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Live • Give • Grow
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Called to Encourage
THE PROGRAM:
Named after Barnabas, the "Son of Encouragement," who reached out to early Christians with the apostle Paul, Operation Barnabas is an offshoot of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Ministry to the
Armed Forces.
THE MISSION:
Like the program’s namesake, congregations working with Operation Barnabas reach out to support their pastors who are about to deploy or have just returned from deployment as chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve.
"The deployment of a congregation’s pastor can be seen as both a challenge and an opportunity," says Program Manager Mike Moreno (pictured). Moreno visits deployed LCMS chaplains—as well as their spouses and congregations—and listens to their needs and challenges.
"Many people are not familiar with the issues of military life," he says. "We seek to normalize the experience by speaking about issues such as the emotional [aspects of] deployment."
THE FUTURE:
Moreno plans to develop a support network for all Lutheran reservists and their families, not just chaplains.
"We will train district facilitators who will, in turn, train congregations to deliver care to their members. This will enable all congregational members to participate in the care of military families nationwide," he says.
TO LEARN MORE:
Contact Mike Moreno at michael.moreno@lcms.org.
Did You Know?
You can help! Thrivent Financial for Lutherans representatives will be given the chance to donate to Operation Barnabas at their annual field conferences in 2008. Thrivent Financial members can make a donation by phone at 888-930-4439 or visit catalog.lcms.org/GiveNow and click on LCMS World Relief and Human Care, then Operation Barnabas.
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Recession-Proof Your Life
 Struggling stock portfolios, job layoffs and salary freezes, plus rising health care, food and gas prices, have led many U.S. news outlets to use the "R" word—recession. The last U.S. recession ended November 2001, says the National Bureau of Economic Research, which counted 20 recessions—lasting anywhere from six to 43 months—in the 20th century.
To help you ride out this year’s potential recession (however long it lasts), Patrick Egan, director, asset management and product development for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, offers some tips.
- Stay the course. Many people will see the recession mainly in their investment portfolio. Remember, the long-term investor has time to ride out short-term volatility cycles. "I would always advise talking to your financial representative," Egan says. "He or she can determine a logical course of action. Most of the time, it’s ‘Hang in there.’" A diversified portfolio also can make the road less bumpy when investing for the long term.
- Be efficient. For example, to save some funds at the pump, consider carpooling, consolidating outings, using public transportation and traveling a little less often.
- Sit tight. Don’t sell your home in a down market unless you must. If you have to sell, don’t expect to get what your neighbor got a few years ago. Spend money on small things that will enhance your home’s curb appeal.
- Work the angles. You may want to consider applying more money to that credit card debt now, since during a recession, variable interest rates typically go down. In a way, you’re getting a reprieve, so take advantage before rates rise again.
- Be prepared. Run a mock budget to determine if you could live on less if one income-earner lost his or her job. Then determine where you could cut expenses to live leaner and save more now. Do you really need that $3 latte every morning?
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Cash Is Coming
With Congress’ recent approval of an economic stimulus package, you’re likely to see a government check in the mail sometime this spring. Here are a few suggestions for that extra cash:
- Pay down any credit card debt.
- Pad your emergency fund.
- Donate a portion to your church or favorite charity.
- Start a "dream vacation" fund.
- Open a savings account for a child or grandchild.
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Hello, Mom!
Many moms like nothing more than a child's phone call on Mother's Day. And grown-up kids know it. In years past, the holiday has been the busiest Sunday of the year for telephone volume, according to the Pew Research Center. To make your call home to Mom extra special this year:
Share a Memory. Remind your mother of a particularly meaningful moment, day or time you once spent with her. Then explain why it sticks out in your mind.
Show Gratitude. Tell your mom that you appreciate her, both for the role she played in raising you and now that your relationship has grown up.
Give Thanks. Before you hang up, thank your mom for one thing-big or small-that she's done for you during the past year.
Say "I Love You!" Perhaps no words will ring more sweetly.
Did You Know?
If you are sending your mom a card on May 11 this year, you snuck in just under the wire. On May 12, postage rates will increase from $0.41 to $0.42 for a standard first-class letter.
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