|
A Reconciling in Christ synod
|
|
|
Violence and Tragedy in Las Vegas
|
From Bishop Jim:
As yet another tragedy related to unspeakable violence wracks our nation, I am meeting with the ELCA Conference of Bishops in Chicago. I offer for your prayerful reflection the ELCA Conference of Bishops' statement on violence issued in 2013 after the shooting in Sandy Hook. It remains heartbreakingly timely.
For those in Las Vegas and all who are victims of violence in God's beloved world...
|
|
ELCA resources for responding to violence - Living Lutheran
"Las Vegas. There are no words. Just prayers, lament...and the witness of love and life in Jesus Christ. Lord have mercy," tweeted ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton the morning of Oct. 2, when the world learned of the tragic mass shooting in...
Read more
www.livinglutheran.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
From ELCA Worship: Practicing Advocacy with Communities of Hope
|
Communities of Hope, a synodically authorized worshipping community, began as an experiment to gather those unfamiliar with church and those who haven’t been to church in a long time. From the beginning, we made an intentional decision to include advocacy in our liturgy. In exploring how to do this, we realized advocacy could be expressed in our liturgy in many ways. I want to emphasize three of these examples.
Read more
(This) post is from Jennifer Crist, Pastor Mission Developer of Communities of Hope in Harrisburg, PA
|
|
|
eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
|
|
|
God’s Work Our Hands Shelves of Hope Project
|
Ten of us from
Mt. Tabor Lutheran, Salt Lake City, UT--- Philip Goard, Dave Warren, Pierre Pearson, Deb & Mark Elstad, Anching Lin, Sarah Lange, Rodger Cochran, & Barb & Paul Moore--- gathered at 9:00 a.m. on Sept. 23 and carpooled to
Family Promise offices whose mission is to help homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence.
Their upstairs room was empty & waiting for our Mt. Tabor Thrivent Action Team to set up the shelves for the
Shelves of Hope Project. Thrivent gave us $250 seed money, and we had a Sloppy Joe fundraiser lunch on Rally Sunday that raised $200, and with an additional $180 from congregation members, we had a total of $630 to buy and build them. In three hours we built 30 commercial shelves for them to stack and store their donations. We finished the project with fellowship, sharing coffee and donuts. The
God's Work Our Hands Shelves of Hope Project was a great experience & could not have gone any smoother.
|
|
|
Office of the Bishop Eucharist, Wednesday, October 11
|
Our monthly Eucharist will be held at the Lutheran Center on Wednesday, October 11 at 11:30 a.m.
All are invited to join in this 30 minute worship.
|
|
|
The Ministry of Money Matters
Wednesday, October 18, 10:30 a.m and 1 p.m.
|
It's "Stewardship Season" in many congregations, when many in church leadership focus on money and church administration. To help with the work, Educate, Equip, Enact is pleased to provide two free workshops led by Bonnie Johnson from CLU. The morning workshop is on stewardship and mission, and the afternoon workshop is on the "nuts and bolts" of church accounting. Church treasurers, bookkeepers, council members and rostered ministers will all learn something.
|
|
|
Proposed Changes to the Rocky Mountain Synod Constitution
|
Synods and congregations periodically update their Constitution to reflect the work of the synod or the congregation. With the implementation of the Rocky Mountain Synod Strategic Plan, a team from our Synod Council reviewed our Constitution and discovered that
Chapter 11: Committees, Boards, and Commissions was in need of significant revision.
Download a copy of the
RMS Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions
with the proposed changes,
here
. We ask for your congregation to review and discuss these changes to provisions, which will be voted on at our
Synod Assembly in May of 2018. Questions or comments may be directed to Secretary Jody Brammer-Hoelter at
synodsecretary@gmail.com.
|
|
|
Reformation 500: Lutheran-Roman Catholic Prayer
|
|
2017 is the commemoration of the 500 years of Reformation. Bishop Gonia has extended an invitation to the Roman Catholic Dioceses that overlap our territory to share in ecumenical commemorations, which will take the form of Common Prayer, using a resource prepared by the Liturgical Task Force of the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity. The final prayer service is scheduled for Sunday, October 8, 3:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Salt Lake City, UT.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
REFORMATION 2.0
Community - Conversation - Fellowship - Worship
|
Reformation month events are a collaboration between Colorado Council of Churches, Rocky Mountain Synod ELCA, Wartburg College, St. John’s Cathedral, and Iliff School of Theology as part of the Rocky Mountain Synod’s 500th Anniversary Commemoration.
Download poster here.
October 9: Doctrine of Discovery and Beyond
5:30-7:30 p.m. - Iliff School of Theology
2323 E Iliff Avenue, Denver
On what has traditionally been known as Columbus Day, join us for conversation around the Doctrine of Discovery, how it is still at work in our daily lives, and how we move toward a deeper repudiation of this dominant worldview.
October 18: Together by Grace: A reading by Kathryn Kleinhans
6:30 p.m. - Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church
920 Kipling Street, Lakewood
Together by Grace: Introducing the Lutherans tells the stories of Lutherans over the past 500 years. Edited by Wartburg College Professor Kathryn Kleinhans, this volume weaves together two dozen writers to take us on a journey through history leading us into the future.
October 25: Reformation Repast
6:00 p.m. - St. John’s Cathedral
1350 N Washington St, Denver
A time of food and fellowship led by Colorado Council of Churches Executive Director and James Beard Award-winning Author Adrian Miller. Bring a dish to share for this community potluck!
October 29: A Reformation Hymn Festival
4:00-6:00 p.m. - Augustana Lutheran Church
5000 E Alameda Ave, Denver
Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, join Augustana Lutheran and Bishop Gonia for worship and song.
|
|
|
|
|
RMS Prayer Cycle
OCTOBER 2017
Week of October 8
OUTDOOR MINISTRIES
Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp
Brad Abbott
Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp
Dave Jarvis
|
|
|
Vineyards with a View of Auvers
Vincent van Gogh, 1890
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, October 8
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
|
|
Prayer of the Day
Beloved God, from you come all things that are good. Lead us by the inspiration of your Spirit to know those things that are right, and by your merciful guidance, help us to do them, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Global Church Prayer
God who provides what we need to produce good fruits, open our eyes to the ways in which policies we enact favor the work of some over others. Thanks be to you for the work that members of the ELCA do throughout the world to dignify all work and especially workers in jobs where they have been abused. May our faith in you lead us to honor the work of people who produce good fruits, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
|
|
|
St Paul Lutheran and Catholic Community of Faith -
October Highlights
|
October 27 at 7:30 p.m.
A Mighty Fortress: the Reformation and Music
St Martin's Chamber Choir, tickets start at $25
October 29 at 10:30 a.m.
Reformation and Reconciliation Worship Service
Participants: St Paul Lutheran Church, the Rev Penni Walsh; Messiah Community Church, the Rev Bev Piro; St Paul Catholic Church, Fr Don Sutton; Pax Cristi, Fr Micheal Nicosia, Regional Vicar, Ecumenical Catholic Communion.
Preaching: Bishop Jim Gonia. Liturgy from Luther's Mass.
October 29 at 4:00 p.m.
Reformation Festival: Hymns of Martin Luther
Featuring: Young Voices of Colorado, Rocky Mountain Bell Ringers, Denver Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
Open to everyone, no cost, a wine and cheese reception will follow
|
|
|
Christ Lutheran Church, HIghlands Ranch Celebrates -
500th Anniversary Kickoff Worship!
October 21-22, 2017
|
You Know the Old Saying… Behind Every Great Man, Is a Very Remarkable Woman.
Meet Katie Luther, portrayed by Pastor JaneAnn Settergren
Come join us for a special sermon called
“Katie Remembers – Martin Luther’s life from Katie’s point of view,” at all the weekend services - Saturday 5:00 p.m., and Sunday 8, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. services.
Then, come to a special presentation, at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, October 21, directly following the Saturday 5:00PM worship service, entitled
“Entirely Devoted – A look at Katie’s life; the extraordinary faith life of an ordinary woman in an extraordinary time.” Pastor JaneAnn will dig deeper into Katie’s life, as well as give a concise primer on the meaning and implications of the Reformation and why as Lutherans we celebrate it today.
Katie Luther – Amid the tumult of Reformation Europe, Katharina von Bora became the wife of Martin Luther, reformer and theologian. During this 500th Anniversary Year of the Reformation, Pastor JaneAnn Settergren brings Katharina to life, portraying Katie Luther in full authentic costume and character. This program is sponsored by the CLC Worship Team.
|
|
|
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church 90th Anniversary
|
8:15 & 10:40 a.m. - Worship Services in the Sanctuary
9:30-10:30 a.m. - Program/History in Fellowship Hall (middle school–adults). Regular CFJ classes in Upper Room
11:45 a.m. - Pot-Luck Lunch Celebration for all Fellowship Hall
And Sunday, October 8, is “Past Pastors Sunday” at both worship services. Former Pastors, Rev. Mark Crates, Rev. Steve Berke and Mrs. Audrey Keller will join us. They will also share stories at 9:30 a.m. during a burrito breakfast as a fundraiser for our new elementary playground.
|
|
|
Godly Play Core Training in Denver this Fall
Saturdays, October 14, November 18, & December 2, 8:30-5:30 p.m.
|
St. John's Episcopal Cathedral is excited to be hosting a
Godly Play Core training for certification this Fall! This is the only Godly Play Core Training currently scheduled for Colorado and surrounding states!
Godly Play is Montessori based model of Sunday School that helps children explore their faith through story while valuing process, openness, discovery, community, relationships, creativity, and imagination. Click
here for more information about training content.
Each session will be held at St. John's Cathedral (
1350 N Washington St Denver, CO). The cost is $155 a session, but please reach out to the Godly Play Foundation about scholarship information if needed. Lunch and snacks will be provided by St. John's.
|
|
|
Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention:
How Faith Communities, other Communities, and you can Help
Thursday, November 2, 2017
|
This event focuses on:
* What churches and individuals can do to PREVENT and INTERVENE when signs of suicide are present
* How to affirm life and build support systems for people experiencing mental health crises
* How to create a sense of belonging in faith & other communities
* The importance of replacing unsafe religious messaging with welcoming, compassionate and inclusive language.
|
|
|
HFASS is turning 10 years old!
Saturday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. - 10 p.m.
|
(Just north of Colfax in Denver)
We're throwing a big party to celebrate 10 years of
House for All Sinners and Saints
!
So many people have come to be church together at HFASS, some for a short amount of time, some for years at a time, some for just one Sunday. We want to celebrate and thank you for whatever part you played in this community, large or small, briefly or for the whole 10 years.
Please share this with all who love HFASS!
More information is here
!
|
|
|
New Beginnings Worshipping Community's 3rd Annual Chow Hall Gala
Friday, October 6, 2017 at 5:30 p.m
|
Location:
Bethany Lutheran Church, 5500 Hampden Avenue, Cherry Hills Village, CO
You are cordially invited to the
3rd annual Chow Hall Gala benefitting the women of New Beginnings, Rocky Mountain Synod ELCA congregation, which is inside the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility.
Come for an evening of tapas, wine, beer, fellowship and the fabulous entertainment of Rachel Kurtz, singer/songwriter. There will be door prizes and time to mingle. Come join us!
Thank you for your generous support of this, the only worshipping community inside a prison in the Rocky Mountain Synod. Tickets are $50.
For more information about how to get tickets, please see this
document
or visit our
website
.
|
|
|
ELCA World Hunger Drive for Refugee Relief
Sept 17, 2017 - Oct 29, 2017
|
In observance of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation,
Joy Lutheran Church
Hunger Committee is using this opportunity to learn more about Martin Luther and his teachings and how we can put those teachings into action (
more info here
). The committee will be collecting donations through Reformation Sunday which will go to support hungry refugees throughout the world.
|
|
|
New Mexico Council of Churches
One Body–Many Members, One Spirit–Many Gifts
Sunday, October 29, 2017, 2:30 p.m.to 5:00 p.m.
|
The NMCC invites ALL residents of New Mexico to a Commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, "
One Body–Many Members, One Spirit–Many Gifts," an Ecumenical Vesper Service of Song and Prayer followed by a Community Dialogue.
|
|
|
Register for the 2017 Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM Advocacy Conference
Saturday, October 14 - 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
|
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Craig Nessan, Wartburg Seminary
$15 per person
(materials & lunch included)
Breakout session topics will include advocacy basics, hunger in NM, the state budget, theology of advocacy, and more. The conference is open to everyone interested in learning more about advocating on public policies impacting our many neighbors living in poverty and with hunger.
To register: send an email with your name, contact information, and your congregation/organization to
ruth@lutheranadvocacynm.org.
Deadline is October 9.
|
|
|
RTLC Senior High Retreat
Friday, November 17 through Sunday, November 19
|
The second annual
RTLC Senior High Retreat
is coming! Join dozens of RTLC summer staff in a weekend of reconnecting, intentional faith conversation, awesome camp activities, warm fires, energizing dancing, singing loudly, and relaxing with hundreds of senior high youth.
Scott Moore of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge
will be leading us in conversations about how our stories intersect with God's.
Register your group today at
rainbowtrail.org/senior-high-retreat
. Space is limited, so don't wait! This is one of the best weekends of the year at Rainbow Trail, and you won't want to miss out. See you there!
|
|
|
Confirmation Retreat at RTLC
Friday, October 20 through Sunday, October 22
|
Come join us at
Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp
for a weekend of reflection, learning, fun, great food, mountain air, warm fires, and solitude. Pastor Brigette Weier will lead your confirmands in a study of the importance of belonging to God now and forever, and how this reality changes everything. All inclusive cost of $95/youth and $70/adult chaperone covers your participants for the weekend. For more information or to register for RTLC's annual Confirmation Retreat,
go to the event's
website
!
|
|
|
Register Your Group for a Bridging Borders trip with RTLC
Summer 2018
|
If you're looking for a service opportunity for your youth or adult groups in your congregation, register for a
Bridging Borders trip today! Bridging Borders provides domestic and abroad service trips throughout the summer months, as well as other times throughout the year for your congregational groups to serve a community other than your own in a week of service. These weeks are all about sharing God's love, and building relationships with each other and with those whom we serve. In 2018, Bridging Borders will be serving in Ecuador, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and doing hurricane relief in Texas. For more information, go to
rainbowtrail.org, or email
ben.jarvis@rainbowtrail.org!
|
|
|
Rainbow Trail's 11th Annual Grace Race - Registration NOW!
Saturday, October 7, 2017 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
|
RAINBOW TRAIL LUTHERAN CAMP is hosting its 11th Annual Grace Race to benefit the
ELCA World Hunger appeal
on Saturday, October 7, 2017 with a
4:00 pm start
.
This is a 5K run/walk around beautiful
Sloan's Lake in south Denver. There will be food and refreshments for all participants following the race.
The entry fee is $30 before September 29th and $35 after that date.
You can register for the race after that date and even on the day of the race; however we can't guarantee you'll get one of the cool long sleeve tech shirts from the race after September 29th. You don't have to be a runner to make a difference. Parents with baby strollers, grandparents with grand kids, and runners and walkers of all types participate.
Encourage the members of your congregation to participate. Come join us for a great day in the park for a great cause. You can register on-line!
To learn more and to register, go to
our website
. Bring your friends and family or your whole youth group. We are hoping for 300 participants.
Over the past 10 years, we have raised almost $48,000. Help RTLC raise another $10,000 for ELCA World Hunger this year and push them over $50,000 given to the ELCA Hunger Appeal! If your congregation would be interested in being a sponsor of the race, please contact Dave Jarvis at 719-276-5233. They'll get your church logo on our race shirt! See you October 7th!
|
|
|
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
|
|
|
Iliff School of Theology offers Resources for Times of Crisis around Structural Injustice
|
During times of crisis, we often seek out materials to help us understand and deal with the issues at play. To help in that effort, Iliff is offering a space
(here) to collect some of what their incredible faculty have to offer on on-going issues and structural injustice. Thank you to our dean Rev. Dr.
Boyung Lee and Betsy Lay for sponsoring and coordinating this effort as part of a larger project by our whole leadership team.
|
|
|
Administration Matters - from the September 2017 issue
|
|
Congregational Audit Guide
An audit should be conducted periodically to review compliance with regulations, ensure the effective operation of the congregation, maintain or enhance its reputation in the community and instill a sense of confidence that all is functioning well.>
More
|
|
|
Church Administrator (part-time)
Lord of the Mountains Lutheran Church - Dillon, CO
|
|
Lord of the Mountains Lutheran Church (LOTM) in Dillon, CO is seeking a part time church administrator to work M-F 30 hours/week at $18.00/hour. The administrator is responsible for the oversight of the church’s office and supporting the mission and ministries of LOTM. See the complete position description
here, or at the
LOTM website. Resume, references and letter of application may be submitted electronically to
lotm@lordofthemountains.org. Position is open and available now.
|
|
|
All Non-Rostered Positions
|
|
|
Church Administrator (part-time)
Lord of the Mountains Lutheran Church - Dillon, CO
Office Administrator (part-time)
Highlands Lutheran Church - Denver, CO
Music and Worship Director
Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church - Fort Collins, CO
Youth Ministry Coordinator (part-time)
Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church - Denver, CO
Administrative Assistant
Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church - Denver, CO
Nursery Ministry Coordinator (part-time)
Lutheran Church of Hope - Broomfield, CO
Director of Youth and Family Ministries (part-time)
Holy Cross Lutheran Church - Wheat Ridge, CO
Office Administrator (part-time)
Holy Love Lutheran Church - Aurora, CO
Wartburg West Academic and Program Director
Titled Faculty Position based in Denver Colorado
Employed by Wartburg College, Waverly, IA
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
- Faith and Science Workshop, Salt Lake City, UT
- Mount Tabor, Salt Lake City, UT
- Lutheran-Roman Catholic Prayer Service, Zion, Salt Lake City, UT
- Staff meeting
Pastor Kent Mueller
- Candidacy Conversations
- Bishop Election Task Force
- New Beginnings Gala, Denver
- Staff meeting
Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
- NM Conference of Churches
- Lutheran Church of the Servant, Santa Fe, NM
Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
- LFS Rocky Mountain Board Meeting
- Pathways from Poverty Breakfast
- Lutheran Church of Hope, Broomfield, CO
- Staff Meeting
|
|
|
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
- DEM (Director for Evangelical Mission) Gathering, Chicago, IL
- Staff meeting
Deacon Erin Power
- RMS Communications
- Synod Assembly Planning
- Rainbow Trail Grace Race, Denver, CO
- St. Phillip, Littleton, CO
- Reformation Event: Doctrine of Discovery and Beyond, Iliff School of Theology
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Congregation Transitions
- Nativity, Commerce City, CO
- Staff meeting
Pastor Leslie Welton
- Candidacy Conversations
- Campus Ministry Committee Gathering
- Campus Ministry UNC-Greeley
- Staff meeting
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
