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eConnection
weekly email of the
Rocky Mountain Synod
January 31, 2012 |
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Greetings!
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 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly April 26-28, 2012 Colorado Spring, Colorado As we prepare for the April 2012 Assembly of the Rocky Mountain Synod, you are invited to join in conversation by sharing pictures, stories, questions and videos about your and our "landscape of faith." This can be an exterior landscape, i.e. where you live, worship and work, or an interior landscape, i.e. how you live, worship and work in relationship to your place, your geography, your community, your interior formation in faith. Visit the Landscapes of Faith blog and join the conversation. Click on "comments" below each post to read comments, or leave a comment. More specific information about the assembly, including registration, will be communicated next week. |
| OUR LIFE TOGETHER |
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Everlasting God, you give strength to the weak and power to the faint. Make us agents of your healing and wholeness, so that your good news may be made known to the ends of your creation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Prayer from Sundays and Seasons Year A 2011
Pastor Chris Davis Installed at Atonement-Lakewood
On Sunday, January 29, Bishop Allan Bjormberg presided at the Service of Installation for Pastor Davis at Atonement Lutheran Church in Lakewood, CO. The congregation and community was thrilled to welcome Pastor Davis. 
Rev. Sarah Anderson to be Installed The congregation and community of Epiphany Lutheran Church, Denver, CO, invite you to the Service of Installation for Rev. Sarah Anderson. The service will take place on Sunday, February 5 at 10:00 a.m. Bishop Allan Bjornberg will be present to install Pastor Anderson. 
Pastor Cardin to Receive Iliff's Distinguished Alumni Award Iliff School of Theology is pleased to present the Iliff Distinguished Alumni Award to Pastor Emily Cardin, Director of the Denver's Women's Prison Ministry, on Thursday, February 9, 2012. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. and will take place at Iliff School of Theology's Great Hall, located at 2201 South University Blvd. in Denver (80210). The cost for the event is $35/per including dinner. Please R.S.V.P. to Tim Zeckser at tzeckser@iliff.com by January 27, 2012.
Synod Prayer Cycle: Border Conference
You are encouraged to include the listed leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. The prayer list for March is available. to remember in prayers on 2/5: Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey El Paso, TX Rose Mary Sanchez-Guzman Mount Hope El Paso, TX Rodney Hansen New Hope El Paso, TX Jeff St. Clair
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RAINBOW TRAIL LUTHERAN CAMP
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 Youth Director's Retreat Scheduled for March
All Youth Ministers new to the synod or in a new position in the past two-years are encouraged to attend a "Welcome to the Synod" pre-event, prior to the Youth Director's Retreat at Rainbow Trail. This event begins at 7:00 p.m. Sunday eve, March 18 and lasts through 3:00 p.m. Monday afternoon. The cost is $25/person - scholarships available. Please register with Ben Larson.
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REMINDERS
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Elect your assembly voting members now; Consider including a youth or young adult!
Your voting members will be invited to attend spring Conference gatherings for dialogue and discernment regarding the upcoming election of a new bishop at the April 26-28 Assembly in Colorado Springs.
Congregations are encouraged to include youth and young adults as voting members at the 2012 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly.
Lifting up and empowering young people to serve is part of the calling of every congregation! Please take a look at the guide - "Youth and Young Adults: Expanded Roles for Youth and Young Adults", created to assist congregations in the process. You have the opportunity to identify youth and young adults who will represent your congregation as voting members at this year's Synod Assembly.
2012 RMS Financial Summary
Reprint in your annual report or newsletter. Share the link to the .pdf in your electronic newsletter: www.rmselca.org/2012
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| YOUTH & EDUCATION NETWORKS | |
 RMS Youth Ministry Trainings
A series of on-site, face-to-face Youth Ministry trainings will take place throughout the RMS as part of the Practice Discipleship: The ELCA Youth Ministry Training Project.
These special trainings are being offered FREE to all youth and family ministry professionals and volunteers, whether you are or are not attending the ELCA Youth Gathering. These workshops will strengthen your ministry with young people wherever it happens.
Christian Education Network
Anyone who coordinates Christian Education or teaches Sunday School or leads Faith Formation in their congregation is invited to network with other paid and volunteer leaders on Thursday, February 16, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the RMS office. If you are interested in an evening time at a local church on this same date, please let Linda know. TOPIC: Tools & Resources for Gifts Based Ministry. RSVP to Linda Staats.
 The next webinar is scheduled for February 5 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (CST) and will be presented by Dr. Jeremy Myers, ministry professor at Augsburg College. The title is: "Lutheran Theology - How Lutheran Read the Bible."
Specifically, all adults accompanying youth to the ELCA Youth Gathering are encouraged to attend, as well as a representation of your high school youth registered for The Gathering - at least one youth for every five registered. The three-hour trainings will be led by Kristen Baltrum, Gathering Coordinator and Linda Staats, Gathering Coach and and members of the synod's Core Team for the Gathering: Andy Sprain (Sky Ranch) and Ben Larson (RTLC).
Save the following dates for your area. Sites to be announced when they are available.
Albuquerque, NM - February 26, Cross of Hope Lutheran Church Denver, CO - March 10 Colorado Springs, CO - March 18 Casper, WY - March - 25 Salt Lake City, UT - April 15 Ft. Collins, CO - April 29 |
| RMS CHILDREN, YOUTH & HOUSEHOLD MINISTRY | |
SAVE the DATE!
RMS Lutheran Schools Appreciation Days
You are invited to a "Gathering" for Rocky Mountain Synod (RMS) preschool and school directors, pastors and a school board member/staff person. The events will take place in two locations:
- Tuesday, February 28, Cross of Hope Lutheran Church, Albuquerque
- Thursday, March 22, Denver area. Site TBA
This will be a time to network with peers, share joys and challenges, ask questions and share what works. Also, we will have an opportunity to visit someone else's school and learning center. The focus for our time together is the question, "What Does Faith Have to do With It? The Spirituality of Children."Gayle Denny, Executive Director of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA) will be with us. All are invited - one does not need to belong to ELEA to attend.
The cost is $10/person or $25 for three from a church and school. Each gathering is from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and includes lunch and free give-aways! To RSVP, email Cheryl Almquist in the synod office or call 303-777-6700/800-525-0462. If you have other questions, please contact Linda Staats by email or phone (602-740-3752).
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| SAFE HAVEN | |
REMINDER: SAFE HAVEN GUIDELINES
All congregations are to have begun or completed the process of creating Safe Haven Guidelines and procedures for their congregation and related ministries by the 2012 Assembly. The Safe Haven initiative is all about keeping children and youth safe within the congregation's ministry.
The "Safe Haven: A Resource for Congregations" is the result of diligent work by a team of people in the Rocky Mountain Synod. If you need assistance or have questions, please contact Linda Staats who will refer you to a member of the Safe Haven Task Force.
If your congregation has completed or updated your Safe Haven Guidelines, please send notification to Linda Staats, Assistant to the Bishop for Youth and Household Ministry. If your guidelines are posted on your congregation's website, please send the web link. Any comments you wish to include about the process and what these guidelines have meant for your congregation will be much appreciated.
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SPRING CONFERENCE GATHERINGS
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Spring Gatherings prepare for the Bishop Election at the 2012 Synod Assembly
These gatherings will be to educate voting members, rostered leaders, and others, about the discernment and election process, to begin discernment in light of the potential nominee biographical and ministry materials available to them, and to identify initial questions to be presented to nominees at the assembly. Bible study and discernment materials will be provided.
Wyoming
SAT 2/18 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in Casper (place TBD)
Northern NM
SAT 2/25 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - St. Luke Albuquerque
Metro West part 2
SAT 2/25 from 10:00 a.m. to noon - Good Shepherd in Glenwood Springs
Northern CO
SAT 3/3 from 10:00 a.m. - noon - Immanuel in Greeley
Border
SAT 3/3 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Mt. Hope in El Paso
Utah
SAT 3/10 from 10:00 a.m. to noon - Christ the King in South Jordan
Metro West part 1
SAT 3/10 from 10:00 a.m. to noon - Holy Cross in Wheat Ridge
Boulder/Broomfield
SAT 3/17 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Grace in Boulder
Metro South
MON 3/19 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - St. Phillip in Littleton
Southeast CO
TUE 3/20 from noon-2:00 p.m. - First Lutheran in Colorado Springs
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URBAN SERVANT CORPS
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 Urban Servant Corps Celebrates 25th Anniversary in 2012! You are invited to join the Urban Servant Corps in honoring this important year in the life of the organization! Stay tuned for special alumni events and other gathering opportunities that will highlight the ways that Denver is a changed community because of Urban Servant Corps! Below is an example of one opportunity. See others each month by signing up for the USC newsletter on to the website. Pledge for a Pound!  Whether or not you have a New Year's resolution to spend money more wisely, Urban Servant Corps has a great opportunity for you! To celebrate the 25 years of INCREDIBLE service to the Denver community, you are invited to make a regular contribution of $25 (or more!) on the 25th of each month in 2012. When you make this commitment, you will receive one pound of  fair-trade coffee. YUM! Consider it one of the ways you can uphold the values of simplicity, service, intentional community, and spirituality in this new year of 2012! It will, indeed, be money wisely spent! Contact Krista by email for more information.
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PEACE NOT WALLS
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Mark Braverman to Speak at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church
 On Sunday, February 5 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., Mr. Braverman will give a presentation at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, located at 1980 Dahlia (Montview and Dahlia in Park Hill) in Denver. The event is sponsored by Friends of Sabeel-Colorado.
In his quest to find a way forward, he turns to the prophets and to Jesus' transformative ministry, to speak a prophetic word of his own. Preview the book.
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ELCA GLOBAL LINKS
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Keeping Us Connected to the
Wider Church
Young adults: new opportunity for service
The Young Adults in Global Mission program is offering Madagascar as a new country program for 2012! In addition to Madagascar, opportunities abound for service in nine other countries around the world. This volunteer program is open to young people between the ages of 19-29. Final application deadline is March 1. Learn more.
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Lutherans invite students to help end malaria
The ELCA Malaria Campaign will provide new opportunities for college and university students attending Lutheran schools and ELCA campus ministries to engage in the global fight against malaria. See www.elca.org/malaria/grants for more information and application materials. Read this story and more. (click on News Releases in the left-hand column).
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Indonesia: We go to live with the people to realize the love of Jesus.
Lutherans in Indonesia are celebrating their 150th anniversary. Learn more about a unique institution in their church, a deaconess training school at the southern end of scenic Lake Toba in the crater of an ancient volcano. Hear the students sing and how they are taught in a two-minute video at www.elca.org/companionvoices.
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RAINBOW TRAIL LUTHERAN CAMP
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 Winter Confirmation Retreat
February 24 - 26
Join us for a Confirmation Retreat at Rainbow Trail and let us be partners with you in creating a fun atmosphere for learning in your confirmation program! We will sing songs, play games, learn together and play together in God's beautiful creation. Our staff will lead your kids in crafts, team-building activities, outdoor activities such as hiking or sledding, fun games, and camp songs!
Scott Moore, Youth Director at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (ELCA), is this year's featured speaker. He will lead us in inspiring, educational and fun group study sessions designed to expand on the studies you've already touched on at your home church. The theme for this year is "Spiritual Disciplines - Taking Our Faith from Religious to Relational".
For details or more information, please contact Ash by email. For registration information, check out the RTLC website: http://www.rainbowtrail.org/retreats/confirmation-retreat/
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ASSEMBLY VIDEO CONTEST: SHARE YOUR STORIES
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Video Contest Deadline is March 15!
New RMS video is a resource
for how to shoot a great video!
For the 2012 Synod Assembly, we invite congregations to tell their own stories about the "Landscapes of Faith" in the Rocky Mountain Synod.
This new video provides some pointers on how to tell stories and take good footage. If your Internet connection is slow and the video skips or freezes, you may need to hit "play" and wait a a few minutes for it to download before restarting it.
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Telling Video Stories in the Rocky Mountain Synod
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Information will soon be posted on the RMS website about how to submit videos. The ones that tell the most engaging stories will be shown at the RMS Assembly in April. Video contest videos are due March 15.
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GENEROSITY PROJECT WORKSHOPS ANNOUNCED
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Generosity Project 2012
Workshop Dates
and Sites:
Saturday - February 4, 2012
All Saints Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM
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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2012 FAITH ADVOCACY DAY - COLORADO
| Mark Your Calendars
 Put Your Faith Into Action
Turning the Corner from Charity to Justice
Faith Advocacy Day will take place on Monday, February 20, 2012, at the new History Colorado center, located at 1200 Broadway in Denver (80203). The event will be from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m with two optional sessions following the main event.
Street parking at meters is free on this day since it is a holiday. Also, there are pay lots one block west of History Colorado at 12th and Acoma.
For more information, including ways to register for the event, please check out the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado website. |
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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
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-New Mexico Annual Bishop's Legislative Luncheon, Santa Fe, NM; Installation of Pastor Sarah Anderson, Epiphany Lutheran Church, Denver, CO.
Visiting with the Call Committee of King of Kings Lutheran Church, Pueblo, CO; Presentation of the Generosity Project, All Saints Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, NM; Visiting the Call Committee of St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, NM.
CSM Interview, synod office, Denver, CO.
Presentation of the Generosity Project, All Saints Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, NM. Available by email
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CALENDAR |
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
Safeguarding God's Children's Training and Safe Haven Discusion Planned
You are cordially invited to the Safe Guarding God's Children training and Safe Haven discussion taking place on Saturday, February 25 at St. Matthew's Lutheran in Salt Lake City (84118). The event ia from 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and the cost is $10/person or max $50/congregation. All staff, council members and volunteer leaders who work with children and youth are encouraged to attend. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to Cheryl in the Rocky Mountain Synod office by email or phone (800-525-0462).
 The instructor is Nancy Bond O'Neal, a licensed insurance broker and certified risk manager who has been serving synods and congregations in Region 2 since 1995.
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NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
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Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM Annual Bishop's Luncheon is Thursday
The annual Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Bishop's Legislative Luncheon will be Thursday, February 2. Make plans to attend and be sure to make your reservation (or a reservation for a group from your congregation!) to attend this annual gathering which will be held at La Fonda in Santa Fe beginning at 12:30 p.m. Rocky Mountain Synod Bishop Allan Bjornberg will speak at the luncheon and will also share a message with us during the Issues Briefing in the morning prior to the luncheon. The day will begin at 9:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church (1701 Arroyo Chamiso) with registration, fellowship and an opportunity to learn more about the issues for which Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-New Mexico will be advocating throughout 2012.
The cost of the luncheon is $30 person ($25 per person when 4 or more people from a congregation or organization make reservations by January 26). If you are only attending the morning issues briefing, the cost is $5. Please contact Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM by phone (505-984-8005) or email lutheranadvocacy@yahoo.com to make reservations or for more details.
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| COLORADO | submit Colorado news or photos
 Luther College Nordic Choir in Concert Tonight
The Luther College Nordic Choir will present the last of three concerts in Colorado as part of the 2012 Colorado Concert Tour. The  concert will Take place at:
7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 31at Bethany Lutheran Church, located at 4500 East Hampden Avenue, Cherry Hills Village (80113).
Tickets: $20 adults; $15 Seniors; $10 Students
The program will feature selections chosen from: Holy Radiant Light, Alexander Gretchaninov; Love Is the Key, Zebulon Highben (recent winner of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians' 2011 Raabe Prize); other choral works by Sch�tz, Bach, P�rt, Lauridsen, and Nelhybel, as well as hymn-arrangements and spirituals. Allen Hightower is the conductor.
"Threshold" (Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry) Has Strategic Planning Meeting Scheduled The Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry (LECM) in Greeley, Colorado, also known as "Threshold," will host a strategic planning meeting on Saturday, February 11 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, located at 1865 14th Avenue in Greeley (80631). The LECM ministry is an ecumenical ministry primarily supported by the Lutheran and Episcopal denominations. The LECM seeks to reach out, through conversation, study, worship, fellowship and social service, to all University of Northern Colorado and AIMS Community College students who have questions of faith. The purpose of the strategic planning session is to establish priorities and create action plans that will lead to the attainment of the Threshold vision: Threshold seeks to invite all those, on countless different paths, to enter; to experience refuge and support in time of spiritual discovery; to challenge and be challenged by the truth of Jesus Christ. We welcome all to our community. We are a place and time for discovering the mysteries and meaning of life. This meeting is open to any interested congregations or individuals who would like to explore the future of this campus ministry. Please contact Mary Sorensen, Chair LECM Threshold Board of Directors, for more information or to RSVP.
The Lutheran Chorale Plans Workshop for Area Choirs The Lutheran Chorale is expanding its vision of community service. Now, under its new director, David Hodel, the Lutheran Chorale wishes to be a resource for musical growth and enrichment to local church choirs. 
This year, the Lutheran Chorale is hosting its second annual workshop for area choirs, addressing vocal production, music selection and styles, resources for praise bands, and breakout for organists. The workshop will take place on Saturday, February 11, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, located at 2100 North Wadsworth Blvd. in Lakewood. There is a nominal charge of $5 for supplies and a light lunch. For more information or to register, please contact Linda Blandin by email or phone (303-973-1161). The workshop activities culminate with a concert featuring Chorale members and workshop attendees the following day (Sunday, February 12). The concert will be at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Avenue, at 3 pm, and will feature Hymns Triumphant, Lee Holdridge's magnificent choral arrangement of well-known hymns.
Atonement - Boulder
50th Anniversary Celebration Coming Together...Celebrating Our Past and Building Our Future The members and community of Atonement Lutheran Church in Boulder invite you to join them in their 50th Anniversary celebration. This wonderful event of celebration and praise will take place beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 12, 2012. Please R.S.V.P. to the church by email or by phone (303-499-4567). Atonement is located at 685 Inca Parkway in Boulder (80303). |
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