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A Reconciling in Christ synod
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A Christmas Message from Bishop Eaton: Home for Christmas
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Important Updates for Rostered Ministers!
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ELCA will be shutting down the Candidacy Portal and the Mobility Database System from Dec. 15 through Jan. 17
During this time, they will implement necessary updates related to the new Word and Service Roster.
The forms, primarily the Rostered Leader Profile (RLP) and the Ministry Site Profile (MSP) that have been submitted to the mobility database before Dec. 15 will be accessible as “read-only.” You will be able to log into your account and see what is on the form, but you won’t be able to edit, update or submit forms until Jan. 18. If you are in a call process, we encourage you to update your RLP and submit it before Dec. 15.
If you need to work on your RLP or MSP during this time, you can download the PDF versions of the forms and save them to your computer. You’ll find the link in your account. This is not a fillable form, but it will enable you print a paper copy and perhaps create a Word document so you can work on edits and updates.
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United Lutheran Seminary Launches Presidential Search
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United Lutheran Seminary (ULS), a new graduate and professional school in theological education with deep historical roots, has launched its search for a president. A seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), ULS is a single school with two campuses, consolidating seminaries from Philadelphia and Gettysburg. It will open July 1, 2017. The Board of Trustees seeks a president who will serve as chief executive officer. The successful candidate must possess the exceptional vocational identity, fundraising skills, experience and vision to lead ULS from its inception as it prepares public leaders to serve the church’s ongoing and increasingly challenging mission, and to intentionally foster a diverse institution of faith and learning with strong relationships between ULS and its constituencies and partners. For a position description and full information, visit the United Lutheran Seminary website.
Nominations and letters of application will be received at the secure e-mail address ULSPresidentsearch@gmail.com until Monday, January 23, 2017.
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Latino Ministry Transitions in Denver
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We joyfully announce TWO new Synodically Authorized Worshiping Communities (Mission starts called SAWCs)--
the Latino Worshiping Community in West Denver (located in the former congregation of Cristo Rey, Denver) and
Nueva Vida (New Life) Prison Ministry working with the Spanish speaking population in the Denver Women's Correctional Facility. Nueva Vida works together with New Beginnings Prison Ministry (another SAWC) in that same site. We welcome our new mission developer Rev. Quirino Cornejo, working with both of these new Latino Ministries. Your mission support helps to fund these and other new ministries around our Synod.
Another transition: Iglesia Luterana Jesus de Nazaret (Jesus of Nazareth) a SAWC in Aurora will be closing, effective at the end of December, 2016. Please keep this community and their outgoing mission developer, Pastor Deb Cote, in your prayers. If you would like to support either (or both) of the new Latino ministries, or for questions regarding "adopting" a new mission start to support, please contact our DEM,
Rev. Judith VanOsdol.
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May 5-7, 2017
Antlers Hotel, Colorado Springs, CO
More information will be sent out in the December mailing and registration begins February 1.
For your budget planning:
Voting member: $300
Visitor with meals: $250
Visitor without meals: $125
Exhibitor with meals: $175
Exhibitor without meals: $50
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Office of the Bishop - Holiday Closing
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The Office of the Bishop will be closed from December 23 through January 2.
There will be NO eConnection on December 28.
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Ogden, UT
Photo credit: Bishop Gonia
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RMS Prayer Cycle
December 2016
12/18
Our Saviour’s Salt Lake City, UT
Jeff Beebe
Prince of Peace Logan, UT
Scott Thalacker
Shepherd of the Mountains
Park City, UT
Steve Leiser
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Nativity with the Prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel
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Duccio, di Buoninsegna, -1319
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Prayer of the Day: Sunday, December 18
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We pray that we remain faithful, committed and receptive to God even in the face of the complexities and mysteries of life, just as Joseph and the pregnant Mary were in preparing to bring Jesus into the world—for the sake of the world.
Join us in daily prayer:
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Registration for Colorado Faith Advocacy Day 2017 is now open!
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Join advocates and people of faith from across Colorado for this year's event,
"Luther at 500: Reclaiming Protest for Today's Public Church."
Click here for more information. Register your group today!
The Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado Policy Committee has adopted its 2017 Advocacy Agenda. Our priorities include combating hunger, reducing poverty, supporting access to healthcare and housing, and caring for our environment.
Click here to learn more about our advocacy priorities for the coming year!
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Faith and Grief(TM) Brunch and Service of Remembrance
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Saturday, December 17
10:00 a.m.
Coal Creek Canyon Improvement Association Hall
31528 CO-72, Golden, CO 80403
Spirit of the Mountain LC will host a Faith and Grief Brunch.
This brunch comforts the bereaved through fellowship and breaking bread together. The speaker will share where in
her experience her Faith has intersected with Grief.
The brunch will be followed by a short service of remembrance to remember our loved ones who have died.
No charge to attend, but reservations are required. RSVP to Jim or Cathy Monkman at 303-731-5803.
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Join the Brain Wave to Advocate for Mental Wellness
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From Andrew Romanoff, President and CEO of Mental Health Colorado:
Mental Health Colorado is building a statewide network of advocates; we call it the Brain Wave. It’s a team of volunteers, trained not just to debate problems but to solve them. Join the Wave, and you’ll learn what your elected officials are doing to improve or impede access to mental health care, how to shape their decisions, and how to engage the public and the press. In return, we’ll ask you to tell us what’s working — and what’s not — in your own community.
If we’re going to make Colorado a national leader in the prevention and treatment of mental illness, we’ll need more champions. That’s where you come in.
Whether you’ve experienced a mental health or substance use disorder or cared for someone who has, you have a stake in this debate. Join the Wave, and together we can bring high-quality mental health care within reach of every Coloradan.
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Christmas Worship in the German Language
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FROHE WEIHNACHTEN!
Ökumenischer Weihnachtsgottesdienst in deutscher Sprache
(Ecumenical Christmas Worship in the German language)
18. Dezember 2016 um 17 Uhr!
(Sunday, December 18 at 5 p.m.)
This annual Denver tradition now takes place at the
Rocky Mountain Synod Lutheran Center! Join Pastor Wolfgang Stahlberg and guest musicians for the service of word and song in the German language. The Lutheran Center is located at 7375 Samuel Drive, Denver, CO 80221.
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Longest Night: A Service of Healing and Hope
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Augustana Lutheran Church
Wednesday, December 21
Noon or 6:30 p.m.
You are invited to gather for a worship opportunity at Augustana Lutheran Church in Christ Chapel. During this season that is filled with celebrations and parties, many people have a longing for a quieter time of reflection. During this worship we’ll hear God’s promises in scripture, sing familiar hymns, and have the opportunity for prayers of healing. All are welcome; please invite your friends or neighbors to experience this meaningful service.
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HFASS TO hold Holden Evening Prayer
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On the 16th Street Mall during Wednesdays
at 6:30 p.m.during Advent, Nov 30; Dec 7, 14, 21
We will gather at 6:30 p.m. in front of the Hard Rock Cafe at the corner of 16th Street and Glenarm Place. We will then walk to the public piano on the mall between Glenarm and Tremont. All are welcome. Bundle up!
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Las Posadas at Luther House at UNM
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Wednesday, December 14
5:30 p.m
Students, faculty, staff, young adults, and friends of Luther House at UNM & CNM are invited to join campus ministry for the pre-Christmas tradition of Las Posadas. Gather at 5:30 p.m. Traditional songs and prayers for immigrants and refugees will be followed by dinner and a pinata.
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Catholic-Lutheran Prayer Service at St. Luke Lutheran Church
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St. Luke Lutheran Church
9100 Menaul Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM
Sunday, January 29 at 3:00 p.m.
Rocky Mountain Synod Bishop Jim Gonia and Archbishop John Wester of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe will jointly preside at a service of Common Prayer to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation which occurs in 2017. The liturgy will highlight the agreements that have been reached through fifty years of dialogue between Catholics and Lutherans on topics such as the Church, Ministry and the Eucharist. Members of local Lutheran and Catholic parishes also will share in leading the January 29 service. People of all faith traditions are welcome!
This will be the first of seven joint prayer services around the Rocky Mountain Synod in 2017.
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Deutscher Weihnachtsgottesdienst at Community of Joy Lutheran Church
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German language Christmas Worship Service
Community of Joy Lutheran Church
841 Saratoga Dr. NE
Rio Rancho, NM
Sunday, December 18, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.
The Rev. Michael Bastian, German born Pastor at Community of Joy Lutheran Church, will deliver the sermon and lead the German language service. Traditional Christmas hymns and music will be provided.
The freewill offering collected at the service will be in support of the work and mission of the Wounded Warriors Project. The family of Erik Schei of Community of Joy are personally and deeply involved in the work of the Wounded Warriors Project.
We welcome all visitors to our church for this special event and fellowship after the service. Invite your parents, bring your children. Spread the word to any of your friends who have connections to Germany and the German language and join us for this wonderful Christmas celebration.
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2017 Bishop's Annual Legislative Luncheon & Issues Briefing
Santa Fe, NM
January 31, 2017
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You are invited: The morning Issues Briefing will be at the United Church of Santa Fe at 1804 Arroyo Chamiso, near Christ Lutheran Church.
Registration and refreshments will begin at 9:00 a.m. The Bishop's Legislative Luncheon will be at 12:30 p.m. in La Terraza at La Fonda Hotel (100 East San Francisco).
The cost of the luncheon is $35 per person. The cost is reduced to $30 when 4 or more people attend from your congregation or group. If you are only able to attend the morning Issues Briefing, the cost is $10.
Deadline for reservations is January 27. Please make reservations by calling the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM office at 505.984.8005 or sending an email to info@lutheranadvocacynm.org.
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Join the Cool Congregations Challenge
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Across the country, people of faith are making changes in their homes and places of worship to prevent global warming through the Interfaith Power and Light Cool Congregations program. This unique stewardship program helps congregations engage their members in Creation-care by reducing individual greenhouse gas emissions and helps save hundreds of dollars in the process.
The Cool Congregations program is designed to support faith communities as they “walk the talk” by reducing their own carbon footprint, thus helping to cool the planet. A side benefit of the program is the ‘multiplier effect,’ as congregants are encouraged to model the same energy saving behavior at home that they see at their congregation. Learn more at the Cool Congregations website.
Interfaith Power & Light offers both certification and a prize money challenge to exemplary Cool Congregations. IPL’s annual Cool Congregation Challenge is a fun and easy way for congregations to compete for recognition and prize money. Certification is a higher bar, and at present is being offered by invitation only. You can nominate your congregation to receive an invitation for certification by sending an email to programs@interfaithpowerandlight.org.
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Rocky Mountain Synodical Women's Organization
Views from the Rockies - December 2016
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The December 2016 issue of Views from the Rockies is now available for viewing and download on the Rocky Mountain Synod website. Click on Ministries and then Women. Enjoy the articles and the pictures from the Fall Convention. Mark your calendar for the future events listed in the newsletter. If you would like to receive the newsletter in your personal email, please send your email address to President Anna Thompson. Have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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NEW! Rocky Mountain Synod Resource Page
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- Sample job descriptions
- Evaluation forms
- Worship resources
- Financial planning
- ...and more!
This page is always growing, please share your go-to resources with Erin Power.
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Non-rostered positions available
Accompanist/Organist
Trinity Lutheran Church- Boulder, CO
Chancel Choir Director
King of Kings Lutheran Church - Pueblo, CO
Church Organist/Accompanist
King of Kings Lutheran Church - Pueblo, CO
Youth Leader
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
Faith Community Parish Nurse
Augustana Lutheran Church - Denver, Colorado
Office Assistant
Trinity Lutheran Church - Boulder, CO
Secretary/Editorial Assistant
St. Philip Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
Children Youth and Family Ministry Director
All Saints Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM
Director of Faith Formation
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church - Louisville, CO
Music Director and Choir Director
St. Luke Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM
Part-time Director
The New Mexico Conference of Churches
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Office of the Bishop This Week
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Bishop Gonia
- All Staff meeting
- Staff in-house days
- Lilly Grant 3E interviews
- ILJN Holy Closure
- St. Philip, Littleton, CO
Pastor Kent Mueller
- Lutheran Center Administration
- All Staff meeting
- Staff in-house days
- German Christmas Service, Lutheran Center
- Vacation
Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
- Medicaid Coalition
- All Staff meeting
- Vacation
Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
- All Staff meeting
- Staff in house days
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Pastor Judith VanOsdol
- Well of Hope, Castle Pines, CO
- Our Savior’s Denver, Redevelopment team
- New Latino Ministry, West Denver (former Cristo Rey)
- Aurora Area Ministry Strategy
- Iglesia Luterana Jesus de Nazaret, Aurora, CO
- St. John’s, Thornton, CO
- All Staff meeting
Erin Power, Diaconal Minister
- All Staff meeting
- Synod Assembly Planning
- RMS Communications
- German Christmas Service
Pastor Sarah Moening
- All Staff meeting
- Staff in house days
- Interim Pastors
- Vacation
Andy Sprain
- All Staff meeting
- Staff in house days
- Youth Discipleship Team
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Maria Sutton
, Communication Assistant
Rocky Mountain Synod
800-525-0462 / 303-777-6700 / fax 303-339-4744
Announcements for eConnection are due before noon on Monday for the issue the following Wednesday. Event announcements are included for about two weeks and should be submitted via the eConnection Submission link above.
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