A Reconciling in Christ synod
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Reflection from the Borderlands
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We continue to share stories from the Border, because the work of our border ministries to offer temporary hospitality continues and the need for this ministry grows. Support for our border ministries can be given to the RMS Border Emergency Fund through the Rocky Mountain Synod website.
Recently, Pastor Diana Linden-Johnson, Peace Lutheran Church El Paso, made a visit to an emergency youth shelter in Tornillo, Texas. This shelter is operated by the Department of Health and Human Services, which is a separate operation from the detention centers operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Pastor Diana shares about her experience and we offer our gratitude for her witness.
As a pastor in El Paso, Texas, I live and serve in close proximity to the realities of immigration in our country. This past summer, with news reports of families being separated at the border, an emergency youth shelter outside the small town of Tornillo, Texas gained a great deal of attention. Located about a half hour east of El Paso, there have been many protests and news articles about the site over the past few months.
While it was still forefront in the news, a fellow-member of the Interfaith Alliance of El Paso requested permission for religious leaders from the Alliance to visit the shelter, with the idea of engaging in conversation and providing spiritual care for the young people staying there. Four months later, with the proper background checks complete, we were given a time and date for our visit – October 17, 2018 at 10:30 a.m.
Not knowing what to expect,
I prayed a great deal as I prepared for the visit
. Through colleagues in the Border Conference who have been hosting migrants and asylum-seekers in their churches, as well as conversations with asylum-seekers themselves, I have heard a great deal about the conditions in detention centers operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), such as extremely cold rooms, inadequate blankets, limited food, and lack of access to bathrooms and showers. Because of this,
I was quite apprehensive about what we might encounter at the shelter in Tornillo
.
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Something Different: Young Adults and a Dying Church
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People often talk about the church dying as “the youth,” that vague and ominous grouping of people under the age of 35 or so, flock to agnosticism or fundamentalism in droves. They say that Mainline Protestantism is fading into irrelevance, that it fails to connect to young people and their need for instant gratification and spirituality. They say that liturgy is dead and white and stiff, that it leaves no room for vibrancy and life.
I wish these people could experience the community I did at YAGM Orientation in Chicago. I wish they could see this version of an enthusiastic, Spirit-filled community of young adults living and loving and praying together. More than that, I wish the congregations that actually do espouse these spiritless worship services could see a vision of liturgy that is modern and sacred and global and young and traditional and respectful and joyous and raw.
There are those who say the church is dying. The 76 young people going out into the world to seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God, says something different.
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eConnection Spotlight:
ELCA in the Neighborhood
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St. Matthew, Aurora: Leaving a Legacy
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After 69 years of ministry in Aurora, Colorado, the people of
St. Matthew Lutheran Church
voted for Holy Closure, with thanksgiving to God and in gratitude to the saints who have gone before.
Join Bishop Jim Gonia and Pastor Marcel Narucki in giving thanks for this ministry at the Liturgy of Holy Closure on Saturday, December 1, at 2:30 p.m.
The congregation was founded in 1949 as a congregation of the American Lutheran Church.
Ministry will continue on the site through the
Village Exchange Center
, which began as a concept in early 2016 when the people of St. Matthew Lutheran Church considered ways to be responsive to and serve its neighborhood, Aurora, and the wider community.
The city of Aurora is among an increasing number of cities across the U.S. grappling with realities of integration with multiple cultures and communities of immigrants and refugees. Following the donation of the building and grounds to Village Exchange in May 2017,
the center was launched to leave a legacy for the faith community of St. Matthew and to build a bridge with and between the surrounding neighborhoods. Three worshiping communities will continue to meet at the St. Matthew building site.
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2018 Annual Report Insert!
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The 2018 Annual Report Insert for the Rocky Mountain Synod is now available
HERE for congregations with November meetings.
An updated report, along with reports from our Churchwide Organization, will be available in early January 2019.
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Glocal Church Sunday: Sunday, January 6!
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Join us January 6 (or any Sunday!) as we celebrate our connections and common mission in Christ’s global church.
The texts and prayers included below help bring to expression our understanding that we are united by the Spirit of God through the means of grace with our siblings in Christ throughout the world.
NEW!
Thomas Mass Liturgy from Peace Not Walls
You might also consider other ways to highlight our global connections in:
- Preaching: Invite a speaker from our Global Church Speaker's Bureau
- Art
- Paraments, Vestments, Flowers
- Offering: consider designating an offering to Global Mission, World Hunger, Peace Not Walls, RMS Border Emergency Fund or Seeds of Hope (Companion Synod Fund for Madagascar)
- Bulletin insert: Be sure to include a Global Church Sunday bulletin insert highlighting facts about our church's global engagement in your bulletin. You can download it for free at www.elca.org/resources/globalchurch Find them on the Global Church Sunday Tab!
- Global Church Placemats for Coffee Hour or used as coloring pages for children
- Videos during offering or adult forum from an ELCA Missionary
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RMS Prayer Cycle
November 2018
ADVOCACY, GRIEF AND PRISON MINISTRIES
Week of November 11
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – Colorado
Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - New Mexico
Ruth Hoffman
New Beginnings Church (Prison Ministry)
Terry Schjang
HeartLight Center / Horan & McConaty Mortuary (Grief Ministry)
Jennifer McBride
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A an etching by Jan Luyken from the Phillip Medhurst Collection of Bible illustrations housed at Belgrave Hall, Leicester, England (The Kevin Victor Freestone Bequest)
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, November 4
Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
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Prayer of the Day
O God, you show forth your almighty power chiefly by reaching out to us in mercy. Grant us the fullness of your grace, strengthen our trust in your promises, and bring all the world to share in the treasures that come through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches
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Prepare/Enrich Facilitator Training
Friday, November 9, 2018, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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Become a certified facilitator with the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize the
Prepare Enrich Assessment in your work with couples. This flexible tool can be used for premarital counseling, mentoring programs and for marriage enrichment.
Training will be held at
Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village. Please contact Beth Walker at
bethdwalker@gmail.com or 720-352-9915 for more information or to to register.
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Radiance and Rest by Anima Chamber Ensemble
Saturday, November 10, 7:30 p.m.
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Augustana Arts is proud to present
Anima
as it kicks off its 4th season with contrasting works of brilliance and peacefulness. This elite 16-voice ensemble will touch you at your core, as they share their passion for great choral literature. Born out of a love for music, this newly formed ensemble performs music from the Renaissance to the 21st century. As these accomplished musicians share their souls, breathing life into every word they sing, experience the spirit and vitality of choral music deep in your soul. Once again, we are thrilled to be joined by two area high school choral ensembles, Fairview HS Festival Singers and Ralston Valley HS Concert Choir, for this inspiring performance. Join us for a night to remember!
This concert is at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver, CO (
map)
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Gifts of Hope Fair
Sunday, November 11 from Noon to 2:00
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Holy Cross Lutheran Church
4500 Wadsworth Blvd.
No time to shop? Don't want to brave the malls and traffic?? Trying to find a gift for someone who has everything?
Look no further!
The Gifts of Hope Fair is an opportunity for alternative gift-giving options this holiday season. Each gift purchased or donation made will make a lasting impact on the life of someone in need. All gifts purchased and donations made will receive a special card outlining how the gift you are giving benefits others. Is someone on your gift list interested in helping the homeless? Would a donation to the doll ministry be meaningful? You can choose!
A light lunch will be served for all who attend. Come join us and take advantage of opportunities to give a GIFT OF HOPE!
Here are just a few of the organizations participating in the Gift of Hope Fair:
- Family Promise of Greater Denver
- The Gathering Place
- ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response & ELCA World Hunger - ELCA Church Wide Ministries
- Lutheran Family Services
- The Doll Ministry - Sponsored by Holy Cross Lutheran Church
- Rocky Mountain Synod, Seeds of Hope-Companion Synod Project in Madagascar
- Women's Bean Project
- Urban Servant Corp
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Boulder Bach Festival - Dance of Life: The B-Minor Mass
Sunday, November 11, 2:00 p.m. (corrected time!)
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Boulder Bach Festival is giving a performance of JS Bach’s magnificent
Mass in B-minor, on Sunday, November 11 at
Macky Auditorium on the CU-Boulder Campus.
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Through the Lens of Music: Focus on Spirit with the Stratus Chamber Orchestra and Great String Classics
Friday November 16, 2018 - 7:30 p.m.
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Let
Stratus stir your spirit through a provocative exploration of the incredible Spirit of Music. String orchestra masterpieces, such as Barber’s
Adagio for Strings, Bach’s
Brandenburg Concerto #3, and more, will be divinely performed. Includes cameo appearances of the English Horn and Trumpet, too! This concert offers a unique immersive seating option at
First Plymouth Church, Colorado Blvd. and Hampden, in Denver (
map
).
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Messiah Community Church Presents a Benefit Recital for Eco-Justice Ministries
Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 2:00 p.m.
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Messiah Community Lutheran Church
1750 Colorado Blvd.
The modern crises of ecological devastation and social injustice are all symptoms of humanity's deeply flawed relationship with the Earth community. Transformational churches provide prophetic witness and genuine hope when they proclaim a vision of the good life grounded in sufficiency, community, justice and joy.
Songs for the Earth
Erin Bell -mezzo soprano, Stephanie Hood -soprano, and Matt Kingham -piano. Join the trio that brought you
Songs for Families,
Songs for Humanity, and
Songs for the Heart,
Love is Love!
Admission is $5 minimum donation per person. All proceeds will be donated to
Eco-Justice Ministries, an organization that works with church congregations to care for all of God's creation, and work towards environmental sustainability. Please join us as we bring you an afternoon of music that celebrates the beauty of nature.
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Christ, Cross, and Crisis in the Holy Land - an evening with Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb
Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
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How does one live under consistently harsh, and difficult situations? Christians in Bethlehem face this situation daily.
In the midst of blockades and military occupation, Christians in the West Bank are choosing to live hopeful, productive lives.
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Music of the Vine: A Perfectly Paired Evening with Claude Robbins, International Wine and Spirits Guild, and Stratus Chamber Orchestra
Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
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Grant Avenue Historic Theater
216 S Grant St, Denver, CO (
map
)
Sip, listen, savor, and enjoy with
Claude Robbins, President of the International Wine & Spirits Guild and
Stratus Chamber Orchestra in this paired experience of fine wine and music. Enjoy cleansing appetizers, wine sampling, music notes by Conductor David Rutherford, and wine insights by Claude Robbins, all paired with great string classics including
"Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber,
"Brandenburg Concerto No. 3" by Bach,
"Quiet City" by Aaron Copeland,
“String Symphony #2” by Mendelssohn, and “Estampas Nocturnas” by Manual Ponce’.
All proceeds benefit Outreach and Education programs of Augustana Arts.
Order your
tickets here
!
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St. Paul's Lutheran Church Women's Ministry Team
Presents GIFTS OF THE WORLD BAZAAR
Saturday, November 10, 2018 - 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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St. Paul's Lutheran Church
Cheyenne, WY
19th & House Avenue (
map
)
Come join us for a fair-trade fair. Many and varied products from all over the world. Spread peace and justice provide opportunity, send children to school, and empower women through your purchases. Sample soups and salsas from the Women's Bean Project as well as fairly traded coffee and tea. Be sure to bring your gift list as the products you find will be unique and each gift purchased will 'give twice.' Many and varied products will be available such as jewelry, chocolate, bath and body products, home décor, Christmas, and much more!
For more information, contact Regina 214-9344
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Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
2018 Advocacy Conference -
Registration is now OPEN!
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 is now open, go
HERE
!
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Yoga as Prayer Women's Retreat
January 25-26, 2019
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Holy Cross Retreat Center
Jan 25, 5:00 p.m. to Jan 26, 3:00 p.m.
Daily Bread Yoga retreats are a sweet time away of conversation, quiet, and reflection. The physical practice of yoga is actually called “asana”, which means seat for prayer. It was created as a preparation for prayer and meditation. I describe what happens in a yoga class as focusing on the body, to quiet the mind, and rest the spirit. That’s it. It’s about being present in mind-body-spirit, and for most of us it takes doing something with our body to quiet the busy mind. During the retreat we will practice a gentle yoga (asana) that is beginner friendly and adaptable for those who need it more/less challenging. We will also learn about the bigger practice of yoga; the concepts & philosophies that make it a deep spiritual practice to enrich your faith, no matter where you are on the way.
Sponsored by Peace Lutheran Church, El Paso. More info
here, to register go
here.
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LFS Denver - Informal Q & A session for Foster Care
November 14 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
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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.
An informal
Q & A session for foster care will be held on
November 14 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the
LFS Denver Metro office, 363 S. Harlan Street, Suite 105, Denver, 80226 (
map). 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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Rainbow Trail reminds us that Colorado Gives Day is December 4th!
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Colorado Gives Day is an annual day of giving to non-profit organizations all across Colorado.
Whether you live in Colorado or not, you can donate to Rainbow Trail on December 4th. Each donation helps RTLC receive additional funds from Community First Foundation through a sum that's divided among all participating organizations and prizes at the end of the day. You can even schedule your CO Gives Day gift NOW so you won't forget to donate! Support non-profits like Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp on Colorado Gives Day!
Give at
https://www.coloradogives.org/rainbowtrail/overview
!
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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Legal Checklist for Congregations
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Here is a checklist from our ELCA General Counsel of legal items for congregations to address. It includes links to other resources at the ELCA Legal Resources website, which have more information on the specific items.
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Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science -
Covalence: The Faith and Science Sunday...and Technology
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The November 2018 issue is now online!
This month we cover the new documentary series on climate change that incorporates faith and upcoming conferences and events focused on theology and science. It is interesting to look more closely of how...
Read more
luthscitech.org
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Godly Play Curriculum - Free for you!
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Mount Calvary/Boulder (
map) is cleaning house and there's a complete
Godly Play curriculum available to anyone that wants to pick it up. There are also additional pieces available, as well as loads of felt and materials to continue to create.
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For our friends at Highlands Lutheran, Denver!
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Used Hand Bell Music Wanted:
If you have sheet music you are no longer using and willing to donate, we would love to make use of it! We're looking for music on the easy end of the difficulty spectrum. Contact Music Director Emily Stover at
emilykstover@gmail.com
.
Used Grand Piano Wanted:
If you have a used full or baby size grand piano that you're no longer using, we would love to make use of it! We would be willing to take care coming to check and make sure it's still in playing condition, any necessary tuning, and transporting it. If you're open to donating or selling your grand piano at a reduced rate, please contact Pastor Asher O'Callaghan of
Highlands Lutheran Church
at
pastorasherocallaghan@gmail.com
.
Non-profit Renters Wanted:
Highlands Lutheran Church at 3995 Irving Street, Denver, CO (
map
) is seeking non-profit or small congregation renters. Available spaces include two private offices (188 sq ft and 168 sq ft) and one large room (this was previously used as chapel space and is 400 sq ft plus 53 sq ft closet space). Renters may choose to rent one, two, or all three of these spaces.
To view pictures and more information see our flyer
. Inquire with our volunteer property management volunteer Ellen Lorts at
lortse@comcast.net
or our church office at
office@highlandslutheran.comcastbiz.net
.
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Music Leader (part-time)
Ascension Lutheran Church - Cheyenne, WY
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Ascension Lutheran Church, Cheyenne is seeking a part-time (approx. 32 hours per month) music leader for our Saturday evening contemporary service. Need to be an able guitarist or keyboardist who can read chord charts, sing, and lead rehearsals in various styles (from Christian pop to roots-based music). Team player! More info, call 307-421-0159 or 307-634-6575, or email to
ascensioncheyenne@gmail.com, or drop by 712 Storey Blvd, (
map) Mon.-Fri. , 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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All
Non-Rostered Positions
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Music Leader (part-time)
Ascension Lutheran Church - Cheyenne, WY
Director of Faith Formation
King of Glory Lutheran Church - Arvada, CO
Communications Specialist
King of Glory Lutheran Church - Arvada, CO
Director of Volunteers (part-time)
King of Glory Lutheran Church - Arvada, CO
Administrative Assistant
All Saints Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM
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Office of the Bishop This Week
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Bishop Gonia
- All day staff meeting
- ACT 4 RMS Team
- PLTS Advisory Board, Berkeley, CA
- Zion, Salt Lake City, UT
- Utah Conference Summit
- First Call Theological Education, El Paso, TX
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
- Lutheran Center Administration
- All day staff meeting
Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
- NM Conference of Churches Board
- Invest in KIds Now
- Minimum Wage Coalition
Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
- All day staff meeting
- All Families Deserve a Chance Coalition
- Vacation
Deacon Erin Power
- All day staff meeting
- RMS Communications
- Synod Assembly Planning
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Pastor Sarah Moening
- All day staff meeting
- St. Paul, Calhan, CO
- ACT 4 RMS Team
- Holy Shepherd, Lakewood, CO
- First Call Theological Education, El Paso, TX
Pastor Leslie Welton
- All day staff meeting
- Faith Formation Network
- Campus Ministry Commitee
- Shepherd of the Hills, Boulder, CO
- Rainbow Trail Board Meeting
Pastor Matt Barnhouse
- All day staff meeting
- Our Savior's, Denver, CO
- St. Matthew's, Taylorsville, UT
- Utah Better Together Summit
- El Paso Office Nov. 12-30. Email: mbarnhouse@rmselca.org
Tina Kvitek, Regional Gift Planner
- All day staff meeting
- Faith Formation Network
- Our Saviour's, Salt Lake City
- St. Matthew's Taylorsville, UT
- Utah Better Together Summit
- American, Grand Junction, 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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