All women are invited to the 21st annual convention of Women of the ELCA, Greater Milwaukee Synod, on October 2 and 3. Jan Fox, of Ascension Lutheran Church, is chair of the convention. She has chosen the theme, “Here I Am, Lord. Send Me.”
The convention site will be St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa. Please publicize this among women in your church. Registrations are still accepted; contact Robin Fatla, Convention Registrar, at 262 377-0046. Other convention information is available in the “Gleanings,” the quarterly newsletter which is mailed to each Pastor and to the Women of each congregation in the Greater Milwaukee Synod.
Bible verse: “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared to be our way of life.” (Eph. 2:10)
Convention Workshop Topics and Presenters
At this year’s convention Jan fox has planed a variety of workshop opportunities which will introduce us to new service opportunities in the Milwaukee area.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY – Jeri Kavanaugh Jeri is Director of ReStore, which sells new and used donated home improvement items to the public. Previously she was the Volunteer Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity.
BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS – Kathy Miller Kathy Is the Director of Recruitment and Community Partnership for Metro Milwaukee and Waukesha Big Brothers, Big Sisters. She focuses on building relationships with businesses, professional associations, churches, and community organizations to spread awareness of Big Brothers, Big Sisters and to recruit adult volunteers.
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES – Carla Schultz Carla coordinates the Foster Care Clothing Bank, which provides free clothing to foster children and other social service agencies. In August she coordinates a Back-to-School event with over 100 people participating.
INTERFAITH OLDER ADULT PROGRAM – Lisa Kallman Lisa is Assistant Executive Director of Interfaith Older Adult Programs, Inc. She will present a general overview of the agency history, the formation of its programs, the services it provides, and the opportunities for volunteering.
YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY – Maria Negron Maria (Lulu) is the leader of the Youth and Family Ministry team at Ascension Lutheran Church. She finished her certification this past year as a Youth Minister and is a member of the Youth and Family Network of the greater Milwaukee Synod. As a volunteer at Ascension, she mentors the Youth Group as they plan and organize activities, including Youth and Family Night. She is also a member of the Board of Latino Ministry and a mentor for Camp Hope.
NEXT DOOR FOUNDATION – Mary Conlon Mary is the Major Gifts Coordinator for the Next Door Foundation, which is rooted in a Lutheran tradition, supporting the intellectual, physical, spiritual and emotional development of children so they become self-sufficient and contributing members of the community. During the presentation, participants will get an overview of Next Door’s history and learn how education and family literacy programs are impacting the lives of low-income families. They will also review different ways volunteers can get involved in preparing neighborhood children for success.
Convention Offerings and In-Kind Gifts
The SWO Convention offerings this year will be divided between the Churchwide Women’s Organization and Habitat for Humanity.
The In-Kind gifts will be collected for the Lutheran Social Services Foster Care Kids and their Mentoring Program. The following items are especially appreciated for the Foster Care program: large diapers, socks, underwear, crayons (24 pack), fat markers (8-pack), and pocket folders. The mentoring program especially appreciates: movie cards, gas cards, and entertainment cards.
