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A Reconciling in Christ synod
Women and Justice

In 2009, the Churchwide Assembly authorized the development of a social statement on women and justice. The ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ has been at work since 2012 and brought the work to a crucial stage: On November 15,...

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www.elca.org
Church for the Sake of the World: Lutheran Church of Hope
Lutheran Church of Hope, in cooperation with Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains, have embarked on a project to provide affordable housing for foster children in Broomfield that have aged-out of the system. It includes donating a portion of their land for an apartment project.


"Dubbed Anchor House, Inc., the project still is getting finalized as a 501C3 organization...
Pastor Scott McAnally said the church has worked to address neighbors concerns that were voiced at the last meeting, including adjusting the church bell schedule. He said members want the project to be a "familial presence" in the neighborhood.

"What's most exciting is this is not church on Sunday morning," McAnally said. "this is a church Sunday to Sunday. a chance to be God's hands and feet in the world."

John Bosio, who chairs the project's task force, said the idea first took root a few years ago when members of the church had "cafe meetings" where they came up with goals and strategic plans for outreach the church could tackle in coming years.

One thing they had to work with was open land. Lutheran Church of Hope is dedicating a little more than a quarter of an acre of its undeveloped land to the project.

eConnection Spotlight: RMS in the Neighborhood
Joy Lutheran Refugee Hunger Campaign
The Hunger Committee at Joy Lutheran has wrapped up their drive to support the ELCA global refugee crisis. The original goal was to feed 5 families for a month - and the numbers are now in. The total donated was $1,680, which means they fed 8 families for a month! Thanks be to God!
 
The campaign kicked off with a ‘noisy offering’ using buckets at their Joyful Celebration Sunday. From Donna Heim: "What we didn’t expect was that those buckets, which sat quietly in the fellowship hall, kept accumulating more donations. Coins kept coming - and paper money, sometimes checks, - unsolicited, they just appeared. Silent sentinels that moved us, and spoke to our desire to help others. It was amazing to watch."
Evergreen Lutheran Church Plants a Tree in Germany!
"Even if I knew that the world were to collapse tomorrow, I would still plant my apple tree today" (ascribed to Martin Luther).

Members of Evergreen Lutheran Church, on behalf of the entire Rocky Mountain Synod, planted a tree in the Luthergarten in Wittenburg Germany. The trees planted in the Luthergarten are in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation.
RMS-ELCA News and Events
2018 Mission Support Intents
As an ELCA congregation in the Rocky Mountain Synod you play an important role in our life as Christ’s Church, Better Together. A packet was recently sent to each congregation that contained three important resources related to your congregation’s investment in our shared ministry and witness through your annual mission support.

  • Litany – During a Sunday worship in January or early February 2018, please use the enclosed litany to celebrate your congregation’s commitment to providing financial resources for our church’s engagements synodically, nationally and globally.

  • Mission Support Update – In our commitment to thank you and keep you informed about your congregation’s particular level of mission support, we ask you to share the information on this form with your congregation.

  • 2018 Mission Support Intent – As you plan your congregation’s spending plan for 2018, we ask you to prayerfully consider the amount of mission support you will provide for our shared ministry and witness. Please note that in 2018, our synodical budget calls for 47% of all congregational mission support received by the Rocky Mountain Synod to be shared with our ELCA Churchwide ministries, an increase of 1%.  You may either return your 2018 Intent by mail, our fill out the online form.

Thanks to YOU, we are CHRIST’S CHURCH, BETTER TOGETHER!
Mustard Seed House Churches Closing
Mustard Seed House Churches, launched in 2013, has closed. We give thanks to God for the rich blessings received by participants and so many others in this “missional experiment.” Mustard Seed described itself as: “A collective of Christ-centered, queer-inclusive, justice-focused dinner churches” reaching out to the unchurched, de-churched and so many others. With deep gratitude for the leaders, including the Pastor- developer, Pr. Andy Boesenecker, for their work and vision with this faith community. For questions and concerns, please contact Pr. Judith VanOsdol, Director for Evangelical Mission of our Rocky Mountain Synod.
Save the Date for Colorado Lutheran Lobby Day!
February 15, 2018
Join advocates and community leaders for a morning of learning and action! Build relationships with your elected officials, discover the history of advocacy in the Lutheran tradition, and get the latest updates on our work at the state capitol. Lobbying 101 training will be offered, and a hot breakfast will be served. Event will be held in downtown Denver. Online registration will open soon, and scholarships are available. Download the flyer here. Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado is a ministry of the Rocky Mountain Synod.
How Is Your Financial Wellness?
Feeling stressed about finances? Avoiding thinking about finances because you don't know where to start? Portico, one of our partners in Educate, Equip, Enact, has created 12 short videos about practical matters related to financial health. From Self-Compassion, to Balancing Multiple Financial Goals, to Creating a Realistic Budget, to Tackling Student Loan Debt-- you will find a topic that can encourage and help you. Give yourself the gift of 10 minutes today to check out a video ( click here ) that applies to you.
For Your Bulletin
RMS Prayer Cycle

December 2107 - UTAH CONFERENCE

Week of December 10

Elim - Ogden, UT
Bruce Kolasch

Mount Tabor - Salt Lake City, UT
David Nichols
Ventania
Parreiras, Antônio, 1888
Join us in daily prayer:
Download  ELCA Prayer Ventures  for daily guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. 
Sunday, December 10
Second Sunday of Advent
Prayer of the Day
Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming strengthen us to serve you with purified lives; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Global Church Prayer
God, whose voice cries out in the wilderness, open our ears that we might hear the news of your coming messenger. Guide all people who proclaim your gospel of peace and love, including ELCA missionaries. Lift up all who live in places of war and give strength to all who seek to create new systems of equity, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Around the Synod
December Music at Saint Paul Lutheran Church
Fire and Ice: Christmas
Ars Nova
Sunday, December 10 @ 4:00 p.m. - $20
Ars Nova ignites the dark of winter with the sounds of the classical guitar and the passionate words of Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca. Special guest: Nicolo Spera, guitar. We'll celebrate the season with uplifting carols presented with unique Ars Nova flair. Tickets are available here.
Winter Wonders
Rocky Mountain Ringers
Friday, December 15 @ 7:30 p.m. - $15 to $25
With special guest: Safonia. Get tickets here.

A Winter's Night: Christmas with St. Martin's
St. Martin's Chamber Choir
Sunday, December 17 @ 3:00 p.m. - $15 to $45
Featuring Benjamin Britten's a cappella Christmas cantata "A Boy was Born," and "A Winter’s Night," by Cecilia McDowall. A rich work rich with familiar carol tunes, including opportunities for audience participation. Tickets are available here.
Lessons and Carols in Boulder with Bishop Gonia
S unday, December 10, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.
LCM-CU and St. Aidan's Episcopal Church invite you to a Festival of Lessons and Carols at St. Aidan's ( 2425 Colorado Ave, across from CU Engineering). Our preacher will be Bishop Jim Gonia with readers drawn from the CU and Boulder Community. A reception will follow--please come together to pause for music and words of the Advent season.
Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains - December Announcements
  • Each year in Colorado, thousands of kids are unable to live with their biological parents because of abuse or neglect. We need families who can provide temporary care until children reunify with their parent as well as families willing to adopt children and teens in foster care if they can’t return to their families. Informal Q & A sessions for foster care will be held on December 13 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the LFS Denver Metro office (363 S. Harlan Street, Suite 105, Denver). Please register with Anne at anne.hamilton@lfsrm.org or 303-217-5869. One-on-one meetings can also be arranged to work around your busy schedule.
  • LFS’ refugee program is hosting a shopping-style gift event in Aurora where our clients can choose from donated Angel Tree gifts for their family members!  We are in need of volunteers to help set up in the afternoon on Friday, December 15 and to staff the shopping days on Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17. Please contact Kate Strebe at refugeevolunteer@lfsrm.org for more information.
Old Time Radio Players perform "Miracle on 34th Street"
Sunday, December 17th, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.

Do you ever wonder how folks entertained themselves before television? Come and join us at Advent Lutheran Church for the Radio Players performance of " Miracle on 34th Street ." Here is a flyer to share!
Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends Seminar
Thursday, January 11, 2018 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The R ebuilding When Your Relationship Ends Seminar meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. each Thursday for 10 weeks, and offers education, support and optional social activities for individuals experiencing a divorce or the loss of a love relationship. Complimentary childcare is available. For more information please download a flyer here, or contact Beth Walker at 720-352-9915 or bethdwalker@gmail.com , or visit her website at bethwalkercoaching.com .
Prepare Enrich Training
Tuesday, January 16, 2018, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or
Friday, February 9, 2018, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This workshop, held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village, is designed to teach facilitators to utilize this tool to assist both premarital and married couples in understanding and improving their relationship. For more information or to register, please contact Beth Walker by email, or 720-352-9915, or go to prepare-enrich.com.
Our Life Together
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
January 18-25, 2018
The 2018 theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is "Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glorious in Power," (Exodus 15:6). The 2018 resources have been written by the Churches of the Caribbean, including the Catholic Archbishop of the Antilles and the Caribbean Council of Churches.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity gives Christians an annual opportunity to continue their quest for the unity they already share in Christ. It is also a time to gather in praise of the Triune God and to deepen the understanding of the ecumenical movement. By joining in this annual celebration Christians raise their voices, hands and hearts to God seeking the fulfillment of the prayer of Jesus, the Son of God, “that they all may be one.”

More information is available here , and here .
Classifieds
Is this a Baldwin Piano for You?!
This is a Baldwin upright built in the 1900's - not sure of the exact date. It has been totally rebuilt inside and plays beautifully. It was also refinished outside. It is available to anyone who may want it. The only request is that whoever gets the piano pays for the moving of it. If you're interested, contact Barb Janzen at bjjannez@yahoo.com or 303-347-2672.
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
Employment Opportunities
All Non-Rostered Positions 
Bookkeeper (part-time)
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO

Office Coordinator
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO

Facilities Manager (part-time)
Holy Cross Lutheran Church - Wheat Ridge, CO

Contemporary Worship Coordinator
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO

Minister of Music
Epiphany Lutheran Church - Denver, CO
Office of the Bishop This Week
 
Bishop Gonia
  • In-office appointments
  • Candidacy Committee
  • Colorado Council of Churches
  • Ryssby Christmas Service
  • St. Stephen's, Northglenn, CO
  • CU Boulder Campus Ministry
  • Region 2 Consultation, Phoenix, AZ

Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Lutheran Center Administration
  • In-Office appointments

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
  • NM Conference of Churches Ex Comm
  • NM Public Health Policy Conference
  • Legislative meetings

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
  • Holden Village Retreat, Washington
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
  • St. Andrew, Arvada, CO
  • Latino Worshiping Community West Denver
  • Camino de Vida, Albuquerque, NM
  • New Beginnings Prison Ministry Board
  • HKBP Indonesian Congregation
  • Administrative work for mission sites

Deacon Erin Power
  • Assembly Planning
  • Capitol Hill United Ministries Lunch
  • Pueblo Ecumenical Advent Worship, Tabor Lutheran
  • Good Shepherd, Glenwood Springs, CO
  • Region 2 Consultation, Phoenix, AZ

Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Interim Pastors
  • In-office appointments
  • Prince of Peace, Gillette, WY
  • Region 2 Consultation and Mobility Conference, Phoenix, AZ

Pastor Leslie Welton
  • Candidacy Committee
  • Ryssby Christmas Worship
  • Youth Discipleship Team
  • CU Boulder Campus Ministry
  • Region 2 Consultation, Phoenix, AZ
Quick Links
Share the News
Erin Power   Assistant to the Bishop
Andrew Nakatan i , Communications Assistant
Rocky Mountain Synod 
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
800-525-0462 / 303-777-6700 / fax 303-339-4744
Articles for eConnection are due noon Monday for the issue the following Wednesday.
Event announcements are included for about two weeks then copied to the Events & News Web Page and may be submitted via the eConnection Submission link above.