A Reconciling in Christ synod
From Bishop Eaton: Living in a Broken World
We hear about natural disasters and shootings, and we try to make sense out of the incomprehensible. In her November column for Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton says the joy found in Jesus allows us to live in hope and believe in life amid despair and death. Read her column in English or in Spanish; also available here as PDF/ Word.
From Bishop Gonia: Addressing Violence, as Communities of Faith
But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Many of us will hear these words of the prophet Amos in worship this Sunday, a timely prayer as we mourn yet another senseless act of violence. Last Sunday, 26 innocent lives were lost as unsuspecting parishioners were gunned down during worship at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. As Christ’s Church, we gather to mourn and to pray. As Christ’s Church, we ask why and recognize there are no easy answers...

In the face of violence and rumors of violence that continue to spread,  what are we as Christ’s Church called to do?  Certainly, we gather to pray for all impacted by acts of violence even as we pray for the perpetrators themselves.  But there must be more.  If we are to let justice role down like waters we must grapple with the deeper issues related to our culture of violence. As a first step, I am asking every Rocky Mountain Synod community of faith to read and discuss our ELCA Social Statement on Peace and our Social Message on Community Violence . As we study, let us confess and acknowledge the ways we are complicit in allowing violence to be perpetrated in our midst. I then encourage you to explore concrete action steps that can be taken – individually and collectively – to serve as Christ’s agents of peace and reconciliation in your local community, in our nation and in our world.

As Christ’s Church, Better Together we can and must address the reality of violence in our midst. Indeed, the Holy Spirit calls and equips us for nothing less.


The power of the Spirit - Gather Magazine

by Elizabeth Hunter- Confession time: I'm one of those folks who appreciate groan-worthy puns and thought-provoking riddles. Here are some for your enjoyment. (Answers appear at the bottom of this page.) How does Moses make coffee? What is a...

Read more
www.gathermagazine.org
eConnection Spotlight: RMS in the Neighborhood
Deeper Understandings: Ministers of Word and Service
Jesus uses the word diakoneo  about himself: “I am among you as one who serves” ( Luke 22:27 ). Deacon! Servant! Through the crucified and risen Christ, we are called to be a missional, diaconal church with a prophetic voice to love with compassion, justice and boldness. In the  ELCA, deacons —ministers of word and service—and pastors—ministers of word and sacrament—serve collaboratively, side by side... In recent decades churches have been rediscovering the role of the deacon, particularly the United Methodist Church, the Episcopal Church, the global Anglican Community and the  Lutheran World Federation .  Deacons are helping the ELCA see how the church can be in service for the sake of the world.

Link to the full article published by Living Lutheran Magazine.
RMS-ELCA News and Events
Stewardship Interview Series
StewardTalk is an interview series from the ELCA with authors and thought leaders on stewardship related topics.  Listen to past recordings. Join us on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 3:00 p.m. CST to hear a conversation with Melvin Amerson, author of “ Celebrating the Offering,” about the role of offering in the Old and New Testament and how offering is celebrated as part of worship in different contexts. Email  Neil.Bullock@elca.org in advance and then dial in at  877-820-7831, using code 6314685#.
2018 RMS Youth Gathering -- "Wait, What?!"! 
This coming January 13-15, 2018 the ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod is hosting a Youth Gathering for 6th-12th graders! "Wait, What?!" is centered on Galatians 3:26-28 and is an invitation to come, join us and get ready to dive into God's story, your stories and what it means for the world to be Christians in this time and place. "We are One in Christ" ( Galatians 3:26-28) #WAITWHAT?#GETWOKE

For more information, visit the RMS website, here!
Is Student Loan Debt Weighing You Down?
Do you have federal student loan debt that is distracting you from ministry? One of the advocates with Educate, Equip, Enact, has expertise in the area of federal student loans, and has been instrumental in guiding colleagues to reduced payments. If you would like help looking at your student loans, contact Janice Kibler at jkibler@rmselca.org, and you will be directed to the expertise you need.
Looking In or Looking Out?
The Office of the Bishop staff and Synod Council went to El Paso, TX in the first week of November. Hosted by Iglesia Cristo Rey they met with the other four ELCA congregations in El Paso, held their Fall Council meeting, experienced the southern part of our Synod, and took part in a Border Immersion. The Border immersion included conversations about the economic reality on the Border and a meeting with the US Border Patrol.

Here is an article about the Synod Council's meeting and Border Immersion experience.
For Your Bulletin
RMS Prayer Cycle - November 2107

Week of November 19 -

ELCA MINISTRIES AND ECUMENICAL ORGANIZATION

Missionaries
Erik Roth, Japan

Regional Candidacy Manager
Mark Nelson 

California Lutheran University  - Thousand Oaks, CA
Christopher Kimball

Iliff School of Theology  - Denver, CO
Tink Tinker

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary  - Berkeley, CA
Shauna Hannan

Wartburg College West  - Denver, CO
Rev. Bonita Bock

Colorado Council of Churches  - Denver, CO
Adrian Miller

New Mexico Conference of Churches  - Bernalillo, NM
Rev. Susan Quass

Wyoming Association of Churches  - Sheridan, WY
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, November 19
Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Prayer of the Day
Righteous God, our merciful master, you own the earth and all its peoples, and you give us all that we have. Inspire us to serve you with justice and wisdom, and prepare us for the joy of the day of your coming, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Global Church Prayer
Lord of our lives, you want us to share your story and our talents with the world. Send your Spirit of strength to guide us in all ways of truth and righteousness. Lift up all who are being equipped to proclaim your gospel for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Around the Synod
Augustana Arts' Stratus Chamber Orchestra Concert
presents Daydreams & Nightmares 
Friday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m.

On the night of the New Moon, Stratus will spirit you away with dreamy works. Artist, Johanna Bloom, also joins the Orchestra to create fantastical art on the spot and during the concert. Concert highlights include Gounod's, Funeral March of a Marionette and Saint-Saens', Danse Macabre.

Tickets are $25 adults/$10 children. Use Code RMS25 for a discount on tickets at www.AugustanaArts.org, Tickets also available by phone 303-388-4962, or at the door.
Seeking Donations & Volunteers for Operation Turkey Sandwich
Thursday, November 23, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Every year on Thanksgiving morning, HFASS and volunteers from all over Denver make 1000+ bagged lunches for those who have to work on Thanksgiving. Each lunch contains a fresh roasted turkey sandwich, a stuffing muffin and pumpkin cookie. We put a sticker on the lunches that says, "It sucks you have to work on Thanksgiving! Operation Turkey Sandwich brought to you by House for All Sinners and Saints."
Folks are needed to bring roasted turkeys, cookies, muffins and to assemble lunches. Then we all take bags of the lunches around town to all the places that remain open on Thanksgiving: hospitals, jails, fire departments, strip clubs, pharmacies, big grocery stores, etc. Folks can begin bringing their donations of food to the church at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving morning. Lunch assembly begins at 10:30 am, and delivery begins at 11 am. More info on FB here, and go HERE to sign up to donate and/or volunteer!
Our Life Together
Early Bird Registration Deadline for ELCA Youth Gathering is November 15!
Today is the early bird registration deadline for the Houston ELCA Youth Gathering. Early bird registration includes a discounted registration fee ($350 per person) and will assure that you are housed with other Rocky Mountain Synod congregations. Synod package details and registration should be available within the next week.
Pre-schedule Your Gift to Support Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp Through Colorado Gives Day
Colorado Gives Day 
December 5, 2017 - all day!

Support the ministries of RAINBOW TRAIL LUTHERAN CAMP through the Community First Foundation on Colorado Gives Day, December 5. You can make a huge difference in this ministry by providing funds for camperships, summer staff salaries, site improvements, and much, much more.

Mark your Calendars: December 5, 2017... 24 hours to Give Where You Live! You can pre-schedule your gift now at Colorado Gives-Rainbow Trail.
RTLC Senior High Retreat
Friday, November 17 through Sunday, November 19
Join us at Rainbow Trail for Adventure Crossing – Where God’s Story Intersects Our Story, a weekend in the wilderness filled with fun camp activities, a thought provoking study, enthusiastic RTLC staff, delicious home-made meals, and serenity that only the mountains can offer. Along with the Rainbow Trail staff, this weekend will be led by the Director of Mission, Youth, and Family Ministries at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Scott Moore. We all have a piece of God that is unique to only us. Our individual stories are unlike anyone else’s, however they are interwoven in the stories of everyone we meet. The question we must ask ourselves is, “How does my story intersect God’s story”?
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
Resource Review from ELCA Stewardship
Rethinking church
Adaptation is essential
As we attempt through the church to better connect people's pain with the life-giving message, the good news of Jesus Christ, one thing is certain: the need for change in the church. 

" Penguins in the Pews" is a new book from church consultant Russell Crabtree. After working with over 1,300 congregations and collecting 200,000 survey results, he concludes that more than anything else, congregations need a culture that is open to change and adaptation if there is any hope of growth and survival. Any efforts to implant best practices into a culture hostile to change will not matter. 

At the Rethinking Church conference at Luther Seminary this past summer, seminary professor Tod Bolsinger talked about the need for adaptive leadership as opposed to technical fixes, using the Lewis and Clark expedition as a metaphor for our current challenges in the church. You can watch his  presentation or read his book " Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory ."
Employment Opportunities
New Listings
Bookkeeper (part-time)

Manage financial records and reports on the financial business of the church. Work in consultation and cooperation with the Executive / Operations Pastor. Work in a team atmosphere promoting good communication and well-being in the congregation and with other staff members. Job description is available here. Contact Pastor Eric Allert for information and to apply at 303-791-0803 and pastorallert@clchr.org. 


Office Coordinator

The Office Coordinator provides office services for members of the church staff and various other committees and boards, tends to the organization of communications and keeps the records of the church. Job description is available here. Contact Pastor Eric Allert for information and to apply at 303-791-0803 and pastorallert@clchr.org. 
All Non-Rostered Positions 
Bookkeeper (part-time)
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO

Office Coordinator
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO

Facilities Manager (part-time)
Holy Cross Lutheran Church - Wheat Ridge, CO

Contemporary Worship Coordinator
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO

Minister of Music
Epiphany Lutheran Church - Denver, CO

Administrative Assistant (full-time)
Joy Lutheran Church - Parker, CO

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

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

Director of Youth and Family Ministries (part-time)
Holy Cross Lutheran Church - Wheat Ridge, CO
Office of the Bishop This Week
 
Bishop Gonia
  • Staff Meeting
  • Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Centennial, CO
  • Vacation

Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Lutheran Center Administration
  • Staff Meeting
  • Growing Home

Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
  • NM Conference of Churches
  • Interim Legislative Committees
  • Vacation

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
  • Synod Assembly Planning
  • Staff Meeting
  • Social Legislation Committee
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
  • Faith Based Community Organizing Training, Chicago, IL
  • Staff Meeting
  • New Beginnings Prison Ministry Board
  • Aurora Church Together Strategy (ACTS)
  • Lutheran Church of Hope, Boulder, CO
  • St. Andrew, Arvada, CO
  • Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Denver, CO

Deacon Erin Power
  • Global Mission Committee
  • Synod Assembly Planning
  • Staff Meeting

Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Continuing Education, Albuquerque, NM
  • Staff Meeting
  • United Church of the San Juans, Ridgeway, CO

Pastor Leslie Welton
  • Candidacy Meetings
  • Staff Meeting
  • Epiphany, Denver, CO
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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
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