As Madelyn Busse, Diaconal Minister and Assistant to the Bishop, enters full time retirement this week, Bishop Allan Bjornberg said, "Madelyn has been at the forefront of this church's articulation of diaconal ministry, in her writing, her teaching, her spiritual direction, and in living her own diaconal call. She is a gracious servant, an articulate theologian, and a gifted minister."

Madelyn Busse served as assisting minister at the assembly closing eucharist.

Madelyn began her service as a rostered leader 30 years ago as a Lutheran Church in America (LCA) Lay Professional Leader serving two congregations in Tacoma, WA. In 1988, she accepted a position with the then ELCA Division for Ministry as Director for Candidacy and Rostered Lay Ministries. 

During those years, the ELCA Study for Ministry was in process and she was asked to provide leadership in supporting the newly named roster of "Associates in Ministry" and in developing the new roster of "Diaconal Ministers" which was created when the 1995 Churchwide Assembly approved this new ministry. During those Chicago years she also completed her own seminary degree and candidacy process to become a Consecrated Diaconal Minister.

In 1997, Madelyn and her husband, Dennis, relocated to Colorado for his employment. Bishop Bjornberg just happened to be seeking new staff with the departure of Dick and Kathy Magnus (who moved to Chicago). Initially, her position was Assistant to the Bishop for Church in Society and Communications, including assembly planning.

She recalls, "As e-mail became prevalent e-Connection was born and we began to dream of a website. And I'll never forget staying in the dorm at CSU my first assembly and not sleeping a wink!"

The Church in Society portfolio included anti-racism team, multi-cultural committee, global missions committee, companion synod work, World Hunger task force, the Board for Church in Society which branched into a variety of functions, and Campus Ministry Committee.  She particularly recalls inviting one Jim Gonia to come and be our "missionary in residence."

As staffing responsibilities were reassigned, she set aside the communications work and took on Candidacy--work she says she always loved and for which she has great passion.

"I have always served on a team or staff, and I have to say the team at RMS was the best ever," Madelyn said.  "Serving 15 of my 30 years in rostered ministry in the Rocky Mountain Synod has been the greatest joy and privilege I could ever imagine."

We give thanks for Madelyn's work and ministry as she enters full retirement on June 1, having served the past several years in a very-part-time position as director of candidacy. She and Dennis now reside in Friday Harbor, Washington. 

Congratulations to Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey 

MISSIONS 25 GIFTS will be given to Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey at their celebration of organization as a congregation of the Rocky Mountain Synod and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on June 17, 2012.  

Gifts of $25 or more may be sent to the synod office: 455 Sherman, Suite 160, and Denver, CO 80203.   Checks should be made out to the Rocky Mountain Synod and noted for Missions 25.   

Worship at Cristo Rey begins at 11:30 a.m. on June 17 and everyone is invited and welcome to attend the "fiesta." Cristo Rey is located at 501 Raleigh Street in Denver (80204).    

Prep for Summer Service Projects and Mission Trips 

Do you want your congregation's summer service projects, mission trip or journey to the  ELCA Youth Gathering to be faith forming and transformational?  

Then watch this informative and in-depth interview with Eugene Roehlkepartain, Search Institute, on his 25 years of research on Service and Learning. It is free and includes a Study Guide.  

The entire 6 session Service and Learning course may be ordered, downloaded or streamed.   

Don't just plan a mission trip ...

Maria Sykes is experienced at hosting the volunteers who often descend on her rural, isolated community of Green River, Utah. Volunteers tend to drop in, work hard and leave, requiring considerable management from Sykes and her Green River Community Center colleagues during their stay.

But Sykes also works with Colorado Lutherans who come for a "three-day explosion of energy and positive attitude." "That gives us inspiration throughout the year," said Sykes, co-founder of Epicenter, a nonprofit agency that relates to the center.

It's more than 'doing'

Linda Staats, an assistant to the bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod and co-creator of a new online resource called "Service and Learning," underscored the importance of relationship formation as a key element of any service experience.

"When it's only about the doing, then it's not about an equalization of power and it's about what we do to or for the other. You can't separate out the doing from the accompaniment," she said.  Read more. 

photo is courtesy of Pastor Chad Kohlmeyer
of Atonement Lutheran Church, Boulder, CO 

12 Pastors to run 188 mile relay-night and day-for Malaria!

Twelve pastors from the Rocky Mountain Synod will be running the Colorado Relay from Breckenridge to Aspen, September 7 and 8, 2012, to raise funds for the awareness, prevention, and treatment of malaria for the ELCA Malaria Campaign.

Read the ELCA blog posted today for the whole story and to be inspired to give generously! In the blog post, Leta Behrens, associate pastor, Our Saviour's, Fort Collins, CO, said she is confident that the Faster Pastors-and the ELCA Malaria Campaign-will make a difference.  "Even though the Colorado Relay is a little crazy and might be a huge feat for me, outrunning malaria is possible," she declares. "I think it's a great way to make some noise, share the story, and run for justice in the name of Christ."

The Rocky Mountain Synod has a new PayPal account to receive credit card donations! You may conveniently give to the Malaria Campaign using the button below. Please note: you need not have a Paypal account to use this link. Click on "Don't have a Paypal account" when asked how to proceed.

GIVE GENEROUSLY IN SUPPORT OF
THE FASTER PASTORS!  

You may use the series for study within your congregation. The Rocky Mountains Synod has a limited number of copies that may be borrowed by contacting the synod office at 303-777-6700 or sending an email to Willie. 

You can read more information and preview the series at the Discover Islam website. Study guides are available at the ELCA Inter-Religious Relations website.

Youth Leadership Opportunities

Lift up and equip youth in your congregations with the skills they need to be leaders on your church council, in your youth ministry or as you travel for service and mission. Check out these opportunities at Sky Ranch.

Youth Go! June 10-22

Youth Go!is a two-week leadership training program for high school youth. Campers return to their congregations empowered to lead and serve from this experience that includes: community building, in-depth Bible study and worship planning, a two night backpack trip, service projects at Harvest Farm (run by the Denver Rescue Mission helping men with addiction), and a 24-hour silent retreat. Once you complete Youth Go!, you are eligible for the Staff in Training program.

Youth Leadership Retreat June 22 - 24

The Youth Leadership Retreat is an Invitation to all 8th - 12th grade youth who want to explore the gifts that God has given them and learn how to use those gifts to serve the Church and the world. The weekend will be full of team building, leadership training, spiritual gift exploration, and peer ministry moments. The cost is $55.  

 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. 

Dr. Michael Wan-Rupulga, head of the Martin Luther Seminary in Papua New Guinea, describes his vision to educate pastors with high qualifications and deep spirituality, to create more opportunities for female scholars and to provide more education in English to meet the growing demand for English worship services. Check out the website for more info.

Join ELCA youth from across the nation in raising $250,000 to support critically important water projects in other countries. Just think, $250,000 could mean 100 wells - each one with the potential of bringing clean water to 500 families at a time. Find fundraising ideas, resources and more information at the 100 Wells Challenge website.

Many Syrians have left their homes, choosing to escape the violence by relocating to more stable areas of Syria or neighboring countries. We are operating through our local partners to help meet their needs with food, hygiene kits, nutritional support for mothers and more. Get details.

October 1-17, 2012

There are still some spaces on this October trip to the Holy Land - if you are interested, please contact Pastor Paul Rowold by May 30, 2012.  

Experience this journey of faith and relationships as you take in the geography of the Holy Land and meet the people living there today! Tour guide Pastor Paul Rowold has traveled to the Holy Land 30 times, since the summer of 1978, when he and his wife Donna worked as archeologist volunteers.

The tour is: 17-day Holy Land/Turkey/Greece at $4450, from Denver. Details can be found at the website or you may contact tour leader, Pastor Paul Rowold by email or phone: 406-883-5864. Reservation deadline is May 30, 2012.

For your information and more about peacemaking in Israel and Palestine, check out the blog by Jan Miller.

These and other open positions can be found on the Rocky Mountain Synod's website. 

SEPTEMBER 23

Installation of Rocky Mountain Synod Bishop
BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH 

SEPTEMBER 23-25

Fall Theological Conference/ Bishop's Convocation
EMBASSY SUITES 

 Denver, CO.

NOVEMBER 16-18

RMS Senior High Youth Gathering

2013

JANUARY 18 -20 

MAY 2-4 

2013 RMS Assembly

SEPTEMBER 23-26

Theological Conference 

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.

The 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).

4^th Annual Sky Ranch BBQ and   

Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Fort Collins (corner of Harmony and Lemay) is pleased to host the 4^th 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 Cross wanted 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