A Reconciling in Christ synod
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The 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall is coming up on November 9. Host a service of commemoration, and join us in praying to bring down the walls that divide us today, from the U.S.-Mexico border to Palestine.
Download the Breaking Down Walls toolkit
here
and l
earn more
here
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Sanctuary Church Webinar
- it's not too late to register!
Thursday, October 24, starting at 5:00 p.m.
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Rostered
and
lay leaders are invited to a Zoom webinar with Bishop Gonia, Peter Severson, and Mary Campbell (ELCA AMMPARO) to continue conversation related to the ELCA's decision to declare itself a sanctuary denomination.
They will share some history of our immigration work, offer updates on current priorities, and address questions regarding sanctuary.
Please share with members who would find this forum helpful in their discernment.
Questions will be received in advance. Submit specific questions or topics to
Deacon Erin Power.
Sanctuary Church resources, videos, and discussion guides can be found on the
RMS website.
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eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
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Faster Pastors Do It Again!
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Over $20,000 was raised for Lutheran Disaster Response by the 2019 Faster Pastors of the Rocky Mountain Synod. Twelve runners ran the 200-mile Ragnar relay race that began in Castle Rock and made their way to the Fort Collins finish line the weekend of September 13th. This was the 8th year the team has gathered to run for an ELCA ministry cause.
The team included Rick Reiten (Trinity-Fort Collins, CO), Gus and Josie Brockmann, Katie Emery, (First-Longmont, CO), Will Johnson (Cross of Christ-Broomfield, CO), Jake Thorson (sub for Eric Kurtz of Holy Shepherd-Lakewood, CO), Barb Walter (sub for Michael Degner-(Our Savior-Alamogordo, NM), Kim Gonia (Risen Lord-Conifer, CO), Brad Doty (St. Philip-Littleton, CO), Andy Steitz (King of Glory-Loveland, CO), Joel Pancoast (Zion-Loveland, CO) and Wendy Kalan (Shepherd of the Valley-LaSalle, CO). The team is grateful for all those who donated to the cause and for the wonderful hospitality of congregations along the way at Christ-Highlands Ranch, CO, Well of Hope-Castle Rock, CO, and Our Saviour's-Fort Collins, CO.
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Pumpkin Patch at St. Mark's Roswell, NM - October 20
Proceeds benefited the Wounded Warrior Project in the Southeast New Mexico Veterans Transportation! — attending Pumpkin Patch at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Read more
www.facebook.com
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boundless: God beyond measure | 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering
Join us in Minneapolis for the 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering on June 29- July 3rd, 2021! For more information, make sure to visit our website (elca.org/gathering) and follow us on social media (fb.com/youthgathering and @elcagathering).
Read more
www.youtube.com
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An Urgent Appeal from New Beginnings Worshiping Community
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On November 1st, New Beginnings will be twenty years old. As such, it is the oldest mission congregation in the Rocky Mountain Synod. And it is the only congregation planted
inside the Denver Women's Correctional Facility (DWCF), and the
only congregation of the RMS
inside a prison.
We need your help NOW.
Due to unforeseen circumstances we had to cancel our annual fundraiser, the Chow Hall Gala that usually raises over $20,000 every year. That is how much we are now short.
Please walk with us. Your support is not for the type of big dream you will see as you drive by our place; we realize we are hard to see. This is to help a "big dream come true" that positively impacts and transforms the lives of thousands of women who walk through the gates of the prison. It impacts their children who then have the opportunity to break the generational pattern of incarceration. It impacts the countless visitors who make the trek to Havana Street on a Friday night thinking they're there to help, and leave realizing
their own eyes have been opened.
Please help us in our time of need! You can get more information and make a donation at
newbeginningswc.org,
or by sending donations to us at, c/o The Lutheran Center, 7375 Samuel Drive, Denver, CO 80221. You are welcome to share this
letter of appeal
with anyone who may be able to help.
With our gratitude and thanks,
Pastor Terry Schjang and the Inside and Outside Councils of New Beginnings
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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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Installation
Rev. Katie Chullino
Bethlehem,
Longmont, CO
10:30am, Saturday, November 2
Color of the day:
White
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RMS Prayer Cycle
- Week of October 27 -
SOCIAL MINISTRIES and AGENCIES
Border Servant Corps - Las Cruces, NM
Kari Lenander
Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center - Brush, CO
Shelly Griffith
Rosalie (Ro) Fesser
Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains - Denver, CO
James Horan
Lutheran Social Services of the South - El Paso, TX
Jose Alamillo
Luthercare, Inc. - Casper, WY
Jill Elliott
Mosaic - Omaha, NE
Linda Timmons
Urban Servant Corps - Denver, CO
Krista Kilgas
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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, October 27
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
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Prayer of the Day
Holy God, our righteous judge, daily your mercy surprises us with everlasting forgiveness. Strengthen our hope in you, and grant that all the peoples of the earth may find their glory in you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches
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An Election Is Coming - Become an Informed Voter!
Wednesday, October 2 at 6:30 p.m.and Sunday, October 6 at 9:30 a.m.
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You are invited to a
Count Me In
presentation about the upcoming election in November.
Count Me In is a non-partisan group that is interested in making sure the public knows about the measures on which we are voting.
We will have two statewide ballot measures on our November ballot, Prop CC and Prop DD. Prop CC is the measure that would allow the state to collect and keep all revenue collected, instead of the current TABOR rebate mechanism, and Prop DD would allow sports betting in the state.
Count Me In doesn't advocate one way or another on issues, but objectively leads the discussion on these important decisions of which we are a part.
This group also wants to make sure to talk about all the ways our communities are decision makers and with the 2020 just around the corner, they have added a few slides talking about how the Census is more than just a count of our population but also provides data that affects funding, the number of federal legislators we have and other things that contribute to our democracy in Colorado.
These presentations will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 6322 S. Lakeview St., Littleton (
map
) on Wednesday, October 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall and Sunday, October 6 at 9:30 am in the Fireside Room. They are open to all so invite family, neighbors and friends.
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Augustana Arts presents...
Tell Me A Story
- Eric Whitacre & More
Saturday, October 26 at 7:30 p.m.
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Augustana Lutheran Church
5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver, CO
Music is one of the most unique tools we have for storytelling and communication. Join the Chorales for this beautiful exploration of plot, texture, humor, and literary devices in some of the most exciting choral music ever composed. The choirs will take on the breathtaking masterpiece,
Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine and Daniel Pinkham’s beloved
Wedding Cantata, along with familiar folk songs and spirituals that will make this a stunning opening concert for the Chorales’ 2019-2020 season. For more info and tickets, go to
augustanaarts.org.
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Global Gift Fair!
November 2 and 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Atonement Lutheran Church
6281 W. Yale Ave, Lakewood, CO (
map)
Shop for unique items for yourself, your friends and your family and support artisans around the world and around the corner.
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6th Annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner, Concert, and Silent Auction
Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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Come join us for the 6th Annual Veterans Dinner, Concert and Silent Auction at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E Hampden Ave., Cherry Hills, CO on November 2.
A catered pasta dinner by Romano's Italian Restaurant will be served from 5:00 p.m. - 6:20 p.m. with a suggested donation of $10/person; Veterans/Military personnel will be free of charge.
A silent auction will be held throughout the evening to raise funds to support Veterans, Military personnel and their families through Operation One Nation, Bethany's Veterans ministry. The concert will take place from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.; we will enjoy music by Dakota Blonde.
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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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Selling Pumpkins - Annually with a Purpose for 15 Years!
Open daily through October 31
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St. Peter (Carlsbad, NM) is celebrating its 15th year of being in the "pumpkin business." The St. Peter Pumpkin Patch is an annual charitable fundraiser and this year ALL proceeds will be distributed to
Packs for Hunger (a local, non-profit organization that is feeding over 200 children each week) and
Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey, ELCA, (mission partner congregation in El Paso TX).
The St. Peter Pumpkin Patch (
map) is open daily, October 5-31. Hours: Monday-Friday, 3:00-6:30 p.m., Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Sunday, 1:00-5:00 p.m. Admission is FREE. Pumpkin prices are based on size.
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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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Gifts of the World Bazaar Fair-trade Fair
Saturday, November 2, 2019 - 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
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St. Paul's Lutheran, 19th and House Ave, Cheyenne, WY
...in the Fellowship Hall.
Come shop fairly-traded products. Free samples.
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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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Foster Care Informational Meetings
Lutheran Family Services - Rocky Mountains
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Each year in Colorado, thousands of kids are unable to live with their biological parents because of abuse or neglect.
Lutheran Family Services
needs families who can provide temporary care until children reunify with their parent, as well as families willing to adopt children and teens if they can't return to their families. These no-cost, no-obligation, informational meetings are held throughout the Denver Metro area. Come find out if foster care is the right path for your family!
Please register with Nicole at
nicole.brown@lfsrm.org
or 303-217-5852. One-on-one meetings can also be arranged to work around your busy schedule.
Tuesday October 29
5:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Woodbury Library
3265 Federal Blvd
Also, November is
National Adoption Month
, we are seeking to partner with churches who are hosting an
“Orphan Sunday”
event or other events to raise awareness of how the body of Christ can give hope and healing to children in need. Please contact Nicole at
nicole.brown@lfsrm.org
or 303-217-5852 if you are hosting an event that we could participate in.
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Youth request ELCA social message on climate change -...
High school students sent a letter to the Caring for Creation Ready Bench of the Conference of Bishops asking that the Conference of Bishops requesting that a social message be authorized on the topic of climate system change. These students were ...
Read more
luthscitech.org
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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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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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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All
Non-Rostered Listings
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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
- Metro West Conference Retreat, Snowmass, CO
- Sanctuary Church Webinar
- Synod Council
- St. Peter, Greenwood Village, CO
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson (Interim, 1/2 time)
- New and Renewing Ministries
- Synod Council
- DEM Training, Chicago, IL
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Ruth Hoffman
- Interim Legislative Committee meetings
- Transition preparations
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
- Sanctuary Church Webinar
- Synod Council
- Vision 2020 Policy Committee
ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
- 1-1 Meetings
- Synod Council
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ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Excellence in Leadership
- Synod Council
- First Call Theological Education Planning
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
- Rostered Ministers Gathering Site Visit, Phoenix, AZ
- Sanctuary Webinar
- Synod Council
- Epiphany, Denver, CO
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie Welton
- Vacation: Oct 18-24
- Synod Council
- CU Campus Ministry Beer Tasting
- Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, Brush, CO
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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 303-339-4744
Submissions
are due noon Monday each week's issue.
Past issues of eConnection may be found
here.
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