In her 2020 Christmas message, Presiding Bishop Eaton, offers a reflection on what it means to be home in Christ. While many of us will not be physically home for Christmas this year, Eaton reminds us, “Precisely in our distress, in our dislocation, the Lord shows up. Emmanuel — God with us — makes his home in the very places we find foreign or isolating. … There is no God-forsaken place and we are never alone — not in hospital rooms, or sheltering in place, or Zoom calls or on dangerous roads.” Bishop Eaton’s Christmas message is available for download in English and Spanish.

In a community gripped by fear, the magi step on in, and there they find themselves overwhelmed with joy! It's there that they open their gifts before the infant Jesus, not for their own benefit but in the joy of being in the presence of Christ. In this time when fear has its grip on so much of our life together, how can we step into the middle of it and therein find our joy as we celebrate who we are and who we are being created to be in Christ? Details in the Draft Program Booklet, with some details yet to be finalized.

Join us via zoom:   https://zoom.us/j/98084210913 

Join via Facebook Live:  www.facebook.com/rmselca 

Sunday Worship Link: https://zoom.us/j/93121810023

Voting members and visitors are invited to join in this conversation during this year's synod assembly. Through worship, small group conversation, assembly business, and keynote sessions, we will together explore our individual and collective stories for the sake of community, truth-telling, healing, and continuing our journey as a church becoming. We will be welcoming Dr. Edward Antonio as our keynote speaker and Rachel Bass-Guennewig as our morning prayer leader.

Synod Assembly will once again take place via zoom, with congregational voting members attending together. More information can be found in our voting information packet and on the RMS website.

This training includes 12 hours of group coaching time, one hour individual coaching at the time when you start in your interim context or at a time of your choosing, plus contextual work, reading and reflecting. As a result of this program: Pastors will have a working knowledge of emotional intelligence, Theory U, and family systems theory. Pastors will have improved self-awareness, conflict management and listening skills, and a roadmap for being an Intentional Interim Pastor. Pastors will be strengthened to move through the transition manual, “Congregations in Transition: Moving into the Future” with input from peers. This training has been developed in cooperation with the Rocky Mountain Synod Office of the Bishop. The cost is $585.

For more information, visit https://www.purposefulpastor.com/interim-ministry

Almighty God, you wonderfully created the dignity of human nature and yet more wonderfully restored it. In your mercy, let us share the divine life of the one who came to share our humanity, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

27 December 2020 - 02 January 2021 : Stateless people - Intercessions and Prayers

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.

The Boulder - Broomfield Conference has joined together for a Service of Lessons and Carols. This service includes lessons, music, liturgy, and the sacrament of Holy Communion led by congregations across the Boulder-Broomfield conference.

This service is free to be used for any congregation in the Rocky Mountain Synod.

The Community Organizing for Transformational Ministry is co-led by a team of four including Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Dr. Ray Pickett, Deacon Kelly Marciales, Director of the ELCA Organizing for Mission Network, and Mary Lim-Lampe, Director of Genesis, a community organizing affiliate in Oakland. It is an innovative model that incorporates theological and biblical reflection, and attention to beauty and art as well as training in more traditional arts of community organizing (power analysis, organizing cycle, self-interest, and of course more).

The course/training is for graduate students as well as practitioners of community organizing and leaders of faith communities. Download a flyer which includes the registration link.

The RMS insert for your annual reports is available here along with other resources to share about our life together as church:

2020 Annual Report covers are now available for download in two versions. One is individual pages. The other is a two-page spread across 11x17 paper. Both can be downloaded at Stewardship resources: https://www.elca.org/Resources/Stewardship#Leadership, or below.

Lakewood UMC is seeking a part time "Community Curator" who will aid the church in growing in relationship with the people of Lakewood, and the organizations doing important work in our neighborhood.

Lakewood United Methodist Church is entering into its 140th year of ministry seeking to "Celebrate 140 Year of God's Abundance." A part of its ministry plan in 2021 involves the hiring of a very unique position that will partner with the Senior Pastor in growing in relationship with the people/families of our neighborhood, and also grow in relationship with community partners who are doing work that align with our mission and values as a United Methodist Church. This is a part-time, (20 hour/wk) position. Download job description here.

Bonus points if you are an outside-of-the-(church)box thinker, know how to network, are familiar with West Colfax/West 40 Arts neighborhood of Lakewood, Colorado, a self-starter, and a bridge builder--someone who likes to help people meet people.

Part-time: $20K-$23K/yr

If interested, please contact Rev. Ben A. David Hensley, ben@lumc.net.

Joy Lutheran Church in Parker, CO is seeking a part-time facility/security manager. Job description available here. Resumes and cover letters may be be sent to resumes@joylc.org by Friday, December 18, 2020.

St. John's Lutheran Church in Thornton, Colorado is seeking a bi-lingual candidate for our Community Connection ministry to develop relationships in our local community through our Early Learning Center and technology ministries. We're a welcoming and inclusive community that fosters connection to God, each other and the community.

This part-time (20-25 hrs/wk) position reports to the Pastor and works with the Office Manager, ELC Director and Technology Team to support the congregation’s ministry.

Job description here. For more info, write to: gracepastor2@gmail.com.