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October 24, 2018
A Reconciling in Christ synod
Mission Support matters… because it renews, forms, and creates.
Reflections from our new Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM), Rev. Matt Barnhouse

A seminary colleague of mine, Pr. Jealaine Marple, is quoted in a recent Living Lutheran article saying, “At the end of the day, it’s going to take money.” We, as the church, don’t like talking about it, but Pr. Jealaine is right. Every mission, every project, every ministry requires resources of some kind for the ministry to take root, grow, renew, and thrive.

In my previous call, as Pastor Redeveloper of Mount Hope El Paso, Mission Support created renewal and growth in two life changing ways. The support we received through synod and churchwide grants provided a struggling church with the capacity to hire a full-time developer and freed up leadership to dream and create. At the same time, the covenant promises Mount Hope made upon entering re-development encouraged them to give back boldly to the synod with courageous goals of achieving a minimum of 10% in mission support. Through the process Mount Hope discovered that the spiritual practice of giving renews, forms, and creates a kind of discipleship community that is contagious, exciting, daring, and bold.

I invite you and your ministry partners to engage this new resource. Dive deep, pray boldly, and join us in ministry for the life of the world!

California Lutheran University receives $1million grant for Leadership Development!
We celebrate with California Lutheran University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary for the one million dollar grant by the Lilly Foundation to launch their Thriving Leadership Formation program. This new initiative will seek to equip and transform lay and rostered leaders in the 11 synods of Regions 1 & 2.


Christ's Church Better Together!
eConnection Spotlight:
ELCA in the Neighborhood
Connecting community with pumpkins!
1,120 pumpkins were recently unloaded onto the lawn of Christ the King, Colorado Springs. The 4th year for this pumpkin patch, the congregation's goal is to get to know their neighbors, support jobs for Navajo and Suni peoples in New Mexico through NAPI, and raise money for a local non-profit. Proceeds this year benefit Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity.
RMS-ELCA News and Events
Rocky Mountain Synod 2019 Youth Gathering
This year's gathering will focus on each participant as a uniquely created child of God called to live out baptismal promises in unique and various ways. We will look at themes of spiritual gifts, vocation, community, and service as we gather and are then sent to boldly share the love of God in this world.

The YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park will also let us explore creation and relaxation in the mountains as we enjoy fellowship with middle and high school students from all parts of the Rocky Mountain Synod. While all students will gather for some large group worship time, separate tracks for Middle and High School students will allow each group to participate in age-appropriate conversation and activity based learning.
Register HERE! Visit the synod's webpage for complete information.

   Middle School Adult Leader – $180.00
   Middle School Youth – $180.00
   Sr High Adult Leader – $180.00
   Staff and Speakers

Registration closes Dec 1, 2019.
Scholarships are available, apply here by October 31.

Gathering and registration questions can be directed to Rev. Leslie Welton at lwelton@rmselca.org.
Building an Inclusive Church - National Training comes to RMSELCA
Friday, November 9, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. through Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.
American Lutheran Church in Grand Junction is excited to host this nationally-recognized program here on the Western Slope of Colorado! A "Building an Inclusive Church" (BIC) training helps you design and implement a journey for your faith community to publicly and intentionally welcome people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. Building an Inclusive Church equips you with ways to create dialogue, deepening relationships throughout your faith community rather than sparking debate and division.

The registration fee of $100 includes training, materials, refreshments, and lunch. Registration deadline is November 7, 2018. Register online at https://www.reconcilingworks.org/bic/register/ Reduced income registrations are available.
For Your Bulletin
Installations

Rev. Barbara Berry-Bailey
St. Paul, Denver, CO
Sunday, October, 28, 3:00 p.m.
Color of the Day: Red
RMS Prayer Cycle

OCTOBER 2018
SOCIAL MINISTRIES and AGENCIES
 Week of October 28

Border Servant Corps - Las Cruces, NM
Kari Lenander

Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center - Brush, CO
Shelly Griffith
Rosalie (Ro) Fesser

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains - Denver, CO
Jim Barclay

Upbring - El Paso, TX
Jose Alamillo

Lutheran Refugee Services - Denver, CO
James Horan

Luthercare, Inc. - Casper, WY
Jill Elliott

Mosaic - Omaha, NE
Linda Timmons

Urban Servant Corps - Denver, CO
Krista Kilgas
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 28
Reformation Day
Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, 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

 28 October - 03 November 2018 :  Canada, United States of America - Intercessions and Prayers
Around the Synod
Join the Colorado Men's and Women's Choral for Movie Night!
Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
Join the Colorado Women’s Chorale and the Colorado Men’s Chorale as they kick off a very exciting season with crowd-pleasing faves from some of the all-time great films. From Frozen to Star Wars to classic composers featured in movies like Mendelssohn, Carl Orff, and John Williams, we will explore the emotional connection music forges between the audience and the on-screen action.

Don’t miss this fun kick-off to our busy season - one night only! Venue: Augustana Lutheran Church ( map). Tickets may be purchased at the door, or go here to order in advance.

Come early to enjoy one of our special Italian Sodas with all proceeds to benefit our Outreach and Education programs.
5th Annual Veterans Dinner, Silent Auction and Concert
Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Bethany’s Operation One Nation (OON) team will honor Veterans with a catered pasta dinner by Romano’s Italian restaurant, music by the Dakota Blonde band and a silent auction intended to raise funds to support Veterans and military families. These funds enable OON to provide material support for many organizations. OON has been a conduit through which lives have been saved from the scourge of suicide. The OON team feels blessed to have been able to connect individuals in need with helping agencies that provide comfort and care.

Food will be served in the Fellowship Hall from 5 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. with a suggested donation of $10. Kids under 10 and veterans eat free. The silent auction will be set up in the Narthex and available for bidding from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Last year, the Dakota Blonde band was very well received and we look forward to enjoying their music again this year! The concert will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

If you have questions, items to donate for the silent auction, or would like to RSVP for the dinner, please contact Janet Mortinsen at janet@bethany-denver.org. Operation One Nation hopes you will be a part of this fun tradition with a purpose in celebrating and supporting our military!
Ken Caryl Concerts presents Harvest Hoedown!
Sunday, November 4, 2018 2:30 p.m.
Saint Philip Lutheran Church
7531 S Kendall Blvd, Littleton, CO ( map )

Join us for a “Harvest Hoedown” with a concert at 2:30 pm featuring our Bluegrass Band, and various soloists and small groups performing “Americana” tunes, followed by festive fun for all ages including free games, a petting zoo, face painting and food provided by Saucy Buns BBQ. Donations will be collected to benefit Ralston House Child Advocacy Center.

For more information go to: http://www.stphilip-co.org/concerts/.
Boulder Bach Festival - Dance of Life: The B-Minor Mass
Sunday, November 11, 3:00 p.m.
Boulder Bach Festival is giving a performance of JS Bach's magnificent Mass in B-minor, on Sunday, November 11, 3:00 p.m. at Macky Auditorium on the CU-Boulder Campus. Go here to order tickets. 

Pastor Ron Roschke will present a pre-concert lecture on the Mass, Saturday, November 3, at 3 p.m. in the large community room at The Academy, 970 Aurora Ave, Boulder CO ( map ). Admission to the lecture is free.
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
2018 Advocacy Conference - Registration is now OPEN!
Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Save the Date!

Keynote speaker:
The Rev. Amy Reumann, Director of ELCA Advocacy

St. Paul Lutheran Church
Albuquerque, NM
8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
$15 per person
(materials & lunch included)

Registration is now open, go HERE !
Our Life Together
2018 RTLC Senior High Retreat
November 16-18, 2018
What if we believed that the Church, and we as people of faith, had something radically relevant to offer to the world? What would it look like if we lived our lives believing that? Together we will explore and claim the gifts we as individuals and communities of faith have to offer for the sake of a world in need of love, grace, and healing.

Join Deacon Erin Power, your favorite Rainbow Trail staff, and other senior high youth for a weekend in the mountains! This 3rd Annual Senior High Retreat will offer kids an opportunity to experience their favorite camp activities and learn together how they play a role in, not just faith communities, but the greater world. Registration deadline is November 5, register now to reserve your spots!
LFS Denver - Informal Q & A session for Foster Care
November 14 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Each year in Colorado, thousands of kids are unable to live with their biological parents because of abuse or neglect. We need families who can provide temporary care until children reunify with their parent as well as families willing to adopt children and teens in foster care if they can't return to their families. 

An informal Q & A session for foster care will be held on November 14 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the LFS Denver Metro office, 363 S. Harlan Street, Suite 105, Denver, 80226 ( map). Please register with Anne at anne.hamilton@lfsrm.org or 303-217-5869. One-on-one meetings can also be arranged to work around your busy schedule.
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
November Church Together Toolkit!
New and Renewing Ministries: As the ELCA Rocky Mountain Synod, we support and promote ministries intentionally committed to engaging changing contexts, emerging communities and neighbors on the margins. Together we are proclaiming God’s unconditional love for the sake of the world in new places and in new ways.

Share about our new & renewing ministries through story, prayer, and offering connections!
Here's your Stewardship Toolkit for November!
This month's newsletter article and resource toolkit from the Lower Susquehanna Synod is based on the theme, "Stewardship and Gratitude," and is available here.

The Toolkit also has RCL-based "Stewardship Snippets" for every Sunday bulletin.
Employment Opportunities
New Listings
Communications Specialist
King of Glory Lutheran Church - Arvada, CO
The Director of Communications/Communications Specialist keeps the people of KOG Church connected when we are not physically with one another. The DC seeks to maximize interaction with KOG people beyond Sunday morning to maintain energy and awareness about opportunities and events. The DC will reach beyond our campus to make the community-at-large aware of what’s happening at KOG through digital, social, and print media. Job description here. For more information, call 303-421-9930 or contact kogpastor@me.com.
All Non-Rostered Positions 
Communications Specialist
King of Glory Lutheran Church - Arvada, CO

Director of Volunteers (part-time)
King of Glory Lutheran Church - Arvada, CO

Administrative Assistant
All Saints Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM

Choir Director (part-time)
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church - Fort Collins, CO

Parish Administrative Assistant (part-time)
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church - Salt Lake City, Utah
Office of the Bishop This Week
 
Bishop Gonia
  • Metro West Conference Retreat
  • Synod Council Meeting
  • SE Colorado Summit, Colorado Springs, CO
  • King of Glory, Loveland, CO
  • Installation of Rev. Barbara Berry Bailey, St. Paul, Denver
  • Covenant, Wheatland, WY

Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Finance Task Force
  • Synod Council
  • St. Matthew's Aurora, CO

Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
  • Interim Legislative Committee meetings
  • Synod Council
  • St. Andrew Presbyterian Church

Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
  • Proposition 111 Steering Committee
  • Synod Council
  • Urban Servant Corps Fall Festival
  • Holy Shepherd, Lakewood
  • Lutheran Disaster Response Network Consultation, Chicago

Deacon Erin Power
  • Metro West Conference Retreat
  • Synod Council
  • SE Colorado Conference Summit
  • Christ, Cheyenne, WY
  • RMS Communications

Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Synod Council
  • Our Saviour's, Salt Lake City, UT

Pastor Leslie Welton
  • Synod Council
  • Holy Trinity, Littleton,CO

Pastor Matt Barnhouse
  • Synod Council
  • Well of Hope, Castle Pines, CO
  • Rejoicing Spirits, Bethany Denver
  • Covenant, Wheatland, WY
  • Denver Office Oct 24-Nov 8 email: mbarnhouse@rmselca.org

Tina Kvitek, Regional Gift Planner
  • Trinity, Fort Collins
  • Synod Council
  • SE Colorado Conference Summit
Quick Links
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Erin Power ,   Assistant to the Bishop
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

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.