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

DECEMBER 15, 2021

A RECONCILING IN CHRIST SYNOD

We raised over $1 million in Phase 1!

Help us kick off Phase 2 on January 1 to raise our final $550,000

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.

Our first two initiatives focus on our commitment to vital healthy leadership through Excellence in Leadership and our 3E Lilly Grant match, as we equip and accompany rostered ministers, lay leaders, and congregations through education and support. The second two initiatives invite us to invest more deeply in two key synod properties: Messiah Mountain Retreat Center and The Lutheran Center. Supporting and developing these important assets will allow us to expand our ministry of hospitality, faith formation, and spirituality.

Watch a video about each initiative

ACTION GUIDE

Information about the campaign and a summary of resources available to you for inviting campaign gifts in your congregation or organization.

TRIFOLD BROCHURE

Summary of the four initiatives and the Racial Justice tithe:

Excellence in Leadership
Messiah Mountain Retreat Center
3E Lilly Grant
Lutheran Center

MEDIA MATERIALS

JPG's for newsletters and bulletins, as well as PPT slides for screens are available online.

Campaign Information & Resources

welcome three new RMS staff members

Campus Ministry and Young Adult Ministry Strategy Coordinator––

Rev. Michael Vinson

"Pastor Mike" Vinson will be serving January 1 as RMS Campus Ministry and Young Adult Ministry Strategy Coordinator in conjunction with his current call as lead pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Monument, CO. He holds a B.A. in Education, Certification in Youth and Family Ministry from Wartburg Seminary, and an M.Div from Luther Seminary.

He has previously served in campus ministry at the University of Minnesota–Morris and Purdue University. He has a deep passion for young adults and their interaction within the total life of the church. Pastor Mike also has a passion for our church and how it works to foster full inclusion, recently winning the Lutheran Campus Ministry Network award for excellence in writing on his work around the Charleston, SC Emanuel 9 Massacre.

Pastor Mike was a first career Firefighter/EMT and has also served as a Fire Chaplain with a background in crisis intervention, emergency management and suicide risk assessment. He lives in Englewood, CO, with his wife, Holly, who enjoys going to underground heavy metal shows, where he will often get into theological conversation.

Faith Formation Coordinator––

Ms. Kinna Kemp

Kinna Nordstrom Kemp––also known in her community as "Miss Kinna"––will begin serving as the Rocky Mountain Synod Faith Formation Coordinator on January 1, while serving as the Director of Children Youth and Family Ministry at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Aurora, CO. She is in her eighth year of ministry there.

She created OHANA Youth Ministry which is an ecumenical and multicultural community youth group. She is passionate about empowering youth to participate in God's love and action in the world, meeting them and their families where they are, inviting them to see God at work in them and their community.

Kinna is also the Program Director for Other+Wise, a multicultural immersion program for youth. She has a Master's Degree in Children Youth & Family Ministry from Luther Seminary and a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Northern Arizona University. Before moving to Colorado, she called Arizona home for most of her life.

Kinna lives with her husband, Kendall, and her toddler, Kobe, in Denver. Kinna and Kendall love a good game night with friends over some cocktails.

Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy and Global Church––

Rev. Diana Linden-Johnson

Pastor Diana Linden-Johnson will serve as our new Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy, First Call, Rostered Minister Support and Global Church, effective January 1 in a three-quarter time position.

She is coming to us from Peace Lutheran Church in El Paso, Texas. Born in Colorado, Pastor Diana’s faith and call to ministry were deeply shaped by ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), including participation in Sunday School and youth group, working at Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp as a young adult, and service as as a full-time volunteer with the Border Servant Corps (BSC) in El Paso, TX.

Diana and her wife, Michaele Dawn Linden-Johnson, live in El Paso with their two children. They will be relocating to Denver after the school year concludes. In their free time, they enjoy spending time with friends and family, gardening, hiking, biking and camping.

reviewing 2021, anticipating 2022

TOGETHER IN 2021

the stories we are telling

We are telling stories of faithful, resilient, and courageous leaders.

We are telling stories of adaptability.

We are telling stories of recalibration.

We are telling stories of incredible generosity.

We are telling stories of Church Becoming.

As we are Christ's Church, Better Together, we are taking a look at our life together and reminding you of all the ways that we are connected together as the Rocky Mountain Synod. Download and read this end-of-the year recap brochure.

2022 Fiscal Plan Preview

View our new comprehensive pie charts

The Synod Council has adopted a preliminary fiscal plan for 2022. Our treasurer, Kris Adams, our financial manager, Jon Johnson, Kent Mueller, assistant to the bishop, and Tina Kvitek, development director, have all been working to develop a comprehensive snapshot of our financial life together.

For the first time, a new pie-chart details all of our sources of income, along with a pie chart that details all of our uses of those resources. We trust that you will find these new resources insightful.

RMS & ELCA news and events

Messiah Mountain Retreat Center:

Lodge ceiling demolition kicks off renovations made possible through Campaign gifts

Because of generous gifts given to our Next Faithful Step Campaign we are able to begin renovations to the Messiah Mountain Retreat Center lodge in the new year! The first project is to remove old ceiling tiles from the kitchen and to demolish the drop ceiling in the fireplace gathering area. Demo Day will be Saturday January 22, 2022, at 9 a.m.

We invite your volunteer help to accomplish this project! We will next be installing a more attractive ceiling in the gathering area, painting cupboards in the kitchen, painting walls, installing a new floor, and more. Share skills you have on the form as well. Map the location.

Messiah Mountain Retreat Center is a gift given from Messiah Community Church, ELCA. The retreat center is in Indian Hills, CO, just west of metro Denver. Learn more about Messiah Mountain.

If you would enjoy some light duty demolition please click the button. Questions? Please contact Pastor Kent Mueller.

Messiah Mountain Retreat Center Campaign Video

2022 Synod Assembly in El Paso, TX

April 28-30, 2022

vaccines required to attend

Begin planning now for the 2022 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly which will take place in El Paso, TX.

Begins Thursday, April 28 at 4:00 p.m.

Concludes Saturday, April 30 at 11:00 a.m.

The assembly will feature all-day immersion experiences on Friday, April 29. Those who will be traveling into Mexico must have a valid passport. Check your passport expiration date, and start that process ASAP if you need an update.

Registration cost per person for voting members will be $300 which covers meals/breaks and all program costs. Hotel in El Paso will be $129 per night. Questions? Contact Deacon Sarah Bjornebo.

2022 Theological Conference to be in Park City, Utah!

September 19-22, 2022

Save the date for the 2022 Theological Conference which will take place in Park City, Utah, for the first time ever! We will be gathering at the DoubleTree Hotel. This annual gathering is for pastors, deacons, and other church leaders.

Begins Monday, September 19, at 4:00 p.m.

Concludes Thursday, September 22, at 11:00 a.m.

Watch for details as they are available. Questions? Contact Deacon Sarah Bjornebo.

Veteran Servant Corps Project

Calendar of Events

January 9, 2022 from 9:15-10:10 a.m. – Augustana Lutheran in Denver. Vicky Daub will lead conversation at Adult Forum.

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? Contact Vicky Daub.

Share the new Veterans Servant Corps Project brochure! Get it here.

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.

Visit the VSCP web page

Winter Greetings from the RMS Creation Care Team.jpg

Winter Greetings from the Rocky Mountain Synod Creation Care Team

May your Winter be blessed with stillness.

rmscreationcareteam@gmail.com

for your bulletin

Fourth Sunday of Advent

December 19, 2021

Prayer of the Day

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that binds us, that we may receive you in joy and serve you always, 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

19 - 25 December : China, Hong Kong, Macau

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 be

RMS Prayer Cycle

December 2021

UTAH CONFERENCE

Week of December 19

Shepherd Of The Mountains Lutheran Church

Park City, UT

Rev. Steve Leiser

St Matthew's Lutheran Church

Taylorsville, UT

Rev. Christine Higueria-Street

ORDINATIONS

Joshua Krentz

Christ Lutheran Church

Santa Fe, NM

Friday, December 17, 4:30pm

Color of the Day: Red

Joshua is called to serve Shepherd Lutheran Church in Conneaut, OH

Cindy Robles

Bethel Lutheran Church

Aurora CO

Saturday, January 15, 2022

Cindy is called to serve as pastor of Greenvine Emmanuel Lutheran in Burton, TX

INSTALLATION

Pr. Joe Natwick

Bethel Lutheran Church

Windsor, CO

Sunday, January 23, 2 p.m.

Monthly Prayer Cycle

around the synod

ONLINE EVENT

Sky Ranch Service of Thanksgiving - Holiday Edition!

Thursday, December 16

7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Join Sky Ranch to worship together and share praises of Thanksgiving for the love and support of our ministry this past year! Worship is via Zoom at the link below. Visit FB to join our event. All are welcome!

Click here for Zoom link

Meeting ID: 980 4998 8778

Passcode: 617701

Phone: +1 346 248 7799

THORNTON, CO

A Holiday Worship Experience with Rachel

Friday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m.

Hosted by Genesis Gathering and St. John's Lutheran, 11040 Colorado Blvd, Thornton, CO.

Dessert served following concert!

CAÑON CITY, CO

Shepherd of the Hills Choir Christmas Concert with Royal Gorge Philharmonic

Saturday, December 18 at 3:00 p.m.

Shepherd of the Hills in Cañon City, CO will be performing with the Royal Gorge Philharmonic for a Christmas concert at the Steeple Event Center, 701 Macon Ave., Canon City.

Shepherd of the Hills' choir director, Gerald Willis wrote and will be conducting the Oratorio. Help was provided with a grant from the Music Performance Trust Fund in New York.

DENVER, CO

Advent Jazz Vespers at St. Paul

Sunday December 19 at 7:00 p.m.

Performing at The Advent Jazz Vespers at St. Paul, will be the Five Points Ambassadors, featuring legendary pianist, Purnell Steen.

A free will offering will be received.

All are welcome.

www.stpauldenver

our life together

An invitation from the Indiana-Kentucky Synod for our Tornado Disaster Response

On the night of Dec. 10, a devastating outbreak of more than 30 tornadoes swept through six states. Kentucky was impacted the most, with more than 70 people reported dead. Homes and businesses were destroyed, including a candle factory in Mayfield, Ky., where first responders are still searching for survivors. The full extent of the damage is expected to become clear in the coming days.

John Pyron, national director of Lutheran Disaster Response and Indiana-Kentucky Synod Bishop Bill Gafkjen have been working together over the days since the disaster to assess and to respond to immediate needs of victims. Given the initial damage assessments, recovery will likely take years.

Bishop Bill Gafkjen and other IN-KY Synod staff have also been in touch with pastors and deans in the affected areas of Kentucky to ascertain how communities, congregations, and individuals have been impacted.

Below are two ways to donate. On the left, donations will be targeted to damage in Kentucky through the IN-KY Synod Disaster Response fund. On the right, donations to Lutheran Disaster Response will support all states impacted by the tornadoes.

IN-KY Disaster Response

Your gifts to the "IN-KY Synod Disaster Fund" will specifically support our individuals, congregations and communities in Kentucky affected by the tornadoes.

Click on the button below, then choose IN-KY Disaster Response in the drop-down box underneath Mission Support.

Give to IN-KY Disaster Response today

Lutheran Disaster Response

Your gifts to "U.S. Tornadoes" will be used in full (100%) to support survivors across the multiple states impacted by the tornado outbreak on December 10-11, 2021. Together, we can support those who are on the long road to recovery. Please give today.

Give to Lutheran Disaster Response today

ONLINE EVENT

Intentional Gift Giving

Wednesdays in Advent at noon

After a year of service, Urban Servant Corps alumni journey into their next faithful step in becoming community leaders, teachers, pastors, parents, authors, yoga instructors and more!

December 15 - Rachel Bass Guennewig

Rachel lives in Champaign-Urbana, IL and leads yoga classes (via ZOOM) and retreats through Daily Bread Yoga-All Together Now. She is also in the thick of raising elementary and middle school aged children and has a strong appreciation for the messes and joys of life!

Click here for Zoom link

Meeting ID: 860 2866 5432

Passcode: 654714

December 15—Rachel Bass Guennewig, Daily Bread Yoga — All Together Now

December 22—USC volunteers and their service sites

Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp Hiring Summer Staff

Sky Ranch is hiring energetic, responsible, faith centered young adults to mentor youth of all ages! Spend a summer in the beautiful Rocky Mountains experiencing God's creation while Facilitating an Encounter with Christ. Staff should love working with kids, be open to guiding faith conversations, willingness to share and learn new skills to take with you down the mountains. Summer salary starts at $3,000 and includes two weeks of training, Wilderness First Aid and CPR, and room and board. Sky Ranch is hiring for a variety of roles this summer, check out our website for more information. We look forward to seeing you up the mountain this summer!

Go to Sky Ranch website for more info

resource center

The Journal of Lutheran Ethics:

2020-2021, A Retrospective

As the secular year draws to a close and the new church year opens into the season of Advent it seems a fitting moment to take a pause and to reflect on the turbulent last two years. This issue of JLE, therefore, is not introducing a new topic but is instead drawing together some of the articles previously published on three issues that loom large this December: Climate Change, COVID 19, and Possibilities for Dialogue. Read more.

In addition, check out our new 2022 Call for Papers here.

Read the current issue