One special experience for me was my first week ever working with Thrivent Builds--the partnership between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity. It was a particularly special week, because I spent that week with 160 other Lutherans in Biloxi, Mississippi on our Goin' to the Gulf Trip. We were divided into smaller teams, and started the week with heavy rains, but went to work anyway installing insulation in one house, and working on cabinets and trim in another. The rains finally let up, and our team got to start on a new house, putting in the floor and raising walls. As our week came to a close, we began working on (but didn't get to finish) the roof. Another team has since followed us and completed the frame, and by now possibly the whole house, but we built much more than a structure. We built friendships, meeting people from around the Southeast Region. We built faith, through witnessing, Bible study, and daily evening worship service. We built hope, as new houses in old neighborhoods changed attitudes and showed that we do care.
I returned from the Gulf having missed seeing a house dedication, but just in time to witness our own chapter house dedication in Enka Hills subdivision. This too was a heart-warming experience like no other. I will treasure these experiences through my life, and will continue to serve with Thrivent and Habitat in the future. I highly encourage members to consider contributing in our Thrivent Builds project in Hendersonville in 2008, or on a Thrivent Builds Worldwide trip--maybe even one to the Gulf Coast!
In Christ,
Dr. Michael Toedt
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
Author: Edward Mote (1797-1874)
Just in case you missed it, the 2008 chapter election results are as follows:
President - John Hodan, john_hodan@alumni.clemson.edu, (828)684-8961
Vice President - Steve Stanfield-Switzer, stanfieldswitzer@aol.com, (828)693-6961
Records Director - Jim Wright, orvis2@verizon.net, (828)369-9914
Financial Director - Margo Rabon, margorabon@aol.com, (828)697-5494
Assistant Financial Director - Linda Licht, lindamlicht@yahoo.com, (828)699-4443
Congregational Service Team Director - Paula Lindsay, lindsaypb@bellsouth.net, (828)252-3248
ThriventBuilds Chapter Specialist (appointed)- Ed Hauser, eee622@aol.com, (828)236-1992
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
With Love,
From your Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Central Blue Ridge NC Chapter Board
This newsletter is written for you by volunteer leaders of your local Thrivent Financial for Lutherans chapter, and any views expressed are those of the writer. For questions, comments or to learn more about chapter activities in your area, please contact one of your chapter leaders, who are listed on our Web site at: www.thrivent.com/members. Just click on Information About My Chapter.
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