|
|
|
|
eConnection
weekly email of the
Rocky Mountain Synod
February 7, 2012 |
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
| 
Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly
April 26-28, 2012 Colorado Springs, 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. Assembly Landscapes of Faith - Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, Dr. Marty Stortz, and Mr. Mark Mummert will be assembly guests
- Registration information will be communicated next week, with a deadline of March 27
- The theme is Landscapes of Faith
- Bios of 17 "potential nominees" for bishop have been posted online.
- Information about resolutions, display tables, etc., will be posted later this week with a deadline of March 1
- Deadline for resolutions and nominations will be March 15
|
| OUR LIFE TOGETHER |
Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Almighty and ever-living God, with mercy you look upon our weakness. Stretch out your wondrous hand to protect us from danger and restore us to health, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Prayer from Sundays and Seasons Year A 2011
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.
Rev. John Bell to be Interim
at St. Luke's in Buffalo, WY
Upon the retirement of Pastor John Orwig in December, 2011, St. Luke's welcomes Pastor John Bell as Interim pastor for St. Luke's Lutheran Church as our call process begins.
Jennifer Viegut to be Consecrated
as a Diaconal Minister
The Bishops, Clergy and People of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America request the honor of your presence at the  consecration of Jennifer Susan Viegut as Diaconal Minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on Sunday, February 26, 2012. The Service of Consecration begins at 2:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, located at 815 East 16th Street in Loveland (80538).
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 2/12: Our Savior Alamogordo, NM Bruce Freeman Peace Las Cruces, NM Steve Loy Peace El Paso, TX Wayne Kendrick |
ELCA MALARIA CAMPAIGN in OUR SYNOD
|
 Our Youth are Leading the Way in the ELCA Malaria Campaign
Atonement Lutheran Church in Boulder, CO, has been raising awareness and funds for the ELCA Malaria Campaign. They see this campaign as a connecting point for them with the ELCA tagline, "God's Work. Our Hands." The primary fundraisers in the congregation have been the Sunday School students at Atonement. They have also received a matching grant of $500 from a member of the congregation.
The students' goal is to purchase one net for each student in the Sunday School or approximately 50 nets by April when they will lead a worship service and invite the congregation to join them in the Malaria Campaign cause. For each $10 raised for a mosquito net they add a paper "person" they have made for their Malaria Campaign wall.
Rocky Mountain Synod congregations, individuals and organizations have given $105,746.97 to the ELCA Malaria Campaign so far! Thanks to your generosity we are over halfway to our goal of $200,000. To find resources about the ELCA Malaria Campaign for your congregation please check out our website at www.rmselca.org/malaria.
|
SPRING CONFERENCE GATHERINGS
| |
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
Metro East
SUN 3/11 from 2 - 4 p.m. at Christ the Savior in Aurora
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
|
REMINDERS
|
Elect your assembly voting members now;
Consider including a youth or young adult!
Your voting members will be invited to attend spring Conference gatherings (listed above) 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. The youth or young adult would be one of your usual voting members. It is not an additional voting member.
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.
|
| RMS LUTHERAN CAMPS |
 
TOO MUCH FUN
CAMP GAME NIGHT Staff from Sky Ranch and Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camps will be leading a wild and wonderful evening of amazing camp games and other ridiculously fun stuff on Sunday, March 4 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Glory of God Lutheran Church, located at 12200 W. 38th Avenue in Wheat Ridge (80033). Bring your middle school and senior high school youth to this city-wide (or however-wide) event - an hour of games, then snacks and worship, and you're home in time to do your homework. Let us know that you're coming by calling 303-421-2721 or emailing Christi at zappgog@lbtmail.com) if you can, and we'll be sure to have plenty of snacks...or show up at the last minute with a bag of chips. A lot of fun and a foretaste of summer.
It's All about Grace...Everyday Grace!
|
RAINBOW TRAIL LUTHERAN CAMP FUNDRAISER
|
Eat Pizza - Support Rainbow Trail TODAY!
On February 7th you can eat pizza at California Pizza Kitchens and support Rainbow Trail.
Click here to download a coupon and join us at a CPK in Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Lakewood, Lone  Tree, or Albuquerque.
20% of proceeds from your dinner will be donated to Rainbow Trail. We're working on locations in Minneapolis as well. This is a great opportunity to take the family or friends our for a great dinner support an organization you love. All you need to do is download and print the Pizza Coupon by clicking here then just take the coupon to one of several California Pizza Kitchens listed on the coupon. Be sure to give it to your server at the beginning of your meal. Thanks for supporting Rainbow Trail and enjoy the pizza!
____________________________________________
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
____________________________________________
Youth Director's Retreat Scheduled for March at Rainbow Trail 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. |
| YOUTH & EDUCATION NETWORKS | |
RMS Front Range Youth Ministry
Network Meets February 9
Front Range Youth Ministry Network monthly meeting will take place on Thursday, February 9th at 10:00 a.m. at the synod office. We will follow the meeting with lunch at a local caf�. Please contact Ann Maki by email with questions or for more information.
____________________________________________
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. 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, 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., will be led by Kristen Baltrum, Gathering Coordinator and Linda Staats, Gathering Coach 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 will 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).
|
GENEROSITY PROJECT WORKSHOPS ANNOUNCED
|
Generosity Project 2012
Workshop Dates
and Sites:
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
|
RMS CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
| |
 Christian Education Network in Our Synod
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.
|
| 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.
|
URBAN SERVANT CORPS
|
 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.
|
ELCA GLOBAL LINKS
|
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.
____________________________________________
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).
____________________________________________
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.
|
ASSEMBLY VIDEO CONTEST: SHARE YOUR STORIES
|
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.
 | |
Telling Video Stories in the Rocky Mountain Synod
|
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.
|
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. |
RESOURCE
| |
Hymnals Available
Evergreen Lutheran Church has about 154 With One Voice hymnals and 147 Lutheran  Books of Worship that they would gladly donate to a congregation. Evergreen Lutheran recently purchased the Evangelical Lutheran Worship and would now like to donate the old hymnals. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact the church office by email or phone (303-674-4654).
|
NEW JOB LISTING
| |
OSLC Youth Ministry Director
Position Open
OSLC Mission Statement- Our Saviour's Lutheran Church welcomes all to the love of Christ through Worshipping, Learning, and Serving.
OSLC seeks to accomplish this mission with its young people and families through partnering with households to grow fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. The Youth Ministry Director position will focus most completely on ministry with High School youth and their families with additional responsibilities with middle school youth and their families.
The youth minister's tasks include administration, support, and equipping of a youth ministry that is fully integrated with the life of the congregation. Please visit the website for a more complete list of responsibilities, duties and compensation.
In order to apply, please submit a letter of interest and resume to office@our-saviours.org. You may also choose to mail a copy to OSLC, 2000 South Lemay, Ft. Collins, CO 80525
Application deadline is March 5, 2012.
|
|
 |
Every Person, Every Congregation, Every Ministry, Boldly Serving God's Mission in Christ
|
THIS WEEK
Bishop Allan Bjornberg
Leading the Forum and Worshipping with the congregation at Christ Lutheran Church, Highlands Ranch, CO.
Presentation of the Generosity Project at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Carlsbad, NM; Visiting with the congregation of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Fort Morgan, CO; Region 2 Staff Retreat, Carefree, Az.
Presentation of the Generosity Project at Peace Lutheran Church, El Paso, TX; Visiting with members of Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey, synod office, Denver, CO; Visiting with members of HKBP/Montclair, synod office, Denver, CO.
ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza, New Orleans, LA. Available by email
|
CALENDAR |
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
BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH Cherry Hills Village, CO. SEPTEMBER 23-25 Fall Theological Conference/ Bishop's Convocation
EMBASSY SUITES Denver, CO. 2013 MAY 2-4 2013 RMS Assembly Loveland, Colorado SEPTEMBER 23-26 Theological Conference Estes Park, Colorado |
|
|
|
| WYOMING | submit Wyoming news or photos
 
Scandinavian Dinner Planned at
St. Luke's Lutheran Church
The congregation of St. Luke's Lutheran Church, located at 615 North Burritt in Buffalo, invites you and the community to a Scandinavian Dinner on Sunday, February 26, 2012.
This all you can eat dinner will take place at St. Luke's from noon until 3:00 p.m. and will include dishes like lutefisk, meatballs, pork roast, lefse and many other traditional dishes. The cost is $30 for a family; $14 for adults; $8 for children age 6-12; and FREE for children under five years old when accompanied by a paying adult. Come out for the great food and fellowship!
The Book of Exodus Will Highlight the Lenten Season at Good Shepherd-Casper Good Shepherd Lutheran in Casper will be travelling back in time to the book of Exodus in its Lenten journey this year. During the five Wednesday night, 6:00 p.m. fellowship hours and 7:00 p.m. worship services, beginning February 29, congregants will hear dramatic scriptural readings of Growing up Egyptian, The Burning Bush, Making Bricks Without Straw, Let My People Go, and Singing of Deliverance. The Exodus readings are part of the church's emphasis on the "Roots of the Faith" and how the Old Testament prepares the way for a deeper understanding of the New Testament, communion, and of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Good Shepherd is at 51 Primrose Street, behind Shepherd of the Valley Health Care Center. From CY Avenue in Paradise Valley, turn north on Paradise Drive, then left on Magnolia Street, then right on Primrose. For more information, call 237-3503.
Events
|
|
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.
Elder House Has Happened! It is with great delight that Lutheran Social Service of Utah announces the development of Elder House by private owners, Mike and Debbie Johnson, who are part of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (attends St. Paul in Ogden). They named the facility: Trinity Care Center! It is a 36 person facility for assisted care/long term care levels (a person would need to have dementia or need double assist to qualify) and often this facility is for people who are just on Medicaid/Medicare. Many services are offered from professional medical care to therapy services, games and outdoor activities. Meet Mike and Debbie and get more information about the Trinity Care Center. You can reach Mike by email or cell phone: 801-231-8132. Debbie is adept at setting up Medicare/Medicaid for families/patients. There are currently six openings: 3 women and 3 men.
|
NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
| |
Events |
| COLORADO | submit Colorado news or photos
"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.
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). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
