DeKalb County GA Chapter

Two page newsletter: Newsletter #1

Two page newsletter: Newsletter #1

Fall 2004 Newsletter of the DeKalb County GA Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

The DeKalb County GA Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans supports activities which promote youth programming in our churches. In summer 2004 we provided financial support and our members provided volunteer support for a program for teens called "Atlanta Urban Immersion Camp" and a program for children called the "Multicultural Day Camp". Both camps provided a safe environment where children and teens could explore their relationship with God. Volunteers from our Chapter established the Service Teams for each of the camps. Our members provided volunteer time for each camp helping to making them a success.

For many years Lutheran Churches in DeKalb County GA Chapter have provided opportunities for youth to engage in servant-learning projects which provide youth with an opportunity to:
1. Engage in servant-learning activities --both day long and week long
2. Explore the Biblical mandate to serve those in needs
3. Learn about others and ourselves through serving
4. Build community within participant groups
5. Enjoy the urban setting

Since its first camp in 1997 the teen program now call "Atlanta Urban Immersion" has been housed in the Retreat Center at St. John's Lutheran Church. It has become a program for groups of all sizes who are interested in doing service and stretching their minds and souls.

Lutheran Services of Georgia continues to provide hands on service opportunities for the teens at the camp through its network of community organizations. This summer for the first time, Lutheridge Lutherock Ministries provided the counselors from their staff of college students.

Participants have hands-on service opportunities in a myriad of programs within Metro Atlanta serving all kinds of populations with needs: refugees from around the world; the homeless and hungry; inner-city children; AIDS patients; the elderly and others. These servant-learning opportunities, along with built-in informative educational sessions are guaranteed to dispel myths of urban injustices and provide participants with totally new perspectives.

2004 Atlanta Urban Immersion Camp

“You don’t have to go to a foreign country to be a missionary. There’s a lot you can do right outside your door,” says Don Streisguth, President of the DeKalb County GA Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Camp Coordinator for the Atlanta Urban Immersion Teen Camp. The camp—held July 18-23 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Atlanta—exposed youth to folks in need right in their hometown. More over it provides a powerful witness for our youth that what Lutherans do, does matter, both for their faith and for their community. A Service Team of more than 20 people was created to operate the weeklong camp. Thrivent Financial members were more than half of the volunteers. The camp allows our youth to focus on the teaching of Micah 6: “...and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

Multicultural Day Camp Proves “Life is Good”

Children from grade one through grade six attended the Multicultural Day Camp, held August 2-6 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Decatur. “Our goal was to expose the children to as many cultures as possible,” said Mica Inge, Vice President of the DeKalb County GA Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and camp co-coordinator. The camp’s theme was “Life is Good.”.

Counselors from Lutheridge Lutherock Ministries were on hand to assist the children with bible study, life application, crafts, and outdoor activities. The Service Team for the project included 12 Thrivent Financial members. While the counselors from Lutheridge lead the learning activities, all of the support activities was staffed by Thrivent Financial members. Thrivent Financial Day on Tuesday was a big hit. The children all received Thrivent Financial tee-shirt and a special lunch. The children also received a Bible from the chapter.