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June 24, 2020
A Reconciling in Christ synod
June is LGBTQIA+ PRIDE Month!
We celebrate our 24 congregations and 4 ministries who are Reconciling in Christ Communities!
Rocky Mountain Synod
Highlands, Denver, CO
Urban Servant Corps, Denver, CO
Our Savior's, Denver, CO
Epiphany Denver, CO
St. Paul, Denver, CO
Westview, Boulder, CO
Holy Trinity, Littleton, CO
Grace, Boulder, CO
Campus Ministry, CU Boulder, CO
Zion, Idaho Springs, CO
Well of Hope, Castle Rock, CO
Peace in Christ, Elizabeth, CO
King of Glory, Loveland, CO
Spirit of Joy, Fort Collins, CO
Trinity, Fort Collins, CO
Lord of the Mountains, Dillon, CO
Shepherd of the Valley, Grand Junction, CO
Christ, Santa Fe,NM
All Saints, Albuquerque, NM
Luther House Campus Ministry, Albuquerque, NM
St. Tim's, Albuquerque, NM
St. Paul, Albuquerque,NM
Our Savior's, Salt Lake City, UT
Zion, Salt Lake City, UT
Mt. Tabor, Salt Lake City, UT
Prince of Peace, Logan, UT
Peace, Las Cruces, NM

The Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program is for congregations, synods, colleges, seminaries, and other Lutheran organizations and ministry communities who have made a public commitment to welcome, include and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. By having a statement affirming this welcome that specifically names either, "LGBTQIA+ people" or "people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions" in their statement, these faith communities are accepted into the Reconciling in Christ partnership with ReconcilingWorks. There are now around 886 RIC Partners throughout the United States and Canada.
eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
Celebrations and Updates from PLTS!
We graduated 28 persons at our virtual commencement a few weeks ago, both Master of Divinity and TEEM students. These students will now work with their synods to finish candidacy and seek a first call. It appears that our classes for the fall will be in a hybrid model. Some seminarians will be staying in place and taking all of their classes online. Others will be on campus, to the extent possible, and will be taking some online and some in person. As could be said for all of the experimenting teachers and faculty, our professors are boldly meeting the new challenges.

Meanwhile, we remain as a seminary increasingly attuned to the black voices among us who make the very believable case that our country is not finished with its legacy of slavery, but needs to be. For some of us white people, losing our privilege is a scary thought. For others, it is part of the inbreaking of God's reign. May the beauty and joy of the latter eclipse all fears!
RMS & ELCA News and Events
Question: What does a Theological Conference look like during a pandemic?
Answer : Your choice - "conference at home" or book a room for retreat time away

Our fall theological conference will be September 21-24 and is being planned and led in partnership with the ACT4RMS Team, the synod's anti-racism team. The format will be centered around large group digital gatherings, small group conversation (option of either in-person or via ZOOM), and individual reflection. Devotions and worship will take place in small groups in person or via ZOOM. A tentative agenda will be available next week.

Block the week for retreat time at home or away
Unless miraculously a vaccine is developed in the next eight weeks, there will be no in-person large group gathering. You are encouraged to block this week off to fully engage in this space and conversation, despite not being physically away. There will be an option to reserve a room at the contracted location (Marriott, Colorado Springs) for folks who wish to get away in retreat. Folks who choose this option can create informal, socially distant gatherings at the hotel, but no formal gatherings will take place.

Registration and Cost
Please be patient as we navigate these details, and for now simply save the date! As we are currently locked into a contract with the Marriott, we are waiting to see what regulations Colorado has in place in mid-July to determine if we are able to be released from our contract. 

If the hotel is able to technically create space in line with the governor's recommendations, we will be locked into our contract, even if we determine it is unsafe to gather that many folks together. This will undoubtedly have financial implications, so we will need to wait until we have more information before being able to set registration costs.

The ACT4RMS team and synod council are continuing to brainstorm creative ways to either mitigate these costs or offer the committed space to a local non-profit to offer temporary shelter, and we will need your partnership to navigate these uncertain times.
Connect Your College Students with Lutheran Campus Ministry!
Did you know... The best way for incoming students to connect with our life-giving work is through the referral of a trusted adult, like you! College students connected to Lutheran Campus Ministry are more likely to complete their degree programs and are more likely to seek out a faith community after graduation than those who are not. Whether you are a parent, pastor, or youth leader, you can help students connect using the LuMin Student Referral Form (first link below) or reaching out to any of this synod's campus pastors (second link). We look forward to welcoming your college students this fall!

For a LuMin Lutheran Campus Ministry Student Referral, please visit https://lumin-networkreferral.org/. For more information, visit https://www.rmselca.org/campus-ministry
Excellence in Leadership Fall Registration OPEN!
In light of the uncertain progression of the coronavirus, the Excellence in Leadership (EiL) training team has made the decision to offer the EiL program for the next cohort in a completely digital format. These adjustments have pushed back the start date of our registration, however, registration for the 2020-2022 cohort is now open.

As with the first cohort, there will be 7 sessions/presentations which all participants will be expected to attend. However, these will all be offered online via Zoom and recorded, in case you are unable to attend the sessions live. Additionally, each participant will be expected to engage with a small group with fellow participants throughout the program.

The dates and times for the sessions during the first year are as follows:

  • Session #1 – Friday, Sept 4, 2020, 9:00 am – 12 noon, plus a small group session
  • Session #2 – Saturday, Oct 17, 1:00 – 3:30 pm
  • Session #3 – Friday, Nov 6, 9:00 am – 12 noon, plus a small group session
  • Session #4 – Saturday, Jan 9, 1:00 – 3:30 pm
  • Session #5 – Friday, Feb 19, 9:00 am – 12 noon, plus a small group session
  • Session #6 – Saturday, Mar 20, 1:00 – 3:30 pm
  • Session #7 – Friday, May 7, 9:00 am – 12 noon, plus a small group session

Times for small group meetings will be determined at a later date.


More information about the program can be found at https://www.rmselca.org/leaders/excellence-in-leadership

Any additional questions about registration or the Excellence in Leadership program may be directed to Dana Anderson ( danderson@rmselca.org)
For Your Bulletin
Ordination

Nic Leither
6:00pm, Saturday, June 27
Color of the day:  Red



Installation

Rev. Nic Leither
St. Marks, Aurora, CO
Time 1:00pm, Sunday, June 28
Color of the day:  Green

  • This installation will be celebrated online, not in-person, via RMS Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/96608968199. Deacons and pastors are encouraged to wear a green stole. They will be introduced immediately after the rite of installation. The service WILL include the celebration of Holy Communion.
RMS Prayer Cycle

JUNE 2020
SOUTHEAST COLORADO CONFERENCE

- Week of June 28 -

St. Paul’s - Sugar City, CO


Tabor - Pueblo, CO
Kristen Saathoff

Trinity - Monument, CO
Sandra Hanawalt
Missie Bonser

Trinity - Fowler, CO
Wayne Josephson
Sunday, June 28
Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

Prayer of the Day
O God, you direct our lives by your grace, and your words of justice and mercy reshape the world. Mold us into a people who welcome your word and serve one another, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

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.
Around the Synod
"Intergenerational Connection: The Mental Health Benefits"
Thursday, June 25, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
This presentation and conversation will explore lessons being learned from a unique CU intergenerational course which pairs local older adult community members who are least 60 years-old with CU students in a semester writing class. The positive mental health impact on both participating community members and their CU student partners will be highlighted.

This program will be facilitated by Jack Williamson who was formerly a U.S. Air Force Chaplain, retiring after 24 years of service as a Colonel. Prior to his retirement he was the Chief of Professional Development and Training for Chaplains worldwide. After retiring he served for 16 years as the Executive Director for the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces and for the Endorsers Conference for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy representing over 220 denominations and faith traditions.

Meeting ID: 426 442 0220
+13462487799,,4264420220# US (Houston)
+16699006833,,4264420220# US (San Jose)
Our Life Together
Journal of Lutheran Ethics
June/July 2020 Book Review Issue
A Note from the Editor, Jennifer Hockenbery Dragseth

Last October when the JLE Advisory Council met to plan the issues for 2020 we decided to put the summer book review issue in June.  We, or at least I, envisioned professors on summer break from classes having time to peruse new books on the beach while pastors and lay leaders had a more relaxed schedule to look at new books for adult education opportunities. The idea of a lazy summer reading issue has, of course, been thoroughly scrapped. COVID-19 and quarantine and church building closures have created new challenges for teachers, preachers, and families. Now the end of May and early June brings a new situation, founded on the centuries old American problem of systemic racism and police brutality. Even in my usually quiet suburb of Milwaukee, I lay awake all night listening to police helicopters circling as protesters march.

12 faith practices for racial justice
from Women of the ELCA, Bold Café, June 2020
by Judith Roberts
 
Racism and other forms of oppression are violations of God's intention for all humanity. Before we can work for racial justice, we must first be aware of the manifestation of racism within our thoughts, our institutions, our interactions and our society.

Employment Opportunities
New Listings 
Education Director
Peace Lutheran Church - El Paso, TX
Peace Lutheran Preschool and Daycare in El Paso is seeking a new Education Director. The mission of the school is to nurture children, to develop positive strengths, ethics, and skills necessary to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives, and to meet the challenges of our world. We are excited to find the next right person to lead the school in providing excellent care and education to children and families in our community! Job description is available here.
For more information, please write to peacelutheranschoolelp@gmail.com.
Children, Youth, Family & Social Media Minister
Evergreen Lutheran Church - Evergreen, CO
Evergreen Lutheran (ELC), a vibrant, fun and growing congregation in the foothills west of Denver is seeking a full-time person to partner with an already strong and committed staff. Candidates should possess a heart for Jesus, a desire to bless young people and a gracious congregation with unselfish ministry. The Pastor and staff of ELC hope to partner with an individual who is a servant-leader, who wants to create their own, strong ministry, lives inclusively and relationally. The position is benefit eligible and the salary is competitive. If you are interested, please send your resume, cover letter and references to Pastor Vera Guebert-Steward at Guebstewar@gmail.com (303-674-4654). Interviews will begin by mid-June. ELC hopes to fill the position by August 1, 2020.
Non-Rostered Listings 
Education Director
Peace Lutheran Church - El Paso, TX

Children, Youth, Family & Social Media Minister
Evergreen Lutheran Church - Evergreen, CO

Preschool Director (full-time)
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO

Coordinator of Children/Youth Faith Formation
Broadmoor Community Church, United Church of Christ - Colorado Springs, CO


Director of Choirs (part-time)
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church - Los Alamos, NM

Facilities Manager
Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church - Lakewood, CO

Lead Servant for Financial Resources
Abiding Hope Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO

Office Administrator (part-time)
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Centennial, CO

Minister of Music (full-time)
Augustana Lutheran Church - Denver, CO
Office of the Bishop This Week
  Bishop Jim Gonia
  • Living Faith Discussion Series
  • 1-1 Appointments
  • Ordination and Installation, Pastor Nic Leither, St. Mark's Aurora, CO
  • Available by email: jgonia@rmselca.org

ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Kurt Rager
  • Living Faith Discussion Group
  • Invest in Kids Now Coalition
  • Available by email: krager@rmselca.org

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson

ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
  • 1-1 Appointments
  • Excellence in Leadership Planning
  • Vacation June 30-July 4
  • Available by email: smoening@rmselca.org

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
  • Living Faith Discussion
  • Theological Conference Planning Team
  • RMS Communications
  • ELCA Committee on Appeals
  • Available by email: epower@rmselca.org

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie O'Callaghan
Quick Links
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Erin Power ,   Assistant to the Bishop
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

Past issues of eConnection may be found here.