A Reconciling in Christ synod
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Bishop Eaton Responds to Parkland shooting
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A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled because they are no more
(Matthew 2:18).
As we live into these first days and weeks of Lent, we do so riveted by the news of another tragic mass shooting, this time at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Ash Wednesday. My heart, like yours, is filled with anguish; my spirit, like yours, laments. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be consoled because they are no more, and so do we.
We pray for the inconsolable loved ones and for the shooter and his family, for those terrorized by what took place and those who are unmoved. We acknowledge our own failings and ask God to guide us in finding new ways to turn the tide together on both the availability of assault weapons
and
the lack of mental health care.
But we know that those things alone won’t solve this epidemic. All of us, including the church, must take a close look at ourselves. How are we cultivating a culture of violence, hatred, anger and fear, and how can we participate in building a counter-culture where people can experience God’s intended peace and life abundant for all?
Lent is a time for lamentation, dwelling with our sorrow, and facing the painful reality of death. We take each step certain that God weeps with us, walks with us in our deepest sufferings, and in the end makes the ultimate sacrifice for us – through death on a cross. This is our strength for the journey.
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Rally to End Racism: April 4
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In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Presiding Bishop Eaton, will join ecumenical and inter-religious partners for
Act Now: Unite to End Racism,
April 3-5 in Washington, D.C. The focus of the three-day event will be a rally April 4 on the National Mall.
The event, organized by the National Council of Churches in Christ in the USA, will bring together many ELCA members from across the country. The ELCA is a founding member of the council.
The rally's call to action emphasizes three key points: awaken to the truth that racism is evil and hurts us all; confront racism through truth-telling and action to right the wrong; and transform the hearts, minds, and behaviors of people and institutions.
Events begin April 3 with an ecumenical worship service at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral and will be capped off by a lobby day on Capitol Hill April 5.
All are invited to join Bishop Eaton and at the event. Learn more
here
.
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eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
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Last Thursday, Colorado congregations embodied our call to be public church with a visit to the Legislature. Together they visited their elected officials and reached out to over half of the 100 legislators in Colorado!
“For us [the ELCA], advocacy is not optional. It’s in our DNA.” (Bp. Gonia)
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Synod Assembly DEADLINE this week!
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If you are considering submitting a resolution or memorial,
please submit your intent
by Friday, February 23, to help the planning team with their work with the agenda.
Other important information and Deadlines:
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Welcome Tina Kvitek, Regional Gift Planner for the RMS!
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The ELCA Foundation is pleased to introduce Tina Kvitek, Regional Gift Planner for the Rocky Mountain Synod.
Tina has lived in Colorado for 20 years and worships with her family at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Broomfield, CO. She brings 12 years of financial planning expertise to the position and is truly passionate about helping individuals, congregations and our ELCA Lutheran Partners fully engage their ministry by taking action through charitable giving.
“I’m really excited about three things… first, helping our ELCA members ensure that their estate plans take care of the people they love and the ministries they are passionate about; second, guiding our congregations in establishing gift policies and endowments that will support their ministries, their operating budgets and their long-range planning goals; and third, supporting the Rocky Mountain Synod and other ELCA Partners with endowments, major or current gifts and estate gifts.”, reported Tina in a recent meeting with the Rocky Mountain Synod Council meeting, “so if you fit into one of those 3 categories, a visit with me will be very helpful to you.”
To schedule a meeting with Tina, you can email her at:
Tina.Kvitek@ELCA.org
or call her office at 773-380-2795.
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The
March 2018
issue of
Connection is a reproducible one-sheet newsletter for congregation members. It is designed to print both sides, letter-size paper, and used flat or folded. Share with your congregations and help tell our stories of God's work in the world! Download it now,
PDF color or
PDF b/w!
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Four times per year, Living Lutheran offers a supplement insert with Rocky Mountain Synod news and stories. The
February 2018
insert is now available for your congregation newsletters and bulletins (
print PDF,
web PDF)
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RMS Prayer Cycle
FEBRUARY 2018:
BORDER CONFERENCE
Week of February 25
St. Timothy - El Paso, TX
Michael Hamilton
Trinity - Las Cruces, NM
Christa von Zychlin
Wayne Nieminen
Trinity - Hobbs, NM
Debra Jimenez
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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.
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Sunday, February 25
First Sunday in Lent
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Prayer of the Day
O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life. Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of 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
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Prepare Enrich Facilitator Training
Friday, February 23, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Bethany Lutheran Church
4500 E. Hampden Avenue, Cherry Hills Village
Training prepares one to use the Prepare Enrich Tool to assist couples in understanding and strengthening their relationship. Can be used in premarital work or marriage enrichment programs.
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Question, Persuade, Refer - Teen Suicide Prevention
Wednesday, February 28, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
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303-469-4004
Like CPR, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is an emergency response to someone in a suicide crisis. Also, like CPR in a life-threatening medical crisis, QPR teaches early recognition of warning signs, early intervention and early professional assessment and care which can save lives. This 60-minute interactive presentation will be led by
Jean Rosmarin, PhD, a clinical psychologist and trainer at
Mental Health Partners.
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"Jazz it Up" with the Colorado Women's/Men's Chorales
Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
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Hitting the notes no one else will hit is the definition of jazz. CWC and CMC can’t wait to hit those notes, lay down some back beats and flaunt their jazz arrangements. Featuring both jazz standards and modern arrangements including
“Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” Gershwin's
“Clap Yo' Hands,” “Feeling Good” in the style of Ella Fitzgerald,
“Mambo Italiano,” “Where is Love?” from Oliver! and the Theme from Spider Man. CWC and CMC depart from their usual style of singing for a smokin’ concert with solo voices and small groups put together by the men and women of the choirs.
Tickets are $10 - $25 and available by calling 303-388-4962, online at
www.AugustanaArts.org or at the door. Use code RMS25 for a 25% discount for all ELCA church members.
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Organizing to Thrive: Congregations in Action
Friday, March 16, 2018 thru Saturday, March 17, 2018
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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
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Augustana Arts' Heart for the Arts Gala
Friday, March 16, 2018, 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
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Plans are well-underway for this night to remember – all to benefit
Augustana Arts. Your evening includes Dinner, Wine, & Desserts, Silent & Live Auctions, musical Entertainment by Stratus String Quartet, Stratus Chamber Orchestra performing
Mozart’s Symphony #12 in G, Colorado Women’s & Men’s Chorale performing
“Jazz it Up” selections, And Combined Orchestra/Chorales performing Suite Mvts. I, V, VII, XI from Vivaldi’s Gloria.
We are currently accepting donations for the Silent and Live Auctions including condo rentals, event tickets, gift cards, or artwork. Please email
lynn@augustanaarts.org if you would like to make a contribution to the auction.
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Urban Servant Corps Palm Sunday Prayer Walk
Sunday, March 25 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at 1660 Ogden St.
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The Urban Servant Corps community will
celebrate the beginning of Holy Week and you are invited to walk the neighborhood where our volunteers serve those who are most in need. Bring your youth group, co-workers, families, and neighbors to offer prayers for those who seeking basic needs and to learn about poverty, urban life, and social justice. Your $generosity$ to support this ministry of the RMS is also greatly appreciated!
Thanks to Bishop Gonia for joining us and leading the closing litany! May this gathering be an act of faithful support for the justice that we seek in our neighborhoods.
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Join the Red Rocks Easter Sunrise Service Choir!
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To find out more, click
here or contact Dr. Gonzalez by
email. We'd like to have 70 people in this choir, so please spread the word to others.
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Save the date! Rostered Ministry Discernment Retreat Day
March 10, 2018 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Date correction, was posted last week as March 9, should be March 10!
Are you feeling a nudge from the Spirit to consider rostered ministry in the ELCA? Come join local leaders, synod staff, and other conversation partners for a day of discernment. Our day of retreat will include worship, information on the candidacy process, prayer and reflection time with others in various stages of discernment.
This retreat will take place in the Las Cruces, NM area. Exact location to be announced. Cost is $15 to cover cost of lunch. Please RSVP by March 3 to Rev. Leslie Welton at
lwelton@rmselca.org.
If you are unable to join us at this time, future discernment retreat days will be scheduled in Denver Metro, and other areas of the synod.
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Sky Ranch Annual Meeting
Sunday, February 25, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
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Sky Ranch will host its Annual meeting on Sunday February 25th from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Dickens Tavern in Longmont. Join us for an opportunity to reflect on the blessings of 2017 and look forward to the adventure of 2018!
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Essential Skills for Youth Workers
August 2-4, 2018
California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA
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Volunteer? Full time? Part Time? Paid? We've got a personal and professional development program for you or your youth workers!
- Connect more deeply to your own context or ministry setting
- Go home with resources and plans
- Find space for renewal and rest. Build relationships and a network
The format of the event will include three rounds of:
- TED-style talks on various aspects of work with children, youth and families
- Round table discussions with the speakers
- Small groups of participants to "translate" content from speakers to your context
- Workshop time/space to draft and/or collect resources to use back your context
Information and registration
here
, flyer
here
. Cost: $250 (includes program, meals and housing)
Commuter fee: $200 (includes program and meals)
There is a $50 non-refundable deposit included in your registration fee. If you need to cancel before July 15, $200 will be returned to you. After July 15, your $250 registration fee is non-refundable.
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2018 Israel Trip with Instructor, Dr. Monte Luker, (O.T. Prof. at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary) and Group Leader Pastor Dave Pederson, Bethel Lutheran, Windsor, CO
September 28 through October 11, 2018
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You will deepen your understanding and perspective of the Bible by actually being where it all happened. Visit Bethlehem, the Shepherds field, Church of the Nativity, Armageddon, Sepphoris, the Sea of Galilee, Bethsaida, Capernaum, the traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000, the Mount of Transfiguration, 1st century Nazareth village, Jordan, Nebo where Moses overlooked Jericho, Petra, Eilat, Timnah, 2 nights in a Kibbutz at En Gedi, Dead Sea, cave David hid in away from Saul, Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus' birth place and more. Plus we will tour a Jewish settlement and talk to a Jewish leader and tour a Palestinian school and talk with Archbishop Elias Chacour its founder.
Cost is $4,398 and includes flight from Denver, hotels, bus, breakfast and dinner. Lunch on your own. For questions, contact Pastor David Pederson (
email
) or call 503-999-1443.
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Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains - February Announcements
Silent Auction item donations are needed for the 70th Anniversary Gala
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Silent Auction item donations are needed for the 70th Anniversary Gala, LFS' largest annual fundraiser! Can you donate a gift basket, gift certificate, or item to help raise funds for our human service programs? Individuals and groups are encouraged to put together a donation. All ideas and items are welcome! All contributions are tax deductible.
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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2017-18 Global Church Directory - available for download now!
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The ELCA has deep, longstanding relationships with Lutheran churches and other partners around the world. We respond to our companions and support their work by sending missionaries and volunteers, training leaders, planting new congregations and growing existing ones. In the
2017-18 Global Church Directory, read stories of this engagement and see pictures of many of our more than 200 ELCA missionaries currently in service, including the 93 Young Adults in Global Mission participants.
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Space Available at Highlands Lutheran!
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We are currently seeking suitable non-profit or small congregation renters for TWO SMALLER OFFICE SPACES and ONE LARGER ROOM. The larger room has been used as a chapel space in the past.
Please share this listing with other groups who may be interested in making 3995 Irving Street their home too. Thanks!
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Office Manager (part-time)
St. Andrew Lutheran Church - Arvada, CO
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The primary role of the Office Manager is to provide administrative support to the pastor and church council, and to efficiently and confidentially oversee and manage the church office as the primary point of contact for members and the larger community. Areas of Responsibility include: general office duties, preparation for Sunday worship and other special services, and other duties as needed to support the pastor and council. Please refer to the job description (here) for a full description of the position. For more information, send email to
mhackbarth@hotmail.com.
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All Non-Rostered Positions
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Office Manager (part-time)
St. Andrew Lutheran Church - Arvada, CO
Head of School
Rwanda School Project - Rwamagana, Rwanda
Faith Formation Director of Youth
Bethany Lutheran Church - Cherry Hills Village, CO
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Office of the Bishop This Week
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Bishop Gonia
- Candidacy Assignment Process, Chicago
- RMS Candidacy Committee
- St. Matthew's, Taylorsville, UT
- Our Saviour's, Salt Lake City, UT
- Dean's Webex
- Staff Meeting
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
- Lutheran Center Administration
- Interim Pastors
- Dean's Webex
- Staff meeting
Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
- All Saints Lutheran Church
- Post-session catch-up
Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
- Lutheran Disaster Response Western Region
- Health Care Day of Action at the Legislature
- First, Longmont
- Women's Legislative Breakfast
- Staff meeting
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Pastor Judith VanOsdol
- Mission Developer/ Redeveloper training, Houston, TX
- DEM gathering, Houston, TX
- Developer evaluations
- Staff meeting
Deacon Erin Power
- Synod Assembly Planning
- RMS Communications
- Madagascar Network Meeting
- Dean's Webex
- Staff Meeting
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Interim Pastors
- Messiah, Denver
- Congregational Transition
- Dean's Webex
- Staff Meeting
Pastor Leslie Welton
- Lutheran Campus Ministry, UNM
- Faith Formation Conference Coordinators
- Campus Ministry Retreat, Rainbow Trail
- Youth Gathering planning meeting
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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.
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