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June 2, 2021 + A Reconciling in Christ synod
Together we proclaim and embody God's unconditional love for the sake of the world.
Bishop's Office seeking Finance Manager
ELCA logo lagre size
Do you know a recent college graduate who may be looking for a position in the Denver area?
The Rocky Mountain Synod is seeking an accountant/bookkeeper. Whether recent grad or seasoned professional, we may be just the job you’re looking for!
 
Minimum Requirements: Degree in Accounting
Desired Requirements: Experience with non-profit accounting and software
 
This is essentially a one-person accounting office so we are looking for someone who is flexible handling all aspects of our financial procedures: contributions, general ledger, tracking, and reporting. The position is salaried with benefits.

Please send cover letter, resume, and inquiries to finance@rmselca.org. Priority applicants will submit materials by June 15.
eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
Applications are OPEN!
2021-22 ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellowship
Do you (or someone you know) have the drive to help build ELCA World Hunger capacity to end hunger by deepening and expanding Lutheran advocacy efforts in synods, coalitions and networks? ELCA Hunger Advocacy Fellowships are a great opportunity! Apply yourself and/or share widely. Start date for the 12-month position is September 2021. Placements available with state public policy offices in Arizona (bit.ly/ELCAHAF-AZ), Minnesota (bit.ly/ELCAHAF-MN) and Texas (bit.ly/ELCAHAF-TX); and with a communications focus in Washington, D.C. (bit.ly/ELCAHAF-DC).
The Ministry of La Puente …
Addressing Rural Poverty in a Diverse Culture!
Tuesday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m.
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
RMS & ELCA News and Events
Invitation to Fast, June 14 through 19
WHEREAS, The ELCA has committed to commemorate June 17 as a day of repentance; and

WHEREAS, Juneteenth (June 19) has been a long-standing day of calibration for African Americans; and

WHEREAS, Martin Luther points to fasting in the Catechism as a fine external discipline;

THEREFORE; Starting Sun up the days of Monday June 14, 2021 to Sun down Friday June 18, 2021 (as you are able);

During the day while you are fasting, spend time in prayer, repentance, and education in ways to closing the divide of things that separate us, and engage in listening to those who are from a different background or community then yours;

On June 17 join in a Local/Synod/Churchwide Emanuel 9 commemoration and learn more about the Emanuel 9

And on Juneteenth (June 19), learn deeper about the day, and celebrate the spiritual liberation we receive in our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ, and thereby living into the temporal liberation he wants for us to truly give to one another.

For more information, go to: www.emanuelnine.org and https://fb.me/e/4aoqYSXDu
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
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,

Scam Proof Your Finances!
Thursday, June 24 at 11:30 a.m.
Educate, Equip, Enact (3E) is pleased to sponsor Scam Proof Your Finances from LSS Financial Counseling. Open to all in the Rocky Mountain Synod.

Plan to leave this class smarter than the identity thieves. You’ll learn the many ways identity theft can happen to adults, or even kids, and steps to prevent it. Gain confidence in your safety online and in financial interactions; know about free, effective resources to turn to, if ID theft does happen. Learn what to do, with a “deter-detect-defend” strategy to minimize your risk.

Register in advance, after registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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!
FINAL CHANCE TO REGISTER
Enjoy Messiah Mountain Retreat Center for a time of spiritual renewal through photography
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.
For Your Bulletin
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!
RMS Prayer Cycle

June 2021
Southeast Colorado Conference

- Week of June 6 -

Ascension Lutheran
Colorado Springs, CO
Rev. Dan Holt
Rev. Dan Smith
Deacon Mary Stoneback
 
Christ the King Lutheran
Colorado Springs, CO
Rev. Paula Stecker
 
First Lutheran
Colorado Springs, CO
Rev. Carrie Baylis
Rev. Travis Norton
 
First St Paul Lutheran
Burlington, CO
***
 
Grace Lutheran
Colorado Springs, CO
Rev. Gene Zeller
Sunday, June 6, 2021
Second Sunday after Pentecost
Prayer of the Day
All-powerful God, in Jesus Christ you turned death into life and defeat into victory. Increase our faith and trust in him, that we may triumph over all evil in the strength of the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches
06 - 12 June : Botswana, Zimbabwe - 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.
Around the Synod
Conversations for Connection: Supporting Mental Health
Hosted by Atonement Lutheran, Boulder and Interfaith Network on Mental Illness

Every Thursday, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. MT
Join Zoom Meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4264420220
Our Life Together
Resource Corner
Free Sheet Music, come and get it!
Monday, June 7 through Friday, June 18
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each weekday
Need music? We have 3 banker's boxes of music to give away. Most is for organ and piano but there are some brass pieces and even some for carillons! You can look through it all and take what you'd like.
Employment Opportunities
New Listings
Abiding Hope Church, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregation in Littleton, Colorado, is seeking a Spirit-filled child of God with experience in digital content and audio-visual services to serve as our Director of Digital Arts. This person will work closely with the Lead Servant for Worship Life to create and implement a vibrant, engaging and transforming worship life that seeks to connect all people with our inclusive theology and God’s vision of love and life for all people. This position’s primary purpose is to create and expand our digital and online presence, allowing people to engage in our worship life and access our resources from around the world.

Abiding Hope Church, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregation in Littleton, Colorado, is seeking a Spirit-filled child of God, inspiring leader, and gifted musician to serve as our Director of Worship Arts. This person will report to and work closely with the Lead Servant for Worship Life to create and implement a vibrant, engaging and transforming worship life that seeks to connect all people with our inclusive theology and God’s vision of love and life for all people.

Office of the Bishop This Week
 Bishop Jim Gonia
  • Trip to the Border Conference
  • Installation Stephanie Harmon, St Peter, Carlsbad, NM
  • Ordination/Installation of Stephen Helmreich, Trinity, Hobbs, NM
  • Congregations in Transition

ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson
  • vacation

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Kurt Rager
  • NM First - Food/Hunger Policy Work Group
  • New Mexico Advocacy work

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
  • Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains Board Meeting
  • LFSRM Strategic Planning Meeting
  • Tax Fairness Coalition
DIRECTOR FOR CONGREGATIONAL TRANSITION
Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Excellence in Leadership
  • Congregational Transition

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR ADMIN & COMMUNICATION
Pastor Kent Mueller
  • vacation
DIRECTOR FOR DEVELOPMENT/LUTHERAN CENTER
Tina Kvitek
  • Off June 2-4
  • First Lutheran, Colorado Springs, CO

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie O'Callaghan
  • vacation
Quick Links
Share the News
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