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eConnection
weekly email of the
Rocky Mountain Synod
May 15, 2012 |
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| WELCOME TO eCONNECTION! | |
PLEASE NOTE:
Those who attended the 2012 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly have been added to this email list. Anyone may "unsubscribe" to this email at the bottom of the email. It is possible that those with an alternate email address will now receive this twice. Simply unsubscribe to the one you don't wish to receive.
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Greetings!
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RMS leaders succeed in the ELCA health assessment challenge! For the first year, the Rocky Mountain Synod succeeded in having at least 65% of the health plan participants take an online health assessment, resulting in a 2% reduction in health plan costs throughout the synod. The ELCA health plan (through Portico Benefit Services) for pastors, leaders, and spouses, encourages "wellness" by challenging participants to take an online health assessment that encourages healthy living. We accomplished 74% participation. The overall savings synod-wide is about $42,000! Great job! But there's more! Participants can earn even more wellness dollars, which is actual money, in exchange for following up with activities and healthy living! There are many ways to earn these credits, so a strategy is suggested to meet additional goals. Grow your health!
Installation of Bishop-Elect Gonia is Sunday, September 23 at Bethany
Mark your calendar for the Installation of Bishop-elect James Gonia on Sunday, September 23, 2012, at 7 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village, CO.
On September 24 and 25, a Fall Theological Conference / Bishops' Convocation will continue at the Embassy Suites just down the road from Bethany with Bishop Mark Hanson, Bishop-Elect James Gonia, and guest-presenter Rev. Ron Richardson, a noted author on matters of healthy congregations and leaders.
Assembly summary and resources
A "Landscape" newsletter summary of assembly highlights, hundreds of photos, and videos of key portions of the assembly are posted for viewing online. The videos may be downloaded onto your computer (click on the "vimeo" logo then scroll down to "download") to use in places where you might not have an Internet connection. Additionally, DVD's are available of some of the assembly presentations and worship if you are need to share the videos from a DVD. View all assembly resources.
Gratitude to Bishop Bjornberg A video highlighting Bishop Allan Bjornberg's 18 years as bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod was presented at the assembly. You are invited to view it and share it.  | | Bishop Allan Bjornberg: Blessings, Witness, Hope |
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| OUR LIFE TOGETHER | Seventh Sunday of Easter
Almighty God, your only Son was take into heaven and in your presence intercedes for us. Receive us and our prayers for all the world, and in the end bring everything into your glory, through Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer from Sundays and Seasons Year B 2012
Installation of Pastor Brenda Baalhorn at Grace, Casper, is May 20
 Grace Lutheran Church in Casper, Wyoming, invites the community to share in their joy as Pastor Brenda Baalhorn is installed on Sunday, May 20. The Service of Installation will take place at 2 p.m. with Bishop Allan Bjornberg installing. A reception will follow the service and all are welcome to attend. Clergy are invited to vest, and the color of the day is white.
Installation of Pastor Korey Finstad at Christ the King, Denver, is May 20
 The community of Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2300 S. Patton court, Denver, CO, invites you to join them for the Service of Installation for Pastor Korey Finstad. The installation will take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 20. A potluck supper will follow the service and all are welcome to attend. Clergy are invited to vest, and the color of the day is white. Assistant to the Bishop Dan Bollman will be installing him to this new call.
Synod Prayer Cycle: Boulder/Broomfield Conference
You are encouraged to include the listed leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. The prayer list June is available. to remember in prayers on 5/20: Grace Boulder, CO Ronald Roschke Lutheran Church of Hope Broomfield, CO Scott McAnally Mount Calvary Boulder, CO Sara Wirth |
YOUNG ADULTS in GLOBAL MISSION
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Two RMS Young Adults to serve in Global Mission program in Madagascar
Almost sixty young adults will be spending a year of service with the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program. Beginning in August 2012, they will serve for one year in a congregation, school or social service ministry in Argentina / Uruguay, Central Europe, Jerusalem / West Bank, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
These young adults have a powerful, inspiring story to tell. The Rocky Mountain Synod has two young adults who will be a part of the 2012-2013 program:
Adam Kirberg - Madagascar
Evergreen Lutheran Church, Evergreen CO
Hannah Harman - Madagascar
University of Colorado-Boulder, CO
House for All Sinners and Saints. Denver CO
Please consider the possibility of one of these young adults serving as a resource for events and gatherings, both before and after their year of service. Ask for their newsletter (or e-letter or blog) and distribute their stories widely. You can also send an email request or call 800-638-3522, ext. 2580
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HELP IMPROVE LITERACY in the COMMUNITY
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 Cristo Rey - El PasoLa Mansi�n After School Enhanced by Parent and Volunteer Participation
La Mansi�n After School Program currently serves 25 students, from grades 1 through 6. These students, who mostly come from the neighborhood surrounding Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey in El Paso, come to the After School Program three days a week from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.
 You can help this program of literacy by first reading more information about the program and then learning how to sponsor a child. It's easy. A brochure contains the details and a sponsorship form.
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MISSION TRIP TO GERMANY
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June 2013 Education Event connects U.S. and German Churches Pastor Stephanie Kopsch of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Arvada, CO, (and a native of Germany) invites participants to travel to Germany next June in a relationship-building trip. Up to eight clergy from the Rocky Mountain Synod will join six from the Oklahoma-Kansas Conference of the UCC and fourteen from the Evangelische Landeskirche Baden for a joint Continuing Education Event focusing on the Heidelberg Confession. It will include a weekend in a German congregation with one of the German participants. The event will be in English overall, but some familiarity with German may be helpful. The German church is heavily subsidizing the cost. Ten days in Germany, beginning on June 14, 2013, will cost 250 Euros, which translates into $325-350 for all overnight stays, most meals, and travel within Germany. (It doesn't include the airfare to Germany, of course.) Please contact Stephanie by email StephanieTKopsch@q.com or phone 303-421-5197 for more information. 
photo above is of the Seat of the "Evangelische Landeskirche in Baden" (Protestant church in Baden) in Karlsruhe |
ELCA ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
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 Month of May Provides More Chances to Connect
Slovakia: Many countries, one congregation The Bratislava International Congregation, with a remarkably diverse membership from many countries, denominations and occupations, has just welcomed its new pastor, ELCA missionary Miriam Schmidt. She and her husband, Jeremy Blythe, are also the new ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission coordinators for Central Europe. Read the article. Hosting a missionary this summer?
Is an ELCA missionary visiting your congregation this summer? Hold a potluck with PlaceMaps and ELCA Missionary Sponsorship offering envelopes for everyone. Both are available by sending an email message or by calling 800-638-3522. Larger orders may be placed through ELCA Resources.
ELCA's 100 Wells Challenge Global water crisis claims more lives per year than war or natural disasters Nearly a billion people - that's one out of seven people in our world today -- lack access to clean, safe water. Unclean water causes millions of people, especially young children, to die from water-related illnesses each year. Learn how ELCA youth can make a difference through the 100 Wells Challenge at www.elca.org/100wells. |
RAINBOW TRAIL RETREATS
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 "Into the Wild" Camping Experience at RTLC July 8-14, 2012 
Let Rainbow Trail help prepare your graduating Seniors prepare for an awesome college experience! RTLC's experienced college guides will lead a week long Compass Points backpacking trip that takes you literally into the wild and back again as you explore the joys and challenges that are ahead of you in college. Check out the Rainbow Trail website for more information on this amazing opportunity. |
NEW JOB POSTINGS
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Equipping Minister needed at Abiding Hope
Abiding Hope Lutheran Church in Littleton, CO, is in search of an Equipping Minister. Equipping Minister job description. Applications will be accepted from May 3 until May 25, 2012. You may contact Pastor Doug by email or phone (303-972-1283) or visit the website.
Atonement, Lakewood, seeks choir director Atonement Lutheran Church in Lakewood, CO, is in search of a choir director for the 2012-13 Choir season...and beyond. A complete job description and church profile can be requested from the church office or from their website: http://www.atonement-denver.org/. Submit your cover letter and resume' to the church office by June 1, 2012.
Abiding Hope Seeks a Children's Minister
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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
Synod staff meeting, synod office, Denver, CO; Installation of Pastor Brenda Baalhorn, Grace Lutheran Church, Casper, WY; Metro West Conference Retreat, Snowmass, CO.
Synod staff meeting, synod office, Denver, CO; Visiting and worshipping with the congregation of Ascension Lutheran Church for Consecration Sunday, Cheyenne, WY; Installation of Korry Finstad at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Denver, CO.
Synod staff meeting, synod office, Denver, CO; Visiting with the congregation of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Denver, CO; RMS Representative at the Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly, CA.
ELCA Churchwide Consultation of Faith Practices, Chicago, IL Available by email
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CALENDAR |
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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UTAH
| submit Utah news or photos
Youth rummage sale at Elim Lutheran Church
 Beginning at noon on Friday, May 18, and all day on Saturday, May 19, the Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) of Elim Lutheran Church, 575 23rd St. in Ogden, will be holding a rummage sale. Items for sale include clothing, furniture, household appliances, cameras, stereos and other electronic items, and cookware.
Dwight Rude, Elim's vice president and youth adviser, said that funds raised at the rummage sale will be used to send five youth and one adult chaperon from Elim to the National Youth Gathering of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, "Citizens with the Saints," which will be held in New Orleans this July. Elim's Youth will join with 45,000 others from all across the United States for service projects, worship, Bible study, and fellowship.
The Northern Utah Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will provide up to $600 in matching funds, donating one dollar in matching funds for every three dollars raised up to $1800. For more information, or to donate an item to be sold at the rummage sale, contact Elim's church office at 801-394-5543 or send email to office@elimlutheran.org.
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NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
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Cross of Hope, Albuquerque Celebrates 30 Years
On May 20, at 1:00 p.m., Cross of Hope Lutheran Church and Schools will celebrate it's 30th Anniversary with a luncheon and program. They welcome others to join them for this special occasion. Please RSVP to the church office at office@crossofhope.org by May 15 if you would like to attend. The church is located at 6104 Taylor Ranch Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120.
Cross of Hope Albuquerque Retirement-Farewell Service On June 2 at 5:30 p.m. and June 3 at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., Cross of Hope Church and Schools will conduct a retirement/farewell service for Pastor Dale G. Bauer who retires on that day. Bishop Bjornberg will preside for the service. A reception will take place after each service. Guests are welcome to attend any of the three services and receptions. Cards and letters are being collected for Pastor Bauer and may be sent via email to the church office at office@crossofhope.org or by mail to 6104 Taylor Ranch Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120. Pastor Bauer has served at Cross of Hope Church and Schools since May 21, 1989 and his visionary leadership will be truly missed.
Events |
| COLORADO | submit Colorado news or photos
Saint Peter Lutheran Church Presents: Swingtime in the Rockies -
a Benefit Performance
 You and the community are invited to join with Saint Peter Lutheran Church on Wednesday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. to celebrate "SWAZZ" - Swingin' JAZZ music!! The program will feature Dez Rubano and Friends and the event will take place at the Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons Street, Lone Tree, CO.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through the website or by calling 720-509-1000.
 Lunchbox Express Program
Sets Dates, Times and Locations for Area Lunch Distribution ...because hunger doesn't take a vacation. Lunchbox Express is a grassroots organization here in Denver metropolitan area, started last year on the sole basis that too many kids go hungry when school is out. Please help spread the word! This year's schedule: Englewood, May 29- August 15 (Monday through Friday) Belleview Park at 11:00 a.m. (Belleview and Inca)
Clayton Elementary School at 11:00 a.m. (Fox and Tufts)
 Cherrelyn Elementary School at 11:00 a.m. (Stanford and Lincoln)
Cushing Park at 12:00 p.m. (Dartmouth and Inca)
Centennial Park at 12:00 p.m. (Federal and Decatur) Denver, May 29- August 24 (Monday through Friday) Munroe Elementary School at 11:00 a.m. (Virginia and Knox Court) CMS Elementary School at 11:45 a.m. (Louisiana and Lowell) Goldrick Elementary School at 12:30 p.m. (Mississippi and Zuni) Please note: There are no qualifications and no paperwork. Meals are served to all kids 18 years old and younger on a first come first served basis. For more information about the program and its background, please check out their website, or view the YouTube documentary, funded by the Colorado Children's Campaign, posted on the Lunchbox Express Facebook page. Flyers are available in English and Spanish that can be downloaded, printed and distributed widely.
 Our Savior's , Greeley Presents: the Thiel Choir of Greenville, PA
The forty-voice Thiel Choir from Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania, will present a concert at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening, May 16, 2012, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, located at 1800 21st Avenue in Greeley, CO (80631). The performance is part of the Thiel Choir's 2012  western states tour. The program will include works which celebrate the life of Christ, the earth and Native American culture. There will be no charge for admission; however, a freewill offering will be taken. For more information about the concert, please contact the church office at 970-352-4816.
5K Run/Walk Event to Benefit Selian Lutheran Hospital in Tanzania On Saturday, June 9, 2012 from 8:15 a.m. until noon, Saint Peter Lutheran Church will sponsor a 5K Run/Walk Event which will benefit the programs of Selian Lutheran Hospital and the Arusha Lutheran Medical Center (ALMC), completed in 2009 in Arusha, Tanzania. T he Selian 5K Run Event will include a jump castle and face painting for the kids, Jamba Juice, Juice Plus, Free blood pressure readings, live musical entertainment, craft and food concessions, swag bags, t-shirts, awards and door prizes. Contact Carol for more Information about the 5K Run/Walk event but for about Selian, please visit the Selian Hospital website: www.selianlh.habari.co.tz or the Saint Peter website: www.stplc.org. Saint Peter Lutheran Church, located at 9300 E. Belleview Avenue in Greenwood Village (80111).
 4th Annual Sky Ranch BBQ and
Bluegrass Fundraiser
Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Fort Collins (corner of Harmony and Lemay) is pleased to host the 4th Annual Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp BBQ and Bluegrass Fundraiser which will take place on Saturday, June 9, 2012, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Everyone will be gathering out under the trees. Spirit of Joy has some benches available, but for your comfort please bring a camp chair or blanket.  The event will feature wonderful barbeque, along with slaw, chips and dessert. There will even be vegetarian and gluten-free choices available. Tickets can be purchased at the event: Under 2: free / 2-12 years: $5 / over 12 years: $9 / family: $25
For your musical enjoyment, Spirit of Joy's own Bluegrass band, "Jerusalem Road," will perform. The Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp staff will also be there assisting and participating in the program, so it's a great opportunity to meet these wonderful young people from around the country.
Annual Mount of the Holy Cross Pilgrimage Dates Set Each year since 1976, Mount of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Vail, CO, has sponsored a pilgrimage hike up Notch Mountain to view Mt. of the Holy Cross. Again this year Mount of the Holy Cross will sponsor pilgrimages climbing Notch Mountain in order to view the Mount of the Holy Cross.  There is a brief service of worship near the summit before descending. It's a wonderful experience for those who participate and this year the community of Mount of the Holy Crosswanted to offer the opportunity to a wider audience. Due to Forest Service regulations the groups are limited in number so reservations are required. The dates are Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21, 2012. The event will be from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. This is a fairly strenuous hike and requires good hiking boots and waterproof weather protection. There is no cost to participate but pre-registration is required. Please email the church or call 970- 476-6610 to receive a registration form or for more details. photo provided by Pastor Scott Beebe Mount of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Vail |
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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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