A Reconciling in Christ synod
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Region 2 Word & Service Summit
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In the last week of January, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary hosted the Region 2 Word & Service Summit.
Deacons, seminary faculty, synod staff from Region 2 and beyond, Churchwide staff, and a number of our Episcopal siblings gathered to bring their voices to a process designed to add definition and clarity to the Word and Service roster from a variety of perspectives. This event was made possible by through grants from our RMS 3E grant, a grant from the Augustana Foundation, and funding from the 5 synods of Region 2.
The guiding question for the gathering was:
"if we believe Word & Service Ministry is vital to our witness in the world, what systemic changes need to be made in order for this ministry to thrive?"
Using a framework called "Future Search", summit participants spent three days naming past milestones, current trends, hopes for the future, and areas of common ground.
Bringing together various stakeholders invested in this conversation, led the group to common ground goals and action steps. There is commitment to continue this work across vocation, miles, and through our full-communion agreement with The Episcopal Church (
Called to Common Mission
)
The work from each step of the Future Search process, including action items, are being prepared for publication and will be available in mid-March. For information about the Future Search Process see:
Future Search: An Action Guide to Finding Common Ground in Organizations and Communities,
Marvin R. Weisbord & Sandra Janoff. 2010, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, San Francisco, CA.
We are grateful for our partners in Region 2, PLTS, 3E, and our Churchwide colleagues for their commitment to supporting
Word and Service Ministry for the Sake of the World!
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eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
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Introducing My America - Awn Sian Mung, Albuquerque, NM
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My America...is a Place where all people can be free
By Awn Sian Mung
When I think back on my life – and the time before I came to America – I feel like I’m sleeping. Like I have a dream within my dream and I see the lights coming in…
I am from Myanmar (Burma). But I am not Burmese. I am Zomi – a member of the founding ethnic group of my country. But when I was young, the government declared that they would no longer recognize the Zomi people, and in 2006 I was forced to flee my home.
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Assembly Registration is now OPEN!
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ASSEMBLY DATES & DEADLINES
February 4:
Online Registration Opens
February 22:
Exhibitor Request Deadline
February 22:
Resolution and Memorial Intent Deadline
March 15:
Priority Deadline for Scholarship Requests
Scholarship requests after this date will be considered as funds are available.
March 22:
Resolutions, and Nominations for Synod Secretary Due
March 22:
Ministry Booklet Pages Deadline
April 12:
Registration Deadline & Hotel Reservation deadline
Pay the registration fee online or submit a check by April 12.
Registration: $300
Hotel: $119-129
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Christ makes a new season possible: a Season of Hope!
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Proclaim to the world that the hope of Christ makes a new season possible: a Season of Hope. Lutheran World Relief has an abundance of resources to show your congregation the impact they can make in the lives of poor and struggling families around the world. Invigorate your congregation for global good with:
- Weekly devotionals by Lutherans in the U.S. and LWR staff
- Palm Sunday bulletin insert and children’s activity sheet
- Season of Hope Homily Series centered on Matthew 25:34-36
Visit
lwr.org/lent and journey through this Lenten season with Lutheran World Relief.
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Lutheran congregations helped to launch Eco-Palms
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Did you know that Lutherans have been pioneers in transforming the business of palms? Since 2005, Eco-Palms has been helping harvesting communities rise out of poverty and sustain the land they depend on for survival. Lutheran World Relief has partnered with the University of Minnesota CINRAM to bring Eco-Palms to congregations across the U.S.
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Faith Formation Network Visioning Conversation
February 14, 10:00 a.m. - noon
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The Faith Formation Network is having a conversation about the next faithful step for the network, expectations, and vision. We would love your participation!
Please plan to join us in person at the
Lutheran Center
or digitally via ZOOM as we make some decisions about what Better Together means for the ministry of faith formation in the RMS.
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RMS Youth Council is ready to launch!
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The RMS Youth Council task force has finished its visioning work and is ready to add a few more members, with
at least one youth representing each conference of the Synod.
If you know a youth interested in being part of this new group of valued youth voices, please have them go to our
new website
, or request an application or more information from the current council members at
rmsyouthcouncil@gmail.com
.
Applications will be accepted until the end of March.
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Office of the Bishop Eucharist, Wednesday, February 13
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Our monthly Eucharist will be held at the Lutheran Center on Wednesday, February 13 at 11:30 a.m.
All are invited to join in this 30 minute worship.
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RMS Prayer Cycle
FEBRUARY 2019: BORDER CONFERENCE
Week of February 17
St. Mark - Roswell, NM
Dan Tisdel
St. Peter - Carlsbad, NM
Martha Singletary (UMC)
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Sermon on the Mount
1598, Jan Brueghel
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, February 17
Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
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Prayer of the Day
Living God, in Christ you make all things new. Transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your glory, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches
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Join us for Colorado Lutheran Day at the Legislature!
Thursday, February 21, 7:30 a.m.- noon
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Registration is still open for
Colorado Lutheran Day at the Legislature
. Join us for this excellent opportunity for learning and action. You will hear from advocates and elected officials about issues being addressed at the State Capitol, and you'll have the chance to meet your legislators in person as we engage in citizen lobbying.
We are excited to announce that our policy focus this year will be
Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries, Taking Bold Action
. We will focus on three primary issues, all of which will be addressed through legislation in the current session:
- Ban the Box - limiting criminal history inquiries on job applications (HB 19-1025)
- Clean Slate - automatic record sealing
- Abolition of Colorado's death penalty
Don't wait, register today!
We look forward to seeing you join us.
Also don't forget to take a look at the ELCA Social Statements on
Criminal Justice
and the
Death Penalty
. Additional information will be e-mailed to registrants before the event.
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Sky Ranch Annual Meeting
Sunday, February 24, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Sky Ranch will host its Annual meeting
Sunday, February 24, at Dicken’s Tavern in Longmont.
Join us for an opportunity to reflect on the blessings of 2018 and look forward to the adventure of 2019!
Dicken’s Tavern & Opera House
300 Main St
For questions about the annual meeting please contact that office at 970-493-5258 or through e-mail at
ally@skyranchcolorado.org
.
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Psalms Gathering in Aurora, CO
"I am for peace”: The Psalms for Justice-Seekers and Peace-Makers
A Dialog with Eden Seminary Professor Clint McCann
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The Church of the Holy Family (Ecumenical Catholic Communion)
is hosting this Psalms gathering
starting
Friday evening, March 8
and ending
Saturday evening, March 9
with our regular worship & fellowship at Christ the Savior Lutheran Church.
Download more information and a full schedule here.
Friday, March 8
Church of the Holy Family office
11250 E. Iliff Ave., Ste 120, Aurora (
map
)
Saturday, March 9
Christ the Savior Lutheran Church
1092 S. Nome St., Aurora (
map
)
PLEASE register at this
Eventbrite link for host Holy Family's hospitality planning purposes. The event is free & open to all (free will offering will be taken to defray costs of hospitality and speaker's travel). You may come to any combination of sessions/lunch you wish. We just need to know you're coming. Thank you!
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Contemplative Outreach of Colorado 26th Annual Conference
Presents
"A Darkness of All Light" - featuring Fr. Martin Laird
Saturday March 30th, 9:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
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"A Darkness All of Light"
- This line from a poem by Franz Wright serves to focus this day of silent prayer, lecture and discussion. Silence has no opposite. For the silent mind, sound is as silent as no sound. For the mind free of clutter, the silence of despair and the silence of joy are different manifestations of the very same silence. But for the cluttered mind, such things seem to be at odds. Fr. Laird is a professor at Villanova University, dynamic speaker, retreat leader, and author of several books including his newest one,
"An Ocean of Light."
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Synod Assembly Opportunities!
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Synod Assembly is coming to
Albuquerque which brings some unique opportunities for local folks this year!
- Local Visitor Option: Area folks are invited to join the assembly on Saturday afternoon/evening which includes: Afternoon excursion/immersion, dinner, and evening worship. Cost: $50.
- Saturday evening worship: Area congregations are invited to join our evening worship on Saturday, May 4.
- Election Volunteer: We are looking for one person to serve on the election team for the next two years. Contact Deacon Erin Power for more information.
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Summer Offerings from CLU Office of Congregational Relations!
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Executive Skills for Church Leaders
July 15-19, 2019
This continuing education event for pastors and church leaders will explore how concepts from a MBA program can be applied to the arena of congregational life.
Click on the postcard below for more information.
Essential Skills for Youth Workers
August 1-3, 2019
Volunteer? Full time? Part Time? Paid? We've got a personal and professional development program for you or your youth workers!
Click on the postcard below for more information.
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St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Aurora, CO
Final Disposition of Properties
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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. Their ministry was celebrated with the Liturgy of Holy Closure on Saturday, December 1.
While three communities continue to worship at their building site,
they still hold a sizable inventory of items-- church furnishings, hymnals, Bibles, music, study guides, and altar ware, available to share with other congregations. Download a list here (
Word
/
PDF
).
Donations for any of the items are welcome. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Erwin Gebers at 720-277-2816 or
e-mgebers@comcast.net.
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Faithful Tuesdays at the Colorado State Capitol
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Faithful Tuesdays is a diverse coalition of leaders, organizations and community members who are committed to adding a deeper, moral dimension to the public policymaking process in Colorado.
We will hold multi-faith events, every Tuesday, at the Colorado State Capitol throughout the 2019 legislative session of the Colorado General Assembly. Some of these events may feature specific legislation, while other events may focus on forwarding a shared narrative of justice, love, healing, reconciliation, and care for the other.
Please join us on any Tuesday through April 30th from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. at the Colorado State Capitol, 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO.
Visit our website for dates, topics, and locations:
https://faithfultuesdays.org/ and on
Facebook Events.
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RMSWO Annual Gathering
Save the Date flyer
Friday, September 20 through Sunday, September 22, 2019
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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Stewardship Toolkit for Congregations - March 2019
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Here is the monthly
"Stewardship Toolkit" for congregations. It includes a newsletter article, RCL-based stewardship blurbs for each Sunday bulletin, as well as links to teach, preach, think and do stewardship. The theme of the newsletter article and links is
"Holistic stewardship for Lent."
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Preschool Director, South Table Mountain Preschool
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO
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Faith Lutheran Church
is accepting resumes for the position of Director of
South Table Mountain Preschool (STMP)
. The Director of STMP provides leadership to develop, implement and maintain a high quality Christian preschool in every aspect that is connected to Faith Lutheran’s mission and ministry. This position will commence July 2019.
Qualifications: Meet the licensing qualifications and requirements for a director of a Colorado licensed Preschool (large daycare facility); possess and display strong Christian principles; have a passion for working with young children; work well with parents/adults in various capacities and able to communicate with them well; able to lead teaching team with vision and enthusiasm; meet FAITH’s leadership role (as described above), and continues to develop personally and spiritually. More information
here.
Approximately 1,600 hours/year. Additional time for Parent's Day Outs and Summer Camp. $35,00-40,000 plus benefits.
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All
Non-Rostered Positions
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Preschool Director, South Table Mountain Preschool
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO
Communications Specialist
King of Glory Lutheran Church - Arvada, CO
Parish Administrator
Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit - Centennial, CO
Director
St. Philip Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
St. Philip Early Learning Center
Faith Formation Director of Youth
Bethany Lutheran Church - Cherry Hills Village, CO
Preschool Director
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
Music Leader (part-time)
Ascension Lutheran Church - Cheyenne, WY
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Office of the Bishop This Week
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- In office appointments
- Faith, Golden, CO
- Synod Council Zoom Meeting
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Matt Barnhouse
- El Paso Office Feb. 10-20
- Mission Outreach Board
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Ruth Hoffman
- NM Conference of Churches Board
- Legislative Session
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
- CCHI Lobby Day
- Colorado Social Legislation Committee
- Bethel, Aurora, CO
- Faithful Tuesdays
ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
- Centennial, Englewood, CO
- St. Stephens, Northglenn, CO
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ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Interim Pastors
- Leadership Planning Team
- Rejoice, Erie, CO
- Prince of Peace, Gillette, WY
- St. Stephens, Northglenn, CO
- Trinity, Boulder, CO
- First Call Theological Education, Las Vegas, NV
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
- Interim Pastors
- Part-time ministry team
- Healthy Leaders Team
- Lutheran Center Administration
ASSISTANT TO THE BIsHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
- Synod Assembly Planning
- Global Mission/Companion Synod Teams
- Communication Planning
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie Welton
- Faith Formation Network Meeting
- Campus Ministry Winter Retreat
- Highlands, Denver, 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
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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