A Reconciling in Christ synod |
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Office of the Bishop Staffing Updates |
Kristen Lee has been serving as our Executive Administrator and will conclude her employment with us on June 2. She has faithfully overseen our candidacy administration, roster management, and support to synod council and the staff. We say "farewell" with gratitude for the gift she has been to us.
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Kim Berry began yesterday as our Interim Administrator in a three-month position as we continue to evaluate our administrative needs. She has previously served in Churchwide Ministries, with the Mission Investment Fund, and for a short time in a synod office in Pennsylvania. We are pleased to welcome her! |
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Deacon Sarah Bjornebo begins on June 1 as our new part-time Director for Events. For many years she has been planning and carrying out worship for our assemblies and for our theological conferences, so she is very familiar with our event landscape. She is on the staff of Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit in Centennial, CO, and this position is in partnership with that congregation. |
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Pastor Kent Mueller has been named our Assistant to the Bishop for Administration and Communication. He will now be directly managing our personnel in the areas of events, communication, property, finance, and administration, while serving as our primary communicator (which is where he began in the bishop's office 17 years ago!) |
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eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
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The Ministry of La Puente …
Addressing Rural Poverty in a Diverse Culture!
Tuesday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m.
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For nearly four decades, La Puente has been the embodiment of its community’s values. In the San Luis Valley, community is not a noun; community is a verb set in motion every day. It is a feeling of fellowship with others that breeds joint ownership, participation, and responsibility for one another. In the small towns of the poorest valley in Colorado, La Puente has pledged to judge the health of the whole community by the conditions among those with the least.
Embodying this value, La Puente is the San Luis Valley’s response to address the effects of poverty by providing an amazing safety net of services through which individuals and families can get what they need to stabilize, heal, strengthen, and ultimately thrive.
Join the Rocky Mountain Synod Hunger Network at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, June 8, to learn about the realities of rural poverty among diverse communities and the ministry of this latest recipient of an ELCA Domestic Hunger Grant.
ZOOM:
If you are unable to join us, catch the program on Facebook Live
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RMS & ELCA News and Events |
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Gratitude for RMS Gardeners! |
The garden beds at the Rocky Mountain Synod Lutheran Center have been weeded and planted thanks to the generosity of some volunteers! Sincere thanks to Sarah Hulslander, Ann Hultquist, and Darcy Wendland, who joined staff members Tina Kvitek and Kent Mueller. It was a a beautiful day of work and fellowship!
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Faiths4Vaccines National Summit
May 26, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. EDT
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Join us at the National Summit for the largest multi-faith gathering to support equitable and far-reaching vaccine distribution in the United States. Faith leaders and faith-based organizations in attendance will receive training, resources and empowerment to engage their communities to ensure equitable vaccine access, combat hesitancy and potentially use their houses of worship as vaccination sites.
Faith leaders, faith communities, and medical professionals are leading efforts to respond, recover from the unprecedented health crises facing our nation and the world. Now, equipped with a life-saving vaccine, we have the chance to bring this devastating, and all the suffering it has caused, to an end.
Now is the time to partake in open and honest dialogue between faith leaders and county, state and national health officials to identify opportunities for faith-based institutions to further engage and support local communities to increase vaccination rates.
We look forward to welcoming you at the Summit!
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A Gift from the Camps and Retreat Centers of the ELCA to the Congregations of the ELCA
Recorded Worship Experience for Use on Sunday, June 6,
The Second Sunday After Pentecost
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Parish pastors and worship leaders - we know that your virtual leadership of worship experiences has been, for you, at the same time gratifying and demanding. As part of our gratitude for you, the leaders of outdoor ministries throughout the ELCA are offering you a complete worship video experience for use in your congregation and other settings. We hope that you will enjoy a Sunday worship experience that you have not had to feel the obligation of developing.
For the leaders of our camps and retreat centers - this will be an opportunity for them to share with you their joy and gratitude to God as they launch their summer camp ministries after a very difficult pandemic year and last summer with very few Lutheran summer camps taking place. We invite you to join us in this worship experience provided by the leaders of LOM focused with gratitude on the beauty and bounty of God's Creation.
The video will be available on the LOM website no later than May 28, and perhaps a few days prior to that. You will be able to download the video, in its entirety, and you will be able to download the bulletin for use with the entire worship experience. Or you will be able to download a version of the video that you can easily pick and choose segments for your own setting,
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from Lutheran Outdoor Ministries:
an Appeal for Summer Camp Staff!
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Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM) is asking for you to help get the word out that there are still many of our Lutheran summer camps that are hiring camp staff for the summer of 2021. Please spread the word to those who might consider such an opportunity
LOM has a new resource to make it easier for interested persons to find a summer camp. The Camp MatchUp app allows users to receive quick and easy access to information about camps. Camp MatchUp is a touch tool for camps to connect with interested applicants and to assist applicants in their camp discernment process.
LOM camps equip and empower people, especially young adults, in many ways; developing compassionate leadership skills, learning how to listen & adapt, practicing effective communication skills, engaging in an intentional community, exploring the outdoors, being creative, growing in faith, and building resume skills.
We encourage you to share this app with all who might be in a position to consider working at an LOM camp this summer. Here is a flyer to share!
Camp MatchUp app available for download on:
Apple Store (IOS)
Google Play (Android)
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Rocky Mountain Synod
FALL THEOLOGICAL CONFERENCE
Little America, Cheyenne, WY
September 20-24, 2021
We are looking to this Fall for an in-person gathering! Mark your calendars for this opportunity to gather together and savor our relationships as the church, truly "better together!"
Mark your calendar, and watch for additional information!
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THREE OPENINGS REMAIN
Enjoy Messiah Mountain Retreat Center for a time of spiritual renewal through photography
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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 10 participants (Just 5 spots remain). Cost is $10. Lunch will be provided.
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Volunteer applications are now OPEN for the
2022 ELCA Youth Gathering!
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The Gathering, July 24-28, 2022 in Minneapolis, MN, could not happen without the love and support of our volunteers. Our Gathering Volunteer Corps applications are now open and will close on July 22.
See the latest issue of " boundless gNews." And for a detailed list of responsibilities and requirements or to apply, visit our website. |
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from the RMS Veterans Servant Corps Project |
Traveling Vietnam Wall coming to Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado
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Ordination
Stephen Helmreich
Pastor
Trinity, Hobbs, NM
Saturday, June 5, 11:00am
ZOOM:
Meeting ID: 850 1148 1730
Passcode: 536958
Color of the Day: Red
Installations
Stephen Helmreich
Pastor
Trinity, Hobbs, NM
Sunday, June 6, 3:00pm
Color of the Day: Green
ZOOM:
Meeting ID: 827 5289 5853
Passcode: 12345
Stephanie Harmon
Pastor
St. Peter, Carlsbad, NM
Sunday, June 6, 10:30am
Color of the Day: Green
In-person service at St. Peter
Guests welcome!
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RMS Prayer Cycle
May 2021
Metro East Conference
- Week of May 30 -
Saron Lutheran
Strasburg, CO
Rev. Julie Brooks
St Mark Lutheran
Aurora, CO
Rev. Nic Leither
St Paul Lutheran
Denver, CO
Rev. Barbara Berry-Bailey
Deacon Mark Filbert
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Sunday, May 30, 2021
The Holy Trinity
First Sunday after Pentecost
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Prayer of the Day
Almighty Creator and ever-living God: we worship your glory, eternal Three-in-One, and we praise your power, majestic One-in-Three. Keep us steadfast in this faith, defend us in all adversity, and bring us at last into your presence, where you live in endless joy and love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches
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
Every Thursday, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. MT
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A note from the RMS Creation Care Team:
"Include Creation in Your VBS Plans!"
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As we move into a summer and into more post-pandemic activities, the Creation Care Team of the Rocky Mountain Synod encourages you to include time in nature in your summer congregational activities. Whether you are meeting in person or suggesting activities for families, summer is a great time to be outdoors. Care for the earth begins with attention to nature and love of our environment. We meet God in God’s good, beautiful, amazing creation. Connecting our faith to the natural world is important work for church leaders.
Check out these ideas!
Creation Care Scavenger Hunt
Rocky Mountain Synod Creation Care Team
The Creation Care Scavenger Hunt created for last Winter’s Zoomfest is a great resource for VBS and other Summer gatherings.
Center for Spirituality in Nature
The Center for Spirituality in Nature is a good source of resources for faith and creation connection. Their e-book Inside Out: Practices for Going Deeper in Nature can be used easily with youth groups, and adapted for children as well.
Inside Out: Practices for Going Deeper in Nature
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Strategy Toward Authentic Diversity
How strategic and authentic is
our diversity? This resource is a
call for confession, reflection
and healing action.
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A free regathering resource for congregations
“Thriving Beyond COVID” is a Scripture-based resource to encourage, inspire and challenge congregations for the post-COVID journey ahead. This small- and large-group study is available for free download and includes leader and participant guides and videos.
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Atonement Lutheran Church in Boulder is seeking an Audio Visual Technician to set up, test and operate its audio and video live-streaming worship services and events. The AV technician will take primary responsibility learning the technology, and be responsible for the streaming of Sunday morning worship from the Atonement Sanctuary at 9:30 am. The position is generally 5 hours per week, reports to the Senior Pastor, and works with members of office and worship staff.
The job requires operating 1) sanctuary audio, 2) live-streaming software, and 3) PowerPoint or similar presentation software.
The AV Technician will work with projectors, sound systems, microphones, sound mixing equipment, overhead projectors, video cameras, recording equipment, adjust amplifiers, video screens, speakers, and lighting. Prefer candidate with previous audio visual experience, and digital media or broadcast education and training. Compensation is commensurate with skills and experience, and the expected range is $22-25/hour.
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Coordinator of Youth and Household Ministries
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Trinity Lutheran Church, in Boulder, Colorado, is hiring a Coordinator of Youth and Household Ministries. The person in this position engages children, youth, and families through compassionate, creative, and courageous means to help youth wrestle with identity, belonging, and purpose through a grounding in Christian faith and community. While this position is responsible for overseeing all children’s and youth activities, an emphasis will be on youth in 5-8th grade with an eye toward growing relationships and programming into the high school years.
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Office of the Bishop This Week |
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- Racial Justice Tithe Task Force
- Well of Hope, Castle Rock, CO
- Madagascar Conference
- Synod Council
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson
- Camino de Vida, Albuquerque, NM
- Madagascar Conference
- Coaching Presentation
- DEM Meeting
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Kurt Rager
- Food/Ag/Water Policy Mtg
- New Mexico Advocacy work
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
- Tax Fairness Coalition
- Faithful Thursdays Closing Ceremony
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DIRECTOR FOR CONGREGATIONAL TRANSITION
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Excellence in Leadership
- Congregational Transition
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR ADMIN & COMMUNICATION
Pastor Kent Mueller
- Campaign Advisory Team
- Administrative Oversight
DIRECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT/LUTHERAN CENTER
Tina Kvitek
- RMS Campaign Donor Meetings
- Excellence in Leadership
- Property Oversight
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie O'Callaghan
- Peace, El Paso, TX
- Candidate Visits
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Kent Mueller, Assistant to the Bishop
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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