A Reconciling in Christ synod |
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Trans Day of Visibility, March 31 |
A reflection by Pastor Asher O'Callaghan
In the beginning, God created day and night. But have you ever seen a sunset!?!? Well trans and non-binary people are kind of like that. Gorgeous. Full of a hundred shades of color you can't see in plain daylight or during the night.
In the beginning God created land and sea. But have you ever seen a beach?!?! Well trans and non-binary people are kind of like that. Beautiful. A balanced oasis that's not quite like the ocean, nor quite like the land.
In the beginning God created birds of the air and fish of the sea. But have you ever seen a flying fish, or a duck or a puffin that swims and flies, spending lots of time in the water and on the land!?!? Well trans and non-binary people are kind of like that. Full of life. A creative combination of characteristics that blows people's minds.
In the beginning God also created male and female, in God's own image, God created them. So in the same way that God created realities in between, outside of, and beyond night and day, land and sea, or fish and birds, so God also created people with genders beyond male and female. Trans and non-binary and agender and intersex, God created us. All different sorts of people for all different sorts of relationships. Created from love to love and be loved. In God's image we live.
God is still creating you. You are no less beautiful and wild than a sunset or a beach or a puffin. You are loved. You have a place here.
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Bishop Eaton issues statement on gun violence |
3/26/2021 2:45:00 PM
He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed (1 Peter 2:24).
Dear church,
As a nation we have lived through a very difficult two weeks following the mass shootings in Atlanta on March 16 and again in Boulder, Colo., on March 22. The shooting in Colorado was only the most recent of 104 mass shootings already in 2021. Colorado has a painful history of mass shootings. Since 1993 the deadliest incidents have been the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, the mass shooting in a movie theater in Aurora and now the 10 lives taken, including the life of a responding police officer, at a supermarket in Boulder.
Together with God, we grieve with the families and communities impacted by gun violence — especially in communities where it is an everyday occurrence. These shootings are not isolated but rather a pattern of the gun violence crisis in the United States. The numbers of victims tell only a part of the pain — the trauma caused by gun violence ripples across family members, friends, neighborhoods, communities and this country.
As we near the Sunday of the Passion, we enter into the suffering of Christ and into solidarity with the sufferings of the world. As we look to the healing power of the cross, we celebrate the gift of peace through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As followers of Jesus, we are empowered to take up the challenge to prevent violence and grapple with the complex causes that make violence so pervasive.
The ELCA is a church in society striving for peace in all the world. Let us join with others in calling for greater gun safety, including preventing easy access to assault-style weapons and strengthening our federal system of background checks for all gun sales. We call for support and protection for those living out their vocations to protect and defend society, enforce the law and work toward restorative justice. We pray for rostered ministers who provide support and counseling services to those affected by gun-violence-related crimes even as we pray for the perpetrators of violent acts. We call upon congregations to hold safe space for those dealing with the fears and threats related to violence in all its manifestations.
In Christ,
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The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
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Bishop Eaton's Easter Message |
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RMS & ELCA News and Events |
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2021 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly
April 29-May 1
Location: ZOOM
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The registration deadline is April 9. Due to the time needed to assemble and mail out materials, we will not be accepting late registrations. |
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Join Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary for an Easter Vigil Service
Saturday, April 3, 8:00 p.m.
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Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary invites you to join its Easter Vigil worship watch party on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 8:00 pm Mountain Time on the PLTS Facebook page. The worship service includes a liturgy of Word, music, readings, reflections, and prayers, led by PLTS students, pastors, and faculty with plenty of water and fire for all! You don’t need a Facebook account to participate. A recording of the service will also be available on the PLTS Worship YouTube channel. We hope you will join us for this once in a pandemic online worship experience as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Sara Wilson at swilson@plts.edu.
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Save the date!
Service of the Word for Second Sunday of Easter
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The five synods of Region 2 (Sierra Pacific, Southwest California, Pacifica, Grand Canyon, and Rocky Mountain) will be producing and sharing a pre-recorded Service of the Word for congregational use for April 11, the 2nd Sunday of Easter. This service will be posted on the RMS Vimeo channel and emailed to conference deans when it is available. |
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RMS Prayer Cycle
April 2021
Wyoming Conference
- Week of April 4 -
Ascension Lutheran
Cheyenne, WY
Rev. Michael Mortvedt
Covenant Lutheran
Wheatland, WY
Rev. Joshua Bruns
Faith Lutheran
Lander, WY
Rev. Kris Trahnstrom
Good Shepherd Lutheran
Casper, WY
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Sunday, April 4, 2021
Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter Day
Prayer of the Day
O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, that we may live with him forever in the joy of the resurrection, through your Son, Jesus Christ our 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
04 - 10 April : The Balkans - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia - 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.
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Conversations for Connection: Supporting Mental Health
“When Bad Things Happen to Good People"
Thursday, April 8, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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Borrowing the line from Rabbi Kushner's seminal work, we will reflect with one another on questions of human fragility, the trauma of violence, and how our religious and wisdom traditions help us make meaning of atrocity. How do we transform our experiences of shock, grief and lament into narratives of resiliency and wholeness? And how do our spiritual practices across traditions lead us from despair into hope?
Rev. Jason Hays collaborates and co-conspires with those working in fluid gender identities, postmodern anti-racist practices and contemplative theologies. Jason is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, working at Montview Presbyterian Church in Denver.
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Celebrate Music Encounters:
An Evening of Uplifting Music & Inspiring Stories about Music Teachers
Friday, April 16, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
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Celebrate the music teachers in our life who inspire and encourage young lives in the arts! Join us for an evening of uplifting music as the teachers from City Strings share their stories of their early encounters in music followed by a favorite composition or two. This virtual presentation will debut on Friday, April 16 at 7:00pm.
Let us know you can attend by making a reservation at https://www.augustanaarts.org/tickets. This is a FREE virtual concert, but your donations are always appreciated in support of the arts. |
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Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp
April 19-21, 2021
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Attention youth ministry and faith formation professionals! Registration for THE SUMMIT is open! Join us virtually or residentially on April 19-21st to be led by Kinna Marie, Jay Gamelin, Bryan Jaster and your very own Rainbow Trail staff as we REBUILD BETTER. Find more info and to register go to rainbowtrail.org/retreats/the-summit/. Send your questions to daniel@rainbowtrail.org. |
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PLU Lectures, Presentations & Workshops |
Learning doesn’t end when you graduate! PLU alumni continue their quest for knowledge, engagement, and critical thinking as they explore new ideas, challenge their beliefs, and listen to new perspectives from diverse groups. We are excited to offer a new series of presentations called PLU Experts & Insights, which are virtual webinars on interesting and current topics, highlighting experienced PLU faculty and alumni. PLU also offers other lectures, conferences, and workshops that are open to the community. See upcoming opportunities at https://www.plu.edu/alumni-student-connections/lectures/. |
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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Ecumenical Advocacy Days
April 18-21, 2021
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Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD), happening April 18-21, is especially accessible (and affordable!) in 2021 because the National Gathering and Lobby Day is virtual. EAD has been meaningful for many Lutherans who take the advocacy opportunity and bring back the skills to multiple contexts.
#EAD2021, with the theme: “God’s Earth and People Restored,” is a time of process and issue learning, worship, as well as Capitol Hill virtual visits with policymakers on climate impacts due to historic racial and colonial inequities. In addition to being a sponsor, leaders from ELCA advocacy staff will present workshops at this event.
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Register and find additional info at advocacydays.org.
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Scholarships for young adults (age 18-35) affiliated with ELCA congregations and ministries are available! Contact karen.krueger@elca.org for promo code.
- Early-bird rate available until April 8 (extended).
- Networking opportunity for Lutheran participants planned.
And consider sharing the opportunity with your congregation and networks.
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Director of Children, Youth and Family
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St. Philip Lutheran Church is seeking a full time Director of Children, Youth and Family (CYF Director). The CYF Director is a congregational leader. The CYF Director’s purpose is to build relationships between and among and walk alongside St. Philip’s children, youth, young adults, and families with youth as they develop their faith, walk their faith journey and share the experience of God’s love with each other and the community. They will do this while upholding St. Philip’s mission of intentionally building relationships through Christ to grow and serve. The essential job duties include working with our children's ministry team, confirmation program, sr. high youth program, young adult ministry, family ministry, the St. Philip Early Learning Center, milestone ministry, and outreach ministry.
The position is full time; 40 hours a week with benefits. Salary will be commensurate with experience and education within range of $42,000-$55,000 annually.
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Technology Administration
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We are looking for a technology admin individual to support our live streaming Worship services on Sunday mornings 8:00am - 11:00am. Prep work required. Compensation for work. Ability to work with others necessary. Creative license is a asset. For more information and to apply write to: pa@gloryofgodchurch.net. |
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Adminstrative Assistant/Bookkeeper
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The Administrative Assistant is responsible for sharing in the day-to-day operations of the church office, providing support to all staff and church members, maintaining confidential church records, preparing printed materials, and scheduling facility use. Additionally, the Administrative Assistant will maintain accurate accounting records of the church, including the general ledger, payroll and financial statements. Please follow this link for complete details and how to apply. |
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Assistant Preschool Teacher
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Joy Lutheran Church in Parker, CO, is seeking two Assistant Preschool Teachers. The persons selected for this position must be experienced in working with young children and must be sensitive, mature individuals, able to relate well to both children and adults. They should have an understanding of Joyful Mission Preschool’s mission statement and philosophy, as well as Joy Lutheran Church’s vision statement.
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Joyful Mission Preschool in Parker, CO, is seeking a Lead Teacher. The individual selected for this position must meet the requirements of the Department of Human Services of Colorado with a minimum of Lead Teacher qualifications required; be a sensitive, mature individual, able to relate well to both children and adults; have the personality and ability to provide leadership and stability for the program; and be able to lead the classroom education program through both the Christian and academic curriculum.
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We are an ELCA and Reconciling in Christ congregation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, seeking a part-time Director of Music (averaging 15 hours per week). The role of this position is to lead, seek out, encourage, and coordinate the music ministry to enrich the worship and spiritual life of the congregation and the community. Full job description, and submission information here.
Candidates must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in music, while a Master’s degree in music is preferred.
Application deadline: 1 April 2021 Start date: 1 May 2021
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All Non-Rostered Listings |
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Director of Children, Youth and Family
St. Philip Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
Technology Administration
Glory of God Lutheran Church - Wheat Ridge, CO
Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper
First Lutheran Church - Longmont, CO
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Joy Lutheran Church - Parker, CO
Preschool Teacher
Joy Lutheran Church - Parker, CO
Director of Music
St. Paul Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM
Facilities Manager
First Lutheran Church - Longmont, CO
Director of Music Ministries
King of Kings Lutheran Church - Pueblo, CO
Interim Director of Faith Formation
Trinity Lutheran Church - Loveland, CO
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Office of the Bishop This Week |
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- 1-1 Appointments
- Finance Committee
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson
- Lay Evangelism Church Planter Training
- 3E Leadership Meeting
- St. Matthew's Taylorsville, UT
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Kurt Rager
- Legislative Session Wrap-up
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
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DIRECTOR FOR CONGREGATIONAL TRANSITION
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Congregational Transition
- Excellence in Leadership
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
- Finance Committee
- Lutheran Center Administration
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie O'Callaghan
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Feel free to contact Andrew Nakatani, 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
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