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eConnection
weekly email of the
Rocky Mountain Synod
December 6, 2011 |
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| Greetings! | |
Deadline to submit potential nominee names for RMS bishop election is December 15
 So that information and conversation about the necessary gifts for bishop in the Rocky Mountain Synod can take place prior to the assembly (April 26-28, 2012), names of potential nominees for bishop are being gathered until December 15.
Those whose names are raised up will be informed shortly after December 15 with an invitation to submit a two-page biographical and informational page due by January 31.
The list of all those whose names have been submitted will be made available in early January. The biographical/information pages of those who choose to submit them will be posted online in early February.
The actual nomination process takes place at the synod assembly. That is why this preliminary process is for the purpose of gathering names of "potential nominees."
Submit the name of a potential bishop nominee.
Assembly Video Contest
We know each other by sharing our stories!
The Theme for the 2012 Synod Assembly in April 26-28, 2012 is Landscapes of Faith, and the deadline for submitting your own video stories is March 15. Details will be posted in the future, but we wanted to get the word out right away!
We will be seeking videos that are 2 minutes or less that depict not only the diverse geographic landscape of our Synod, but also the diversity of our people and ministries. Watch for more info!
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| OUR LIFE TOGETHER |
Third Sunday of Advent
Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the words of your prophets, that, anointed by the Holy Spirit, we may testify to your light; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer from Sundays and Seasons Year A 2011
Synod Prayer Cycle: Utah Conference
You are encouraged to include the listed leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. The prayer list for January 2012 is available. to remember in prayers on 12/11: Elim Ogden, UT Dana Lee Simon Grace Bountiful, UT Mount Tabor Salt Lake City, UT David Nichols
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YOUTH GATHERING UPDATES
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 Middle School Youth Gathering
Deadline is TODAY Tuesday, Dec. 6
The RMS Middle School Youth Gathering is January 13-15, 2012, in Colorado Springs at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. More info.
Any questions regarding registration after today (December 6), please contact R.C. Reiman by email.
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Front Range Youth Ministry Network Christmas Party
Event is this Thursday, Dec. 8
Member of the Front Range Youth Ministry Network will have their monthly meeting and Christmas party on Thursday, December 8 at 10:00 a.m. It will take place at Highlands Lutheran Church, located at 3995 Irving Street in Denver (80211). No R.S.V.P. is necessary.
Wear an ugly Christmas sweater. Bring a snack to share and a white elephant gift. You are invited to go out-to-lunch following the network party. Please contact Deaconess Ann Maki by email with questions.
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 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering
"Citizens with the Saints"
July 18-22, 2012
New Orleans, LA
The Rocky Mountain Synod has 41 congregations and 590 youth and caring adults registered for the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering. Registration ha snot closed yet, so congregations may still register.
Keep up with all the resources and tools for your preparation by signing up for the Gathering E-News. See who else is going from our synod by checking out our own RMS Gathering web page.
Check out the many resources available to equip ALL your adults to accompany young people to New Orleans and in your every day ministry, right where you are. Info link.
If you have questions, please contact your RMS Gathering Coordinator, Kristen Baltrum, or Coach, Linda Staats by email.
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Senior High Youth Gathering
400 high school youth and caring adults gathered in Estes Park before Thanksgiving. "God's Positioning System" or GPS guided them in worship, large and small groups and three different "pit stops" - workshop rotations. $2,460 was raised for ELCA World Hunger in response to the Citizens for the Saints Concert tour. View photos of the gathering.
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INFORMATION, NEWS AND DEADLINES
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 Theological Conference Deadline is December 21
The RMS Theological Conference is January 23-26, 2012, in Fort Collins, CO. December 21 seems like an early deadline, but we have to submit to the hotel our final numbers before Christmas! So remember the deadline is on the solstice! More info.
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RESOURCES
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 Former Missionary Offers Advise on Traveling "In the Shadow of Everest"
On the verge of retirement, retired Pastor Robert Ove (residing in Rio Rancho, NM) was struck by an advertisement in the Lutheran Magazine for a volunteer mission trip to Kathmandu, Nepala valley in the shadow of Mt. Everest. His wife, Pat, joined him for a yearlong adventure that changed their lives.
Though every country and culture is different, Rev. Ove in his book reflects on his personal experience in Nepal and offers invaluable information for future missionaries on dealing with language barriers, exotic foods, foreign transportation, foreign politics, religious customs, disease and contamination, adverse living conditions, and religious intolerance.
Join Robert as he encourages and forewarns you. Pick up a copy and discover the miracles that abound In the Shadow of Everest despite, or perhaps in light of, the seeming misfortunes that have befallen the inhabitants. See what God can do if you obey his leading.
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Webinars Offer FREE Learning Opportunities
Want to learn some proven techniques for engaging people in worship?
Want to build new skills for encouraging the faith formation of children, youth or adults?
In their efforts to assist clergy and lay leaders to learn effective new skills for improving the engagement levels in  both worship and in their faith formation programs, Augsburg Fortress and Sparkhouse, are offering FREE informative webinars which are 30 to 60 minutes in length include a wide range of helpful topics. Several webinars are each week on multiple topics. Some are during the day and some are at evening to accommodate various scheduling needs. Check the website often for the latest list of free and informative webinars.
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Advent Resources from Bethany
Looking for Advent resources? Brenda G. at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village, CO has prepared something just for you. Check out these resources.
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ELCA GLOBAL LINKS ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
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Spread the News
A Non-violent Warrior for Peace
"Every time the bold men rose up, they rose up with guns," says Liberian Lutheran Leymah Roberta Gbowee, winner of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. Read Leymah's story by visiting "Living Lutheran."
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Madagascar: Standing on the Success of Past Missionaries
Barbara Hinderlie recently completed service in Madagascar to begin service in Tanzania. She reflects on her missionary service and how previous generations of missionaries have walked alongside the church there as it prepares for a new era of ministry. Read the entire story at the Hand in Hand blog. Click either the copy-ready bulletin insert or the Fall 2011 issue of the Hand in Hand newsletter.
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Seeking Agricultural Volunteers
Various volunteer opportunities from two months to one year in duration are available with the Asian Rural Institute in Japan. Visit www.elca.org/globalserve/search and do a keyword search (at the bottom of the page) for "Japan" for more information.
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GENEROSITY PROJECT WORKSHOPS ANNOUNCED
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Generosity Project 2012
Workshop Dates
and Sites:
Saturday - February 4, 2012 - Albuquerque, NM (Site to be named)
Saturday - February 11, 2012 - St. Peter Lutheran Church - Carlsbad, NM
Peace Lutheran Church - El Paso, TX
Saturday - March 10, 2012 - Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO
Saturday - March 17, 2012 - Ascension Lutheran Church - Colorado Springs, CO
Saturday - March 24, 2012 - Ascension Lutheran Church - Cheyenne, WY
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CRISTO REY - EL PASO HOLIDAY PROJECT
|  RMS Mission Congregation Asks for Assistance to Bring Joy During the Holiday Season Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey and CEPCO (Central El Paso Community Organization) are putting together Christmas baskets (they hope to make 90 this year) for the families in the After School Program, the church and families of the surrounding community that need assistance to enjoy this holiday season. Cristo Rey and CEPCO are asking for your assistance, if you are able, in supplying any of the items on their list. You can also bring a laundry basket with items on the list ready to deliver. If you prefer to donate money towards the Christmas projects of Cristo Rey that include: Christmas baskets, Posadas Celebration (this is our biggest Christmas Service and Celebration of the year), and Christmas presents for our kids, please send your donation to Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey and put in the memo: "Christmas Projects". Our address is: 1010 East Yandell Drive El Paso, TX 79902 Please contact Pastor Rose Mary S�nchez-Guzm�n at 915-42--6545 or Pat Marruffo (secretary) at 915-203-8258. |
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ADVENT/CHRISTMAS WORSHIP in GERMAN
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Deutscher Adventsgottesdienst
German Advent Worship Service
A German language Advent Service will be held at Community of Joy Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, NM on Sunday, December 18 at 5:00 p.m. The Rev. Michael Bastian, German born Pastor at Community of Joy, will deliver the sermon and lead the congregation through the service in the German language. Traditional Advent hymns and music will be provided.
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Annual German Christmas Service at Messiah Community Church
Please join the congregation of Messiah Community Church for their annual German Christmas Service on Sunday, December 18 at 5 p.m. Messiah is located at 1750 Colorado Blvd. in Denver (80220). For more information, please contact the church by phone (303-355-4471) or visit the website.
Herzlich willkommen!
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FOR SALE
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Church Sanctuary Fixtures for Sale
Highlands Lutheran Church, Denver, is seeking a new home for the pulpit, lectern, baptismal font and elements table that were used in their original building. These items are in the old German style: white with gold trim. This furniture is small but is in excellent condition and could still be useful. The best offer will be accepted. Please contact Mary Williams by email for more information.
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JOB LISTINGS
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Office
Assistant
Position Open
Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, CO is currently seeking applicants to fill a part time Office Assistant position. The position is 20 hours per week, Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
A detailed job description which includes responsibilities, qualifications and compensation is available by email at office@sojoyfc.org with 'Office Assistant Job Description' as your subject line or pick up a copy from the church office at 4501 S. Lemay, Fort Collins, CO 80525.
Application deadline is December 9. You may email your resume with a cover letter to office@sojoyfc.org or deliver it to the Spirit of Joy office. If you require additional information, please contact Nancy McNair by email or phone (970-223-5303) or you may contact Diana Collins by email or phone (970-225-9124).
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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
Companion Synods Video Conference meeting, Denver, CO; Executive Committee meeting, Denver, CO.
Generosity Project meeting, synod office, Denver, CO; Visiting with the congregation of St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, NM.
Generosity Project meeting, synod office, Denver, CO; Mission Outreach Board meeting, synod office, Denver, CO.
Generosity Project meeting, synod office, Denver, CO; RMS Front Range Youth Ministry Network meeting, synod office, Denver, CO; Senior High Youth Gathering Follow-up meeting, Denver, CO Available by email
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CALENDAR |
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, Cherry Hills Village, CO. SEPTEMBER 23-25 Fall Theological Conference/ Bishop's Convocation, Cherry Hills Village, CO. 2013 MAY 2-4 2013 RMS Assembly Loveland, Colorado SEPTEMBER 23-26 Theological Conference Estes Park, Colorado |
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UTAH
| submit Utah news or photos
 Las Posadas - The Journey of Mary and Joseph to Find Room at the Inn
Who are we turning away from our doorsteps?
 Join us on December 16, 2011. The procession starts at 5:30 p.m. at Crossroads Urban Center, 347 South 400 East, then proceeds to First United Methodist Church and St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, ending at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Madeleine.
Please contact Marjorie Hurder, by email or phone 801-364-7765 (ext. 106), at Crossroads Urban Center for more information. Learn more about the tradition of Las Posadas.
 Leslie Whited of LSS Utah Urges
Insurance and Preparedness Kits
Lutheran Social Service of Utah, as the Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) site in Utah, encourages you to consider non-deductible landscape, flood and earthquake insurance added to homeowners insurance policies. Many of you may have heard that Weber and Davis counties in Utah (north of Salt Lake City) had hurricane winds (reaching close to 90 mph) on December 1-2, 2011. Wind damage to homes and a large number of trees toppling in the high winds (often against buildings) did cause much damage. It is not a federally declared disaster but many of us were without power from 36 hours to 5 days. These additional insurances are not automatic; but are often a minimal amount per month. For example, without landscape insurance, fallen trees not associated with home damage would have to be paid out-of-pocket, sometimes at prohibitive costs to low-income residents. Also additional flooding is possible if there isn't appropriate landscaping. Also, 72 hour kits are vital in disaster situations with clothing, supplies, matches/candles, non-perishable foods and can-opener, for battery operated radios and flashlights, blankets, hygiene items, hand sanitizer, medicines, copies of identification, etc. Contact LSS Utah for information on how to create one or otherwise, update your home and car 72 hour kits today!
 Elim Lutheran Church Celebrates 122nd Birthday Elim Lutheran Church, 575 23rd Street, Ogden, was incorporated as a congregation of the Scandinavian Augustana Synod in North America on December 8, 1889, with a membership of ten adults and seven children. The Reverend Frans August Linder was the pastor. Sunday, December 11, 2011, is the Sunday closest to Elim's birthday and the congregation will celebrate it after the 10:00 a.m. worship service. A birthday cake will be served, and members and guests with December birthdays will be honored. Scrapbooks with photographs, newspaper articles, and church literature will also be available for review and conversation. The public is invited. For more information, please contact Elim's office by email or phone (801-394-5543).
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NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
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Events |
| submit Colorado news or photos
 Give Where You Live! Event
Non-profits Participate in Colorado Gives Day
The second annual Colorado Gives Day is Today, Dec. 6. On this day citizens will come together again to raise millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations. Last year, the goal to raise $1 million for Colorado charities was exceeded; $8.7 million was distributed instead!
 Presented once again by Community First Foundation and FirstBank, Colorado Gives Day asks you to give to your favorite charities through the website www.GivingFirst.org , an online giving resource featuring all of the nonprofits participating in Colorado Gives Day. On this website we share our goals, accomplishments and much more to help you be informed.
Here are two RMS affiliated organizations that your gift could benefit by going online to donate:
Lutheran Family Services of Colorado
Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp
Donate online any time over the 24 hour period of December 6 to Give where you live!
Shopping Event that Benefits the Urban Servant Corps 10,000 Villages Event 2626 E. Third Ave., Denver (80206) Thursday, December 8
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The rumors are true...there are some who are planning for Christmas time already! Mark your  calendars to shop at this non-profit, fair-trade retailer of home decor, personal accessories, and unique gift items from around the world!
Ten Thousand Villages provides vital, fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. When you shop at Ten Thousand Villages on December 8, a percentage of the sales will be donated to the Urban Servant Corps.
The Lutheran Chorale/Lakewood Symphony Christmas Concert Welcome Joyous Season! Come celebrate the Christmas season at the Lakewood Cultural Center with the Lutheran Chorale, the Lakewood Symphony, and Green Mountain High School's "Shadows of the Mountain" chorus, performing selections from Handel's Messiah, Vaughan-Williams' Fantasia on Christmas, Bach's Suscepit Israel, Mendelsohn's There Shall a Star from Jacob, and other great music of Christmas.
There will be only one performance on Thursday, December 8 at 7:30 pm. For tickets, please call the Lakewood Cultural Center (303-987-7845), log on to the website, or stop by the box office at 470 South Allison Parkway.
J. S. Bach's Magnificat in D Presented at Grace - Boulder on December 11 The Grace Choir, Soloists and Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Joyce Shupe Kull, present Magnificat in D, BWV 243by Johann Sebastian Bach on Sunday, December 11, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. during the Sunday liturgy. Preview lectures-"Magnificent! Angelic Visions and  Musical Wonders"- will be presented at 8:30 a.m. in the Grace Fellowship Hall by Dr. Kull and Pastor Dee Watson. This version of the Magnificat includes five-part vocal writing, oboes, oboe d'amores, flauto traversos, three trombas (clarino trumpets), timpani, strings and organ. Learn more about how this version came to be. Soloists are Reinet Behncke, Soprano I; Kirsten Kamna, Soprano II; Raissa Johnson, Alto; Philip Fryer, Tenor; and Sebastian Schmidt, Bass. Grace Lutheran Church is located at the NW corner of 13th and Euclid on University Hill in Boulder (1001 13th Street, 80302). Please join them for this wonderful event!
Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols The congregation of Holy Love Lutheran Church and their Chancel Choir invite you to experience the joy of the season by attending their Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday evening, December 11 at 6:00 p.m. There will be Christmas scriptural readings and carols for the congregation. Choral pieces will include Bach, Berger, Britten, Handel, Manz, Moe, Morley, Ord, Pearson,  Rutter, Shaw, Sleeth,and the Christmas Peace. Holy Love is located at 4210 South Chambers Road in Aurora (80014). You may call the church office for more information (303-693-1162).
"Gloria!"
Augustana Lutheran's Chancel Choir, AVE, organ and brass join together at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 11, 2011 to present Augustana's Festival Christmas concert for the congregation and the community. The afternoon features Rutter's famous and well-loved Gloria  as the centerpiece. Other music rounding out the program includes the finale from Bach's Christmas Oratorio arranged for brass and choir by Denver Brass' Kenneth Singleton, Neil Harmon's Unto Us is Born a Son and the Sussex Carol. And everyone will enjoy singing familiar Christmas carols with organ and brass. The concert is free. Childcare is provided. The afternoon will be sure to leave everyone in the spirit of Christmas. For more information call the church at 303-388-4678. Augustana Lutheran Church is located at 5000 East Alameda Avenue in Denver (80246).
Christmas Vespers Concert at King of Glory - Arvada On Wednesday, December 21 at 7:00 p.m., King of Glory Lutheran Church will present its Christmas Vespers Concert, an evening of music from a variety of traditions, celebrating the blessed birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Music will be provided by the King of Glory Adult Choir; the King of Glory Handbell Choir; Mandy Bomar-Townend on keyboards; Jessie Rember and Jan Helgeson playing flutes; and Curtis Rember playing both guitar and saxophone. The concert is FREE. A free will offering will be taken. King of Glory is located at 10001 West 58th Avenue, Arvada (80002).
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