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eConnection
weekly email of the
Rocky Mountain Synod
February 14, 2012 |
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| POTENTIAL NOMINEES FOR BISHOP | |
Seventeen respond by submitting bio
Of the 64 names submitted last fall, 17 pastors responded to the invitation to complete a bio page and answer six questions. This is a part of the preliminary, informative process leading up to the election process at the Assembly, April 26-28. Read the informative pages by clicking on the photos at left.
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| OUR LIFE TOGETHER |
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
Gracious God, out of your love and mercy you breathed into dust the breath of life, creating us to serve you and our neighbors. Call forth our prayers and acts of kindness, and strengthen us to face our mortality with confidence in the mercy of your Son, 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
Jennifer Viegut to be Consecrated as a
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 lists for March and April are available. to remember in prayers on 2/19: St. Mark Roswell, NM Larry Sydow St. Peter Carlsbad, NM Geri Cunningham |
RMS CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
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 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.
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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. |
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. Our Savior's in Casper
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
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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 (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.
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MUSIC RESOURCE
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Lutheran Summer Music Benefits Musicians and Congregations
For 31 years, Lutheran Music Program has produced the Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival (LSM), a four-week residential training and performance program for gifted high school students. The 2012 Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival will take place June 24 to July 22 on the campus of Luther College in Decorah, IA., where more than 150 students in grades 8-12 will live together in a supportive community focused on musical excellence, faith formation, and personal growth.
Both the youth who attend LSM and the congregations from which these students come benefit from investment and participation, as evidenced by recently-released results of a comprehensive national research study.
Applications for LSM 2012 are currently being accepted in all instrument and vocal areas. For more information on Lutheran Music Program and the Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival, visit www.lutheransummermusic.org, email lsm@lutheransummermusic.org or call toll free at 888-635-6583.
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| 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!
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RAINBOW TRAIL RETREATS
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 Winter Confirmation Retreat
February 24 - 26
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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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 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
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| 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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GENEROSITY PROJECT WORKSHOPS ANNOUNCED
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Generosity Project 2012
Workshop Dates
and Sites:
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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| 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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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! Sign 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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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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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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Upload your video to YouTube and then provide a link to your video. Submit your link to landscapesoffaith@gmail.com.
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RESOURCE
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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).
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NEW JOB LISTINGS
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Worship Nursery Attendant
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, located at 7100 West Mississippi Avenue in Lakewood, CO (80226) is seeking a worship nursery attendant. The position description is available. The hours of work coincide with worship times and the compensation is budgeted for $20/hour and a half.
Please contact Pastor Garrett Struessel by phone (303-922-0596) or through email if you are interested and need more information. Resumes and current references should also be sent by email to Pastor Struessel.
Lord of the Hills Seeks a Music Director Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church in Centennial, CO is looking for a part-time Director of Music. The person selected would coordinate the Adult Choir, Children's Choirs, and Bell Choirs (and directing one or more of these, depending upon interest and ability). Salary is commensurate with experience and number of groups directed. A more complete job description and list of responsibilities is available at www.lordofthehills.org. Please send your resume electronically to: tarenquist@lordofthehills.org, or by mail to Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church, 21755 East Smoky Hill Road, Centennial, Colorado 80015.
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. |
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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
Visiting with the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church, Las, Cruces, NM; Visiting with the Wartburg College West Regents, Denver, CO; Installation of Pastor Paul Ward at Faith Lutheran Church, Eaton, CO; Faith Advocacy Day and Bishop's Luncheon, History Colorado, Denver, CO.
Region 2 Staff Retreat, Santa Rosa, CA; Visiting and worshipping with the congregation of Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Denver, CO.
Visiting with Peace in Christ Lutheran Church and the Episcopal Diocese; Region 2 Staff Retreat, Santa Rosa, CA; Mission Developers Conference, Houston, TX.
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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 |
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| 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
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UTAH
| submit Utah news or photos
Safeguarding God's Children's Training and Safe Haven Discussion 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.
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NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
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| COLORADO | submit Colorado news or photos
Suicide Prevention
 The Carson J. Spencer Foundation, the Colorado Council of Churches and the Second Wind Fund are sponsoring FREE webinar on Thursday, February 23, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Without leaving your office, through your computer screen and telephone you can invest 45 minutes in becoming prepared to recognize "sign" and knowing what to do and where to find  the needed resources.
Participants will learn:
- Why faith community leaders need to be involved
- Who is most at risk
- Warning sign and risk factors
- Matching intervention strategies with risk levels
- Overview of community resources
- Next steps in building a safety net for your community
For more information or to register, please visit the Colorado Council of Churches website. You may also contact Sally by email or Jim by email or phone (303-825-4910).
The Concordia Choir of Moorhead, Minnesota in Concert Hear one of the nation's finest college choirs perform Saturday, February 25 at 7:00 p.m. at Augustana Lutheran Church, located at 5000 East Alameda Avenue in Denver (80246). Tickets are available online or by calling 800-838-3006. The concert is sponsored by Augustana Presents.  The Concordia Choir continues to affirm its reputation as one of America's finest a cappella choirs. Since 1920, the 72-voice choir has performed in nearly every major hall, including Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center, as well as having numerous international tours.
This year's 2012 national tour of the southwestern United States spans 15 days. The tour begins in Denver and concludes with San Francisco and Minneapolis.
 Taiz� at Saint Paul Denver As you put together schedules and set aside time for activities, please keep Taiz� in mind this month-and throughout the year. We always enjoy seeing new faces, and we believe that we can offer a space and time of calm that is difficult to find elsewhere. We continue to grow our leadership and outreach, and invite you to come and enjoy our services when the spirit moves you. Our next service will be held on February 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the nave of Saint Paul Lutheran Church (1600 Grant Street). Please note that this is a change from the usual fourth Wednesday service because of a conflict with Ash Wednesday. We will continue to offer services on the fourth Wednesday, however, as long as there aren't major conflicts. If you would like to learn more about our Taiz� services you may contact Jeff by email, view pictures of the sanctuary, and/or visit us online.
Watoto Children's Choir to Perform at Trinity in Ft. Collins On March 4, 2012, Trinity Lutheran Church is once again honored to host the Watoto Children's Choir from Uganda. Watoto is an organization that provides a home, education, spiritual foundation and hope to thousands of children orphaned by disease and disaster in Uganda.  The Children's Choir travels the world bringing their joyful singing and powerful testimony as ambassadors of this highly successful program. The choir will be singing at both services on Sunday, March 4 (at 8:00 & 10:00 a.m.) as well as sharing stories. Please consider attending this memorable event. For more information, please e-mail Lisa Benson, Outreach Ministry Chair at Trinity or call her by phone (970-482-1226).
Lutheran Family Services Fundraiser includes the
Denver Nuggets Denver Nuggets vs. OKC Thunder Thursday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m.  Join Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for a Denver Nuggets basketball game. Enjoy a night out while supporting LFS. All seats are located in the reserved LFS sections. As an added bonus, $8 from every ticket sold will go directly to LFS!
Lutheran Family Services discounts: Upper level - $26 (normally $28) VIP Club Level - $58 (normally $85) *No taxes or fees added to orders You may purchase your tickets online. Brady McIntyre with the Denver Nuggets may be contacted by email or phone (303-405-7635 with questions.
Creation Care Conference Climate Change & Faith 2012 Conference The conference will take place from April 14-15, 2012 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, located at 4500 N. Wadsworth Blvd. in Wheat Ridge (80033).  The keynote speaker for the event is Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter, founder of BridgeWorks and the author of Green Church: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rejoice! and Seven Simple Steps to Green Your Church.
For more information or to register, please visit the Colorado Interfaith Power and Light website. |
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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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