A Reconciling in Christ synod
Global Perspectives: Reflections from our global companions
Statement from Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land stands in strong opposition to the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem. This move is in violation of international law and reverses decades of foreign policy regarding Israel and Palestine. Such a unilateral decision undermines any potential for achieving just peace based on the UN Resolutions, and in fact has increased tensions and conflicts throughout the region.

Jerusalem is a very special city, holy to three religions, and therefore it should be a place of peace, justice, and reconciliation. Our church continues to pray and advocate for a peaceful and just solution to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict in accordance with the International Law. We want to see two viable and sovereign independent states, living side by side with agreed upon borders, and with Jerusalem as a shared city for Christians, Jews, and Muslims. We insist that there should be freedom of access to holy sites for all.

We are deeply concerned about what the opening of the US Embassy means for the future of this city and of the Holy Land. Nevertheless, we will continue to pray, to advocate, and to work for peace, justice, and reconciliation for all the people of Jerusalem. We call upon our partner churches to urge their governments to respect the International Law concerning Jerusalem.

+ Bishop Sani-Ibrahim Azar The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land




(picture above is from Rev. Carrie Ballinger Smith , who serves at Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem)
Additional Synod Assembly Resources

The 2018 Ministry Magazine is now available online. Download and print for your bulletin board, or add individual pages to your newsletter! Contact Deacon Erin Power to order additional printed copies!
The Synod Assembly edition of the Connection Newsletter is a great way to share updates and stories from the Assembly with your ministry!
View Assembly photos on Facebook


Documents, Election Results, and Resources can be found on the assembly page
Assembly videos and follow-up documents can be found on the RMS Resources page! Share on facebook or as part of worship!
eConnection Spotlight: RMS in the Neighborhood
Generosity for the Life of the World
Four offerings were taken during the 2018 Synod Assembly, totaling over $13,000!

Betela Seminary in Madagascar: $4,225.96      
ELCA World Hunger: $5,427.41
3E Ministry Excellence Fund: $949.06          
RMS Seminary Scholarships: $2,569.15
RMS-ELCA News and Events
Church Together Ambassadors
At assembly, voting members were commissioned to be Church Together Ambassadors until we meet in assembly next spring. Church Together Ambassadors will be provided stories, worship resources and videos about our life together to share with their congregation or ministry.

The June toolkit can be found here.

If you did not have a voting member at assembly or would like to receive this monthly toolkit, email Deacon Erin Power.
Join the Youth Gathering from home!
From the 2018 Youth Gathering Team:

Next month we will be gathering with more than 30,000 of our Lutheran friends! The 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering is on its way, and we can’t wait to engage in our theme, This Changes Everything, guided by Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” For those of you who won’t be able to join us in Houston, we invite you to connect with us via livestream on our  website . We’ll be sharing our Mass Gatherings (starting June 27 at 7:30 p.m.), as well as daily Bible studies with some of our main stage speakers (starting at 3:30 p.m.), and worship services for MYLE (June 26 at 6:45 p.m.) and The tAble (June 27 at 10 a.m.). We also would like to invite you to follow us on all social media platforms using #ELCAYG2018. Join the story and share with others! >  More
For Your Bulletin
Installations

   Rev. Kristi Koppel
St. Paul, Albuquerque, NM
Saturday, May 19, 10:00 a.m.
Color of the Day:   Red
RMS Prayer Cycle

 Week of May 20

MAY 2018: METRO EAST CONFERENCE

House for all Sinners and Saints - Denver,CO
Nadia Bolz-Weber
Reagan Humber

Joy - Parker, CO
Rodney Hank

Lord of the Hills - Centennial, CO
Margot Wright

Messiah - Denver, CO
Bev Piro (Interim)

Nativity - Commerce City, CO
Frank Phillipp (Interim)

Our Savior’s - Denver, CO
Marty Lettow (Interim)
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, May 20
Day of Pentecost
Prayer of the Day

Mighty God, you breathe life into our bones, and your Spirit brings truth to the world. Send us this Spirit, transform us by your truth, and give us language to proclaim your gospel, 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

Around the Synod
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.
Augustana Arts presents Colorado Women's and Colorado Men's Chorales Creatures and Critters
Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
From fleas to cows to man's best friend, Creatures and Critters is a fiesta of musical sounds. It’s all about animals in this funny lighthearted concert about the creatures that crawl, swim, walk, and fly. Eric Whitacre’s hilarious “Animal Crackers” alongside “The Sparrows Everywhere” by Libby Larsen, Rossini's "Comic Duet of Two Cats," "Blackbird" by the Beatles, Rollo Dilworth's "Jonah," and Paul Carey’s “Charge of the Snail Brigade”. A side-splitting end to an iridescent season.

Creatures and Critters takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 East Alameda Avenue, Denver, CO. Tickets are $25 adult; $10 student/children age 4-17 years (kids 3 and under are free) and are available online at www.AugustanaArts.org or by calling 303-388-4962. 
"The Daring Way" Women's Retreat
Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2

You are cordially invited to attend 
"The Daring Way, " a Mount Calvary Women’s Retreat. Featuring Rev. Sarah Ciavarri , Certified Daring WayTM Facilitator Consultant and Lutheran pastor (ELCA)

Friday, June 1 at 5:30 p.m.
Enjoy social time with hearty hors d'oeuvres
Program 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 2 at 8:30 a.m.
Come ready for breakfast finger foods
Program 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Cost is $30, checks can be paid to Mount Calvary with “Women’s Retreat” in the memo. Friends are welcome. Your payment secures your space. Space is limited to 45.

Contact Mount Calvary’s office at office@mountcalvary-boulder.org or 303-499-1444 to RSVP. Flyer available here, or go here for additional information: http://www.sarahciavarri.com/
Benjamin Britten Choral Cantata!
Sunday, June 10, 10:30 a.m.
St. Paul Lutheran and Catholic Community of Faith
1600 Grant Street
Denver, CO 80203
303-839-1432

Join us on Sunday, June 10, during the 10:30 a.m. liturgy, the Saint Paul Choir will present Rejoice in the Lamb, a choral cantata for soprano/alto/tenor/bass chorus, SATB soloists, and organ composed by the great twentieth-century British composer Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), in 1943.

For a text, Britten chose excerpts from a longer poem entitled Jubilate Agno by the eighteenth century poet Christopher Smart (1722-1771). Described as “deeply religious, but of a strange and unbalanced mind,” Smart was committed to a London insane asylum in 1757 and remained there until 1763. The extended poem was a product of that period of almost solitary confinement during which Smart’s only regular companion was his cat, Jeoffry, but it was not published in a modern edition until 1939. For more information, see the St. Paul newsletter article, here.
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)
Colorado Integrity
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.
Prayer Request from Border Servant Corps (Peace Lutheran, Las Cruces)
For Sonya Kumpuckal, BSCer serving as an Outreach Coordinator at the Southwest Environmental Center in Las Cruces.
The Southwest Environmental Center works to protect and restore native wildlife and their habitats in the Southwestern borderlands, through advocacy, education and on-the-ground projects.

* 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.
Our Life Together
Need a T-Shirt for Synod day?
Do you still want to get in on the Synod Hospitality Package?
Don't know what the Synod Hospitality Package includes? Deadline to sign up is this weekend. Check out the details on the RMS website. A 't-shirt only' option is available. This is the only place that you can order a RMS t-shirt for our Synod Day. No need to send in sizes, we have access to those through your Gathering Registration. Shirts will be delivered at the Gathering. If you have questions, please contact Beth Rogers at beth@lchope.org or Kevin Dragseth at kevin@focolu.org.
(t-shirt will differ from illustration)
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.
Living Lutheran- May 2018 RMS Inserts
Living Lutheran offers a supplement insert four times a year with Rocky Mountain Synod news and stories. The insert is available as a PDF for congregation newsletters and bulletin inserts.

May 2018 Insert -  print version  /  web version
New Listing
Program Director, Advocacy Engagement
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Washington, D.C.
This position will be located in our Washington DC office.  

The Program Director for Advocacy Engagement creates and implements effective and integrated ELCA Advocacy communication strategies. The position directs ELCA Advocacy engagement with internal stakeholders, including (but not limited to) ELCA units, State Public Policy Offices, the Conference of Bishops, synods and E-advocacy networks. In collaboration with Mission Advancement, the position manages communications with external stakeholders, including interfaith partners, coalitions, legislators, federal agencies, media, and the public. The position develops and directs resource development for and the implementation of communications strategies that equip Lutherans for public witness and for advocacy campaigns that give voice to communities and people unheard in public debates. The Program Director for Advocacy Engagement works with the Director to implement the operational plan for ELCA Advocacy, ensuring its alignment with and advancing the strategic directions for the churchwide organization. This position manages the Hunger Advocacy Fellowship grant process with the State Public Policy Office network. Complete job posting and link to apply here. 
Faith Formation Director
Trinity Lutheran Church - Laramie, WY
Trinity Lutheran is looking for a Faith Formation Director to work with the pastor and ministry teams in the planning and implementation of faith formation activities. This is part time ministry, expect 10-15 hours a week. Apply in person at Trinity, located at 107 S. 7th St. in Laramie, WY, or send your resume to Pr Nathan Keith at pastornate3421@gmail.com. Position description here, and Trinity Lutheran website here.
Employment Opportunities
All Non-Rostered Positions 
Program Director, Advocacy Engagement
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Washington, D.C.

Faith Formation Director
Trinity Lutheran Church - Laramie, WY

Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries
Chaplains’ Office, Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 West College Avenue, St. Peter, MN

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 Elementary School Ministries
Cross of Hope Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM
Office of the Bishop This Week
 
Bishop Gonia
  • Part-time Ministry Summit
  • Installation of Rev. Kristi Koppel, St. Paul, Albuquerque, NM
  • Evergreen Lutheran, Evergreen, CO
  • Commencement at Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, TX

Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Part-time Ministry Summit
  • Lutheran Center Administration

Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
  • St. Paul Lutheran Church
  • St. Timothy Lutheran Church
  • NM Assoc of Food Banks

Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
  • Women and Justice Social Statement Hearing, Bethany, Denver, CO
  • Colorado Social Legislation Committee
  • End of session committee gatherings
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
  • Part time ministry summit
  • Developer meetings
  • Camino de Vida, Albuquerque, NM
  • St. Paul's, Albuquerque, NM
  • Presbytery of Santa Fe, Albuquerque, NM

Deacon Erin Power
  • Vacation
  • RMS Communications

Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Sabbatical until August 14

Pastor Leslie Welton
  • Part-time Ministry Summit
  • Youth Gathering Synod Day Prep
  • Epiphany, Denver, CO
  • In-office appointments
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.