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

DECEMBER 1, 2021

A RECONCILING IN CHRIST SYNOD

FROM PRESIDING BISHOP ELIZABETH EATON

Pastoral message on the verdicts concerning the murder of Ahmaud Arbery

...God has created all of us with inherent dignity, value and worth. Racially motivated hate crimes deny this to Black and Brown people. The sin of racism distorts so many aspects of life together.

The ELCA's social policy resolution "Condemnation of White Supremacy and Racist Rhetoric" states: "As persons called to love one another as God has loved us, we therefore proclaim our commitment to speak with one voice against racism and white supremacy. We stand with those who are targets of racist ideologies and actions..."

Read the entire message

You made possible a new library at our companion synods' seminary, Betela, in Madagascar

Using multiple grants from the Rocky Mountain Synod and others, Betela Seminary has been able to restore their electrical systems with a new battery and converter. They were also able to get a new building for their library, a computer and printer, and high-speed internet with additional funds from a Norwegian mission.

Being in partnership with our global brothers and sisters in ministry is made possible through your mission support and special gifts. Thank you!

RMS & ELCA news and events

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 p.m.

Concludes Saturday, April 30 at 11 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.

Veteran Servant Corps Project

Calendar of Events

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 at director@veteranservantcorps.org.

Visit the VSCP web page

Excellence in Leadership Launches a Podcast

As the needs of our communities and churches change and adapt, so too does the Excellence in Leadership initiative. We are seeking to provide resources and opportunities to you which meet you where you are at this moment. In light of this, we have created a topical podcast which addresses a variety of topics relevant to the current climate in our congregations and world.

There are currently two podcasts available on “Resiliency” and “Leadership." They can both be found on Spotify under Excellence in Leadership. Look for more podcasts coming soon!

Excellence in Leadership website

for your bulletin

Second Sunday in Advent

December 5, 2021

Prayer of the Day

Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming give to all the people of the world knowledge of your salvation; 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

05 - 11 December : Myanmar, Thailand

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

RMS Prayer Cycle

December 2021

UTAH CONFERENCE

Week of December 5

Ascension Lutheran Church

Ogden, UT

Rev. Debra Jimenez

Ascension-St Matthews Church Lutheran Church

Price, UT

Rev. Rebecca Aardahl

Elim Lutheran Church

Ogden, UT

Rev. Bruce Kolasch

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

Courtney Alvarado

Hebron Lutheran Church

Madisonville, VA

Saturday, December 11

Color of the Day: Red

Courtney is called to serve as an Army Chaplain

Monthly Prayer Cycle

around the synod

ONLINE EVENT

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Advocate for Mental Health

Colorado Representative Judy Amabile

December 9, 2021, 7:00-9:00pm

Decades ago, our society shifted away from treating serious mental illness and instead criminalized it. This was a mistake, and the repercussions of untreated mental illness have reached crisis levels across our communities. Our jails and streets are filled with people suffering from substance use disorders and high acuity mental illnesses. None of this will fixed by more policing and incarceration.

There is hope. With the right treatment and a comprehensive approach, people can and do recover from serious mental illnesses. It’s time for our society to shift back to a proven,evidence-based care model. You can make a difference by understanding what’s needed, and advocating for change. Join Representative Judy Amabile and a panel of change leaders to learnmore and discuss the way forward.

ADVENT, WESTMINSTER, CO

Old Time Radio Christmas Plays

Sunday, December 12, 1 p.m.

The Advent Radio Players will be presenting A Fibber McGee and Molly Comedy, "Fibber Paints a Christmas Tree White" and A Dragnet Drama, "The Big Little Jesus." Each play will be performed using the original scripts and sounds just as they were broadcast on the air in 1945 and 1953 using several microphones and including lighted applause and on the air signs.

These fabulous plays will be performed live at Advent Lutheran Church, 7979 Meade St, Westminster, CO 80030.

Online Facebook Stream

our life together

ALBUQUERQUE, NM

"Holiday Cheers and Beers" Christmas Carol Fundraiser

Lutheran Campus Ministries of New Mexico

Sunday, December 5, 2021, 4:00 to 6:00pm

Please join us for "Holiday Cheers and Beers," a Christmas Carol fundraiser for Lutheran Campus Ministries of New Mexico, Inc. Our fundraising event will be held in the outdoor, heated patio of B2B Garden Brewery at 8338 Comanche Rd NE. Let's, sing, drink, and be merry!

Questions? Write to lcmunmcnm@gmail.com

NEXT TUESDAY IS COLORADO GIVES DAY!

Tuesday, December 7

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 many of our RMS ministry organizations on Tuesday, December 7. Each donation helps organizations receive additional funds from Community First Foundation through a bonus sum that's divided among all participating organizations at the end of the day. You can even pre-schedule your CO Gives Day gift NOW so you won't forget to donate!

SUPPORT RAINBOW TRAIL

coloradogives.org/rainbowtrail/overview

For more information, visit rainbowtrail.org/donate/colorado-gives-day/.

SUPPORT LUTHERAN CAMPUS MINISTRY at CU BOULDER

coloradogives.org/LutheranCampusMinistryatCUBoulder/overview

For more information, visit: lutheranbuffs.org/colorado-gives-day/.

SUPPORT AUGUSTANA ARTS

https://www.coloradogives.org/AugustanaArts/overview?step=step1

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 1 - Irene Sun

Irene is surrounded by the love and energy of her four boys whom she teaches at home. She is the author of the picture books God Counts: Numbers in His Word and His World and Taste and See: All About God's Goodness (2022).

Click for Zoom

Meeting ID: 860 2866 5432

Passcode: 654714

December 8—Ellie Roscher, author of "12 Tiny Things: Simple Ways to Live a More Intentional Life" and "How Coffee Saved My Life"

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

December 22—USC volunteers and their service sites

resource center

Covalence for November/December

Exploring the question of extra-terrestrial intelligence

In this issue, retired astrophysicist Arnold Rot explores this topic at length. He brings up the question of the length of time which highly intelligent societies can survive. It isn’t simply a matter of whether such beings such as ours are merely hitting the self-destruct button, but it is also a matter of evolution.

Read the current issue

RIC-Sunday-Cover_FINAL-2-JPEG-scaled image

Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Sunday Worship Resource

This year, Made in God's Image: God's Boundless Diversity is the theme for RIC Sunday 2022. This worship resource is centered in the spirit of youth and the voices of our young people, centered on and created for LGBTQIA+ and ally youth!

RIC Resource Download