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A Reconciling in Christ synod
Living Lutheran - Bishop Eaton's "Oct. 32 and beyond"
With the 500th anniversary, it’s been “All Reformation All the Time.” But Reformation Day is over—now what? In her October column for Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that in Christ we are set free for loving and serving others—so let us now live in that freedom. Read her column in English or in Spanish, or download ( Word/ PDF).
Reformation Celebrations!
The seventh and final RMS Lutheran-Catholic Prayer Service commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation was held in Utah on October 8. Bishop Oscar Solis of the Diocese of Salt Lake City and Bishop Jim Gonia presided over the multi-lingual service to a full house at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Help us share your Reformation event!
 
  1. Post pictures and stories on your ministry’s Facebook page and either tag Rocky Mountain Synod or share to the Rocky Mountain Synod page.
  2. Invite Erin Power to “like” your Facebook ministry’s Facebook page so she can share your news and events.
  3. Do you have a Facebook event? Invite Rocky Mountain Synod to co-host it so we can share it with others!
  4. After your event, send 1 picture and a 2-3 sentence summary to epower@rmselca.org so we can feature it in a Reformation summary in eConnection and our RMS in the Neighborhood Blog.

Christ's Church, Better Together!
eConnection Spotlight: RMS in the Neighborhood
God's Work Our Hands, September 24
Over 130 children, youth, and adults served at Dos Rios Elementary School, Bonnell Nursing Home, Catholic Charities, Our Savior’s Preschool, Triangle Cross Ranch, and Lutheran Campus Ministries. Other volunteers wrote cards to about 50 elderly members who are shut-ins. It was a rainy cold day but it didn’t prevent us from serving in our community!
Oktoberfest kicks off Mission Sunday
Faith Lutheran Church kicked off it's annual Mission Sunday with an Oktoberfest celebration on Sunday, Oct. 1st in Lander, Wyoming. Hot dogs, Brats and carry-in side dishes were served while the kids (and adults) played games outside on the lawn include bobbing for apples, making Smores, a bean bag toss and other fun kid-type things. Inside the Hospitality Hall, church members viewed exhibits and signed up for Mission activities for the coming year. It was a joyous Sunday on a beautiful Wyoming autumn day.
RMS-ELCA News and Events
Office of the Bishop Eucharist, Wednesday, October 11
Our monthly Eucharist will be held at the Lutheran Center, today, Wednesday, October 11 at 11:30 a.m.

All are invited to join in this 30 minute worship.
Have You Claimed Your Money?
There is still time to earn Wellness Dollars with Portico by participating in your Health Assessment and Retirement Planning.
45% of those eligible have completed the Health Assessment (worth $150), and 22% have completed the Retirement Planning ($250). Take advantage of this incentive and enjoy the benefit of $400 in your Wellness Account. You'll not only receive money, you'll learn more about your wellness both physically and financially. 
Proposed Changes to the Rocky Mountain Synod Constitution
Synods and congregations periodically update their Constitution to reflect the work of the synod or the congregation. With the implementation of the Rocky Mountain Synod Strategic Plan, a team from our Synod Council reviewed our Constitution and discovered that Chapter 11: Committees, Boards, and Commissions was in need of significant revision. Download a copy of the RMS Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions with the proposed changes, here . We ask for your congregation to review and discuss these changes to provisions, which will be voted on at our Synod Assembly in May of 2018. Questions or comments may be directed to Secretary Jody Brammer-Hoelter at synodsecretary@gmail.com.
Seeking RMS World Hunger Ambassadors!
Passionate about ELCA World Hunger?
We need you!
Through a partnership with ELCA Hunger, the RMS Hunger Network is launching the Hunger Ambassadors Network. Hunger Ambassadors will provide leadership and support for Congregation Hunger Leaders and share about World Hunger across their conferences. One day training will take place in early November.

Contact Hunger Team leader Contact Barbara Ripperger at 719-248-9615 or  bripperger2@gmail.com  for more information.
REFORMATION 2.0
Community - Conversation - Fellowship - Worship
Reformation month events are a collaboration between Colorado Council of Churches, Rocky Mountain Synod ELCA, Wartburg College, St. John’s Cathedral, and Iliff School of Theology as part of the Rocky Mountain Synod’s 500th Anniversary Commemoration.  Download poster here.

October 18: Together by Grace: A reading by Kathryn Kleinhans
6:30 p.m. - Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church
920 Kipling Street, Lakewood
Together by Grace: Introducing the Lutherans tells the stories of Lutherans over the past 500 years. Edited by Wartburg College Professor Kathryn Kleinhans, this volume weaves together two dozen writers to take us on a journey through history leading us into the future.

October 25: Reformation Repast
6:00 p.m. - St. John’s Cathedral
1350 N Washington St, Denver
A time of food and fellowship led by Colorado Council of Churches Executive Director and James Beard Award-winning Author Adrian Miller. Bring a dish to share for this community potluck!

October 29: A Reformation Hymn Festival: Then, Now, Always
4:00-5:30 p.m. - Augustana Lutheran Church
5000 E Alameda Ave, Denver
Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, join the Augustana Lutheran Church choir and the choir of Cross of Christ, Broomfield, along with organ and orchestra in a festival of hymns and music. Bishop Gonia will present brief homilies on “Then,” “Now,” and “Always.”  
For Your Bulletin
RMS Hunger Network - October Daily Bread
The October 2017 Daily Bread flyer, perfect for printing and sharing with your congregations, is now available in color or b&w.
RMS Prayer Cycle

OCTOBER 2017

Week of October 15 -
HOSPICE and CARE CENTERS

Frazier Meadows - Boulder, CO
Robert Ritzen, AIM

Shepherd of the Valley Care Center - Casper, WY
Marvin Skogen
Vineyards with a View of Auvers
Vincent van Gogh, 1890

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, October 15
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Prayer of the Day
Lord of the feast, you have prepared a table before all peoples and poured out your life with abundance. Call us again to your banquet. Strengthen us by what is honorable, just, and pure, and transform us into a people of righteousness and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Global Church Prayer
Benevolent God, in your kingdom, all are called, chosen and invited to the seat of the honored guest. Praise be to you for the work of ELCA missionaries who are called to their work and who, through their work, are honored as guests in foreign environments. We remember those who serve in countries around the world, through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Around the Synod
Global Gift Fair at Atonement Lutheran
Sat. Nov. 4 & Sun. Nov. 5, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Atonement Lutheran Church, at 6281 W Yale Ave in Lakewood will is holding their annual Global Gift Fair in their Fellowship Hall! Come and buy your holiday gifts from around the world....and Denver. Any questions, you can email them here.
Reformation Hymn Festival in Boulder
Sunday, October 29 -3:00 p.m.

The Boulder-Broomfield Conference invites you to this event celebrating in hymns, readings, and reflections, the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reforming Movement within the Church Catholic.
St Paul Lutheran and Catholic Community of Faith -
October Highlights

Friday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m.
A Mighty Fortress: the Reformation and Music
This concert, presented by a 16-voice St. Martin's Chamber Choir traces the influence of the Reformation on music with compositions from the earliest Lutheran composers such as Johann Walther and Johann Crüger, and through the Baroque masters Heinrich Schütz and J.S. Bach, the Classical successors like Homilius, and the Reformation’s apotheosis in the music of the Romantic era, Felix Mendelssohn. Tickets for this performance are available here.
St. Martin's Chamber Choir will also performing this concert on:
Saturday, October 28, 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Denver
Sunday, October 29, 3:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Wheat Ridge
 
Sunday, October 29 at 10:30 a.m.
Reformation and Reconciliation Worship Service
Participants: St Paul Lutheran Church, the Rev Penni Walsh; Messiah Community Church, the Rev Bev Piro; St Paul Catholic Church, Fr Don Sutton; Pax Cristi, Fr Micheal Nicosia, Regional Vicar, Ecumenical Catholic Communion.
Preaching: Bishop Jim Gonia. Liturgy from Luther's Mass.
 
Sunday, October 29 at 4:00 p.m.
Reformation Festival: Hymns of Martin Luther
Featuring: Young Voices of Colorado, Rocky Mountain Bell Ringers, Denver Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
Open to everyone, no cost, a wine and cheese reception will follow
Lutheran Chorale Concerts
October 28 and 29
October 28 - 7:30 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church
4500 E. Hampden Ave, Cherry Hills Village, CO

October 29 - 7:30 p.m.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
2100 Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, CO

Join The Lutheran Chorale as they celebrate God’s grace through wonderful music, artwork, and a retelling of the history of the Reformation. This concert features J.S. Bach’s Magnificent Cantata 80: A Mighty Fortress. Joining their talents with The Chorale will be a chamber orchestra from the University of Denver Lamont School of Music, Lutheran High School’s Jubilate Choir, and guest musicians from area churches. 
Christ Lutheran Church, HIghlands Ranch Celebrates -
500th Anniversary Kickoff Worship!
October 21-22, 2017

You Know the Old Saying… Behind Every Great Man, Is a Very Remarkable Woman.
Meet Katie Luther, portrayed by Pastor JaneAnn Settergren

Come join us for a special sermon called “Katie Remembers – Martin Luther’s life from Katie’s point of view,” at all the weekend services - Saturday 5:00 p.m., and Sunday 8, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. services.

Then, come to a special presentation, at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, October 21, directly following the Saturday 5:00PM worship service, entitled “Entirely Devoted – A look at Katie’s life; the extraordinary faith life of an ordinary woman in an extraordinary time.” Pastor JaneAnn will dig deeper into Katie’s life, as well as give a concise primer on the meaning and implications of the Reformation and why as Lutherans we celebrate it today.
Katie Luther – Amid the tumult of Reformation Europe, Katharina von Bora became the wife of Martin Luther, reformer and theologian. During this 500th Anniversary Year of the Reformation, Pastor JaneAnn Settergren brings Katharina to life, portraying Katie Luther in full authentic costume and character. This program is sponsored by the CLC Worship Team.
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church 90th Anniversary
Our Savior's Lutheran Church , 1800 21st Avenue in Greeley , is celebrating its 90th anniversary on Sunday, October 15 (flyer here) ! Bishop Jim Gonia and Rev. Warren Salveson lead us in worship. There will be a special historical program at 9:30 a.m. and potluck at 11:45 a.m. 

8:15 & 10:40 a.m. - Worship Services in the Sanctuary
9:30-10:30 a.m. - Program/History in Fellowship Hall (middle school–adults). Regular CFJ classes in Upper Room
11:45 a.m. - Pot-Luck Lunch Celebration for all Fellowship Hall

And Sunday, October 8, is “Past Pastors Sunday” at both worship services. Former Pastors, Rev. Mark Crates, Rev. Steve Berke and Mrs. Audrey Keller will join us. They will also share stories at 9:30 a.m. during a burrito breakfast as a fundraiser for our new elementary playground. 
Godly Play Core Training in Denver this Fall
Saturdays, October 14, November 18, & December 2, 8:30-5:30 p.m.
St. John's Episcopal Cathedral is excited to be hosting a Godly Play Core training for certification this Fall! This is the only Godly Play Core Training currently scheduled for Colorado and surrounding states!
Godly Play is Montessori based model of Sunday School that helps children explore their faith through story while valuing process, openness, discovery, community, relationships, creativity, and imagination. Click here for more information about training content.

Each session will be held at St. John's Cathedral ( 1350 N Washington St Denver, CO). The cost is $155 a session, but please reach out to the Godly Play Foundation about scholarship information if needed. Lunch and snacks will be provided by St. John's.

Sign up quickly because there are only 14 spaces! Registration for all three sessions can be found here: Sacred Stories, Parables, and Liturgical Action.
Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention:
How Faith Communities, other Communities, and you can Help
Thursday, November 2, 2017
This event focuses on:
* What churches and individuals can do to PREVENT and INTERVENE when signs of suicide are present
* How to affirm life and build support systems for people experiencing mental health crises
* How to create a sense of belonging in faith & other communities
* The importance of replacing unsafe religious messaging with welcoming, compassionate and inclusive language.

This free event will be held at Westview Presbyterian Church, Longmont, CO , 6:30 - 9:00 p.m., and one of the sponsors is Atonement Lutheran Church, Boulder. The presenter is Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe from Minneapolis, MN. Download flyer here.
HFASS is turning 10 years old!
Saturday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. - 10 p.m.
(Just north of Colfax in Denver)

We're throwing a big party to celebrate 10 years of House for All Sinners and Saints ! So many people have come to be church together at HFASS, some for a short amount of time, some for years at a time, some for just one Sunday. We want to celebrate and thank you for whatever part you played in this community, large or small, briefly or for the whole 10 years. Please share this with all who love HFASS! More information is here !
St. Peter 13th Annual Pumpkin Patch - NOW OPEN
Daily: October 7 - October 31

Mon-Fri: 3:00-6:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00-7:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Admission is FREE! This year ALL pumpkin sale proceeds will be equally shared with: Packs for Hunger, Carlsbad Transitional Housing & Homeless Shelter Inc., and Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey, ELCA (EL Paso TX). Pumpkins grown by Navajo Nation, Farmington NM.

Visit our website, call 575-887-3033, or email stpeter@splcnm.com.
Commissioning Service for Pastor Anne Morawski
Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.
Pastor Anne Morawski will begin serving as an Associate in Global Mission for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in November.
Join us for worship at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6901 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM when she will be commissioned for this new ministry.

The Riverside Brass will play. All are welcome to share the festivities. Pastor Anne will volunteer with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary. She will work with Bishop Tamas Fabiny in Budapest, do some bilingual Bible studies with college students, help out at the seminary, and do after school tutoring with students learning English in Dabas-Gyon. She will also explore the possibilities for other volunteers to come to Hungary to help with English tutoring.
Reformation Celebration to benefit Border Servant Corps and Young Adults in Global Mission

Download the poster here, and see the Facebook Event!
New Mexico Council of Churches
One Body–Many Members, One Spirit–Many Gifts
Sunday, October 29, 2017, 2:30 p.m.to 5:00 p.m.

The NMCC invites ALL residents of New Mexico to a Commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, " One Body–Many Members, One Spirit–Many Gifts," an Ecumenical Vesper Service of Song and Prayer followed by a Community Dialogue.

More information here, or www.NMChurches.org, or call 505-243-6234.
Our Life Together
Sky Ranch Advent Retreat
Friday, December 1 through Sunday, December 3
Sky Ranch new logo
Join us at camp for a wintry weekend for the whole family! Enjoy fellowship, devotions, worship, and activities for people of all ages as you take some time to prepare for Advent. All are welcome for this fun and intentional retreat at Sky Ranch!

Cost: $80 per adults, $50 per child, maximum of $250 per family. More info here, or contact Ally@SkyRanchColorado.org with questions or to register.
RTLC Senior High Retreat
Friday, November 17 through Sunday, November 19
The second annual  RTLC Senior High Retreat is coming! Join dozens of RTLC summer staff in a weekend of reconnecting, intentional faith conversation, awesome camp activities, warm fires, energizing dancing, singing loudly, and relaxing with hundreds of senior high youth. Scott Moore of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge will be leading us in conversations about how our stories intersect with God's.

Register your group today at rainbowtrail.org/senior-high-retreat . Space is limited, so don't wait! This is one of the best weekends of the year at Rainbow Trail, and you won't want to miss out. See you there!
Confirmation Retreat at RTLC
Friday, October 20 through Sunday, October 22
Come join us at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp for a weekend of reflection, learning, fun, great food, mountain air, warm fires, and solitude. Pastor Brigette Weier will lead your confirmands in a study of the importance of belonging to God now and forever, and how this reality changes everything. All inclusive cost of $95/youth and $70/adult chaperone covers your participants for the weekend. For more information or to register for RTLC's annual Confirmation Retreat, go to the event's website !
Register Your Group for a Bridging Borders trip with RTLC
Summer 2018
If you're looking for a service opportunity for your youth or adult groups in your congregation, register for a Bridging Borders trip today! Bridging Borders provides domestic and abroad service trips throughout the summer months, as well as other times throughout the year for your congregational groups to serve a community other than your own in a week of service. These weeks are all about sharing God's love, and building relationships with each other and with those whom we serve. In 2018, Bridging Borders will be serving in Ecuador, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and doing hurricane relief in Texas. For more information, go to rainbowtrail.org, or email ben.jarvis@rainbowtrail.org!
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
LEAD's 2017 Advent Resources Now Available
LEAD's Advent Resources, promoted by the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod comprises four contemplative prayer liturgies, accompanied by coloring pages, a free gift available to those who register online.

More information and registration are available at LEAD's website.
ELCA Worship - Frequently Asked Questions
The worship staff receives a number of similar inquires on worship-related topics from across the church.

The responses you find at this website are not the final word on the topic, but are useful guides to be considered with sensitivity to the local context. Many of the responses link to other Frequently Asked Questions that may be useful as you dig deeper into a particular response.
Iliff School of Theology offers Resources for Times of Crisis around Structural Injustice
During times of crisis, we often seek out materials to help us understand and deal with the issues at play. To help in that effort, Iliff is offering a space (here) to collect some of what their incredible faculty have to offer on on-going issues and structural injustice. Thank you to our dean Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee and Betsy Lay for sponsoring and coordinating this effort as part of a larger project by our whole leadership team.
Administration Matters - from the September 2017 issue
ELCA group tax exemption
Most ELCA organizations are included in the ELCA group exemption filing with the IRS. A certification letter may be requested when you apply for a bulk mailing permit, state sales tax exemption, to receive grant or matching funds, estate settlement or simply for proof of tax exempt status. > More
Employment Opportunities
New Listings
Administrative Assistant (full-time)
Joy Lutheran Church - Parker, CO
Joy Lutheran Church is seeking a full-time Administrative Assistant. This position is responsible for maintaining the church office, preparing weekly and seasonal worship material and announcements, and supporting the pastor, staff, congregational members, Church Council, and visitors. This individual serves as the public face of the church. To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications, specifically Word, Publisher, and Outlook. Required office hours will be Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Friday 8:30 - noon. If interested in this position, please submit your resume to resumes@joylc.org.
All Non-Rostered Positions 
Administrative Assistant (full-time)
Joy Lutheran Church - Parker, CO

Church Administrator (part-time)
Lord of the Mountains Lutheran Church - Dillon, CO

Office Administrator (part-time)
Highlands Lutheran Church - Denver, CO

Music and Worship Director
Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church - Fort Collins, CO

Youth Ministry Coordinator (part-time)
Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church - Denver, CO

Administrative Assistant
Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church - Denver, CO

Nursery Ministry Coordinator (part-time)
Lutheran Church of Hope - Broomfield, CO

Director of Youth and Family Ministries (part-time)
Holy Cross Lutheran Church - Wheat Ridge, CO

Office Administrator (part-time)
Holy Love Lutheran Church - Aurora, CO

Wartburg West Academic and Program Director
Titled Faculty Position based in Denver Colorado
Employed by Wartburg College, Waverly, IA

Faith Formation Administrative Assistant/Evangelism Coordinator
Bethany Lutheran Church - Cherry Hills Village, CO

Faith Formation Director of Youth
Bethany Lutheran Church - Cherry Hills Village, CO

Faith Formation Intern (part-time)
Bethany Lutheran Church - Cherry Hills Village, CO

Preschool Director
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church - Casper, WY
Office of the Bishop This Week
 
Bishop Gonia
  • California Lutheran University Convocation
  • Our Savior’s Greeley, 90th Anniversary
  • LSTC visit, Chicago, IL

Pastor Kent Mueller
  • Vacation

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
  • Invest in Kids Now
  • LAM-NM Advocacy Conference
  • Medicaid Advisory Committee

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
  • Housing Colorado Now Conference
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
  • Latino Worshiping Community West Denver
  • Better Together Relationship Team
  • Behavioral Interview Training at Lutheran Center
  • St. John’s, Thornton, CO
  • Well of Hope, Castle Rock, CO
  • Mission Sites Administrative work

Deacon Erin Power
  • Global Mission Committee
  • RMS Communications
  • Urban Servant Corps Fall Festival
  • Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM, Advocacy Conference
  • Cross of Hope, Albuquerque, NM

Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Interim Pastors
  • Urban Servant Corps Fall Festival
  • In-office appointments

Pastor Leslie Welton
  • Faith Formation Network
  • Synod Youth Gathering Meeting
  • Behavioral Interview Training
  • Candidacy Meetings, Luther Seminary
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.