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April 17, 2019
A Reconciling in Christ synod
Easter Message from Bishop Eaton: The joy we feel at Easter
Reflections on the Notre Dame Fire
Peter Severson, Director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado, shares a reflection in response to the fire at Notre Dame.

When I was a kid, I was really into these puzzles that were three-dimensional. Over time, I collected a bunch of them, representing monumental structures from around the world: the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, Big Ben, even a rare one of the Grand Mosque of Mecca. I also had one of Notre-Dame. At the time, I had never been to any of these places, and yet I developed a connection to them, even a feeling of ownership, through the small act of reconstructing them in puzzle form.

Later, across a decade of young adulthood, I spent formative years singing with two choirs, each of which resided in its own monumental chapel space. The Princeton University Chapel is, as I became practiced at telling visitors, the third-largest university chapel in the world. Its soaring stone arches still hold the resonance of harmonies I joined as an undergraduate in the chapel choir. At the University of Chicago, Rockefeller Chapel is a prism of light whose clerestory of geometric stained glass culminates in a dramatic swirl of fiery red and yellow high above the altar. It remained my spiritual and musical home in Chicago even after I finished my degree and moved away from Hyde Park.

Spaces of sacred memory and meaning constitute a large share of humanity’s global cultural heritage. This is why the conflagration of Notre-Dame resonates beyond Paris, beyond France, beyond even the Western world. We feel horror and sorrow, just as we might feel if the same fate befell the Taj Mahal or the Grand Mosque. It reminds us of our death, of our finitude. But even among the cinders and char, God’s promise remains, and humans can be reminded of our own resilience. We are offered a gift that surpasses even the great stirring we might feel in the presence of a world-famous landmark: the opportunity to build community and meaning with one another.

eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
A Palm Sunday Tradition
Each year Denver area congregations join Urban Servant Corps for a Palm Sunday Prayer Walk, visiting service sites of USC volunteers and learning about the non-profit organizations serving those who are hungry and unhoused. These photos include members of Augustana in Denver.
RMS-ELCA News and Events
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 HERE

Assembly Prep Help needed!
Help us prepare for assembly! Deacon Erin Power is looking for 5-6 volunteers on Tuesday, April 23 from 10:30 a.m. to noon, with lunch to follow!

The only skills required are folding and stapling! Send email Deacon Erin to help out!
RMS Excellence in Leadership
“It’s not easy to be the church these days”. This is a common sentiment in mainline Christian denominations, and the ELCA is no exception. We know there is a need for hope and grace and the power of the gospel, but the ways of communicating that and the ways of being church in the world are shifting beneath our feet. We know this.

The Rocky Mountain Synod is rising to meet this changing paradigm with a new leadership training program – Excellence in Leadership . Beginning this fall, we will be offering a program grounded in authentically claiming our identity as individuals and as church. By engaging deeply in the studies of adaptive leadership, vulnerability, emotional intelligence, family systems, and spiritual practices, we will be stepping forward to meet the future boldly. We don't know exactly what the future holds, but we do know that it begins with each personal journey toward emotional and spiritual wholeness. Let’s embark on this journey together. 

Stay tuned for more information in the weeks to come.
For more info, contact katie.emery@firstluth.org
ELCA Global Mission, Central Europe - Teachers urgently needed
ELCA Global Mission volunteer teachers serve in Central Europe in partnership with the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in the Slovak Republic, the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary. These national churches, as well as their national governments, have set English language learning as a high priority. In partnership with the national churches, the ELCA volunteer teachers prepare the senior high students for a future in the church and in society as well. Typical class size can range from 8 to 20 students. There are currently 3 small-town sites and 2 urban sites in Slovakia, and 1 small-town site each in Poland and Hungary.
 
 
TEFL/TESOL training is not required, only a university diploma (a bachelors).
LEVN, the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network, is looking for young adults!
LEVN, the Lutheran Episcopal Volunteer Network , is looking for young adults (age 21-30) with Bachelor's degrees for an 11-month program of non-profit volunteer service and learning about social justice. From the end of August 2019 to the end of July 2020, our corps members will be provided housing, utilities, health coverage, spiritual direction, and a $535/month living stipend. We also offer a $1000 re-entry grant at the completion of the program.
The placement sites for the upcoming program year include faith-based non-profits, secular non-profits, congregations, outdoor ministry, and our campus ministry at UC Davis. These service sites address issues of homelessness, food insecurity, unemployment, children and youth ministries, and other important social justice issues facing our communities.

We gather each week for evening prayer, dinner, and formation. The corps members live in intentional community in one of two residences: The Belfry, an apartment attached to our campus ministry center in Davis, CA, or The Priory, an apartment at All Saints Episcopal Church in Sacramento, CA. We're an ecumenical program in the Episcopal Service Corps network; applicants needn't be either Lutheran or Episcopal to apply—interest in Christian spirituality is the only expectation. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until July 31, 2019.

Visit levn.org or contact Program Director Casey Dunsworth at 530-756-1550 or pastor@thebelfry.org for more information!
ELCA Domestic Hunger Grant application opens April 15!
The application window for 2020 ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants will open April 15!

Visit ELCA.org/domestichungergrants to learn more about the grants and how to apply. We invite organizations applying for an ELCA grant for the first time to set up an account in ELCA GrantMaker in advance in order to access the application form immediately once the window opens. If your organization has already registered in ELCA GrantMaker, now is a great time to log back in and confirm that the contact information in the account is up to date.

ELCA World Hunger will be hosting two webinars to review granting priorities and cover the basics of applying. To call in, simply click on the link below for the date of your choice.


Application Timeline

  • Registration open: April 1-May 31, 2019
  • Application open: April 15-June 17, 2019
  • Application review: July-September 2019
  • Awards announced: November 2019
For Your Bulletin
Installations
RMS Prayer Cycle

APRIL 2019
WYOMING CONFERENCE

 Week of April 21

Mount of Olives - Rock Springs, WY
Levi Powers

Our Saviour’s - Casper, WY
Jo Ann Neal

Prince of Peace - Gillette, WY
Deb Cote

St. John - Riverton, WY
Bonita Knox

St. Luke’s - Buffalo, WY
Larry Sydow
Pontormo, Jacopo da, 1494-1556. Resurrection, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville,

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 21
Resurrection of Our Lord
Easter Day
Prayer of the Day

O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection, through your Son, Jesus Christ our 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

21 - 27April  Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia - Intercessions and Prayers
Around the Synod
Colorado Women’s Chorale: Carnegie Hall Masterworks
Saturday May 11, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the homecoming of Colorado Women's Choir tour from the Carnegie Festival for Treble Voices in New York City this spring.
Selections include masterworks of Brahms, Holst, Elgar, and more. Plus an exhilarating finale joined by the Colorado Men’s Chorale for Martin Palmeri’s Misa Tango, a brilliant orchestral work that celebrates the beauty, joy, and passion of Argentina.
Order your tickets at this link!
Join us for worship on May 4!
Albuquerque area folks are invited to join in the synod assembly evening worship on Saturday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m.

Please RSVP here or email Deacon Erin Power so we can plan for seating and the reception.
Camino de Vida invites you to a Multicultural Party 
Hispanic Ministry / Latin Way Of Life
3907 Isleta Boulevard Southwest
Albuquerque, NM 87105 ( map )

You are all invited to attend the Multicultural Festival, which will be full of cultural diversity - on Saturday, May 4.

We will have music, dance, food, games, and community organizations all day to stay and enjoy with family and friends.

Visit https://www.caminodevidanm.com/ for more information!
Our Life Together
Easter Alert 2019 from Kairos Palestine
Easter and Holy Week message from Palestine---Easter Blessings! Get yours here. Thank you for accompanying us in this journey to the cross.

The purpose of the annual Kairos alert is to shed light on the reality on the ground and provide a Christian commentary and analysis to this reality. Indeed, you have heard from voices on the ground and international activists on what it means to live as Palestinians and Palestinian Christians under systemic injustice and discrimination. Political pressure, collective punishment, restriction of movement, or the denial of entry to holy sites--all point to the severity of the situation.
Fort Collins Clinical Pastoral Education offering residency programs at Colorado State University
Fort Collins Clinical Pastoral Education (FCCPE) is welcoming applications for the 2019-2020 Spiritual Care Residency Program, which includes placements at Colorado State University (university), Poudre Valley Hospital - UCHealth (health care), and Columbine Health Systems (senior care).

If you are thinking of doing Lutheran Campus Ministry this would be an excellent opportunity to be exposed to providing spiritual care on a large university campus. The two other sites in Fort Collins are also excellent for a general chaplaincy residency. Pastor Paul Judson, Lutheran Campus Ministry/LuMin in Fort Collins works regularly with this program's chaplain.
 
Information about the program and the application process is available here . If you are interested please feel free to contact me with any questions. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please feel free to share this information.
Luther Academy of the Rockies 50th Anniversary
June 18 - June 28, 2019
Wartburg Theological Seminary invites YOU to join with us for 10 days of learning, recreation, and renewal for ministry at our annual LUTHER ACADEMY OF THE ROCKIES.

In keeping with Wartburg Theological Seminary's emphasis on daily worship, each day begins with opening devotions. In addition to educational programs for the adults, age-appropriate daily programs are provided for children and teens (age 4 - 18), as well as childcare for children 3 and under.

Come join us for 10 days in the beautiful Rockies with renowned speakers sharing their wisdom at an incredibly reasonable price! This opportunity is too great to miss!!!

For more info and to register, visit our website at: https://www.wartburgseminary.edu/lar/
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
Here is the Stewardship Toolkit for Congregations - May 2019
This month's emphasis is Stewardship of community, brought to you by Rev. Rob Blezard, Assistant to the Bishop
Lower Susquehanna Synod.
Check out his blog: www.thestewardshipguy.com!

Good, thoughtful, consistent communication, education and action can help your congregation develop a healthy culture of stewardship and generosity. This kit can help get you there! Use the resources of this kit by themselves to educate and encourage stewardship, but they would be more effective as a monthly emphasis about a different aspect of stewardship. You could plan bible studies, temple talks, a preaching series and other activities. 

Click here to download the May toolkit. And save this link to always be able to get the most current toolkit.
Items for sale
Monday, April 22 through Friday, May 17, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day

Bethany Lutheran
4500 E Hampden Ave.
Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113

We have several items available for sale; glass tea plates (approx. 80), small glass vases (approx. 10), communion wine glass trays (approx. 15), and many other communion pieces. Please contact Sarah for photos and information.
Employment Opportunities
New Employment Listings 
Assistant Preschool Director (part-time)
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO
Christ Lutheran Church Preschool, Highlands Ranch, is seeking an Assistant Preschool Director. This is a part-time position up to 30 hours per week. During the school year, we are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and in the summer from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Hours can be somewhat flexible depending on weekly activities at the school and the applicant’s needs. Some evening and weekend events are required and are always paid. Pay will be commensurate upon experience.
Christ Lutheran Church Preschool has been voted by patrons of the Highlands Ranch Herald to be the best Preschool in Highlands Ranch each year for the past decade! 

Visit our website here, see a complete job description here. For more information please contact our Preschool Director, Deb Morgans, at dmorgans@clchr.org.
Music Director
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church - 1280 Vine St, Denver CO
St. Barnabas Episcopal Parish in Denver is seeking a Music Director. The successful candidate will be versant in the Anglican liturgical and musical tradition but able to embrace and explore a wide range of musical styles. Duties include conducting the choir, working collaboratively with the priest in liturgical planning, overseeing music staff, and participating in weekly staff and monthly Liturgy Committee meetings. For a more complete job description with link to application form, please go here.
Interested persons may submit an application with a resume and references by May 8, 2019 to Fr. Jeffrey Nelson, jeffrey.nelson@stbdenver.org
Community Life Coordinator
Urban Servant Corps - 1660 Ogden Street, Denver, CO
We are seeking a Community Life Coordinator who will collaborate with our Executive Director and Urban Servants Corps (USC) volunteers in program planning and volunteer community life, including recruiting and engaging full-time volunteers for upcoming program cycle, process applications and conduct interviews; plan and lead USC volunteer orientation, training, and retreats; plan and attend weekly volunteer community nights and monthly community days; coordinate volunteer committees/liaison positions for community life responsibilities and activities; connect volunteers with leadership opportunities in the community; support volunteer interpersonal and community relationships during times of conflict; Offer mentorship around the USC tenets of simplicity, service, spirituality and intentional community; assist Executive Director in fundraising and outreach activities; other duties as assigned. 

Job description with requirements and salary info is here. Please submit resume and cover letter to Executive Director, Krista Kilgus at: jobs@servantcorps.org. Priority consideration will be given to those received by April 25. 
All Non-Rostered Listings 
Assistant Preschool Director (part-time)
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO

Music Director
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church - 1280 Vine St, Denver CO

Community Life Coordinator
Urban Servant Corps - 1660 Ogden Street, Denver, CO

Organist/Accompanist (part-time)
St. Andrew - Arvada, CO
Office of the Bishop This Week
  Bishop Jim Gonia
  • In-office Assembly Prep
  • Office Closed: Good Friday

ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Matt Barnhouse
  • El Paso Office, April 10-21

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Ruth Hoffman
  • Office catch-up

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
  • Office Closed: Good Friday
  • Colorado Social Legislation Committee
  • Vision 2020 Committee

ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
  • 1-1 Meetings
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Leadership Planning Team
  • Congregation Transition

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Synod Assembly Prep
  • Office Closed: Good Friday

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
  • Synod Assembly Prep

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie Welton
  • In-office appointments
  • Office Closed: Good Friday
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Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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