Discerning and Electing a New Bishop in 2024

The focus of the Synod Assembly April 25-27, 2024 will be the election of a new Bishop. To assist with this important, Spirit-led process, a new webpage called "2024 Synod Assembly Bishop Election" has been added to the Events section of the Rocky Mountain Synod website. This will serve as our hub for information regarding this election. Currently, it contains a timeline, information about the Bishop Election Committee, and an ELCA document outlining the responsibilities of synod Bishops. To help with the community's discernment, in late Fall feedback from conference meetings and Theological Conference discussions will be added. A biographical information form for those interested in being nominated as bishop will be added early 2024. Everyone- whether you will be a voting member at Assembly or not- is encouraged to visit the site and be informed about the process ahead.

This summer the Synod Council began the Bishop election process by appointing a Bishop Election Committee, comprised of rostered leaders and lay people from around the synod. This committee has the responsibility of assuring that a fair and competent election is held, and assuring that opportunities for feedback, discernment, and reflection are widely available.

You can read the full responsibilities of the committee HERE

The Committee members are:

Pr. Ann Hultquist, Chair

Christian Mogren, Utah Conference

Elizabeth Mullins, Border Conference

Pam McClune, Metro West Conference

Pr. Carrie Baylis, Southeast Colorado Conference

Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, North New Mexico Conference

Pr. John Knutson, Northern Colorado Conference

CHECK FRAUD - PLEASE HELP

ENROLL IN RMS ACH DIRECT DEPOSIT!

In response to our recent check fraud crisis, the synod has launched an ACH Direct Deposit system. Modeled after the process by which money is transferred to Portico, Clergy Financial, and ELCA Churchwide, congregations may enroll in our ACH Direct Deposit system. Once banking information is received and verified, the congregation will be set-up in our bank's secure ACH system and can start initiating electronic payments. 

Mission Support Remittance forms will be received via email. You will receive a Mission Support Remittance template to be completed according to your billing timeline in order to make a monthly mission support payment. Each congregation will continue to receive monthly contribution statements by email to verify that the correct funds have been withdrawn and distributed. It is extremely important to reconcile your monthly contribution statement to ensure that all transactions are recorded correctly. Discrepancies should be reported immediately.

ENROLL in the ACH Direct Deposit system by clicking the link below. To report missing contributions or if you have any questions, please contact Jon Johnson, Finance Director at finance@rmselca.org or Yvonne Wilken, Administrator at office@rmselca.org.

Click here to get more information and instructions.

"God's Refracted Love for the World"

September 18-21

This year's Theological Conference will begin Monday, September 18 at 4:00pm with programming through Thursday, September 21, finishing by noon.

Regional Gatherings:

• Ascension L.C. - Cheyenne, WY
• Zion L.C. - Salt Lake City, UT
• First L.C. - Colorado Springs, CO
• St. Paul L.C. - Albuquerque, NM

As leaders in the Rocky Mountain Synod, we find ourselves at a crossroads: What does it mean to be the church? What is the future of our ministries? What is the future of our synod?

How do we manage the full spectrum of ministry, remain healthy leaders, and continue to be inspired to tell God’s love story?

This year’s Theological Conference will explore these questions and more.

Download TC2023 Schedule, including check-in info and more - HERE

View info regarding the EiL Boundary Training HERE

PLEASE NOTE - IMPORTANT INFORMATION!: 

1. This is an in-person, regional event held in four of the five states of the RMS with limited zoom content to allow for simultaneous experiences. The scheduled zoom sessions are: Bishop Jim's address and partner presentations (1 hour of content), Keynote sessions with Rev. Dr. Linda Thomas (4 hours of content in 1 hour segments over 3 days). 
2. The registration fee is $400 -- sticker shock?! The Synod has been subsidizing Theological Conference ($20,00-30,000 annually). In order to continue sponsoring this event, TC needs to pay for itself. 
3. Participants are invited to attend a location of choice (locations are not assigned). Participants are not required to stay in any particular location. If you'd like to book an AirBnB with your friends or camp or . . . go for it! Courtesy blocks were reserved at hotels in each location -- the courtesy blocks have expired for Colorado Springs and Salt Lake City. The block will expire for Cheyenne on September 1 and Albuquerque on September 9 so Book TODAY!

For Questions or Scholarship info? email HERE

Join Excellence in Leadership!

Registration is now open for 18-month cohorts beginning in September 2023 and a 13-month cohort beginning January 2024!

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 and community to think adaptively and meet that future boldly.

Become the more resilient, courageous, and faithful leader God has made you to be!

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SYNOD

GENEROSITY CONFERENCE

STEWARDSHIP

September 25 – 27, 2023

This is a HYBRID EVENT from the Messiah Mountain Retreat Center.

The purpose of this conference is for the individuals interested in the financial health and well-being of our church to engage in the abundance-mindset work necessary to enhance and grow a culture of generosity that will sustain the future of our congregations, members, and leaders that make ministry possible!

The 2023 conference will focus on STEWARDSHIP and include:

• Stewardship Kaleidoscope Plenary and Workshop Sessions
• Rocky Mountain Synod Stewardship Best Practices
• Stewardship focused Worship & Devotions

For more information and list of presenters, download informational flyer here.

The world has changed, and the church is adapting. Do you have questions about setting a ministry strategy in this new world? Do you wonder how best to use your church building beyond Sundays? Are you curious about creative partnerships to reach new people? Some congregations have already taken risks in these areas and learned some things that will help us.

Join fellow congregational leaders around the Rocky Mountain Synod for a 90-minute zoom event exploring some inspiring ministry experiments. We will hear from three leaders who have taken some chances in ministry and gained insights they will share with us. After the short presentations we will enter into the small group of our choice for further conversation before returning back for a final debrief.

Zoom Link: us02web.zoom.us/j/85471053136

Zoom Meeting ID: 854 7105 3136

Please register ahead of time for this free event here. 

RMS Providing Worship Services at Colorado Veterans Homes

Since June 2022, Pastor Nic Leither has been conducting monthly Communion worship services at the Denver Veterans home. Thirty or so participated in yesterday's service. Bishop Jim Gonia also participated in the Sunday, August 5 service.

Veteran Servant Corps Project also provides/shortly will be providing regular worship services in Florence, CO, Ogden, UT and Rifle, CO. Veteran Servant Corps Project is a self-supporting ministry of the Rocky Mountain Synod. Each worship service costs VSCP $250 plus mileage. Of course, this is more than $1000 a month.

Interested in supporting this important ministry? Go to veteranservantcorps.org to donate.

Revitalize Your Congregation's Preaching Ministry!

"Preaching is the work of all the baptized, not just the Pastor. Pastors are called to steward the pulpit, not own it."

Revitalize your congregations preaching ministry by making the practice of preaching more collaborative and participatory.

Cohort 3 of The People's Sermon is now forming and there is limited space available for congregations within Regions 1 and 2 (we have room for 2-4 more congregations to join us). This program is led by the Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan.

Questions or interested in learning more? Email Desta Ronning Goehner! Desta@plts.edu

What can Faith Communities Do to Welcome Asylum Seekers?

As a member of the Global Church, you are invited to watch this video about how the Lutheran church in migrant’s countries of origin are responding to realities of migration:

• Returned migrant youth in Honduras – RED project

AUGUSTANA ARTS PRESENTS

Music Without Boundaries Stratus Chamber Orchestra Concert

Saturday, Sept. 23 at 7:00pm, and Sunday, Sept. 24 at 2:30pm

Join us for an exceptional Stratus Chamber Orchestra concert experience that celebrates the limitless creativity of female composers and composers of color, forging a unique connection between performers and audience while championing diversity through captivating works that transcend traditional boundaries.

The program features Arturo Marquez's lively "Danzón No. 4"; Kevin Puts' expressive Flute Concerto, featuring Stratus’s own Tamara Maddaford on flute; Nkeiru Okoye's vibrant Charlotte Mecklenburg; and Florence Price's powerful Concert Overture No. 1. Through this concert, especially with SCO's unique immersive seating at the Sunday performance, we transcend boundaries, champion diversity, and highlight the universal language of music.

Join us on Saturday evening, September 23, at Augustana Lutheran Church, or on Sunday afternoon, September 24, at City Park Pavillion.

Valley Lutheran Church, Los Lunas, NM

50th Anniversary!

Sunday, September 10 at 12:00 noon

Join the people and Pastor Ken Vogler of Valley Lutheran in celebrating their 50th glorious anniversary!

"We just wanted to share that we made it to 50 years as a Lutheran Church and as far as we are concerned, this is just the beginning! We are focused on the future and with efforts from our members, we accept the challenge. We are Lutherans who love our church!"

LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES PRESENTS

FREE a Financial and Estate Planning Seminar!

Saturday, September 16, 2023

8:00 am - 11:30 am

Join us on September 16, at the Lutheran Family Services Offices, 1035 Osage Street Suite 800, Denver, Colorado for a FREE financial planning seminar, a Charitable Giving Class and Estate Planning 101, presented by Chris Holdgard and Nathan Richter from Thrivent Financial Services and Estate Planning 101 by Beth Mitchell AMBLER | KEENAN | MITCHELL | JOHNSON Estate Planning Law Firm.

The first 25 registrants will receive a beautiful planning padfolio. To register contact Margo Hatton at margo.hatton@lfsrm.org, 719-250-7491 or on-line at www.lfsrm.org/financialplanning.

"The Southeastern Synod is made up of 160 congregations and new starts across Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

A synod is not just the synod office and its staff which is co-located with St. John's Lutheran Church in Atlanta, GA. The Southeastern Synod is everyone in all of our congregations. We embrace what ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton has said about who we are: We are church. We are Lutheran. We are church together. We are church for the sake of the world."

The Rev. Kevin L. Strickland was elected Bishop of the Southeastern Synod on June 2, 2019. Prior to the election, he served in the ELCA Churchwide office since August of 2014 as the Assistant to the Presiding Bishop, Executive for Worship of the ELCA.

Visit www.elca-ses.org and on Facebook

Click here to view a Bishops and Synods map of our 65 ELCA synods and 9 regions.