Four page newsletter: October 2009| Four page newsletter: October 2009 | | |
| Central Blue Ridge NC Chapter, Newsletter for October 2009 |
| Job Transition Assistance |
If you're looking for a job – or know someone who is – check out the Job Transition Resources from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Practical tools are delivered in eight educational modules you complete online at your convenience. Topics range from cover letters and interview tips, to making use of social media and negotiating benefits when you get a job offer.
There are also financial checklists that provide hints based on your circumstance, whether you are anticipating job loss, currently unemployed or recently hired. The resources provide tips for navigating emotionally and spiritually during transition as well.
Visit Thrivent.com/jobchange to get started. (There's an easy "email a friend" feature so you can share it with people who may benefit from the job tools.)
Thrivent Financial has a long history of helping members in times of crisis. The current high unemployment rate prompted the development of these resources, but they are relevant to anyone who is seeking a job, including new college graduates and people seeking a voluntary career change.
| Atlanta Flood Disaster Update |
We are in the early stages of our disaster response. As many of you know, Lutherans are not always first on the scene but we are always committed to the long haul. We know there is much work to be done. We have teams preparing to mobilize from Georgia and the Carolinas.
Lastly, congregations will receive a bulletin insert template within the next few days announcing a Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Care in Regions $15,000 challenge grant. All funds raised and supplemented will be directed to Lutheran Services of Georgia to support Lutheran Disaster Relief efforts.
To get involved in a direct manner, contact Don Larsen, Lutheran Engagement Associate, Southeast Region at 404-317-2129 or Email: don.larsen@thrivent.com
Did you know that our chapter has its own Web site? The next time you're online, check it out at http://www.lutheransonline.com/centralblueridgencchapter Be sure to bookmark this important, highly informative website for easy access to an array of helpful Thrivent information.
The annual elections for Thrivent will take place at area churches on Novemeber 8 & 15. The nominating committee from our chapter is tasked with the duty of preparing a slate of qualified candidates for local chapter positions. Interested in serving on the Thrivent Blue Ridge Chapter Board? Do you know the perfect candidate? Nominations are being accepted now for the upcoming election. If you have the gift of leadership and administration, have the heart for serving Lutherans and a few available hours each month, you may be the ideal candidate. Open positions include Assistant Financial Director, Congregation Service Team Director, Youth Director, and Events Director. To find about position requirements, or to nominate an individual, contact Lawson Hebb (828) 729-8836 for more information.
| Thrivent Tourist Night a Success |
Despite the weather delay, Thrivent Night at the Tourists on August 28 was a big success. 125 Thrivent members attended, donating over 250 pounds of food to area food banks, generating approximately 200 meals for needy citizens. In addition, many toiletry items were donated. All in all, Thrivent members had a great time and supported local charities at the same time!
On October 29, 2009, we will dedicate the Thrivent Builds Lutheran House inthe Enka Hills Habitat Subdivision. The ceremony will take place at noon and the keys will be passed on to the Nunez family. All are invited to attend, especially all who volunteered on the project.
Lutheran Church of the Nativity was the lead congregation for this build. Abiding Savior, Emmanuel Lutheran, and St. Mark's were the other participating congregations for our Central Blue Ridge Chapter. For this build, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provided 65% of the funding, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity provided 25%, and the four congregations collectively raised 10% of the needed funds.
Special thanks is extended to our local church champions and Henry Meinken. Additional thanks goes to our Thrivent Builds Specialist, Ed Hauser for helping our chapter to have one of the highest rankings in the country for Thrivent Builds projects!
Are you aware that as a member of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, financial gifts you make to a Lutheran organization might be able to be supplemented by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans?
Through Thrivent Financial's GivingPlus® program, members can donate financial gifts to two different Lutheran organizations enrolled in the program each year, and Thrivent Financial will contribute $1 for every $2, up to $300 per year for each organization. For example, if you donate gifts of $600 or more to two eligible Lutheran organizations each, Thrivent Financial will contribute an additional $600 ($300 for each organization). In addition, Thrivent Financial will contribute an additional $25 for members who volunteer 25 hours or more at the organization receiving their gift.
All you need to do is complete a GivingPlus Member Gift form (available online or from the Lutheran organization) and submit it with your donation to the Lutheran organization. It's a very simple process.
For complete details and guidelines about this one-of-a-kind member benefit program and for copies of the Member Gift form, go to www.thrivent.com/community/outreach/giving/givingplus/index.html.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROGRAM WILL END ON 12/31/09 OR WHEN THE FUNDS ARE DEPLETED! TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GIVING OPPORTUNITIES NOW THROUGH THRIVENT GIVINGPLUS.
| Opportunity to Help Others |
If you're short on time, but want to help others in your community or help meet a need in your church, getting involved with our Thrivent chapter might be the answer for you. Through the flexibility of Thrivent chapters, you have a wonderful opportunity to make a difference and help others in a way that fits in your schedule. Please contact a member of our chapter leadership board as noted in this newsletter for information about Thrivent Financial's chapter system and Care programs, and how you can get involved.
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 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.
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 a Board member from the webiste and we will help you get in touch with a coordinator.
| Major Funding Change for 2010 |
GivingPlus® and Care in Congregations® programs is scheduled to end in 2009. Thrivent Choice will be funded at a level similar to the combined budgets of the GivingPlus program and the Care in Congregations program, which will both end this year.
Member choice will be a big component of the new Thrivent Choice program. Eligible members can choose to direct funds to Lutheran organizations they care about, including their congregation. Thrivent Choice is still under development for a spring 2010 launch, but here’s a preview of the two main elements of the program:
Voting: All adult benefit and associate members will have an opportunity to vote on how to direct charitable funding among a short list of national charities.
Choice Dollars: Eligible benefit members will be able to direct dollars to thousands of Lutheran nonprofit organizations (all organizations enrolled in GivingPlus® can enroll in the new program) and congregations.
Eligibility for Choice Dollars is based on a member’s relationship with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. So whether it’s the Thrivent Financial life, health or annuity products they own or their involvement with their local Thrivent chapter, that relationship could translate into a gift to the Lutheran institution or congregation of their choice. On average, eligible members will be able to direct between $25 and $100, though some may direct significantly more. This is independent of the amount each member chooses to give to the same organization as a personal donation – it’s a Thrivent Financial contribution directed by the member. Both Voting and using Choice Dollars will be simple and easy with Thrivent Choice. Members can direct their contribution online or over the phone. Watch for more details to be released in future Thrivent newsletters.
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