March 18, 2020
A Reconciling in Christ synod
A Pastoral Message from Bishop Gonia
eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
Blood shortages
Wondering how to support your neighbor? Consider donating blood if you are healthy. They anticipate a blood supply shortage during this time of physical distancing. Contact your local blood bank or use the link below

RMS-ELCA News and Events
Congregation/Ministry Staff ZOOM TODAY!
Pastors, deacons, and other congregational and ministry staff are invited to join a ZOOM with the Office of the Bishop TODAY at 3:30pm to receive updates, share resources, and connect with one another.

Meeting ID: 933 036 592

Phone: 1-669-900-6833 
Meeting ID: 933 036 592
Connecting in New Ways: Responses requested
We're all doing things differently for worship, council meetings, faith formation activities, care ministries, etc. in our efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. Use this LINK to let us know how you've adapted your normal practices or even have begun new ones so we can share best practices and post your worship and connecting opportunities on our website.

Only one response per ministry please!
COVID-19 Resource Page
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We are working on updating our  COVID-19 Resource page  with more topic specific resources regarding technology, finances, worship, faith formation, etc. Check back often!

And let's not all re-create the wheel! If you have a great resource or article to share, please submit it here:  www.rmselca.org/submit 
Faith Formation ZOOM connection
Thursdays at 10:00am, beginning March 26.
Faith formation leaders are invited to join a weekly check-in via zoom each Thursday at 10 for connecting and sharing resources:

Meeting ID: 136 905 151

Phone: 1-669-900-6833
Meeting ID:136 905 151
For Your Bulletin
Installations

Rev. abc
church , city, state
day, date, time
Color of the Day: ?
RMS Prayer Cycle

MARCH 2020
BOULDER/BROOMFIELD CONFERENCE

- Week of March 22 -

Lutheran Church of Hope - Broomfield, CO
Scott McAnally

Rejoice - Erie, CO
Phillip Kettering (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, March 22
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Prayer of the Day

Bend your ear to our prayers, Lord Christ, and come among us. By your gracious life and death for us, bring light into the darkness of our hearts, and anoint us with your Spirit, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

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

22 - 28 March : Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia - Intercessions and Prayers
Around the Synod
Third Annual Heart for the Arts Gala – Night in Vienna
-- Postponed!
The Augustana Arts' Heart for the Arts Gala "A Musical Night in Vienna" previously scheduled for Saturday, March 28 has been postponed to a date yet to be determined. News and updates will be forthcoming as soon as we are able to sercure a location and other logistics. Please contact lynn@augustanaarts.org if you have any questions
Come hear Gunsmoke and The Shadow live episodes!
Sunday afternoon, March 29 at 2:00 p.m.
Advent Lutheran Church
7979 Meade St.
Westminster, CO ( map )

Half hour episodes of Gunsmoke as it was heard live on the radio in 1954, and of The Shadow which aired in 1938, will be performed as live radio plays by your Advent Radio Players in the sanctuary.

Your Advent Radio Players recreate old time radio shows from original scripts using several microphones and sound effects from the original programs just as they were heard on the radio. Each play is performed like a live radio show with lighted applause and on the air signs. Donations are appreciated ($7 suggested). Plan now to attend and bring neighbors, family and friends to this unique ministry here at Advent. Come join the fun! We hope to see you there!
Urban Servant Corps Palm Sunday Prayer Walk
-- Postponed!
The Urban Servant Corps is postponing this event as part of our nationwide effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. A new date will be announced when it is availalbe.
For more information, you may contact:  krista@servantcorps.org
Urban Servant Corps, 1660 Ogden Street, Denver, CO
Shepherd of the Hills Presents a World Premier Cantata
Saturday, April 11 at 3:00 p.m.
Shepherd of the Hills
801 N Sheridan
Cañon City, CO ( map)

Shepherd of the Hills presents "…According to John" , a Cantata written for the Chancel Choir and instrumentalists in celebration of the Easter season. The text, taken exclusively from the Biblical narration of John, is derived from the King James version, and presents the unfolding of Jesus as a healer and recognized as the Son of God by the disciples and the larger population in Jerusalem.

The Cantata is sung in eight sections, connected with narration taken from the scriptures. The choir presents musical depictions of events documented before the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, including the Last Supper, raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus entering the city, interrogation from Pontius Pilot and the meeting in the tomb. The choir will be accompanied by piano, organ, flute, violin, cello and percussion.

The music was composed by Gerald Willis, who has recently relocated to Canon City from Los Angeles. With over forty years of compositions, Mr. Willis has had commissioned works performed by orchestras, bands and school ensembles around the world. This is his first Cantata for chorus and the first of many compositions to be completed in Colorado.

Free to the public.
Two Bishops Talk About Young Adult Ministry
  • CANCELED!
This event has been canceled to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Worship and Music Workshop!
-- Canceled, as precaution against COVID-19
Trinity Lutheran Church
135 Crescent Drive
Sheridan, WY ( map )
 
This workshop has been canceled as a precaution against spread of COVID-19, and due to a local case of coronavirus.
Our Life Together

by  Susan Barreto  | Mar 15, 2020
Last month was the 211th birthday of Charles Darwin, and while we reviewed the disagreements over evolution last month with Ted Peters, emeritus professor of systematic theology and ethics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, we are not yet done with...
The Summit: Youth and Family Ministry Retreat
April 20-22, 2020 at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp
The Summit is a retreat free of charge for anyone working professionally in ministry with youth, young adults, children, and families in the Rocky Mountain Synod. The Summit is designed as a time of personal renewal, professional development, continuing education, and networking with other Youth Directors, Pastors, and Christian Educators. To register and learn more, please go to The Summit at Rainbow Trail's website . (free to folks in the RMS. $130 to folks outside of the RMS)

The ministry of advocacy is one way we in the Church live out our calling to be a public church focused on loving our neighbor. What does this mean in practical terms? And how can young people shape this ministry and faithfully understand and claim their stake within it? Our speaker, Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado, will lead us in dialogue about what this ministry looks like today and how it may evolve as the emerging generation finds its public voice. Sessions will focus on contemporary issues in advocacy, exploring vital collaboration in the policy-making process, and comparing contemporary advocacy movements that are shaping young people with the Church's witness in the public square.
The Table
Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m.
Got a complicated relationship with God?
Searching for a sense of community and acceptance?
We hear you.
Come join us for a new kind of worship,
the kind that invites you to come as you are.
All are welcome here - children, young adults, seniors, and everyone in-between.
Featuring music by Tangled Blue.
There is a place for you at The Table.

Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m.
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
Stewardship Toolkit for April 2020
Here is the April 2020 monthly "Stewardship Toolkit" that consists of an original newsletter article and weekly RCL-based "stewardship snippets" that you can cut and paste into your publications. This month's theme is "Steward the Earth, our only home," and has some excellent resources for you to explore Creation Care.
from ELCA Administration Matters - March 2020
ELCA presiding bishop addresses concerns about COVID-19
A caring response in times of public health concerns, resources and guidelines for worship and church gatherings, as well as Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s letter to the church can be found  here .

Political activity and tax status
It is important for each congregation and its leaders to understand what political activity is permissible to maintain the congregation’s tax exemption. Being a Public Church is a guidance for churches and clergy participating in the electoral process, an effort to expand the role of the church in encouraging faithful and non-partisan voter participation by providing faith-based resources around voting. As a leader in your ministry, make sure you know what to say and do to protect yourself, your congregation and your nonprofit status. > More

ELCA technology discount program
This new resource describes discounts from trusted vendors for a variety of your congregation or synod technology needs: online giving, websites, mobile apps, messaging, church management, Microsoft software, PCs, laptops, tablets, peripherals, printers, copiers, scanners and faxes. > More
Employment Opportunities
New Listings 
Organist/Music Coordinator
Trinity Lutheran Church - Fort Collins, CO
Trinity is an active, ministry-driven ELCA congregation located in Fort Collins, a vibrant university community in Northern Colorado. We are currently looking for an Organist/Music Coordinator to help lead the congregation through music ministry during worship, as well as to provide overall coordination of the music program in conjunction with the chancel choir/bell choir director and the Saturday evening musicians.

The Organist/Music Coordinator position is a part-time position requiring approximately 25 hours per week including personal practice time.

Required Skills for the Organist/Music Coordinator include:
  • A broad and evangelical view of worship, helping to discern overall worship practices and strategies as well as technical musical proficiency.
  • Familiarity with many various settings of the liturgy, hymns, and songs. The liturgical calendar and the liturgical year as practiced in the Lutheran Church is a guide to selecting and playing music.
  • Competency in a variety of musical styles on both the organ and piano.
  • The ability to accompany the choirs and special music (solo and small ensemble) of the congregation in rehearsals and worship and to work effectively with the various directors of the choirs and other musicians.
  • Being able to work in collaboration with the other two congregations that share Trinity’s space.


For more information, or to submit resumes, please contact Pastor Rick Reiten at 970-482-1226 pastorrick@trinitylutheranfc.org, or Erik Elliott, Worship and Music Chair, at 970-391-8998 moobond@gmail.com.
Lead Servant for Financial Resources
Abiding Hope Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
Abiding Hope Church in Littleton, Colorado is seeking a Lead Servant for Financial Resources. Abiding Hope Church’s mission is to equip all to be the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus in the world. Abiding Hope is a radically inclusive congregation supporting ministries that transform lives in our community, throughout Colorado, across the United States, as well as in Haiti, India, and Mexico.

The Lead Servant for Financial Resources will be a strategic member of the Lead Servant team, all of whom report to the Lead Pastor, in order to help create a vitalized culture of authentic worship, intentional relationships, sacrificial service, and radical generosity. The successful candidate will have a strong financial background with experience and desire for modeling and encouraging radical generosity. The ideal candidate will have a passion for making change in the world in the name of Christ and will use that enthusiasm to create and achieve generosity goals. Please see this document for more details.
Office Administrator (part-time)
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Centennial, CO
St. Timothy’s is a growing, engaged, and loving community of faith in the Episcopal tradition. Our staff is committed to a work ethic that is collaborative, creative, and fun.
The Office Administrator is a key position in our shared work together. The Office Administrator is responsible for helping manage the offices of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church through daily tasks of communication and welcome. The Office Administrator will work closely with other church staff and the leadership of the church to help St. Timothy’s improve the management of its common life in order to build up the congregation and connect with the larger community. This person will help in managing the church offices, facility, IT coordination and the production of print and online communications; this includes, but is not limited to, worship bulletins, newsletters, internal communication materials. In addition, this position will help improve and innovate on methods for managing the life of the parish community.
The ideal candidate is creative, collaborative, a self-starter, pursues excellence, willing to learn, values laughter and engagement and is committed to building a more just world through the power of community.
Interested candidates should submit resume, contact information, and references to the Rev. Nick Myers, nick@sttims.net.
Director of Youth & Family Ministry
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO
Seeking a dynamic Director of Youth & Family Ministry, with a heart for Christ to lead our thriving ministry with the youth, children, young adults and families of Christ Lutheran (CLC).This is an amazing opportunity to share the Christian faith, help create sustaining relationships, be innovative, have fun and demonstrate the value of a Christ-centered life. CLC proudly supports this ministry and those volunteers and staff working with it. A degree in ministry, teaching, counseling and/or significant experience in working with youth is required as we continue to grow God's ministry in Highlands Ranch and beyond. This salaried position requires frequent evening, weekend and occasional overnight support. Please contact Pastor Gail Mundt ( pastorgail@clchr.org) for a full job description and to send your resume.
Non-Rostered Listings 
Organist/Music Coordinator
Trinity Lutheran Church - Fort Collins, CO

Lead Servant for Financial Resources
Abiding Hope Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO

Office Administrator (part-time)
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Centennial, CO

Director of Youth & Family Ministry
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO

Minister of Music (full-time)
Augustana Lutheran Church - Denver, CO

Missional Youth MInistry Leader (part-time)
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO

Bookkeeper (part-time)
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO
Office of the Bishop This Week
  Bishop Jim Gonia
  • Executive Committee
  • Candidacy Committee
  • Available by email: jgonia@rmselca.org

ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson (3/4 time)
  • Available by email: dpeterson@rmselca.org

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Kurt Rager
  • available by email: krager@rmselca.org

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
  • available via email: pseverson@rmselca.org

ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
  • available by email: tina.kvitek@elca.org
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
  • available by email: smoening@rmselca.org
  • Congregation Transition

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Family Leave

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
  • RMS Communications
  • available by email: epower@rmselca.org

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie O'Callaghan
  • Candidacy Committee
  • available by email:locallaghan@rmselca.org
Quick Links
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Erin Power ,   Assistant to the Bishop
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Rocky Mountain Synod  
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
800-525-0462 / 303-777-6700 / fax  303-733-0750

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