A Reconciling in Christ synod
|
|
Building on the Spirit's work among us - A Vision for 2019
|
Beloved in Christ of the Rocky Mountain Synod,
As we begin 2019, know that your Synod Council is engaged in a visioning process that will provide us with a new synod mission plan for the next three years. Building on the Spirit’s work among us, we will continue to focus on the following key areas that empower us to proclaim and embody God’s unconditional love for the sake of the world.
- Claiming Our Gifts - Teach, proclaim and share the significance of our ELCA way of being part of Christ’s Church with a clear and contagious vision from abundance.
- Connecting in Ministry and Witness - Foster a Spirit of active collaboration and intentional connection across our Synod
- Equipping All Leaders - Build healthy and vibrant faith communities by equipping lay leaders, pastors, and deacons for excellence in leadership
- Accompanying One another into God’s Future - Seek and promote new ways of being Christ’s Church together in the world
- Growing in Generosity - Strengthen our financial capacity for ministry and witness relying on a spirituality of generosity and abundance
Your faithful investment in our life together allows this vision to become reality. As you finalize your congregational spending plans for 2019, we ask you to give prayerful consideration to your congregation’s mission support for 2019, knowing that your generosity not only funds our work as a synod but contributes to the impact made by our vast churchwide ministries. Our goal next year is to share 48% of all congregation support with our ELCA Churchwide organization.
Thank you for the many ways that you enable us to live and serve as Christ’s Church, Better Together!
Yours in Faith,
Bishop Jim Gonia
Vice President Earline Bohling
|
|
eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
|
|
St. Mark's Quilters Sleeping Mats Ministry
|
The
St. Mark’s, Aurora
, Quilters, with contributions of many, many plastic grocery bags from their congregation have been hard at work for the past three months converting those bags into
sleeping mats for those homeless. Approximately 900 bags and 30 to 40 hours are required to make each mat. After the first five mats were completed they were blessed during worship on the Third Sunday of Advent. We are Church. Better Together!
|
|
Faith Formation Network Resource Sharing Day
Jan 10, 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
|
The
Faith Formation Network's monthly meeting will be held at
Atonement Lutheran Church, Boulder, 685 Inca Parkway (
map
) this month for a day of resource sharing and networking. We will order pizza for lunch. Bring ideas for the coming year, a snack to share, and willingness to collaborate and hear from each other. All are welcome, whether lay, rostered, volunteer or paid!
If you would like to join via ZOOM, we will have the link open <
https://zoom.us/j/280596611> and are excited to connect with you wherever you are!
|
|
Office of the Bishop Eucharist, Wednesday, January 9
|
Our monthly Eucharist will be held at the Lutheran Center on Wednesday, January 9 at 11:30 a.m.
All are invited to join in this 30 minute worship.
|
|
Conference Youth Gatherings January 19-21, 2019
|
There are still TWO great opportunities for youth retreats during the weekend of January 19-21, one in Estes Park and another in southern New Mexico. Visit our webpage
here, for more information!
|
|
 |
Installations
Rev. Will Johnson
Cross of Christ, Broomfield, CO
Sunday, January 13, 4:00 p.m.
Color of the Day: Green
Levi Powers
Mount of Olives, Rock Springs, WY
Sunday, January 20, 3:00 p.m.
Color of the Day: Green
Rev. Katie Emery
First Lutheran, Longmont, CO
Sunday, January 27, 4:00 p.m.
Color of the Day: Green
|
|
|
|
RMS Prayer Cycle
January 2019
METRO WEST CONFERENCE
Week of January 13
Good Shepherd - Glenwood Springs, CO
Jeffrey Carlson
Highlands - Denver, CO
Asher O'Callaghan
Holy Cross - Wheat Ridge, CO
Ron Bock
King of Glory - Arvada, CO
Todd Payne
Lord of the Mountains - Dillon, CO
Liliana Stahlberg
Spirit of the Mountain - Golden, CO
Beth Graham
|
|
|
|
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, January 13
Baptism of the Lord
|
Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, you anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son. Keep all who are born of water and the Spirit faithful in your service, that we may rejoice to be called children of God, through 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
|
|
12-Step Introduction to Centering Prayer
Saturday, January 12, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
|
When applied as an 11th Step prayer practice, Centering Prayer draws us closer to the healing we desire from the Higher Power. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of Centering Prayer practice, experience it in a guided setting, and be able to ask questions and share experiences with the instructor and your fellow initiates.
|
|
Prepare/Enrich Facilitator Training
Friday, January 18, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
|
Become a certified facilitator with the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize the
Prepare Enrich Assessment in your work with couples. This flexible tool can be used for premarital counseling, mentoring programs and for marriage enrichment.
Training will be held at
Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village. Please contact Beth Walker at
bethdwalker@gmail.com or 720-352-9915 for more information or to to register.
|
|
|
|
Join the Rocky Mountain Synod - Marching in the MLK Day Marade
Monday, January 21, 2019, 9:00 a.m.
|
Members and friends of churches in the Rocky Mountain Synod are invited to join members of
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Littleton to march in the
MLK Day Marade on Monday, January 21. People will
gather at the Dr. Martin Lutheran King, Jr. Memorial at City Park at 9:00 a.m. After a program
the march will begin at 10:45 a.m., going down Colfax and ending at Civic Center Park's Greek Theater. Look for the RMS Banner. For more information contact Judy Lounsberry at
JudyLouns@aol.com or 303-916-3764.
|
|
Vida Guitar Quartet from the U.K. performs at Augustana Lutheran Church!
Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
|
Augustana Lutheran Church (
map
)
Augustana Arts is pleased to bring the
Vida Guitar Quartet from the U.K. for a rare appearance in Denver. The VIDA Guitar Quartet brings together four of the UK’s most exceptional guitarists. Their ability to deliver music of the highest level with their trademark British humor has made group of four favorites in concert halls throughout the world. They have performed to critical acclaim in major UK, USA and European venues, and are sought-after festival artists throughout Europe. In 2011 VIDA made their US debuts in Los Angeles (LMU Guitar Festival) and New York (Baruch Performing Arts Centre). In 2012 VIDA were artists in residence at CSU’s Summer Arts program in Monterey, CA.
Order
tickets here. All RMS members receive 25% discount with the code:
RMS25
|
|
Bishop's Legislative Luncheon & Issues Briefing
Wednesday, February 6, begins 8:45 a.m.
|
You are invited and urged to save the date and attend!
The morning Issues
Briefing will be at 8:45 a.m. at the
United Church, 1804 Arroyo Chamiso in Santa Fe (
map
).
Registration and refreshments will begin at 8:45 am. The
Bishop's Legislative Luncheon will be at
12:30 p.m. La Fonda Hotel, 100 East San Francisco (
map
).
The cost for the luncheon is $35 per person. That cost is reduced to $30 when four or more people attend from your congregation or group. If you are only able to attend the morning Issues Briefing, the cost is $10.
REGISTER for these events
here!
|
|
|
|
Sign Up for the LAM-NM Advocacy Network!
|
- Get information about Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM's legislative work
- Keep up with LAM-NM legislation
- Receive news about advocacy events
- And more!
|
|
Sky Ranch and Lord of the Hills awarded ELCA Youth & Young Adult Ministry Grant!
|
Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp and Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church & Preschool in Aurora, CO are excited to announce that they have received an ELCA Youth & Young Adult Ministry Grant for $14,300.
The grant will fully fund a new high school leadership program for youth who typically face barriers to participation in similar programs. In 2019, ten participants will be invited to participate in
two weekend retreats, as well as the
Youth Go! program at Sky Ranch. Because of this generous funding,
BOLD will cover the costs of programming, camp fees, and provide assistance with transportation and equipment needs. Youth will be able to participate at no cost.
BOLD will provide an opportunity to serve new communities, invest in youth development, and be church, better together!
|
|
BOLD Leaders Program Accepting Applications Now!
|
BOLD Leaders, a new high school leadership program for youth in the Denver Metro Area, is accepting applications and nominations for 2019!
BOLD is a fully funded program to invest in young leaders through two weekend retreats and participation in
Youth Go! at Sky Ranch. All high school aged youth are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to youth of color, LGBTQ+ youth, low-income youth and others facing similar challenges.
Interested youth may submit an application. Pastors, Deacons, and Youth Leaders can also submit a nomination. Learn more about BOLD and submit an application
here.
Applications and nominations are due February 1, 2019!
|
|
LFS Refugee Program Donations Needed
|
Our
refugee program had a busy fall with increased refugee arrivals, and we hope to welcome even more refugees in the coming year, so we need your help! We are low on
bedding (sheet sets, bed-sized blankets, comforters, and pillows) and
cookware (pots and pans). Can you help give a warm welcome to a new refugee family by donating new or gently used items? If so, contact Jaime at
jaime.blanchard@lfsrm.org or 303-217-5181.
|
|
LFS Rocky Mountain 25th Annual Gala, April 26 - donations needed!
|
Silent auction item donations are needed
by early April
for the 25th Annual Gala, LFS' largest annual fundraiser! Individuals and groups are encouraged to put together a donation. Can you donate a gift basket, gift certificate, or item to help raise funds for our human service programs? All ideas and items are welcome! All contributions are tax deductible. For more information or to schedule a pick-up, contact Katie Scherr at
katie.scherr@lfsrm.org.
|
|
Mission Nicaragua June 2019 - Volunteer Opportunity!
Lord of the Valley, Granby, CO
|
Lord of the Valley Lutheran in Granby, Colorado will send a mission team to Somoto, Nicaragua for 10 days in June, 2019.
This medical mission team will serve people in rural villages with general health, dental, optical and women' health. In addition they will provide a day camp ministry for children in each village they serve.
The mission team is seeking participants, especially persons with nursing or pharmacology skills. Additional volunteers are welcome and Medical skills are desired, but they are not required. The team will partner with Nicaraguan healthcare professionals.
|
|
|
|
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
|
|
RMSWO December 2018 Newsletter -
Views from the Rockies
|
Enjoy the
December 2018 issue of
Views from the Rockies (
here
), the
Rocky Mountain Synodical Women's Organization newsletter. We'd love to hear your stories too, share them with us at
rmswoelca16@gmail.com.
|
|
2018 Annual Report Resources
|
Refreshing our Response to God's Grace in Jesus
Office of the Bishop staff are available to meet with Stewardship teams, committees, and task forces. Neighboring congregations can plan Stewardship events together to stimulate creative juices for approaching this very important ministry in new ways, to explore resources for congregations, to share ideas, an to have some fun in the process!
ELCA Stewardship Resources can be found
here
.
|
|
|
|
Here's your Stewardship Toolkit for January 2019!
|
Included are RCL-based bulletin blurbs for Sundays in January, plus an original newsletter article and links to resources.
|
|
2019 a time of transition for "Seeds for the Parish"
|
You may be receiving
Seeds for the Parish
, the
printed
resource newspaper of the ELCA. Each issue contained articles that provided congregational leaders with insights, ideas and tools to assist them in a variety of ministries including worship, Christian education, stewardship, evangelism, youth ministries, social ministries, leadership and more. The current issue,
Winter 2019
, will be its last. It is being replaced by
Seeds Monthly
, and you can
subscribe to this quarterly newsletter
here
,
select "Receive Seeds Monthly e-newsletter."
|
|
Preschool Director
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
|
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church has an immediate opening for Preschool Director of a Faith-based NAEYC Accredited program. See Preschool website
here. The person filling this position must love and enjoy children, and be devoted to helping them grow in love with God. Applicants must be Director Qualified with a B.S. Degree in ECE, CD or equivalent. Level III or IV Early Childhood Professional Credential for Colorado preferred. Must possess effective communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Responsibilities include daily supervision of preschool operations, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., M-F; staffing; licensing; budgeting; and programming. Salary competitive with area preschools.
Resumes are currently being accepted via e-mail to Pastor Dave Palma-Ruwe at
dpalmaruwe@yahoo.com (link sends e-mail) or call 303-798-1356.
|
|
All
Non-Rostered Positions
|
|
Preschool Director
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
Director of Children’s Ministries
Cross of Christ Lutheran Church - Broomfield, CO
Vacation Bible School Coordinator
Cross of Christ Lutheran Church - Broomfield, CO
Music Leader (part-time)
Ascension Lutheran Church - Cheyenne, WY
|
|
Office of the Bishop This Week
|
|
Bishop Jim Gonia
- In-office Appointments
- Staff meeting
- Ordination of Levi Powers, LaCross, WI
- Installation of Rev. Will Johnson, Cross of Christ, Broomfield, CO
- Synod Council Zoom Meeting
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Matt Barnhouse
- Village Exchange Center, Aurora
- Staff Meeting
- Christ, Highlands Ranch, CO
- HKBP, Denver, CO
- Christ, Cheyenne, WY
- Well of Hope, Castle Rock, CO
- Denver office January 9-15
- email: mbarnhouse@rmselca.org
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Ruth Hoffman
- Legislator meetings
- 1st Presbyterian, Santa Fe, NM
- Opening of the legislative session
ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
- 1-1 meetings
- Estes Park, CO
- Staff Meeting
|
|
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Interim Pastors
- Staff meeting
- Leadership Planning
- New Mexico CDI
- St. Andrew, Arvada, CO
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
- Lutheran Center Administration
- Staff Meeting
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
- RMS Communications
- Synod Assembly Planning- Albuquerque
- Global Mission Committee
- Hunger Network Retreat
- Staff Meeting
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
- Colorado Center on Law & Policy Legislative Preview
- CO Fiscal Institute Forum
- All Families Deserve A Chance Coalition
- Staff Meeting
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie Welton
- Faith Formation Network
- Staff Meeting
- Rainbow Trail Board Meeting
|
|
You are welcome to directly contact
Andrew Nakatan
i
, Communications Assistant, with questions, comments, or concerns you may have about eConnection or our website!
Rocky Mountain Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
800-525-0462 / 303-777-6700 / fax 303-339-4744
Submissions
are due noon Monday each week and will run for about two weeks.
Past issues of eConnection may be found
here
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
