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                                                A Reconciling in Christ synod
Presiding Bishop Eaton Responds to DACA Announcement
Presiding Bishop Eaton has issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s announcement about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

“As we journey together through the time God has given us, may God give us the grace of a welcoming heart and an overflowing love for the new neighbors among us”  –ELCA social message, “Immigration” (1997) .

We are saddened today by the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provided relief from deportation to young people who have grown up as members of our churches, as neighbors playing with our children, and enriching our communities. We pray today for those who will suffer undue repercussions due to the end of this program. As Lutherans, we regard the family as an indispensable social institution and stand firmly against policies that cause the separation of families.

As we lament this change in policy, we call on members of Congress to pass long-overdue legislation to protect young people brought to the U.S. as children, also known as Dreamers. Our churches, our schools, our communities and the country are enhanced by their presence and contributions. It is time that our immigration policy reflects their gifts to all of us.
Hurricane Harvey: How can we help
We are grateful that our people are asking "how can we help?"

Bishop Mike Rinehart of the Texas-Louisana Gulf Coast Synod posted a recent blog sharing critical information about monetary and volunteer support.

Donating directly to the Gulf Coast Synod offers direct support to congregations and leaders as they recover. Consider a long-term partnership with an affected congregation!

Lutheran Disaster Response provides case management and long term support especially for the most needy home.

SERVING  now means mucking out. The water has subsided in most places, but will take weeks in others. Mold grows immediately. Now is the time unskilled volunteers can serve, carrying out soaked belongings, cutting and hauling dry wall, prying up carpet and other flooring. The trick is getting there and finding a place to stay. Bishop Rinehart offers a few options on his blog post. Please secure housing before you arrive.

As Christ's Church, Better Together we are called to Pray for, Give to, and Serve our neighbors in the Houston area. We are grateful for your witness and partnership in the Gospel!
RMS-ELCA News and Events
Office of the Bishop Eucharist, Wednesday, September 13
Our monthly Eucharist will be held at the Lutheran Center on Wednesday, September 13 at 11:30 a.m.

All are invited to join in this 30 minute worship.
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.
Congregational Development Training at Bethany Lutheran
Last week, (August 22-27) Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village, CO, served as a Church-wide learning center for over 300 registered to attend the ELCA Congregational Development Training Conference. This semiannual event is usually housed in a hotel, but Bethany opened its doors for this training that included several firsts.

Visit our blog, RMS in the Neighborhood for more details!
Seeking Volunteers for Saturday, September 9 at 9:00 a.m.
Pastor Kent Mueller is seeking some "God's Work. Our Hands" volunteers on Saturday, September 9 at 9:00 a.m. to finish painting the LONG perimeter fence at The Lutheran Center and to put down some mulch.

If you can help out, please email him at kmueller@rmselca.org! Many thanks to volunteers from Advent, Westminster, and St. Andrew, Arvada who already did 2/3 of the work last weekend! Contact Kent if you have any questions.
For Your Bulletin
September RMS Connection Newsletter
The September 2017 Connection Newsletter is now available. This edition highlights ministry focused on equipping young leaders, great stories to tell as fall faith formation programming begins!
New RMS team of Young Adults in Global Mission
Six young adults with RMS connections have begun a year of service as part of ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission. After orientation in Chicago with YAGM Alumni, they departed to their respective countries. We encourage you to pray for them throughout the year as they live out their call to be "Christ's Church, Better Together" with our global companions.

Back row (from left) : Mitchell Helton, Colorado Springs (alum, Jerusalem/West Bank 2015-2016); Kristian Aardahl, son of Revs. Wes & Rebecca Aardahl, Cheyenne (Senegal); Katharine Jones, Boulder (Jerusalem/West Bank); Peter Severson (alum, Mexico 2009-2010) Front row : Katie Romano, Cañon City (Rwanda); Dan Wang, Urban Servant Corps 2016-2017, Denver (Cambodia); Ryan Campbell, Fort Collins (Rwanda); Michelle Moyer, Westminster (Central Europe)
Installations

Pastor Kristi Beebe
Atonement, Lakewood CO
Sunday, September 17, 4:00pm
Color of the Day: Green
Phoebe and the 2017 Full Eclipse
(B.Hass)
RMS Prayer Cycle

SEPTEMBER 2017
METRO SOUTH CONFERENCE

Week of September 10

Centennial  - Englewood, CO
Katie Chullino

Christ  - Highlands Ranch, CO
Eric Allert  
Gail Mundt
 
Christ the King  - Denver, CO
 
Evergreen  - Evergreen, CO
Vera Guebert-Steward
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, September 10
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Prayer of the Day
O Lord God, enliven and preserve your church with your perpetual mercy. Without your help, we mortals will fail; remove far from us everything that is harmful, and lead us toward all that gives life and salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Global Church Prayer
God, who promises to be with us in all our gatherings
and to guide us through the conflicts of our lives,
empower us, through your Spirit, to build community
that provides life for all people. Thanks be to you
for the work that ELCA members do in countries
throughout the world. May your promise to be
present with us in all our gatherings strengthen us for
service, through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Around the Synod
Joyful Celebration - FREE Community Concert and Picnic
Sunday, September 17, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Joy Lutheran Church is hosting its annual FREE Community Picnic and Concert -- a Joyful Celebration! The celebration includes live music by the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, picnic, games and fun for ALL. Bring your family, friends and neighbors because everyone is welcome! 

We are located at 7051 Parker Hills Court in Parker and the festivities will be in the parking lot.

Worship at 9:30 with the free concert and activities to follow at 11:00 am. The worship service will be translated by a sign language interpreter. 
A Taste of Campus Ministry with LuMin CU Boulder
Saturday, Sept 30, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Learn about what's happening on campus, meet real live students, and support student travels with the fourth annual campus ministry beer tasting! Join in for good food, good beer, and lots of fun with supporters and friends of campus ministry.

T ickets - $30, are available at www.lutheranbuffs.org, can be purchased anytime, payment by Pay Pal. Scroll down to the announcement for the beer-tasting, then click buy tickets now. 

Fliers for you to share, here! Questions? Contact Megan Sawyer at lcmprogramassistant@gmail.com
Ecumenical Church Potluck Dinner on Friday, Sept. 29, 6:00 p.m.
Join us for a time of Christian praise, food and fellowship as we come together to explore how our diverse churches can build relationship. This event builds on our previous "Soulful Sunday" potluck lunch and pie social.

Please dine with someone you don't know, get to know them, and starting thinking about ways that your congregations can build relationship. We'll have some suggestions for you, but we'll leave it up to the congregations to decide what will work best. We will end with reflections on how we further unify the Body of Christ.

WHAT WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO BRING
  • At least one clergy member, one elder (we're nervously saying this is someone over 65 years old) and one person (under 25 years old).
  • Enough food or drink to feed 4 people.
  • Volunteers to help with set-up and clean-up

WHEN : Friday, September 29, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. We'll wrap up around 8 p.m.
Questions : Contact Adrian Miller at  adrian@cochurches.org  or 303-825-4910.

RSVP  here !
Reformation Fest at Trinity Lutheran, Fort Collins!
Saturday, September 23, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation! An all ages event including: workshops, food, German beers from Zwei Brewing, a hymn sing, musical groups, children's events and games.

Special guest speaker Mary Jackson, author of Daughter of the Reformation: A Historical Perspective of the Life and Times of the Wife of Martin Luther. Sponsored by FOCOLU.
Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends Seminar
Begins Thursday, September 14,2017 at 6:30 p.m.
This 10-week seminar will run from September 14 through November 16. It will provide education and support for those experiencing divorce or the ending of a love relationship. Classes will meet each week from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at:


Complimentary childcare is available. An informational flyer is here . To register , or for additional information please contact Beth Walker by email , visit her website , or call her at 720-352-9915.
Oktobeerfest Celebration this month!
  • Friday, September 22, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 23, 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Join Lutheran Church of Hope ( 1305 West 10th Avenue, Broomfield CO) for our annual Oktobeerfest celebration! 
This year we are also celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

Local craft brews, brats and burgers, and BINGO are the highlights of the evening! Join us for this family-friendly event. We'll also have face painting, kid's games, local vendors, live music and even polka dancing! Entrance is free; game and meal tickets are available at the door. More info is available here , here , and here !
You're Invited! Come Together and Celebrate 40+ Years of God's Love
Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 9:30 a.m.

Please join us at Holy Cross Lutheran for a service to celebrate 40+ years of serving God and the Albuquerque community. There will be special music provided by the Chancel Choir and Bishop Jim Gonia will preach.

After the service you will have the chance to join current and former members in remembering the history and the ministries of Holy Cross as we move forward in our continuing mission. Additionally, we will be hosting "Lunch with Law Enforcement" with police officers from the local district substation.

For questions or more information, email to worship@holycrossabq.org.
Our Life Together
RMSWO Views From the Rockies, August 2017
Rocky Mtn Synodical Women's logo
The latest issue of the Views from the Rockies is here. It includes registration, hotel, and program information about the Fall Gathering , which will be October 5-8 at Bethel Lutheran Church, Aurora, CO . Early bird registration ends September 5. Register as soon as possible! Come meet Women of Faith: Past and Present.
This Changes Everything - 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering
June 27 through July 1, 2018
The Youth Gathering's  Getting Ready Resources have been created for your use by a group of dedicated youth ministers who, like you, are committed to making the experience of the Gathering fulfilling and Christ-centered. The resource is a youth ministry curriculum ramping up for the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering. 

Are you looking for more information about the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering? Here you can find the Synod Hospitality Package as well as the Sky Ranch Bus TripIf you have questions, or need even more information, please contact Beth Rogers, Gathering Synod Coordinator or call her at 303- 842-6549.
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
Is a Building Project on your horizon?
Is your congregation considering a building project? Consider working with the Mission Investment Fund (MIF) , the ELCA’s lending ministry. 

MIF loans finance a variety of capital projects—from new construction to additions and renovations, as well as land and building purchases and refinancing existing debt. And the Mission Investment Fund offers expertise in church building and capital campaign consulting. 

For information on MIF ministry loans and investment opportunities visit their website , contact MIF Customer Service at 877-886-3522, or contact your MIF Regional Manager Dan Carlson, at 773-682-2943 and by email.
The Ministry of Money Matters - Wednesday, October 18 at 10:30 a.m.
Educate, Equip, Enact is pleased to announce a workshop for rostered ministers and church councils on " The Ministry of Money Matters" in the congregation. Bonnie Johnson from California Lutheran University will lead two workshops at the Lutheran Center , and also available via webex-- Stewardship: Why Numbers Matter (10:30-noon) and Church Financials - Accounting 101, Understanding the Technical Side of the Process (1-2:30).

Registration is required ( go here) so that a chair is ready for you. Lunch is provided for those at the Lutheran Center. Treasurers, financial secretaries, bookkeepers, presidents, rostered ministers - there will be something for all. Come and learn!
Employment Opportunities
All Non-Rostered Positions 
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
  • Staff Development Retreat
  • In-office appointments
  • Holy Cross, Albuquerque, NM
  • God's Work. Our Hands. Aurora Area Ministry.

Pastor Kent Mueller
  • Lutheran Center Administration
  • Staff Development Retreat

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
  • Staff development retreat
  • Association of Counties
  • Holy Cross 40th anniversary

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
  • Staff Development Retreat
  • Colorado Anti-discrimination Coalition
  • In-office appointments
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
  • Our Savior, Denver
  • St. John’s Thornton
  • South Metro Denver Cohort
  • Christ the King, Denver
  • Aurora Churches Together Strategy (ACTS)
  • Well of Hope, Castle Rock, CO
  • Administrative work for RMS Mission Sites

Deacon Erin Power
  • Theological Conference Planning
  • Staff Development Retreat
  • Hunger Network Retreat
  • El Camino Mentor Training

Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Staff Development Retreat
  • Out of Office: Continuing Education

Pastor Leslie Welton
  • First week in office
  • Staff Development Retreat
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.