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

JANUARY 5, 2022

A RECONCILING IN CHRIST SYNOD

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Screenshot 2022-01-04 at 4.55.01 PM.jpeg

Photo by Jim Gonia

In response to the Marshall Fire

Hope has work for us to do

Hope has work for us to do.

It asks us to resist going numb

when the world within us or beyond us

is falling apart.

In the height of despair,

in the deepest darkness,

hope calls us to open our hearts,

our eyes,

our hands,

that we might engage the world

when it breaks our hearts.

Hope goes with us, step by step,

providing the sustenance we most need.

--Jan Richardson from adventdoor.com

Relief and recovery are initial goals of fire disaster response

Our hearts are heavy as we begin to walk with those who have been impacted by the fire in ways large and small and hear their stories. 20 ELCA member homes were destroyed in the Marshall Fire including two clergy families

Pastor Stephanie Lord serves Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Louisville, where 15 members homes were impacted including the loss of her own home. Four homes were lost of Trinity Lutheran Church, Boulder, members. And Pastors Todd and Stacy Payne, both on leave from call, lost their home. Countless others have been affected by loss of businesses and employment.

On Monday, the Boulder-Broomfield Conference gathered by Zoom to hear from John Pyron, Program Director for ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response-US. LDR will partner with Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains and other local organizations to provide ongoing long term recovery. A local steering team is being formed to assist in coordinating relief and recovery efforts.

Bishop Jim Gonia said, "While the journey ahead will be long, particularly for those who have lost homes and businesses, we hope those impacted and those who minister to them will take comfort in the promise that you will not journey alone. As fellow members of the Body of Christ, we trust the Spirit will use us as vessels of God’s healing and hope in this time of need."

As we learn of specific needs and of volunteer opportunities, we will communicate with you.

How to help

We invite you to volunteer your expertise in these areas by completing the form link below.

Insurance expertise
People to accompany people in insurance processes
Contractors and Construction related folks
Document Replacement support (government docs, etc)

VOLUNTEER EXPERTISE FORM

RMS FUND

The Rocky Mountain Synod welcomes contributions to a fund to assist those affected by the fire.

GIVE TO RMS FUND

CTS FUND

Christ the Servant Lutheran Church welcomes contributions to assist those affected by the fire.

GIVE TO CTS FUND

ELCA DISASTER RELIEF

ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response invites contributions for those impacted by U.S. Wildfires.

GIVE TO ELCA DISASTER RESPONSE

Message from Lutheran Disaster Response

On Dec. 30, the Marshall Fire ignited in Boulder County, Colo. Over 6,200 acres burned quickly, forcing the evacuations of 35,000 people. The fire spread throughout suburban neighborhoods, destroying over 900 homes. While December wildfires are rare, the severe drought in the western United States created hazardous conditions that allowed the Marshall Fire to spread rapidly. This unusual fire is one of the impacts of a changing climate and will become increasingly more common.

Lutheran Disaster Response is engaging with the Rocky Mountain Synod and Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains to respond to the impact of the fires. We anticipate that immediate needs will include emotional and spiritual care, temporary shelters, food and other necessities. With local partners, Lutheran Disaster Response will continue to accompany survivors throughout the years of long-term recovery.

Your gifts will support wildfire survivors. Gifts to "U.S. wildfires" will be used in full (100%) to assist those affected by wildfires, until the response is complete. Or make a gift to "Lutheran Disaster Response" so we can respond to disasters whenever and wherever they strike.

staff updates

Pastor Sarah Moening to step down from Transition Ministry, February 1

She continues as Excellence in Leadership Director

Pastor Sarah Moening has served since 2012 in the area of transitions ministry, overseeing congregations in the call process and the interim ministry program. Most recently she served half-time in that capacity, overseeing these areas in a newly designed system in both the Grand Canyon Synod and Rocky Mountain Synod. She was the leader of a team of transitions coordinators in each Synod. We express our gratitude for the gifts she has brought to this ministry the past nine years.

On February 1 she will no longer serve in that capacity but will continue her half-time position as Director of Excellence in Leadership, the Rocky Mountain Synod's initiative for building and developing faithful and resilient leaders.

Bishop Gonia, along with Bishop Hutterer in the Grand Canyon Synod, are continuing this collaborative model and have selected Deacon Janice Zimbelman to be the new Transition Ministry Director. The transition coordinators in each synod will continue their work as before providing the hands-on local leadership.

Transition Ministry Director––

Deacon Janice Zimbelman

Janice Zimbelman is a Deacon in the Grand Canyon Synod where she has been serving as a Transitional Coach. Beginning January 15 she will begin serving as the Transition Ministry Director for the Rocky Mountain Synod and the Grand Canyon Synod in a collaborative ministry. This is a one-half time position.

Prior to following God’s call into ministry, Janice was employed as a Neuroscientist performing rehabilitation related neuroscience research. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Physical Therapy and a PhD in Neuroscience. Currently, Deacon Janice lives in Prescott, Arizona with her husband who recently retired from ministry.

Deacon Janice is passionate about helping people see and experience God’s great love for all of us and then responding by sharing that great love with others. That means not being satisfied with status quo, but to keep learning and growing, stepping out in faith following God’s lead into the possibilities and vision God has for God’s church.

Deacon Janice is excited to be part of the ongoing ministry partnership between the Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain Synods.

RMS & ELCA news and events

We raised over $1 million in Phase 1!

Help us kick off Phase 2 to raise our final $550,000

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.

Our first two initiatives focus on our commitment to vital healthy leadership through Excellence in Leadership and our 3E Lilly Grant match, as we equip and accompany rostered ministers, lay leaders, and congregations through education and support. The second two initiatives invite us to invest more deeply in two key synod properties: Messiah Mountain Retreat Center and The Lutheran Center. Supporting and developing these important assets will allow us to expand our ministry of hospitality, faith formation, and spirituality.

Watch a video about each initiative

ACTION GUIDE

Information about the campaign and a summary of resources available to you for inviting campaign gifts in your congregation or organization.

TRIFOLD BROCHURE

Summary of the four initiatives and the Racial Justice tithe:

Excellence in Leadership
Messiah Mountain Retreat Center
3E Lilly Grant
Lutheran Center

MEDIA MATERIALS

JPG's for newsletters and bulletins, as well as PPT slides for screens are available online.

Campaign Information & Resources

Submit your faith formation staff and volunteer info

Kinna Kemp is the new Rocky Mountain Synod Faith Formation Coordinator. Her first goal is to update and confirm our records for who is serving in staff positions and volunteer positions in faith formation. This form will help her gather up-to-date information:

Submit Faith Formation Staff/Volunteer Information

Messiah Mountain Retreat Center:

Lodge ceiling demolition kicks off renovations made possible through Campaign gifts

Because of generous gifts given to our Next Faithful Step Campaign we are able to begin renovations to the Messiah Mountain Retreat Center lodge in the new year! The first project is to remove old ceiling tiles from the kitchen and to demolish the drop ceiling in the fireplace gathering area. Demo Day will be Saturday January 22, 2022, at 9 a.m.

We invite your volunteer help to accomplish this project! We will next be installing a more attractive ceiling in the gathering area, painting cupboards in the kitchen, painting walls, installing a new floor, and more. Share skills you have on the form as well. Map the location.

Messiah Mountain Retreat Center is a gift given from Messiah Community Church, ELCA. The retreat center is in Indian Hills, CO, just west of metro Denver. Learn more about Messiah Mountain.

If you would enjoy some light duty demolition please click the button. Questions? Please contact Pastor Kent Mueller.

Messiah Mountain Retreat Center Campaign Video

Make synod assembly airline reservations now

Assembly is April 28-30, 2022, in El Paso, Texas

vaccines required to attend

Begin planning now for the 2022 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly which will take place in El Paso, TX. Southwest has released tickets for April, so we encourage you to make reservations as soon as possible.

Begins Thursday, April 28 at 4:00 p.m.

Concludes Saturday, April 30 at 11:00 a.m.

The assembly will feature all-day immersion experiences on Friday, April 29. Those who will be traveling into Mexico must have a valid passport. Check your passport expiration date, and start that process ASAP if you need an update.

Registration cost per person for voting members will be $300 which covers meals/breaks and all program costs. Hotel in El Paso is $129 per night. Questions? Contact Deacon Sarah Bjornebo.

Book Assembly Hotel Rooms at Group Rate

Veteran Servant Corps Project

Calendar of Events

January 9, 2022 from 9:15-10:10 a.m. – Augustana Lutheran in Denver. Vicky Daub will lead conversation at Adult Forum.

February 6, 2022 – Vicky Daub will be at Christ the King in Colorado Springs.

April 22-24, 2022 – VSCP first Veterans Couples retreat at Rainbow Trail Lutheran camp. This retreat is free for any/all Veteran couples. Interested in participating? Contact Vicky Daub.

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.

Visit the VSCP web page

for your bulletin

Baptism of Our Lord

First Sunday after Epiphany

January 9, 2022

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, you anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son. Keep all who are born of water and the Spirit faithful in your service, that we may rejoice to be called children of God, 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

09 - 15 January : Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine

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 WEST CONFERENCE

Week of January 9

Evergreen Lutheran Church

Evergreen, CO

Rev. Sara Wirth, interim

First Lutheran Church

Gypsum, CO

Edward Mooney (TEEM Candidate)

Glory Of God Lutheran Church

Wheat Ridge, CO

Rev. Emily Cardin

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Glenwood Springs, CO

Rev. Jeff Carlson

Highlands Lutheran Church

Denver, CO

Rev. Deb Cote, bridge pastor

Holy Cross Lutheran Church

Wheat Ridge, CO

Rev. Ron Bock

Ordinations

Cindy Robles

Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church

Centennial, CO

Saturday, January 15, 2:00 p.m.

Cindy is called to serve as pastor of Greenvine Emmanuel Lutheran in Burton, TX

Color of the day is Red

Installations

Pr. Joe Natwick

Bethel Lutheran Church

Windsor, CO

Sunday, January 23, 2:00 p.m.

Color of the day is Green

Monthly Prayer Cycle

around the synod

ONLINE EVENT

Introduction to Centering Prayer workshop

Free workshop,

Saturday, January 15, 9:00am-noon

Are you looking for a way to explore or deepen your relationship with God? In our introductory workshop to Centering Prayer, you will discover a centuries-old prayer method. Centering Prayer consists of simply sitting in silence with God - beyond thoughts, words, and emotions - and opening our mind,heart and whole being to the Ultimate Mystery. In this workshop, you will learn the basics of Centering Prayer, experience it in a guided setting, and be able to ask questions and share experiences with the presenter and your fellow initiates.

To register please go to centeringprayer.net or call 303-698-7729

ONLINE EVENT

Centering Prayer As An 11th Step Practice

Free workshop, Saturday, January 15, 9:30am-noon

Centering Prayer has been used for centuries but is different from what we may think of as prayer.It is not the type of prayer we are used to, like praying for something we want. It is simply moving deep within ourselves, in silence, saying nothing, asking for nothing, just being, by letting go of our thoughts and consenting to our Higher Power's presence and action within us. The practice of Centering Prayer has parallels with other traditional spiritual practices and is simple and easy to do. Our presenters will share their experience, strength and hope with Centering Prayer. We will present this simple method to help deepen contact with your Higher Power. Those who already practice Centering Prayer as a part of their 12-Step recovery and desire a refresher will also find the presentation useful. Please join us.

To register please go to centeringprayer.net or call 303-698-7729

Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp Hiring Summer Staff

Sky Ranch is hiring energetic, responsible, faith centered young adults to mentor youth of all ages! Spend a summer in the beautiful Rocky Mountains experiencing God's creation while Facilitating an Encounter with Christ. Staff should love working with kids, be open to guiding faith conversations, willingness to share and learn new skills to take with you down the mountains. Summer salary starts at $3,000 and includes two weeks of training, Wilderness First Aid and CPR, and room and board. Sky Ranch is hiring for a variety of roles this summer, check out our website for more information. We look forward to seeing you up the mountain this summer!

Go to Sky Ranch website for more info

our life together

Our Synod Cares for Creation!

As we embark on a new year, it is always good to consider where we have been and where we hope to be going. Reflecting on 2021 in the area of our relationship with God's gift of creation, the Rocky Mountain Synod overwhelmingly adopted two significant measures at the May Assembly. These are the Resolution "Renewed Relationship: a 21st Century Resolution to Care for Creation" and a "Memorial to Churchwide to Renew the 1993 Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope and Justice Social Statement." 2022 provides an opportunity for us to act on both of these documents at personal, congregational and churchwide levels.

The Resolution includes references to sustainability efforts through non-profit organizations such as Lutherans Restoring Creation (LRC). LRC is a grassroots movement promoting care for creation in the ELCA. This is to be accomplished by cultivating a community of dedicated stewards of earth and neighbor who proclaim God's promise of hope and healing for all. The Resolution also urges congregations to prioritize meaningful action by having those who work in this area to advocate and collaborate with relevant church ministries.

In order to advance creation care in your congregation, it would be highly beneficial to form a "Green Team." LRC provides a wealth of resources to assist such ministry in a variety of areas including social justice, climate change, just transition, loss of biological species and indigenous people concerns at Lutherans Restoring Creation. Under the "About Us" tab drop down and find a "Map of Care for Creation Ministries." For the four states in our synod (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) and El Paso, TX it would be helpful to add any Green Teams or any other categories of representation in addition to what is shown. So, for a challenge in the new year enter your information at the LRC website or email us and get on the map in 2022!

ONLINE EVENT

Living Connected: Waste as Gift

Saturday, January 8, 10:00 a.m.

RMS Creation Care Team presents "Living Connected: Waste as Gift" workshop to be conducted by LDA (Lutheran Diaconal Association) Deaconess Katrina Martich.

In addition to her training to become a deaconess, Katrina holds a Master of Engineering Degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Deaconess Katrina asks that for a period of three days, preferably 5-7 days, workshop participants develop a record of everything they toss into trash and recycle bins. Paper and pen/pencil will be helpful for the seminar.

To help Katrina with planning and to receive post-workshop resources for practices related to waste, RSVP via email to contact@katrinamartich.com. Put "RMS Creation Care" in the subject line. Simply say, "I plan to attend January 8 workshop."

Zoom Meeting Link, ID: 894 0590 6793, Passcode: 495615. For questions, contact us, the RMS Creation Care Team.

Interim Ministry Training Using a Group Coaching Model

Beginning Friday January 28, 2022

2nd and 4th Fridays each month

9:00am - 10:00am

This Interim Ministry Training is based in the real-time real life work of an Intentional Interim Pastor. it uses a "coach approach," which believes the participants are "creative, resourceful, and whole," and is directed by a trained coach.

Three-quarters of participants' time together will center around the process and issues facing the participants, with the remainder assigned to the master of knowledge essential to providing successful interim pastoral leadership. Participants will meet for one hour twice monthly over six months.

This training was initially designed by Fresh Thinking Coaching and Consulting and has been developed in cooperation with the Rocky Mountain Synod Office of the Bishop.

The cost for the program is $585. To learn more and to register, please go to the Purposeful Pastor website.

Made in God's Image

God's Boundless Diversity

Reconciling in Christ Sunday

January 30, 2022

ReconcilingWorks wants to celebrate with your faith community and is excited to offer these resources. Many RIC communities celebrate RIC Sunday on the last Sunday in January. This year, that lands on January 30, 2022. ReconcilingWorks encourages you to celebrate on a date that is meaningful for your community. Be sure to use this day as a time to recommit to your partnership as a RIC faith community, discern ways to live into your RIC partner commitments, and set new milestones for the year to come.

RIC Sunday Resources here