The 2015 Convention of the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Women of the ELCA was held at Norway Lutheran Church in Wind Lake on Saturday, October 3. Pastor Sandra Chrostowski, Director for Evangelical Mission, brought greetings on behalf of Bishop Jeff, who was attending the Conference of Bishops. Convention Workshops included "Outreach for Hope," presented by The Rev. Jim Bickel, Executive Director of Outreach for Hope, which is a ministry of the Greater Milwaukee Synod. Pastor Bickel works with individuals, organizations and churches who wish to support this ministry. The Rev. Sandra Chrostowski presented "Living Hope: Funeral Hymns and Scripture," with the simple, yet profound purpose of helping to claim and proclaim the living hope found in the hymns and scripture texts of funerals. Dann and Tracey Stadler, who experienced "One Horrific Crash...One Impossible Rescue" shared their story and how their lives have been changed forever.

We welcome new Board Members Donna Yourell, President, and Nancy Sack, Treasurer, who will take over on February 1. We also welcome JudyLee Tarbox as Mission Team Chair and Caitlin Vang as Convention Intern and Facebook Coordinator. We bid farewell, with our thanks, to Betty Warber and Sue Seidemann. Betty will be staying on as Gleanings Editor.

In-Kind Gifts: Tangible items of napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, laundry and dish soap, shampoo, tooth brushes and toothpaste canned fruits, vegetables and meats and hearty soups were brought for Norway’s Helping Hands Food Pantry.