April 3, 2019

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A Reconciling in Christ synod

Presiding Bishop Eaton: Earth Day and Care for Creation God’s entire divine nature is wholly and entirely in all creatures, more deeply, more inwardly, more present than the creature is to itself  (Martin Luther). I am formed by the Lutheran movement, so I tend to look for law and gospel, judgment and promise in everything. This quote from Luther is no exception. It does speak a word of judgment and, at the same time, a word of promise that brings hope. First the law. “God’s divine nature is … more present than the creature is to itself.” There is a tendency, especially in Western culture, for humans to see themselves as distinct from the creation. This positioning of human creatures as separate from the creation causes harm to the creation. We become the actors and creation is acted upon. The rest of creation becomes a commodity to be used as humankind sees fit. This has had dire consequences for our planet, the atmosphere around it and even space, which is now littered with our cast-off machinery. But setting ourselves apart from the creation is also physically and spiritually deadly for humans. The burden of climate change falls disproportionately on people who are poor. Access to clean air and water and to sustainable living is often blocked in impoverished communities. Eventually income won’t guarantee anyone an escape. Hurricanes and wildfires visit destruction on rich and poor alike. Physical alienation has spiritual consequences. If “God’s entire divine nature is wholly and entirely in all creatures, more deeply, more inwardly, more present than the creature is to itself,” then denying our creatureliness sets up an internal dislocation for the human and separates us from God. It isn’t possible to be whole apart from the rest of creation. We miss the divine all around us and deny the intimate presence of God within us.  Read the full article / (Spanish) Download the Article This article originally appeared in the April Living Lutheran Magazine

Assembly Collection for Border Hospitality FoCoLu Youth Ministry Network in Fort Collins is collecting items needed by our Border Hospitality Ministries and is inviting other congregations to join their efforts. Congregations and ministries can bring items to Synod Assembly and will be transported back to the Border. Requested Items are listed below: Cristo Rey EL Paso: individual hygiene supplies, a reusable water bottle, laundry detergent are all greatly needed large ziplock bags to put the supplies in (it is most helpful not to pre-package since different families have different needs) new underwear - kids 2T & 4T, youth size 10-12 for girls and boys, women size 4 & 5, men size small and medium new socks - kids 2T & 4T, youth size 8-9.5, adults size 4-9  disposable plates, cups and silverware to feed refugees staying at local hotels toilet paper and paper towels for congregations providing hospitality Border Servant Corps Hospitality: Men's jeans size 28 x 28 or 29x29 Adult and Kid's Socks (new) Women's Jeans size 4, 6, 8 Women's Leggings (S, M, L) Hoodies (Teenagers / Small Adult) Tennis Shoes (Small Adult - new or very gently used) Granola Bars Snack Packs of Crackers (with peanut butter or cheese) Snack Packs of Pudding or Applesauce Ginger Chews/Lozenges (for motion sickness) Ball Point Pens Travel-size Deodorant Chapstic See their Amazon Wish List Christ's Church, Better Together!

eConnection Spotlight: RMS in the Neighborhood

Ecumenical Public Witness for the Life of the World! Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-New Mexico Our latest Advocating Congregation! Welcome to the Albuquerque Mennonite Church. George Muedeking receives the congregation's recognition certificate. Read more www.facebook.com

RMS-ELCA News and Events

Internship sites, supervisors and mentors needed Have you ever considered serving as an internship supervisor? With the ever-changing landscape of seminary education, internship placement has taken on some new forms, timelines, and needs. The cost might just be lower than you think, too! Could your congregation be the perfect place for a deacon or pastor to get formation experience? Contact Leslie Welton at lwelton@rmselca.org to be put in touch with our colleagues at the ELCA seminaries.

Better Together Summit Resources Available Remember attending the engaging Better Together Summits in each conference on "Money & Church: For the Life of the World?" Plan on sharing that same experience in your congregation! All of the resources from the event, including the three videos, are posted at the Dropbox link here.

Assembly Weekend Worship Resources Bishop Gonia invites congregations and ministries to worship as the Church Together over Synod Assembly Weekend. Liturgy, Sermon, and Service of the Word options are available. Worship Resource Packet Guidelines for Centering Prayer Video: What is Contemplative Prayer Sermon: Coming Soon! Additional rooms are available at the Sheraton Hotel in Albuquerque. The rate is the same as the Embassy Suites ($119/night) and also includes breakfast (Add $10/night for double occupancy). Use this RESERVATION LINK . Phone: 505-843-7000; Room Block "Rocky Mountain Synod" RESERVATION DEADLINE: APRIL 15. There is a complementary shuttle available between the Sheraton and Embassy Suites. If you will need the shuttle, please contact Deacon Erin Power: epower@rmselca.org .

Office of the Bishop Eucharist, Wednesday, April 10 Our monthly Eucharist will be held at the Lutheran Center on Wednesday, April 10 at 11:30 a.m. All are invited to join in this 30 minute worship.

For Your Bulletin

Installations RMS Prayer Cycle APRIL 2019 WYOMING CONFERENCE   Week of April 7 Ascension - Cheyenne, WY Wesley Aardahl Christ - Cheyenne, WY Covenant - Wheatland, WY Joshua Bruns Faith - Lander, WY Kris Trahnstrom

Monthly Prayer Cycle

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, April 7 Fifth Sunday in Lent  Prayer of the Day Creator God, you prepare a new way in the wilderness, and your grace waters our desert. Open our hearts to be transformed by the new thing you are doing, that our lives may proclaim the extravagance of your love given to all through your Son, 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  07 - 13 April  :  Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania - Intercessions and Prayers

Around the Synod

Fundraising Concert for Village Exchange Food Pantry sponsored by Rejoice Lutheran, Erie CO Pastor Marcel Narucki serves as chaplain for the Village Exchange Center.

Palm Sunday Prayer Walk Sunday, April 14 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and sacrificial giving. How will you spend your 40 days of Lent? To honor the beginning of Holy Week, Urban Servant Corps invites you to walk and pray for the neighborhood where USC volunteers serve and accompany those who are most in need in our community. After the walk, we will gather with Bishop Gonia for a prayer service and an opportunity to share offerings in support of the ministry of Urban Servant Corps. May this event be an act of faithful support for the justice we seek in our neighborhoods!

OHANA Youth Ministry Silent Auction Happy Hour Saturday, May 12 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Help by donating a Silent Auction item, a cash donation, and/ or attending this event that will celebrate our diversity of cultures through music, clothing, and appetizers! Beer and wine will also be served!  Contact Kinna for more information or if you would like to donate a Silent Auction Item: 303-889-9844, or misskinna.cyf@gmail.com. More about us: My name is Kinna and I am the founder and Director of OHANA Youth Ministry, an ecumenical and multicultural community youth group based out of St. Mark's Aurora. OHANA stands for: Object Hate And Nurture Acceptance. In a world of differences where people can’t seem to find their own worth, let alone see the worth and humanity in others, this is a space where young people feel welcomed, worthy, and are taught how to be accepting of people who are different from themselves. The gospel is what guides us on this journey! We have youth that identify as Latinx, African, Indonesian, and Anglo. They go to different schools and churches throughout the area, some are unchurched, but they are one youth group learning how to be “one in their community” no matter their race, religion, abilities, gender, or sexuality. We have received an award in the past from Families Forward for our participation in the community through service and giving back! For more info visit: Stmarksaurora.org/youth-ministry

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Our Life Together

Special needs for LFS Refugee Program The refugee program has had a good start to the year, and we hope to welcome even more refugees this coming year with your help! We are low on bath towels, pillows, twin-sized bedding (sheet sets and comforters), and cookware (pots and pans). Can you help give a warm welcome a new refugee family by donating new or gently used items? If so, contact Jaime at jaime.blanchard@lfsrm.org or 303-217-5181.

The Summit 2019: Learning to Support our Youth with Mental, Emotional, and Social Health Issues Monday April 8, 11:00 a.m. through Wednesday April 10, 11:00 a.m. You know how hard your youth ministry staff works for your congregation. Well, Rainbow Trail wants to give them a little bonus for all that they do. The Summit, RTLC’s youth ministry retreat, is for your youth and family ministers. And it is absolutely FREE. The Summit will be held April 8-10, 2019 at camp and is free to church personnel who work with youth in the Rocky Mountain Synod. Our keynote speaker, Julie Miller, will be talking about “Learning to Support our Youth with Mental, Emotional, and Social Health Issues.” Julie is an expert in this area and is excited to share her knowledge around MESH issues and youth. We look forward to offering a time of personal renewal, professional development, continuing education, and networking with other Youth Directors, Pastors, and Christian Educators. Contact Daniel at daniel@rainbowtrail.org for more information and details. Registration is open! For more information and to register go to: http://www.rainbowtrail.org/retreats/the-summit/

LFS' 25th Annual Gala on April 26 - Mark your calendars! The LFS Gala is our premier fundraising event which features a night of dinner, entertainment, an auction, and companionship. More information here! Silent auction item donations are still needed - can you or a group of friends put together a gift basket, or donate a gift certificate or item to help raise funds for our human service programs? For more information or to schedule a pick-up, contact Katie Scherr at katie.scherr@lfsrm.org.

Congregations in Transition

Resource Corner check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation

Retirement Planning Checklist Why an estate plan? Regardless of your age or financial situation, the ELCA Foundation can help you review your estate plan. WATCH VIDEO

Employment Opportunities

All Non-Rostered Positions

Minister for Pastoral Care (part-time) Abiding Hope, Littleton, CO Organist/Accompanist (part-time) St. Andrew - Arvada, CO Office Administrator (part-time) Holy Love Lutheran Church - Aurora, CO Administrative Assistant (part-time) First Lutheran Church - Longmont, CO Preschool Director, South Table Mountain Preschool Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO

Employment Opportunities Details

Office of the Bishop This Week

Bishop Jim Gonia In-office appointments PLTS Advisory Board Prince of Peace, Logan, UT Elim, Ogden, UT Part-time Ministry Team Staff Meeting ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION Pastor Matt Barnhouse El Paso Office, March 29-April 3 HKBP, Denver, CO St. Paul, Albuquerque, NM Camino de Vida, Albuquerque, NM Staff Meeting LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO Ruth Hoffman NM Conference of Churches Circo Legislative session followup LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO Peter Severson Our Saviour's, Ft. Collins, CO Colorado Social Legislation Committee Faithful Tuesdays Staff Meeting ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER Tina Kvitek Staff Meeting 1-1 meetings

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE Pastor Sarah Moening Vacation New Mexico CDI St. Andrew, Arvada, CO Congregational Ministry Board Staff Meeting ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time) Vacation Part-time Ministry Team Staff Meeting ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE Deacon Erin Power Synod Assembly Planning Staff Meeting ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY Pastor Leslie Welton Border Conference Amazing Race St. Mark's, Roswell, NM

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Erin Power ,   Assistant to the Bishop 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 .