A Reconciling in Christ synod
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An invitation to join in the Lord's Prayer
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church America, as part of the body of Christ, is united with other Christians in our communities, in our country and around the world. This unity takes many forms, including prayer.
During the global pandemic of COVID-19, the church can and should give witness to our unity in Christ and express our deep concern for God's creation. Despite social distancing, through prayer we are able to enter together into the presence of Christ and the communion of believers. By praying the prayer that Christ taught us, we are united with followers of Jesus in every time and in every place. When the church gathers in this way, we can be assured that Christ, our eternal hope, is present in the midst of suffering.
In Christ,
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
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ELCA Advocacy shares six tips for confidently and effectively engaging with policy makers to create change in your community.
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Through baptism, we are called to serve our neighbors and steward God’s good creation. As Lutherans, our attention turns to the policies that make a broader difference in our lives and the lives of our vulnerable neighbors.
It is important that we add our voice into the process. Learn about six tips to engage your elected officials through the ministry of advocacy. elca.org/advocacy
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Christ Lutheran, Highlands Ranch - We are all together!
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The altar/communion table is covered with your name tags as a visible reminder that we are holding you all in prayer in this time of absence. We look forward to celebrating the Lord's Supper with you and worshiping together soon and very soon!
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RMS & ELCA News and Events
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2020 Synod Assembly Update
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Our synod assembly theme seems particularly fitting in these uncertain days where we are, out of necessity, exploring new and different ways to be church in a time of physical distancing. The RMS Council voted last night to move
our five location regional assembly to an all-digital format.
The fact we were were already planning to conduct business via ZOOM means we were well-poised to make this adaptation!
What does this mean?
Great question!
Date: Saturday, May 2
only
Time: TBD, approximately 8:30 a.m. - noon
Location: ZOOM
AGENDA
- Worship and morning prayer
- Passing the 2020-2021 Budgets
- Approving updates to the RMS Constitution
- State of the Synod from Bishop Gonia
- Keynote Address and other programming, TDB!
Voting members
Congregations will still need to elect/appoint voting members. Rules state that all participants must be able to communicate in real time, so participants will need to join ZOOM via computer or tablet that has audio and video. We will not be providing a phone number, as we need to be able to see participants who want to speak.
Registration
Registration for voting members and visitors will be $25. Registration information can be found here:
https://www.rmselca.org/registration/. For voting purposes, we need the
email address for each voting member. Please also include
their home address, so we can mail materials directly to each voting member.
If you have already registered, we will be working in the next few weeks to issue adjusted invoices and/or refunds as needed. Please be patient as we make these adjustments.
Registration deadline is now April 14, with a payment deadline of April 21.
Nominations
We are seeing now more than ever how important our life together as church is ---as congregations, ministries, and synod. A number of opportunities to participate in our life together are available on our boards and committees.
The nomination deadline has been extended to March 30.
https://www.rmselca.org/elections
Hotel
We have cancelled all room blocks. If you have made an individual reservation, please contact the hotel directly.
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Online Giving and Resources for Navigating Financial Challenges
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From Tithe.ly:
Ten Ways To Keep Your Church Healthy and Discipled During the Outbreak
Posted by Vanco:
COVID-19: eGiving in Times of Crisis
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Worship Ideas and Resources
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Available now on the
ELCA worship blog
is a weekly post, “
Worship in the Home.
” Although various formats of livestreaming worship work well in many contexts, you are encouraged to worship as you are able in homes on Sunday and throughout the week.
Consider ways to pray and sing using this resource at home. If you don’t have a hymnal at home, perhaps churches might safely distribute copies for home use. Additional entries for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil of Easter will be available in Holy Week.
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Rainbow Trail and Sky Ranch Lutheran Camps coming to you!
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ELCA Young Adults introduces
"abide"
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🎉 ONLINE SMALL GROUPS 🎉
“As the Parent has loved me, so I love you. Abide in my love.” | John 15:9
During this time of crisis we are learning to abide in new ways.
Join with young adults (18-35) all around the country once a week for small group fellowship, conversation, and prayer.
Registration opens THIS Monday, Mar 23. Look out for details on all our social media channels.
#YAabide
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#CreationCareAmbassadors training invitation
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The Lutheran World Federation recently shared this Lenten prayer: "Make us attentive to the wounds of the earth and willing to work for the healing of the whole creation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord."
With a passion for the healing of the whole creation, an upcoming
#CreationCareAmbassador Training
hosted by
ELCA Advocacy and Blessed Tomorrow
is available for congregation representatives and individuals. This webinar on Saturday, April 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET can be a great time to vision and strategize about how to effectively discuss climate change, how climate change impacts the church, and how to be advocates for climate solutions both locally and nationally.
Activities of the 50
th
anniversary for Earth Day this April are being shifted because of globally felt impacts of the outbreak of COVID-19, but our need to raise awareness of our interconnectedness and what we can do together remains compelling. Register for the webinar
here
.
Share this invitation in your networks from:
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Weekly Conversation for Ministry Leaders
Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m
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This will be a weekly conversation, with a new topic each week.
Please use this link to register.
You can register once and then join any weekly meetings. You are welcome to share that link with anyone in your ministry who would like to be part of these ZOOMS. We are simply adding another level of authenticating attendees since this link will be shared on our website and social media.
Wednesday March 25, 3:30 p.m.: Finances and Generosity
For rostered ministers, council leaders, and finance administrators. Join our 3E Lilly Grant staff, along with the consultants leading Stewardship for All Seasons for conversation around finances and encouraging generosity during this time of gathering in person for worship.
Wednesday, April 1, 3:30 p.m.:
Self-care, Trauma Response, and boundaries.
For all church leadership. Join us for a conversation around self-care, how we sustain and manage ourselves as leaders through trauma, and what patterns are sustainable as this time of physical distancing looks to be prolonged.
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Connecting in New Ways:
Tell us what you're doing!
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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 the link below
to let us know how you've adapted your usual practices or even have begun new ones so we can share them and post your worship and connecting opportunities. One submission per ministry, please!
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Faith Formation ZOOM connection
Thursdays at 10:00am, beginning March 26.
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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
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RMS Prayer Cycle
MARCH 2020
BOULDER/BROOMFIELD CONFERENCE
- Week of March 29 -
Shepherd of the Hills - Boulder, CO
Janet Kettering
Westview - Boulder, CO
Nicole Garcia
Trinity - Boulder, CO
Christopher Berry (Interim)
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Snippets for your bulletins
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Living Lutheran Magazine
Are you subscribed to Living Lutheran’s free e-digest? Sign up now to receive personalized stories weekly, biweekly or monthly. Choose what types of stories you’d like to receive, and get the latest and most popular Living Lutheran stories delivered right to your in-box. Subscribe today at
https://www.livinglutheran.org/edigest-signup/
.
Easter Good Gifts are Here!
Easter-themed ELCA Good Gifts cards are now available online! With these Easter Good Gifts, you will not only be getting a punny Easter card, but you will also be fighting hunger, transforming lives and continuing to create a just world where all are fed. Gift options range from chicks to a herd of goats.
Get your gift today!
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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, March 29
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, your Son came into the world to free us all from sin and death. Breathe upon us the power of your Spirit, that we may be raised to new life in Christ and serve you in righteousness all our days, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches
29 March - 04 April : The Balkans - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia -
Intercessions and Prayers
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“Earth Day” turns 50 this April. Is your church ready?
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Only one day a year is devoted to celebrating the common home God entrusted to us, but our churches across the country are working to restore and protect earthly gifts throughout the year. What have you done (or could you commit to do) alongside the priorities of your congregation?
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Daily Prayers and Scriptures from the National Council of Churches
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During this time in which the whole world is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Council of Churches is offering
Daily Bible Readings
from the
International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching, Spring 2020
,
plus a meditation to help guide your prayers, for your inspiration and encouragement.
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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Keep Stewardship On Track
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GSB's Rev. Mike Ward recorded a short message about key ways to keep stewardship strong in these difficult times. Please watch and share with anyone who could use the advice.
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Stewardship Toolkit for April 2020
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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.
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from ELCA Administration Matters - March 2020
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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
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Director of Youth & Family Ministry
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO
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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.
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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
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Office of the Bishop This Week
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- Executive Committee
- Finance Committee
- Holy Communion ZOOM Conversation
- Available by email: jgonia@rmselca.org
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson
(3/4 time)
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Kurt Rager
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
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ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller
(1/2 time)
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie O'Callaghan
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Feel free to contact
Andrew Nakatan
i
, Communications Assistant, with your questions and comments about eConnection and our website!
Rocky Mountain Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
800-525-0462 / 303-777-6700 / fax
303-733-0750
Submissions
are due noon Monday each week's issue.
Past issues of eConnection may be found
here.
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