A Reconciling in Christ synod
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Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery
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Leaders from across the Rocky Mountain Synod gathered in Estes Park last week for our annual Theological Conference. Our guests included:
- Prairie Rose Seminole, Program Director for Native American/Alaska Native Ministries, ELCA
- Dr. Raymond Pickett, PLTS
- Pastor Albert Ranaivomanana, Betela Seminary, Madagascar
- Rev. Susan Quass, New Mexico Conference of Churches
Participants spent the week experiencing sacred stories from one another, shared in hard conversations, and embraced silence and worship as tools for transformation.
In addition, Bible Studies from the conference included a study on lament, Jesus and the Renewal of Community, Centering Prayer, Race Relations, and Hungering for Justice. These studies and resources will be shared as they become available on the
Theological Conference webpage.
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Welcome our new Director of Evangelical Mission - Pastor Matt Barnhouse
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Pastor Matt Barnhouse has accepted a new call in the Office of the Bishop as the new Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM) for the Rocky Mountain Synod (RMS). Matt said this call was "a surprise and honor," which has been affirmed by his colleagues and ministry partners in all three expressions of the church: congregation, synod, and churchwide.
He will begin serving as DEM in early October from his home in El Paso, TX. The DEM position is an ELCA Churchwide staff position, deployed in the synod territory, focusing on new mission congregations, congregations under redevelopment, and ethnic ministries. We are pleased to welcome Pastor Barnhouse to the RMS Office of the Bishop staff!
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eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
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This year in Colorado Springs five congregations-- Ascension Lutheran, Christ the King Lutheran, First Lutheran, Grace Lutheran, and Prince of Peace Lutheran-- shared God's Work Our Hands projects to serve 14 organizations, including:
- ONE NATION - Walking Together
- Quilts for New Beginnings
- Mission Medical
- Westside Cares
- Safe Passages
- Family Promise
- KPC - Respite Center
Watch this inspiring
video about their work! See you next year, 9.8.2019, for more GWOH opportunities!
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Metro East Conference Better Together Summit
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Fifty people from twelve Metro East congregations spent time together on September 22 with Bishop Jim Gonia at All Saints Lutheran in Aurora for the
Conference Better Together Summit - Money and the Church: For the Life of the World. An attendee commented, "I was very happy to be included in such a though-provoking conversation. It left me with much to consider for myself, my family, and our congregation."
A big THANK YOU to all who participated and especially for the hospitality hosts of All Saints Lutheran Church! See Facebook posts with pictures
here and
here!
Christ's Church, Better Together!
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Register today for your Conference Better Together Summit!
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This fall, conference "missional gatherings" throughout the Rocky Mountain synod will take place under a new name:
CONFERENCE BETTER TOGETHER SUMMITS.
Bishop Gonia will be present at all 11 Conference gatherings. The focus will be: Money & Church: For the Life of the World. A team of the rostered minister/s and leaders from every ministry will meet together.
WE REQUEST REGISTRATIONS AT LEAST FIVE DAYS IN ADVANCE OF EACH EVENT
Each person attending is asked to register with his or her email address so we can be sure attendees receive the advance materials.
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Mountain West Conference
SAT 10/6 Good Shepherd, Glenwood Springs,
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Metro South Conference
THUR 10/11 Abiding Hope, Littleton,
6:30 to 9 p.m.
Wyoming Conference
SAT 10/13 Grace, Casper,
noon to 4 p.m.
Border Conference
SAT 10/20 Peace, Las Cruces,
noon to 3:30 p.m.
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North Colorado Conference
SUN 10/21 Our Savior's, Greeley,
2 to 5 p.m.
Southeast Colorado Conference
SAT 10/27 First, Colorado Springs,
3 to 6 p.m.
Utah Conference
SUN 11/11 Our Saviors, Salt Lake,
3 to 6 p.m.
North New Mexico Conference
SAT 11/17 St. Paul, Alb,,
1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Metro West Conference
SAT 12/1 Holy Cross, Wheat Ridge,
9 a.m. to noon
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What May Your Church Do During the Election Season?
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- Encourage your church members to register to vote before the applicable deadline. Here are links for more information in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, and Texas.
- Encourage your church members to verify their voter registration before the applicable deadline. Here are links for more information in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, and Texas.
- Host a ballot initiative forum where church members, and people in the surrounding community, may get more information about the various measures that will be on the November ballot. It is best to do so before October 15th when voters will start getting their ballots. We'll help you set one up.
- Remember, it is legally permissible for your church to support or oppose a ballot measure. You just can't take a position on candidates.
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Installations
Rev. Jennifer Shadle (EC-USA)
Holy Cross/St. Andrew, LaJunta and St. Paul's Episcopal, Lamar, CO
Location: Hasty Campground, John Martin Reservoir State Park, CO
Saturday, October 6, 2:00 p.m.
Color of the Day: Green
Rev. Inga Oyan Longbreak
Messiah Community, Denver, CO
Sunday, October 7, 2:30 p.m.
Color of the Day: Green
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RMS Prayer Cycle
SEPTEMBER 2018
METRO SOUTH CONFERENCE
Week of September 30
Risen Lord
- Conifer, CO
Kim Gonia
Saint Peter
- Greenwood Village, CO
David Risendal
St. Philip
- Littleton, CO
Nathan Doerr
Brad Doty
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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, September 30
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
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Prayer of the Day
Generous God, your Son gave his life that we might come to peace with you. Give us a share of your Spirit, and in all we do empower us to bear the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches
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You're Invited to
Das Bier Tasting 2018: Back to the Future with Lutheran Campus Ministry
Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
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Join us for our
5th annual Lutheran Campus Ministry Beer Tasting! This year we're going back to where it started -
Niwot Market! Come for fun, games, food, friends, and of course great beer!
This year's theme is,
"Back to the Future!"
That means there's a dress code: we're asking that you wear what you wore in college. We'll have games that play with generational differences with today's students and you'll learn about the life changing ways current students are preparing for the future with the help of mentors!
$30 Admission (
tickets here) includes six four ounce tastes of local beers and dinner catered by Niwot Market.
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The Silent Film "Metropolis" Comes to Life with Organist, Peter Krasinski
Friday, October 5, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
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Augustana Arts
Augustana Lutheran Church
5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver, CO
The most remarkable and highly-regarded organist Peter Krasinski, will provide live improvised pipe organ accompaniment for the 1927 silent film,
Metropolis. This German expressionist science-fiction drama directed by Fritz Lang and written by Thea von Harbou, is regarded as a pioneering work of the science-fiction genre in movies, being among the first feature-length movies of the genre. Krasinski's creative and exquisite accompaniment will make this a chilling and memorable evening.
Tickets available here.
Come early to enjoy one of our special Italian Sodas with all proceeds to benefit our Outreach and Education programs.
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Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp's 12th Annual Grace Race 5k
at Sloans Lake Park in Denver, CO
Saturday, October 6, 2018
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Help eRace World Hunger at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp’s 12th Annual Grace Race! This annual 5k run/walk was started as part of RTLC’s 50th anniversary in 2007, to raise money for ELCA World Hunger and is held in collaboration with the Rocky Mountain Synod Hunger Network.
Over the past 11 years, RTLC and the participants of Grace have contributed over $53,000 to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. We are aiming for 300 participants for this year’s race. This can be the year we top $10,000 for the check that we send to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal!
More information and registration
here. Walk up registration is available at the event for $35/person.
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LFS informal Q&A Sessions about Foster Care
October 10, 12:30-1:30 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m.
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LFS Denver Metro Office
363 S. Harlan Street, Suite 105, Denver, CO
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.
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.
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Metro Denver Sanctuary Coalition Meetings
Saturday, October 13, 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 3, noon - 5:00 p.m.
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The Metro Denver Sanctuary Coalition is inviting ELCA Churches interested in the Sanctuary movement and defending immigrant rights to join in our all-coalition meetings. If you have any questions or want to discuss one-on-one, contact Joshua Stallings at
joshstallings@yahoo.com or Jennifer Piper at
jpiper@afsc.org.
Metro Denver Sanctuary ALL Coalition Meeting – What does the Future Hold?
- October 13, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Location: TBD
Professional Facilitator will lead us in reflecting on the successes of the past four years, how to embody an immigrant led structure, evaluating the sanctuary model moving forward and developing a vision for the future. Please invite and promote to all members of your immigration group!
RSVP (
here) to receive more details.
Metro Denver Sanctuary ALL Coalition meeting
- November 3, noon to 5:00 p.m.
- Location: TBD
Putting in place the steps to transition into our vision – this meeting will focus on the process of getting us where we want to go by identifying the resources and the steps we need to grow
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Fall Mini Retreat, Embracing Oneness... Renewing our Contemplative Life, featuring Susan Rush
Saturday, October 13, 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (cont.b-fast & lunch included)
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The contemplative journey is the ever increasing appreciation of who God is and also knowing that God is unknowable. Borrowing from the Psalms (Nan Merrill translation), scripture, chant and Sacred poetry, we will explore the Spirit of Oneness as it forms our contemplative life. Susan's recent service in the world carries a strong spiritual care aspect. Her clinical pastoral education, certification through Shalem Institute, and Formation for Contemplative Service assist her in supporting others through spiritual inquiry. Join us for a day of growth in your contemplative life!
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Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
2018 Advocacy Conference
Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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Save the Date!
Keynote speaker:
The Rev. Amy Reumann, Director of ELCA Advocacy
St. Paul Lutheran Church
Albuquerque, NM
8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
$15 per person
(materials & lunch included)
Registration will open soon
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Seminary Challenge - an invitation for ELCA seminarians
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The ELCA’s
Peace Not Walls campaign is putting on a Seminary Challenge this year- an opportunity for ELCA seminary students (at an ELCA seminary or at a non-ELCA seminary) to create a practical project for use in ministry contexts related to the focus of the PNW campaign: accompaniment, awareness building and advocacy in pursuit of peace with justice in Palestine and Israel.
PNW Seminary Challenge Flier (
here)
PNW Seminary Challenge FAQ (
here)
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2018 RTLC Confirmation Retreat
October 19-21, 2018
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Join us for a weekend of songs, learning, and all of your favorite camp activities! Pastor Jay Gamelin and RTLC are ready to partner with you in creating a fun space for learning for you confirmands. In our time together we will focus on communion; why we think it is important, what is happening when we take communion, and what is the act of communion calling us to be in the world. Spaces are limited so register now,
go here!
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2018 RTLC Women's Retreat
October 26-28, 2018
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Treat yourself to a weekend of spiritual renewal! Participants will enjoy hiking, wine-tasting, conversation, and more in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Deacon Missie Bonser, from Trinity Lutheran Church in Monument, will share her knowledge of theology and worship leadership to guide us in joyful worship and optional discussion. Sign up now (
here) to reserve a spot for the weekend.
See you soon!
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2018 Advent Retreat at Sky Ranch
Friday, November 30 through Sunday, December 2
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Guests of all ages are invited to join us for the 2018 Advent Retreat! We invite you to take advantage of this important season and grow closer to God with your family through reflection, fellowship, activities and music. Begin this Advent at Sky Ranch in a time of reflection and preparation for the birth of our Savior.
$80/adult, $50/child, max of $250/family
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2018 RTLC Senior High Retreat
November 16-18, 2018
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What if we believed that the Church, and we as people of faith, had something radically relevant to offer to the world? What would it look like if we lived our lives believing that? Together we will explore and claim the gifts we as individuals and communities of faith have to offer for the sake of a world in need of love, grace, and healing.
Join your favorite Rainbow Trail staff and Deacon Erin Power for a weekend of worship, classic camp activities, and exploring faith in the mountains of Colorado. Spots are limited, so go
here and register your group now!
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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Here's Your Stewardship Toolkit for October!
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This month's newsletter article and resource links are based on the theme,
"Stewardship of Our Money." Use these monthly themes for congregational education and awareness! The Toolkit also has RCL-based "
Stewardship Snippets" for every Sunday bulletin.
These "Stewardship Toolkits" are created monthly by Pr Robert C. Blezard, Assistant to the Bishop, Lower Susquehanna Synod.
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Living with Hope from Fortress Press
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The
Living with Hope
series provides comfort, companionship, wisdom—and hope—for individuals dealing with life’s struggles and offers guidance for clergy, family, and others who care for them. It is an essential library of accessible and artful books to help individuals and pastors deal with issues of unemployment, chronic illness, parenting, or the pain of broken relationships. Written for both individual readers and pastoral care providers, the series presents compassionate, emotionally honest guidance through authentic insight and personal narratives.
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Choir Director (part-time)
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church - Fort Collins, CO
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Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Fort Collins is seeking a Choir Director to plan and implement liturgical worship services and to facilitate participation of musical ensembles in the worship setting and in outreach opportunities. The position is part-time, exempt, and should average 10 hrs. per week. More information can be found
here or you may send email to
diane@sothfoco.org.
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All
Non-Rostered Positions
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Choir Director (part-time)
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church - Fort Collins, CO
Parish Administrative Assistant (part-time)
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church - Salt Lake City, Utah
Admission and Residence Life Coordinator
California Lutheran University, Berkeley, CA
Executive Director for Domestic Mission
ELCA
Director of Gift Planning
ELCA
Accompanist/Choir Director
Highlands Lutheran Church - Denver, CO
Director of Family Ministries (part-time)
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church - Denver, CO
Lead Preschool Teacher & Assistant Preschool Teacher
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
MIF Regional Manager, Colorado
ELCA
Part-time Intern Choir Director
Christ the King Lutheran Church - Colorado Springs, CO
Worship and Music Minister (part-time)
King of Glory Lutheran Church - Loveland, CO
Organist/Pianist
St. Philip Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
Praise Singers Director (part-time)
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO
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Office of the Bishop This Week
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Bishop Gonia
- ELCA Assignment Process
- Conference of Bishops, Chicago, IL
- Seminary Visit: Wartburg Seminary
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
- Lutheran Center Administration
Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
- Interim legislative committees
- State public policy directors' conference call
- Fall planning
Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
- Proposition 111 Steering Committee
- Pathways from Poverty breakfast
- Glory of God, Wheat Ridge, CO
- UNC Campus Ministry, Greeley, CO
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Deacon Erin Power
- Guardian Angels Meeting
- Global Mission Committee
- RMS Communications
- Zions, Trinidad, CO
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Excellence in Leadership Planning
- St. Mark's, Aurora, CO
- Congregation Transition work
Pastor Leslie Welton
- Messiah Mountain
- In-office Appointments
- Christ the Servant, Louisville,CO
- March for Unity, Boulder, CO
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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
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.
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