Discerning and Electing a New Bishop in 2024

Electing a bishop is one of the most important responsibilities in the life of a synod and a key responsibility of the Synod Assembly (April 25-27, 2024 - Loveland, CO). As an election, it is a process governed by the constitution, bylaws, and continuing resolutions of the synod; however, it is also a call process. As such, it involves discernment, from the perspective both of individual potential nominees and of the synod as a whole.

This summer the Synod Council began the process which will lead to the election of a new Bishop at the Synod Assembly in April 2024. The first step in that process has been the appointment of a Bishop Election Committee, comprised of rostered leaders and lay people from around the synod. This committee has the responsibility of assuring that a fair and competent election is held, and also assuring that opportunities for feedback, discernment, and reflection are widely available prior to the 2024 Assembly. Along with the leadership of Conference Deans, the committee will organize gatherings for rostered leaders and laypeople this fall. Input from rostered leaders will also be invited at the fall Theological Gatherings.

Watch this publication (eConnection) and the Synod website for more information regarding the logistics of the election and the dates and locations of Conference Gatherings.

You can read the full responsibilities of the committee HERE

The Committee members are:

Pr. Ann Hultquist, Chair

Christian Mogren, Utah Conference

Elizabeth Mullins, Border Conference

Pam McClune, Metro West Conference

Pr. Carrie Baylis, Southeast Colorado Conference

Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, North New Mexico Conference

Pr. John Knutson, Northern Colorado Conference

CHECK FRAUD - PLEASE HELP

ENROLL IN RMS ACH DIRECT DEPOSIT!

As you may be aware, the Office of the Bishop has been the victim of mail fraud. In the last six months over $180,000 in checks have been stolen and many of these checks have been fraudulently deposited.

In response to this serious situation, the synod has launched an ACH Direct Deposit system. Modeled after the process by which money is transferred to Portico, Clergy Financial, and ELCA Churchwide, congregations may enroll in our ACH Direct Deposit system. Once banking information is received and verified, the congregation will be set-up in our bank's secure ACH system and can start initiating electronic payments. 

Mission Support Remittance forms will be received via email. You will receive a Mission Support Remittance template to be completed according to your billing timeline in order to make a monthly mission support payment. Each congregation will continue to receive monthly contribution statements by email to verify that the correct funds have been withdrawn and distributed as instructed. It is extremely important to reconcile your monthly contribution statement with your bank account to ensure that all transactions are recorded correctly. Any questions or discrepancies should be reported immediately.

ENROLL in the ACH Direct Deposit system by clicking the link below. To report missing contributions or if you have any questions, please contact Jon Johnson, Finance Director at finance@rmselca.org or Yvonne Wilken, Administrator at office@rmselca.org.

We hope that this system will provide a secure and efficient process for congregations to remit mission support payments. We are so very grateful for you, our partners in ministry, as we endeavor in this work that God has called us all to do.

Click here to get more information and instructions.

Theological Conference 2023

September 18-21

This year's Theological Conference will begin Monday, September 18 at 4:00pm and run through Thursday, September 21, finishing by noon.

Held in four locations participants are invited to attend a location of choice (you are not assigned - you may attend at any of these four locations):

• Ascension L.C. - Cheyenne, WY
• Zion L.C. - Salt Lake City, UT
• First L.C. - Colorado Springs, CO
• St. Paul L.C. - Albuquerque, NM

In-person programming will include boundary training, bishop election preparations, worship, and time with colleagues. Bible study, keynote, and collective synod work will be done via zoom. Our keynote speaker will be Rev. Dr. Linda Thomas, Professor of Theology and Anthropology at LSTC, Director of the Albert "Pete" Pro, Jr. and Cheryl Stewart Pero Center for Intersectionality Studies. Scholarships are available (click the highlighted link below and send an email to request a scholarship).

Questions? contact Deacon Sarah Bjornebo HERE

Bishop Gonia's call to action!

from Bishop Jim Gonia --

"Our Synod Assembly in El Paso – Cruzando Fronteras, Crossing Borders – was an embodied reminder of the critical need for new ways of thinking and acting in our country with respect to immigration. Those of us who participated in the Assembly immersion experiences heard firsthand the depth of human suffering as well as the resiliency of the human spirit that accompanies those who leave their homeland due to fear, violence and persecution, in hopes of finding peace and a new life. 

As a church called to public witness for the sake of the neighbor, we respond to Christ’s call to serve and to seek justice when we engage our elected legislators on matters of the common good. We advocate for the building of not walls but a fair and humane immigration system. My stated commitment in El Paso was to invite you to join me in reaching out to our elected officials for that precise purpose. In the material below, you will find specific information and an invitation to engage in this advocacy effort as Church, Better Together. Thank you in advance for your commitment to caring for God’s beloved people as we live out our baptismal promises."

Follow this link and learn how to contact your U.S. Senators and Representative by July 15. Follow the easy steps to share your story and ask your congregation members to join you in committing to bipartisan reform!

Join Excellence in Leadership!

Registration is now open for 18-month cohorts beginning in September 2023 and a 13-month cohort beginning January 2024!

Excellence in Leadership is an experiential journey for any who wish to become more resilient, healthy, and creative in their lives and in their leadership. It is meant for people of all ages and in all stages of life: lay or rostered, council member or back pew sitter. As we navigate what the future may hold as people of faith, Excellence in Leadership provides opportunities and community to think adaptively and meet that future boldly.

Become the more resilient, courageous, and faithful leader God has made you to be!

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SYNOD

GENEROSITY CONFERENCE

STEWARDSHIP

September 25 – 27, 2023

This is a HYBRID EVENT from the Messiah Mountain Retreat Center.

The purpose of this conference is for the individuals interested in the financial health and well-being of our church to engage in the abundance-mindset work necessary to enhance and grow a culture of generosity that will sustain the future of our congregations, members, and leaders that make ministry possible!

The 2023 conference will focus on STEWARDSHIP and include:

• Stewardship Kaleidoscope Plenary and Workshop Sessions
• Rocky Mountain Synod Stewardship Best Practices
• Stewardship focused Worship & Devotions

For more information and list of presenters, download informational flyer here.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The ELCA Wants to Hear Your Opinion!

Throughout the next couple of months, the ELCA is asking for your help. We are looking for your thoughts and ideas on how we are called to be a church in today’s world. Please visit the website on Future Church: God’s Love Made Real – lovemadereal.elca.org – where you can watch a video from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton that explains more about this action and complete a survey to share your views of the church and the world today. In the coming weeks we will offer listening sessions where you can participate in online opportunities to provide your thoughts on God’s call for the church.

RMS Providing Worship Services at Colorado Veterans Homes

Since June 2022, Pastor Nic Leither has been conducting monthly Communion worship services at the Denver Veterans home. Thirty or so participated in yesterday's service. Bishop Jim Gonia also participated in the Sunday, August 5 service.

Veteran Servant Corps Project also provides/shortly will be providing regular worship services in Florence, CO, Ogden, UT and Rifle, CO. Veteran Servant Corps Project is a self-supporting ministry of the Rocky Mountain Synod. Each worship service costs VSCP $250 plus mileage. Of course, this is more than $1000 a month.

Interested in supporting this important ministry? Go to veteranservantcorps.org to donate.

Get the Summer 2023

Ambassador-Gram!

Get info from Lutheran Men in Mission about a new book discussion on "Of Boys and Men," connect with the interactive online Bible Study, watch videos from the Spring Bold Gathering meeting, get the new edition of Lifelines, note the dates for upcoming One Year To Live Retreats, and get links to download the new Lutheran Men in Mission App!

Read it online here, click the image or download it here, and get back issues here.

RMS WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION

Views from the Rockies

August 2023

Here is the latest issue of the Views from the Rockies. Read about the Fall Gathering and put it on your calendar to attend. If you are attending the Triennial Gathering in Phoenix, please contact Anna Thompson, RMSWO President at anna498.at@gmail.com so we can meet up in Phoenix. The RMSWO will be sharing a White Chicken Chili Recipe with all those we meet at Triennial. It would be fun if all of us could share this recipe with all we meet.

A special incentive for all attending the RMSWO Fall Gathering, "Walking together in God's Way," is to bring a young woman, 20- 45years old, as part of your group and you will receive $5 off every registration. It is our hope that we can bring more women of all ages together to learn from each other and lead us to a new future for us all!

What can Faith Communities Do to Welcome Asylum Seekers?

Many faith organizations are celebrating the lifting of Title 42 after years of it being misused to rapidly expel asylum seekers at the southern border. However, there are grave concerns that the policies being implementing in its place will have severe, life-threatening consequences for asylum seekers and migrants.

Continued advocacy from people of faith is needed to restore protections for all people seeking safety. We have been sharing one possible action a week for the last several weeks. Here is a fifth and final action you and your faith community can take today:

Volunteer at a Shelter or Welcome Center or Accompany an Asylum Seeker

• Accompaniment Resources
• Accompaniment Network Map

Information provided by: Interfaith Immigration Coalition - @interfaithimm • Facebook • interfaithimmigration.org

Jazz Vespers - CANCELLED!

Saturday, August 12, 6:00pm

JAZZ VESPERS AT 6 P.M. on Saturday, August 12, has been cancelled because Pastor Barbara will be out of town for some well deserved and much needed vacation time.

Please plan to join us again on Saturday, September 9th at 6:00pm for this wonderful worship experience through a different idiom.

Help us connect students to the Bread+Belonging Campus Ministry. Whether your student is graduating, a graduate student, or just starting, we want to be in touch with them. Please use this form at tinyurl.com/BuffBNB to help us get in touch with those you know on campus. Bread+Belonging is a free, weekly Tuesday night meal for students from 6pm to 7:30pm at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church (across from the Engineering Center). Always a veggie option. LGBTQ+ affirming. No religious demands. Just food and people.

Bread+Belonging is a partnership of St. Aidan's Episcopal Church and Lutheran Campus Ministry (ELCA)

Faith-based Suicide Prevention Upcoming Trainings

It’s estimated that in a congregation of 200 adults that 12 of them are likely to be considering suicide on any given Sunday. In a youth group of 20 high school students, 3 of them are likely to be thinking about suicide…this is perspective changing information. Who are they?

Faith communities are critical sources of support during difficult times. That being said, faith communities are truly a natural setting for suicide prevention and have an important role to play. They can play an important role in identifying individuals in distress and helping them seek help.

As a leader & member of the faith community, you can play an active role in suicide prevention. By doing this, you create a sense of connection among individuals and a feeling of belonging. In addition, you and your communities can also support members who have lost a loved ones to suicide.

Documentation and Legal Aspects of Faith Community Nurse Practice

presented by Denise Viker, RN BSN

Thursday, August 17, 5:00-7:00pm MT

This workshop will provide information on documentation for Faith Community Nursing and Health Leaders. Denise will present information regarding Legal Aspects of Practice for Health and Wellness programs. Key points include:

• How documentation follows legal guidelines and standards
• Importance of record keeping and data collection for programs
• Advantages and disadvantages of a documentation options
• Establishing and maintaining professional boundaries
• Limiting liability for faith community nurses and congregations

Interim Ministry Training Using a Group Coaching Model

First and Third Fridays of the Month beginning August 18, 9:00-10:00am

The Interim Ministry Training is based in the real-time real life work of an Intentional Interim Pastor, and will focus on interpersonal conversations, conducted online, as well as digital and print media. It will use a “coach-approach,” which believes that 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 mastery 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.

Cost is $585. Visit purposefulpastor.com/interim-ministry for more information.

ZOOM EVENT

The Great Displacement Book Discussion

Saturday, August 12, 10:00am

The Great Displacement, by Jake Bittle, 2023

Climate change is reshaping the U.S. in another way, "Each passing year brings disasters that disfigure new parts of the United States, and these disasters alter the course of human lives, pushing people from one place to another, destroying old communities and forcing new ones to emerge." His book takes a look at several communities that have been affected by climate change, and how the lives of their residents — the ones who have survived — have been altered by extreme weather. Twenty million Americans have been displaced by extreme events, to date. The Great Displacement is a fascinating look at how America has changed, and will continue to change, as climate change wreaks havoc on the nation and the people who live there.

For information: rmscreationcareteam@gmail.com

Welcome Back BBQ!

Sunday, August 20 4:00-600pm

Join Rejoicing Spirits Sunday, August 20, at Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church 21755 E Smoky Hill Rd. Aurora, CO 80015 from 4-6 p.m. for a barbecue and worship!

We will unite in activities, singing, laughing and loving God. Rejoicing Spirits is an inclusive worship space for people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities, their caregivers, families and anyone who seeks an open, joyful and creative worship experience.

We will gather at LOTH on the third Sunday of each month in 2023.

If you would like more information regarding the Rejoicing Spirits experience or volunteering, please contact:

Pastor Margot at pastor@lordofthehills.org

Pastor Ann Hultquist at native2615@gmail.com or

Karen Ullestad kmullestad@hotmail.com

“We will know what it is to be created in God’s image when all are included.”

Try a Zero Waste Potluck in August!

Holy Cross Lutheran in Wheat Ridge, CO, hosted a Zero Waste Sunday morning. There were no bulletins printed for worship and following the service the Environmental Stewardship Team hosted zero waste potluck. What is a zero-waste potluck? Well, in this case it meant that everyone brought what they needed in order to partake of the tasty, potluck dishes everyone brought so that there was zero waste. Participants brought a dish to share that was cold or at room temperature. They brought their own plates and utensils. The stove was not turned on nor the microwave not used. No paper napkins, plates, or cups. No dishes or silverware from the church kitchen. No trash, so no trash cans. The coffee and lemonade were provided. Participants brought drinking cups, plates, bowls, silverware, cloth napkins, and some a kitchen towel to wipe the table and wrap up the dirty dishes. Everything was taken home and used again.

The creation care team encourages you to always carry a reusable water bottle with you. Try reducing your trash to one bag a week. Keeping materials out of landfills is one critical way to battle climate change. True zero waste encompasses a whole different approach that requires massive change. It focuses on restructuring production and distribution systems to reduce waste. Just think - RE-USE! It's a start.

Visit the Creation Care Team on Facebook!

"As the NC Synod of the ELCA, God calls us to...

Cultivate & Celebrate Vital Congregations, Identify, Equip, and Nurture Whole & Healthy Leaders, Embrace & Engage in Collaboration, and Proclaim the Promise of the Resurrection with a Prophetic Voice

…All for the Sake of the World."

Read more >

The Rev. Timothy M. Smith was reelected June 3 to serve a second six-year term as bishop of the North Carolina Synod.

Visit nclutheran.org and on Facebook.

Click here to view a Bishops and Synods map of our 65 ELCA synods and 9 regions.