A Reconciling in Christ synod
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A Pastoral Message from Bishop Gonia
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2020 Synod Assembly Update
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Our synod assembly theme seems particularly fitting in these uncertain days where we are, out of necessity, exploring new and different ways to be church in a time of physical distancing. The RMS Council voted last night to move our five location regional assembly to an all-digital format.
The fact we were were already planning to conduct business via ZOOM means we were well-poised to make this adaptation!
The council agreed it was important to gather as a synodical community in this way, but knew we needed to make some modifications to the programming. Instead of gathering for two days of business, worship, and programming, we will gather individually via ZOOM for a half-day assembly that will still include many of those elements
What does this mean?
Great question!
Date: Saturday, May 2 only
Time: TBD. Approximately 8:30 a.m. - noon
Location: ZOOM
AGENDA
- Worship and morning prayer
- Passing the 2020-2021 Budgets
- Approving updates to the RMS Constitution
- State of the Synod from Bishop Gonia
- Keynote Address and other programming, TDB!
Voting members
Congregations will still need to elect/appoint voting members. Rules state that all participants must be able to communicate in real time, so participants will need to join ZOOM via computer or tablet that has audio and video. We will not be providing a phone number, as we need to be able to see participants who want to speak.
Registration
Registration for voting members and visitors will be $25. Registration information can be found here:
https://www.rmselca.org/registration/. For voting purposes, we need the
email address for each voting member. Please also include
their home address, so we can mail materials directly to each voting member.
If you have already registered, we will be working in the next few weeks to issue adjusted invoices and/or refunds as needed. Please be patient as we make these adjustments.
Registration deadline is now April 14, with a payment deadline of April 21.
Nominations
We are seeing now more than ever how important our life together as church - congregations, ministries, and synod- is. A number of opportunities to participate in our life together are available on our boards and committees.
The nomination deadline has been extended to March 30.
https://www.rmselca.org/elections
Hotel
We have cancelled all room blocks. If you have made an individual reservation, please contact the hotel directly.
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eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
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Wondering how to support your neighbor? Consider donating blood if you are healthy. They anticipate a blood supply shortage during this time of physical distancing. Contact your local blood bank or use the link below.
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For Hosts/Administrators
Help Guides for participants
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RMS ZOOM Thursday, March 19, 4:00pm
Leading Worship and Faith Formation opportunities via ZOOM
Join us for conversation, brainstorming, and tips for leading worship or engaging in small group conversation via ZOOM.
RMS 3ZOOM
Meeting ID:898 069 638
Phone: 1 669 900 9128
Meeting ID: 898 069 638
RMS ZOOM Friday, March 20, 2:00pm
Leading Worship via livestream/Facebook live
Join us for conversation, brainstorming, and tips for leading worship via livestream.
RMS 3ZOOM
Meeting ID:898 069 638
Phone: 1 669 900 9128
Meeting ID: 898 069 638
RMS ZOOM Wednesday, March 25 3:30pm
For rostered ministers, council leaders, and finance administrators.
Join our 3E Lilly Grant staff, along with the consultants leading Stewardship for All Seasons for conversation around finances and encouraging generosity during this time of gathering in person for worship.
RMS 1ZOOM
Meeting ID: 933 036 592
Phone: 1-669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 933 036 592
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Faith Formation ZOOM connection
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. beginning March 26
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Faith formation leaders are invited to join a weekly check-in via zoom each Thursday at 10 for connecting and sharing resources:
Meeting ID: 136 905 151
Phone: 1-669-900-6833
Meeting ID:136 905 151
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Connecting in New Ways: share your story!
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We're all doing things differently for worship, council meetings, faith formation activities, care ministries, etc. in our efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Use the link below
to let us know how you've adapted your normal practices or even have begun new ones so we can share best practices and post your worship and connecting opportunities on our website.
One response per ministry please!
Go here
to see the current list of your stories!
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We are constantly updating our
COVID-19 Resource page
with more topic-specific resources regarding technology, finances, worship, faith formation, etc. Check back often!
And let's not all re-create the wheel!
If you have a great resource or article to share, please submit it here:
www.rmselca.org/submit
.
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RMS Prayer Cycle
MARCH 2020
BOULDER/BROOMFIELD CONFERENCE
- Week of March 22 -
Lutheran Church of Hope - Broomfield, CO
Scott McAnally
Rejoice - Erie, CO
Phillip Kettering
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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.
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Sunday, March 22
Fourth Sunday in Lent
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Prayer of the Day
Bend your ear to our prayers, Lord Christ, and come among us. By your gracious life and death for us, bring light into the darkness of our hearts, and anoint us with your Spirit, 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
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Third Annual Heart for the Arts Gala –
Night in Vienna
-- Postponed!
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The Augustana Arts'
Heart for the Arts Gala "A Musical Night in Vienna"
previously scheduled for Saturday, March 28 has been
postponed
to a date yet to be determined.
News and updates will be forthcoming as soon as we are able to secure a location and other logistics. Please contact
lynn@augustanaarts.org
if you have any questions
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Urban Servant Corps Palm Sunday Prayer Walk
-- Postponed!
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The Urban Servant Corps is postponing this event as part of our nationwide effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. A new date will be announced when it is availalbe.
Urban Servant Corps, 1660 Ogden Street, Denver, CO
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Two Bishops Talk About Young Adult Ministry
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This event has been canceled to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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Worship and Music
Workshop
!
-- Canceled, as precaution against COVID-19
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Trinity Lutheran Church
135 Crescent Drive
This workshop has been canceled as a precaution against spread of COVID-19, and due to a local case of coronavirus.
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Last month was the 211th birthday of Charles Darwin, and while we reviewed the disagreements over evolution last month with Ted Peters, emeritus professor of systematic theology and ethics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, we are not yet done with...
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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Stewardship Toolkit for April 2020
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Here is the
April 2020 monthly "Stewardship Toolkit" that consists of an original newsletter article and weekly RCL-based "stewardship snippets" that you can cut and paste into your publications. This month's theme is
"Steward the Earth, our only home," and has some excellent resources for you to explore Creation Care.
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from ELCA Administration Matters - March 2020
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ELCA presiding bishop addresses concerns about COVID-19
A caring response in times of public health concerns, resources and guidelines for worship and church gatherings, as well as Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s letter to the church can be found
here
.
Political activity and tax status
It is important for each congregation and its leaders to understand what political activity is permissible to maintain the congregation’s tax exemption.
Being a Public Church
is a guidance for churches and clergy participating in the electoral process, an effort to expand the role of the church in encouraging faithful and non-partisan voter participation by providing faith-based resources around voting. As a leader in your ministry, make sure you know what to say and do to protect yourself, your congregation and your nonprofit status. >
More
ELCA technology discount program
This new resource describes discounts from trusted vendors for a variety of your congregation or synod technology needs: online giving, websites, mobile apps, messaging, church management, Microsoft software, PCs, laptops, tablets, peripherals, printers, copiers, scanners and faxes. >
More
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Organist/Music Coordinator
Trinity Lutheran Church - Fort Collins, CO
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Trinity is an active, ministry-driven ELCA congregation located in Fort Collins, a vibrant university community in Northern Colorado. We are currently looking for an Organist/Music Coordinator to help lead the congregation through music ministry during worship, as well as to provide overall coordination of the music program in conjunction with the chancel choir/bell choir director and the Saturday evening musicians.
The Organist/Music Coordinator position is a part-time position requiring approximately 25 hours per week including personal practice time.
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Lead Servant for Financial Resources
Abiding Hope Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
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Abiding Hope Church in Littleton, Colorado is seeking a Lead Servant for Financial Resources. Abiding Hope Church’s mission is to equip all to be the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus in the world. Abiding Hope is a radically inclusive congregation supporting ministries that transform lives in our community, throughout Colorado, across the United States, as well as in Haiti, India, and Mexico.
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Office Administrator (part-time)
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Centennial, CO
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St. Timothy’s is a growing, engaged, and loving community of faith in the Episcopal tradition. Our staff is committed to a work ethic that is collaborative, creative, and fun.
The Office Administrator is a key position in our shared work together. The Office Administrator is responsible for helping manage the offices of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church through daily tasks of communication and welcome.
Interested candidates should submit resume, contact information, and references to the Rev. Nick Myers,
nick@sttims.net.
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Director of Youth & Family Ministry
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO
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Seeking a dynamic Director of Youth & Family Ministry, with a heart for Christ to lead our thriving ministry with the youth, children, young adults and families of Christ Lutheran (CLC).This is an amazing opportunity to share the Christian faith, help create sustaining relationships, be innovative, have fun and demonstrate the value of a Christ-centered life. CLC proudly supports this ministry and those volunteers and staff working with it. A degree in ministry, teaching, counseling and/or significant experience in working with youth is required as we continue to grow God's ministry in Highlands Ranch and beyond. This salaried position requires frequent evening, weekend and occasional overnight support. Please contact Pastor Gail Mundt (
pastorgail@clchr.org) for a full job description and to send your resume.
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Organist/Music Coordinator
Trinity Lutheran Church - Fort Collins, CO
Lead Servant for Financial Resources
Abiding Hope Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
Office Administrator (part-time)
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Centennial, CO
Director of Youth & Family Ministry
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO
Minister of Music (full-time)
Augustana Lutheran Church - Denver, CO
Missional Youth MInistry Leader (part-time)
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO
Bookkeeper (part-time)
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO
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Office of the Bishop This Week
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Bishop Jim Gonia
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson
(3/4 time)
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Kurt Rager
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
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ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller
(1/2 time)
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie O'Callaghan
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Feel free to contact
Andrew Nakatan
i
, Communications Assistant, with your questions and comments about eConnection and our website!
Rocky Mountain Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
800-525-0462 / 303-777-6700 / fax
303-733-0750
Submissions
are due noon Monday each week's issue.
Past issues of eConnection may be found
here.
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