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A Reconciling in Christ synod
Hurricane Florence News
As a church, we’re ready to stand by our neighbors as they recover from the hurricanes. Lutheran Disaster Response is assessing the situation and coordinating with synods and affiliated social ministry organizations in the areas that are in the path of these storms.

See the ELCA 2018 Hurricane Response site, this Lutheran Disaster Response appeal, the North Carolina, and South Carolina synods for news about their work related to Hurricane Florence.
RMS Welcomes Pr. Albert Ranaivomanana
Betela Seminary is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year! The seminary educates future pastors from five synods in the Malagasy Lutheran Church in Madagascar. Four of those synods are the companion synods to the Rocky Mountain Synod.
Our Companion Synod Committee is excited to welcome Pr Albert Ranaivomanana, Director, of Betela Seminary in Mahajanga, Madagascar, to the Rocky Mountain Synod. Rev. Albert will be traveling to Albuquerque, NM on September 15 and then join for the Theological Conference in Estes Park.

You are invited to St. Philip ( 7531 S. Kendall Blvd, Littleton, CO) on September 23 (8:00 a.m. or 10:45 a.m.) and then join in conversation with him beginning at 1:30p.m.
eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Global Neighborhood
Thad's Story - discerning vocation through YAGM
Meet Thad, a young leader who dedicated a year of his life to service with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary through ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM). Watch Thad talk about the impact the YAGM program had on his life and vocational call. With 80 participants beginning their YAGM service this month, there are many opportunities to support a transformative experience like Thad’s for the young adults of our church. If you or your congregation is interested in supporting a YAGM, please contact globalchurch@elca.org .
RMS-ELCA News and Events
Register today for your Conference Better Together Summit!
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.

WE REQUEST REGISTRATIONS AT LEAST FIVE DAYS IN ADVANCE OF EACH EVENT

A team of the rostered minister/s and 4-6 congregational leaders from every congregation will meet together. Prior to the gathering each attendee will be asked to complete a "money autobiography' and also to meet with the group from your congregation. Download, print, and prepare the advance materials at this link.
 
Each person attending is asked to register with his or her email address so we can be sure attendees receive the advance materials.
Metro East Conference      
SAT 9/22 All Saints, Aurora,
9 a.m. to noon
 
Mountain West Conference  
SAT 10/6 Good Shepherd, Glenwood Springs,
 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
 
Metro South Conference           
THUR 10/11 Abiding Hope, Littleton,
6:30 to 9 p.m.
 
Wyoming Conference        
SAT 10/13 Grace, Casper,
noon to 4 p.m.
 
Border Conference          
SAT 10/20 Peace, Las Cruces,
noon to 3:30 p.m.
North Colorado Conference         
SUN 10/21 Our Savior's, Greeley,
2 to 5 p.m.
 
Southeast Colorado Conference           
SAT 10/27 First, Colorado Springs,
3 to 6 p.m.  
 
Utah Conference
SUN 11/11 Our Saviors, Salt Lake,
3 to 6 p.m.  
 
North New Mexico Conference
SAT 11/17 St. Paul, Alb,,
1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
 
Metro West Conference
SAT 12/1 Holy Cross, Wheat Ridge,
9 a.m. to noon
Welcome our new Director of Evangelical Mission - Pastor Matt Barnhouse
Pastor Matt Barnhouse has accepted a new call in the Office of the Bishop as the new Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM) for the Rocky Mountain Synod (RMS). Matt said he considers this call "a surprise and honor," which has been affirmed by his colleagues and ministry partners in all three expressions of the church: congregation, synod, and churchwide.

He will begin serving as DEM in early October from his home in El Paso. The DEM position is an ELCA Churchwide staff position, deployed on the synod territory, focussing on new mission congregations, congregations under redevelopment, and ethnic ministries. We are pleased to welcome Pastor Barnhouse to the RMS Office of the Bishop staff!
Youth & Young Adult Ministry Campaign Grants now open!
The second round of grant applications for Youth & Young Adult Ministry Campaign Grants is now open. We will be awarding up to $430,000 in grants in this round. Grant Application Guidelines and Instructions are here. Please share this announcement and the Guidelines/Instructions widely with your associated youth and young adult networks.  Completed application forms submitted via ELCA GrantMaker are due October 31, 2018.
Rocky Mountain Synod Events - Save the Dates!
Middle School and High School Youth Gathering
January 19-21, 2019
YMCA of the Rockies
Estes Park, CO

Synod Assembly
May 3-5, 2019
Friday-Sunday
Embassy Suites
Albuquerque, NM
Registration: $300
Hotel: $119-129

Theological Conference
October 7-10, 2019
YMCA of the Rockies
Estes Park, CO
Single: $520
Double: $370
Triple: $320

For Your Bulletin
Installations

Rev. Travis Norton
First, Colorado Springs, CO
Saturday, September 22, 4:00 p.m.
Color of the Day: Green
RMS Prayer Cycle

SEPTEMBER 2018
METRO SOUTH CONFERENCE
 Week of September 23

Holy Trinity - Littleton, CO
David Palma-Ruwe
Sonja Sandquist

Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit - Centennial, CO
Gordon Sandquist

Lutheran Church of the Master - Lakewood, CO
Robert Moss

Prince of Peace - Denver, CO
Todd Hawkins
Christ Blessing the Children
between 1535 and 1540
Cranach, Lucas, 1472-1553

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, September 23
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Prayer of the Day

O God, our teacher and guide, you draw us to yourself and welcome us as beloved children. Help us to lay aside all envy and selfish ambition, that we may walk in your ways of wisdom and understanding as servants of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

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

23 - 29 September 2018 :   Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru - Intercessions and Prayers
Around the Synod
Women and Justice Draft Social Statement Hearing
Thursday, September 20, 7:00 p.m.
Join us at Our Saviours Lutheran, 2000 South Lemay Ave, Fort Collins 80525 ( map), for a hearing on the draft social statement "Women and Justice: One in Christ". This hearing is a special opportunity to respond to the text of the draft statement and to hear the perspectives of others, as well. A representative of the ELCA Task Force on "Women and Justice: One in Christ" will be present at the hearing. Please bring a copy of the social statement with you. You can download it here . For more information please contact Pr. Brigette Weier at weierbrigetter@gmail.com.
Lutheran Church of Hope 4th Annual Octobeerfest
Friday, September 21, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. and
Saturday, September 22, 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Lutheran Church of Hope, 1305 West 10th Ave. ( map ) will host their 4th annual Oktobeerfest!

Join us for local beer, brats, polka dancing, kids games, bingo, shopping, and more. Free entrance. All proceeds benefit church ministries and local community organizations. Flyer here or visit www.lchope.org/oktobeerfest  for more information.
$ave Green, Be Green Nonprofit Workshop
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
The Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 is partnering with the Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships and Energy Outreach Colorado to host this one-day free workshop for nonprofits and faith-based organizations focused on money-saving facility planning, conservation efforts and on the environmental management of their physical spaces. The workshop will be held at the Central Presbyterian Church, Denver, Colorado .

Click HERE to register for this FREE workshop! Detailed schedule and topic descriptions attached here.
Through the Lens of Music: Focus on Body with Stratus Chamber Orchestra and the Life/Art Dance Ensemble
September 28, 7:30 p.m.
1st Plymouth Congregational Church
3501 S. Colorado Blvd. Cherry Hills Village

September 29, 7:30 p.m.
Augustana Lutheran Church
5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver

In a special interactive collaboration with Life/Art Dance Ensemble, Stratus celebrates the ageless connection between music and movement through Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin , Tchaikovsky’s Pezzo capriccioso , a ballet suite by Shostakovich and more. Interested in really connecting with the music? Attend the Friday performance for a full-immersive experience. Enjoy hearing the music from a traditional vantage point? Then Saturday may be the concert for you. Or come to both for a personal musical analysis. ** Director/Musician Talkback will follow each of these performances.
You're Invited to Das Bier Tasting 2018: Back to the Future with Lutheran Campus Ministry
Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Join us for our 5th annual Lutheran Campus Ministry Beer Tasting! This year we're going back to where it started - Niwot Market! Come for fun, games, food, friends, and of course great beer!
This year's theme is, "Back to the Future!" That means there's a dress code: we're asking that you wear what you wore in college. We'll have games that play with generational differences with today's students and you'll learn about the life changing ways current students are preparing for the future with the help of mentors!

$30 Admission ( tickets here) includes six four ounce tastes of local beers and dinner catered by Niwot Market.
The Silent Film "Metropolis" Comes to Life with Organist, Peter Krasinski
Friday, October 5, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
Augustana Arts
Augustana Lutheran Church
5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver, CO

The most remarkable and highly-regarded organist Peter Krasinski, will provide live improvised pipe organ accompaniment for the 1927 silent film, Metropolis. This German expressionist science-fiction drama directed by Fritz Lang and written by Thea von Harbou, is regarded as a pioneering work of the science-fiction genre in movies, being among the first feature-length movies of the genre. Krasinski's creative and exquisite accompaniment will make this a chilling and memorable evening. Tickets available here.

Come early to enjoy one of our special Italian Sodas with all proceeds to benefit our Outreach and Education programs.
Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp's 12th Annual Grace Race 5k
at Sloans Lake Park in Denver, CO
Saturday, October 6, 2018
Help eRace World Hunger at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp’s 12th Annual Grace Race! This annual 5k run/walk was started as part of RTLC’s 50th anniversary in 2007, to raise money for ELCA World Hunger and is held in collaboration with the Rocky Mountain Synod Hunger Network. Over the past 11 years, RTLC and the participants of Grace have contributed over $53,000 to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. We are aiming for 300 participants for this year’s race. This can be the year we top $10,000 for the check that we send to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal!

More information and registration here. Walk up registration is available at the event for $35/person.
LFS informal Q&A Sessions about Foster Care
October 10, 12:30-1:30 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m.
LFS Denver Metro Office
363 S. Harlan Street, Suite 105, Denver, CO

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. 

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.
Guardian Angel Training
Saturday, October 20, 10 a.m. - noon, Bethany, Cherry Hills Village
Guardian Angels accompany children through the immigration court process in Denver. Immigration court for children is on the first Wednesday and Thursday of the month from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Guardian Angels let these children know that they are not alone, that God and the Church is with them as they go through this often scary and totally foreign process. Info and background here. Spanish speakers are greatly needed.
Augustana Arts presents the Colorado Women's Chorale and the Colorado Men's Chorale - "Movie Magic" Season Opening Concert
Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
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 our best-loved films. From Frozen to Star Wars to classic composers featured in movies like Mendelssohn and Beethoven, we will explore the emotional connection music forges between the audience and the action on the screen. Don't miss this fun kick-off to our busy season. One Night Only!

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
2018 Advocacy Conference
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 will open soon
Our Life Together
2018 RTLC Confirmation Retreat
October 19-21, 2018
Join us for a weekend of songs, learning, and all of your favorite camp activities! Pastor Jay Gamelin and RTLC are ready to partner with you in creating a fun space for learning for you confirmands. In our time together we will focus on communion; why we think it is important, what is happening when we take communion, and what is the act of communion calling us to be in the world. Spaces are limited so register now, go here!
2018 RTLC Women's Retreat
October 26-28, 2018
Treat yourself to a weekend of spiritual renewal! Participants will enjoy hiking, wine-tasting, conversation, and more in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Deacon Missie Bonser, from Trinity Lutheran Church in Monument, will share her knowledge of theology and worship leadership to guide us in joyful worship and optional discussion. Sign up now ( here) to reserve a spot for the weekend.

See you soon!
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 your favorite Rainbow Trail staff and Deacon Erin Power for a weekend of worship, classic camp activities, and exploring faith in the mountains of Colorado. Spots are limited, so go here and register your group now!
10 Life Changing Days in the Holy Land
June 23 - July 03, 2019
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.  
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
Here's Your Stewardship Toolkit for October!
This month's newsletter article and resource links are based on the theme, "Stewardship of Our Money." Use these monthly themes for congregational education and awareness! The Toolkit also has RCL-based " Stewardship Snippets" for every Sunday bulletin.

These "Stewardship Toolkits" are created monthly by Pr Robert C. Blezard, Assistant to the Bishop, Lower Susquehanna Synod.
Employment Opportunities
New Listings
Choir Director (part-time)
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church - Fort Collins, CO
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Fort Collins is seeking a Choir Director to plan and implement liturgical worship services and to facilitate participation of musical ensembles in the worship setting and in outreach opportunities. The position is part-time, exempt, and should average 10 hrs. per week. More information can be found here or you may send email to  diane@sothfoco.org.
All Non-Rostered Positions 
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

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
Office of the Bishop This Week
 
Bishop Gonia
  • Theological Conference, Estes Park, CO
  • Metro East Better Together Conference Gathering
  • Installation of Rev. Travis Norton, First, Colorado Springs, CO
  • St. Phillip, Littleton, CO
  • Churchwide Madagascar Consultation, Chicago, IL

Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Theological Conference
  • Metro East Better Together Conference Gathering
  • Conference Deans Zoom
  • Part-time Ministry Zoom

Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
  • Theological Conference
  • Courts and Criminal Justice Committee

Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
  • Theological Conference
  • Together Colorado Metro Denver Caucus
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
  • Continuing Education

Deacon Erin Power
  • Theological Conference
  • Companion Synod Consultation
  • St. Phillip, Littleton, CO
  • Conference Deans Zoom

Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Theological Conference
  • St. Luke, Buffalo, WY
  • Prince of Peace, Gillette, WY
  • Conference Deans Zoom

Pastor Leslie Welton
  • Theological Conference
  • Campus Ministry Fall Retreat
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.