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A Reconciling in Christ synod
Crossing the Line: An Inside Look at Family Separation 
A toolkit from LIRS
Last week, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) hosted the webinar  Crossing the Line: An Inside Look at the Family Separation Crisis , during which a group of organizations answered questions about family separation and the emotional and physical impact it has on youth and families.

View the webinar  here .

A summary of the webinar is posted on Bishop Gonia's blog .

Take action with support from this toolkit from LIRS .

The situation of migrant children and families on our southern border is complex and changing rapidly. Please keep in mind that new information is coming out daily. Information posted in these links is current as of the day published.
Pr. Judith VanOsdol accepts position with the Lutheran World Federation
It is with deep appreciation for her service in our synod and with prayers for God’s blessings in her future that we announce that Pastor Judith VanOsdol (Director for Evangelical Mission) has accepted the position to serve as Program Executive for Gender Justice and Women’s Empowerment in the Department of Theology and Public Witness in the Lutheran World Federation . We are grateful for Pr Judith’s passion for this ministry and are proud that her many gifts will now be shared with the global church! During her previous ministry with ELCA Global Mission she served as Continental Director for Women's Ministries and Gender Justice with the Latin American Council of Churches, (CLAI) in leadership development and strategic planning with teams in 21 countries focusing on such issues as economic justice, human rights, and overcoming violence in all its forms.
 
Pr Judith will conclude her service with us in August and begin her ministry in Geneva in September. We invite your prayers for her as she begins this exciting new chapter. Bishop Gonia and the Synod Council will be working with our Churchwide Colleagues on transition plans. In the interim, please contact the Office of the Bishop with any questions or concerns.
eConnection Spotlight: RMS in the Neighborhood
Crucial Conversations: Women & Justice Social Statement
On Sunday, I got to talk to members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Denver about the  Draft Social Statement on Women and Justice and my soul is on fire -- in the best way. Around 30 people sat with me to discuss the document and issues surrounding gender justice. What was the best part? They cared. They asked questions and wanted to know more.

A major purpose of social statements such as this one is to generate conversation, and it's working. They are tools to inform and equip the church and its members, and that's what we're doing (and it feels so dang good).

RMS-ELCA News and Events
Theological Conference Scholarship Deadline is July 15!
The priority deadline for financial assistance is July 18!

Registration and Scholarship information can be found HERE!

Registration deadline is August 17.

Conference Highlights this year:
  • Book exchange
  • Bible Study Breakout tracks
  • Morning prayer with camp staff
  • Art Gallery/interactive learning center

Online Giving Information Webinar
Join us next Tuesday or Thursday to learn more about Tithe.ly, the preferred electronic giving partner of the ELCA. Tithe.ly staff will be leading this informational session to answer questions and demonstrate their platform.
Register here:
July 17th, 2:00pm (MST) Webinar Registration Link: 
July 19th, 5:30pm (MST) Webinar Registration Link: 
Synod Assembly videos are now available
Here are links to selected presentations from the Synod Assembly, which are also available here along with other Assembly resources.


Cynthia Moe-Lobeda
  • Keynote 1 - For the Life of the World:God's Gifts of Justice- Seeking Neighbor Love
  • Keynote 2 - For the Life of the World: Oh No! Controversy will Divide the Church!
  • Keynote 3 - For the Life of the World: Reflecting on the Doctrine of Discovery
  • Keynote 4 - For the Life of the World: Roots of Hope and Moral-Spiritual Power
For Your Bulletin
Installations

Rev. Wes Dunbar
St. John's, Thornton, CO
Sunday, July 15, 4:00 p.m.
Color of the Day: Green

Rev. Richard Gianzero
Nativity, Commerce City, CO
Sunday, July 22, 3:00 p.m.
Color of the Day: Green

Rev. Daniel Tisdel
St. Mark's, Roswell, NM
Saturday, July 28, 11:00 a.m.
Color of the Day: Green

Rev. Matthew A. Powell
Holy Cross, Albuquerque, NM
Saturday, July 28, 5:30 p.m. (correction)
Color of the Day: Green

Rev. Scott Thalacker
Bethlehem, Los Alamos, NM
Sunday, July 29, 3:30 p.m.
Color of the day: Green
RMS Prayer Cycle

JULY 2018:
NORTH NEW MEXICO CONFERENCE

 Week of July 15

Lutheran Church of the Servant
- Santa Fe, NM
Pat Mohr-Kelly (interim)

Messiah - Albuquerque, NM
Doug Mathison, Interim 
 
St. Luke - Albuquerque, NM
Gene Zeller, Interim

St. Paul - Albuquerque, NM
Kristi Koppel
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, July 15
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Prayer of the Day

O God, from you come all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works. Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments; and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live in peace and quietness, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

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

Around the Synod
BorderLinks Experiential Exploration Of Immigration Issues Workshop
Saturday, July 21 - 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Shepherd of the Hills 
Presbyterian Church (map)
11500 W. 20th Avenue
Lakewood, CO

Why Don't People just come into the country legally from Mexico? This is a day exploration that will invite a broader understanding of the complicated issues. The Presbytery of Denver (PC-USA) Immigration Task Force invites you to this BorderLinks workshop. Flyer in English/ Spanish. Registration info is here.
African Children's Choir performs in Denver!
Thursday, August 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Augustana Arts is pleased to bring the African Children’s Choir to a Denver stop on their US Tour. They will be performing at Augustana Lutheran Church (map) on Thursday, August 2 at 7:00 pm.
Come and experience a performance that shows the beauty, dignity and potential of each African child! The program features well-loved children’s songs, traditional Spirituals and rhythmic Gospel favorites. Nearly every performance is concluded with a thunderous standing ovation! In spite of the tragedy that has marred their young lives, these children are radiant with hope, musically gifted and always wonderfully entertaining. Admission will be free for all ages; a free-will offering will follow the Choir’s concert. Flyer here, for tickets and more information visit www.AugustanaArts.org.
Our Life Together
Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp Confirmation Retreat
October 19-21, 2018
Join us in the mountains for a weekend with your confirmands! The annual RTLC Confirmation Retreat offers time for songs, s'mores, group learning, and LOTS of play. Our theme for this year, led by Pr. Jay Gamelin, is "Blessed and Broken". With this theme, youth will explore the act of communion and what it is calling us to be in the world.

Registration is OPEN NOW. Space is limited - visit our website here to reserve your spots!
Essential Skills for Youth Workers
August 2-4, 2018
California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA

Volunteer? Full time? Part Time? Paid? We've got a personal and professional development program for you or your youth workers! 

  • Connect more deeply to your own context or ministry setting
  • Go home with resources and plans
  • Find space for renewal and rest. Build relationships and a network

Information and registration  here, flyer  here. Cost: $250 (includes program, meals and housing) Commuter fee: $200 (includes program and meals). There is a $50 non-refundable deposit included in your registration fee. If you need to cancel before July 15, $200 will be returned to you. After July 15, your $250 registration fee is non-refundable.
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
Classified Ads
Piano needs good home!
Beautiful Everett upright piano with walnut finish is free to a good home and/or congregation. Dimensions are: height: 44 inches, width: 56 ½ inches; depth: 24 ½ inches. You will need to move it. Owner is moving. Inquire at RMS Bishop's office 303-777-6700.
Employment Opportunities
New Listings
Organist/Pianist
St. Philip Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
Part-time organist/pianist sought by an active congregation to play for worship services and accompany the choir. Instruments available: Rodgers T968 organ, brand new Boston baby grand piano model GP193PE (made by Steinway), and HP507 Roland Digital Piano. Experience on organ and leading of worship desired. Some flexibility in scheduling possible. Compensation will be commensurate with experience. Detailed job description here. Please send cover letter, resume, and references to Janet Shibly, Director of Music Ministries, at jshibly@stphilip-co.org. Deadline for applications is August 6, 2018.
Joyful Mission Preschool - Assistant Director and Administrative Assistant
Joy Lutheran Church - Parker, CO
Assistant Director
Joyful Mission Preschool , a ministry of Joy Lutheran Church, is seeking an Assistant Director for 12-15 hours per week. This position requires the individual to be preschool director qualified. Job description here . If you are interested, please email cover letter and resume to Council President, Joe Fangman, at joefangmanpt@gmail.com .

Administrative Assistant
Joyful Mission Preschool is seeking an Administrative Assistant for 16-20 hours per week. This position requires the individual to be preschool director qualified. Job description here. If you are interested, please email cover letter and resume to Council President, Joe Fangman at joefangmanpt@gmail.com .
All Non-Rostered Positions 
Organist/Pianist
St. Philip Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO

Joyful Mission Preschool - Assistant Director
Joy Lutheran Church - Parker, CO

Joyful Mission Preschool - Administrative Assistant
Joy Lutheran Church - Parker, CO

Praise Singers Director (part-time)
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO

Music Director (part-time)
St. Paul Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM

Organist/Pianist
Trinity Lutheran Church - Laramie, WY

National Coordinator
Lutheran Peace Fellowship (LPF)
Seattle, WA

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
  • ELCA Churchwide Office, Chicago, IL
  • Region 2 Bishop's Retreat, CA
  • Installation, Rev. Wes Dunbar, St. John's Thornton, CO
  • Urban Servant Corps
  • Synod Council Zoom

Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Lutheran Center Administration
  • Interim Pastors
  • Vacation

Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
  • Medicaid Coalition
  • Meetings with legislators
  • Interim legislative committee meetings

Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
  • Colorado Social Legislation Committee
  • All Families Deserve a Chance Coalition
  • St. Paul, Denver, CO
  • Abolish Slavery Coalition
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
  • St. Stephen's, Northglenn, CO
  • St. Johns, Thornton, Installation
  • DEM planning meeting
  • Better Together Relationship Team
  • In office appointments

Deacon Erin Power
  • Theological Conference Planning
  • RMS Communications

Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Sabbatical until August 14

Pastor Leslie Welton
  • Prince of Peace, Logan, UT
  • Out of Office Appointments
Quick Links
Share the News
Erin Power ,   Assistant to the Bishop
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

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.