Two page newsletter: Coordinator Newsletter| Two page newsletter: Coordinator Newsletter | | | | This newsletter was mailed to congregational advocates in this chapter. For more information, contact your chapter leadership board. | | |
| Central Blue Ridge NC Chapter, News for Congregational Coordinators |
| Updates to Care in Congregations Program |
Thank you to all coordinators that attended the training held March 14! We appreciate your time and hope that the training was worthwhile. If your congregation did not have a representative at the meeting, the training materials have been mailed to your lead coordinator. Some of the important points covered at the training are highlighted here.
There are a few changes for 2009 in the Care in Congregations funding. Funding has been reduced this year with congregations receiving allocations of either $1020 or $1250, depending on the size of the congregation. In addition, starting sometime in the second quarter of the year your funding may be used for educational and social activities. Guidelines for these activities are included in the training materials you received. Look for more information coming out soon.
Administration of the Care in Congregations funding remains unchanged. Congregational coordinators apply for and report results for projects for their congregations on-line and keep receipts and paperwork with your congregational records. The only thing that needs to be sent to the chapter is receipts for hands-on activities. Thrivent encourages you to aim for two or more projects for the year. They can include hands-on and fund-raising activities, striving to use Care in Congregations funding to supplement $1 for every $3 raised. Always publicize your events in advance and include Thrivent sponsorship information.
| Congregational Benefits Available |
There are several benefits that the chapter is making available to each congregation this year as follows:
Placemats, cups and/or napkins (your choice of two) can be ordered once a year per church. Please order them from Financial Director, Donna Burns (828)628-3153, and allow at least 30 days prior to the date you need them.
The board will also reimburse expenses up to $30 for congregational fellowships twice a year. Submit receipts to Donna for reimbursement. Volunteer Appreciation or Pastor Appreciation coffee hours are excellent opportunities to use these funds and honor those that serve your congregations. Please be sure to advertise that Thrivent is sponsoring the event.
Baptismal medallions that you order for your congregations may be engraved for the recipients at The Awards Center, 1802 Hendersonville Road, Asheville (828-274-0857). The chapter has an account, so there is no charge to you. Please give the name of your church when leaving medallions to be engraved.
| Care Abounds in Communities Funding for 2009 |
The chapter board has seen an increase in requests for Care Abounds in Communities funding this year to date. At the same time, our allocation has been reduced slightly this year. As a result, we are encouraging service teams to submit requests as soon as possible. If you are planning an event for later this year, it is not too early to submit your request now! In any event, please submit requests to the chapter board at least 30 days before your event is to take place. The board meets the first Monday of the month, so plan accordingly to get requests to Records Director, Steve Stanfield-Switzer (828)693-6961, or any board member.
| Thrivent Builds - Habitat for Humanity Lutheran House |
Our chapter is partnering with the Asheville Area Habitat affiliate to build a home in the Enka Hills subdivision. Nativity, Emmanuel, Abiding Savior and St. Mark's Lutheran are the sponsoring congregations for this build, but all Lutherans in the chapter are encouraged to participate. The build will begin April 21, with a wall raising ceremony to be held at noon on April 21. Work will continue through May with a Women's Build Day scheduled for May 30.
There are opportunities to participate even if you cannot help build. Volunteers are needed to be morning greeters (lead a short devotion, sign in volunteers, and complete paperwork) and to provide a lunch for volunteers. Contact the Thrivent Builds champion at your church or Ed Hauser (828)236-1992, Chapter Thrivent Builds Specialist, if you have any questions or would like to participate.
| Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Workshops Available |
There are many seminars and workshops that have been developed by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to help in many aspects of life and financial planning. They range from general financial education and management for adults and children to planning for life events such as marriage, retirement and leaving a legacy. A listing was included in the training materials for coordinators. Your Thrivent Financial Representatives can present these seminars. If you are interested contact Tom Kasischke (828)692-5015 or Stuart Thorp (828)684-2900.
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