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A Reconciling in Christ synod
The Westin Hotel Westminster
10600 Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CO 80020
303-410-5000

Better Together Sunday Resources

April 28-29 is Better Together weekend! Pray together with other ministries across our synod, commission your assembly voting members, and learn about the various ministries of our Church!

Prepare for Assembly - Review Assembly Materials
Visit the Assembly website to access all pertinent assembly documents: Handbook, Budget, Resolutions and Memorials

Assembly volunteers needed!
We need three registration volunteers to assemble packets at Lutheran Center on Monday, April 30, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Lunch provided!
eConnection Spotlight: RMS in the Neighborhood
Public Witness in Print
Pastor Daniel Smith (Ascension, Colorado Springs) recently wrote an op-ed for Colorado Politics , explaining why it's important for people of faith to support the protection of civil rights. The op-ed was published on Friday, April 20, as the Colorado Senate continues to debate the reauthorization of the state's Civil Rights Division & Commission.

"I believe that God calls us not to defend our own rights and causes, but to defend those with less: less power, less wealth, less social capital."

Thanks for your public witness, Pastor Daniel!
RMS-ELCA News and Events
Join us for a Concert to support Educate, Equip, Enact
Friday, May 4, 7:30 p.m.
Westin Hotel, Westminster, CO
Friday, May 4, 7:30pm
Westin Hotel, Westminster, CO

Front Range folks are invited to join us at the assembly for a concert by Tangled Blue, Lutheran musicians who have played for both the RMS and ELCA Youth Gatherings.

This concert is in support of Educate, Equip, Enact, our Lilly Grant addressing financial concerns of our rostered ministers.

Suggested donation: $10/person. Youth and families welcome regardless of ability to pay!
Film: The Stones Cry Out, the Story of the Palestinian Christians
Directed by Yasmine Perni

On Christmas Eve, we sing "O Little Town of Bethlehem," but what do we know of the people who still live in Bethlehem today? This is their story, in their voices, from the Nakba of 1948 until today. The film won an award at the Barcelona International Film Festival.
 
Yasmine Perni moved from her native Italy to the Middle East when she was 13 years old, living in Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan and Jerusalem. A graduate of the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies, she has worked as a journalist, photographer, television producer and mother. (55 min.) See more: about the film:  http://www.thestonescryoutmovie.com 
Office of the Bishop Eucharist, Wednesday, May 9
Our monthly Eucharist will be held at the Lutheran Center on Wednesday, May 9 at 11:30 a.m.

All are invited to join in this 30 minute worship.
For Your Bulletin
Installations

  Rev. Liliana Stahlberg
Lord of the Mountains, Dillon, CO
SUNDAY , April 29, 3:00 p.m.
Color of the Day:    White
RMS Prayer Cycle

 Week of April 29

Rocky Mountain Synod Council

The Rev. James Gonia - Bishop 
Ms. Earline Bohling - Vice President
Ms. Jody Hoelter - Secretary
Mr. Dennis Reynolds - Treasurer 
Diana Biggs 
Debra Elstad 
Ray Ferry
Joan Jacobson 
Susan Mitchell 
Betty Pepin 
Terry Cole 
Todd Herreid
Amelia Decker
Maggie Nieberger 
Hendrik Dapot Samosir 
Jay Voth 
The Rev. Julie Brooks 
The Rev. Sara Wirth 
The Rev. Dana Peterson 
The Rev. Larry Davis 

Lutheran reformers in the Vineyard of the Lord
Lucas Cranach, 1569

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, April 29
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Prayer of the Day

O God, you give us your Son as the vine apart from whom we cannot live. Nourish our life in his resurrection, that we may bear the fruit of love and know the fullness of your joy, 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

  • 29 April - 05 May 2018: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan - Intercessions and Prayers
Around the Synod
Augustana Arts and Stratus Chamber Orchestra presents " Awakenings"
Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Featuring the World Premiere by composer Jessamie Kaitler
David Rutherford, Music Director

Augustana Arts debuts the world premier composition “ Awakenings” by Jessamie Kaitler performed by the Stratus Chamber Orchestra. Jessamie Kaitler’s commissioned composition Awakenings will debut along with Bach’s Sleeper’s Awake!, Haydn‘s Morning Symphony (#6) and Bax’ 3 Pieces for Small Orchestra

Performances at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 27 at the First Plymouth Congregational Church , 3501 S. Colorado Blvd, Englewood, CO 80113 and again on Saturday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Augustana Lutheran Church , 5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver, CO 80246. Tickets are $10 - $25 and available by calling 303-388-4962, online at www.AugustanaArts.org or at the door.

Stratus Music Director David Rutherford said, “We are very excited to share with you the World Premiere of a new work by Australian composer Jessamie Kaitler, who saw our immersive performance at the Czech Museum of Music in Prague and couldn’t wait to take the concept back home with her. She reached out and expressed a desire to work with Stratus in creating an unforgettable new work for the orchestra.”
Rejoicing Spirits Worship
Sunday, April 29, 2018 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church 4500 E Hampden Ave. Cherry Hills Village, CO
Rejoicing Spirits is a "no-shush" worship service that is accessible for all people, especially people who live with cognitive disabilities. All are invited for dinner, a service project, and worship including Holy Communion. We laugh, sing, dance, pray and praise God with all of who we are!
If you or your congregation would like to attend, volunteer to help with dinner, the service project or worship (particularly the music) please contact Pr. Brigette Weier at brigette@bethany-denver.org.
Ken Caryl Concerts of St. Philip Lutheran Presents Singin' and Swingin'
Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 7:30 pm
We hope you will join us for our first concert of 2018 - Singin' and Swingin' - featuring the Denver Jazz Club Youth All Stars. Ken Caryl Concerts info, directions, and schedule here.

Refreshments will be served following the performance and the band will keep playing for those who wish to dance. As always, the concert is FREE and FAMILY FRIENDLY. A free-will offering will be collected to benefit the MC-1 Foundation.
Hearing for the Draft Social Statement "Women and Justice: One in Christ"
Wednesday, May 16, 2018 7:00 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church
4500 E. Hampden Ave.
Cherry Hills Village, CO

A hearing on the draft social statement "Women and Justice: One In Christ," will be held on Wednesday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Please come ready to go line by line through the social statement and offer feedback on verbiage and concepts. This will not be a study of the statement, only a hearing for feedback to the ELCA task force.
A copy of the draft can be found here. For more information, please contact Pr. Brigette Weier at brigette@bethany-denver.org. Please look for other locations and times for hearings throughout the summer.
Our Life Together
Lutheran Men in Mission
One Year to Live Men Retreat, April 27-29
YMCA Camp Santa Maria
Grant, Colorado
April 27-29, 2018

Faith Lutheran Golden, First Lutheran Longmont, Bethany of Denver, and Abiding Hope of Littleton are hosting this retreat together. The retreat will be held at Camp Santa Maria about 15 miles south of Bailey, Colorado on Hwy 85. 
 
You can contact one of these men if you have questions:
Herb Hergott 303-588-2856, Peter Ewers 303-902-9009, Bill Ernstrom 303-746-6312, 
 
Registration: Registration flyer is here, link to LMM Retreats here.
 
Retreat Schedule: Arrive promptly at 5:30-6:00 p.m. on Friday. Plan to stay for entire retreat, depart by 2:30 p.m. on Sunday!
LFS Rocky Mountains - May Announcements
  • The refugee program is a charity partner with the Colfax Marathon this year! The race will happen Saturday and Sunday, May 19 & 20. Interested in running or donating in support of other runners to raise awareness of refugees in our city? Simply choose Lutheran Family Services as your charity partner when you complete your race registration, and join the LFS staff as we #Run4Refugees in the 5k, Urban 10 Miler, Half Marathon, Full Marathon, and 5-Person Marathon Relay! For more information, to donate, or to register visit http://www.runcolfax.org/charity-partners/lutheran-family-services/ or contact Refugee Programs Volunteer & Community Relations Coordinator Kate Strebe at kate.strebe@lfsrm.org or 303-225-0199.
  
  • Are you passionate about helping those in need in our community? Do you love to play golf? LFS would love your help! The 24th Annual Golf Classic for Lutheran Family Services is happening on August 17 at the Hiwan Golf Club. If you would like to join the golf committee and help us plan this amazing tournament please contact Lauren Knudsen at Lauren.Knudsen@lfsrm.org.
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
ELA World Hunger's Global Farm Challenge
Join us in our year-long, youth-driven fundraising challenge to support the agriculture-related programs of ELCA World Hunger. Start raising funds in advance of the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering taking place in June. The goal is to raise $500,000 to equip communities around the world and in the United States to turn hungry seasons into hopeful ones.

In the Interactive Learning Space in the Houston NRG Center, youth and young adults will have the chance to have an unforgettable experience designed to immerse them in what it is like to be a smallholder farmer around the world.

Check out ELCA.org/globalfarmchallenge for more information!

Read and download the full May 2018 RMS Global Church Connection... add it to your bulletins or newsletters!
Classified Ads
Communion trays from Bethany Lutheran
Bethany Lutheran Church has twelve communion serving trays similar to shown here. If you are interested in having them please contact Sarah at sarah@bethany-denver.org or 303-758-2820.
Employment Opportunities
New Listings
Executive Director
Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries
Ashland, Nebraska
Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries is seeking applications for its next visionary leader. The successful candidate will succeed Dave Coker, who is retiring after 27 years of outstanding leadership. 

Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (NLOM) is the camp, conferencing and leadership development center for the Nebraska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. NLOM’s flagship camp and conference operations are at Carol Joy Holling Center, just outside of Ashland, only 30 minutes from both Omaha and Lincoln. NLOM also offers summer camp and year round retreat opportunities at its Sullivan Hills Camp, located in western Nebraska, just north of Lodgepole. Each year, NLOM serves well over 2,500 young people through its residential camping and Day Camp programs.

All Non-Rostered Positions 
Executive Director
Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (NLOM), Ashland, Nebraska

Director of Faith Formation (part-time)
Broadmoor Community UCC, 315 Lake Ave. Colorado Springs, CO

Director of Worship & Music Ministry (full-time)
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO

Director of Elementary School Ministries
Cross of Hope Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM

ACPE Chaplain Residency 2018-2019
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Office of the Bishop This Week
 
Bishop Gonia
  • Staff meeting
  • Growing Home
  • Christ, Cheyenne, WY
  • Installation of Rev. Liliana Stahlberg, Lord of the Mountains, Dillon, CO
  • Assembly Prep

Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Staff meeting
  • Assembly Prep
  • Growing Home

Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
  • Legislative Finance Committee
  • Christ Lutheran Church
  • State Public Policy Office Conference Call

Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
  • Staff meeting
  • Legislative Hearings
  • CO Social Legislation Committee
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
  • Our Savior's Denver, CO
  • Christ Lutheran, Cheyenne, WY
  • Aurora Church Together Strategy, ACTS, Bethel, Aurora, CO
  • Rejoicing Spirits, Bethany, Cherry Hills Village, CO
  • Staff meeting
  • Assembly Prep

Deacon Erin Power
  • Staff Meeting
  • Assembly Prep

Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Staff Meeting
  • Congregational Transition
  • Shepherd of the Hills, Fort Collins, CO

Pastor Leslie Welton
  • Out of Office until April 27
Quick Links
Share the News
Erin Power   Assistant to the Bishop
Andrew Nakatan i , Communications Assistant
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.