A Reconciling in Christ synod
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Lutheran Disaster Response providing support in the US and Globally
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Thanks to generous, undesignated donations, Lutheran Disaster Response is able to respond quickly and effectively to disasters, including Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.
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Lutheran Disaster Response is responding to this emergency through congregations, synods and our affiliates across Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin and Missouri.
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eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
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Thank you for your ministry, Eben Ezer!
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We celebrate with Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, as they were selected as the Large Business of the Year by Morgan County Economic Development Corporation for the second year in a row!
Eben Ezer was recognized for the progressive nature of their organization, in terms of the care provided and their involvement with the larger community and the campus redevelopment efforts that continue on their campus.
We offer our gratitude to Shelley Griffith, CEO, Deacon Chaplain Ro Fesser, and all staff at Eben Ezer who serve their neighbors with care and faithfulness!
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Better Together Summit Resources Available
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Remember attending the engaging Better Together Summits in each conference on
"Money & Church: For the Life of the World?" Plan on sharing that same experience in your congregation! All of the resources from the event, including the three videos, are posted at the Dropbox link
here.
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Assembly Weekend Worship Resources
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Bishop Gonia invites congregations and ministries to
worship as the Church Together over Synod Assembly Weekend. Liturgy, Sermon, and Service of the Word options are available.
Additional rooms are available at the
Sheraton Hotel
in Albuquerque.
The rate is the same as the Embassy Suites ($119/night) and also includes breakfast (Add $10/night for double occupancy).
Use this
RESERVATION LINK
.
Phone: 505-843-7000; Room Block "Rocky Mountain Synod" RESERVATION DEADLINE: APRIL 15.
There is a complementary shuttle available between the Sheraton and Embassy Suites. If you will need the shuttle, please contact Deacon Erin Power:
epower@rmselca.org
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RMS Prayer Cycle
MARCH 2019: BOULDER/BROOMFIELD CONFERENCE
Week of March 31
Shepherd of the Hills - Boulder, CO
Janet Kettering
Mount Calvary - Boulder, CO
Sara Wirth
Trinity - Boulder, CO
Mark Twietmeyer
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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.
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Sunday, March 31
Fourth Sunday in Lent
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Prayer of the Day
God of compassion, you welcome the wayward, and you embrace us all with your mercy. By our baptism clothe us with garments of your grace, and feed us at the table of your love, 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
31 March - 06 April
: The Balkans - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia
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Intercessions and Prayers
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Faith Formation Toolbox: Experience faith, be equipped to support others
Saturday April 6 at 10:00 a.m.
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The Whys and Hows of Faith Formation: Are you a volunteer or ministry professional working in your church? Do you work with a team dedicated to faith formation? Or, are you a parent seeking to raise your children in the faith? This workshop is for you!
See this event link
for more information and sign-up today! Questions, contact Deacon Mary Stoneback at
m.stoneback@ascensioncos.org or 303-475-4886.
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Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop
Saturday, April 6th, 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
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Interested in deepening your relationship with God? Please join us for this complimentary workshop where you will learn about a prayer method in which you sit in silence with God, opening your mind, heart and whole being. When applied as an 11th Step prayer practice, Centering Prayer opens us to the contemplative dimension of spirituality. Participants will be introduced to the basic guidelines of Centering Prayer and experience opportunities to practice it.
Center for Contemplative Living
3650 Yates St., Denver, CO (
map)
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The FAQ's of Dementia
Sunday, April 7, 10:50 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
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685 Inca Parkway
The
FAQs of Dementia
will be offered by Kristen LeBlanc who will be discussing the “frequently asked questions” about dementia. She will touch upon the different dementias, behaviors, communication, genetic testing for medication, caregiver burnout and ideas for help and respite.
Kristen LeBlanc is the Executive Director for the
Balfour Cherrywood Village Memory Care Community
. She has specialized in assisting individuals with dementia and their family members for over 12 years in assisted living and skilled communities. Kristen enjoys teaching others how to communicate and interact with individuals with dementia. She has been teaching classes for caregivers and professional caregivers for the last 6 years.
This program is offered by the Mental Health Ministry Team of Atonement Lutheran Church.
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One Year To Live Men's Retreat
Friday, April 26, 2019 through Sunday, April 28
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Lutheran Men in Mission
will hold the next One Year To Live retreat April 26-28 at Camp Santa Maria in Grant, Colorado.
This is an opportunity to band together with other men and reflect on what has made you the person you are today, and where you want to be going forward. This has been a life changing experience for many participants, who then return to help staff future retreats and share the gift they have received. Please join us and invite someone along on this journey.
See flyer here
. Curious? Contact Randy McNitt at
randymcnitt@comcast.net
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Palm Sunday Prayer Walk
Sunday, April 14 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
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Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and sacrificial giving. How will you spend your 40 days of Lent?
To honor the beginning of Holy Week,
Urban Servant Corps
invites you to walk and pray for the neighborhood where USC volunteers serve and accompany those who are most in need in our community.
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40th Anniversary Celebration - Joyful Mission Preschool
Sunday, April 28 following 9:30 a.m. worship service
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Joyful Mission Preschool is the one of the longest running Christian Preschools in Parker and will be celebrating their 40th Anniversary on Sunday, April 28.
This event, which will be held at
Joy Lutheran Church (
map), offers something fun for everyone; music, games, bounce houses, and face painting! While the kids are playing games you will have the opportunity to participate in our drawing and silent auction which is loaded with lots of goodies you won’t want to miss. You’ll be able to see how our preschool has grown, see our vision for the future and enjoy lunch on us!
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OHANA Youth Ministry Silent Auction Happy Hour
Saturday, May 12 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
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Help by donating a Silent Auction item, a cash donation, and/ or attending this event that will celebrate our diversity of cultures through music, clothing, and appetizers! Beer and wine will also be served!
Contact Kinna for more information or if you would like to donate a Silent Auction Item: 303-889-9844, or
misskinna.cyf@gmail.com.
More about us:
My name is Kinna and I am the founder and Director of OHANA Youth Ministry, an ecumenical and multicultural community youth group based out of St. Mark's Aurora.
OHANA stands for: Object Hate And Nurture Acceptance. In a world of differences where people can’t seem to find their own worth, let alone see the worth and humanity in others, this is a space where young people feel welcomed, worthy, and are taught how to be accepting of people who are different from themselves. The gospel is what guides us on this journey!
We have youth that identify as Latinx, African, Indonesian, and Anglo. They go to different schools and churches throughout the area, some are unchurched, but they are one youth group learning how to be “one in their community” no matter their race, religion, abilities, gender, or sexuality. We have received an award in the past from Families Forward for our participation in the community through service and giving back!
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Ivy Street Ensemble with Guest Harpist Rachel Ellins
June 1, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
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An evening of chamber music with the award winning Ivy Street Ensemble and harpist Rachel Ellins. Musical selections from the Classical to the Contemporary will fulfill appetites of all concert patrons.
Augustana Lutheran Church
Augustana Lutheran Church is located at the corner of Fairfax and Alameda to the east of Cherry Creek Mall. Free parking is located on the north and south sides of the building. Most concerts will occur in the Sanctuary which is located on the north west side of the building.
Doors open at 6:30pm and the house will open at 7:00pm. Tickets may be purchased at the door.
Get your tickets here!
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Internship sites, supervisors and mentors needed
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Have you ever considered serving as an internship supervisor? With the ever-changing landscape of seminary education, internship placement has taken on some new forms, timelines, and needs.
The cost might just be lower than you think, too!
Could your congregation be the perfect place for a deacon or pastor to get formation experience? Contact Leslie Welton at
lwelton@rmselca.org to be put in touch with our colleagues at the ELCA seminaries.
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PLTS Big Give during Cal Lutheran Giving Day
Wednesday April 3, 2019
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Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary is participating in its first ever Big Give as part of California Lutheran University’s Giving Day on Wednesday April 3
rd
. Our goal is to raise $20,000 in 24 hours. This day is all about you! You can choose to support the seminary in two ways. Your gift to the Seminary Fund will go to where the need is greatest today at PLTS and your gift will be matched by Phyllis and Herbert Anderson. Your gift to the Seminex endowed faculty chair in biblical studies supports theological education of the future and will be matched by Mary Gundelach.
You can participate in these ways:
- Give online on April 3rd: https://www.callutheran.edu/giving-day/
- Collect an offering on Sunday March 31 or Wednesday April 3.
No matter which day you choose, please send Sara Wilson, Associate Director of Seminary Relations, an email at
swilson@plts.edu
with your congregation’s name, city/state, Giving Day total dollars collected, and any specific designation by 11:59 p.m. on April 3 to be counted toward our matching challenges and Giving Day event.
Mail your contribution check to PLTS, 2000 Center Street Berkeley, CA 94704 with Giving Day in the memo line and we will promptly put it too good use and send our thanks.
Note: All undesignated gifts will be split 50/50 between the two initiatives. Gifts will be matched up to $10,000 in total gifts for each initiative.
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Special needs for LFS Refugee Program
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The
refugee program has had a good start to the year, and we hope to welcome even more refugees this coming year with your help! We are low on
bath towels, pillows,
twin-sized bedding (sheet sets and comforters), and
cookware (pots and pans). Can you help give a warm welcome a new refugee family by donating new or gently used items? If so, contact Jaime at
jaime.blanchard@lfsrm.org or 303-217-5181.
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The Summit 2019: Learning to Support our Youth with Mental, Emotional, and Social Health Issues
Monday April 8, 11:00 a.m. through Wednesday April 10, 11:00 a.m.
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You know how hard your youth ministry staff works for your congregation. Well, Rainbow Trail wants to give them a little bonus for all that they do. The Summit, RTLC’s youth ministry retreat, is for your youth and family ministers. And it is absolutely FREE. The Summit will be held April 8-10, 2019 at camp and is free to church personnel who work with youth in the Rocky Mountain Synod. Our keynote speaker, Julie Miller, will be talking about “Learning to Support our Youth with Mental, Emotional, and Social Health Issues.” Julie is an expert in this area and is excited to share her knowledge around MESH issues and youth. We look forward to offering a time of personal renewal, professional development, continuing education, and networking with other Youth Directors, Pastors, and Christian Educators. Contact Daniel at
daniel@rainbowtrail.org for more information and details. Registration is open!
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LFS' 25th Annual Gala on April 26 - Mark your calendars!
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The LFS Gala is our premier fundraising event which features a night of dinner, entertainment, an auction, and companionship.
More information here! Silent auction item donations are still needed - can you or a group of friends put together a gift basket, or donate a gift certificate or item to help raise funds for our human service programs? For more information or to schedule a pick-up, contact Katie Scherr at
katie.scherr@lfsrm.org.
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Nebraska Flood Relief Efforts
Thrivent Financial is once again helping families affected by natural disaster and this time it is the recent flooding in the Midwest. Orphan Grain Train is one of the organizations Thrivent is offering for every $2 donated Thrivent will add $1...
Read more
www.ogt.org
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Thanks to Jim and Diane Luellen from Lord of the Mountains, Dillon, CO for sharing this news of Orphan Grain Train and Thrivent Financial's Nebraska flood relief work!
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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Retirement Planning Checklist
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Why an estate plan?
Regardless of your age or financial situation, the ELCA Foundation can help you review your estate plan.
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Organist/Accompanist (part-time) -
updated*
St. Andrew Lutheran Church - Arvada, CO
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St. Andrew, Arvada is looking for an organist/accompanist interested in a year-round, part time position supporting our Sunday worship environment and accompanying our small, fun, volunteer choir, on both organ and piano. Responsibilities include Sunday morning worship, weekly rehearsal with the choir (Sept-May), a brief warm-up rehearsal prior to worship, and occasional special services, including Christmas Eve, mid-week Lenten services and Easter. See job description for more details and see our website for more info about St. Andrew.
* Job description attached here!
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All
Non-Rostered Positions
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Minister for Pastoral Care (part-time)
Abiding Hope, Littleton, CO
Organist/Accompanist (part-time)
St. Andrew - Arvada, CO
Office Administrator (part-time)
Holy Love Lutheran Church - Aurora, CO
Administrative Assistant (part-time)
First Lutheran Church - Longmont, CO
Preschool Director, South Table Mountain Preschool
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO
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Office of the Bishop This Week
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- Staff Meeting
- Border Conference Visit
- Border Servant Corps
- Peace, El Paso, TX
- St Timothy, El Paso, TX
- Mount Hope, El Paso, TX
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Matt Barnhouse
- Staff Meeting
- El Paso Office, March 29-April 3
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Ruth Hoffman
- Staff meeting
- Albuquerque Mennonite Church
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
- Staff Meeting
- FAMLI Coalition
- Colorado Social Legislation Committee
- Faithful Tuesdays
ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
- Staff Meeting
- 1-1 meetings
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ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Staff Meeting
- Joy, Parker
- Vacation
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
- Finance Team
- Staff Meeting
- Vacation
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
- RMS Communications
- Synod Assembly Planning
- Staff Meeting
- Hunger Network
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie Welton
- Staff Meeting
- In-office Appointments
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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
Submissions
are due noon Monday each week and will run for about two weeks.
Past issues of eConnection may be found
here
.
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