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A Reconciling in Christ synod
Save the Date for the 2018 Theological Conference
2018 Theological Conference
YMCA of the Rockies
Estes Park, CO

Registration:
Single:$500
Double: $350
Commuter: TBD

Continuing the Assembly theme of "For the Life of the World" our time together will focus on the relationships between economic life, justice, power/privilege, and faith - and tools for engaging these critical topics as communities of faith in our local contexts.

Our conference guests will include:

  • Prairie Rose Seminole, ELCA American Indian-Alaska Native Ministries
  • Rev. Dr. Ray Pickett, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
  • Rev. Ranaivomanana Albert, Betela Seminary, Madagascar

Registration will open June 12 and more information will be available soon on the RMS Website. Stay tuned for more information!
Additional Assembly Photos Available
Additional photos from the 2018 Synod Assembly can be found here. We offer our gratitude for our assembly photographer, Dale Ladd-Horkey!
eConnection Spotlight: RMS in the Neighborhood
Advocating Congregations in New Mexico
We celebrate with St. Timothy's in Albuquerque, NM as they we welcomed by Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM, as the newest Advocating Congregation!
RMS-ELCA News and Events
New ELCA Domestic Hunger Grant Application
ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants support ministries that accompany people experiencing poverty and hunger in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These grants go beyond meeting immediate needs to address the root causes of hunger – in addition to relief programs, ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants support projects in advocacy, community development, and community organizing that strengthen the foundations of communities affected by hunger and poverty.

For the first time, these applications will be completed through the new ELCA granting platform, ELCA GrantMaker. To learn more about Domestic Hunger Grants and the new ELCA Grantmaker system, we invite you to attend one of two webinars that will review our granting priorities and cover the basics of applying. Simply click on the date of your choice below for instructions on how to call in. A reminder with the link will be sent when the application is open.

Timeline for 2019 Domestic Hunger Grants
  • June 12-Aug. 13: Domestic Hunger Grant application is open
  • September-October: Synod teams review applications
  • November: Review and award decisions
  • Late November/early December: Awards announced

Email hunger@elca.org if you have questions. Keep checking the Hunger Network’s website at https://www.rmselca.org/hunger for updates!
For Your Bulletin
Installations

   Rev. Dan Hayes
Peace, Sterling, CO
Saturday, June 2, 2:00 p.m.
Color of the Day:   Green
RMS Prayer Cycle

 Week of June 3

JUNE 2018: SOUTHEAST COLORADO CONFERENCE

Ascension - Colorado Springs, CO
Dan Holt
Daniel Smith
Mary Stoneback

Christ the King - Colorado Springs, CO
Paula Stecker

First - Colorado Springs, CO
Brian Mortenson (Interim)
Mark Patzke
Carrie Baylis
Joan Kuehn

Zion - Limon, CO
Bryce Fellbaum

Zion’s - Trinidad, CO
Andrea Doeden
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, June 3
Second Sunday after Pentecost
Prayer of the Day

Almighty and ever-living God, throughout time you free the oppressed, heal the sick, and make whole all that you have made. Look with compassion on the world wounded by sin, and by your power restore us to wholeness of life, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

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

Around the Synod
St. Paul Catholic Community Is Received into Ecumenical Catholic Community
Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.
Join in this celebration Mass at St. Paul Lutheran and Catholic Community of Faith where our pastors, The Rev. Penni Walsh and The Reverend Father Don Sutton, will be joined by honored guests, The Right Reverend Denise Donato, Auxilliary Bishop of the Rocky Mountain, Southwest and East Coast Regions of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion; The Reverend Jim Gonia, Bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Father Michael Nicosia, Vicar to the Rocky Mountain Region of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion; as well as members of other local Lutheran and Catholic Communities. 

Coinciding with the 15th Anniversary of the covenant between Lutherans and Catholics at St. Paul's, the Catholic Community will be officially received into the ECC (Ecumenical Catholic Community) as a member church of its Rocky Mountain Region, and Father Don Sutton will incardinated as a priest of the Communion with all of the ministerial faculties pertaining thereto. Honoring the ECC's empowerment of the laity, the community will officially call its pastor. 

A reception will follow the liturgy.
Retirement of Pastor Mark Peterson!
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Come join us on June 10 to celebrate the 40 year ministry of Pastor Mark Peterson as he retires! 

Worship at Bethlehem Lutheran Church , 1000 W 15th Ave, Longmont CO, 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. (No RSVP required)

Coffee reception at 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. (RSVP appreciated)
Episcopalians and Lutherans at Denver Pridefest 2018
Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17
Episcopalians and Lutherans are organizing a presence at Denver Pridefest 2018, the weekend of June 16 and 17, and invite you to come and help us spread the great news about our welcoming churches. Last year we had over 2 dozen volunteers from 8 area Lutheran and Episcopal congregations, including Holy Trinity in Littleton.  

We have a booth space and we will bring the canopy and supplies, so the only thing volunteers need to do is to sign up for a 2-hour shift on either Saturday or Sunday and come and greet visitors to our booth. We have a Signup Genius page here. We also have an information webpage here.

Volunteers can sign up individually or claim one or more shifts for your group. We will also have lists of RIC congregations and welcoming Episcopal churches to give out. Additionally, St John's Cathedral will be marching in the parade on Sunday morning and have extended an invitation to all area Lutherans and Episcopalians to join them. You can find contact info for the parade on the website.
Community Summer Camp Help!
Monday - Friday, July 9 - 20
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
111 Del Mar Circle
Aurora, CO 80011

We are in dire need of snack food donations, monetary donations, but even more so, ADULT VOLUNTEERS for our annual Summer Camp! I already have 90 kids registered, and have to cap it at 100 because we need more adults!!!! I need adults who love children, who can shepherd them from one activity to the next. We do crafts, games, water days, field events, mini worship, Zumba, POUND Fitness, etc. You would be in charge with another adult and youth volunteers to shepherd a group of around 20 kids. We provide snacks throughout the day since we live in an area where 75% of the kids are on free or reduced lunch. We are also in need of some camp-like musicians from 9:30-10:30 each day!
Thank you for anything you can help us with! If you can help or have questions, call 303-366-9702, email misskinna.cyf@gmail.com , or MissKinna Kemp on Facebook!
Refugee Hospitality Ministry - Peace Lutheran, Las Cruces
Last week Peace Lutheran Church (Las Cruces, NM) welcomed and hosted 26 refugees. We have been blessed beyond measure by each person's presence; providing hospitality to more than 70 refugees since we started this ministry in March 2018. We will continue to pray for each parent and child as their journey continues.

Many thanks to all of the volunteers who give their time to provide hospitality with kindness, love, and care. Gratitude to people across the world who are sending donations to support each guest. The cost to support a refugee family is about $100. This provides basic needs (personal hygiene and meals), clothing (a change of clothes for each family member), and travel (items for single parent & child's journey to their sponsor). Your donations to support our refugee ministry are welcome at BorderServantCorps.org.
The Poor People's Campaign in New Mexico
National Call for a Moral Revival
May 14 - June 21, 2018
Be prepared by reading the basic primer of Fundamental Principles.
More information from the national Poor People's Campaign here.
Ecumenical Alert from the New Mexico Conference of Churches here.

Non-Violent Moral Fusion Direct Actions are being planned for 
the six Mondays from May 14th through June 18th.

Monday, June 4
Theme: Health; Ecology; Extractavism, Climate Change
Locations: various events around New  Mexico  -- details forthcoming

Monday, June 11 
Theme: Living Wage, Housing, Social Services and Disability
Location: to be determined -- details forthcoming

Monday, June 18
Theme: Immigration, Refugees, the Border
Location: Las Cruces---details forthcoming
Our Life Together
Give Your Church Coffee a Purpose!
Tired of Folgers? You can order 5-pound bags of delicious, fresh-roasted,
whole bean or ground Rainbow Trail Blend coffee online! What’s even
better is that all profits of RTLC’s unique coffee blend provide funds for
kids to come to camp! Start ordering delicious coffee with a purpose for
your congregation today by going to shop.rainbowtrail.org!
LFS June Bulletin Announcements
  • Are you interested in reducing isolation and enriching the life of an older adult with limited to no social support? Join our NEW Friendly Visitor Program and LFS will carefully match you with a participant in our Guardianship or Care Management programs. Visits may include conversation, card playing, crafting, or helping with practical tasks. Volunteer orientations are on June 9 and July 14 from 10-11:30 a.m. and will include an introduction with the person you will be visiting. For more information or to apply please contact Shilo Christiansen at 303-217-5835 or visit our website at www.lfsrm.org/get-involved/volunteer.
 
  • 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 June 13 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, 80226). 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.
Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network looking for young adults interested in service and learning about social justice
LEVN, the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network, is looking for young adults (age 21-30) with Bachelor's degrees for an 11-month program of non-profit volunteer service and learning about social justice. From the end of August 2018 to the end of July 2019, our corps members will be provided housing, utilities, health coverage, transportation, spiritual direction, and a $400/month food stipend. We also offer a $1000 re-entry grant at the completion of the program.

The placement sites for the upcoming program year include faith-based non-profits, secular non-profits, congregations, the Sierra Pacific Synod office, and our campus ministry at UC Davis. These service sites address issues of homelessness, unemployment, children and youth ministries, computer literacy, and other important social justice issues facing our communities. 

We gather each week for worship, dinner, and formation. The corps members live in intentional community in a triplex in Sacramento, CA. We're an ecumenical program in the Episcopal Service Corps network; applicants needn't be either Lutheran or Episcopal to apply-interest in Christian spirituality is the only expectation. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the program begins.

Visit levn.org or contact Program Director Casey Dunsworth at 530-756-1550 or programs@thebelfry.org for more information!
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
United Against Racism - Resource from National Council of Churches
Rising out of the NCC's Truth and Racial Justice Initiative, ACT Now!: Unite to End Racism, this book provides prayers, thoughts and reflections for use by individuals, small groups, congregations, and communities. These tools can help individual spiritual reflection on racism or give a frame for reforming our institutions to become inclusive, beloved communities and equip us for the work of ending racism. Order yours here.
Classified Ads
Haugen's Tree of Life Communion Liturgy Needed
Messiah Lutheran Community Church is looking for 60-70 copies of Haugen's Tree of Life Communion Liturgy, pew edition. Call Messiah at 303-355-4471, or send email to info@messiahdenver.org if you have copies to spare. We will pay for postage if necessary.
Employment Opportunities
New Listings
National Coordinator
Lutheran Peace Fellowship (LPF)
1710 11th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122-2420
Lutheran Peace Fellowship (LPF) is hiring a National Coordinator, a key leadership position.

The ideal Coordinator has a passion to eliminate violence, inequality, and militarism, and a commitment to nonviolence. He or she will work with members to build awareness of peace issues, encourage member involvement, plan and lead peace education, advocacy, and outreach activities, develop resources, and nurture leadership. . . . 

Applicants should send a letter, resume, and contact info for 3 or 4 references. We’ll begin Interviews in late spring, and hope to welcome and orient the new coordinator by fall or early 2019. We’ll help the new hire move to Seattle which has an office, experienced volunteers and supportive congregations; or move the office to where he or she lives, if appropriate. While the position’s salary is modest, it may be expanded with grants & additional fundraising.

LPF has earned considerable acclaim for its workshops; resources; and leadership roles in major programs – e.g. on the arms trade (with the Federation of American Scientists), nuclear proliferation (United Nations), chemical weapons (US Senate), “Decade for Peace” (UN, ELCA). 

For a full Job Description, see https://www.lutheranpeace.org/articles/position-announcement/. It also has links to useful windows and resources on LPF’s vision, priorities, activities, 
and accomplishments…. and/or you may contact us directly at: 206.349.2501 or lpf@ecunet.org
All Non-Rostered Positions 
National Coordinator
Lutheran Peace Fellowship (LPF)
Seattle, WA

Bookkeeper (part-time)
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO

Administrative Assistant
Epiphany Lutheran Church - Denver, CO

Program Director, Advocacy Engagement
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Washington, D.C.

Faith Formation Director
Trinity Lutheran Church - Laramie, WY
Office of the Bishop This Week
 
Bishop Gonia
  • In-office appointments
  • St. Andrew, Arvada, CO
  • Missional Gathering Planning
  • Installation of Rev. Dan Hayes, Peace, Sterling, CO
  • St. Paul, Denver, CO
  • Christ, Cheyenne, WY

Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Missional Gathering Planning
  • Lutheran Center Administration
  • Shepherd of the Hills, Canon City, CO

Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
  • Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee
  • NM Conference of Churches
  • Interim Legislative Committees

Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
  • Sky Ranch Staff Training
  • St. Paul, Denver, CO
  • ELCA Youth Gathering Planning
  • In-office appointments
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
  • Continuing education 
  • Boulder-Broomfield conference meeting

Deacon Erin Power
  • ELCA Youth Gathering Speaker's Workshop, Waukesha, WI
  • Sky Ranch Staff Training
  • St. Pauls, Cheyenne, WY
  • RMS Communications

Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Sabbatical until August 14

Pastor Leslie Welton
  • In-office appointments
  • Campus Ministry Committee
Quick Links
Share the News
Erin Power ,   Assistant to the Bishop
You are welcome to directly contact Andrew Nakatan i , Communications Assistant, with any 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.