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eConnection
weekly email of the
Rocky Mountain Synod
August 30, 2011 |
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| Greetings! | |
More than 50 names have been received!
We are seeking names and emails of those who lead children, youth & household ministry
 To communicate effectively with those who lead children, youth and household ministry in your congregation, we need to know who they/you are! PLEASE take a few minutes to complete this survey so we can begin this fall with up-dated contact information for this important ministry.
complete the survey now
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| OUR LIFE TOGETHER |
Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost
O Lord God, enliven and preserve your church with your perpetual mercy. Without your help, we mortals will fail; remove far from us everything that is harmful, and lead us toward all that gives life and salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Synod Prayer Cycle: Metro South
Conference
You are encouraged to include the listed leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. The prayer list for September is available. to remember in prayers on 9/6:
Abiding Hope Littleton, CO
Chad Johnson, Doug Hill
ALMC/Cristo Rey Denver, CO
Armando Rangel
Atonement Lakewood, CO
Carl Hansen (Interim), Mary Black
Bethany Cherry Hills Village, CO
Ron Glusenkamp, Ruth Ann Loughry
Centennial Englewood, CO
Justin Nickel
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ELCA LIFT RESOURCES
|  Augsburg Fortress Provides Resources for Living into the Future Together
Each Congregation to Develop or Redefine their Local Mission Plan by December 2011
During the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the LIFT (Living into the Future Together) proposal was approved. With the proposal's focus on equipping congregations to be "centers for mission," the church called on congregations to begin, develop, review, or redefine their unique local mission plan by December 2011. While this is a standard procedure for many congregations across the ELCA, it will be a new way of living into the future for others.
 In anticipation of this, Augsburg Fortress and Spark House Publishers have been convening  groups of "missional leadership experts" from across the church over the past several months to assist them in thinking about what type of resource system might be most helpful for congregations as they focus their ministry in this way.
For those congregations that want to begin focusing on these missional initiatives now, here is a brief list of some of the most popular books related to missional leadership and missional congregations that Augsburg and Spark House offer. You may also find this short collection of informational items shared with and by the Eastern North Dakota Synod and the ELCA Resource Centers. Please feel free to use and share the resources.
For more information about the LIFT Proposal, please visit the ELCA website.
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LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION
|  Highlights from the 2011 LMM Tri-annual GatheringFrom July 22 - 24, 2011, hundreds of men from across the nation met in Denver, CO at the Denver Marriott DTC for the tri-annual Lutheran Men in Mission Gathering. Lutheran Men in Mission is the men's ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The 2011 Gathering gave men the opportunity to build their faith, relationships and ministry, and provide for ongoing leadership development. Dale Horkey, official photographer for the event, has put together a nice collection of images of the event. View the photos at: http://photoprose.printroom.com/lmm photo by of Dale Horkey |
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SENIOR HIGH YOUTH GATHERING 2011
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God's Positioning System
November 18-20, 2011
at Estes Park
This year, one adult will register for every five youth (all of matching genders!). In the registration process, the adult and youth will register in room groups. Please read the registration materials carefully, and use the "Registration Worksheet for Assigning Rooms" to assist in preparing for online registration.
The RMS is one of the stops on the Citizens with the Saints pre-tour concerts featuring AGAPE and Rachel Kurtz. They will be featured at this year's Senior High Youth Gathering, November 18-20. Download a schedule/poster and get more details at the SHYG website .
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LUTHERAN CAMPUS MINISTRY
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CONGREGATIONAL RESOURCES
|  Use "Our Daily Bread" video series in forums, classes, gatherings, and worship.
Remember the two excellent videos of RMS ministries shown at our assembly last spring? Each congregation received a DVD with three videos total, to be used at adult forums, bible studies, church groups, and in worship. Each video also includes Bible Study materials and a one-page devotional to use as you desire. The printed materials are also located on the DVD as data files. Be creative with ways to tell and share these excellent stories!
View the videos online and download the materials.
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REMEMBRANCE AND WORSHIP: COMMEMORATING 9/11
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Shadow and Light: A Time of Remembrance and Hope
A series of interfaith events are being planned in Denver for the weekend of 9-11 including workshops, concerts, dialogues, cultural exchanges and a community-wide interfaith worship service on Sunday evening. A Sunday bulletin insert and information sheet with several choices has been prepared to assist participants with their decisions.
"A Multifaith Service of Remembrance, Healing and Hope" St. John's Cathedral (main sanctuary)
1350 Washington Street, Denver, CO 80203, on Sunday, September 11 - 6:00-7:15 p.m. This service of music, word and symbolism will be lead by leaders of the three Abrahamic faiths. For more information and additional events go to www.multifaithdenver.org
The Worship Committee of the Metro D.C. Synod has developed a resource to commemorate the anniversary of September 11 to help us remember the ways our senses and our souls were affected that day. Congregations are invited to use the Entrance Rite including prayers, litany and hymn suggestions.
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RMS GLOBAL MISSION COMMITTEE
|  The ELCA Mission Story:
A four-part presentation
Dr. Carol Bertrand of the Rocky Mountain Synod (ELCA) Global Mission Committee has developed a four session curriculum to show how our church is accompanying churches around the world--how we are walking together in solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality.
Global Mission's work in the ELCA is divided into four main categories: Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and Latin America. Each region studied includes information on its history, government, the people, the language(s), animals, food (with one or more recipes given), and religion, focusing on the presence of the Lutheran Church in general and the ELCA in particular.
Download .pdf copy of the document
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NEW JOB LISTINGS
|  RMS Global Mission Looking for a Web Database IT Person The Rocky Mountain Synod Global Mission Committee would like to set up a web-based database where members of the synod could share information and questions on global ministries in which they are involved. The Committee is looking for someone with IT know-how in web-based databases who is willing to help set this up. Do you have the skills to bring to the project? Know someone who might be willing to help? Please contact Pastor Ron Roschke by email. Thanks in advance.
Chancel Choir Director Needed at Trinity-Ft. Collins Trinity Lutheran in Fort Collins, CO is seeking a Chancel Choir Director to support and expand the ministry and mission of Trinity through the Music Ministry. The position is a part-time position consisting of weekly rehearsals and performances at weekly Sunday services during the months of September - May. Special services and events are also included. A more detailed job description with duties and responsibilities is available. Interested persons are asked to please email office@trinitylutheranfc.org or contact the church office at 970-482-1226 to be directed to our pastors or a member of the search team.
 House for All Sinners and Saints Seeking Godly Play Facilitator House for All Sinners and Saints, a missional church community of the ELCA, is seeking a creative, passionate individual to serve as Facilitator, implementing Godly Play curriculum during our weekly Sunday evening worship service. The Facilitator will play a vital role in our worship life by creating space in which children ranging from toddler to teenager can engage deeply with the biblical story during the 30 minute long Service of the Word portion of the liturgy. In addition to planning and teaching weekly sessions, the Godly Play Facilitator will be responsible for providing care for children one half-hour before and one half-hour after service. Training and/or experience in the Godly Play program as well as completion of the Safeguarding God's Children training is required.
Compensation for serving from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. each Sunday is $50/week. In addition, the Facilitator may be given the option to provide care during other community events as they arise.
If interested, please email your resume and a brief statement describing your interest to to Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber or Vicar Matthew Nickoloff. More information about House for All can be found at our website. Thanks in advance for your interest!
You can find these and other job opportunities posted on the Rocky Mountain Synod's website. Please take a look. |
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Every Person, Every Congregation, Every Ministry, Boldly Serving God's Mission in Christ
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THIS WEEK
Bishop Allan Bjornberg
Out of the office this week.
Visiting with the congregations of Cross of Glory and Prince of Peace at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Denver, CO.
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| CALENDAR |
NOVEMBER 18-20Senior High Youth Gathering Estes Park, Colorado
Middle School Youth Gathering
Colorado Springs, Colorado
JANUARY 23-26
Winter Theological Conference
Fort Collins, Colorado
APRIL 26-28
2012 RMS Assembly Colorado Springs, Colorado JULY 16-18
ELCA MYLA & DAYLE
New Orleans, LA
JULY 18-22
ELCA Youth Gathering
New Orleans, LA SEPTEMBER 23 Installation of Rocky Mountain Synod Bishop Denver, Colorado SEPTEMBER 23-25 Fall Theological Conference/ Bishop's Convocation Denver, Colorado |
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GLOBAL LINKS
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ELCA assembly officially launches the ELCA Malaria Campaign
Every 45 seconds a child dies from malaria, a preventable and treatable disease. Based on the decision made at the Churchwide Assembly, the ELCA will join with Lutheran churches in Africa, to work toward a malaria-free future. See www.elca.org/news (click on News Releases in the left-hand column).
Senegal: Christian-Muslim relations
ELCA missionaries Peter Hanson and Sarah Grow reflect on life and ministry in an interfaith setting. Watch a short video at http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand.
The ELCA's best-kept secret: Young Adults in Global Mission
"We have been blessed this past year here in Jerusalem with six amazing, dedicated and talented Young Adults in Global Mission who have impacted our lives and the lives of the Palestinian church, while taking a giant step that means they will never see the world in the same way as before." Read more about the work of these young adults at http://blogs.elca.org/handinhand.
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UTAH
| submit Utah news or photos
 Elim Vacation Bible School Raises $288.70 to Combat Malaria
The 30 kids enrolled in Elim Lutheran Church's Vacation Bible School raised $288.70 to contribute to the Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI), said Pastor DanaLee Simon of Elim Lutheran Church in Ogden. The LMI is a joint effort of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Lutheran World Relief, and eleven Lutheran church bodies in Africa. The goal of LMI is to end malaria in Africa by 2015.  Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease, and it is a serious public health threat in Africa. One way to help prevent malaria is to sleep under an insecticide-treated net. A net that will protect an entire family costs only $10, but that is beyond the means of poverty-level families in Africa.
Each year the VBS kids raise money for a particular cause, and this year it was the Lutheran Malaria Initiative. To raise money, the kids raided their piggy banks, did extra chores, mowed lawns, held yard sales, and sang two benefit concerts, one for their parents, and the other during Elim's Sunday morning worship service. "I am very proud of our VBS kids and what they did to help people they will never see on the other side of the world," said Dave Thomas, Elim's congregational president. Vacation Bible School collects donations for the Lutheran Malaria Initiative as Pastor DanaLee Simon looks on. Photo by Gloria Wurst, Elim Lutheran Church
LSS Utah Raises Funds to Support Refugee Leadership and Ministries
You are invited to Lutheran Social Service of Utah's 2011 Fall Fundraiser, to take place on Saturday, October 1, 2011, at the Episcopal Conference Center, located at 75 South 200 East in Salt Lake City. The event begins at 2:00 p.m.
This fundraising event offers you the opportunity to mix with family, friends, and neighbors while experiencing a delicious, musical afternoon a silent auction, international refreshments from Burundi, Croatia, Iraq, and Sudan and music by the band "Stella" and other professional musicians.
You may purchase you tickets for $10.00 each by contacting Jose Bonilla by phone (801-703-3274). The event sponsor is Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Events Wild West Mill Creek Swap Meet! Held now through September 24, 2011 at Lutheran Social Service Utah located at 4392 South 900 East in Salt Lake City [84124] Tax deduction for your donations of gently used or new items which are free to refugee families.
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NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
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Jesus Christ Discipleship Crew Lutheran Youth Group
Albuquerque's new city-wide high school youth group called JC/DC (Jesus Christ Discipleship Crew) is in full swing. All youth from 9th through 12th grades are welcome to participate in this city-wide Sr. High Lutheran Youth Group. Activities are scheduled year round for this energetic group, including: Bible Studies, movie nights, service events, national and local youth gatherings, concerts, and more!
The group meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at St. Thomas of Canterbury Episcopal Church (425 University Blvd NE). The next meetings are scheduled for September 4 and 18. For more information about JC/DC or events, please contact Pastor Tim Orlowski of Messiah Lutheran Church by email or by phone (505-299-3311).
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COLORADO
| submit Colorado news or photos
 Rejoice Lutheran Church "Grand Opening" was a Community Event
On Sunday, August 28 Rejoice Lutheran Church celebrated the "grand opening" of their new "Church House" at 3413 Lowell Lane, Erie, CO (80516). The "Church House" is the renovated home that was originally located on the five-acre church site.  This was an event for the entire community with food, fellowship, and fun, including "bouncies"  and other games for the kids, a concert featuring the vocal band "Face." The Dedication of this "first phase" facility will be on Sunday, September 11 at 2:00 p.m. Bishop Allan Bjornberg is dedicating and preaching. Please join Pastor Ruby Narucki and the community of Rejoice Lutheran Church for all the festivities! photos by Dale Horkey
 A Call To Action - Providing Hunger Relief for Metro Denver
The congregation of Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village is asking the community to join it in providing hunger relief. Metro CareRing is challenging people in the Denver area to join Avenues of Hope: 9.10.11. Please take just a few minutes to watch the video from Metro CareRing. Avenues of Hope: Hunger Stops Here (9.10.11) is a community movement to eradicate hunger by educating, motivating and encouraging everyone to give! Please check out the website to see how you might be able to Help. Thank you for being a hunger relief advocate for the hungry here in Denver! The goal for faith communities in the metro-Denver area is to collectively raise $120,000 on or before September 10, 2011 (9.10.11) and to collect 120,000 lbs. of food. There are a number of ways to participate: - Pledge to do "a dollar per day" or a "pound per day" or BOTH
- Promise to gather "a pound of food each day" for 100 days
- Share ideas that you have; and
- Pray, so collectively we end hunger in our community.
Stay tuned for news and events about where and how to give your "dollar per day" and where to bring your offerings of food., so that enough food for all hungry people in Denver can be collected. Money to sustain the hungry of Colorado will also be gathered. Be a part of it!
 Bethany's Adult Learning Hour Welcomes You
On Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. in room 210, Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village will present a very special Adult Learning Hour focusing on the work being done to help our returning soldiers and their families. The time will be filled with information, conversation and inspiration. To get a seek preview of the topics, visit the website. A Churchwide Assembly resolution in 2009 affirmed and encouraged ministry for and with military families.
Clergy Immigration Witness Network Launch and Breakfast "Through witness, presence & prayer, demonstrate to immigrants they are not alone while demonstrating to the larger community our faiths' commitment to justice" - Have you ever spoken in support of immigrant rights...... and felt alone?
- Have you ever shown up to an immigrant rights event...and wondered, "Where are all the other clergy?"
- Have you wanted to be present to immigrant communitie5 ...but not known where to plug in? ...or if you are needed?
 If you answered YES, we invite YOU to learn more and get involved by attending the Clergy Immigration Witness Network Launch and Breakfast. The event will take place on Thursday, September 22, 2011 from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at the Justice for All Center located at 2525 W. Alameda Avenue in Denver (80219). Breakfast burritos will be provided by El Centro Humanitario's Women's Project.
You are asked to RSVP by September 9 to Jennifer Piper by email or phone (303-623-3464 ext. 5). Supported by the American Friends Service Committee, the Desert Mountain District of the A.M.E., the Colorado Council of Churches, the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, and the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado. 
Giving Thanks for the Harvest St. Mark Lutheran Church located at 111 Del Mar Circle in Aurora (80011) will be holding its Second Annual Harvest Festival on Friday, September 23, 2011, starting at 5:30 p.m. when dinner will be  served at NO charge. We'll celebrate with food and music, featuring the Bluegrass styling of "Credibility Gap." A Free Will offering to be received for the band. Come join the community of St. Mark as they give thanks for the harvest The congregation worships on Sundays at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. with Christian Education at 9:15 a.m.
New Beginnings 13th Annual Celebration Dinner and Fundraiser On September 24, New Beginnings 13th Annual Celebration Dinner and Fundraiser will take place at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO featuring a silent auction, dinner, entertainment, and awards. Mark IV will be on hand offering their musical gifts throughout the evening. Also, many hand knitted and crocheted items from the women on the inside will be available at the silent auction. For silent auction inquiries or donation, please contact Heiko Meyer by email. (Monetary donations are also welcome.) Come and make this a night to remember and let the women know that they are cared about. New Beginnings Church is an ecumenical ministry inside the Denver Women's Correctional Facility.
Events
"Give a Second Wind "Tenth Anniversary 5K Run/Walk and Music festival Sunday, September 8, 2011 at the Jeffco Fairgrounds
For more information, please see the website.
Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center Evening of Fellow and Worship at Bethany
October 2, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
Get more information, see the flyer or contact Lance or Carol Jacobson by phone (480-201-9126 or 480-466-6053).
Lutheran Marriage Weekend - Resource for Married Couples
October 21-23 Location to be announced
Get information: www.GodLovesMarriage.org or
Email Bud and Cindy
Dr. Diana Butler Bass at Messiah Community Church, Denver
October 28-30, 2011
For more information, please visit the website or call the church at 303-355-4471.
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Communications Staff
Rocky Mountain Synod
800-525-0462 / 303-777-6700
Announcements for
eConnection are due before noon on Monday for the issue the following
day. Event announcements are included for two weeks. Please submit your
announcement at the time it should appear.
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