A Reconciling in Christ synod
|
|
Border Perspectives from Bishop Gonia
|
There has been a great deal in the news these days about migrants, asylum seekers and caravans of people from Central America who have made their way to the Mexico-US border. I am writing to share with you some personal experience and observations.
Two weeks ago, RMS Vice President, Earline Bohling and I traveled to El Paso to see first-hand some of the realities related to the current migration situation. We were joined by Pastor Matt Barnhouse (Director for Evangelical Mission) as Pastor Rose Mary Sanchez-Guzman (Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey) provided an opportunity for us to visit places where asylum seekers were being sheltered.We were able to personally thank volunteers at Cristo Rey who have given of their time and energy to host refugees. We also joined the Region Two first call deacons and pastors in their orientation to the Border at a meeting with Ruben Garcia from Annunciation House.
Here are some of our reflections and learnings:
This is not new.
Groups coming to the border in caravans and in waves dates back decades. The current wave has been occurring for about a year. In El Paso alone, around 2,000 asylum seekers arrived in one week’s time. The greatest need is temporary shelter and logistic support for these women, men and children before they travel to stay with family members across the country while awaiting their hearing.
|
|
Report on Family Separation and Response
|
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and US Catholic Conference of Catholic Bishops/Migration & Refugee Services have share a report with background and learnings around the Zero Separation Policy and their work in reuniting families:
You are invited to read and share this report as we move forward together as Christ's Church to support and accompany migrants, refugees, and aslyum-seekers.
|
|
Walk Our Talk: Together We Can End Gender Based Violence
This year's slogan is "Walk Our Talk", together we can end Gender Based Violence and promote Gender Justice. A new look at some key documents in our GBV work and commitment as a Communion. Where are we with these commitments?
Read more
www.lutheranworld.org
|
|
|
|
|
Join the Synod Assembly Election Team!
|
We are looking for 3 to 4 volunteers to serve on the Synod Assembly Election Team for a 2-year term, serving the 2019 and 2020 elections. Volunteers will attend and assist with the 2019 assembly and coordinate the election process in 2020, which will consist of five gatherings happening throughout the synod concurrently.
We are looking for a volunteer from each of the following areas:
- Salt Lake City
- Cheyenne, WY or North CO
- Denver Metro/Boulder
- SE Colorado
- Albuquerque, NM
Election team members should be detail-oriented, organized, comfortable with public speaking, and web/computer literate.
|
|
Apply now to serve on the ELCA Youth Core Leadership Team
|
Are you a youth, grades 9-11, or do you know a youth with love for the church and gifts in leadership? Applications are being accepted for the 2019-2020 team.
The
YCLT exists to provide leadership development opportunities to high school youth, to plan and lead the ELCA Youth Leadership Summit, and to serve as a focus group for ELCA Churchwide Ministries as they strive to do ministry with youth more effectively.
Go here
for more info and to apply. Applications are due Jan 15, 2019.
|
|
|
|
Office of the Bishop Eucharist, Wednesday, December 12
|
Our monthly Eucharist will be held at the Lutheran Center on Wednesday, December 12 at 11:30 a.m.
All are invited to join in this 30 minute worship.
|
|
|
|
Installations
Rev. Deb Cote
Prince of Peace, Gillette, WY
Sunday, December 2, 9:00 a.m.
Color of the Day: Blue
Deacon Mary Black
Risen Lord, Conifer, CO
Wednesday, December 12, 6:00 p.m.
Color of the Day: Blue
|
|
RMS Prayer Cycle
December 2018
UTAH CONFERENCE
Week of December 2
Ascension - Ogden, UT
Rick Brenton
Ascension St. Matthew’s - Price, UT
Jim Locke
|
|
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, December 2
First Sunday of Advent
|
Prayer of the Day
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection alert us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and redeem us for your life of justice, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches
|
|
Mental Health First Aid Certification Training
Thursday, November 29, 2018 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
|
This is an 8-hour certification course, focused on adult mental health, provided by Centus Counseling, Consulting and Education and Bethany Lutheran Church/Operation One Nation, and is free of charge, including the course materials. All registrants must commit to attending the full day. Participants will learn about the signs and symptoms of emerging mental health conditions and what to do in a mental health emergency.
Any individual or team interested in mental health as a friend, good citizen or engaged congregant is encouraged to attend. To register, please email the trainer, Susan Geissler, at
sgeissler@centus.org
and include your name, phone number and email address.
|
|
|
|
St. Nicholas: Anticipating Christmas Celebration!
Saturday, December 1 from 9:00 a.m. - noon
|
St. Philip Lutheran Church
7531 S. Kendall Blvd. Littleton, CO (
map
)
Chappell Kingsland will play piano and organ arrangements of traditional carols, selections from
A Charlie Brown Christmas,
The Nutcracker, and audience requests.
Drop in from 9-12 for free food and activities. The concert will be presented from 10:30-11:30.
No admission charge, but please bring hats, socks, or gloves/mittens to donate to LFS for children in need.
See you there!
|
|
5th Annual Holiday Sing-Along:
Bringing Good Cheer!
Saturday, December 8 at 2:30 p m.
|
Look no further than the 5th Annual Holiday Sing-Along for affordable family fun and great music for the whole family. From instrument making and cookie decorating to pictures with Santa, this concert presented by the Colorado Women's Chorale and the Colorado Men's Chorale is the perfect event to get everyone in the holiday mood. Joined for the first time by the Colorado Mormon Chorale, this show includes tons of audience participation including the singing of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. Get your Tickets
here
!
|
|
In The Moon Of Wintertime
- Christmas With Ars Nova
Sunday, December 9 at 4:00 p.m.
|
Saint Paul Community of Faith
1600 Grant St
Boulder-based
Ars Nova Singers, one of Colorado's finest vocal ensembles, will present a program entitled
In the Moon of Wintertime under the direction of Thomas Edward Morgan, and featuring the Colorado premiere of
The Consolation of Apollo by Philadelphia composer Kile Smith. This fascinating work celebrates the 50th anniversary of Apollo 8, the first manned mission around the moon, which entered lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, 1968. Visit
www.arsnovasingers.org for more information, and get your
tickets here.
|
|
"Holiday Blues....When the Season is not Jolly"
Sunday, December 9, 2018 from 10:50 a.m. to noon
|
Atonement Lutheran Church, Chapel
685 Inca Parkway, Boulder CO (
map
)
What are the differences between the blues, depressive disorders as well as how to identify and address suicidal thinking in our loved ones, fellow parishioners and our neighbors. Many factors, including unrealistic expectations, financial pressures, and excessive commitments can cause stress and anxiety at holiday time For some, the holiday season evokes feelings of warmth, joy and belonging. For others this time of year can heighten feelings of loneliness, stress and anxiety.
This program will be led by Natalie Trombly, licensed clinical social worker and program manager for Mental Health Adult Outpatient Services in Boulder. She will provide tips and strategies that can help prevent stress, anxiety, and mild depression associated with the holiday season. For more information, email
revalan2004@comcast.net
,
flyer here
.
|
|
Rocky Mountain Ringers-
Winter Wonderland Holiday Concert
Friday, Dec 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec 15 at 2:00 p.m.
|
Saint Paul Community of Faith
1600 Grant St
On
Friday, December 14, at
7:30 p.m. and again on Saturday,
December 15 at 2:00 p.m., the
Rocky Mountain Ringers, Denver's leading semi-professional handbell ensemble, will present joyous holiday music in a concert entitled,
Winter Wonderland, under the direction of Jeffrey Harms. Visit
www.rmringers.com for more information, get
tickets here.
|
|
Columbine Chorale Holiday Concert-
A Ceremony of Carols
Sunday, December 16 at 4:00 p.m.
|
Saint Paul Community of Faith
1600 Grant St
On Sunday, 16 December 2018, at 4:00 p.m., the
Columbine Chorale, led by Music Director Brian Eichenberger, will present
"A Ceremony of Carols," a multi-movement work featuring a variety of carols as arranged by British composer Benjamin Britten for choir and harp. Visit
www.columbinechorale.org for more information.
|
|
Saint Martin’s Chamber Choir Concert-
A Marian Christmas: Maiden and Mother
Friday, December 21 at 7:30 p.m.
|
Saint Paul Community of Faith
1600 Grant St
Denver’s own Saint Martin’s Chamber Choir, led by Artistic Director Timothy Krueger, will perform a program entitled,
A Marian Christmas: Maiden and Mother,
featuring music by female composers, in honor of Mary,
thus providing a uniquely feminine insight into the Nativity.
Visit
www.stmartinschamberchoir.org
for more information, get
tickets here
.
|
|
Saint Paul Lutheran and Roman Catholic Community of Faith
Singing a Christmas Cantata-
Lauft ihr Hirten allzugleich
Monday, December 24 at 10:30 p.m.
|
Saint Paul Community of Faith
1600 Grant St
Saint Paul will sing a cantata composed by Michael Haydn and entitled,
Lauft ihr Hirten allzugleich (“Run, You Shepherds, All at Once”)
, during an extended Prelude to the 11:00 p.m. liturgy celebrating the Nativity of Our Lord.
This year the Prelude, and the liturgy that follows, will feature music by Austrian-Hungarian composers spanning the 18th century from end of Baroque period through the Classical period and into the early Romantic period, including moterts by Gregor Werner, Franz Xaver Brixi, and liturgical music by Franz Schubert, all accompanied by a string quartet. Visit
www.stpauldenver.org
for more information.
|
|
Carols + Cheer: A Fundraiser for Campus Ministry
Sunday, December 9 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
|
Broken Trail Distillery and Brewery
6902 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM (
map
)
Join
Luther House
for a chance to sing Christmas carols while enjoying the tastes of
Broken Trail Distillery and Brewery
, all to support Lutheran Campus Ministry in North New Mexico.
Musicians Pauleta Hendrickson and Clara Byom will guide us through favorite holiday sounds just like Brother Martin did over table talks in Wittenberg.
15% of the money you spend on drinks and food will come back to Luther House so bring your congregation, neighbors, family, and friends to this family-friendly event! Plenty of parking is available.For more information contact
pastor.bre.roberts@gmail.com
.
|
|
LFS Denver - Informal Q & A session for Foster Care
December 12 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
December 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, CO (
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
|
|
The Annual Report Cover is available for download in two formats:
Hard copies will be available for order from the ELCA Website beginning January 2, 2019.
|
|
All
Non-Rostered Positions
|
|
Music Leader (part-time)
Ascension Lutheran Church - Cheyenne, WY
Praise Singers Director (part-time)
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO
Director of Faith Formation
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church - Louisville, CO
Administrative Assistant
All Saints Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM
|
|
Office of the Bishop This Week
|
|
Bishop Jim Gonia
- Candidacy Committee
- Metro West (Metro) Conference Summit
- Service of Holy Closure, St. Matthew, Aurora, CO
- Cristo Rey, Denver, CO
- NM Conference of Churches
- Region 2 Consultation, Denver
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Matt Barnhouse
- Albuquerque Ministry visits
- Installation for Rev. Deb Cote, Prince of Peace, Gillette, WY
- Region 2 Consultation, Denver
- Denver Office December 1-12; Email: mbarnhouse@rmselca.org
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Ruth Hoffman
- Medicaid Coalition
- NM Conference of Churches
ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
- Congregational visits
- Metro West Conference Summit, Wheat Ridge, CO
- Lord of the Mountains, Dillon, CO
- St. Stephen's, North Glenn, CO
|
|
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Zion, Montrose, CO
- Congregational Transition
- Region 2 Consultation
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
- RMS Finance Team
- Lutheran Center Administration
- Region 2 Consultation, Denver
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
- Assembly Planning
- Glocal Church Network
- Global Mission Committee
- Metro West Conference Summit, Wheat Ridge, CO
- Region 2 Consultation, Denver
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
- LAM-CO Policy Committee
- Colorado Social Legislation Committee
- Vision 2020 Policy Committee
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie Welton
- Candidacy Committee
- First, Gypsum, CO
- Region 2 Consultation, Denver
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
