Together, we proclaim and embody God's unconditional love for the sake of the world.

November 30, 2022

A RECONCILING IN CHRIST SYNOD

TODAY IS "DAY 4"

Watch a daily RMS Advent word video

During each day of Advent, beginning with "DAY 1" on November 27, you are invited to reflect on a word of the day for Advent and watch a video reflection from across the Rocky Mountain Synod. Visit the calendar each day of Advent at this easy-to-remember website link: rmselca.org/advent

We are grateful for Pastor Nic Leither of St. Mark, Aurora, CO, who organized and created this video calendar. You are encouraged to share the graphic, above, to assist in matching up the calendar dates with the day of Advent.

Direct link to the Advent calendar: calendar.myadvent.net/?id=1ovs7z050uzdswtk66btilvxb120thuh

RMS Advent Calendar

RMS & ELCA news and events

ASSEMBLY 2023

Pre-Assembly 2023 Preparation: El Paso, TX and Southern NM

As we prepare for the coming of Christ this Advent, we also prepare our hearts for the “Cruzando Fronteras” Synod Assembly 2023 in El Paso, TX.

It is in this spirit that we invite you to learn, advocate, and reflect using the “Preparing Welcome: An Advent Devotional for Immigrant Justice” created by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition.

This week’s theme is “Waiting for Violence to End,” focusing on the scripture “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks… neither shall they learn war any more.” Isaiah 2:4. Read this week’s entire devotional here.

TOWN HALL CONFERENCE GATHERING WITH BISHOP JIM GONIA

DECEMBER 10 IN ALBUQUERQUE, NM

Worried about your congregation today?

Wondering what the future holds?

You are not alone. People throughout the church are experiencing doubts, fears, and uneasiness about the future. Bishop Gonia would like to talk with you about the worries and wonders you are experiencing. Together we will ponder how our congregations’ ministry and witness can be shaped for the sake of the gospel.

If you are invested in our Church’s future... join us!

Eight different date/time/location options to choose from:

Sat., Sept. 03, 2022: 9am-11am at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Glenwood Springs CO
Sat., Sept. 10, 2022: 10am-12pm at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs CO
Thur., Sept. 22, 2022: 6pm-8pm at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Ch urch, Holladay UT
Tues., Oct. 04, 2022: 6pm-8pm at Faith Lutheran Church, Golden CO
Sat., Oct. 22, 2022: 1pm-3pm at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Casper WY
Sat., Nov. 12, 2022: 9am-11am at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Longmont CO
Sat., Nov. 19, 2022: 10am-12pm at Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church, Centennial CO
Sat., Dec. 10, 2022: 1pm-3pm at All Saints Lutheran Church, Albuquerque NM

Click here to download a PDF with live links for registration and locations.

A MESSAGE FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

2023 budget reductions on the horizon

The Rocky Mountain Synod Finance Committee and a Budget Reconciliation Task Force have been working diligently over the past several months to address financial challenges that will significantly impact our Rocky Mountain Synod fiscal year that begins February 1, 2023.

How did we get here?

The simple answer is deferred difficult decisions.

For at least ten years, we have been confronted with the potential need for reductions, but ongoing and generous Mission Support from congregations and individual donors has been augmented by the use of financial reserves and other sources, allowing us to continue to provide a robust synod ministry. But now the Rocky Mountain Synod is facing the same post-pandemic challenges as experienced by our congregations, and the outcome is that our vision for ministry is not supported by the available income.

The Rocky Mountain Synod has always and knowingly adopted a deficit budget, with the shortfall being supported by spending of synod reserve funds. These funds were provided from generous bequests and from the sale of properties or from special gifts given at the time of Holy Closure of congregations. In the cycle of “death and resurrection” the closing of congregations has provided funding for the birth of new mission congregations and support for congregations in transition or renewal. These are finite funds that have been depleted more quickly than they have been replenished.

What happens now?

Capable volunteers and staff have been working diligently to provide a comprehensive picture of our finances, with a desire to clearly communicate all aspects of our financial life together. The staff has submitted revised budgets. Jon Johnson, our financial manager, is compiling the figures, and the Task Force is providing recommendations for review by the Finance Committee and the Executive Committee. Once this work is completed the Synod Council will determine our way forward.

We already know that the financial implications of reducing our budgeted expenses will impact our life together, our staffing, and our ministries in difficult and challenging ways. Where we find ourselves now is intentionally facing the difficult decisions that will move us forward in God’s abundant future.

Even so, the love of Christ continues to be proclaimed across this expansive synod, through the commitment and dedication of rostered and lay ministers who know of the transforming story of God’s grace and abundance in action––as we are Christ’s hands and feet, Christ’s heart and voice, alive in the world. That ministry of love and service continues each and every day, as together, we proclaim and embody God’s unconditional love for the sake of the world.

Join the Rocky Mountain Synod Faith Formation Network!

The Faith Formation Network is an open community of people made of up volunteer, lay, and rostered leaders who are passionate about the ways in which the church supports faith at home, children youth and family ministry, young adults, and the ongoing faith learning in older adults. Connect with others, discover new resources and share favorites, find support and encouragement, brainstorm, ask questions, and pray for one another.

New to the Synod? Click here!

Join our "What's App" Chat, here!

Faith Formation Network Meetings

Zoom Meeting ID: 992 2724 5869

Passcode: 274795

"You are not alone! Join us every Third Thursday for our RMS Faith Formation Network meetings! CLICK HERE TO JOIN

We are meeting primarily online. Stay in the loop with all things Children Youth and Family Faith Formation in the Rocky Mountain Synod!"

FAITH FORMATION

Western States Youth Gathering '23

July 6-9, 2023

Early Bird registration is $385/person. Prices increase January 4, 2023.

The Western States Youth Gathering (WSYG) and Western States Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (WYLE) is back! Coming to California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA from July 4-9, 2023, the Western States Youth Gathering is open to high school aged youth in Regions 1-4. The Western States Multicultural Youth Leadership Pre-Event (WYLE) will be held July 4-6, 2023.

WSYG and WYLE will gather around the theme, “Revive, Reunite, Rejoice”, grounded in Acts 2:1 “When the day [of WSYG] came, they were all together in one place.”

Early-Bird registration for the Western States Youth Gathering is OPEN!

Learn more and register your group for the lowest possible prices at wsyg.com/registration!

VETERANS MINISTRY

SHOWERING MILITARY CHAPLAINS WITH PRAYERS AND SUPPORT

Join us on National Wreaths Across America Day

December 17, 2022

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 3,400 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.

Join us by sponsoring a veterans' wreath at a cemetery near you, volunteering or donating to a local sponsorship group.

Visit Wreaths Across America

ELCA global church network

* Note updated meeting time!

Click on the graphic to get PDF with live Zoom links.

Or click here for the Zoom link

Or click here for the Call-in link

in our prayers

DECEMBER 4, 2022

Second Sunday of Advent

Prayer of the Day

Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming nurture our growth as people of repentance and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

In God's Hands:

Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches

04 - 10 December : Myanmar, Thailand

Intercessions and Prayers

Join us in daily prayer

ELCA Prayer Ventures are 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 (monthly)

Prayer Ventures, Living Lutheran (daily)

WEEK OF DECEMBER 4

RMS Prayer Cycle

December 2022

Colorado Council of Churches

Denver, CO

Adrian Miller

New Mexico Council of Churches

Rev. Lynne Hinton

Utah: United Today Stronger Tomorrow!

Rev. Brigette Wier

Wyoming Interfaith Network

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Phyllis Gilbertson

Wife of Retired Pastor Paul Gilbertson

"Giving Thanks for a Life of Faith, Love and Service” will be held at Augustana Lutheran Church, Denver, on Thursday, December 1 at 11:00 a.m Burial will follow in the Augustana Memorial Garden. Lunch and conversation will take place in the Fellowship Hall of the church.

ORDINATION

Dr. Rode Molla

December 3, 10:30 a.m.

Virginia Theological Seminary in Emmanuel Chapel

livestream link

Dr. Molla is called to serve as Assistant Professor, Berryman Family Chair for Children’s Spirituality and Nurture at Virginia Theological Seminary. Dr. Molla’s research and writing interests employ an interdisciplinary approach at the intersection of lived religion; the spirituality of children and families; postcolonial studies; political, intercultural, and postcolonial pastoral and practical theological methods, and critique of neoliberalism.

She recently earned her Ph.D. at Iliff School of Theology and the University of Denver.

Monthly Prayer Cycle

around the synod

CENTRAL & SOUTH DENVER

Candlelight vigils commemorate Sandy Hook shootings

As we prepare for the coming of Christ, two candlelight vigils on Wednesday, December 14, between 4 and 5:30 p.m. will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sandy Hook, Newtown, CT, shootings and all victims of gun violence.

Messiah Community Church, ELCA (1750 Colorado Blvd.)
First Plymouth Congregational Church (SW corner of Colorado Blvd and Hampden)

Participants should bring a light source, any sign related to the topic, and dress warmly.

ALL SAINTS, AURORA, CO

Arts, Crafts, Baked Goods Sale

December 4, Noon to 4:00pm

Need Holiday gifts? If so, this is a great opportunity to patronize local artisans selling handmade goods! If you’re interested in selling at our craft sale, please contact Mona Marquardt at 303-910-0405.

This, and more going on at All Saints!

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

Luther House Annual "Cheers and Beers" Christmas Carol Celebration

Sunday, December 4, 2-4 pm

Luther House of NM presents our annual "Cheers and Beers" Christmas Carol Celebration and Fundraiser!

There are two ways to support Luther House: join us at the B2B Garden Brewery on Sunday December 4 from 2-4pm to celebrate and sing Christmas Carols together AND/OR dine in or carry out food from 12pm-8pm!

A portion of the profits from sales for the entire day on December 4 will go to Luther House. So get dressed up in your favorite party clothes and join us to celebrate OR stay home in your comfy jammies and order some food.

Either way we appreciate your support!

Questions, email to lcmunmcnm@gmail.com and visit us LutherHouseNM.org

BOULDER, CO

St. John’s Christmas Concert: Carols from King’s

Sunday, December 4 at 4:00pm

Please join us for a wonderful concert of classic Christmas carols from King’s College, Cambridge, England. Featuring our own choirs with hand-bells and special guest musicians, Christina Jennings and Matthew Dane. Come start your season with a festive concert in singing of wassail, good cheer, and celebrating the birth of our Savior.

St. John’s Episcopal Church

1419 Pine Street

Boulder, Colorado 80302

stjohnsboulder.org

Freewill offering taken.

AUGUSTANA, DENVER, CO

Join the musicians of Augustana Lutheran Church and Augustana Arts for the celebratory Christmas Festival Concert featuring the Augustana Chancel Choir, Augustana Ringers, and Stratus Chamber Orchestra musicians all led by Chancel Choir Conductor, Kevin Padworski.

The concert will feature Saint Saens’ "Christmas Oratorio - a cantata-like work for chorus, organ, strings and harp featuring Andrew Peters on organ.

There is NO COST to attend, but reservations are requested. Make your reservation here. Free will offering baskets will be available for your gifts. A wonderful holiday tradition for the ENTIRE family! FREE parking is available in the Alameda lot or off Fairfax Ave.

Make your reservation here

AUGUSTANA, DENVER, CO

New Years' Eve Concert with Organist Andrew Peters

Saturday, December 31, 7:00 p.m.

Ring in 2023 with a New Years' Eve concert featuring organ music and a silent film! Organist Andrew Peters will improvise on Augustana Lutheran's incredible pipe organ as you watch the 1923 Harold Lloyd silent film, Bumping into Broadway on a giant screen.

The evening also includes great works for the organ including Chapman’s Fanfare and Procession, Vivaldi’s Concerto No. 2 in a minor, Pamela Decker’s Tangos for Organ, and the all-time favorite, Handel’s Fireworks Music.

Join us for this exciting New Years' Concert! Tickets are flex-pay (pay what you choose) and available by clicking the button, below!

Get your tickets here

our life together

NEXT TUESDAY IS THE DAY, DECEMBER 6!

Give to these organizations through the Colorado Gives Day website:

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains
New Beginnings Worshipping Community
EbenEzer Care Center
Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp
Urban Servant Corps

NOTE FROM DAVE JARVIS

SUPPORT RAINBOW TRAIL!

Colorado Gives Day is an annual day of giving to non-profit organizations all across Colorado. Whether you live in Colorado or not, you can donate to Rainbow Trail on Tuesday, December 6. Each donation helps RTLC receive additional funds from Community First Foundation through a sum that's divided among all participating non-profit organizations and prizes at the end of the day. You can even make your CO Gives Day gift NOW so you won't forget to donate! Gifts made in November on the CO Gives website will count toward Rainbow Trail's Colorado Gives Day total on December 6.

Give for Rainbow Trail!

SUPPORT LUTHERAN CAMPUS MINISTRY AT CSU

Logan writes, " Lutheran Campus Ministry has significantly improved my college experience through guiding me in understanding my identity as I move into a new chapter of my life, and I can’t overstate how grateful I am." This CSU college student graduating in December will start at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa in January. LuMin in Fort Collins can continue to make a difference through your generousity. Give on Colorado Gives Day, Dec 6, or give today. The more giving that happens, the more opportunity we have to receive additional funds from Colorado Gives 365. Thank you for your support.

Give for LuMin at CSU

AURORA, CO

Rejoicing Spirits Denver is back!

Sunday, December 2

4:00pm-6:00pm

Lord of the Hills Lutheran

21755 E Smoky Hill Rd. Aurora, CO 80015

Come, join us for dinner and Christmas Worship!

We will be creating Christmas cards to give to friends and family, singing, laughing and loving God together. Rejoicing Spirits is an inclusive worship space for people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities, their care givers, families and anyone who seeks an open, joyful and creative worship experience.

We will gather at LOTH on the third Sunday of each month in 2023. Look for more information to come!

If you would like more information regarding the Rejoicing Spirits experience or volunteering, please visit our webpage, or contact Rev. Brigette Weier at weierbrigetter@gmail.com or attend an orientation on December 1 via Zoom at 7:00pm. We will hold another orientation on January 8, at 7:00pm.

Zoom link for December 1

Meeting ID: 730 3344 1072 Passcode: x7rqmn

RMS CREATION CARE TEAM

An Advent Message

O Come, Emmanuel

An essential part of my Advent discipline is the liturgy of a church community, and especially the hymns of this season. My spirit shifts gears when I sing, in a haunting minor key, the words of an ancient antiphon:

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here, until the child of God appear.

The hymn reminds me that Advent is a time to acknowledge our captivity to our own distorted desires and values, to habits and customs, and to powerful economic and political systems. It is a time for us to admit that we are trapped, exiled, and in bondage. We're not where we want to be, and we're not who we want to be. We can't free ourselves, because we have created our own prisons. We need personal and cultural transformation, and the stories of faith offer us the counter-cultural values and visions which can turn us around.

In these days before Christmas, may we have the faith and the courage to admit our sin and our bondage. May we open ourselves to the pain of fractured communities and the shattered creation. And, in hope, may we be filled with longing for the coming of God into our midst. As we enter faithfully into Advent, may we be so touched by the world's brokenness that we will genuinely celebrate the birth of the One who will transform us.

Shalom!

Peter Sawtell, Executive Director Eco-Justice Ministries

The Creation Care Team will meet again via Zoom, Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 10:00am. Everyone is invited! Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/j/83008940316

RMS CREATION CARE TEAM

A draft of the social message "Earth's Climate Crisis" is posted for public comment! Feedback of this kind helps the drafters know how the document could be more clear, helpful and faithfully Lutheran. Please read the social message draft and use this survey to share your input by Friday, Dec. 2. Questions or longer responses can be emailed to draftsocialmessage@elca.org.

The draft will be edited, guided by the feedback, and presented to the ELCA Church Council to be voted on this coming spring."

Read and Respond

get to know our synods

Metropolitan Chicago (5A)

"We are Christ’s body in the world called to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and do justice, in Jesus’ name. The operating Mission Vision of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod is to “blanket the territory of the synod with Christian disciples, joyfully bearing witness to the love and power of Jesus Christ.”"