A Reconciling in Christ synod
|
|
from May 2020 Living Lutheran, Presiding Bishop Eaton,
"United"
|
In a time of physical distancing due to the coronavirus, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that we aren't islands-we are united in baptism. In her May column, she writes: "We don't have to go it alone. In fact, we cannot, because, in Christ, we are knit into one body. And just as surely as Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one-this wildly mysterious community of the Trinity-so are we one." Read her column in
English and in
Spanish, and download here -
Word/
PDF.
|
|
|
|
Bishop and Vice President Synod Assembly Report
|
Make no mistake: our life as
church becoming
will continue long after the day when this pandemic doesn’t define every aspect of our life. While it’s hard to know what specific forms that
becoming
will take – we can ready ourselves by paying attention to new opportunities before us, by taking a second look at “how we’ve always done it” and by keeping our eyes to the ways the Spirit is leading us into God’s ever-faithful, ever-unfolding future.
With that in mind, we want to share with you today some of the important initiatives in our life as the Rocky Mountain Synod, initiatives that keep us open to the Spirit’s work of shaping us into the church we need to be for the life of the world. These
church becoming
initiatives take place in an existing landscape of who we are and what we value as the people of Christ’s Church in the Rocky Mountain Synod.
We always begin with our mission:
together we proclaim and embody God’s unconditional love for the sake of the world.
As
church becoming
we never ARRIVE at this mission but are always living into its fullness. Every time we are tempted to become distracted by the countless things that demand our attention,
we return to the basic reason for being church together in the first place: we are here with one another for the sake of proclaiming and embodying God’s immense, grace-filled, cross-shaped love – for all people, for the whole creation.
|
|
|
|
eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
|
|
Synod Assembly Offerings!
|
During our recent synod assembly,
$ 4,863.28 was given to support the ELCA COVID-19 Response Fund and Betela Seminary in Madagascar! Thank you for your generosity!
|
|
...from Tabor Lutheran Church, Pueblo, CO
|
In this time of our staying safe at home,
Tabor Lutheran
reached out to their homebound who do not have internet or email access, taking an idea from another church to put all name tags on their altar, took a picture and sent it with a letter of love and encouragement!
|
|
|
|
RMS & ELCA News and Events
|
|
Second Cohort of Excellence in Leadership begins in September - ONLINE
|
“What got you here will not get you there” – Marshall Goldsmith
Well, isn’t this just the sentiment for a time like this? For generations, the church has been relying on our traditions of gathering and doing our rituals in the same place, and suddenly we cannot.
So, how are we church (better together) when we cannot be together in person? We have had to rapidly adapt to our current circumstances, and they have caused nearly everyone an unprecedented amount of anxiety. How can we take what we have been doing and step forward into the future that is emerging? Excellence in Leadership (EiL)is a program of equipping leaders for these questions. And a new cohort is beginning in September.
If you have been questioning whether or not this program is right for you, it is. If you have been wanting to participate in the program, but cannot make it fit into your schedule, the cohort beginning this fall could be just what you have been waiting for.
In this season of adaptation, the EiL program has also had to adapt. Since we do not know when it will be safe to gather in large groups, we have made the decision to offer the next cohort completely online. The curriculum will be the same. The importance will be the same. We will simply be gathering on a digital platform. This format is allowing us to remove the geographical restrictions, meaning that you will also have the opportunity of building community across the entire breadth of our Synod.
All participants will meet for the main presentation on Fridays: September 4, November 6, February 19, and May 7 from 9-12 and Saturdays: October 17, January 9, and March 20 from 9-11:30. Then, you will have the opportunity to meet in your small groups around your own schedule. What a treat!
|
|
|
|
All synod assembly reports and videos can be found on the
Assembly Resource Page. If you did not receive your assembly packet, our would like to request additional printed materials for your congregation or ministry, please contact Deacon Erin Power
Financial Reports
Ministry Magazine
Churchwide Assembly Resources
Assembly Worship Videos
Links for Videos from the Assembly (
PDF
)
For use of recorded hymns, please contact Deacon Erin Power.
Ministry Partner Videos
|
|
|
|
Campus Ministry "Guest Preacher" on May 24
Connect with our ministry partners in digital worship
|
This time of digital worship is a great opportunity to
invite staff from one or more of our synod ministry partners to join your congregation for worship, coffee hour, or other digital hangouts.
We encourage you to invite staff from our mission developers, campus ministries, outdoor ministries, and our social ministry organizations like LFS, Urban Servant, Corps, and Border Servant Corps!
Our ministry partners would love to make digital connections with parts of the synod they don’t usually get to connect with!
To kick things off, invite Pastor Bre Roberts, campus pastor at UNM in Albuquerque, NM to be your guest preacher on May 24!
A video and transcript of her sermon will be posted by May 19
. Pastor Bre will be using the lectionary texts for that Sunday.
|
|
|
|
Feedback Requested for
“A Draft Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy”
|
What does the ELCA teach about the nature and function of government in relation to God’s purposes? What is a faithful Lutheran response regarding citizenship and civic engagement?
To help guide our church on these questions, the 2019 Churchwide Assembly asked for the preparation of a social message. At this time, the message is in draft form. Through May 27, you are invited to provide feedback on how to strengthen the message.
Click
here
to read
“A Draft Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy.”
To offer feedback, please fill out the
survey
. You may also choose to email comments to
draftsocialmessage@elca.org
.
The comment period ends May 27.
|
|
Weekly Conversation for Ministry Leaders
Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m
|
Our focus for May will be our ministry partners and how they are navigating the pandemic and continuing their ministry. Please join us to learn how we can continue to support them!
This will be a weekly conversation, with a new topic each week.
Meeting ID: 917 853 401
Phone +1 669 900 6833 US
Wednesday, May 13, 3:30pm
We are excited to welcome the CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service Krish Vignarajah to share about the their work of accompanying migrants and refugees during this pandemic.
Wednesday, May 20, 3:30pm
Join us May 20 to hear from our partners at Urban Servant Corps, Border Servant Corps, Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, and Lutheran Family Services.
|
|
RMS Prayer Cycle
MAY 2020
METRO EAST CONFERENCE
- Week of May 17 -
HKBP/Montclair - Denver, CO
Mercy Rumengan
Holy Love - Aurora, CO
House for All Sinners and Saints - Denver,CO
Reagan Humber
Ryan Cronshaw
Joy - Parker, CO
Rodney Hank
|
|
 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Sunday, May 10
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Prayer of the Day
Almighty and ever-living God, you hold together all things in heaven and on earth. In your great mercy receive the prayers of all your children, and give to all the world the Spirit of your truth and peace, 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
|
|
|
|
You are invited to Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains'
First VIRTUAL Gala!?
Sunday, May 17 at 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. (log in beginning at 6:45 p.m.)
|
Tickets:
$25 Early Bird
$35 General (after May 13)
$100 Patron
In light of COVID-19, this year we will be throwing a party you can enjoy from the comfort of your living room!
Join in on the fun, featuring exciting updates about how we continue to work during a pandemic, a silent auction, and our paddle raise. Wear your gala attire, pour yourself a glass of champagne, and support us from home!
Congratulations to Mariela Ruiz-Angel!
Winner of our Eagles Wings Award, as our Distinguished Community Partner of the Year, which will be presented by Pastor Rachael Powell of St Timothy’s Lutheran Church in Albuquerque. Mariela Ruiz-Angel has been a trusted partner of LFSRM for at least 3 years. Her work with the Mayor’s Office of Albuquerque is instrumental in facilitating collaboration and innovation among service providers. She is also unique in her ability to uplift refugee’s voices in local conversations. Mariela’s leadership as a convener, organizer, and in generating resources during the Respite and Welcome work has been invaluable to LFSRM.
Bid in the Silent Auction
Featuring goods, services, and unforgettable packages- from baskets to keep you busy during quarantine, to fun family activities to celebrate once we can be out and about again. The silent auction will open one week before the event and run through the night of May 17
th
Hear Our Stories
LFRRM has served vulnerable people for more than 70 years and our program staff remain on the front lines ensuring that the populations we serve continue to access important services during COVID-19. Tune in for updates from the field and an inside look into what the "new normal" looks like at LFSRM.
Participate in a Real Time Paddle Raise
Join in on the excitement and support our work in real time, alongside other attendees.
What is a Patron Ticket?
This year, we wanted to make our virtual event as accessible as possible to promote community, learning, and support during this time. A patron ticket is closer to the normal price of a ticket to our annual gala. Purchasing a patron ticket says that you believe in our work and are in a place where you can give extra to our mission. We love our patrons!
If you are unable to participate but would still like to donate, click
here
.
|
|
|
|
Conversation about Mental Health: Healthy Relationships
Thursday, May 14, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
|
The topic "Healthy Relationships" was originally created as a part of the "Aging Mastery" program for the National Council of Aging.
The focus of this conversation is the exploration of the benefits of being socially active and the risk of social isolation, especially during this trying time of COVID-19. We will discuss practical strategies for continuing to build, maintain, and strengthen friendships and family connections.
Our facilitator is Nurit Rotbart, LCSW, a graduate of New York University Silver School of Social Work. This program is hosted by the Mental Health Ministry Team of Atonement Lutheran Church, Boulder.
Call-in: 346-248-7799, ID7597395846#;
Password: 930794
|
|
|
|
Clergy Familiarization Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
January 11-19, 2021
|
International travel is probably the furthest thing on many of our minds right now, but as of now a pilgrimage for rostered leaders with Elias Nawawieh and friends in Palestine and Israel is still scheduled for January 11-19, 2021. Obviously, there is a lot about the future, and specifically about travel, that we do not know, but we assume we will know more by mid- to late-summer. If you are interested, rest assured that there is no cancellation fee so you should not worry about that. If the trip does end up being cancelled, you will receive a full refund. Additionally, if it turns out that January is not a good or right time for travel but you are looking forward to this incredible opportunity, we will postpone the trip and not cancel if you want to keep on the priority list for registration.
Designed for rostered leaders who have not recently been to the Holy Land, this opportunity comes at an incredibly low cost to make it affordable for you. The all-inclusive price for rostered leaders is only $1,990 from Chicago, and spouses are invited to come along for $2,790. It really is an incredible opportunity to be able to spend just over a week in the Holy Land for around $2,000, but it is also a life-giving experience that will change your perspective both on the biblical narrative and on the diverse people and experiences in the land today.
|
|
|
|
Peace Not Walls (PNW) 2020 Virtual Series
|
Colleagues form our Global Mission Area Desk for the Middle East are in the midst of hosting a webinar that exposes attendees to voices from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land. Karin Brown, who leads our Peace Not Walls effort, is host of this “PNW 2020 Virtual Series.”
The series is being held every Saturday at noon (Eastern Time) , each session is 1 to 1½ hours long.
Session 4
will be a conversation with Pastor Carrie Ballenger (Jerusalem) and Pastors Meghan and Gabi Aelabouni, Jerusalem/West Bank YAGM Country Coordinators, who will share reflections on the impact of the pandemic on the churches and their communities in the context of occupation.
PNW 2020 Virtual Series Session 4 - Webinar with ELCJHL Mission Personnel
May 16 (Saturday): 7pm Jerusalem time (9am PT/10amMT/11amCT/12pm ET) (1 hour)
Join here
Links for all past and future PNW 2020 Virtual Series can be found
here.
|
|
|
|
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
|
|
Returning to Church – Ministry during the COVID-19 outbreak
from The Wisconsin Council of Churches
|
Though in the beginning many of us had mental images of all returning at once to our churches in celebration, we are now recognizing that returning to church will have to happen in phases. Gov. Tony Evers and the WI Department of Health Services have released the Badger Bounce Back, a plan to reopen Wisconsin.
|
|
|
|
Resources to help churches re-open
|
|
|
|
Coordinator of Children/Youth Faith Formation
Broadmoor Community Church, UCC- Colorado Springs, CO
|
Do you have a passion for guiding children & youth on their journey to become faithful and thoughtful adults?
Are you a person of faith who exhibits a commitment to Christ's Church and nurturing the spiritual needs of children and youth?
Do you hold an inclusive faith & justice outlook? Are you capable of strong leadership; and do you hold organizational and communication skills (written and verbal)l? Do you have both education and experience in education leadership roles?
You might be the person we are praying for! This is a part-time staff position (20-25 hrs/wk August-May w/reduced hours the remainder of the summer)--includes Sunday mornings and some evenings. Reports to the Sr. Pastor. For more information visit
https://broadmoorchurch.org/ or contact Rev. Anne Cubbage, Lead Pastor, at
acubbage@broadmoorchurch.org.
|
|
|
|
Faith Formation Interim Director
Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Longmont, CO
|
Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Longmont, CO is seeking an individual (lay or rostered) to serve as Faith Formation Interim Director to serve as the staff person for Faith Formation Ministry. This staff person will work with our current staff and volunteers as detailed in the job description which can be downloaded below. To apply, please review the complete job description below and submit a letter of interest, three references, and a BLC employment application to Pastor Katie (
pastor@bethlehem-lutheran.net) and/or to our council president, Greg Schumann (
president@bethlehem-lutheran.net) now through May 10 (or until a candidate is chosen).
|
|
|
|
Coordinator of Children/Youth Faith Formation
Broadmoor Community Church, United Church of Christ - Colorado Springs, CO
Faith Formation Interim Director
Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Longmont, CO
Organist
All Saints Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM
Director of Choirs (part-time)
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church - Los Alamos, NM
Facilities Manager
Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church - Lakewood, CO
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
|
|
Office of the Bishop This Week
|
|
Bishop Jim Gonia
- 1-1 Appointments
- St. John's, Thornton, CO
- LFS Virtual Gala
- RMS Campaign Meeting
- Available by email: jgonia@rmselca.org
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson
- Excellence in Leadership
- Camino de Vida Board Meeting
- 1-1 meetings
- Available by email: dpeterson@rmselca.org
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Kurt Rager
- All Saints, Albuquerque, NM
- New Mexico Fairness Project
- Available by email: krager@rmselca.org
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvite
|
|
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Congregational Transition
- Interim Pastors
- Excellence in Leadership
- Congregational Ministry Board
- Available by email: smoening@rmselca.org
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller
(1/2 time)
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
- RMS Campaign Meeting
- RMS Weekly Webinar
- Peace in Christ, Elizabeth, CO
- Available by email: epower@rmselca.org
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie O'Callaghan
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
