Dr. King’s message of unity is the theme for the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration on Monday, January 18. Five leading theologians will reflect on the theme during the 60-minute pre-recorded tribute. The recorded event will go live at 11:15 a.m. Central time on LSTC’s Facebook and YouTube sites.

Between ZOOM and Facebook, over 3,000 folks join us in our synod-wide worship!

Videos of each session can be found on the RMS Facebook page.

Proceeds from ZOOMfest and any offerings received during worship will be shared with Augustana Arts City Strings & Drums and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Lord of the Mountains - Dillon, CO

Lord of the Valley - Granby, CO

 Brian Bergum

Mount of the Holy Cross - Vail, CO

Spirit of the Mountain - Golden, CO

We’ve been taught by neurobiologists that we’ve inherited the “fight/flight” wiring evolved from a long lineage of ancestors who survived the threats of famine, disease, wars, weathering a multitude of evolutionary life storms. 2020 has indeed been quite a turbulent ride for us all. As we transition into a new year of hopeful political possibilities and attainable vaccinated security, what is that parasympathetic rebound that provides healing? Borrowing from early Buddhism, we will explore practical mechanisms and methods, applicable in our everyday lives. Barry Erdman, LCSW, DCSW is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice in Boulder helping adults, couples and families for many decades.

Join Zoom Meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4264420220

During a time when our world seems to change by the day and even by the hour, there are moments of uncertainty and continual adjustment to what is new. In this time of change, there is power in rituals. The power of regular rituals sustains us and brings consistency to our lives. Together, we will explore the ways rituals give us life. We will share in conversation about the rituals that we have unearthed at this time that bring us comfort and steadiness. Come to learn! Come to share! Aly Kohlmeyer is a seminary student at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN and serves as intern pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO. She and her husband Chad have three growing and active sons, ages 14, 11, and 5. She has found strength and hope in adopting new rituals throughout the past year.

Join Zoom Meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4264420220

On Sunday, January 17, 2021, at 7 p.m. Adrian Miller will moderate an online conversation on race and racial justice with faith leaders from several faith traditions. Please click here for more details.

The Community Organizing for Transformational Ministry is co-led by a team of four including Dr. Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Dr. Ray Pickett, Deacon Kelly Marciales, Director of the ELCA Organizing for Mission Network, and Mary Lim-Lampe, Director of Genesis, a community organizing affiliate in Oakland. It is an innovative model that incorporates theological and biblical reflection, and attention to beauty and art as well as training in more traditional arts of community organizing (power analysis, organizing cycle, self-interest, and of course more).

The course/training is for graduate students as well as practitioners of community organizing and leaders of faith communities. Download a flyer which includes the registration link.

In the dark of late January, we will gather (on Zoom, of course) to think together about what it means to walk slowly toward Mark’s odd Resurrection story. After the year we have had, something in us surely wants Easter to explode in obvious glory.

In this 4-session workshop presented by Pam Faro and Richard W. Swanson, come think with us about how we might tell true stories of Resurrection in our tense and complicated world.

The course will meet on four Thursdays (Jan. 21 & 28, Feb. 4 & 11, 2021 ). Each session will be 1¾ hours long. Click on the flyer for more info and links. Questions? Contact either Richard Swanson (richard.swanson@augie.edu) or Pam Faro (pamfaro@gmail.com).

Here's the link for this event's info and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/telling-the-resurrection-for-true-the-gospel-of-mark-registration-134704226969

In 2020, the Christian Education Network of the ELCA pivoted our Learning Strategies to focus on virtual and home faith formation. Even in the midst of the difficulties, we remained faithful to the call and God has indeed blessed our efforts.

This Big Idea grew out of the Network’s friendship and partnership with the Rev. Dwight DuBois, author of The Scattering: Imagining a Church that Connects Faith and Life. For more information, check out thescattering.org. In addition to offering resources each month, we will also be highlighting congregations who are living out lives of faith. Keep coming back from new and exciting ideas, conversations and resources that can help make your life a little easier. Also, be sure to check out the Christian Education Network of the ELCA Facebook Group for the latest ministry ideas from your colleagues. This is a great group to ask questions as you plan your new year.

The final issue of Interchange—winter 2021—is available for you to download, print, and share. In it, you will find news about staffing changes, an October 2020 executive board report, and information about the convention and gathering.

Our news brief section offers a variety of information: on Bold Women's Day, Gather's winter Bible study, the new and improved virtual gathering for leaders (once the Conference of Presidents), and special days to observe.

You can download it, print it, and share it.

Many congregation leaders are asking how they can take advantage of technology to continue to hold necessary meetings to conduct the business of the congregation. Even in the current pandemic crisis, the rules have not all gone out the window, and state law, as well as your constitution, bylaws, and continuing resolutions, must still be respected.

The RMS insert for your annual reports is available here along with other resources to share about our life together as church:

2020 Annual Report covers are now available for download in two versions. One is individual pages. The other is a two-page spread across 11x17 paper. Both can be downloaded at Stewardship resources: https://www.elca.org/Resources/Stewardship#Leadership, or below.

First Lutheran, Colorado Springs is hiring a Lay Ministry Coordinator. This person coordinates volunteers for worship, service projects, funerals and other church events, and oversees visitor follow-up and the new member process. They manage and coordinate use of the new Elexio database (church mgmt software) and liaison with the church’s outreach ministry partners. Full time. 40K-50K salary. Retirement and Health Benefits. For a full job description and information on how to apply send email to Pastor Travis at pastortravis@flccs.net.

Lakewood UMC is seeking a part time "Community Curator" who will aid the church in growing in relationship with the people of Lakewood, and the organizations doing important work in our neighborhood. This is a part-time, (20 hour/wk) position. Download job description here.

Part-time: $20K-$23K/yr

If interested, please contact Rev. Ben A. David Hensley, ben@lumc.net.

St. John's Lutheran Church in Thornton, Colorado is seeking a bi-lingual candidate for our Community Connection ministry to develop relationships in our local community through our Early Learning Center and technology ministries. We're a welcoming and inclusive community that fosters connection to God, each other and the community.

This part-time (20-25 hrs/wk) position reports to the Pastor and works with the Office Manager, ELC Director and Technology Team to support the congregation’s ministry.

Job description here. For more info, write to: gracepastor2@gmail.com.