A Reconciling in Christ synod
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Welcome Kurt Rager, new Director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry New Mexico
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Kurt Rager is the new Director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – New Mexico. Succeeding Ruth Hoffman, Kurt becomes just the third director in ministry’s 35-year history. A native of New Mexico, Kurt has been an active member of All Saints, Albuquerque, for most of his life.
A graduate of the University of New Mexico, Kurt studied political science and religious studies. In addition to his passion and commitment to advocacy in the public sector by individuals and congregations, Kurt brings a special skill set to the ministry due to his uniquely diverse professional background. In addition to years of management experience in the private sector, Kurt served as the Education and Youth Minister at St. Paul, Albuquerque, for 11 years, and as the Team Minister on the staff at First Lutheran, Temple, Texas. Kurt spent 5 years living in Germany, as civilian employee of the U.S. Army, leading a variety of programs that provided services to and advocated for the needs of Military Members and their Families. Most recently, Kurt directed the Family Readiness program for the Southwestern Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was also the Texas State Community Support Coordinator, working on behalf of the U.S. Army, advocating for the care and support of active-duty Military members, Veterans, and their Families, with state and local governments.
Thrilled to be back in New Mexico, Kurt pursues a lengthy list of interests and activities, though the most joy is brought to Kurt’s life by his 8-year old daughter, Hannah.
Kurt is looking forward to maintaining the long history of advocacy by LAM-NM on solutions to improve the lives of those most vulnerable in New Mexico. Kurt is also excited to support Partner Congregations in connecting member’s faith to their daily life through the awareness of issues and by providing opportunities to use their voice through advocacy. He begins his work December 1.
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"Becoming a Sanctuary Church" Webinar Video Now Available
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If you were not able to join the Sanctuary Conversation via Zoom last week, a recording of the conversation is now
available on the website
.
Also on the website are numerous resources, videos, and discussion guides to help your conversation and discernment.
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eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
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Bishop Eaton's message for Veterans Day 2019
On Nov. 11 we will observe Veterans Day. ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton invites congregations to hold a Sunday of prayer and action, and brings a...
Read more
www.facebook.com
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Mission Support and Annual Report Resources Now Available
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Annual Report and Mission Support resources are now available on the website:
- Mission Support Litany
- Mission Support intent for 2020
- Annual Report Insert
- What is Mission Support
- Thank You Poster
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Constitution Updates from the RMS Synod Secretary
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Synod Constitution
At the August Churchwide Assembly, non-required amendments to the Model Constitution for Synods were recommended by the Office of the Secretary of the ELCA. These amendments were voted on by the RMS Council at the October 25th meeting. Council recommended the amendments be brought to the 2020 Synod Assembly for approval.
Congregation Constitution
The 2019 Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA adopted a number of changes to the Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Information about required updates and the process for updating your constitution can be found
HERE.
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Rocky Mountain Synod Middle and High School Youth Gathering
Saturday, January 18 - Monday, January 20, 2020
Registration deadline extended to November 15!
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YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, CO
Saturday, January 18, 5:00 p.m. to Monday, January 20, 11:00 a.m.
Get ready for a fun and faith-filled weekend as we delve into the transforming love of God and what it means to take that love into our everyday lives.
Get more information and register
here!
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How to Integrate Jazz in Worship (even if you’re not a jazz musician!)
Thursday, November 7 at 2:00 p.m. EST
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Brought to you by the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians,
Deanna will offer accessible jazz resources that you can immediately use with your congregation or choir, including fully notated piano scores of her original prayer responses, Mass settings, and jazz arrangements of standard hymns.
She will also demonstrate basic exercises in improvisation and how to harmonize a simple melody with just two unexpected chords.
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ELCA Benefits Plan Annual Enrollment for Congregations and Plan Members
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Congregations have until October 25 to make health plan option selection for 2019. Plan members have from Oct. 29 - Nov. 13 to make your selections.
Note: If you're part of a sponsored couple, a call to the Customer Care Center can help you navigate some of the trickier details. Sign into
MyPortico to learn more.
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Sanctuary Church Risk Management
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Church Mutual has posted a new resource on tips for managing risk for sanctuary congregations, which can be found
here.
And, Church Mutual makes its safety resources available to all ELCA congregations, and links to them can be found on the ELCA Risk Management page,
here.
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Each year ELCA Global Mission sends out dozens of young adults, ages 21-29, into a year-long journey of international service as Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM) volunteers. This experience of global service invites young adults to serve as Jesus’ hands and feet in the world, as they form global friendships, provide critical support to communities in need, and reflect on how their identity connects with God’s work in the world.
This year there are eight young adults serving as YAGMs who hail from our own Rocky Mountain Synod! Over the next few months we will feature their information each week and encourage you, as individuals and congregations in the Rocky Mountain Synod, to support them through prayer, communication, and financial support.
Connor Horan is serving this year as a YAGM in Senegal. Connor's home congregations are Mt. Calvary and Trinity Lutheran in Boulder, CO.
Over the years, Young Adults in Global Mission has proven to be one of the great pipelines for developing faith-filled leaders, both inside and outside of the church. If you would like to support or learn more about this exciting ministry,
go here.
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Installation
Deacon Linda Bobbitt
King of Glory,
Arvada, CO
9:00 a.m., ,Sunday November 10
Color of the day:
Green
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RMS Prayer Cycle
- Week of November 3 -
ON LEAVE FROM CALL
Matt Barnhouse
Nathan Blom
Andy Boesenecker
Nadia Bolz-Weber
Stacie Dougherty
Emily Ewing
Bryce Fellbaum
Rachel Larson
Ann Maki (family)
Carmen Miranda Rowland
Justin Nickel (study)
Todd Payne
Dana Peterson
Ryan Roberts (family)
DanaLee Simon (study)
Dirk Stadtlander
Sara Wirth
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- Week of November 10 -
ADVOCACY, GRIEF AND PRISON MINISTRIES
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - Colorado
Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - New Mexico
Ruth Hoffman
New Beginnings Church (Prison Ministry)
Terry Schjang
HeartLight Center / Horan & McConaty Mortuary (Grief Ministry)
Jennifer McBride
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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, November 10
Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
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Prayer of the Day
O God, our eternal redeemer, by the presence of your Spirit you renew and direct our hearts. Keep always in our mind the end of all things and the day of judgment. Inspire us for a holy life here, and bring us to the joy of the resurrection, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches
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Alternative Gift Fair
Saturday, November 9, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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Evergreen Lutheran Church
5980 Highway 73
303-674-4654
Shop for fabulous handmade crafts, jewelry, textiles, food, and other great gifts at our unique holiday fair featuring items from nearly 50 non-profit organizations.
All proceeds go to help local, national, and international charities!
SHOP ONCE. GIFT TWICE.
Find a gift to give for the holidays and, in turn, give the gift of support to local and international non-profits. More info at
https://www.gifttwice.org/.
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Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Boulder - Celebration of Legacy
Sunday, November 10 begins at 1:00 p.m.
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All are invited to attend the afternoon event, beginning with a
choral concert at 1:00 p.m., a
Service of Holy Closure at 2:00 p.m., and a reception following. Rostered Ministers are invited to vest (color is Green) and process as a sign of presence and support. (time to vest will be provided between the concert and the worship service).
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Race and Justice: Community Meeting on the Unjust Identification Police Practice of Show Ups in Denver and Colorado
Thursday, November 14 from 6:00 -7:30 p.m.
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Together Colorado's Transforming Justice Team is gathering community members, faith leaders, law enforcement, and elected officials to address a troubling policing procedure used in the field to identify perpetrators of a crime, known as "show ups," that criminalizes Black, Brown, and poor people. Show ups are an unreliable method of identifying suspects. The threat this poses to people who might loosely “fit the description” is grave because it routinely misidentifies, charges, and incarcerates innocent people. Our hope is to collaborate with our elected officials for meaningful criminal justice reform.
Come to
Shorter Community AME Church, 3100 Richard Allen Ct, Denver, CO (
map
) and please join us on November 14 at 6:00 p.m. and RSVP
here.
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MUSIC OF THE VINE
A Fundraising Event for Stratus
Danza! Beguiling the Dance Immersive Concert with Harpist, Dani Bash
Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
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A special wine, music & cheese pairing event with Master Wine Educator Claude Robbins at Historic Grant Avenue (216 S. Grant Ave.) Saturday evening is a special fundraiser for Stratus performing Aaron Copland’s
“Appalachian Spring”.
It takes two to tango, as the saying goes. That sheds new light on the term “wine pairing,” doesn’t it? A good cheese and the right wine make for the most exquisite dance on your palate. Add to that the perfect music to accompany the dance, and you have all the ingredients you need for an enchanting evening. Aaron Copland’s
“Appalachian Spring” and Debussy’s
“Sacred and Profane Dances” are highlights. And yes, there’s a tango. Two of them, in fact!
Join us Friday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. for a Stratus immersive concert (no wine pairing) at First Plymouth Congregational Church, 3501 S. Colorado Blvd.(
map) and/or Saturday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. for a special wine, music & cheese pairing event with Master Wine Educator Claude Robbins at Historic Grant Avenue, 216 S. Grant Ave.(
map). Saturday evening is a special fundraiser for Stratus and sure to be an enlightening and engaging evening of fun and great music!
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LuMin Thanksgiving for Renovations
Sunday, November 17, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
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Rejoice with
Lutheran Campus Ministry in Fort Collins
as they celebrate the completion of phase one renovations on their 52 year old building. Renovated bathrooms and community space as well as and new showers and laundry will help your outpost ministry serve well young adults in higher education in Fort Collins. Come by anytime between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 17 to see how these renovations will give new life to the ministry of caring for present participants and position LuMin to reach out to students facing housing insecurity in the coming semester.
You are always welcome to stay for worship at 5:15 p.m. following by supper.
Lutheran Campus Ministry - LuMin is at 805 S Shields St, Fort Collins, CO 80521 (
map
). For more info:
www.lcmcsu.org For questions:
pastor@lcmcsu.org.
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St. Stephen’s Annual Christmas Gift, Craft, and Bake Sale
Saturday, November 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church
10828 Huron St.
303-452-5469
Vendors include: Pampered Chef, Handmade Cards, Book Lady, Tole Painting, The Amethyst Rose – Gems and Jewelry, Christmas Decorations, Handsewn items for kitchen/dining, Thirty-One totes and bags, Avon, Woodcraft, Norwex.
Refreshments and baked Goods by St. Stephen’s Bakers. Proceeds go to camperships for our youth.
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Holiday Family Sing-Along, A Time of Wonder
Saturday, December 7, 2019, 2:30 p.m.
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It's the time of year for cookies, cocoa and the best holiday deal for families! The Chorales will be joined again by Kent Jones and the Colorado Saints Chorale for one of our most fantastic shows of the year at a price that won't pinch your budget. This annual Sing-Along includes a beautiful choral concert followed by a holiday festival that includes games, cookie decorating and photos with Santa Claus himself. The music includes stunning choral classic like Handel's
Hallelujah Chorus as well as caroling favorites. Expect lots of audience participation! Fun for the whole family. Get your tickets
here!
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You Have Come Home, We See You, You Belong
Sunday, November 10 - Wednesday, December 25, 2019
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At a national youth conference in New Orleans attended by 30,000 youth and their leaders, Deacon Erin Power of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the ELCA proclaimed “You Have Come Home. We See You. You Belong.” Speaking to a diverse audience, mostly in their teens, she knew from personal experience that an individual can feel lost, without direction, and alone. That speech, and that quote in particular, is the theme for the holiday welcome program at
Cross of Hope Lutheran Church located at 6104 Taylor Ranch Road NW in Albuquerque NM (
map
).
Many events are planned including a 3-part Sermon Series beginning Sunday, November 10. Deacon Erin will be joining us for the second sermon
"You Belong". Special music, educational materials for the church youth "Teen Talks", a bookmark for members to share with friends outlining the holiday services, and a live interview on Facebook are planned. Additional information can be found on Cross of Hope's
Facebook page and its website at
www.crossofhope.org. All are welcome!
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2019 LAM-NM Advocacy Conference
Saturday, November 16, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
601 Montaño NW
This conference is open to everyone interested in learning more about advocating on public policies impacting our many neighbors living in poverty and experiencing hunger.
Breakout session topics will include advocacy basics as well as issues related to our Advocacy Agenda which are expected to come up during the 2020 New Mexico state legislative session.
Our keynote speaker is Dr. Larry Rasmussen, a resident of Santa Fe. He is the Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics Emeritus at Union Theological Seminary. He is author of
Earth-honoring Faith: Religious Ethics in a New Key(2013) and
Earth Community, Earth Ethics (1996) and coauthor of
Bible and Ethics in the Christian Life (1976, 1989, 2018).
$15 per person, including materials and lunch.
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Save the Date:
Carols & Cheer
with Luther House
Sunday, December 15, 2019 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
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Join
Luther House
, 1805 Las Lomas Road NE, Albuqurque (
map
) for our second annual
Carols & Cheer
event!
We will follow Martin Luther's tradition of gathering in pubs to enjoy local beverages from Broken Trail Brewery & Distillery to share the songs of the season. A percentage of the beverage sales made will benefit the ministry and programming of Lutheran Campus Ministry.
Our musicians will again be Pauleta Hendrickson, director of music at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, and Clara Byom, director of music at St Tim's Lutheran Church. Come and celebrate Luther House with us!
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The Lutheran Chorale Holiday Concerts
Sunday, November 8 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
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You are invited to welcome the Advent/Christmas season with a concert of familiar carols presented by The Lutheran Chorale on Sunday, December 8. The afternoon concert will be at 3:00 p.m. in the beautiful Chapel of the Good Samaritan at SCL Lutheran Hospital, 8300 W. 38th Avenue in Wheat Ridge (
map), and the evening concert will be at Concordia Lutheran Church, 13371 W. Alameda Parkway in Lakewood (
map) at 7:30 p.m.
No tickets are necessary, although a freewill offering would be appreciated at the door. The concert at Concordia will also feature a bake sale and silent auction prior to the concert, beginning at 5:30.
The Lutheran Chorale, under the direction of David Hodel and accompanied by Coreen Wells, is made up of singers from across the metro area who are eager to share familiar and classical sacred music with our community.
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Rainbow Trail Senior High Retreat -
2019 Theme
"Fully Known"
November 22-24, 2019
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Understanding ourselves helps us understand one another. Join in a weekend of exploring who you are in the safety of a community that trusts we are all created and beloved as God’s children- no exceptions.
We will explore the personality tools of the Enneagram and Meyer’s Brigg’s Type Indicator (MBTI). These will be used to deepen our self-awareness and how we can grow deeper in our relationships with God and one another. In small groups we will get a chance to allow ourselves to both know/and be known by one another. All of this takes place in the context of the beauty of God’s creation at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp. Trusting God fully knows us and loves us, we get to be courageous and vulnerable as we learn, play, sing, dance and celebrate!
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Our keynote speaker Pastor Margot Wright
serves the fantastic folks of Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church and Preschool in Centennial, Colorado. Pastor Margot is fueled for the journey of following Jesus by a variety of spiritual practices including time with her dogs, quieting her busy mind with yoga, and writing out gratitude lists in the midst of joys, sorrows and all the in-betweens.
More info and and registration is
here
.
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Sky Ranch Advent Retreat
Friday, December 6 through Sunday, December 8, 2019
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Are you seeking peace for your family during a whirlwind pre-Christmas season? We invite you to take advantage of this important season and grow closer to God with your family through reflection, fellowship, activities and music.
Begin this Advent Season at Sky Ranch in a time of reflection and preparation for the birth of our Savior. Activities for all ages include worship, advent-themed projects, and cozy campfires.
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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Become a TechSoup member!
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Become a TechSoup member and your congregation can get access to donations and discounts from more than 60 donor partners, including Intuit, Microsoft and Adobe (eligibility requirements apply).
For example, QuickBooks Online is available for $50/year compared to the regular price of $600/year. You'll also get access to our community forums, blog and free learning resources.
Get more information here
.
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Two new webinars, from Vanco and Tithe.ly
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Check out two new webinars from ELCA preferred vendors Vanco and Tithe.ly that highlight their latest ideas and technologies.
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Your Stewardship Toolkit for Congregations - November 2019
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Here's the
November 2019 "Stewardship Toolkit" brought to you by Rev. Rob Blezard, Assistant to the Bishop Lower Susquehanna Synod. It has an original newsletter article, RCL-based "stewardship snippets" for Sunday bulletins, and links to resources to explore the monthly theme. This month's theme is
"A month of Thanksgiving." Get your Stewardship Toolkit
here!
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Director of Music (part-time)
Messiah Community Church - Denver, CO
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Messiah Community Church, a small, progressive faith community for people of all ages near City Park, Denver, seeks a Part-Time Music Director to coordinate the musical components of our worship service, lead musical ensembles (bell and voice choirs, with the possibility for a children’s choir). Music is an essential component of Lutheran worship, and the Music Director is integral to that part of worship. We believe music, both traditional and new, helps guide our spiritual life.
Start date: January 2020. Questions or letter of application and resume can be sent to Pastor Inga Oyan Longbrake at
pastor@messiahdenver.org.
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Administrative Assistant-Communications
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO
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Faith Lutheran in Golden
is looking for a person who loves to interact with people, support them and empower them as well as having skills in communication tools, online social media, and Microsoft software including Microsoft 365. Questions or letter of application and resume can be sent to Pastor Jane Jebsen at
jane@faithgolden.org
. Full position description available
here
.
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High School Program Director
Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp - Fort Collins, CO
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Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp is hiring a full-time High School Program Director. The High School Program Director is responsible for coordinating and overseeing all of our high school programming including our High Wilderness backpacking program, our off-site Four Winds service learning programs, and our on-site Rendezvous program. A part of this coordination includes working with the different congregations and groups that will participate in these programs, as well as marketing and outreach for them. Full position description is
available here
. Resumes, References, and Letter of Application accepted until filled. Please send application materials to Rob Behrens,
backpackfly@gmail.com
.
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Director of Music (part-time)
Messiah Community Church - Denver, CO
Administrative Assistant-Communications
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO
High School Program Director
Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp - Fort Collins, CO
Director of Economic Justice
Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, Denver, CO
Director for Leadership and Candidacy - Domestic Mission Unit
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Sound Production Minister
Lutheran Church of Hope - Broomfield, CO
Musicians for Ministry!
Zion Lutheran Church - Loveland, CO
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Office of the Bishop This Week
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- Staff Meeting
- PLTS Advisory Board, Berkeley, CA
- Installation of Deacon Linda Bobbitt, King of Glory, Arvada, CO
- Holy Closure, Mt. Calvary, Boulder, CO
- Luther Seminary Visit
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson (Interim, 1/2 time)
- New and Renewing Ministries
- Staff Meeting
- Camino de Vida, Albuquerque, NM
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Ruth Hoffman
- Staff meeting
- Conference preparation
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
- Staff Meeting
- Village Exchange Center, Aurora, CO
ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
- Staff Meeting
- 1-1 Meetings
- Mt. Calvary Holy Closure
- St. Paul, Cheyenne, WY
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ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Staff Meeting
- Grace, Boulder,CO
- First Call Theological Education
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
- Available via email: kmueller@rmselca.org
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
- Staff Meeting
- Communications Planning Retreat
- Epiphany, Denver, CO
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie Welton
- Staff Meeting
- Grace, Boulder, CO
- RMS Youth Gathering Planning
- RMS Youth Council Meeting
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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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