A Reconciling in Christ synod
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ELCA presiding bishop letter of support in response to Indonesian bombings
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In response to the recent terror attacks at three churches and a police station in Surabaya, Indonesia, the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), sent a letter offering prayers and support to The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) National Committee in Indonesia:
“On behalf of your brothers and sisters in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, I join all of you in the 13 Lutheran churches across Indonesia as you advocate for peace and harmony among all Indonesian people, especially between the different faith communities; as you call on your government to prevent radicalism and acts of terror in Indonesia and beyond; and as you find God’s wisdom to guide you.”
The national committee represents the 13 LWF member churches in Indonesia, which together have more than 6 million members.
The committee has issued a statement calling on the government of Indonesia to investigate the terrorist acts while also addressing the root causes of terrorism in Indonesia. According to the LWF, the statement urges Christians in Indonesia to respond to acts of terror in a way that will lead to peace and harmony among the different religious communities in Indonesia.
Read
Bishop Eaton’s letter.
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Additional Synod Assembly Resources
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The
2018 Ministry Magazine is now
available online. Download and print for your bulletin board, or add individual pages to your newsletter! Contact Deacon Erin Power to order additional printed copies!
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The Synod Assembly edition of the
Connection Newsletter is a great way to share updates and stories from the Assembly with your ministry!
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Documents, Election Results, and Resources can be found on the
assembly page
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Assembly videos and follow-up documents can be found on the
RMS Resources page! Share on facebook or as part of worship!
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eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
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Celebrating 150 years of Lutheran witness in Madagascar!
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We join with our companions in Madagascar as they celebrate their 150th anniversary of the Malagasy Lutheran Church! The official celebration will be this Sunday, May 27th. Celebrations were delayed due to an outbreak of the plague this fall. We offer gratitude for the health of the people and their witness as the church in Madagascar.
Please include this prayer in your worship this weekend:
You have blessed us with your Spirit. Continue to bless the Malagasy Lutheran Church as they celebrate the 150
th
anniversary of the church in Madagascar. May you continue to lead them by your Spirit as they continue to do your work in Madagascar as the Spirit leads them.
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Church Together Ambassadors
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At assembly, voting members were commissioned to be
Church Together Ambassadors until we meet in assembly next spring. Church Together Ambassadors will be provided stories, worship resources and videos about our life together to share with their congregation or ministry.
The June toolkit can be found
here.
If you did not have a voting member at assembly or would like to receive this monthly toolkit, email
Deacon Erin Power.
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New ELCA Domestic Hunger Grant Application
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In June of this year, a new two-year ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger Grants cycle will open with a renewed application process. This process will be open to congregations and their partners and will focus on building relationships for local service and action in our communities.
For the first time, these applications will be completed through the new ELCA granting platform, ELCA GrantMaker. On-line trainings and an official introduction video will be shared soon. Email
hunger@elca.org
if you have questions. Keep checking the Hunger Network’s website at
www.rmselca.org
/hunger
for updates!
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Join the Youth Gathering from home!
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From the 2018 Youth Gathering Team:
Next month we will be gathering with more than 30,000 of our Lutheran friends! The 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering is on its way, and we can’t wait to engage in our theme,
This Changes Everything,
guided by Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” For those of you who won’t be able to join us in Houston, we invite you to connect with us via livestream on our
website
. We’ll be sharing our Mass Gatherings (starting June 27 at 7:30 p.m.), as well as daily Bible studies with some of our main stage speakers (starting at 3:30 p.m.), and worship services for MYLE (June 26 at 6:45 p.m.) and The tAble (June 27 at 10 a.m.). We also would like to invite you to follow us on all social media platforms using #ELCAYG2018. Join the story and share with others! >
More
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Installations
Rev. Dan Hayes
Peace, Sterling, CO
Saturday, June 2, 2:00 p.m.
Color of the Day:
Green
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RMS Prayer Cycle
Week of May 27
MAY 2018: METRO EAST CONFERENCE
House for all Sinners and Saints - Denver,CO
Nadia Bolz-Weber
Reagan Humber
Saron - Strasburg, CO
Julie Brooks
St. Mark - Aurora, CO
Inga Oyan Longbrake
St. Matthew - Aurora, CO
Marcel Naruki
St. Paul - Denver, CO
Penni Walsch (Interim)
Mark Alan Filbert
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Holy Trinity
Rublev, Andreĭ, Saint, d. ca. 1430
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, May 27
The Holy Trinity
First Sunday after Pentecost
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Prayer of the Day
Almighty Creator and ever-living God: we worship your glory, eternal Three-in-One, and we praise your power, majestic One-in-Three. Keep us steadfast in this faith, defend us in all adversity, and bring us at last into your presence, where you live in endless joy and love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches
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"The Daring Way" Women's Retreat
Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2
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You are cordially invited to attend
"The Daring Way, " a Mount Calvary Women’s Retreat.
Featuring
Rev. Sarah Ciavarri
, Certified Daring WayTM Facilitator Consultant and Lutheran pastor (ELCA)
Friday, June 1 at 5:30 p.m.
Enjoy social time with hearty hors d'oeuvres
Program 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 2 at 8:30 a.m.
Come ready for breakfast finger foods
Program 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Cost is $30, checks can be paid to Mount Calvary with “Women’s Retreat” in the memo. Friends are welcome. Your payment secures your space. Space is limited to 45.
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Benjamin Britten Choral Cantata!
Sunday, June 10, 10:30 a.m.
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St. Paul Lutheran and Catholic Community of Faith
1600 Grant Street
Denver, CO 80203
303-839-1432
Join us on Sunday, June 10,
during the 10:30 a.m. liturgy, the Saint Paul Choir will present Rejoice in the Lamb, a choral cantata for soprano/alto/tenor/bass chorus, SATB soloists, and organ composed by the great twentieth-century British composer Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), in 1943.
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Retirement of Pastor Mark Peterson!
Sunday, June 10, 2018
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Come join us on June 10 to
celebrate the 40 year ministry of Pastor Mark Peterson as he retires!
Coffee reception at 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. (RSVP appreciated)
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Episcopalians and Lutherans at Denver Pridefest 2018
Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17
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Episcopalians and Lutherans are organizing a presence at Denver Pridefest 2018, the weekend of June 16 and 17, and
invite you to come and help us spread the great news about our welcoming churches. Last year we had over 2 dozen volunteers from 8 area Lutheran and Episcopal congregations, including Holy Trinity in Littleton.
We have a booth space and we will bring the canopy and supplies, so the only thing
volunteers need to do is to sign up for a 2-hour shift on either Saturday or Sunday and come and greet visitors to our booth. We have a
Signup Genius page
here. We also have an
information webpage
here.
Volunteers can sign up individually or claim one or more shifts for your group. We will also have lists of RIC congregations and welcoming Episcopal churches to give out. Additionally, St John's Cathedral will be marching in the parade on Sunday morning and have extended an invitation to all area Lutherans and Episcopalians to join them. You can find contact info for the parade on the
website.
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Prayer Request from Border Servant Corps (Peace Lutheran, Las Cruces)
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For
Sonya Kumpuckal, BSCer serving as an Outreach Coordinator at the Southwest Environmental Center in Las Cruces.
The
Southwest Environmental Center works to protect and restore native wildlife and their habitats in the Southwestern borderlands, through advocacy, education and on-the-ground projects.
* Each month, BSC invites partners to support BSC, volunteers, and service sites through intentional prayer. Please feel free to share; we are grateful for your continued partnership and support.
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Refugee Hospitality Ministry - Peace Lutheran, Las Cruces
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Last week
Peace Lutheran Church (Las Cruces, NM)
welcomed and hosted 26 refugees. We have been blessed beyond measure by each person's presence; providing hospitality to more than 70 refugees since we started this ministry in March 2018. We will continue to pray for each parent and child as their journey continues.
Many thanks to all of the volunteers who give their time to provide hospitality with kindness, love, and care. Gratitude to people across the world who are sending donations to support each guest. The cost to support a refugee family is about $100. This provides basic needs (personal hygiene and meals), clothing (a change of clothes for each family member), and travel (items for single parent & child's journey to their sponsor). Your donations to support our refugee ministry are welcome at
BorderServantCorps.org.
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The Poor People's Campaign in New Mexico
National Call for a Moral Revival
May 14 - June 21, 2018
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More information from the national Poor People's Campaign
here.
Ecumenical Alert from the New Mexico Conference of Churches
here.
Non-Violent Moral Fusion Direct Actions are being planned for
the six Mondays from May 14th through June 18th.
Monday, May 28, Memorial Day
Lead organization: Veteran's for Peace
Location: to be determined -- details forthcoming
Monday, June 4
Theme: Health; Ecology; Extractavism, Climate Change
Locations: various events around New
Mexico
-- details forthcoming
Monday, June 11
Theme: Living Wage, Housing, Social Services and Disability
Location: to be determined -- details forthcoming
Monday, June 18
Theme: Immigration, Refugees, the Border
Location: Las Cruces---details forthcoming
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Somebody's Hurting Our People: Children, Women, and...
It's time to break the silence about America's war on the poor. The Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival launches 40 days of moral action TODAY with Week One-Somebody's Hurting Our People: Children, Women, and People with...
Read more
www.youtube.com
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Need a T-Shirt for Synod day?
Do you still want to get in on the Synod Hospitality Package?
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Don't know what the
Synod Hospitality Package includes? Deadline to sign up is this weekend. Check out the details on the
RMS website. A 't-shirt only' option is available. This is the only place that you can order a RMS t-shirt for our Synod Day. No need to send in sizes, we have access to those through your Gathering Registration. Shirts will be delivered at the Gathering. If you have questions, please contact Beth Rogers at
beth@lchope.org or Kevin Dragseth at
kevin@focolu.org.
(t-shirt will differ from illustration)
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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United Against Racism - Resource from National Council of Churches
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Rising out of the NCC's Truth and Racial Justice Initiative, ACT Now!:
Unite to End Racism, this book provides prayers, thoughts and reflections for use by individuals, small groups, congregations, and communities. These tools can help individual spiritual reflection on racism or give a frame for reforming our institutions to become inclusive, beloved communities and equip us for the work of ending racism. Order yours
here.
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Living Lutheran- May 2018 RMS Inserts
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Living Lutheran offers a supplement insert four times a year with Rocky Mountain Synod news and stories. The insert is available as a PDF for congregation newsletters and bulletin inserts.
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Bookkeeper (part-time)
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO
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Manage financial records and reports on the financial business of the church. Work in consultation and cooperation with the Executive Pastor. Work in a team atmosphere promoting good communication and well-being in the congregation and with other staff members. Position description
here. Contact Pastor Gail Mundt at 303-791-0803 for information and to apply
pastorgail@clchr.org.
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Administrative Assistant
Epiphany Lutheran Church - Denver, CO
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Epiphany Lutheran Church is an active Washington Park neighborhood church in southeast Denver. We seek an individual to provide receptionist duties and secretarial support for the Pastor. This position is responsible for office management, congregational communication, maintenance of congregational records, creating and printing worship bulletins and monthly newsletter, scheduling use of the physical facility, scheduling and monitoring maintenance of the office equipment, and assistance with special projects as assigned by the Pastor. Position description
here.
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Program Director, Advocacy Engagement
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Washington, D.C.
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This position will be located in our Washington DC office.
The Program Director for Advocacy Engagement creates and implements effective and integrated ELCA Advocacy communication strategies. The position directs ELCA Advocacy engagement with internal stakeholders, including (but not limited to) ELCA units, State Public Policy Offices, the Conference of Bishops, synods and E-advocacy networks. In collaboration with Mission Advancement, the position manages communications with external stakeholders, including interfaith partners, coalitions, legislators, federal agencies, media, and the public. The position develops and directs resource development for and the implementation of communications strategies that equip Lutherans for public witness and for advocacy campaigns that give voice to communities and people unheard in public debates. The Program Director for Advocacy Engagement works with the Director to implement the operational plan for ELCA Advocacy, ensuring its alignment with and advancing the strategic directions for the churchwide organization. This position manages the Hunger Advocacy Fellowship grant process with the State Public Policy Office network. Complete job posting and link to apply
here.
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Faith Formation Director
Trinity Lutheran Church - Laramie, WY
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Trinity Lutheran is looking for a Faith Formation Director to work with the pastor and ministry teams in the planning and implementation of faith formation activities. This is part time ministry, expect 10-15 hours a week. Apply in person at Trinity, located at 107 S. 7th St. in Laramie, WY, or send your resume to Pr Nathan Keith at
pastornate3421@gmail.com. Position description
here, and Trinity Lutheran website
here.
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All Non-Rostered Positions
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Bookkeeper (part-time)
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO
Administrative Assistant
Epiphany Lutheran Church - Denver, CO
Program Director, Advocacy Engagement
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Washington, D.C.
Faith Formation Director
Trinity Lutheran Church - Laramie, WY
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Office of the Bishop This Week
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Bishop Gonia
- All-day staff meeting
- Dean's webex
- Vacation
- Cross of Christ, Broomfield
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
- All-day staff meeting
- Dean's Zoom
- Growing Home
- Vacation
Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
- Staff meeting
- Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
- All day staff meeting
- Vacation
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Pastor Judith VanOsdol
- Aurora Church Together Strategy (ACTS)
- Christ the King, Denver, CO
- Staff meeting
- Dean's Zoom meeting
- Developer/ Redeveloper strategic planning
Deacon Erin Power
- All-day staff meeting
- Dean's Zoom
- RMS Communications
- ELCA Youth Gathering Speaker's Workshop, Waukesha, WI
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Sabbatical until August 14
Pastor Leslie Welton
- All-day Staff meeting
- All Saints/Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, Brush, CO
- In-office appointments
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You are welcome to directly contact
Andrew Nakatan
i
, Communications Assistant, with any 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
Articles for eConnection are due noon Monday for the issue the following Wednesday.
Event announcements are included for about two weeks then copied to the
Events & News Web Page
,
and may be submitted via the eConnection Submission link above.
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