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A Reconciling in Christ synod
Friday Prayer Vigil for Immigration Justice- Cheyenne, WY
Friday, March 30, 2018 - 11:30 a.m.
The purpose of this Good Friday Prayer Vigil is to support DACA, immigration justice, and to oppose the building of an immigrant prison at Evanston. Join us in Cheyenne on Friday, March 30, 2018, for a Good Friday Prayer Vigil for Immigration Justice. More information here.

To read about the social justice issues related to the proposed immigration prison in Evanston featured in the American Bar Association online journal, please click here. Read about social justice issues and updates related to DACA, featured in a USA Today article, please click here.
A Declaration of Our Inter-Religious Commitment: 
A Draft Policy Statement of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
You are invited to participate in responding to the Draft ELCA policy statement, “ A Declaration of Our Inter-Religious Commitment.” The six-month comment period on the Draft is open from Friday, January 12, 2018 through Saturday, June 30, 2018.

To participate, you can download the draft document here, then respond to the online survey here. You are welcome to participate as individuals or groups.
eConnection Spotlight: RMS in the Neighborhood
Guardian Angels Accompanying Migrant Minors in Denver
19 members of the Rocky Mountain Synod are now trained to offer spiritual accompaniment to minors and families navigating the immigration court system. As a follow up, we are hoping to create a network of "Welcoming Congregations" who will offer continuing accompaniment. More information coming soon!

Christ's Church, Better Together for sake of the world!
RMS-ELCA News and Events
Bishop Election

Biographies for potential bishop candidates are now published on the Bishop Election page of the website.

Identifying candidates in advance of the assembly is in no way binding on the nominating “Ecclesiastical Ballot” on the opening day of the assembly. This process is for informational purposes only. See the website for full election information.
Leaders needed for our life together!

Churwide Assembly:
  • WY At Large Clergy
  • North Colorado Lay Female
  • Person of Color, Lay
  • Youth/Young Adult Female
  • Youth/Young Adult Male

Synod Council:
  • Ethnic Specific Ministry/English as a 2nd language (Lay or Clergy)
  • Youth (2 year term)

Mission Outreach
Congregational Ministry Board
Committee on Discipline
Consultation Committee

For Your Bulletin
April Prayer Petitions
Border Servant Corps (Peace Lutheran, Las Cruces, NM)
  • Meredith Severtson, BSCer serving as an Outreach Coordinator at Doña Ana Communities United.
  • Doña Ana Communities United in Las Cruces, NM builds the capacity of communities to develop and implement policies and community-based solutions that improve social, economic, and environmental conditions that shape health and life opportunities.

* Each month, BSC invites partners to support BSC, volunteers, and service sites through intentional prayer. Please feel free to share; we are grateful for your continued partnership and support. 

To learn more, visit the BSC website or send an email to info@borderservantcorps.org.
Installations

 Rev. Jo Ann Neal
Our Saviors, Casper, WY
Saturday, April 7, 11:00 a.m.
Color of the Day:   White
RMS Prayer Cycle

 APRIL 2018: WYOMING CONFERENCE

Week of April 1

Ascension - Cheyenne, WY
Wesley Aardahl

Christ - Cheyenne, WY
Rebecca Johnson Aardahl

Covenant - Wheatland, WY
Joshua Bruns

Faith - Lander, WY
Kris Trahnstrom 
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 1
Resurrection of our Lord
Prayer of the Day

God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, 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
  • 01 - 07 April 2018: The Balkans - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia - Intercessions and Prayers
Around the Synod
Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends Seminar
Thursday, April 5, 2018 through Thursday, June 7,2018
Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends , begins on Thursday, April 5 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, CO . The 10 week seminar meets from 6:30 to 8:30 PM each Thursday, and offers education and support for individuals experiencing a divorce or the loss of a love relationship. Complimentary child care is available. To register and for more information please contact Beth Walker at 720-352-9915 or bethdwalker@gmail.com .
Our Life Together
MLK50 Bell Toll
Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 5:05 p.m. MDT
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
April 4 of this year will mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. While many will be in Memphis, Tennessee, for the commemoration, organizers also want the nation to recognize this seminal anniversary and connect the past to the present.

You are invited to join the commemoration by tolling your church or campus bell 39 times at the hour of his assassination to honor the number of years Dr. King dwelled on this earth and to pay homage to his legacy. This is a simple yet meaningful way for our nation to acknowledge the loss but more importantly to remember the great contributions Dr. King made to our country and the world.

Since the news rippled across the country, the bells will first ring at the National Civil Rights Museum at 6:01 p.m. CDT. Bells will chime in the City of Memphis at 6:03 p.m. CDT, and 6:05 p.m. CST nationally (5:05 p.m. Mountain Time). Please consider joining in this solemn reflection. More information and registration here.
The Summit - Youth Ministry Retreat at Rainbow Trail
Monday, April 16 through Wednesday, April 18
Join speaker, Tammy Devine, Deacon and Wellness Manager for the ELCA, for some time in the mountains with fellow youth ministry workers! The schedule includes time for learning, Holy Yoga, fellowship, and exploring. This retreat is for any ministry professionals working with children, youth, and/or families. Better yet, the event is FREE for anyone working within the Rocky Mountain Synod! Register NOW for your retreat in God's creation.

Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
From the March 2018 Issue of Administration Matters
May 15 is an important ELCA Youth Gathering deadline!

  • Registration fees must be paid in full. To check your congregation's balance, log in to your congregation's registration account and print the payment letter. Don't forget to make sure checks are mailed to the correct address in Hagerstown, Md., - many checks have been mistakenly sent to our old P.O. box in St. Louis!
  • Hotel reservation forms and deposits are due to your hotel! The reservation form can also be found on your congregational account. If you would like to request housing assignment changes, you must email gathering@elca.org. Hotels are not authorized to increase or decrease your assigned rooms or change the room type (e.g., a king for a double).
Employment Opportunities
All Non-Rostered Positions 
Director of Elementary School Ministries
Cross of Hope Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM

ACPE Chaplain Residency 2018-2019
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO

Office Administrator (part-time)
Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church - Centennial, CO

Early Learning Center Director
St. John's Lutheran Church - Thornton, CO

Early Learning Center Assistant Director
St. John's Lutheran Church - Thornton, CO

Early Childhood Teacher
St. John's Lutheran Church - Thornton, CO

Director of Early Learning Center
Augustana Lutheran Church - Denver, CO

Office Manager (part-time)
St. Andrew Lutheran Church - Arvada, CO
Office of the Bishop This Week
 
Bishop Gonia
  • In-Office Appointments
  • Staff meeting
  • Good Friday Prayer Vigil for Immigration Justice, Cheyenne, WY
  • National Council of Churches Rally to End Racism, Washington, D.C.

Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Lutheran Center Administration
  • staff meeting
  • First, Gypsum, CO

Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
  • Dental Therapy Coalition
  • RMS staff meeting
  • Minimum Wage Coalition

Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
  • Legislative Hearings
  • Staff meeting
  • Rally to Save Medicaid
  • Colorado Fiscal Institute
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
  • Mission sites: administrative work
  • Staff meeting
  • Stewardship work
  • Holy Week/ Easter worship

Deacon Erin Power
  • Staff Meeting
  • Synod Assembly Planning
  • RMS Communications

Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Staff Meeting
  • Vacation
  • St. Luke, Albuquerque, NM

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.