MINNEAPOLIS/APPLETON, Wis. (July 14, 2009) – The latest issue of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ member magazine Thrivent features Thrivent chapter members from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).
The Summer 2009 issue features a 10-page special section, “Survival Guide for Challenging Times.” The section includes articles to help members survive in today’s turbulent economy, including why faith is more important than ever, how to be credit card savvy, how to negotiate with lenders, tips on changing careers, and advice on dealing with the guilt that may come when friends and family hit tough financial times. Other feature articles include “The Secrets of the Blue Pig,” in which Thrivent Financial representatives share tips to help teach kids about money; “Annuities Made Easy,” providing an overview of this retirement savings option; and “Diets That Work,” which outlines how to find a healthy regimen that is right for you.
From Florida to Washington, ELCA, LCMS and WELS members are active with Thrivent Financial, whether talking about their faith, finances or helping others. Read about their activities at www.thrivent.com/magazine/, at your church library or local Thrivent Financial representative office.
The Summer 2009 issue features the following ELCA members and congregations:- Several Thrivent Financial members are featured in “Keeping the Faith” (pages 12-13), sharing perspective and counsel on how faith can help when times are tough. Featured members include:
- The Rev. Larry Arganbright reminds readers that even in the darkest times, there is reason for hope and that God will help us through difficult times. Arganbright is senior pastor at Sheridan Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, (Nebraska Synod) and is a member of the Lancaster County Chapter of Thrivent Financial.
- The Rev. William Waxenberg believes that faith helps keep us focused on the fundamentals and helps remind us that material goods are not important – our charity and our relationships with Christ and one another are what matters. Waxenberg is pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Dallas (Northern Texas – Northern Louisiana Synod) and is a member of the Dallas County Chapter of Thrivent Financial.
- The Rev. Dr. Tom Taylor advises that questioning your faith during tough times isn’t a bad thing. Instead, he believes that it helps to strengthen and deepen our faith to include all of life’s realities. Taylor, a psychotherapist at the Lutheran Counseling Center in New York City attends St. Jacobus Lutheran Church (Metropolitan New York Synod) and is a member of the Metro New York Chapter of Thrivent Financial.
- Clark Arons, a Thrivent Financial representative in North Liberty, Iowa, is featured in “Taking Stock” (page 17). Arons offers age-specific advice on changes readers might consider making to their portfolio, and encourages them to talk with their financial representative. Arons attends Grace Lutheran in Davenport, Iowa, (Southeastern Iowa Synod) and is a member of the Eastern Scott County Iowa Chapter of Thrivent Financial.
- Sandy and Doug Gaston are featured in “Balancing Act” (pages 16-17). The Gastons learned the hard way that credit card debt can easily become out of control. The couple was forced to declare bankruptcy seven years ago, and have since sworn off credit cards for good. The Gastons attend Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Orlando (Florida-Bahamas Synod) and are members of the Orange County Florida Chapter of Thrivent Financial.
- Two Thrivent Financial representatives are featured in “The Secrets of the Blue Pig” (pages 20-22), providing tips to help parents teach children about saving, spending and sharing:
- Barbara Dunn attends St. Paul Lutheran in Exton, Pennsylvania, (Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod) and is a member of the Chester County Chapter of Thrivent Financial.
- Scot Guldin attends St. Paul Lutheran in Mertztown, Pennsylvania, (Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod) and is a member of the Southeast Berks County Chapter of Thrivent Financial.
- Immanuel Lutheran Church in Killeen, Texas, and First Lutheran Church in Galveston, Texas, are featured in “At Home, In Church, Abroad: Giving in Galveston” (page 28). Each year, Immanuel Lutheran congregation members collect gifts, toys, clothing, food and holiday decorations for families in need. In 2008, the donations were distributed at First Lutheran Church, which had been flooded by Hurricane Ike. Immanuel Lutheran is located in the ELCA Northern Texas – Northern Louisiana Synod. First Lutheran Church is located in the ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod.
- Bethlehem Lutheran Church in New Orleans is featured in “At Home, In Church, Abroad: Good Neighbors” (page 28). The congregation received 30 gift boxes of toiletries, school supplies and children’s clothing from other area churches, and distributed them to children in need. Bethlehem Lutheran Church is located in the ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod.
The Summer 2009 issue features the following LCMS members and congregrations:
- Amy Olsen is featured in “Diets That Work” (pages 24-25). Olsen shares exercise and weight loss tips that have helped her lose more than 70 pounds to date. She attends Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kennewick, Washington, (LCMS Northwest District / Circuit #14 – Blue Mountain) and is a member of the Franklin County Washington Chapter of Thrivent Financial.
- Deborah Packard is the featured author of “Daily Bread: God is in Charge” (page 32). Packard shares her personal story of how her faith and understanding of the way God answers prayers was tested during her husband’s battle with cancer. She found that prayer and faith aren’t about assuming that God always will give us what we ask for. Instead, they’re about truly knowing and accepting that salvation is the object of our lives. Packard attends Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin (LCMS South Wisconsin District / Circuit #7 – Metro-North Shore) and is a member of the Metro Milwaukee County Chapter of Thrivent Financial.
- Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is featured in “At Home, In Church, Abroad: A Helping Hand” (page 29). Last year, the Crissman Quad Fundraiser held at the church raised more than $11,000 to help a local family in need following the birth of quadruplets. Good Shepherd is in the LCMS Florida-Georgia District, Circuit #16 – Sarasota.
The Summer 2009 issue features one WELS member:- Chet Jaehnig is featured in “Taking Stock” (page 17). Jaehnig advises readers that they should continue to save for retirement. If money is tight, it’s OK to scale back for now. Jaehnig attends Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tempe, Arizona (located in the WELS Arizona-California District, the Black Canyon Conference) and is a member of the East Maricopa-Pinal County Chapter of Thrivent Financial.
The Summer 2009 issue features the following Thrivent chapters:
- The Brazos River Thrivent Chapter is featured in “At Home, In Church, Abroad: Giving in Galveston” (page 28). The chapter organized volunteers and contributed $1,300 to help Immanuel Lutheran Church gather Christmas decorations and donations for families in need at First Lutheran Church in Galveston, Texas – an area hit hard by flooding after Hurricane Ike.
- The East Jefferson-River Parishes Chapter is featured in “At Home, In Church, Abroad: Good Neighbors” (page 28). The eight churches that make up the chapter helped prepare and deliver three truckloads of nonperishable food items and toiletries to people in Chauvin, Louisiana, an area also hit hard by Hurricane Ike.
- The Gaston County Chapter is featured in “At Home, In Church, Abroad: Faith Farm Opens” (page 29). The chapter worked with 15 Lutheran congregations to raise funds and help remodel and redecorate a new shelter for homeless women veterans.
- The West Sheboygan County Chapter is featured in “At Home, In Church, Abroad: Spirit on the Tracks” (page 29). The chapter raised $4,800 through a bratwurst and hamburger fry to help sponsor the Santa Steam Train, a free family event held last December.
- The Central Santa Clara County Chapter is featured in “At Home, In Church, Abroad: Harvest Festival Celebration” (page 29). In partnership with Apostle Lutheran Church and School, the chapter sponsored the annual Harvest Festival Celebration. The event featured carnival-style games, food and entertainment for more than 1,000 children and their parents.
- The Sarasota County Chapter is featured in “At Home, In Church, Abroad: A Helping Hand” (page 29). The chapter donated funds for a local fundraiser to help a family in need following the birth of quadruplets.
Thrivent magazine is the official member publication of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. It is published quarterly, reaching Thrivent Financial members in all 50 states and in many other countries around the world. Thrivent magazine strives to enlighten and educate Thrivent Financial members on financial, volunteer and faith-related topics.
About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.6 million members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial creates and supports national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit www.thrivent.com.
Securities are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55415-1665, 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836) a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Member FINRA. Member SIPC.
Bank products and trust services are offered through Thrivent Financial Bank, 2000 E. Milestone Dr., Appleton, WI 54919-0006 (Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender), a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Insurance, investment products, securities, and trust and investment management services and accounts are not deposits, are not FDIC insured, are not insured by any federal government agency and are not guaranteed by Thrivent Financial Bank. Variable insurance contracts, investment products, securities, and trust and investment management accounts may go down in value.
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