A Reconciling in Christ synod
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Bishop Eaton: Our Call to Care for Creation
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Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) members pray and care for God’s marvelous creation every day. We also join the global Christian community each
Sept. 1 to Oct. 4 to mark the Season of Creation
. This season starts with a
World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation
, an invitation to focus our worship, our stewardship and action on honoring God by honoring and caring for God's handiwork.
As members of the ELCA, we share a love and a responsibility for all that God has made. In our social statement
“
Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope and Justice
,”
we affirm that “made in the image of God, we are called to care for the earth as God cares for the earth. God’s command to have dominion and subdue the earth is not a license to dominate and exploit. Human dominion, a special responsibility, should reflect God’s way of ruling as a shepherd king who takes the form of a servant, wearing a crown of thorns.”
We confess the ways in which we have been negligent in our responsibility to God and to all of creation and commit ourselves to exercising our stewardship by upholding the integrity of creation and safeguarding those most vulnerable to environmental degradation.
On this year’s World Day of Prayer, I am mindful that our warming climate is creating unprecedented crises for millions. These include increased food insecurity, forced migration, natural disasters, civil conflict and water scarcity. From across all communities most affected by climate change, women and girls are disproportionately affected. According to ACT Alliance, these communities suffer huge losses that extend beyond monetary losses to noneconomic impacts such as loss of lives, land, territory, language and culture.
Our response to these losses has focused on the neglect and carelessness, both in private industry and in government regulation, that have contributed to these changes. An honest accounting also recognizes that we all participate, both as consumers and investors, in economies that make intensive and insistent demands for energy. We are part of the solution.
In September, the ELCA will mark the Season of Creation by taking a leadership role during the
Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco
. Together with The Lutheran World Federation and other partners, we will host a Talanoa Dialogue to accompany those most affected by climate change
. The U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change states:
"Talanoa is a traditional word used in Fiji and across the Pacific to reflect a process of inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue. The purpose of Talanoa is to share stories, build empathy and to make wise decisions for the collective good ... sharing of ideas, skills and experience through storytelling.”
The focus of these dialogues will be
“Loss and Damage”
and
“Just Transition”
related to climate change. The former will explore the suffering that climate change is causing right now and seek new ways to learn from and accompany those most affected. The latter recognizes that we must also accompany those whose livelihoods are dependent on extractive industries, making sure they are not left behind during the transition to renewable energy sources. These dialogues will equip us in the planetary movement toward climate solutions with initiatives that reflect God’s concern for the sufficiency and sustainability of all people.
Our ELCA ministries are making an impact as we as a church take hold of our common responsibility to creation and to God. We know that transitioning to lifestyles that eliminate the causes of global warming is critical and must be done now. In response to the
2016 Churchwide Assembly resolution “Toward a Responsible Energy Future,” ELCA members answer the call to care for all of God’s creation in our churches and homes through stewardship, education and advocacy.
These efforts include establishing environmental stewardship committees, building awareness around energy efficiency, evaluating investments in fossil fuels, and learning more about sustainable farming and development.
All who care for the earth and work for the restoration of its vitality can be confident in the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us as we serve in concert with God’s creative and renewing power and the indwelling Spirit of Christ to give us hope, courage and direction.
Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us coworkers in your creation. Give us wisdom and reverence to use the resources of nature so that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (prayer for stewardship of natural resources, ELW p. 80).
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Vacation and Office Closure
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Bishop Gonia is on vacation through September 11. If you require immediate assistance, please call the Office of the Bishop: 303-777-6700.
For After Hours Rostered Minister Emergencies, please TEXT: 303-218-2468.
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eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
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Stronger together
ELCA congregations find vitality through full-communion partnerships
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David Martinez, a Presbyterian pastor serving Camino de Vida, sings and plays music during worship.
“Unity is a gift that we’ve already received in Christ. Our task as churches is to make that visible and to work toward reconciliation where people have sought to divide what Christ has already united.”
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Register today for your Conference Better Together Summit!
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This fall, conference "missional gatherings" throughout the Rocky Mountain synod will take place under a new name:
CONFERENCE BETTER TOGETHER SUMMITS.
Bishop Gonia will be present at all 11 Conference gatherings. The focus will be: Money & Church: For the Life of the World. A team of the rostered minister/s and leaders from every ministry will meet together.
PLEASE REGISTER at least 5 days prior to your conference event.
There is pre-work
for you and your congregation/ministry to engage in individually and as a community.
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Office of the Bishop Eucharist, Wednesday, September 12
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Our monthly Eucharist will be held at the Lutheran Center on Wednesday, September 12 at 11:30 a.m.
All are invited to join in this 30 minute worship.
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Installations
Rev. Asher O'Callaghan
Highlands, Denver, CO
Sunday, September 16, 3:00 p.m.
Color of the Day
: Green
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RMS Prayer Cycle
SEPTEMBER 2018
METRO SOUTH CONFERENCE
Week of September 9
Bethany - Cherry Hills Village, CO
Gary Sandberg
Brigette Weier
Centennial - Englewood, CO
Katie Chullino
Christ - Highlands Ranch, CO
Eric Allert
Gail Mundt
Christ the King - Denver, CO
Joel Rothe
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Canaanite Woman asks for healing for her daughter
Juan, de Flandes, approx 1465-1519
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.
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Sunday, September 9
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
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Prayer of the Day
Gracious God, throughout the ages you transform sickness into health and death into life. Open us to the power of your presence, and make us a people ready to proclaim your promises to the whole world, through Jesus Christ, our healer and Lord.
In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches
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Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends Seminar
Thursday, September 6 through Thursday, November 15, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
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Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends Seminar begins Thursday September 6, 2018 at 6:30 pm in Highlands Ranch at
9203 S University Blvd
.
This 10-week seminar promotes healing for those who are going through a divorce, or the ending of a love relationship. Offers education, support, and optional social activities. Complimentary child care provided with prior registration
Flyer here
,
more information here
, and to register please contact Beth Walker at 720-352.9915 or
bethdwalker@gmail.com
.
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Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop
Saturday, September 8, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Are you looking for a way to explore or deepen your relationship with God? In our introductory workshop to Centering Prayer, you will discover a centuries-old prayer method. Centering Prayer consists of simply sitting in silence with God—beyond thoughts, words, and emotions – and opening your mind, heart and whole being to the Ultimate Mystery. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of Centering Prayer, experience it in a guided setting, and be able to ask questions and share experiences with the presenter and your fellow initiates. More info at
www.contemplativeoutreach-co..org or call 303-698-7729
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12-Step Introductory Workshop to Centering Prayer
Saturday, September 15, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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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. More info at
www.contemplativeoutreach-co..org or call 303-698-7729
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Lutheran Family Services
Foster Care Information Meeting
September 12, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
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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
September 12 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 here
)
. 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.
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United States Air Force Academy Band - Falconaires
at Augustana Lutheran Church
Thursday September 20 at 7:30 p.m.
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The
United States Air Force Academy Band Falconaires arrives in Denver for an inspiring and uplifting concert. In their own unique fashion, the Falconaires will present a program of jazz favorites! In recognition and dedication to our veterans and those currently serving, this FREE concert is sure to bring honor to the women and men around the globe who protect the freedoms we all enjoy!
JOIN US as we celebrate our HEROES! This is concert is FREE and open to the public.
Please reserve tickets (
here
) to confirm your attendance.
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10 Life Changing Days in the Holy Land
June 23 - July 03, 2019
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Join Pastor Joel and Sonja Pancoast, of Zion Lutheran Church, Loveland, for a 10-day pilgrimage through the Holy Land. For more information, see
brochure or contact Pastor Joel at
PastorJoel@zionloveland.com or 970-667-1836.
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Thankofferings
Thankofferings Thankofferings are a long-standing custom among Lutheran women. We give in thanksgiving for blessings received-and we do receive so many blessings, don't we? And we are so grateful. That's why we give Thankofferings.
Read more
www.womenoftheelca.org
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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Tools for Turning Prayer into Action
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Twenty-five years ago, we made a church-wide pledge via the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's 1993 Social Statement Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice. How is your congregation willing to affirm this timeless pledge to protect the life-giving resources entrusted to us? Observance of the 500 years since the Reformation has revisited the acknowledgment that we are a body always in renewal and in need of reinforcing. How is the ethic of caring for God's gift of the earth and vocation to love our neighbor reflected in every aspect of your church? Go to
www.LutheransRestoringCreation.org for a free download of a Congregation's Covenant with Creation. Tools are offered for every facet of your church life: worship, education, facilities, public witness and personal discipleship. Customize your action plan according to your council's preparedness and passions. Turn visions into goals by setting dates, celebrate God's abundance in joyous worship of our resources, and offer hope and healing through meaningful conversation without fear of partisan politics.
Lutherans Restoring Creation is a grassroots movement promoting care for creation in the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This is accomplished by cultivating a community of dedicated stewards of earth and neighbor who proclaim God's promise of hope and healing for all.
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Mount Calvary/Boulder has
hymn books to give away!
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"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord." Ephesians 5:19.
Mount Calvary has 106
Gather hymnals and 103
Lutheran Book of Worship hymnals available to whoever wants them - free of charge. If would be great if they could be picked up! If they need to be mailed/shipped, please contact Beth at
office@mountcalvary-boulder.org to negotiate arrangements.
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Admission and Residence Life Coordinator
California Lutheran University, Berkeley, CA
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Under the direction of the Director of Admission and the Associate Dean for Student and Academic Affairs, the position is responsible for planning and executing admission processes events, and coordinating housing for students. The Coordinator supports the Admission Office by overseeing the admission and residence life experience at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS). More information, and to apply, go to
https://careers.callutheran.edu/postings/4674. Applications accepted through Sept. 9.
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All
Non-Rostered Positions
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Admission and Residence Life Coordinator
California Lutheran University, Berkeley, CA
Executive Director for Domestic Mission
ELCA
Director of Gift Planning
ELCA
Accompanist/Choir Director
Highlands Lutheran Church - Denver, CO
Director of Family Ministries (part-time)
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church - Denver, CO
Lead Preschool Teacher & Assistant Preschool Teacher
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
MIF Regional Manager, Colorado
ELCA
Part-time Intern Choir Director
Christ the King Lutheran Church - Colorado Springs, CO
Worship and Music Minister (part-time)
King of Glory Lutheran Church - Loveland, CO
Organist/Pianist
St. Philip Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
Praise Singers Director (part-time)
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO
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Office of the Bishop This Week
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Bishop Gonia
- Vacation through September 11
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
- Lutheran Center Administration
- Growing Home
Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
- NM Conference of Churches
- Church Women United
- State Public Policy Directors Convening
Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
- Together Colorado
- State Public Policy Directors Convening
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Pastor Judith VanOsdol
Deacon Erin Power
- Theological Conference Planning
- RMS Communications
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Congregational Ministries Board
- In-office appointments
Pastor Leslie Welton
- Vacation
- Faith, Golden
- Zion, Loveland
- 2019 RMS Youth Gathering Meeting
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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.
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