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                                                             A Reconciling in Christ synod
Office of the Bishop Staff Transition: Faith Formation
Due to personal circumstances, Andy Sprain has resigned his position as Assistant to the Bishop for Faith Formation effective May 15, 2017. We thank Andy for his service and offer our prayers for his future.

During this transition time please direct any questions about matters related to synodical faith formation to the Rev. Kent Mueller, and he will make the appropriate connections. His email is  kmueller@rmselca.org

Bishop Eaton: Just Wondering
  Just wondering. 
In her May column for  Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton says she has been thinking a lot about the fiery serpents sent among the Israelites in the wilderness. For us today, is there more to these serpents? Are they reminders to look to “the cross, the death of our death?”


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RMS-ELCA News and Events
RMS-ELCA News and Events
ELCA Youth Gathering Volunteers Needed

Would you like to volunteer at the Gathering and help our young people grow in faith and encounter Christ? Serving the youth of this church is a vocational calling that requires careful discernment. Every volunteer must agree to follow the terms of a volunteer code of conduct and submit to a background check by the ELCA. There are four volunteer categories: Local Volunteers, Community Life, Gathering Volunteer Corps, and Servant Companions. The responsibilities vary, and all volunteers (except Local Volunteers) must commit to being in Houston for one week. Volunteers arrive on Monday, June 25, and depart Sunday, July 1, 2018.

500 Years on the Move for World Hunger!
Join the Rocky Mountain Synod's Hunger Network and get  MOVING in 2017 to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation!

What is this campaign?

The work of ELCA World Hunger grows firmly in the soil of Martin Luther's Reformation. Caring for our neighbors is what we do and what Lutherans have done from the beginning! To commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, do something  NEW to honor this long tradition.  
Synod Assembly:  Now What? 
Synod Assembly is over- Now what? How do we carry what we learned and experienced back into our congregations and ministries? Below are reports and resources to help share the stories and equip you for new ministry!
ELCA AMMPARO

The word “amparo” in Spanish means the protection of a living creature from suffering or damage. The ELCA’s strategy to Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities (AMMPARO) was envisioned after witnessing the plight of children who are forced to flee their communities because of complex and interrelated reasons, including chronic violence, poverty, environmental displacement and lack of opportunities in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. 
2017 Ministry Magazine

The Rocky Mountain Synod Ministry Magazine tells the stories of how God is at work in the world through the ministries of the Rocky Mountain Synod and ELCA. Both the full magazine and individual pages can be accessed here. 

Contact Deacon Erin Power to order additional printed copies (over 5, must pay for the cost of printing)

The Travel Equalization Form is available here

Roman Catholic & Lutheran Prayer Services to Mark Reformation 500 Years
Roman Catholics and Lutherans are joining together in prayer 500 years after Martin Luther’s 95 theses triggered the Reformation in 1517.

Bishop Jim Gonia will be present at seven Services of Common Prayer in conjunction with seven Roman Catholic Diocese. The aim is to express the gifts of the Reformation and ask forgiveness for the division perpetuated by Christians from the two traditions.

There are two more services:

Sunday, May 21, 2017, 3 p.m.
Sacred Heart Cathedral​
Pueblo, CO

Sunday, October 8, 2017, 3 p.m.
Salt Lake City, UT

For Your Bulletin
Bulletin Blurbs
Connecting with our Ecumenical Partners
Our Synod Assembly featured some of the many ways we are connecting with our full-communion and ecumenical partners including pastors serving in full-communion settings, joint congregations, and congregations partnering for ministry in the community.

How is your congregation partnering with ecumenical congregations for the sake of ministry and witness? 


Installations

Pastor Kevin Cho
Saturday, May 13, 2017, 11 a.m.
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church
Colorado Springs, CO
Color of the Day: White

RMS Prayer Cycle

May 2017
Metro East Conference

Week of May 21-

House for all Sinners and Saints 
Denver, CO
Nadia Bolz-Weber
Reagan Humber

Joy  
Parker, CO
Rodney Hank

Lord of the Hills  
Centennial, CO
Margot Wright

Messiah 
Denver, CO
Bev Piro (Interim)

Nativity 
Commerce City, CO
Kristi Beebe

Our Savior’s  
Denver, CO
Marty Letto

Join us in daily prayer:
Download  ELCA Prayer Ventures  for daily prayer petitions and resources for Sunday prayers.

Sunday, May 21
Prayer of the Day
Almighty and ever-living God, you hold together all things in heaven and on earth. In your great mercy receive the prayers of all your children, and give to all the world the Spirit of your truth and peace, 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
Risen One, who provides all we need to keep your commands, guide us to witness to your triumph over death in our daily lives. Praise to you for the work of the Rev. Mawien Ariik and the Rev. Wal Reat as they seek to establish the Lutheran Church African Mission in South Sudan. May your commands guide their work and may they trust your support in their work, in the name of your risen Son, our Lord, Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen.

Around the Synod
Summer Organist Available 
  A Wartburg West student, who also happens to be an organ player, will be in the Denver area June 5-July28. Cody Birely is available to fill in as a Sunday organist/pianist this summer for any congregation in the Denver area. Contact Cody for more information.

Colorado Council of Churches Ecumenical Church Choir Project
We're looking for people who are interested in spending one Sunday each quarter singing with a choir at a church that belongs to the Colorado Council of Churches. We will designate these churches within our covenanting denominations, and alternate between diverse churches and predominantly white churches.The only caveat: Singers must adhere to the choir rehearsal schedule of the church to which they are assigned. If you are a singer, musician, or music director who would like to participate in this project, please email us  here. Depending on the interest level, we may schedule an organizational meeting. 
Our Life Together
FREE Workshop: Graphic Design, Social Media, Web Design
The Episcopal Diocese of Colorado invites you you to join their 1-day training,   Caffeinated Church:

The Caffeinated Church Conference is centered around creative church collaboration. Increase your creative output through hands-on training in the areas of graphic design, marketing/advertising, layout/design, and website development. We will discuss best practices, budgeting and resources for small to large parishes, challenges that we face, and more. Meet with leaders from other churches engaged in creative design and innovative communications. Can't make the training? Check out the awesome resources available anytime!
Annual Holy Cross Pilgrimage
Again this year Mount of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Vail, Colorado will sponsor a pilgrimage hike climbing Notch Mountain (13,237'), in order to view the Mount of the Holy Cross (14,005'). Because of the popularity of this hike and due to U.S. Forest Service regulations which limit the group to no more than 15 persons at a time, reservations are required. 

The date is Saturday July 8, 2017. The event will last from approximately 6:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This is a fairly strenuous hike and requires proper hiking gear for a trek in the back country.

While there are NO fees, pre-registration is required. Call 970-476-6610 for a registration form or for more details you can log on the church web page, www.mountholy.com and click on the Pilgrimage link. 

Pastor Scott Beebe is the hike leader. You may contact him at skbeebe@vail.net.
Executive Skills for Pastors at CLU
Educate, Equip, Enact has seven  scholarships to give to rostered ministers whose ministry will be enhanced by this course at CLU, July 17-21. Let the Church invest in your Education, Equip you for stronger leadership, and Enact the partnership we share as leaders of the church. For more information, click here, inquire on the RMS website, or contact Janice Kibler at jkibler@rmselca.org
Health Ministry Information Session
Saturday, June 10
9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church, Room 210
4500 E Hampton Avenue, Cherry Hills Village

Health is a critical part of faith life. Learn how Faith Community Nurses are instrumental in connecting faith and health in faith settings. The specialty practice of Faith Community Nursing and its impact on whole-person health will be explored. Clergy, registered nurses and faith-based staff are welcome to attend. There is no fee for this workshop. For more information contact amwestrn@yahoo.com.
Spirit of the Mountain hosting a Faith and Grief (SM) Brunch

Spirit of the Mountain LC will host a Faith & Grief Brunch at the CCIA Hall. 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. 

No charge to attend, but reservations are required. RSVP to Jim or Cathy Monkman at 303-731-5803.
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
10 Financial Tips for Young Leaders
Bishop Mike Rinehart of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod 

Let’s face it; most of us didn’t get very good advice from our parents about money. After all, money is taboo in our culture. It feels awkward asking anyone. So before you put any of these recommendations into practice, it’s probably a good idea to find a financial planner that will help you think through things. Here are some things that will save your bacon and help you be a good steward of your God-given resources.

Folding Chairs for SALE!
This could be your lucky day if you need 150 used folding chairs. Trinity Lutheran Church in Loveland would love to help you out. Send and email to office@trinityloveland.org with questions, and your best offer! 
Employment Opportunities
Non-Rostered Positions 

Looking for Compassion, Faith and Nursing
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO

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

Community Care Coordinator
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO

Faith Community Nurse (Parish Nurse)
Augustana Lutheran Church - Denver, CO

Custodian
Bethany Lutheran Church - Cherry Hills Village, CO

Communications Manager (part-time)
Bethany Lutheran Church - Cherry Hills Village, CO

Choir Director and Accompanist (part-time)
Highlands Lutheran Church - Denver, CO

Augustana Arts - Executive Director
Augustana Lutheran Church - Denver, CO

Building Resources Coordinator (part-time)
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO

Director of Children's Education (part-time)
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church - Fort Collins, CO
Office of the Bishop This Week
 
Bishop Gonia
  • Messiah Mountain, Denver, CO
  • Staff Retreat
  • Lutheran Family Services Gala
  • King of Kings, Pueblo,CO
  • Lutheran-Catholic Prayer Service, Pueblo, CO
  • Better Together Relationship Team
Pastor Kent Mueller
  • Staff Retreat
  • Growing Home
  • Lutheran Center Administration
  • Candidacy Meetings

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM

  • Staff retreat
  • NM Conference of Churches

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO

  • Staff Retreat
  • Together Colorado Meeting
Pastor Judith VanOsdol

  • Camino de Vida Board, Albuquerque, NM
  • New Beginnings Prison Ministry Board, Denver, CO
  • Staff Retreat
  • Better Together Relationship Team

Deacon Erin Power

  • Christ, Cheyenne, WY
  • RMS Communications
  • Staff Retreat
  • Highlands, Denver, CO

Pastor Sarah Moening

    • Staff Retreat
    • Leading Pastors Conference, Denver, CO

    Quick Links
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    Erin Power   Assistant to the Bishop
    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.