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




July 13, 2022

A RECONCILING IN CHRIST SYNOD

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2022 Theological Conference

Sept 19-22, Park City, Utah


Exhausted?

Overwhelmed?

Need a break?


This year’s Theological Conference is for you! Join us Monday, September 19 at 4:00 p.m. until Thursday, September 22 at 11:00 a.m. at the DoubleTree in Park City, UT, and Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church. 


Our program will focus on the power of connection and community; none of us makes it through life and ministry alone! We will learn about the effects of collective trauma on our communities and how to be resilient leaders. We will also have time to enjoy the beauty and opportunities of Park City.

 

The registration deadline is August 15, so register today. After August 15, refunds will not be possible for any reason. Registration includes hotel room, most meals, and program costs:


Single Room - $660.00

Double Room - $475.00

Commuter - $275.00

 

If you need a grant in order to be able to attend, or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate! Please contact Deacon Sarah Bjornebo at sbjornebo@rmselca.org or 303.970.025.

 

We are not providing transportation from Salt Lake City, but we encourage you to connect with colleagues and share rides as much as possible. Free parking is an amenity of the hotel, and Park City offers free local shuttles; the shuttle stop is right in front of the hotel. City bikes are next to the shuttle stop, and the golf course is located across the street.


More information on visiting Park City

More information about our hotel: The DoubleTree - Yarrow


Please register by August 15

Register for the Theological Conference

Next Faithful Step Celebration:

RSVP TODAY!

Messiah Mountain Retreat Center Dedication


SATURDAY, JULY 23

  • 9am / 10 am Spiritual Renewal Opportunities
  • 11am Dedication Celebration and Lunch


We are overjoyed to invite everyone to a Messiah Mountain Retreat Center open house and dedication celebration on Saturday morning, July 23! And, we want you to see what is remaining to accomplish and inspire gifts and pledges to accomplish our dreams! (We are dedicating the INSIDE of the Lodge. We have a lot more work to do on the outside.)


At 9am and 10am: SPIRITUAL RENEWAL

To provide an opportunity to experience spiritual renewal in this beautiful place, join us for these opportunities:

  • NATURE: hike the property
  • PRAYER: gather in nature for centering prayer
  • MOVEMENT: be renewed through an experience of Qigong in nature (using exercises to optimize energy within the body, mind, and spirit)
  • ART: capture the spirit of Messiah Mountain in a creative painting


11:15 am: DEDICATION CELEBRATION & LUNCH

Join Bishop Jim Gonia in giving thanks to God for this gift given from the people of Messiah Community Church, ELCA, along with gratitude to those who have given gifts to make the renewal possible!


Parking is limited so we’ll be providing some specific instructions for parking, and we encourage car-pooling or van-riding! So we may plan ahead, please RSVP if you plan to attend with your plan to arrive at 9am, 10am, or 11am. Please bring portable seating if available to you!


MMRC is in Indian Hills, a short 8 minute drive from C-470 and Highway 285. Directions.

RSVP for MMRC CELEBRATION

Please RSVP by July 19


RMS & ELCA news and events

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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.

Watch a video about each initiative
Campaign Information & Resources

Excellence in Leadership - It is for YOU!


This May at Synod Assembly, the Excellence in Leadership initiative was blessed to be able to offer a session using two of the many tools offered throughout the whole 18-month experience. We hope that many of you were able to bring those tools back home to your contexts.


IN-PERSON COHORT IN ALBUQUERQUE, TWO ONLINE

If you found value in those tools and would like to explore more, we would love to invite you to participate in the next cohorts of Excellence in Leadership beginning in late September. One cohort will gather in Albuquerque for their in-person sessions. We will also have 2 online cohorts - one will meet on Monday mornings (9:00am-12:00pm) and one on Tuesday evening (6:00pm-9:00pm). These cohorts will meet 1 or 2 times per month, depending on the month. Registration is now open!


Excellence in Leadership is an experiential journey for any who wish to become more resilient, healthy, and creative in their lives and in their leadership. It is meant for people of all ages and in all stages of life: lay or rostered, council member or back pew sitter. As we navigate what the future may hold as people of faith, Excellence in Leadership provides opportunities to think adaptively and meet that future boldly.


For more information, please visit: rmselca.org/excellence-in-leadership

Register for Excellence in Leadership

Announcing the next Generosity Watch Parties

A series of 3 events: July 30, August 27, September 24


-- resources and connections for everyone that inspire and empower a culture of generosity. The Watch Parties are on Zoom from 10:00am to 11:15am on these three Saturdays:


July 30: "Practice Gratitude"

August 27: "Not Stewardship in a Box"

September 24: "Abundance Mindset"


Our time together is led by RMS staff, GSB Fundraising consultants, 3E leaders, EiL leaders and invited guests. Each presentation also provides a curated follow-up packet of relevant online resources on these topics from the Center for Generosity. Please register and you will receive the Zoom link prior to the session. Watch Party Registration


Questions? Contact Deb Elstad, 3E Associate Director for Stewardship at deb.elstad@gmail.com or Tina Kvitek, RMS Director of Development at tkvitek@rmselca.org.

Register for Generosity Watch Parties

September 11 is God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday

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As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, ELCA.org/DayofService has everything you need to plan and promote your day. Old Lutheran has T-shirts and other items available for purchase. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts is Aug. 19.


Don’t forget to share your congregation’s participation with us! Send stories and photos to LivingLutheran@elca.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you. Participate on social media using #GodsWorkOurHands.

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FROM VICKY DAUB, VSCP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

" We Are All Here"

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”- Acts16:25-28

“Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” Yesterday, I read these words as part of the reading for the 7th Sunday of Easter during worship. In the past few days, I kept re-reading these words as I practiced for this reading.


In my role as the Executive Director of the Veteran Servant Corps Project (VSCP), a ministry of the Rocky Mountain Synod, I have been thinking about the phrase “we are all here”, especially in terms of the 18+ Veterans who complete suicide in our nation daily. Raising awareness around this issue is one our VSCP tenets. Are you and your congregation interested in joining in conversation around this important issue? Contact me, Vicky Daub, at Director@veteranservantcorps.org.


Are you interested in being part of our “We Are All Here” initiative by donating? Click the button below then select the General Fund Gift option, enter "Veteran Servant Corps Project" in the note/memo line. If you prefer to mail your donation, send it to the Rocky Mountain Synod, 7375 Samuel Drive, Denver, CO 80221, adding Veteran Servant Corps Project to the note portion of your check.

Give to the Veterans Servant Corps Project

VETERANS MUSEUM BROOMFIELD

SPECIAL EVENT

Colorado Front Range WWII Symposium


July 16, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Broomfield Auditorium, 12 Garden Center, Broomfield, CO

broomfieldveterans.org 303-460-6801

Admission: FREE!


Mark your calendars now for this major event to honor Colorado's history and heritage in World War II. An exciting agenda full of history presentations by major Authors and Historians, re-enactors, 1940s military vehicles, armaments, cars, and exhibit tables. See flyer here >

AMBASSADOR-GRAM SPECIAL EDITION

Are You the "Go To Guy"?


Are you the one who communicates with the men of your congregation; to call them together for events, keep them informed, announce service opportunities, etc?


If so, we would like to hear from you! We have found that by building better relationships, we can learn from each other, join efforts and grow men's ministry more effectively. We also would like to simply affirm your efforts.


So please, if you "wear this hat" at your church, identify yourself by emailing Dave Newman, LMM Director of Networking and Communications: david.newman@lutheranmeninmission.org

in our prayers

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

July 17, 2022


Prayer of the Day

Eternal God, you draw near to us in Christ, and you make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our lives, make us attentive to your presence, that we may treasure your word above all else, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord


In God's Hands:

Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches

17 - 23 July : Djibouti, Somalia

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

Prayers for the Churchwide Assembly

(July 17) Six weeks of prayer prior to the Assembly, Daily Prayers during the Assembly and a prayer for the Sunday after the Assembly


Almighty God, grant to your church your Holy Spirit and the wisdom which comes down from heaven, that your Word may not be bound but have free course and be preached to the joy and edifying of Christ’s holy people, that in steadfast faith we may serve you and in the confession of your name may abide to the end. Direct the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by your wisdom, as this church prepares to gather in assembly. God of grace, hear our prayer.



RMS Prayer Cycle


July 2022 North New Mexico Conference

Week of July 17


Cross Of Hope Lutheran Church

Albuquerque, NM

Rev. Adam Berndt

 

Glocal Ministry/Community of Joy

Rio Rancho, NM

Rev. Hesron Sihombing

 

Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Albuquerque, NM

Rev. Matthew Powell

 

Lutheran Church of the Servant

Santa Fe, NM

Rev. Jason McSpadden

 

 

Installations


Pastor Paul Rosin

Ascension Lutheran Church

Cheyenne, WY

Saturday, July 23, 4 p.m.

Color of the Day: Green

Monthly Prayer Cycle

around the synod

ONLINE MEETINGS

Blessed Youth: Breaking the Silence about Mental Illness with Children and Teens


Thursdays: July 28, Aug 25, Sept 22 - 7:00-8:00 pm


“Our kids are not okay. Our children and youth are hurting!” Those who know this are also hurting. You are invited to join a series of Thursday Evening Connections about the book, Blessed Youth: Breaking the Silence on Mental Illness and Teens and Children, and the “Survival Guide” by the Rev. Sarah Lund.


This book shakes up any lethargy about the plight of our youth’s mental health. It is a crisis. These Connections will be at 7 pm on zoom and are free. The facilitator is Deborah Berghuis, PhD, a trauma-informed, gender-affirming therapist who enjoys working with the members of the LGBTQA+ community, faith leaders, clinicians, and healthcare professionals. Rev. Lund will be in Boulder in person on Oct. 9-10. Her books are available online. Join the zoom conversations: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4264420220.


This series is hosted by Atonement Lutheran Church, Boulder, Mental Health Ministry, and the Interfaith Network on Mental Illness (inmi.us). Questions, contact revalan2004@comcast.net.

our life together

ELCA SERVICE & JUSTICE

Life & Ministry in Palestine/Israel

Sunday, July31, 1:30pm


Rev. Gabi and Rev. Dr. Meghan Aelabouni serve as the ELCA's Area Desk Director for the Middle East and North Africa and the Theologian in Residence for the Middle East and North Africa Desk, respectively. With ties to the Rocky Mountain Synod (RMS), the Aelabounis are in Colorado this summer for their home assignment as mission personnel. In partnership with the RMS's Global Mission Committee and Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church, the Aelabounis are excited to tell their Global Service story and share about their life and ministry in Israel/Palestine with the RMS.

Join them on YouTube at youtu.be/wCRtn0no-Uw

Servant Stock: Urban Servant Corps' 35th Anniversary!


Sunday, July 31 from 11am-4pm at Advent Lutheran (7979 Meade St)


Get ready to boogie like it's 1987 (USC's founding year) at this Music Festival Event!


Live music by USC alumni and supporting band "The Hip Replacements" (members of Bethany Lutheran) will be sure to put you in a great mood! The SAME Cafe food truck will be there, too, along with yard games, bubbles, and friends galore! Where would you rather be on a sunny summer day? AND in celebration of the meaningful and faithful service of USC volunteers -- event better!

urbanservantcorps.org/news-events

Interim Ministry Training Using a Group Coaching Model


Beginning Friday, August 5, 2022

First and Third Fridays of the month

from 9:00-10:00 a.m.


This Interim Ministry Training is based in the real-time real life work of an Intentional Interim Pastor. it uses a "coach approach," which believes the participants are "creative, resourceful, and whole," and is directed by a trained coach.


Three-quarters of participants' time together will center around the process and issues facing the participants, with the remainder assigned to the mastery of knowledge essential to providing successful interim pastoral leadership. Participants will meet for one hour twice monthly over six months.


This training was initially designed by Fresh Thinking Coaching and Consulting and has been developed in cooperation with the Rocky Mountain Synod Office of the Bishop.


The cost for the program is $585. To learn more and to register, please go to the Purposeful Pastor website at purposefulpastor.com/interim-ministry.

resources

GET TO KNOW OUR SYNODS!

Sierra Pacific Synod (2A)

The Sierra Pacific Synod Office located in Millbrae, CA resides on the unceded land of the Ramaytush Ohlone People. To learn more about their tribal history, we encourage you to click here.


Congregations throughout the Synod reside on many different tribal lands. For a complete list, we encourage you to click here.


The synod is served by Bishop Claire S. Burkat, who was appointed as interim following the resignation of Bishop Megan Rohrer. Visit spselca.net.


Click here for a map of our 65 ELCA synods and 9 regions.

office of the bishop this week

Bishop Jim Gonia

  • Region 2 Bishop’s Retreat
  • Vacation
  • St. Paul, Calhan, CO


ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION

Pastor Dana Peterson

  • 3E Mini-sabbatical


ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CANDIDACY, FIRST CALL, ROSTER SUPPORT, AND GLOBAL CHURCH

Pastor Diana Linden-Johnson

  • First Call Leaders Gathering
  • Candidacy Conversations

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO

Peter Severson

  • Healthy School Meals coalition
  • Thirsting for Water event planning team



LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO

Kurt Rager

  • NM Ethics Coalition


ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR ADMIN & COMMUNICATION

Pastor Kent Mueller

  • Vacation
  • Messiah Mountain Projects
  • Administration and Communication



DIRECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT/LUTHERAN CENTER

Tina Kvitek

  • CU-LuMin
  • Donor Meetings
  • RMS Campaign
Staff Photos, Emails, and Phone Numbers 

employment opportunities

Associate in Music - Handbell Director (full-time)

First Lutheran Church - Colorado Springs, CO


Organist/Pianist

St. Philip Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO


Facilities Manager

Trinity Lutheran Church - Boulder, Colorado


Director of Communications and Membership (full-time)

Lutheran Church of Hope - Broomfield, CO


Bells of Hope Handbell Choir Director (part-time)

Lutheran Church of Hope - Broomfield, CO


Choir Director (part-time)

St. Paul Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM


View RMS Employment Opportunities

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Rocky Mountain Synod Website

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Excellence in Leadership


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Kent Mueller, Assistant to the Bishop for Administration and Communication

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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

303-777-6700

rmselca.org

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