Our church teaches that, as a matter of dignity for all people, the U.S. has an international and moral responsibility to honor the human rights and dignity of migrants, and to not be silent in the face of racial injustice against people of African descent ("Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent," 2019). Migrants should have access to humanitarian protection, including asylum; this can be accomplished by applying the public health recommendations of experts, lifting Title 42 and seeking civil society partners for a compassionate whole-of-society, whole-of-government response. This rapid expulsion of Haitians, back to Haiti and to other countries, is not a responsible or humane migration-management strategy.

In 2020, Sky Ranch led the pack among participating Outdoor Ministries across the US. We ended the event with 117 participants who either walked, ran, biked, swam, or hiked their way to 5K greatness. Through the amazing support of participants and their sponsors we raised $45,271.25 for Sky Ranch!

For 2021, we are excited to build upon last year and have added a "Hike-a-Thon" option to the list. We loved seeing the pictures and texts from participants completing their 5K for camp.

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains is working closely with Lutheran Refugee and Immigration Service (LIRS) to begin helping Afghan refugees resettle into our communities. Right now, LFSRM is welcoming monetary donations rather than collecting donations of items. A new helpful document provides information on how to partner with LFSRM in welcoming Afghan refugees and includes contact information for LFSRM staff resources in Albuquerque, Denver, Colorado Springs, and Greeley.

"How to Start a Church with Three Showers and a Trailer" - An article you should read if you're interested in innovative approaches to God's mission. Find it at: https://connectjournalorg.wordpress.com/2021/09/20/how-to-start-a-church-with-three-showers-and-a-trailer/

Students in the initiative lack generational wealth and most will be the first to graduate from college in their households. The hope is to provide students who cannot afford the high cost of rent in Fort Collins the stability of housing so that they can graduate in a timely manner and with manageable debt. Students in the initiative are also surrounded by community-- including peer support, life coaches, and guidance from a masters level School of Social Work intern. LuMin is working to advocate for this often “invisible” population in our university town.

Join us via Zoom for Pastor Paul Judson’s program about this vital new ministry!

While we are eager to gather with the supporting Urban Servant Corps community, we also want to acknowledge that not all are ready to be in large group event settings. Understandable! Our hope is that we can find the "happy medium" in offering the opportunity for some smaller in-person gatherings in addition to on-line options so that we can continue to celebrate and share the important stories of the USC volunteers, their service sites and our growing alumni community that is changing the world! Therefore, you are invited to participate in whatever way feels best and meaningful to you -- either by attending a smaller-group "house party" event hosted by a USC Board member or alumnus or joining via Zoom!

Join Pastor Michael TeKrony on a journey of photography and spiritual reflection at Messiah Mountain Retreat Center, located in Indian Hills, a short drive into the foothills on Highway 285 (map).

Michael says, “The camera invites us to pay attention to what is right in front of us. When we focus, either near or far, God comes into view. Using the camera lens, my hope is that we can practice and grow in our awareness of God, right in front of us.”

You will provide your own cell phone camera or other photography equipment.

Messiah Mountain is a gift to the Rocky Mountain Synod recently given by Messiah Community Church, which acquired the 27 acre mountain retreat in1969. This day-long experience is limited to 20 participants. Cost is $24 and includes lunch. Please register by October 18. Questions? Contact Kent Mueller at kmueller@rmselca.org

October 17, 2021 at 8:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. – Vicky Daub (Executive Director) will be preaching at Zion Lutheran, Loveland, Colorado. To watch online, Zoom here (Meeting ID: 810 0730 8575 Passcode: 331760).

Visit the RMS website for the full VSCP calendar and more!

Share the new Veterans Servant Corps Project brochure! Get it here.

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 at lvdaub2@gmail.com.

Color of the Day: Green

Join us and other high schoolers on the mountain during this weekend of rest and reflection. This weekend will give us a chance to step back from our busy lives of school/work/etc. and surround ourselves with God's creation in the midst of its beautiful fall transformation.

Cost: $110 per youth = $75 per adult

For more info contact cole@skyranchcolorado.org

God. In this talk Rabbi Rami will use elements of the Twelve Steps as well as insights common to all mystical traditions to

Please go to https://www.centeringprayer.net/RamiShapiro to register or call 303-698-7729

As they did last year with the Gospel of Mark, Pam Faro (Broomfield, CO), a professional biblical storyteller who has performed and taught around the globe, will tell key parts of Luke’s story; and Richard Swanson (Sioux Falls, SD), professor at Augustana University and the director of the Provoking the Gospel Storytelling Project, will guide our exploration of Pam’s performances. We will experience the story together, and we will think together about how hope is possible in a brutal and disappointing world.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Kwok Pui Lan is the 2021 Everding Distinguished Lecturer. Dr. Kwok is Dean’s Professor of Systematic Theology at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, USA, and a past president of the American Academy of Religion. She has authored and edited numerous books on Asian and Asian American feminist theology, biblical interpretation, and postcolonial criticism. Her publications include Postcolonial Imagination and Feminist Theology; Globalization, Gender, and Peacebuilding; and Discovering the Bible in the Non-Biblical World. She is also the editor of Women and Christianity in 4 volumes. This year, she received the Lanfranc Award for Education and Scholarship from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Her forthcoming book Postcolonial Politics and Theology will be published in December 2021.

As an Everding Distinguished Lecturer, Dr. Kwok will give a public lecture on Tuesday, October 12, at 7 p.m. (MDT). The title her lecture is Women’s Protests and Religion. Please RSVP for the webinar here.

Due to the pandemic, her lecture will be in a webinar format. Click this Zoom link to join the webinar on Tuesday, October 12, at 7 p.m. (MST).

The Center for EcoJustice at the Iliff School of Theology is pleased to announce its next conference – to be held virtually on October 21 and 22, 2021. The conference will focus on the intersection of environmental racism and immigration. What impact does shifting climate have on populations whose lands are being devastated? Forced to leave, what impact does shifting people have upon overstrained world resources?

For the tentative schedule, and presenters, visit the conference webpage.

For more information about the conference, please contact: ecojustice@iliff.edu.

To register for this conference, go HERE.

FEMA needs your help. Our Funeral Assistance Program offers reimbursement for COVID-19 related funeral expenses dating back to last year when the pandemic began. However, applications for this assistance in many areas of Colorado are currently running below the national average and we want to make sure that everyone eligible knows they can apply. Download this flyer that has information about how you may apply for these funds.

Sky Ranch is accepting applications for an Executive Director responsible for the oversight and management of the ministry and property of Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp.

Sky Ranch, an outdoor ministry of the ELCA, is a 117-acre seasonal facility located adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park. Job description is available here and more info is online at https://www.skyranchcolorado.org/executive-director-transition. Applications are due no later than October 31st, 2021. For more information or questions please contact Lindsay Reiten at SkyRanchSearch@gmail.com or 970.591.2194

Bethany Lutheran Church, Cherry Hills Village, CO seeks a Coordinator of Volunteerism and Administrative Assistant who will support the Faith Formation Team, assist in recruiting volunteers for a variety of volunteer opportunities, work in an office setting in a flexible manner. Job description here. Contact Pastor Gary Sandberg, gary@bethany-denver.org to apply or for questions.