September 4, 2019

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A Reconciling in Christ synod

From the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly: Faith, Sexism, and Justice Social Statement The 2019 Churchwide Assembly adopted a social statement focused on sexism and gender justice: "We believe all people are created equally in the image of God. Every individual is dependent upon God, and all share in the God-given vocation to contribute their gifts to help all of creation flourish."  Why is the ELCA studying the topic of sexism and gender justice? The 2009 Churchwide Assembly authorized the development of a social statement on this topic because of memorials from several synods requesting it. In accordance with ELCA processes, a task force was created to study the issues, provide resource material, create a draft, and offered a proposed social statement that was adopted by the 2019 Churchwide Assembly. In addition, Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Lutheran Call to Action serves as the ELCA’s response to the Lutheran World Federation’s “Gender Justice Policy,” which calls on all 148 member churches within the LWF to do work within their individual churches to foster gender justice. For more information about this initiative, please visit www.lutheranworld.org/content/resource-lwf-gender-justice-policy . The document expresses several deep Christian themes. Grounded in God’s intention of abundant life for all, it confesses patriarchy and sexism as sin. It names the resources of the Lutheran faith to address this sin and identifies what needs to be done both in the church and in society. The social statement is entitled a “call to action” because it is precisely this. It urges members to recognize patriarchy and sexism as sinful and invoke systemic changes which fosters abundant, flourishing life for all persons within both church and society. Find the social statement and user guide HERE For a summary of actions from the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, go here.

eConnection Spotlight: RMS in the Neighborhood

CROP Hunger Walk - ending hunger one step at a time CROP Hunger Walks - stepping up to end hunger since 1969. Celebrating the 50 th anniversary of the national CROP Hunger Walk movement, CROP Hunger Walks continue to raise millions of dollars each year to help end hunger and poverty through long-term sustainable approaches to significantly reduce or eliminate hunger. In each CROP Hunger Walk community, 25% of money raised comes back to local agencies. Across the country, over 1600 local agencies receive funds from CROP Hunger Walks This year some 800 communities nationwide are joining together in interfaith CROP Hunger Walks around the theme "Stepping up to End Hunger Since 1969." The CROP Hunger Walk was started in 1969 by a group of energized young people in Bismarck, North Dakota who wanted to mobilize their community to fight global hunger. Today, the CROP Hunger Walk is a national movement raising funds for the global hunger-fighting work of Church World Service and local hunger-fighting agencies. Last year, over 800 events raised over $8 million dollars. There are walks in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico coming up in October and November! For more information go to www.crophungerwalk.org .

RMS-ELCA News and Events

Rocky Mountain Synod Middle and High School Youth Gathering Saturday, January 18 - Monday, January 20, 2020 Saturday, January 18, 5:00 p.m. to Monday, January 20, 11:00 a.m. YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, CO Registration opens September 1! 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. Register at rmselca.org/youthgathering, and get $10 off if your group registers by Oct 1. Click here to Register!

News from the Global Mission Committee Tuesday, August 27 through Tuesday, September 17 The ELCA supports more than 220 missionaries serving in more than 40 countries around the world. These leaders are globally formed through partnerships with our companion churches and return to the U.S. well prepared to serve in critically important callings within and beyond the church. YAGM Recruiters are in the Synod! For the next 4 months, there are two Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM) alum who will be traveling in our synod, engaging young people for possible service. Jenna Leazott (jenna.leazott@elca.org) served in Mexico and she'll be visiting the border region including Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Rachel Peterson (rachel.peterson@elca.org) served in Madagascar and she'll be traveling through Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.  You may be considering this for yourself, or you may know a young adult who you think would make a great volunteer. Either way, if you are interested in talking with a recruiter, you can reach out to Rachel or Jenna. They would be delighted to present to groups of young people, planting the seeds of walking with our neighbors around the world. Returning Missionary Ryana Holt Ryana Holt, Colorado Springs, CO, spent the past two years serving as a missionary in Chile, accompanying the Chilean Lutheran Church as a teacher of English. She had opportunities to accompany brothers and sisters in Christ in several regions of this Latin American nation. Previous to this, she served as a YAGM in Mexico. She would love to share her experience with you this fall. You can reach her at ryanadh93@gmail.com. You can view a video of Ryana talking about her service here. Please remember that missionaries should be provided the cost of transportation to visit you and an honorarium for their time would be appropriate. For more information contact Paula Stecker, paula.stecker@live.com.

Faith Formation Network Fall Gathering September 19, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Come hang out at the bishop's office and celebrate the beginning of a new program year. Meet some of the new faces who have joined us, share ideas, and just support one another. We'll order pizza, so an RSVP to Leslie is appreciated. Bring a snack or dessert to share. We'll set up the ZOOM as well, so non-metro Denver folks, please log in and say hi! We'd love to see you! Adult faith formation leaders and those whose work centers on little children are also especially welcome, and we'll set aside time to network with one another. If anyone wants to bring yard games or a corn hole set, that would be fabulous as well. Hope to see you!

OTIUM : a community meal and healing service for rostered ministers Thursday, September 12 Meal at noon and Liturgy at 1:00 p.m. Bethany Lutheran Church Cherry Hills Village The life of pastors and deacons is one of service. Those who lead our ministry communities pour themselves out for the sake of the church and at times can find it difficult to find spaces where they can be the ones being poured into.  Periodically, throughout the year,  Otium  will offer an ecumenical place for food, fellowship, and healing prayer. Read more and register here .

SING BOLDLY : a new style of sung prayer Workshop, Thursday, September 12 10:00 a.m. to noon Bethany Lutheran Church Cherry Hills Village Musician Michael Morris will travel to Denver and spend a few hours in a workshop teaching local musicians his original sung meditation based in the Psalms. He is on the music staff of at St. Philip the Deacon in Plymouth, MN, where he sings and plays guitar, typically accompanied by other church musicians on cello, violin, bass, and percussion. Originally from Falcon Heights, MN, Morris attended St. Olaf College where he studied theology. He later began pursuing music after realizing his passion for the arts. Rather than preaching from the pulpit, Morris instead takes the weekly message given by the pastor and connects it to the congregation through music. “We have a long tradition at St. Philip the Deacon of musical excellence in our worship life, as well as a wide variety of worship styles every weekend,” said Senior Pastor Tim Westermeyer. “Michael continues that tradition of excellence, while helping to stretch us in some new ways musically. He is also committed to affirming the deeply Lutheran instinct that congregational singing is the priority—which he leads and guides brilliantly.”

Youth Ministry Extravaganza! registration is now OPEN January 31 - February 3, 2020 Registration is now open for Extravaganza 2020! The ELCA Youth Ministry Network's main event for connection, learning, and continuing education, this time is valuable for all working in youth ministry and faith formation. If you would like to support a participant's attendance, please contact Leslie Welton in the office of the bishop. For more info, go here !

Important information about 2020 benefits from Portico  Portico’s Board of Trustees has approved health plan and benefit changes for 2020, featuring new ways for ELCA-Primary members to save on out-of-pocket costs and strengthen their emotional well-being. You can read more here .   Later in August, Custom Comparison Reports will be available to congregations, which will make their selections in October. Members will complete benefits enrollment in November.  For questions or assistance, the Portico Customer Care Center is available at 800-352-2876 or mail@PorticoBenefits.org.

For Your Bulletin

Installations Rev. Deb Abbott King of Glory, Loveland, CO 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 Color of the day: Green RMS Prayer Cycle SEPTEMBER 2019 METRO SOUTH CONFERENCE - Week of September 8 -  Centennial - Englewood, CO Katie Chullino Christ - Highlands Ranch, CO Eric Allert Gail Mundt Christ the King - Denver, CO Joel Rothe Evergreen - Evergreen, CO Vera Guebert-Steward

Monthly Prayer Cycle

God of Hosts, Monastery of Saint John of Rila, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN 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, September 8 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Prayer of the Day Direct us, O Lord God, in all our doings with your continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name; and finally, by your mercy, bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches  08 - 14 September : Ghana, Nigeria - Intercessions and Prayers

Around the Synod

Join HLBP MLCC in Welcoming their New Pastors! Sunday, September 8 at 11:00 a.m. Come join HKBP MLCC to worship next Sunday as we welcome Pastor Hesron Sihombing and Pastor Mercy Olga Rumegan as our new pastors! Bishop Jim Gonia will be present and you are all are welcome!! The celebration will continue into the afternoon, so if morning commitments are a conflict for you, please consider joining for the party that will continue. Send email here if you have any questions. 1401 Poplar Street Denver, CO 80220 ( map )

Faith Table Talks on Race Beginning Wednesday, September 11 at 6:00 p.m. You and your friends are invited to a NEW community-wide Faith Table Talk on Race at Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Greenwood Village, Colorado. This is an opportunity to come together and wrestle with some of the difficult issues we need to face in our culture and do so in a judgment-free environment where opinions are heard and respected and we are all able to grow closer in community. Beginning on Wednesday, September 11 and continuing for the next seven Wednesdays (Sept. 18, 25, Oct. 2, 9,16, 23, 30) the group will share a meal at 6:00 p.m., move into the discussion and wrap up by 7:30 p.m. Dinner and childcare will be provided at no cost. Our conversation will be based around the Dialogues curriculum published by Sparkhouse and will be facilitated by a guest moderator. We are limiting the group to 30 people to ensure easy, comfortable conversation. To reserve your spot, contact Jeanne Maloney at jmaloney@stplc.org or visit www.stplc.org/community-conversations.

Mini Border Immersion Experience Saturday, September 14, 2019, 2:00 p.m. Mini Border Immersion Experience 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. followed by Dinner (Tamales and more) at 5:30 p.m. Atonement Lutheran Church 6281 West Yale Ave Lakewood, CO 80227 ( map ) Come and hear about the ministries of Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey in El Paso -- Hospitality to Refugees, Border Immersion Program, After School & Summer Program. Speakers: Rev. Rose Mary Sánchez-Guzmán, Retired Social Worker & Community Organizer: Cecilia Herrera, and Border Servant Corps Director: Kari Lenander Also, Rev. Rose Mary will be preaching at the 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. services on Sunday, Sept 15. Free will offering will be accepted. To RSVP please call: 303-985-1122

A Stellar Salute to the Brave and Bold: United States Air Force Academy- Stellar Brass Friday September 20th, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. Augustana Arts is pleased to bring the United States Air Force Academy's Stellar Brass ensemble for a FREE performance at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Ave. Denver ( map ). The Stellar Brass combines percussion instruments with a traditional brass quintet offering original and innovative music that represents a broad range of eclectic musical styles. Stellar Brass represents the Air Force as musical ambassadors, and are nationally recognized and respected as clinicians, presenting university and high school master classes. They provide musical support at numerous civic and military ceremonies, professional sporting events, and spotlight the Air Force at major concert halls throughout America. As professional Airmen and musicians, they proudly represent the Air Force and the Air Force Academy and epitomize the Air Force core value of excellence in all we do. This year the concert will feature guest organist from Augustana Lutheran Church, Cindy Lindeen Martin. Join us for an evening concert that salutes the men and women who serve our country. To reserve your free tickets, go here. Tickets are also available at the door. For more information - info@augustanaarts.org.

5th Annual Octobeerfest! Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28 Lutheran Church of Hope 1305 West 10th Avenue, Broomfield CO ( map ) You are invited to Lutheran Church of Hope's 5th annual Oktobeerfest! Come enjoy craft beer, brats and burgers, bingo, kid's games, polka, local vendors and more. Fun for the whole family. Entrance is free, drink tickets available at the door. Friday, Sept. 27, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 28, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Our Life Together

Rainbow Trail Men's Fly Fishing Retreat September 19-22, 2019 Step out of the stresses of ordinary life and into the refreshing waters of the Arkansas River. This weekend of great fly fishing, hanging out with the guys, and amazing worship and conversation is led by Pastors Dave Risendal and Roger Thompson. Their deep love of fly fishing and the gospel will help you re-center and deepen your faith. Expand your fly fishing skills with instruction from Ark Anglers Fly Shop, fly tying workshops, and advice from seasoned fishermen. Whether you are an experienced angler or just want to try fly fishing, this is a weekend you won’t want to miss! The $195 program fee includes meals and lodging. Rental equipment and professionally guided fishing are available at a great price! Invite your friends and join us for an amazing weekend. Go here for more info and to register!

Rainbow Trail Confirmation Retreat October 18-20, 2019 Martin Luther once said: “The fewer the words, the better the prayer.” Some of the most powerful prayers have been like breathing in and breathing out… breathing in knowledge of God while reading Scripture and breathing out praise.  Breathing in God’s love and breathing out possibility that is in alignment with God’s will. Although breath and breathing seem very simple to all of us, do we really slow down in this fast-paced, high-tech world to listen to God’s Spirit? How do we establish ways to “be still and know that God is God”? Join us for this retreat time, and gathering to live into the breath and stillness of God.  For more info and to register, go here.

Rainbow Trail Senior High Retreat November 22-24, 2019 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. For more info and to register, go here.

Congregations in Transition

Resource Corner check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation

Your Stewardship Toolkit for Congregations - September 2019 Here's the September 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 "Stewardship of our intelligence and gifts." Get your Stewardship Toolkit  here!

Employment Opportunities

New Listings

Sound Production Minister Lutheran Church of Hope - Broomfield, CO Lutheran Church of Hope, an ELCA congregation in Broomfield, Colorado, is seeking a Sound Production Minister to lead, coordinate, and run the many audio-sound needs for LCHope’s weekly worship life. Each worship gathering is a production with various sound needs and cues for music ensembles and soloists, public speaking, and webcast. LCHope has invested in its audio-sound ministry since a major facility renovation 6 years ago. We are now ready to invest in a part-time position to facilitate and lead our audio-sound ministry. This may be a solo position or shared among two qualified candidates who are able to work together as a team. Successful candidate(s) must have experience and training in setting up and mixing live audio-sound in production as well as being able to work in a team setting with worship and music staff and volunteers. A complete job description and compensation information may be found on the congregation’s website ( here ) or by contacting the church office at 303-466-4823. A cover letter and resume may be submitted no later than Sunday, September 15 to Kathy Henson via email at  wam@lchope.org .

Musicians for Ministry! Zion Lutheran Church - Loveland, CO Zion Lutheran Church in Loveland, CO is in search of musicians to fill several music ministry responsibilities with as few staff as possible: Chancel Choir Director, Praise Band and Contemporary Worship Leader, Organist/Collaborative Artist, and Director of Music and Worship. Applications and brief ministry descriptions can be found at https://zionloveland.com/job-opportunities/. Resumes and cover letters may be submitted to jobs@zionloveland.com.

All Non-Rostered Listings

Sound Production Minister Lutheran Church of Hope - Broomfield, CO Musicians for Ministry! Zion Lutheran Church - Loveland, CO Director of Lutheran Advocacy - New Mexico Rocky Mountain Synod ELCA - Santa Fe, NM Director of Youth Ministries Cross of Christ Lutheran Church - Broomfield, CO Choir Director (part-time) Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church - Cañon City, CO High School Program Director Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp - Fort Collins, CO Executive Director Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center - Carefree, AZ

Employment Opportunities Details

Office of the Bishop This Week

Bishop Jim Gonia ELCA Attorney's Association Installation of Rev. Deb Abbott, King of Glory, Loveland, CO HKBP, Denver, CO King of Glory, Arvada, CO Staff Meeting LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO Ruth Hoffman Invest in Kids Now St. Paul, Albuquerque, NM NM Conference of Churches LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO Peter Severson Colorado Social Legislation Committee ELCA Attorney's Association Staff Meeting ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER Tina Kvitek RMS Campaign Meeting 1-1 Meeting King of Glory, Loveland, CO Staff Meeting

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE Pastor Sarah Moening Congregational Transition In-office appointments Staff meeting ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time) Extended Medical Leave ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE Deacon Erin Power Theological Conference Site Visit, Estes Park, CO Our Savior's, Greeley, CO Staff Meeting ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY Pastor Leslie Welton In-office appointments UNC Campus Ministry, Greeley, CO Growing Young Continuing Education, New Jersey

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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 303-339-4744  Submissions are due noon Monday each week's issue. Past issues of eConnection may be found here.