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

May 18, 2022

A RECONCILING IN CHRIST SYNOD

ASSEMBLY HIGHLIGHTS!

The Rhythm of the Saints, gathered together!

2022 Synod Assembly

May 9-11, 2022

We gathered together and reveled in the joy of being together for the first time in three years for a live synod assembly! With beating drums and lively marimbas. With poignant stories and passionate sermons. With food and fellowship and fun. We were reminded that we are truly better together as the Rocky Mountain Synod!

Highlights:

Adopted the resolution to encourage support for the ELCA World Hunger Fund. View the resolution.
Adopted the budget. View the financial packet.
Elected people to boards and committees. View election results.
Heard stories from those affected by the Boulder County fire and the ministry that continues in two poignant videos. See video links, below.
Heard from those who are often without a voice in the church or in the world. (Video will be posted).
Experienced presentations on five RMS key ministries/strategies. (Videos will be posted)
Received offerings totaling $3731 (Betela $1467.50, RMS Disaster Relief Fund $1742.50, Concordia Bell Choir $521)
Raised $7000 through the pew flip auction and extravaganza in support of 14 ministries and programs!
Enjoyed a lively performance of the Kutandara Marimba Band from Boulder.

As they are available, we will post additional videos:

NOTE TO SYNOD ASSEMBLY VOTING MEMBERS:

You have been added to this email list for our weekly eConnection newsletter so you are kept informed about how to share resources and videos related to the assembly with your congregation. Please note: the bottom of every email includes an unsubscribe link.

RMS & ELCA news and events

The floor is finally level and the ceiling is going in!

Our magical contractors have leveled the floor, and now the ceiling is taking shape before the "beetle kill" pine is installed! Meanwhile, the kitchen countertops are being installed, and a leaning tree is being removed, so all of this hard work doesn't end with a tree crashing down in a windstorm.

Won't you consider helping us out with a generous gift to the RMS Next Faithful Step Campaign? For information about giving a gift, such as a stock transfer (with the tax advantage of giving appreciated stock), contact Tina Kvitek.

Messiah Mountain is being renovated to be our new place of spiritual renewal for adults. It's an amazingly short drive into the foothills, just 8 minutes from C-470 and 285 on the way to Fairplay. 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

Give to the Campaign

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.

Watch a video about each initiative

Campaign Information & Resources

$725 scholarship means you pay just $150

Best Skills Best Churches Online Course: Enroll now!

Do you want to have effective discipleship that transforms lives?

3E is partnering with the Arizona State University Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation to offer Best Skills Best Churches. This course is offered online. It is a graduate/executive level certificate program designed to advance rostered ministers’ and lay leaders’ knowledge and skills for effective management of congregations and ministries.

View the Best Skills Best Churches Brochure.

Best Skills Best Churches course will cover:

Volunteers in Service
Legal Aspects of Governance
Effective Communication and Handling Conflict
Marketing and Community Presence
Financial Management for Effective Service
Fundraising Aspects of Stewardship.

Best Skills Best Churches will meet from 6:30 – 9:30 pm (except in December from 5:30 – 8:30 pm) on the following dates. You are allowed only TWO absences. Do not register if you cannot fully commit.

July 12 & 14
August 2 & 4
September 6 & 8
October 4 & 6
November 1 & 3
December 6 & 8

While the cost for each participant is $875, Educate, Equip, Enact (3E) will provide each participant a $725 scholarship so that the total cost for the entire course for you is only $150. Both rostered ministers and lay leaders are eligible for the scholarship. Registration deadline is June 17!

To enroll in Best Skills Best Churches, click the button below. You will then be directed to a Rocky Mountain Synod Tithely link for payment.

For further information, contact Pastor Michael Tassler, 3E Program Director, at mtassler@rmselca.org.

enroll in Best Skills Best Churches

ATTN STEWARDSHIP TEAM:

Beginning a Culture of Generosity Now

“Learned so much about stewardship, generosity, inspiring the desire to give, asking, and thanking, thanking, thanking.”

Join Beginning a Culture of Generosity (BCG). This program was curated in response to the pandemic and gives your stewardship team confidence right now while everyone is working through a variety of very real financial stressors.

BCG is a program to help guide congregations and provide the necessary tools to run a successful fall appeal. It is delivered online in six virtual sessions and begins August 20 ending December 3. In this final year of the Lilly Endowment stewardship scholarship grants, 3E is offering free tuition to five congregations that sign up before July 1. Questions, contact Deb Elstad at deb.elstad@gmail.com

BCG Print brochure/mail-in registration (here)

Visit 3E Becoming a Culture of Generosity

September 11 is God's Work. Our Hands. Sunday

On Sunday, Sept. 11, congregations of the ELCA will join together for “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday, our annual day of service.

We are a church energized by lively engagement in faith and life. As we continue our tradition of service to our neighbor, we remember the words of Martin Luther: “Our faith is a living, busy, active, mighty thing.” With our hands, we do God’s work of restoring and reconciling communities in the name of Jesus Christ.

As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, ELCA.org/DayofService has everything you need to plan and promote your day:

Old Lutheran has T-shirts and other items available for purchase. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts is Aug. 19.

Don’t forget to share your congregation’s participation with us! Send stories and photos to LivingLutheran@elca.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you.

Participate on social media using #GodsWorkOurHands.

If your congregation cannot participate on Sept. 11, please consider another day for your service activities.

You work every day to make your community a better place. We look forward to working together on “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday.

Wonderfully Made – An RMS High School Summer Experience

Registration deadline is May 31!

With the news of the cancellation of the ELCA Youth Gathering this Summer, many leaders from around the Synod stepped up and said "we need to offer something."

So we are proud and excited to announce that the Rocky Mountain Synod, in partnership with Other + Wise, will be hosting a Summer event for your high school youth! Price is TBD, however, it is sure to be less expensive than the ELCA Youth Gathering, with even further cost savings with the option to sleep on a church floor, or a hotel/Airbnb of your choice!

The large group gatherings will take place at Bethany Lutheran Church, just south of Denver in Cherry Hills Village. Immersion experiences will take place each afternoon. Registration deadline is May 31.

Each group must secure their own transportation as this experience includes travel exploration. More info at 2022myj.com and otherwise.info.

For any questions, contact our RMS Faith Formation Coordinator - Kinna Nordstrom Kemp at 303-889-9844 (call/ text) or email misskinna.cyf@gmail.com.

If you be holding a Memorial Day tribute for veterans at your church/community, please share it by contacting Vicky Daub at: director@veteranservantcorps.org.

Visit the VSCP website

Lutheran Men in Mission

Ambassador-Gram

April2022

Click on the newsletter to download, print, and share with your congregations. Visit the LMM webpage at rmselca.org/ministries/lutheran-men-mission

Lutheran Campus Ministry Regions 1 & 2

Staff Retreat June 26-29

We are on for June 26-29 at the Dumas Bay Center in Federal Way, Washington. Staff, please fill out this form to register. Synod folks, encourage the staff in your part of the world to join us for this important and life-giving event!

The cost is only be $150 per person for 3 nights in single dorm rooms with catered food and a lovely view of the bay. We'll start Sunday night with dinner and check-in. We'll have time to share about our ministries, experiences, and to have practical conversations about our work within our regional and historical context. We'll make sure we have time for prayer, rest, outdoor and urban exploring.

Lutheran Campus Ministry Network (LuMin) is a network of inclusive faith communities celebrating God’s love and grace on or near the campuses of over 230 colleges and universities across the United States.

Checks or paypal accepted. Checks should be mailed to: LCMNet, c/o Agape San Diego, 6556 Park Ridge Rd, San Diego, CA 92120-3236. To pay online go to paypal.me/LCMNet

in our prayers

Sixth Sunday of Easter

May 22, 2022

Prayer of the Day

Bountiful God, you gather your people into your realm, and you promise us food from your tree of life. Nourish us with your word, that empowered by your Spirit we may love one another and the world you have made, 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

22 - 28 May : Indian Ocean Islands: Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles

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

RMS Prayer Cycle

Metro East Conference

Week of May 22

HKBP Montclair Lutheran Church

Aurora, CO

Rev. Mercy Rumengan

Holy Love Lutheran Church

Aurora, CO

Rev. Brittany Baurle Kooi

House For All Sinners And Saints Lutheran Church

Denver, CO

Rev. Reagan Humber

Rev. Wylie M. Cook

Deacon Ryan Cronshaw

Joy Lutheran Church

Parker, CO

Rev. Rod Hank

Rev. Ryan Jerome

Lord Of The Hills Lutheran Church

Centennial, CO

Rev. Margot Wright

Messiah Community Lutheran Church

Denver, CO

Rev. Inga Oyan Longbrake

Ordination & Installation

Juan De Dios Lopez has been called to serve Milagro de la Frontera, El Paso, TX. He will be ordained and installed on Sunday, June 12 at 5 p.m.

Cristo Rey, El Paso, Texas

Color of the Day: Red

Bishop Jim Gonia captured this amazing photo of a jet traversing the path of the recent lunar eclipse.

Monthly Prayer Cycle

around the synod

AUGUSTANA ARTS PRESENTS:

Music of the Vine:

A Spanish Excursion

Friday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Augustana Lutheran Church (5000 E. Alameda Ave.)

Experience the bold, energetic, percussive sounds of Flamenco music with one of the world’s foremost solo Flamenco guitarists - René Heredia. During the performance, distinguished wine expert Claude Robbins will pair Spanish wines and cheeses for a spectacular fusion of toque and tannins that will introduce you to Spanish culture! So sit back, sip on your vino, and be serenaded by Maestro Heredia’s virtuosic talents for a perfect date night surrounded by candlelight.

Reserve your spot EARLY! We are offering a special early-bird ticket price that is $35 per person or $60 per couple. After June 5, tickets go up to $40 pp/$70 per couple.

Event is 21+. ID's will be checked at the door at the ushers' discretion - bring it with you just in case!

Purchase tickets for A Spanish Excursion

our life together

ONLINE ZOOM EVENTS

Feeling overwhelmed?

Join us for learning, conversation, and support

For more than two years, many people have used the term "overwhelmed’ to describe how they're feeling. We've struggled with a pandemic, including deaths and severe illnesses in our families and communities, social division, economic disruption, and more. There's a clinical word that can be used to describe this feeling: trauma.

Join us as we find paths to understanding what we're coping with, and ways to support one another through these unusual times. The facilitator, Dr. Edward Mooney, an ELCA pastoral ministry candidate in Colorado, is a researcher and educator who has spent years studying the effects of trauma in schools.

Join us for one of these three Zoom opportunities for learning and conversation:

Tuesday, May 24, 2022 from 6:30-9 p.m. - register now!

Thursday, June 2, 2022 from 6:30-9 p.m.

Saturday, June 11 from 9-11:30 a.m.

Leadership Lab at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL

Monday, June 20 through Saturday, June 25

Who: All students 9th grade - Age 22

What?: At Lab students experiment and practice leadership for church and community. Many have an intense transformational faith experience. Students worship as a group two times a day and attend three small group "lab" sessions daily, enjoy meals and free time together. Most learning is small group based and designed to foster both friendship within the group as labbers explore and develop their own faith in Christ.

Cost: $275-$400 Per person (food/lodging/materials)

More info at: leadershiplab.net/about

FROM THE RMS CREATION CARE TEAM

5 Ways to Green your Congregation

Click on this graphic to download a PDF version that you can print and share with your congregations!

resources

Church Organ

Ready soon for a New Home from Immanuel, Greeley

An electronic church organ will soon become available for use in a new place. It is offered by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greeley. This organ is currently used in combination with six ranks of windblown pipes. The pipes will stay in service and be interfaced with a new, upgraded console and system of speakers (early summer 2022). If you or anyone you know might be interested removing and relocating the current console and its speakers, please contact the church office at (970)352-3003 or write to office@immanuelgreeley.org.

Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology

Covalence for April/May 2022:

Coming to terms with the future

by Susan Barreto | May 8, 2022 | Covalence Monthly

The war in Ukraine has thrown us into thinking about our past World Wars and has us anxiously thinking about our future. In the realm of faith and science, the future can often be filled with wonder and a sense of something better being on the horizon due to...

Read Covalence April/May 2022