Together we proclaim and embody God's unconditional love for the sake of the world.
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FEBRUARY 16, 2022
A RECONCILING IN CHRIST SYNOD
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Overwhelmed with Gratitude!
RMS Congregations end our fiscal year with $2.2 million in mission support!
2021 was a year of challenge for our RMS congregations, which makes it all the more astonishing that Mission Support remained strong! Mission Support is the offerings congregations share for synod and churchwide ministries.
Our fiscal year ended January 31 with $2,201,770 received in Mission Support, of which 47.5% is shared with Churchwide ministries.
Bishop Jim and our Synod Council extend heartfelt appreciation for this affirmation and support of our mission and ministry as we proclaim and embody God's unconditional love for the sake of the world. Indeed, we are "better together."
Thank you!
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The Rhythm of the Saints
finding the beat for ministry and service in post-covidian times
2022 Synod Assembly
May 9-11, 2022
Loveland, Colorado
Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center
2 p.m. on Monday, May 9 through noon on Wednesday, May 11
The 2022 Assembly will provide space for reflection and learning in the areas of:
- Classic Church - Church Becoming
- Vital Right Shaped Ministry
- Towards an Inclusive Church
- Excellence in Leadership
- Growing Generosity
We will gather for worship and fellowship to grieve the losses of these past two years and to celebrate one another in the Spirit that has kept us moving!
Questions? Concerns? More Information? Please contact Deacon Sarah Bjornebo. Registration deadline is April 1.
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Resolutions/Memorials, Ministry Magazine, and Display Tables
The deadline is March 1 to submit your intent to submit a resolution/memorial, to reserve a page on our annual "ministry magazine," and to reserve a display table. These opportunities are open to recognized RMS and ELCA ministries and organizations.
COVID Protocol
As part of registration, all assembly participants will be required to upload proof of "up-to-date" vaccinations and boosters as appropriate for the individual's age. Other COVID protocols will be determined closer to the event.
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Nominations and Elections
The deadline for nominations is March 22. Nominations are open for these positions:
ELCA Church Council (Young Adult male or non-binary)
Synod Council
- One (lay or rostered) from the North Colorado Conference
- One (lay or rostered) from the Utah Conference
- One (lay or rostered) from the North New Mexico Conference
- One (lay or rostered) from the Metro East Conference
- One At-Large lay male or non-binary
- One At-Large lay female or non-binary
- One Youth
- Two from ethnic-specific congregations
Consultation Committee (1 lay male or non-binary, 1 minister of Word and Sacrament)
Discipline Committee (2 lay males or non-binary, 2 male or non-binary ministers of Word and Sacrament)
Mission Outreach Board (6)
Congregational Ministries Board (4)
Global Mission Committee (2)
Campus Ministry Committee (3)
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MARSHALL FIRE:
Connect. Pray. Love.
Connect. Pray. Love. is an opportunity for your faith community to focus on Marshall Fire survivors for one week in 2022 by:
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Connecting with Christ the Servant Church (Louisville, CO) and Trinity Lutheran Church (Boulder, CO) by sharing our story
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Praying for those affected by the Marshall Fire
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Sharing gifts of love
CONNECT
Feel free to share our story and Pastor Stephanie Lord’s video on your website, in your newsletter, and/or during worship. Stephanie Lord is the pastor of Christ the Servant Church. Her home was destroyed in the fire.
https://youtu.be/JEo8ZHclKjA
PRAY
We would appreciate prayers for Marshall Fire survivors during your week. We will let our members know that you are praying for us so we can pray for you too.
LOVE
We welcome acts of love to support us on this difficult journey. We are not accepting in-kind donations. Most of us have returned home; we have our belongings. Those who are displaced are living in temporary housing and do not have room for clothing, handmade items, or household items etc. We would welcome things like:
- A video message from your community
- A video of your choir or children’s choir singing
- Photos of your kids drawing pictures on your sidewalk for our kids
- Poems, cards, or other inspirational messages
- A video of your pastor’s sermon talking about the Marshall Fire survivors
- Financial contributions to Christ the Servant, Trinity Lutheran Church, Rocky Mountain Synod or Lutheran Disaster Response
- Other creative, fun ideas
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Please be reminded that no tangible items are needed at this time. The storehouses are overflowing with generous donations. | |
RMS & ELCA news and events | |
LIVE AND ONLINE!
Faith Formation Network meets Thursday, February 17, 10 a.m.
Join your RMS Faith Formation Network tomorrow, Thursday February 17 from 10am - noon at the Lutheran Center (vaccines are required, masks encouraged) and online via Zoom:
https://zoom.us/j/99227245869?pwd=RzdkTW5Wbi9ja3EwTGtkSnV3TWJZUT09
We will have a guest speaker: Vance Blackfox, Director of Other + Wise who will will be talking about “Building Right Relationships”. We also have some news in regards to an alternative to the ELCA Youth Gathering, with the Synod. We hope to see you there!!! Download the agenda.
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SEEKING VOLUNTEERS!
Prep and Paint Days at Messiah Mountain on February 26 and March 5
Pictured is the "before" and we need you to help us get to the "after" on Saturdays February 26 and/or March 5 at 9 a.m.. We'll be removing cupboard doors and hardware and sanding as we prep for painting the cupboards. We'll also be beginning the first coat of wall painting throughout. Sign up for our Work Days on one or both days! Lunch provided so you can stay into the afternoon, as time allows.
Messiah Mountain is being renovated to be our new place of spiritual renewal for adults. It's nearby in Indian Hills, just west of Denver. Map the location.
Gifts to the Rocky Mountain Synod "Next Faithful Step" campaign are funding this renewal! Learn about the campaign and give a gift here: https://rmselca.org/next-faithful-step
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Next Online event is February 26
RSVP now for free GENEROSITY watch parties
You are invited to participate in our upcoming GENEROSITY WATCH PARTIES! We have selected topics that people have been hungry for, and will bring a power packed hour of information at each Zoom session that will cover important technical aspects, critical adaptive components, and the spiritual grounding that centers and connects us all to God’s work!
These sessions are open to rostered and lay leaders throughout the Rocky Mountain Synod at NO COST.
Topic: STORYTELLING
Saturday, February 26 at 10:00am
Topic: GENEROSITY AND THE BUDGET
Saturday, March 26 at 10:00am
Register and you will receive the Zoom link prior to the session.
Questions? Contact Tina Kvitek, RMS Development Director or Deb Elstad, RMS 3E Associate Director of Stewardship.
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Congregations invited to pledge to the RMS Campaign
Having already raised over $1 million to fund the First Step of our campaign, let's journey together into the future and top our Next Faithful Step Campaign goal of $1.57 million through gifts from congregations, foundations, endowments, and individuals!
In order to boldly and effectively continue our vital witness to the gospel as we journey together into the future, the Rocky Mountain Synod Council is investing in four ministry initiatives that form our Next Faithful Step, along with our Racial Justice Tithe.
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TRIFOLD BROCHURE
Summary of the four initiatives and the Racial Justice tithe:
Excellence in Leadership
Messiah Mountain Retreat Center
3E Lilly Grant
Lutheran Center
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What does the past year mean to the beginning of culture change?
3E is in the final year of the generous Lilly Endowment grant that has helped fund Stewardship for All Seasons (SAS). Here’s what pastors and congregation leaders have said about the impact of SAS:
- You helped me understand how my offering has an impact in the congregation and outside it.
- Learned that we focused on scarcity vs generosity. Totally changed how we look at stewardship and the way we talk and think about money at church.
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SAS provides a year-round plan … to help members live and give generously.
- We used the process to really focus on our mission goals and began communicating more clearly who we are as the people of God and what God called us to do.
- We could tell there was positive, thoughtful movement of the Spirit!
We are recruiting the last cohort for 3E’s Stewardship for All Seasons to begin May 21st. The value of SAS is evident in the reflections above. The process of getting from “training,” which is about transmitting knowledge or information, to culture-changing “learning,” is about the process of absorbing information to build skills that can be used in a variety of contexts. It is our ongoing hope that SAS have become transformative learning about generosity in our life together.
If you have interest in joining this last cohort, there are places available for first-time SAS congregations in Year 1 and also places for congregations who have completed SAS Year 1 and want to further their generosity culture-changing by participating in SAS Year 2. Contact Deb Elstad or submit this webform: https://rmselca.org/express-interest-3e-sas-final-cohort-2022.
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Ten $100 Scholarships Available
White Privilege Conference
March 9-12
The Privilege Institute (TPI) provides challenging, informative, and practical strategies to equip and empower people, organizations, institutions, and communities committed to action and accountability related to issues of diversity, power, privilege, and leadership.
This year's annual conference is in person at Charlotte, North Carolina, or online. The registration fee is the same. The Rocky Mountain Synod Council is making available ten $100 scholarships to attend either in person or online.
Information and registration is available. If you would like to be one of the first ten to request a scholarship, please email Pastor Barbara Berry-Bailey.
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Register NOW for Colorado Lutheran Day at the Capitol
Thursday, February 17
8:00am to 1:00pm
Colorado Lutheran Day at the Capitol is back! Join us on February 17 for a morning of learning, sharing and action. Even if you're new to the lobbying process, have never met a legislator, or have never even stepped inside the State Capitol, we want you to join us. Advocates will gather to learn about what's happening this year under the Gold Dome, better understand the connection between advocacy and our faith, and go to the State Capitol in downtown Denver to meet our legislators in person.
A remote participation option is also available for the morning portion (non-Capitol) of the event, and remote participants will be equipped with the tools to schedule virtual visits with their legislators. The morning event is at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1600 Grant Street, Denver.
Registration is $20 and includes all materials as well as breakfast and lunch. Join us and make a difference through advocacy
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Lutheran Men in Mission
One Year to Live is NOT your typical men’s retreat!
Developed by LMM in partnership with Lyman Coleman, pioneer of small group ministry, CEO and founder of Serendipity Publishing House. The One Year to Live retreat is designed to be a life changing, lay led event.
Consider attending the upcoming One Year to Live retreat that will be held at Camp Santa Maria in Grant, CO from April 22-24.
Retreat information & registration form
Online registration and payment option
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ONLINE EVENT
for such a time as this
from the Women of the ELCA
Do you serve on the board of a synodical women’s organization? Or are you a conference or cluster leader? Then you are invited to attend the 2022 leadership event, For Such a Time as This: Spirit fed, Spirit led.
The main sessions take place February 18 – 19, 2022 (that’s a Friday and Saturday), from 12 noon – 4:00 p.m. MST via Zoom. There will also be individual gatherings, by region, on Thursday, February 17, at 7 p.m. in a region-friendly time zone (for those regions that span two or more time zones). Register to attend via Zoom.
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Veteran Servant Corps Project
Get our new brochure: A Time to Reconnect!
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Share the new Veterans Servant Corps Project brochure! Get it here: print or online version.
April 22-24, 2022 – VSCP first Veterans Couples retreat at Rainbow Trail Lutheran camp. This retreat is free for any/all Veteran couples. Interested in participating? Click here to contact Vicky Daub.
Have Veterans events at your church/community that you would like to publicize; want Vicky or another VSCP board member to visit your church/community? Contact Vicky Daub.
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Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
February 20, 2022
Prayer of the Day
O Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your peace, that where there is hatred, we may sow love, where there is injury, pardon, and where there is despair, hope. Grant, O divine master, that we may seek to console, to understand, and to love in your name, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
In God's Hands:
Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches
20 - 26 February : France, Germany, Monaco
Intercessions and Prayers
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.
ELCA Prayer Ventures
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RMS Prayer Cycle
BORDER CONFERENCE
Week of February 20
Sierra Blanca Presbytery
Corona, NM
Rev. LaVonne Johnson
St Mark Lutheran Church
Roswell, NM
Rev. Dan Tisdel
St Peter Lutheran Church
Carlsbad, NM
Rev. Stephanie Harmon
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Ordinations
Wylie Cook
All Saints Lutheran Church, Wales, WI
Saturday, March 26 at 11:00am
Wylie is called to serve as associate pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints, Denver, CO
Color of the day is Red
Samm Melton Hill
St Paul Lutheran Church, Arlington, MA
Sunday, April 3 at 6:00pm
Samm is called to serve Highlands, Denver, CO
Color of the day is Red
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Installations
Pastor Monica Butler
Immanuel/UNC, Greeley, CO
Sunday, February 20 at 2:30pm
Color of the day is Green
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IOOV In Our Own Voice!
Sunday, February 20 at 4:00pm
In Our Own Voice presentation provides a personal perspective of mental health conditions, as leaders with lived experience talk openly about what it's like to have a mental health condition. Hosted by the Interfaith Network on Mental Illness and provided with Atonement Lutheran Church, Boulder. This program provides:
- An opportunity to hear open and honest perspectives on a highly misunderstood topic,
- A chance to ask leaders questions, allowing for a deeper understanding of mental health conditions and dispelling of stereotypes and misconceptions, and
- "What Happened," What Helps," and "What's Next?"
Use the zoom link in the flyer, or here.
Questions, contact Pastor Alan Johnson.
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The Concordia Choir at Colorado Springs and Denver
You are invited to hear the 69-voice a cappella Concordia Choir as they are on their 2022 spring tour.
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Colorado Springs on Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m. at First United Methodis Churcht: Tickets
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Denver, Colorado on Friday, March 11 at 7 p.m. at Augustana Lutheran Church: Tickets
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Making something old, new again!
Pew Flipping Competition 2022
Similar to the popular TV Show ‘Flea Market Flip’, we are calling for crafty/creative teams from all corners of the RMS to sign up and compete in our “Pew Flipping Competition.” We have a few rows of solid wood pews that will be removed from the Lutheran Center Sanctuary to accommodate our renovation plans.
The flipped pews will be auctioned off at this year’s Synod Assembly! Each team will name an ELCA Charity or related Ministry Partner they will be playing for.
Each team will be provided a small (~2 person sized, 5' to 6') pew section. You must use a 'majority' of the pew material provided to either make something artistic, or create something entirely different. You are allowed to supplement your flip with whatever materials/supplies the team deems necessary. There are no limitations on the tools or flip methods you can use to carry out your vision. Contact Tina Kvitek for more information.
Information and Registration for Pew Flipping Competition
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ONLINE EVENT
Quarterly RMS AMMPARO meeting
Saturday, February 19, 10:00am
Anyone who is interested in immigration issues in the Rocky Mountain Synod is invited to join the AMMPARO group. We meet quarterly for discussion and support. This month we are discussing "The World is About to Turn" by Rouse and Ingram. You need not have read the book to attend. We will be discussing what to do at Synod Assembly. Send email for infofor info.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88514349858
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Co-Sheltering Conference: Housing humans and animal companions together
Tuesday, March 1 through Thursday, March 3, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
My Dog Is My Home seeks "to increase access to shelter and housing for people experiencing homelessness with companion animals. By securing their ability to maintain their most important relationships and find adequate shelter, we ensure every family’s right to build a home."
This Co-Sheltering Conference will have great speakers, workshops and storytelling. On Thursday of the conference, there will be a workshop called "Partnering with Faith Communities." Please join the conversation and learn how you too can be an innovator in this way of serving and expand care for those experiencing homelessness with animal companions. Who knows, maybe YOUR congregation has the resources/facility to help. Register here, online today!
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Lenten Resources from ELCA World Hunger | |
We invite you to study, pray, reflect and give with us during ELCA World Hunger’s 40 Days of Giving — for our families, our neighbors and communities around the world.
As the world has reeled from the effects of a deadly pandemic, we have seen the number of hungry people around the world rise, watched as food pantries and soup kitchens expanded to serve an ever-growing number of guests, and longed together for the time when we “will hunger no more, and thirst no more ... and God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes” (Revelation 7:16-17). This very yearning is at the heart of who we are as church together. Yet our longing has never led to inertia or despair, despite the discouraging forecasts. We are an Easter people, ever journeying toward the cross but trusting in faith that God’s story does not end on that hill.
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ELCA Introduces “Now Is the Time” Study Guide
Introducing “Now Is the Time: A Study Guide for ELCA Declaration to People of African Descent” to help congregations wrestle with the meaning of the declaration, adopted at the 2019 Churchwide Assembly. In the declaration, the ELCA “apologizes to people of African descent for its historical complicity in slavery and its enduring legacy of racism in the United States and globally. We lament the white church’s failure to work for the abolition of slavery and the perpetuation of racism in this church.”
The Explanation of the Declaration, a Study Guide, and Participant Materials, are available at elca.org/Resources/Racial-Justice.
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office of the bishop this week | |
Bishop Jim Gonia
- Region 2 Bishops
- El Paso Consultation
- Colorado Lutheran Day at the Legislature
- Congregational Ministries Board
- Bethany Lutheran Church, Denver, CO
- Monica Butler Installation, Immanuel/UNC, Greeley, CO
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson
- Zion, Salt Lake City
- St. Paul, Denver
- Holy Love, Aurora, CO
- Christ, Highlands Ranch, CO
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CANDIDACY, FIRST CALL, ROSTER SUPPORT, AND GLOBAL CHURCH
PaDiana Linden-Johnson
- Continuing Education on Family Emotional Process
- First Call Planning
- Candidacy Administration
- New Hope, El Paso, TX
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LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
- Colorado Lutheran Day at the Capitol
- Legislative hearings
- Vacation
UTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Kurt Rager
- New Mexico 30-Day Legislative Session
- NM First Food/Hunger/Ag Policy Workgroup
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR ADMIN & COMMUNICATION
Pastor Kent Mueller
- Administration & Communication
- Messiah Mountain Project Coordination
DIRECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT/LUTHERAN CENTER
Tina Kvitek
- Our Savior's, Greeley, CO
- St. Andrew, Arvada, CO
- Ascension, Ogden, UT
- St. Paul, Denver, CO
- Excellence in Leadership
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Office Assistant
Trinity Lutheran Church - Boulder, CO
The office assistant provides administrative support to the congregation by responding to congregational needs, compiling worship materials for weekly worship, assisting the pastor and other staff in producing digital and print materials, and offering basic administrative office support. Takes the lead in producing most of Trinity’s digital and electronic communications. Job description available here. Questions or to submit an application: personnel@trinityboulder.org.
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Office Manager (part-time)
Christ the King Lutheran Church - Colorado Springs, CO
The Office manager is a part-time position at Christ the King, 15-20 hours a week. This person will provide administrative support to the pastor and congregational leaders in a variety of functions. They will be the first point of contact for community members when the office is open. A full job description is available here. The start date is March 1, 2022. We ask that interested individuals contact Pr. Paula Stecker at pastor@ctkcs.org.
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Kent Mueller, Assistant to the Bishop for Administration and Communication
Andrew Nakatani, Communications Assistant
Contact Andrew Nakatani or Kent Mueller with questions and comments about eConnection and our website! Submit eConnection items here.
Rocky Mountain Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
800-525-0462 / 303-777-6700 / fax 303-733-0750
rmselca.org
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