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October 31, 2018
A Reconciling in Christ synod
An Urgent Appeal for California Wildfire Relief
 “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
– Romans 8:38-39

Dear friends,

As I write you this, several wildfires are raging across California. Already more than 30 people have died and more than 200 are missing, while hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes under evacuation orders. 


Through our partners in California, Lutheran Disaster Response has already begun addressing immediate needs, including providing food and other necessities to survivors. We are also preparing to address long-term needs which might include rebuilding of structures and emotional and spiritual care. The need will be great.

Stay connected to the latest events and our response to this and other disasters through our  Facebook  page. Join us in prayer and use this  bulletin insert  in your congregation to help spread the word. 


With gratitude for your partnership in ministry, 

The Rev. Daniel Rift
Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
eConnection Spotlight:
ELCA in the Neighborhood
Anchor House, Habitat receive Broomfield Block Grants
The Broomfield City Council and Broomfield Housing Authority unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday, October 23, that awards $227,230 in funding for the Anchor House project.  

Anchor House is a nonprofit located in Broomfield, CO, that will provide permanently affordable transitional housing for foster youth aging out of the system once they turn 18. The project is still in fundraising stages, and the 8-apartment affordable housing structure will begin construction in early 2019. The project is made possible by a partnership between Lutheran Church of Hope, Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains, Thrivent Financial, and Flatirons Habitat for Humanity. With its resolution approval on Tuesday, October 23, the City and County of Broomfield and the Broomfield Housing Authority have also joined as official partners of the Anchor House Project. 

Here's a link to the article in the Broomfield Enterprise that was published last week, or download the press release here , and to learn more about Anchor House or to donate, please visit www.anchorhouseco.org
RMS-ELCA News and Events
Rocky Mountain Synod 2019 Youth Gathering - register now!
January 19-21, 2019
YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, CO
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.

Registration closes Dec 1, 2019!

Click here to register. Visit the  synod web page for complete registration information.

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

Gathering and registration questions, contact Rev. Leslie Welton at lwelton@rmselca.org .
2018 Annual Report Insert!
The 2018 Annual Report Insert for the Rocky Mountain Synod is now available HERE for congregations with November meetings.

An updated report, along with reports from our Churchwide Organization, will be available in early January 2019.
Glocal Church Sunday: Sunday, January 6!
Join us January 6 (or any Sunday!) as we celebrate our connections and common mission in Christ’s global church.

The texts and prayers included below help bring to expression our understanding that we are united by the Spirit of God through the means of grace with our siblings in Christ throughout the world.

Healing of the Nations  (Leader's guide)

NEW! Thomas Mass Liturgy from Peace Not Walls

You might also consider other ways to highlight our global connections in:
  • Preaching: Invite a speaker from our Global Church Speaker's Bureau
  • Art
  • Paraments, Vestments, Flowers
  • Offering: consider designating an offering to Global Mission, World Hunger, Peace Not Walls, RMS Border Emergency Fund or Seeds of Hope (Companion Synod Fund for Madagascar)
  • Bulletin insert: Be sure to include a Global Church Sunday bulletin insert highlighting facts about our church's global engagement in your bulletin. You can download it for free at www.elca.org/resources/globalchurch Find them on the Global Church Sunday Tab!
  • Global Church Placemats for Coffee Hour or used as coloring pages for children
  • Videos during offering or adult forum from an ELCA Missionary
For Your Bulletin
Rev. Michael Degner
Our Savior, Alamogordo, NM
Sunday, November 18, 9:00 a.m.
Color of the Day: Green

Rev. Jason McSpadden
Lutheran Church of the Servant,
Santa Fe, NM
Sunday, November 18, 3:00 p.m.
Color of the Day: Green

RMS Prayer Cycle

November 2018
ELCA MINISTRIES AND ECUMENICAL ORGANIZATIONS
 Week of November 18

ELCA Global Mission - Chicago, IL
Missionaries
Themba Mkhebela, Madagascar

Regional Candidacy Manager
Mark Nelson 

California Lutheran University - Thousand Oaks, CA
Christopher Kimball

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary - Berkeley, CA
Raymond Pickett
Shauna Hannan

Wartburg College West - Denver, CO
Greg Lorenz

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 18
Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, your sovereign purpose brings salvation to birth. Give us faith to be steadfast amid the tumults of this world, trusting that your kingdom comes and your will is done through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches

18 - 24 November 2018 :  East Timor (Timor Leste), Indonesia, Philippines - Intercessions and Prayers
Around the Synod
Through the Lens of Music: Focus on Spirit with the Stratus Chamber Orchestra and Great String Classics
Friday November 16, 2018 - 7:30 p.m.
Let Stratus stir your spirit through a provocative exploration of the incredible Spirit of Music. String orchestra masterpieces, such as Barber’s Adagio for Strings, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto #3, and more, will be divinely performed. Includes cameo appearances of the English Horn and Trumpet, too! This concert offers a unique immersive seating option at First Plymouth Church, Colorado Blvd. and Hampden, in Denver ( map ).

Get more information here, get tickets here.
Messiah Community Church Presents a Benefit Recital for Eco-Justice Ministries
Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. 

Messiah Community Lutheran Church
1750 Colorado Blvd.
Denver, CO ( map )

The modern crises of ecological devastation and social injustice are all symptoms of humanity's deeply flawed relationship with the Earth community. Transformational churches provide prophetic witness and genuine hope when they proclaim a vision of the good life grounded in sufficiency, community, justice and joy.

Songs for the Earth
Erin Bell -mezzo soprano, Stephanie Hood -soprano, and Matt Kingham -piano. Join the trio that brought you Songs for Families, Songs for Humanity, and Songs for the Heart, Love is Love!  

Admission is $5 minimum donation per person. All proceeds will be donated to Eco-Justice Ministries, an organization that works with church congregations to care for all of God's creation, and work towards environmental sustainability. Please join us as we bring you an afternoon of music that celebrates the beauty of nature.
Christ, Cross, and Crisis in the Holy Land - an evening with Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb
Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
Join us for a presentation and conversation at Atonement Lutheran Church, Boulder ( 685 Inca Parkway ) with Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb . Hors-d'oeuvres will be served as we gather.

How does one live under consistently harsh, and difficult situations? Christians in Bethlehem face this situation daily.
In the midst of blockades and military occupation, Christians in the West Bank are choosing to live hopeful, productive lives.

Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, former and founding pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, and now president of Bright Stars of Bethlehem and Dar al-Kalima University of Arts and Culture, has launched numerous cultural initiatives based on the belief that as Christians, "Hope is what we do." Flyer here, for questions or more information contact pastorchad@atonementboulder.org,
Music of the Vine: A Perfectly Paired Evening with Claude Robbins, International Wine and Spirits Guild, and Stratus Chamber Orchestra
Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
Grant Avenue Historic Theater
216 S Grant St, Denver, CO ( map )

Sip, listen, savor, and enjoy with Claude Robbins, President of the International Wine & Spirits Guild and Stratus Chamber Orchestra in this paired experience of fine wine and music. Enjoy cleansing appetizers, wine sampling, music notes by Conductor David Rutherford, and wine insights by Claude Robbins, all paired with great string classics including "Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber, "Brandenburg Concerto No. 3" by Bach, "Quiet City" by Aaron Copeland, “String Symphony #2” by Mendelssohn, and “Estampas Nocturnas” by Manual Ponce’.

All proceeds benefit Outreach and Education programs of Augustana Arts. Order your tickets here !
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.
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 open, go HERE !
Yoga as Prayer Women's Retreat
January 25-26, 2019
Holy Cross Retreat Center
Mesilla Park NM ( map )
Jan 25, 5:00 p.m. to Jan 26, 3:00 p.m.

Daily Bread Yoga retreats are a sweet time away of conversation, quiet, and reflection. The physical practice of yoga is actually called “asana”, which means seat for prayer. It was created as a preparation for prayer and meditation. I describe what happens in a yoga class as focusing on the body, to quiet the mind, and rest the spirit. That’s it. It’s about being present in mind-body-spirit, and for most of us it takes doing something with our body to quiet the busy mind. During the retreat we will practice a gentle yoga (asana) that is beginner friendly and adaptable for those who need it more/less challenging. We will also learn about the bigger practice of yoga; the concepts & philosophies that make it a deep spiritual practice to enrich your faith, no matter where you are on the way. 

Sponsored by Peace Lutheran Church, El Paso. More info here, to register go here.
Our Life Together
Funeral Mass and Memorial Service for Father Thomas Keating
November 16, Friday, 11:00 a.m.
Father Thomas Keating
March 7, 1923 – October 25, 2018

In response to the call of Vatican II in the 1970’s, Father Keating helped to revive ancient Christian contemplative traditions and prayers such as Lectio Divina in a practice known as Centering Prayer , which is now taught by an organization he co-founded in 1984, Contemplative Outreach .

His work and teachings are highly valued by many in our synod. Bishop Gonia will attend this Funeral Mass and Memorial at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community, 7400 W 80th Ave, Arvada CO. The service is open to all, however an RSVP is required and can be completed on the Contemplative Outreach website at http://www.contemplativeoutreach-co.org/ .
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.
Rainbow Trail reminds us that Colorado Gives Day is December 4th!
Colorado Gives Day is an annual day of giving to non-profit organizations all across Colorado. Whether you live in Colorado or not, you can donate to Rainbow Trail on December 4th. Each donation helps RTLC receive additional funds from Community First Foundation through a sum that's divided among all participating organizations and prizes at the end of the day. You can even schedule your CO Gives Day gift NOW so you won't forget to donate! Support non-profits like Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp on Colorado Gives Day! Give at https://www.coloradogives.org/rainbowtrail/overview !
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
Here's Your Stewardship Toolkit for December!
This month's toolkit contains an original newsletter article on stewardship, RCL-based weekly bulletin blurbs, and links to resources around the web. December's theme is "Stewardship for Advent & Christmas."

These "Stewardship Toolkits" are created monthly by Pr Robert C. Blezard, Assistant to the Bishop, Lower Susquehanna Synod.
Classified and Want Ads
For our friends at Highlands Lutheran, Denver!
Used Hand Bell Music Wanted: If you have sheet music you are no longer using and willing to donate, we would love to make use of it! We're looking for music on the easy end of the difficulty spectrum. Contact Music Director Emily Stover at  emilykstover@gmail.com .
 
Used Grand Piano Wanted: If you have a used full or baby size grand piano that you're no longer using, we would love to make use of it! We would be willing to take care coming to check and make sure it's still in playing condition, any necessary tuning, and transporting it. If you're open to donating or selling your grand piano at a reduced rate, please contact Pastor Asher O'Callaghan of Highlands Lutheran Church at pastorasherocallaghan@gmail.com .

Non-profit Renters Wanted: Highlands Lutheran Church at 3995 Irving Street, Denver, CO ( map ) is seeking non-profit or small congregation renters. Available spaces include two private offices (188 sq ft and 168 sq ft) and one large room (this was previously used as chapel space and is 400 sq ft plus 53 sq ft closet space). Renters may choose to rent one, two, or all three of these spaces. To view pictures and more information see our flyer . Inquire with our volunteer property management volunteer Ellen Lorts at  lortse@comcast.net or our church office at office@highlandslutheran.comcastbiz.net .
Employment Opportunities
All Non-Rostered Positions 
Music Leader (part-time)
Ascension Lutheran Church - Cheyenne, WY

Director of Faith Formation
King of Glory Lutheran Church - Arvada, CO

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
Office of the Bishop This Week
 
Bishop Jim Gonia
  • El Paso Ministry Visits
  • First Call Theological Education, El Paso, TX
  • Service for Father Keating
  • New Mexico Advocacy Conference
  • NNM Conference Summit
  • Valley, Las Lunes, NM
  • Installation, Church of the Servant, Santa Fe, NM

ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Matt Barnhouse
  • Mission Outreach Board
  • Our Savior, Alamagordo, NM
  • Rejoicing Spirits, Denver
  • El Paso Office Nov. 12-30. Email: mbarnhouse@rmselca.org

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Ruth Hoffman
  • LAM-NM Advocacy Conference
  • North NM Conference gathering
  • Central United Methodist Church

ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
  • Interim Pastors
  • NNM Conference Summit, St. Paul, Albuquerque, NM
  • Christ, Santa Fe, NM

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
  • First Call Theological Education, El Paso, TX

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Lutheran Center Administration
  • Interim Pastors
  • Part Time Ministry Team

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
  • Global Missions Team
  • Rainbow Trail Senior High Retreat
  • RMS Communications
  • Synod Assembly Planning

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
  • Vacation

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie Welton
  • Discernment Visioning
  • Messiah Mountain Task Force
  • St. Matthew, Taylorsville, UT
Quick Links
Share the News
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.