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January 2, 2019
A Reconciling in Christ synod
eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the GLOBAL Neighborhood
Glocal Church Sunday: January 6, 2019
We are a church that believes God is calling us into the world — together. 

Seventy million Lutherans do make a difference! As a member of The Lutheran World Federation, the ELCA is one of 142 member churches in 79 countries all over the world. We are called to walk alongside our Lutheran brothers and sisters to grow the church and to do God’s work of restoring and reconciling communities everywhere.

Visit our RMS page here for worship resources to help you celebrate our connections and common mission in Christ’s global church. The texts and prayers 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. The resources should be adapted for your local context and the prayers may be tied to specific people in global service with the ELCA. You can share real-life stories from the global church with updated resources  here.
RMS-ELCA News and Events
Office of the Bishop: Will re-open January 2
The Office of the Bishop is open on Wednesday, January 2. Should there be a congregational emergency while the office is closed, pleased text or call (leave a message) on the RMS Emergency LIne. That number is (303) 218-2468. That number is also on the office answering message.
LIRS & AMMPARO Update on the Border and Caravan
  • Webinar Replay
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.
For Your Bulletin
RMS Prayer Cycle

January 2019
METRO WEST CONFERENCE

 Week of January 6

Advent - Westminster, CO
Barb Martens

All Saints - Austin, CO
Paul Rosin

American - Grand Junction, CO

First - Gypsum, CO
Edward Mooney

Glory of God - Wheat Ridge, CO
Emily Cardin
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, January 6
Epiphany of the Lord
Prayer of the Day

Everlasting God, the radiance of all faithful people, you brought the nations to the brightness of your rising. Fill the world with your glory, and show yourself to all the world through him who is the true light and the bright morning star, your Son, 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

06 - 12 January 2019 :   Iran, Iraq, Syria - Intercessions and Prayers
Around the Synod
Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop 
Saturday January 5, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
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.
For additional information go to: www.contemplativeoutreach-co.org
12-Step Introduction to Centering Prayer
Saturday, January 12, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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.
For additional information contact: staff@contemplativeoutreach-co.org
Prepare/Enrich Facilitator Training
Friday, January 18, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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.
Vida Guitar Quartet from the U.K. performs at Augustana Lutheran Church!
Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Augustana Lutheran Church ( map )

Augustana Arts is pleased to bring the Vida Guitar Quartet from the U.K. for a rare appearance in Denver. The VIDA Guitar Quartet brings together four of the UK’s most exceptional guitarists. Their ability to deliver music of the highest level with their trademark British humor has made group of four favorites in concert halls throughout the world. They have performed to critical acclaim in major UK, USA and European venues, and are sought-after festival artists throughout Europe. In 2011 VIDA made their US debuts in Los Angeles (LMU Guitar Festival) and New York (Baruch Performing Arts Centre). In 2012 VIDA were artists in residence at CSU’s Summer Arts program in Monterey, CA. 

Order tickets here. All RMS members receive 25% discount with the code: RMS25
Stratus Chamber Orchestra
Through the Lens of Music - Focus on Mind
Friday and Saturday, February 15 and 16, 2019
Friday, February 15, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
First Plymouth Congregational Church
3501 S Colorado Blvd, Cherry Hills Village ( map )

Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Augustana Lutheran Church ( map )

Experience the connection between music and the way we think. Ponder the classic works of Dvorak’s Legend, Ellington’s Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,and more in a mindful collaboration with guest conductor Maestro Debashish Chaudhuri and magician Trenton Gunsolley. This program is sure to blow your mind! Get your tickets here!
Cindy and Friends in Concert!
Saturday March 23, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Augustana Lutheran Church ( map )

Greatly-admired organist Cindy Lindeen-Martin and several of her friends come together for an evening of music extolling the assorted sonorities of the pipe organ in combination with various instruments for a captivating collage of sound.

Adult- $25.00, Senior 62+- $20.00, Student w/ ID- $10.00, Child >5- $5.00. Get your tickets here!
Bishop's Legislative Luncheon & Issues Briefing
Wednesday, February 6, begins 8:45 a.m.
You are invited and urged to save the date and attend! 

The morning Issues Briefing will be at 8:45 a.m. at the United Church, 1804 Arroyo Chamiso in Santa Fe ( map )

Registration and refreshments will begin at 8:45 am. The Bishop's Legislative Luncheon will be at 12:30 p.m. La Fonda Hotel, 100 East San Francisco ( map ).
The cost for the luncheon is $35 per person. That cost is reduced to $30 when four or more people attend from your congregation or group. If you are only able to attend the morning Issues Briefing, the cost is $10. 
REGISTER for these events here!
Sign Up for the LAM-NM Advocacy Network!
  • Get information about Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM's legislative work
  • Keep up with LAM-NM legislation
  • Receive news about advocacy events
  • And other more!

Our Life Together
LFS Informal Q & A session for Foster Care 
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 January 9, 2019 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 ( 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.
Mission Nicaragua June 2019 - Volunteer Opportunity!
Lord of the Valley, Granby, CO
Lord of the Valley Lutheran in Granby, Colorado will send a mission team to Somoto, Nicaragua for 10 days in June, 2019.

This medical mission team will serve people in rural villages with general health, dental, optical and women' health. In addition they will provide a day camp ministry for children in each village they serve.
The mission team is seeking participants, especially persons with nursing or pharmacology skills. Additional volunteers are welcome and Medical skills are desired, but they are not required. The team will partner with Nicaraguan healthcare professionals.

For more information visit: lordofthevalley.org or call 970-887-9252. 
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
2018 Annual Report Resources
Refreshing our Response to God's Grace in Jesus

Office of the Bishop staff are available to meet with Stewardship teams, committees, and task forces. Neighboring congregations can plan Stewardship events together to stimulate creative juices for approaching this very important ministry in new ways, to explore resources for congregations, to share ideas, an to have some fun in the process! 


ELCA Stewardship Resources can be found  here .
Here's your Stewardship Toolkit for January 2019!
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.
Employment Opportunities
All Non-Rostered Positions 
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
Office of the Bishop This Week
 
Bishop Jim Gonia
  • Bishop's Academy, Chicago, IL

ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Matt Barnhouse

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Ruth Hoffman
  • Legislative session prep
  • State Directors' conference call

ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
  • Regional Gift Planner Annual Meeting, AZ
  • All Saints, Austin, CO

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Vacation through January 3
  • Western Colorado visits
  • Zion, Montrose, CO

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Lutheran Center Administration
  • St. Andrew, Arvada, CO

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
  • RMS Communications
  • Synod Assembly Planning

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
  • Opening day of Colorado Legislature
  • Mount Calvary, Boulder, CO
  • Colorado Social Legislation Committee
  • Renter's Roundtable

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie Welton
  • RMS Youth Council 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

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