Together we proclaim and embody God's unconditional love for the sake of the world.
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March 2, 2022
A RECONCILING IN CHRIST SYNOD
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+Blessing the Dust
for Ash Wednesday
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All those days
you felt like dust,
like dirt,
as if all you had to do
was turn your face
toward the wind
and be scattered
to the four corners
or swept away
by the smallest breath
as insubstantial—
did you not know
what the Holy One
can do with dust?
This is the day
we freely say
we are scorched.
This is the hour
we are marked
by what has made it
through the burning.
This is the moment
we ask for the blessing
that lives within
the ancient ashes,
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that makes its home
inside the soil of
this sacred earth.
So let us be marked
not for sorrow.
And let us be marked
not for shame.
Let us be marked
not for false humility
or for thinking
we are less
than we are
but for claiming
what God can do
within the dust,
within the dirt,
within the stuff
of which the world
is made
and the stars that blaze
in our bones
and the galaxies that spiral
inside the smudge
we bear.
—Jan Richardson
“Blessing the Dust” appears in Jan Richardson's book, Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons.
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3E grants available for rostered ministers
Responding to Pandemic-Raised Financial Challenges Faced by Rostered Ministers
The Covid-19 global pandemic has caused stress in many rostered ministers in our synod. Whether Covid-related medical bills or expenses, reduction in household income, the need for mental health and emotional support, or the need now to take a time of leave for renewal, the objective of 3E Pandemic Relief Grants is to respond to critical financial challenges faced by rostered ministers that have been exacerbated or made more visible by the Covid-19 pandemic. Explore the options to find the relief and support you need: Types of available Pandemic Relief Grants Flyer (PDF).
For more information about 3E and how you might become a part, contact Pastor Michael Tassler, Program Director at Contact 3E.
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MARSHALL FIRE:
Connect. Pray. Love.
Connect. Pray. Love. is an opportunity for your faith community to focus on Marshall Fire survivors for one week in 2022 by:
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Connecting with Christ the Servant Church (Louisville, CO) and Trinity Lutheran Church (Boulder, CO) by sharing our story
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Praying for those affected by the Marshall Fire
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Sharing gifts of love
Feel free to share Pastor Stephanie Lord’s video on your website, in your newsletter, and/or during worship. Stephanie Lord is the pastor of Christ the Servant Church. Her home was destroyed in the fire.
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Please be reminded that no tangible items are needed at this time. The storehouses are overflowing with generous donations. | |
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DEADLINE FOR RESOLUTIONS, DISPLAYS, MAGAZINE PAGE EXTENDED
The Rhythm of the Saints
finding the beat for ministry and service in post-covidian times
2022 Synod Assembly
May 9-11, 2022
Loveland, Colorado
Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center
2 p.m. on Monday, May 9 through noon on Wednesday, May 11
(HOTEL REGISTRATION LINK IS COMING SOON)
We will gather for worship and fellowship to grieve the losses of these past two years and to celebrate one another in the Spirit that has kept us moving!
Questions? Concerns? More Information? Please contact Deacon Sarah Bjornebo. Registration deadline is April 1.
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Resolutions/Memorials, Ministry Magazine, and Display Tables
The deadline is March 3 to submit your intent to submit a resolution/memorial, to reserve a page on our annual "ministry magazine," and to reserve a display table. These opportunities are open to recognized RMS and ELCA ministries and organizations.
COVID Protocol
As part of registration, all assembly participants will be required to upload proof of "up-to-date" vaccinations and boosters as appropriate for the individual's age. Other COVID protocols will be determined closer to the event.
Are you are retired pastor or deacon and want to attend as a voting member?
There is still space for retired pastors/deacons to attend! Contact office@rmselca.org for more information.
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Nominations and Elections
The deadline for nominations is March 22. Nominations are open for these positions:
ELCA Church Council (Young Adult male or non-binary)
Synod Council
- One (lay or rostered) from the North Colorado Conference
- One (lay or rostered) from the Utah Conference
- One (lay or rostered) from the North New Mexico Conference
- One (lay or rostered) from the Metro East Conference
- One At-Large lay male or non-binary
- One At-Large lay female or non-binary
- One Youth
- Two from ethnic-specific congregations
Consultation Committee (1 lay male or non-binary, 1 minister of Word and Sacrament)
Discipline Committee (2 lay males or non-binary, 2 male or non-binary ministers of Word and Sacrament)
Mission Outreach Board (6)
Congregational Ministries Board (4)
Global Mission Committee (1)
Campus Ministry Committee (3)
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RMS & ELCA news and events | |
Above is the "before photo" of the Messiah Mountain kitchen, compared with some of our beaming volunteers showing off their work in progress! | |
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VOLUNTEER... AND BE REFRESHED IN THE MOUNTAINS!
Paint Day at Messiah Mountain is March 5; Floor Demo Day March 26
We are excited to show off the start of the kitchen transformation at Messiah Mountain Retreat Center. The next paint day is March 5 at 9 a.m. We should be done after a couple hours as we finish the cupboard painting and install new hardware. March 26 is our floor demolition day! Sign up for our Work Days on one or both days! Thank you for helping us with this renewal using volunteer hours!
Messiah Mountain is being renovated to be our new place of spiritual renewal for adults. It's an amazingly short drive into the foothills in Indian Hills, just west of Denver. Map the location.
Gifts to the Rocky Mountain Synod "Next Faithful Step" campaign are funding this renewal! Learn about the campaign and give a gift here: rmselca.org/next-faithful-step
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Next Online event is March 26
RSVP now for free GENEROSITY watch parties
You are invited to participate in our upcoming GENEROSITY WATCH PARTIES! We have selected topics that people have been hungry for, and will bring a power packed hour of information at each Zoom session that will cover important technical aspects, critical adaptive components, and the spiritual grounding that centers and connects us all to God’s work!
These sessions are open to rostered and lay leaders throughout the Rocky Mountain Synod at NO COST.
Topic: GENEROSITY AND THE BUDGET
Saturday, March 26 at 10:00am
Register and you will receive the Zoom link prior to the session.
Questions? Contact Tina Kvitek, RMS Development Director or Deb Elstad, RMS 3E Associate Director of Stewardship.
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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.
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TRIFOLD BROCHURE
Summary of the four initiatives and the Racial Justice tithe:
Excellence in Leadership
Messiah Mountain Retreat Center
3E Lilly Grant
Lutheran Center
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JOIN THE LAST 'STEWARDSHIP FOR ALL SEASONS' COHORT!
What does the past year mean to the beginning of culture change?
3E is in the final year of the generous Lilly Endowment grant that has helped fund Stewardship for All Seasons (SAS). Here’s what pastors and congregation leaders have said about the impact of SAS:
- You helped me understand how my offering has an impact in the congregation and outside it.
- Learned that we focused on scarcity vs generosity. Totally changed how we look at stewardship and the way we talk and think about money at church.
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SAS provides a year-round plan … to help members live and give generously.
- We used the process to really focus on our mission goals and began communicating more clearly who we are as the people of God and what God called us to do.
- We could tell there was positive, thoughtful movement of the Spirit!
We are recruiting the last cohort for 3E’s Stewardship for All Seasons to begin May 21. The value of SAS is evident in the reflections above. The process of getting from “training,” which is about transmitting knowledge or information, to culture-changing “learning,” is about the process of absorbing information to build skills that can be used in a variety of contexts. It is our ongoing hope that SAS have become transformative learning about generosity in our life together.
If you have interest in joining this last cohort, there are places available for first-time SAS congregations in Year 1 and also places for congregations who have completed SAS Year 1 and want to further their generosity culture-changing by participating in SAS Year 2. Contact Deb Elstad or submit this webform: rmselca.org/express-interest-3e-sas-final-cohort-2022.
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Ten $100 Scholarships Available
White Privilege Conference
March 9-12
The Privilege Institute (TPI) provides challenging, informative, and practical strategies to equip and empower people, organizations, institutions, and communities committed to action and accountability related to issues of diversity, power, privilege, and leadership.
This year's annual conference is in person at Charlotte, North Carolina, or online. The registration fee is the same. The Rocky Mountain Synod Council is making available ten $100 scholarships to attend either in person or online.
Information and registration is available. If you would like to be one of the first ten to request a scholarship, please email Pastor Barbara Berry-Bailey.
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Lutheran Men in Mission
One Year to Live is NOT your typical men’s retreat!
Developed by LMM in partnership with Lyman Coleman, pioneer of small group ministry, CEO and founder of Serendipity Publishing House. The One Year to Live retreat is designed to be a life changing, lay led event.
Consider attending the upcoming One Year to Live retreat that will be held at Camp Santa Maria in Grant, CO from April 22-24.
Retreat information & registration form
Online registration and payment option
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Veteran Servant Corps Project
Get our new brochure: A Time to Reconnect!
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Share the new Veterans Servant Corps Project brochure! Get it here: print or online version.
March 20 – Vicky Daub is visiting Bethel Lutheran, Aurora, CO and will deliver a Temple Talk during the 9:30am worship service where Pastor Barb Lemke will be preaching.
April 22-24 – VSCP first Veterans Couples retreat at Rainbow Trail Lutheran camp. This retreat is free for any/all Veteran couples. Interested in participating? Click here to contact Vicky Daub.
Have Veterans events at your church/community that you would like to publicize; want Vicky or another VSCP board member to visit your church/community? Contact Vicky Daub.
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First Sunday in Lent
March 6, 2022
Prayer of the Day
O Lord God, you led your people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide us now, so that, following your Son, we may walk safely through the wilderness of this world toward the life you alone can give, 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
06 - 12 March : Ireland; United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales
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
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RMS Prayer Cycle
BOULDER/BROOMFIELD CONFERENCE
Week of March 6
Atonement Lutheran Church
Boulder, CO
Rev. Chad Kohlmeyer
Deacon Ann Maki
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Longmont, CO
Rev. Katie Chullino
Christ The Servant Lutheran Church
Louisville, CO
Rev. Stephanie Lord
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Ordinations
Wylie Cook
All Saints Lutheran Church, Wales, WI
Saturday, March 26 at 11:00am
Wylie is called to serve as associate pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints, Denver, CO
Color of the day is Red
Samm Melton Hill
St Paul Lutheran Church, Arlington, MA
Sunday, April 3 at 6:00pm
Samm is called to serve Highlands, Denver, CO
Color of the day is Red
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Installations
Pastor Kate Davidson
Lord of the Mountains, Dillon, CO
Saturday, March 19, 3pm
Color of the day is Purple
Pastor Pam Challis
Trinity, Boulder CO
Sunday, March 20 1pm
Color of the day is Purple
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AUGUSTANA ARTS PRESENTS:
Synergy of Stratus II: For the Love of Music
Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.
Augustana Lutheran Church (5000 E. Alameda Ave.)
Enter code WelcomeBack2022 at checkout for $10 OFF all ticket price levels.
Our final Stratus concert of the season transcends all the challenges of the year with a synergistic concert of exciting works by Vaughan Williams, Beethoven, Rand, and Haydn. Guest Conductor Adam Torres leads the orchestra in a night celebrating the love of music; sharing this passion with fellow artists, friends, family, and patrons of Stratus in concert is sure to stir from within the profound hope and joy music elicits in all of us.
The highlight of the evening is the world premier work of renowned composer, Dr. James M. David, with a commissioned selection for this concert. Plus, we are pleased to champion the talents of a rising young cellist, Kelcey Howell, for the moving Haydn Cello Concerto No. 2 in D Major.
Join Stratus for ONE NIGHT ONLY as they also perform Rands’ Fanfare for a Festival, Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 (Pastorale).
Masks and PoV may be requested at the time of this concert and will follow prescribed state, city and church guidelines.
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AUGUSTANA ARTS PRESENTS:
The Concordia College Choir from Moorhead, MN
Friday, March 11, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Come hear Michael Culloton conduct the 69-voice a cappella Concordia Choir at Augustana Lutheran Church and experience one of America's finest choirs seen nationwide on public television and heard in Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, and across the country in concert.
All tickets are general admission. Adult tickets are $25 and student tickets are $5. Concordia alumni receive a discounted price of $20 per ticket.
There will be two concert sites:
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Denver, Colorado, Friday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. at Augustana Lutheran Church: Tickets
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Colorado Springs, Thursday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church: Tickets
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Luther House NM presents "Ecumenical Ashes on the Go"
Wednesday, March 2 from 12:00pm-1:00pm MST
Please join us at the University of New Mexico to celebrate "Ecumenical Ashes on the Go" on Wednesday, March 2 from 12-1pm. Luther House has invited a multitude of clergy from around campus and the city to impose ashes in a variety of ways. Luther House will have a main information table set up in Smith Plaza, just outside the Student Union Building. Pairs of clergy will be distributing traditional and touch-free ashes around central campus from the Duck Pond to the Student Union Building. Visit LutherHouseNM.org for more info.
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ONLINE EVENT
Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains
Foster Care Info Meeting - Colorado Springs
Tuesday, March 29, 2022, 12:30 pm – 1:15 pm
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a foster parent or how YOU can personally help kids and young adults in the child welfare system? Join us for an informal Q & A session on just what it takes to be a foster parent. At LFSRM, we are committed to answering your questions and alleviating your concerns because we believe that you CAN be a foster parent and we will be there to support you every step of the way.
For more information and to register for this session, please contact Beth Schlauch at beth.schlauch@lfsrm.org. Registration required to received login information.
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ONLINE EVENT
The Book of Hope Discussion
April 9 at 10:00am
Join the Creation Care Team to discuss "The Book of Hope," a great read for Lent and is perfect to discuss right before Easter. Focus on one chapter a week during Lent or read the whole thing in one sitting. This book will also have us well prepared for Earth Day on April 22. The book is very easy to read and remarkably enjoyable. Jane reminds us that there is hope and to not be afraid, and we will reflect on that in our Lutheran context. Read more about "The Book of Hope" here.
Join on Zoom at us02web.zoom.us/j/83008940316
Questions, email rmscreationcareteam@gmail.com
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Stories and puppets for ministry! | |
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Joni Lundin McNamara lives in Dubois, WY, and is a longtime ELCA writer and creator of children's ministry resources. She writes Bible Stories for Young Readers, ages 6-12.
She is the author of Bible Stories according to Tuffy Turtle and The Gospel according to Tuffy Turtle. Her website also has some great resources for puppet ministry scripts and lesson plans. Her books are on sale through April 2022.
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office of the bishop this week | |
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- Conference of Bishops, Chicago, IL
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson
- Congregational Ministries Board
- Innovation-Mission Outreach Board
- New Beginnings Worshiping Community
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CANDIDACY, FIRST CALL, ROSTER SUPPORT, AND GLOBAL CHURCH
Pastor Diana Linden-Johnson
- Candidacy Conversations
- First Call Planning
- Excellence in Leadership
- Vacation (March 6-8)
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LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
- Legislative hearings
- Colorado Social Legislation Committee
- Vacation
UTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Kurt Rager
- Fair Lending Coalition
- NM Ethics Coalition
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR ADMIN & COMMUNICATION
Pastor Kent Mueller
- Administration & Communication
- Messiah Mountain Work Days
DIRECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT/LUTHERAN CENTER
Tina Kvitek
- Holy Shepherd, Lakewood, CO
- Our Savior's, Greeley, CO
- Norther Colorado Conference
- South East Colorado Conference
- Excellence in Leadership
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Facility Maintenance Technician
All Saints Lutheran Church - Aurora, CO
All Saints Lutheran Church (ASLC) is a parish of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We are looking for a facility maintenance technician. The maintenance technician at All Saints Lutheran Church is an essential role that serves in a way that is consistent with All Saints’ mission and values. See Indeed job posting here.
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Kent Mueller, Assistant to the Bishop for Administration and Communication
Andrew Nakatani, Communications Assistant
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
800-525-0462 / 303-777-6700 / fax 303-733-0750
rmselca.org
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