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

November 9, 2022

A RECONCILING IN CHRIST SYNOD

MISSION SUPPORT UPDATE

We are Better Together because of your congregation's generosity!

by Tina Kvitek

Did you know that generosity starts––and ends––with you? That’s right, 67% of all charitable giving comes from individuals (not foundations or corporations), and the largest recipient of those charitable gifts are congregations –– just like yours! ...so for that, I say thank you!

Did you know that your congregation is one of the 150 Rocky Mountain Synod (RMS) congregations throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and western Texas that share “Mission Support” (we used to call it benevolence) with the RMS? That Mission Support provides for training new pastors, accompanying congregations in the call process, supporting congregational ministries, and even providing services like charitable estate planning. ...so for that, I say thank you!

Did you know that almost half (47.5% to be exact) of the Mission Support we receive from our RMS congregations is forwarded on to our ELCA churchwide ministries––in addition to the direct gifts that we receive for Lutheran Disaster Response, World Hunger, and Global Mission (to name just a few)! Matter of fact, this year alone, we are anticipate sending $1.1 million dollars on behalf of our RMS congregations to the ELCA. ...so for that, I say thank you!

Everything begins with the direct generosity of individuals like YOU that support our local congregations through gifts of offering and stewardship of the resources God has entrusted to your faithful management! It continues through the support that the Rocky Mountain Synod (which is also YOU) receives from those congregations. And it is sustained with our RMS pledge to support the work of our ELCA churchwide ministries––which, you guessed it, is also YOU! ...so for that, I say thank you!

Now, let’s check in on some facts...

As of the end of October, Mission Support shared from our congregations, with the Rocky Mountain Synod totaled $1,478,100, representing a strong commitment to our ministry together! That signifies a 7.3% decrease from last year at this time, however, my friends, that’s not where our story ends!

We know that each of us has experienced a “wild ride” over the last few years, from tremendous blessings to heartbreaking loss––and sometimes that has happened all on the same day! Some congregations have experienced an increase in worship numbers, and others a decline. Some congregations have seen a steady increase in giving and surprise gifts of generosity, and others feel like they are on a financial roller coaster. But there is one thing that holds fast––to us, for us, with us––and that’s God’s abundance, in good times and in bad!

Thank you for supporting your local congregation! Our Lutheran identity is a message of hope and grace – for all! Thank you for sending Mission Support to the Rocky Mountain Synod! Our partnership matters in this world! And Thank you for helping us support our ELCA churchwide ministries as we engage in Christ’s Church––for the sake of the world... Better Together!

TOWN HALL CONFERENCE GATHERING WITH BISHOP JIM GONIA

NOVEMBER 12 IN LONGMONT, CO

Worried about your congregation today?

Wondering what the future holds?

You are not alone. People throughout the church are experiencing doubts, fears, and uneasiness about the future. Bishop Gonia would like to talk with you about the worries and wonders you are experiencing. Together we will ponder how our congregations’ ministry and witness can be shaped for the sake of the gospel.

If you are invested in our Church’s future... join us!

Eight different date/time/location options to choose from:

Sat., Sept. 03, 2022: 9am-11am at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Glenwood Springs CO
Sat., Sept. 10, 2022: 10am-12pm at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs CO
Thur., Sept. 22, 2022: 6pm-8pm at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Holladay UT
Tues., Oct. 04, 2022: 6pm-8pm at Faith Lutheran Church, Golden CO
Sat., Oct. 22, 2022: 1pm-3pm at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Casper WY
Sat., Nov. 12, 2022: 9am-11am at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Longmont CO
Sat., Nov. 19, 2022: 10am-12pm at Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church, Centennial CO
Sat., Dec. 10, 2022: 1pm-3pm at All Saints Lutheran Church, Albuquerque NM

Click here to download a PDF with live links for registration and locations.

NEXT FAITHFUL STEP CAMPAIGN

Campaign surpasses $1.1 million!

"Pivot" was the word of the day when the pandemic struck. Our Next Faithful Step Campaign did just that as all of our plans for 2020 and beyond were suddenly impossible to carry out as planned.

Even so, with generous gifts from individuals, congregations, and foundations, we far surpassed our First Step goal of $950,000 for our Next Faithful Step Campaign! Our pledges are now at $1.112 million! And we are grateful! The public phase of the campaign concludes at the end of 2022, so we invite your end-of-the-year generosity in support of these meaningful purposes:

awaken racial justice
grow in generosity
renew our spirits
equip resilient leaders
gather in harmony

Our Second Step Goal remains at $1.57 million for us to fully carry out our mission visions that will plant seeds today for stronger mission tomorrow. Contact Tina Kvitek to have a conversation about how you can support the campaign, or click below for videos and a link to give a gift.

Campaign Information & Resources

RMS & ELCA news and events

Installation Celebration

Deacon Gail Britt and Dr. Edward Mooney

The people of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran in Grand Junction, CO, celebrated the installation of Deacon Gail Britt and Dr. Edward Mooney, who are serving as a pastoral team. Deacon Gail has been called to serve as the Minister of Congregational Life and Pastoral Associate. Edward will be their pastoral leader while he completes his seminary studies through the ELCA's TEEM program.

TEEM stands for Theological Education for Emerging Ministries and is an innovative program that trains leaders for ordained ministry while serving in rural, urban, and/or culturally specific ministry settings.

FAITH FORMATION

It's your Faith Formation Network!

ZOOM MEETING

Zoom Meeting ID: 992 2724 5869

Passcode: 274795

"You are not alone! Join us every Third Thursday for our RMS Faith Formation Network meetings! (next meeting is October 20)

We are primarily online now due to the surge of COVID cases. Stay in the loop with all things Children Youth and Family Faith Formation in the Rocky Mountain Synod!"

FAITH FORMATION

Western States Youth Gathering '23

July 6-9, 2023

The Western States Youth Gathering (WSYG) and Western States Multicultural Youth Leadership Event (WYLE) is back! Coming to California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA from July 4-9, 2023, the Western States Youth Gathering is open to high school aged youth in Regions 1-4 of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The Western States Multicultural Youth Leadership Pre-Event (WYLE) will be held July 4-6, 2023.

WSYG and WYLE will gather around the theme, “Revive, Reunite, Rejoice”, grounded in Acts 2:1 “When the day [of WSYG] came, they were all together in one place.”

Early-Bird registration for the Western States Youth Gathering is now OPEN!

Learn more and register your group for the lowest possible prices at wsyg.com/registration!

LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION

October '22 Ambassador-Gram

Check out the October Ambassador-Gram for information about upcoming Events including Project Twelve, and One Life to Live. And Virtual Opportunities for Study and Fellowship such as book discussions, Bible studies, and links to Lutheran Men in Mission online resources.

Click here to view it online, or on the graphic to download a copy. Visit the LMM website, too!

VETERANS MINISTRY

SHOWERING MILITARY CHAPLAINS WITH PRAYERS AND SUPPORT

Veterans Day 2022 is Friday November 11, 2022. Veteran Servant Corps Project’s initiative this year will be to shower chaplains with prayers, love and support. Please share how your congregation chooses to do this. Pictures, stories, etc. are all welcome. Please send them to me at Director@veteranservantcorps.org. I will share them via eConnection in the weeks to come.

Are you interested in being part of our Veterans Day 2022 initiative by donating? Click here then select the General Fund Gift option, enter “Veteran Servant Corps Project” in the note/memo line. If you prefer to mail a 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.

Upcoming VSCP Events

November 13

Vicky will preach and teach at Immanuel Lutheran in Greeley, CO.

November 27

Vicky will preach at New Beginnings, inside the Denver, CO Women's Correctional Facility.

ELCA global church network

GLOBAL CHURCH

Pr. Anne Morawski is serving in Budapest, Hungary

Pastor Anne Morawski, a retired campus minister from the University of New Mexico, left for Budapest, Hungary, on October 23. Bishop Tamás Fabiny, the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary (ELCH), asked Pr. Anne to help re-establish the English language worshipping community at one of the local churches: Budapest-Fasori Evangélikus Egyházközség.

This congregation has never been an ELCA Global Mission position, but Pr. Anne and Bishop Fabiny are working with Pastor Rachel Eskessen, with the ELCA Europe desk, to make it a regular volunteer position so that someone can replace Pr. Anne in a few years. In addition to leading services in the local congregation, Pr. Anne will lead Bible studies and do campus ministry with international students. This ministry will be one of the few places in Hungary where 2SLGBTQI+ folks can be themselves. Please keep Pr. Anne, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hungary, and the congregation of Budapest-Fasori Evangélikus Egyházközség in your prayers!

The photos show the church in Budapest where Pr. Anne will be serving, as well as a photo of Pr. Anne preaching in the congregation on a previous occasion.

in our prayers

NOVEMBER 13, 2022

Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

Prayer of the Day

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without you nothing is strong, nothing is holy. Embrace us with your mercy, that with you as our ruler and guide, we may live through what is temporary without losing what is eternal, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

In God's Hands:

Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches

13 - 19 November: Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia

Intercessions and Prayers

Join us in daily prayer

ELCA Prayer Ventures are 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 (monthly)

Prayer Ventures, Living Lutheran (daily)

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 6

RMS Prayer Cycle

November 2022

Rocky Mountain Synod Staff

Transitions Ministry

Dn. Janice Zimbelman

Rev. Mandy Achterberg

Rev. Will Johnson

Libbie Reinking

Rev. Pam Stofferahn

Flip Wilson

Excellence in Leadership

Rev. Sarah Moening

Dana Anderson

3E Lilly Grant

Rev. Michael Tassler

Deb Elstad

Julie Nelson

Messiah Mountain Retreat Center

Jen Engquist

Matt Bishop

INSTALLATIONS

Pastor Lindsay Bates

Rejoice Lutheran Church, Erie CO

Saturday, November 12 at 1:00 p.m.

Color of the day is green.

Pastor Karen Matuska

Christ the King, Colorado Springs

Sunday, November 20 at 1:00 p.m.

Color of the day is white.

+ IN MEMORIAM +

Pastor Laurel Alexander

July 18, 1958 - November 4, 2022

Memorial Service

Friday, November 18, 2022 at 3:00 pm

Rose Hills Memorial Park - Memorial Chapel

3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, CA 90601

Pastor Laurel Alexander served as the pastor of Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Colorado from 1997 until 2010. We give thanks to God for the gift of Laurel's life, work, and love.

Monthly Prayer Cycle

around the synod

OUTDOOR MINISTRY

Rainbow Trail 2023 Summer Registration is Open!

DON’T WAIT! Registration for the 2023 Summer season at Rainbow Trail opened on November 1st for Rocky Mountain Synod congregations. All of our summer weeks fill quickly; by January 1, registration is open to anyone. Register online starting November 1!

AUGUSTANA ARTS PRESENTS

Stratus Chamber Orchestra invites you to ponder love, longing, and beauty

Two times and venues with Grammy-nominated soprano:

Saturday, November 12 at 7:00pm
Sunday, November 13 at 3:00pm

Join Stratus Chamber Orchestra along with Grammy-nominated Soprano Lindsay Kesselman, hailed by Fanfare Magazine as an “artist of growing reputation for her artistry and intelligence…with a voice of goddess-like splendor.”

Adam Torres and the Stratus Chamber Orchestra will search for new perspectives and unheard voices through John Mackey’s Songs from the End of the World alongside works by Borodin, Piazzolla, Whitacre, and Verdi.

Special Wine, Music, and Cheese Pairing Experience

Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 7:00pm

Historic Grant Theater - 216 S Grant St, Denver, CO 80209

Seats are limited to 100 people!

Get tickets before November 11 for exclusive early bird pricing, for $40 per person or $75 per couple (after 11/10, prices go up).

Free parking is available on the street or lot for this event.

$10 OFF WITH TICKET CODE ELCA10

Get tickets for Saturday, Nov 12

Immersive Matinée concert "in the round"

Sunday, November 13, 2022 at 3:00pm

Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E Alameda, Denver

This concert is presented in the Stratus' signature "immersive" format whereby the audience sits among and within the orchestra. Discounts for students and seniors. Pre-concert music by students in Denver Talent Education: www.dtedenver.com

$10 OFF WITH TICKET CODE ELCA10

Get tickets for Sunday, Nov 13

ZOOM MEETING

A Tale of Two Thomases: Thomas Keating and Thomas Berry

Saturday, November 12, 9:00am-noon

In this course, Rick Klein will speak about the parallels and divergences between the paths of Thomas Berry and Thomas Keating. Rick is convinced “the only way to fully follow either the road of Thomas Berry or the road of Thomas Keating, is to travel both roads. Not one followed by the other, but both roads at the same time. Although the roads appear separate, they are in essence forever linked. Berry’s Universe Story and Keating’s Spiritual Journey connect whenever … action meets contemplation, matter meets spirit, being meets doing, meaning meets purpose … in intentional awareness”

For more information, visit centeringprayer.net/TwoThomases, write to staff@centeringprayer.net or call 303-698-7729 to register.

OUTDOOR MINISTRY

Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp Senior High Retreat

Friday, November 18 to Sunday, November 20

The Senior High Retreat is specifically geared for high school youth. This retreat can be an opportunity to connect on the real struggles that high school presents, explore what life after high school might look like, and how we can live faithfully through it all.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be immersed in community on the mountain, in which we will discover and affirm the gifts that God has given us. November in the mountains can be chilly, but also refreshing both physically and spiritually. Join us and other senior high youth in the Synod for a faith adventure in the mountains!

Get more info and signup at: rainbowtrail.org /retreats/rtlc-senior -high-retreat

SOUTHEAST COLORADO

As Foretold

an oratorio for chorus, strings and organ

CANÕN CITY

Saturday, November 19, 4 pm

The Steeple Community Events Center, 701 Macon Ave

COLORADO SPRINGS

Sunday, November 20, 4 pm

Saint Michael's Episcopal Church, 7400 Tudor Road

The Royal Gorge Philharmonic presents As Foretold, an oratorio for chorus, strings and organ with performing choral groups from Shepherd of the Hills ELCA, Air Force Academy Cadet Choir, Church of Latter-Day Saints Ward One Choir and Saint Michaels Episcopal Church Choir.

Questions, contact bearblanca@aol.com.

our life together

SAVE THE DATE!

Give to these organizations through the Colorado Gives Day website:

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains
New Beginnings Worshipping Community
EbenEzer Care Center
Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp
Urban Servant Corps

NOTE FROM DAVE JARVIS

SUPPORT RAINBOW TRAIL!

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 Rainbow Trail on Tuesday, December 6. Each donation helps RTLC receive additional funds from Community First Foundation through a sum that's divided among all participating non-profit organizations and prizes at the end of the day. You can even make your CO Gives Day gift NOW so you won't forget to donate! Gifts made in November on the CO Gives website will count toward Rainbow Trail's Colorado Gives Day total on December 6.

Give for Rainbow Trail!

ZOOM MEETING

Discussion of the ELCA Social Message on Climate Change

Saturday, November 12, 10:00am

The Creation Care Team will be holding an online discussion, Saturday, November 12 at 10:00am, of the new ELCA Social Message on Climate Change. Everyone is invited to join us in this conversation.

Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/j/83008940316

"Acting upon a request from several sources, in November 2021 the ELCA Church Council authorized the development of an ELCA social message on climate care. Social messages are ELCA teaching documents that address a focused social topic. Drawing from existing social teaching, they provide theological rationale and social analysis to foster discernment and engagement on a relatively narrow social issue. This project was authorized in light of the grim contemporary situation affecting our global home and the need for fresh action on the part of this church. It draws its framing themes from several social statements, particularly Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice.

A draft of the social message "Earth's Climate Crisis" is now posted for public comment! Feedback of this kind helps the drafters know how the document could be more clear, helpful and faithfully Lutheran. Please read the social message draft and use this survey to share your input by Friday, Dec. 2. Questions or longer responses can be emailed to draftsocialmessage@elca.org.

The draft will be edited, guided by the feedback, and presented to the ELCA Church Council to be voted on this coming spring."

Read and Respond

FORT MORGAN, CO

A Table for All

an interfaith, intercultural community meal centered on our shared gratitude to God

Sunday, November 13, 4:00pm

Pioneer Elementary School

415 Spruce St, Fort Morgan, CO 80701

Common to all of our faith traditions is the importance of giving thanks to God for the provision of all of our needs. Additionally, our faith traditions teach us to welcome the stranger and to love our neighbor. It is with this motivation that we are coming together for a meal to give thanks together for the gift of being part of this community.

What to Bring: food that says “home” to you!

It might be a main dish, a salad, or a dessert. As we strive to be welcoming to all our neighbors’ needs, please provide a label with the name of the recipe and all included ingredients.

Download a flyer and bulletin insert. Hosted by the Fort Morgan Islamic Center and the Fort Morgan Ministerial Alliance

DENVER, CO

Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb speaking at Bethany Lutheran

Sunday, November 20 at 11:20am

4500 E Hampden Ave

Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113

Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb is the Founder and President of Dar al-Kalima University of Arts and Culture in Bethlehem. Bright Stars of Bethlehem is the non-profit group in the US that supports the university. Dr Raheb is the most widely published Palestinian theologian to date. He has authored and edited 40 books.

Rev. Dr. Raheb will bring greetings at the 8:30 and 10:00 worship experiences and then have an opportunity to present during Bethany's Community Time. He will also have time for Q&A following his talk. All are invited to attend.

Click on the graphic to go to a version with live Zoom links.

Or click here for the Zoom link

Or click here for the Call-in link

get to know our synods

Southwestern Texas (4E)

"The congregations, the people, and the ministries in our expansive geographical region of the Southwestern area of Texas––this is synod. Our local ministry and witness includes 250+ rostered ministers, 120+ congregations, 6 campus ministries, Cross Trails Ministry, numerous ministry partners including Upbring and Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest, the Office of the Bishop, and the Synod Council."

God's grace transforms and connects us to learn, to love, to lead.

This guides our priorities and work together as the synod.

The Rev. Sue Briner currently serves as Bishop of the Southwestern Texas Synod.

Visit www.swtsynod.org and on Facebook.

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

resources

HOLY SHEPHERD, LAKEWOOD, CO

Congregational Mailboxes looking for a new home! - 4 sets

Holy Shepherd has 4 sets of wooden mail slots that are in perfect shape and are looking for a new home.

There are four sections, each is 53"w x 46-1/2"h x 11"d. There are 184 slots per section, slots measure 2x5." The picture shows them sitting on cabinets, but they are not attached.

For more information please feel free to call Diane at 303.349.9430 or email dklinkerfues@holyshepherd.com.