A Reconciling in Christ synod
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A Christmas Reflection from Bishop Eaton:
From Cradle to Grave
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In the December issue of Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reflects on Christmas, a time when
"God reversed the cradle-to-grave progression." We are on a joyful journey, where we are loved, we are alive and we are free to greet this holy season.
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ELCA Advocacy Resource: Caring for Creation
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“The earth is a planet of beauty and abundance; the earth system is wonderfully intricate and incredibly complex. But today living creatures, and the air, soil, and water that support them, face unprecedented threats. Many threats are global; most stem directly from human activity. Our current practices may so alter the living world that it will be unable to sustain life in the manner we know.” (1993 Social Statement, Caring for Creation)
As several reports circulate presently , Ruth Ivory-Moore, ELCA Program Director of Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility, prepared a resource that helps us look at the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change special report released last month, and highlights some things we can do. As the ELCA ‘Caring for Creation’ social statement reminds us, ‘When we face today's crisis, we do not despair. We act.’”
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eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the GLOBAL Neighborhood
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Meet our Missionaries: Genna Clemen
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Genna Clemen, a Rainbow Trail alum, is serving as a Young Adult in Global Mission in Jerusalem/West Bank. Learn about Genna in the video below, and check out a group discussion guide, additional videos, and other global chuch resources on the
Global Church webpage.
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LIRS & AMMPARO Update on the Border and Caravan
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Recently, representatives from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), ELCA AMMPARO, Bishop Gonia, and other leaders participated in a webinar to share an update on the critical situation on the Border and the Caravan. View the
webinar (you'll need to register to view) and download the
presentation to learn how we as a church are continuing to accompany refugees, migrants, and asylum-seekers, and how you and your ministry can get involved.
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Conference Youth Gatherings January 19-21, 2019
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With the cancellation of the synod-organized youth gathering there are still opportunities for youth retreats that weekend. Here are two, in Estes Park and southern New Mexico.
If you are aware of other gatherings, let us know so that the information can be shared with others.
Please directly contact those listed below with your questions and to register.
Youth Gathering
North
Who Me? Yes you! Come join us for a weekend of exploring vocation, spirituality, and community time together.
January 19-21, 2019
YMCA at Estes Park
Cost: $180 per person
Registration deadline: December 9th, 2018
Youth Gathering
South
January 19-21, 2019
Sacramento Camp and Conference Center
Cloudcroft, New Mexico
Cost: $135 per person
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Apply now to serve on the ELCA Youth Core Leadership Team
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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.
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Three Sides Podcast - Living Lutheran
Three Sides is a monthly podcast featuring stories from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). As a church that believes God is calling us into the world - together, Three Sides will present diverse voices from across the ELCA. Listen ...
Read more
www.livinglutheran.org
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Installations
Deacon Mary Black
Risen Lord, Conifer, CO
Wednesday, December 12, 6:00 p.m.
Color of the Day:
Blue
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RMS Prayer Cycle
December 2018
UTAH CONFERENCE
Week of December 16
Our Saviour’s
- Salt Lake City, UT
Prince of Peace
- Logan, UT
Teri Hermsmeyer (interim)
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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, December 16
Third Sunday of Advent
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Prayer of the Day
Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the preaching of John, that, rejoicing in your salvation, we may bring forth the fruits of repentance; 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
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Holden Evening Prayer with Our Savior's & HFASS
Wednesdays during Advent, 7:00 p.m.
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Our Savior's Lutheran Church
915 East 9th Ave, Denver (
map
)
(On the corner of Emerson Street and East 9th Avenue in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.)
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Rocky Mountain Ringers-
Winter Wonderland Holiday Concert
Friday, Dec 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec 15 at 2:00 p.m.
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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.
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Annual Gift Event for Refugees
Celebrate the holiday season by offering a warm welcome to refugee families in the Denver area! The LFSRM Refugee Program will hold its annual gift event on December 14, 15, and 16. We are looking for volunteers to help set up and staff the event.
Read more
www.facebook.com
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Columbine Chorale Holiday Concert-
A Ceremony of Carols
Sunday, December 16 at 4:00 p.m.
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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.
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Saint Martin’s Chamber Choir Concert-
A Marian Christmas: Maiden and Mother
Friday, December 21 at 7:30 p.m.
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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
.
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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.
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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.
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Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop
Saturday January 5th, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Come deepen your relationship with God in the New Year. 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.
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12 Step Introduction to Centering Prayer
Saturday, January 12th, 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.
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Prepare/Enrich Facilitator Training
Friday, January 18, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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Become a certified facilitator with the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize the
Prepare Enrich Assessment in your work with couples. This flexible tool can be used for premarital counseling, mentoring programs and for marriage enrichment.
Training will be held at
Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village. Please contact Beth Walker at
bethdwalker@gmail.com or 720-352-9915 for more information or to to register.
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Serve with RTLC's Bridging Borders Program!
Summer 2019
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It's not too late to register your youth group or multi-generational group for a service trip with Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp! Bridging Borders is offering 4 locations in 2019, including the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Appalachia! Each trip provides a unique experience of hard work, cultural immersion, and building relationships centered on the love of Christ. Experience an unforgettable and life changing week of service and leave the hard work of logistics and details to us. Our summer staff will accompany your group and help lead devotions, meals, team building, and processing. Don't miss out on a great opportunity to partner with Rainbow Trail for a Bridging Borders trip!
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LWR Farmers Market Coffee gift sets
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Looking
for a gift that is both thoughtful and does global good?
Jump start your holiday shopping with the perfect gift of an LWR Farmers Market Coffee gift set! Comprised of two bags of coffee and an LWR Farmers Market mug, customize your purchase with your choice of our bold dark, robust medium, or decaf roasts!
LWR Farmers Market Coffee is sourced directly from coffee farmers working in
Lutheran World Relief
projects – our partners in the coffee business. And, a portion of the sales are invested back into Lutheran World Relief Projects, which means this purchase is a gift to many!
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Donate a good car to help share the Good News!
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Prison Congregations of America (PCA) is a nonprofit ministry that plants churches INSIDE prisons across the US, and helps create a network of supporting churches on the outside that provides resources to the inmate church, as well as offers a welcoming community of faith upon the congregates' release back into society.
In continually working to energize and empower the existing community of congregations from coast to coast, and to develop new prison congregations in every state, the PCA Director covers a lot of territory by car in forwarding the mission.
If you have a gently used vehicle with relatively low mileage that you would like to donate to the organization, your donation is tax deductible and your vehicle will be used to continue to share the Good News to prisoners nationwide! For info, visit their
website, or
send email to
renae@prisoncongregations.org.
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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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.
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Here's your Stewardship Toolkit for January 2019!
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Here is the January 2019 "Stewardship Toolkit." This month's theme is "Stewardship of Time."
Included are RCL-based bulletin blurbs for Sundays in January, plus an original newsletter article and links to resources.
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ELCA Administration Matters - December 2018
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Inspire, thank and educate with Stories of Faith in Action
The newest edition of Stories of Faith in Action is out — and it’s packed with vibrant photos and stories to encourage giving! Mailed to ELCA congregations, synods and leaders in early September, this annual publication highlights the impact of Mission Support and the ministries it funds.
- Order free print copies (all you cover is shipping).
- Download an electronic copy.
- View video stories, bulletin inserts and other resources.
How to complete a Pastor’s W-2 IRS Form
Year-end is quickly approaching and with it, the task of tax reporting to the IRS. Different rules apply when dealing with clergy taxes and withholdings. The sample W-2 provided will assist congregations in completing W-2 forms for clergy.
>
More
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Director of Children’s Ministries
Cross of Christ Lutheran Church - Broomfield, CO
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This person will be responsible for developing a comprehensive Children’s (pre-K – 5th grade) Faith Formation Ministry designed to meet the needs of the congregation while following the vision and ministry of Cross of Christ. They will coordinate and oversee volunteers involved with this ministry. See full position description, qualifications, and salary information
here.
Please send resume and letter of interest to: Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Attn: Pastor Kathleen Armstrong, 12099 Lowell Blvd, Broomfield, CO 80020, or
karmstrong@cross-of-christ.org.
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Vacation Bible School Coordinator
Cross of Christ Lutheran Church - Broomfield, CO
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The vision for VBS is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with young children in our local community with the hope of establishing long term relationships with them and their families. VBS is a high energy week that requires numerous volunteers to make it successful. As such the VBS Coordinator plays a crucial role in implementing all of the details and has the goal of developing an exciting program that will introduce Jesus to the children and help them understand his love for them. See full position description, qualifications, and salary information
here.
Please send resume and letter of interest to:
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All
Non-Rostered Positions
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Director of Children’s Ministries
Cross of Christ Lutheran Church - Broomfield, CO
Vacation Bible School Coordinator
Cross of Christ Lutheran Church - Broomfield, CO
Music Leader (part-time)
Ascension Lutheran Church - Cheyenne, WY
Director of Faith Formation
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church - Louisville, CO
Administrative Assistant
All Saints Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM
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Office of the Bishop This Week
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- In-office appointments
- Installation, Deacon Mary Black, Risen Lord, Conifer, CO
- Shepherd of the Valley, Grand Junction, CO
- Colorado Council of Churches
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Matt Barnhouse
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Ruth Hoffman
- Interfaith Hunger Coalition
- Prosperity Works
- Vacation
ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
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ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Interim Pastors
- In-office appointments
- Congregation Transition
- Leadership Planning Team
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
- Lutheran Center Administration
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
- RMS Communications
- Synod Assembly Planning
- Global Mission Committee
- Installation, Deacon Mary Black
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
- Prop 111 Strategy Wrap-up
- Lutheran Day at the Legislature Planning
- All Families Deserve a Chance Coalition
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie Welton
- Faith Formation Network
- Candidacy Meetings
- Christ the Servant, Louisville, CO
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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
Submissions
are due noon Monday each week and will run for about two weeks.
Past issues of eConnection can be found
here
.
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