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Four page newsletter: THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS, March 2008

Four page newsletter: THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS, March 2008

Owatonna Chapter, THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS, March 2008

2008 OWATONNA CHAPTER LEADERS

President: David Severson - 451-2344
Vice President: Scott Golberg - 455-2570
Records Director: Lois Monson - 455-3253
Financial Director: Dave Kenow - 451-6941
Congregational Service Team Director: Thomas Moore - 455-0820
Communications Director: Marlene Camilli - 451-7292
Assistant Financial Director: Richard Hacmac - 451-7975
Community Service Team Director: Dean Christianson - 451-2278
Events Director: Cherry Schwartz - 451-6676
Youth Director: (open)
Chapter Advisor: Fred Von Ruden - 451-1027

The above members of the chapter leadership board were approved during elections held September 2007 at the all-member picnic. They are representatives serving the seven congregations in our chapter.

THANKS TO DAVE AND JONI

Dave Thomas served the Chapter Board for 3 years, 2 of those as President. He will now assist the board in another capacity. (read on) Joni Boe served for 2 years, one as events director and one as records director. Night classes to further her education became her focus and the boards loss. Thanks to Dave and Joni for their service!

2008 CARE ABOUNDS IN COMMUNITIES

The funds available to the Owatonna Chapter to support member activities for 2008 are $22,255.00.

If you like working with others and have a desire to reach out to those in need, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans can help. Funding is available for members to purchase materials for hands-on service activities benefiting individuals, families or communities.

Through Care Abounds in Communities®, anyone in our chapter can organize a community service team and help others. It doesn't take a lot of time or a long-term commitment! Contact a member of our chapter leadership board as noted in this newsletter for assistance in getting started.

CARE IN CONGREGATIONS

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.

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 member of our chapter leadership board as noted in this newsletter, and he/she will help you get in touch with a coordinator.

THRIVENT BUILDS - IN OWATONNA

Thrivent has established a program which works with Habitat for Humanity to help raise resources for local Habitat affiliates.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has approved a request from the Owatonna Chapter of Thrivent and the Owatonna Habitat for Humanity affiliate to work together in building a home this year. The Owatonna Chapter Board of Thrivent has appointed David Thomas to coordinate the various activities happening between the two groups. Dave reports that a site for a home is available and an April 5 groundbreaking is planned.

Under this Thrivent Builds program, the Lutheran churches supporting Habitat will be asked to fund raise $9,000 for this home. One church has already contributed $3,000 and we need an additional commitment of $1,500 ASAP (or 50%) to meet Thrivent requirements. Each church will be contacted regarding fundraising and volunteer availability. A build schedule will be published in your next newsletter.

If you have any questions concerning Thrivent Builds, call Dave Thomas, 507-451-9466.

JOIN HANDS DAY

We encourage you to participate in the ninth annual JOIN HANDS DAY on Saturday, May 3, 2008. 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.
To strengthen the impact of this special day of service, we prefer chapter service teams to conduct JOIN HANDS DAY activities on or near May 3, but eligible activities may be held between April 1 and June 30. Also, activities held on May 3 may be considered for national recognition by JOIN HANDS DAY—contact a chapter leader for details.

WE MADE A DIFFERENCE

Our chapter request in September 2007 to assist with $$$ for the people in Southern MN affected by the floods was met with contributions totaling $3,795.00. Thrivent supplemented these gifts with one dollar for every three dollars given. Thanks to your generosity along with the supplemental dollars, the Southeastern MN Chapter of the American Red Cross received over $111,000.00 from Thrivent for flood recovery assistance to benefit our SE MN neighbors. Plus $3,000.00 was given to each of 5 different congregations, totaling $15,000.00.

Numerous church, youth or community groups have volunteered days in the area to help with the immediate clean-up. Since much work remains to re-build SE MN, check with your church or community service groups to possibly lend a hand! Our dollars and hours of volunteering are very much appreciated!

LUTHERAN LEARNING

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is offering three programs during 2008 at Heartwood Conference Center & Retreat in Trego, Wisconsin. The educational programming is part of Thrivent Financials's vision to use Heartwood as a benefit to Thrivent Financial members and the Lutheran community. Members receive a 50 percent discount on program registration fees. Programs in 2008 include:
        Laughter, Marriage and the Healthy Church - June 3-5
        Grace Place Retreat for Educators - July 28-August l
        Colorama Lutherhostels - Sept 28-Oct 3 and Oct 5-10

For more information on these programs or Heartwood, please visit www.thrivent.com/magazine/heartwood

GIVINGPLUS - You may be interested

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/fraternal/churchcommunity/givingplus.html.

There is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone's life!

Easter Blessings and Happy Spring to all!

For members, by members.

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.