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A Reconciling in Christ synod
March for Our Lives: Episcopal Gathering
Hosted by The Office of Advocacy and Social Justice and Saint John's Cathedral, Denver
Join Bishop Gonia and the Episcopal Church in Colorado for the March For Our Lives on Saturday, March 24th. We will gather at St. John's Cathedral in Denver at noon for an informal lunch immediately followed by a prayer service with Bishop O'Neill and Bishop Gonia at 12:40. The service will conclude with a sending out, after which we will walk over to the Capitol for the march. 

Event information and RSVP:  https://www.facebook.com/events/156652411665004/ 

If you would like to participate in the lunch portion of the program, please fill out this form: https://goo.gl/forms/xVctQM7Acj8OQdFm2 - cost for lunch is $6/person and must be reserved by March 21.

Congregations are responsible for their own permission slips and media permissions.
If you have questions please contact Deacon Erin Power:  epower@rmselca.org.
eConnection Spotlight: RMS in the Neighborhood
Lutheran World Relief Celebrates National Quilting Day - March 17!
Post your pictures of quilts and quilters on social media and tag Rocky Mountain Synod!

Since 1945, LWR Mission Quilts have been a foundational way Lutherans in the United States show love for their global neighbors through Lutheran World Relief. Today, that tradition still endures. Countless men, women, and children come together each year to assemble and donate LWR Mission Quilts to some of the world's poorest people. Keep an eye on LWR's Facebook page the week of March 11 as they celebrate all things quilting!
RMS-ELCA News and Events
Office of the Bishop Eucharist, Wednesday, March 14
Our monthly Eucharist will be held at the Lutheran Center on Wednesday, March 14 at 11:30 a.m.

All are invited to join for this 30 minute worship.
Bishop Election 2018: Potential Candidates posted online
Prior to the nominating Ecclesiastical Ballot at the 2018 Assembly on Thursday, May 3, it is the practice of the Rocky Mountain Synod to invite submissions of potential candidates so that information may be available for review and conversation. Candidate names were submitted, and all were invited to submit biographical materials. Sixteen names were submitted. Of the sixteen, three responded by submitting their biographical materials.


For Your Bulletin
Installations

Rev. Gail Mundt
Christ Lutheran, Highlands Ranch, CO
Sunday, March 18 3:00 p.m.
Color of the Day:  Purple
RMS Prayer Cycle

 MARCH 2018:
BOULDER/BROOMFIELD CONFERENCE

Week of March 18

Grace Lutheran - Boulder, CO
Janice Kibler

Lutheran Church of Hope - Broomfield, CO
Scott McAnally

Rejoice Lutheran - Erie, CO
Ruby Naruki
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, March 18
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Prayer of the Day
O God, with steadfast love you draw us to yourself, and in mercy you receive our prayers. Strengthen us to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, that through life and death we may live in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches
Around the Synod
Family Promise of Denver in Need of Two Partner Congregations 
Family Promise is a national organization that provides shelter, meals, and hospitality to families experiencing homelessness. We currently have 24 dedicated congregations but are in the need of 2 more to continue to serve families experiencing homelessness.

Contact Courtney Jensen at 303-675-0713, or by email, or visit the website to learn about our organization and how your support could make a world of difference to these families. Together, we can end homelessness, one family at a time! 
Organizing to Thrive: Congregations in Action
Friday, March 16, 2018 thru Saturday, March 17, 2018

March 16: Registration 6:00 p.m.
Training: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
March 17: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Lunch Provided
Cost: $10.00

This is a workshop for congregations to learn the value of Community Organizing and Advocacy, and how it can contribute to the renewal of your congregation. This workshop will focus on teams from congregations and empowering them to begin the work of community engagement. No prerequisites to attend. Topics for the Workshop include:

  • Charity vs. Justice
  • Relational Organizing
  • Structural Change
  • Identifying an Issue: Practical Exercises

Registration information here. RSVP to crobles05@hotmail.com by March 9, 2018.
The 24th Gallery of Living Art
Friday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 17 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m.

Join First Lutheran in celebrating the 24th year of the Gallery of Living Art. As the audience sits in the sanctuary, the story of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection unfolds through live reproductions of 14 sacred works of art staged by a 75-member cast, narrative scripture, and music sung by First Lutheran choir. The art includes the well-known Christ in Gethsemane by Heinrich Hofmann, The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo’s Pieta

The public is cordially invited to attend this inspirational presentation. Admission is free and childcare is provided. For questions contact, Joan Kuehn, First Lutheran Church, at 719-632-8836.
"Helping, Loving, & Caring in Addiction and Mental Illness"
Sunday, March 18, 10:50 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Presented by Jessica Swan, hosted by the Ministry Team on Mental Health

When we love a person with mental illness or addiction, it can be challenging to know how to behave. We often wonder if we are doing more harm by providing certain types of help. We may ask ourselves, "Am I helping or hurting in this?" And we usually do not know the answer. This session will provide guidance on how to best help the people we love and how to, at the same time, respect and honor ourselves. Join us to learn what enabling really is, why we do it, and how to have boundaries in our relationships. 
Congregation Land Campaign Launch Breakfast!
March 23, 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Saint Francis Apartments
Top Floor

Please join the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado for this launch breakfast on the top floor of the recently completed St. Francis Apartments at Cathedral Square, built on land owned by St. John's Cathedral. Seating is limited so please RSVP!

In partnership with Radian|Placematters, Colorado Community Land Trust, and Cecil Developments, we are championing the use of land owned by faith communities to create new housing that will address our crises of homelessness, gentrification, displacement, and unaffordability. Limited land availability and soaring costs are one of the leading barriers to building affordable housing across Colorado. 

Come to get inspired, to hear stories from community leaders already engaged in these projects, and to learn more about how we can help your congregation make an impact.
Guardian Angels - ELCA AMMPARO Training
Friday March 23, 4-6:30 p.m.
Would you like to be a Guardian Angel? We need people who are interested in providing spiritual and physical accompaniment for unaccompanied migrant children and their families as they go through the immigration court process in Denver. Guardian Angels provide spiritual support and prayer at court hearings, are a visible sign of the church in immigration court as they watch and document the court process, and if requested, they provide information about local resources to assist migrants in their transition to life in the United States. If this sounds like you, please contact Alena Lamirato at pastoralena@yahoo.com or 720-256-3007 to register for the training to become a Guardian Angel.

Our Life Together
"Love the Earth Youth Challenge" in Region 2
WE ARE God's beautiful creation, and its called caretakers too. 

What ideas do the youth of your congregation have to act on this vocation this Earth Day ? Let's work together to support their passion. We encourage youth to sprout a project of their choice any day until 30 April to celebrate creation-- whether to serve together in a community garden, start a compost project, feed the hungry, host a yard sale to promote reusing items... the options are endless. Creativity thrives in our youth! Send a 30-second to 2-minute video clip of your youth in action, and we'll stitch them together to present at the 2018 National Youth Gathering. Let's support our youth inspiring God's love of creation. Download the poster here.
 
We are excited to hear from you! Submissions and questions, please contact Yolanda Mosley ( ymosley@callutheran.edu ) or Petra Rickertsen ( prickertsen@callutheran.edu ).
The Summit - Youth Ministry Retreat
Monday, April 16 through Wednesday, April 18
Join Rainbow Trail and speaker, Tammy Devine, Deacon and Wellness Manager for the ELCA, for some time in the mountains with fellow youth ministry workers! The schedule includes time for learning, Holy Yoga, fellowship, and exploring. This retreat is for any ministry professionals working with children, youth, and/or families. Better yet, the event is FREE for anyone working within the Rocky Mountain Synod! Register NOW for your retreat in God's creation.

Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
RMSWO February/March Newsletter - Views from the Rockies
Rocky Mtn Synodical Women's logo
Enjoy the February/March 2018 issue of Views from the Rockies, the Rocky Mountain Synodical Women's Organization newsletter. We'd love to hear your stories too, share them with us at rmswoelca16@gmail.com.

Employment Opportunities
New Listing
Leader of Faith Formation Ministries
Saint Peter Lutheran Church - Greenwood Village, CO

Saint Peter Lutheran Church is looking for a Faith Formation Ministries Leader. This faithful and creative leader will hold a one-half to three-quarter-time position on our staff. Areas of responsibility will include creating new opportunities for people of all ages to grow in faith, and serving as a resource for leaders of existing ministries as they seek to do the same. More details here.

Interested parties are asked to submit a resume and a cover letter describing your vision for how you would go about this work, and what you believe you can contribute to this ministry, to FaithFormation@stplc.org. Applications will be accepted up to and including Friday, March 16.
All Non-Rostered Positions 
Leader of Faith Formation Ministries
Saint Peter Lutheran Church - Greenwood Village, CO

Office Administrator (part-time)
Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church - Centennial, CO

Early Learning Center Director
St. John's Lutheran Church - Thornton, CO

Early Learning Center Assistant Director
St. John's Lutheran Church - Thornton, CO

Early Childhood Teacher
St. John's Lutheran Church - Thornton, CO

Director of Early Learning Center
Augustana Lutheran Church - Denver, CO

Office Manager (part-time)
St. Andrew Lutheran Church - Arvada, CO
Office of the Bishop This Week
 
Bishop Gonia
  • In-office appointments
  • Retreat
  • Bethlehem, Longmont
  • Installation, Rev. Gail Mundt, Christ, Highlands Ranch, CO

Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Interim Pastors
  • Part-time Ministry Gathering Planning
  • Healthy Leaders team

Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
  • Medicaid Coalition
  • NM Conference of Churches
  • Interfaith Hunger Coalition

Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
  • Legislative Hearings
  • Community Organizing Training
  • CO Social Legislation Committee
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
  • Cristo Rey, Denver
  • New Beginnings Prison Ministry Board
  • King of Kings, Pueblo, Colorado
  • Developer/ Redeveloper evaluations
  • Staff Development Retreat
  • Behavioral Interviews

Deacon Erin Power
  • Communications Planning retreat
  • Synod Assembly Planning
  • Congregational Ministry Board

Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Vacation
  • Congregational Ministry Board Retreat

Pastor Leslie Welton
  • Out of Office until April 27
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.