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eConnection
weekly email of the
Rocky Mountain Synod
June 5, 2012 |
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Greetings!
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Bishop-Elect Jim Gonia's third blog post
Accompaniment: walking together with Christ and each other
 One of the values shaping my ministry during the last 24 years can best be described by the word, accompaniment. Some of you may know accompaniment as an ELCA Global Mission "buzz word" for how we seek to engage our global companions. Accompaniment means that we participate in God's mission by walking together in a relationship of mutual respect, openness, and vulnerability - with Christ himself leading the way. For me, accompaniment isn't just a concept, it's a way of life. Accompaniment describes the profound truth that one part of the Body of Christ is never complete without the other parts, so when we engage in ministry or mission, we must always ask what it means to do so together with other parts of the Body.
When Kim and I were called to serve as missionaries of the new ELCA in 1988 we left for Madagascar not knowing the term, "accompaniment," but motivated nonetheless by a vision for serving side by side with our colleagues...
read the entire blog post
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| OUR LIFE TOGETHER | Second Sunday after Pentecost
All-powerful God, in Jesus Christ you turned death into life and defeat into victory. Increase our faith and trust in him, that we may triumph over all evil in the strength of the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Prayer from Sundays and Seasons Year B 2012
Rev. Dan Smith to be Installed at Ascension, Colorado Springs
The community of Ascension Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs is pleased to announce the installation of the Reverend Daniel B. Smith as Associate Pastor. The Service of Installation will take place on June 19, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at Ascension, located at 2505 North Circle Drive (80909). Pastor Daniel Bollman, assistant to the bishop, will install. You are cordially invited to attend the service and the reception that follows. If you would like more information, please contact the church office by email or phone (719 634-1694).
Synod Prayer Cycle: Southeast Colorado Conference
You are encouraged to include the listed leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. The prayer list for July is available. to remember in prayers on 6/10: Holy Cross La Junta, CO Wayne Pouppirt (interim) Immanuel Bethune, CO Beth Ann Doerring King of Kings Pueblo, CO Woody Carlson (interim) Mount Calvary Colorado Springs, CO Keith Knoff
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CRISTO REY-DENVER TO BE ORGANIZED JUNE 17
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 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). |
| BISHOP INSTALLATION SEPTEMBER 23 |
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. Registration information will be available soon.
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.
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| ELCA YOUNG ADULTS IN MISSION |
 Young adults invited to spring 2013 "Plunge" to Geneva and Taiz� Next spring (2013), a group of young adults will take part in a new initiative to deepen their spirituality and global awareness through a visit to the ecumenical centers in Geneva, Switzerland, and Taiz�, France. It's called the Plunge, and it will happen from May 29 - June 9, 2013.  For four days, young adults from Canada and the United States will visit the Lutheran World Federation and World Council of Churches in Geneva, and then they will travel to the Taiz� community in southern France for a retreat week to experience unique style of worship and music that arises from that community as it welcomes youth from across the globe. Please contact Pr. Mark Anderson by email for more information and an application form.
The Rocky Mountain Synod could sponsor a Plunge group in 2014 or later if we send an "observer learner" with the 2013 group to learn how to lead a future group. Please contact Pr. Mark Anderson for an application if you are interested or Pr. Lanny Westphal with your questions and for more details. Let Linda Staats in the RMS office know of you are interest in these opportunities. |
ELCA YOUTH GATHERING RESOURCES
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Lifting Up Our ELCA Youth Gathering
Sojourners in Prayer
Forty-five Rocky Mountain Synod congregations are busy preparing 659 young people and caring adults to travel to New Orleans, July 18-22, 2012 where they will gather with 35,000 other Citizens with the Saints.
Resources are available in the .pdf format that you may use to lift up these sojourners in prayer, along with all those engaged in mission this summer.
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FASTER PASTORS OUTRUNNING MALARIA
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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 to be inspired to give generously!
The Rocky Mountain Synod has a new PayPal account to receive credit card donations! 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!
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URBAN SERVANT CORPS NEWS
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USC Kicks off Summer in Grand Style
25th Anniversary at
City Park Jazz
Sunday, June 24, 2012 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
 Look for the Urban Servant Corps banner and all of your dearest USC alumni. A gathering will take place on the southwest side of the band shell at City Park. Bring some snacks and beverages to share! Chances are there will be an ultimate Frisbee game, in addition to the great music, food, and festivities! Families and friends are more than welcome!
Accepting Applications for 2012-2013 If you know stellar individuals who are committed to engaging in service, exploring simplicity and spirituality, and living in intentional community, please send them our way! The USC application can be found online under the "Become a Volunteer" tab!
 Closing BBQ at USC Monday, July 30, 2012 835 32nd St. from 5:30-7:00 p.m. As the year winds down, please consider congratulating this year's USC volunteers by joining us for a celebration BBQ! Main dish will be provided, but please bring a side dish to share. Per the norm, you will get a glimpse of the current volunteers experience in community life and in the world of service. All are welcome! |
SKY RANCH LUTHERAN CAMP
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 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.
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.
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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. |
ELCA ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
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 The Lutheran Church Around the World
Papua New Guinea: seminary principal shares his dreams 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.
Will your youth group take on the 100 Wells Challenge? 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.
Syria: ELCA responds to the violence and humanitarian crisis 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. |
| NEW JOB POSTING | |
Professional Quartet Member and Section Leader Needed
Augustana Lutheran Church is seeking a mezzo-soprano to fill a vacant position in the professional Augustana Vocal Ensemble (AVE). The position begins August 29, 2012. The time commitment includes Wednesday evening Chancel Choir rehearsals, two Sunday morning worship services, special services, and quartet rehearsal. The position is compensated. If you are interested, please e-mail a cover letter and resume to: Dr. Cindy Lindeen-Martin, Minister of Music and Organist.
Augustana Lutheran Church is located at 5000 E. Alameda Avenue, Denver (80246) 303-388-4678.
Worship and Music Ministry Positions Available Zion in Loveland is looking to fill part time ministry positions in their Worship and Music department. The general music responsibilities include:
(1) Chancel Choir and Traditional Worship Leader;
(2) Praise Band and Contemporary Worship Leader;
(3) Children, Youth, & Family Music Coordinator;
(4) Worship Coordinator; and
(5) Bell Choir Director. The desire is to fill these five positions with as few staff as possible, so applicants are encouraged to apply for as many of the responsibilities as they feel they are gifted to serve. Complete job descriptions can be downloaded from the website. Questions and applications may be sent to: jobs@zionloveland.com.
 St Philip Organist/pianist, part-time St. Philip Lutheran Church, located at 7531 South Kendall Boulevard in Littleton, CO (80128) is seeking a part-time organist/pianist to play all Sunday and holy day services. The appropriate candidate will play piano with the worship ensemble and accompany the adult choir. Rehearsals are on Thursday evening. Bachelor of Music degree is preferred, though experience will be considered in lieu of a degree. The salary is negotiable and commensurate with experience. Resumes can be faxed to St. Philip (fax: 303-979-6396) marked to the attention of "Personnel."
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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 and Celebrating with the congregation of Peace Lutheran Church for Pastor Wayne Kendrick's Retirement, El Paso, TX.
Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp Staff Training at the camp; Installation of Pastor Dan Smith at Ascension Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO.
Meetings at the Sierra Pacific Synod, Sacramento, CA.
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CALENDAR |
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. NOVEMBER 16-18 RMS Senior High Youth Gathering YMCA of the Rockies
Estes Park, CO
2013 JANUARY 18 -20 RMS Middle School Youth Gathering
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
 Elim Lutheran Announces Vacation Bible School
Elim Lutheran Church in Ogden is taking registrations for this summer's Vacation Bible School (VBS), which will meet on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for three weeks beginning on June 11. The theme for this year's VBS is "Operation Overboard-Dare to go deep with God!" Kids will dive in and discover God's underwater universe! Kids will journey miles below the water's surface into God's Word to find what true faith is all about.
 Each evening of VBS will begin with a nutritious, kid-friendly meal for kids, their parents, and the VBS staff. Students will sing, play games, hear stories, and make craft projects. Enrollment is open to preschool through sixth grade. Junior high age kids are invited to become part of the VBS staff. Non-members of Elim are especially invited to be part of VBS.
Tuition for VBS is $3.00 per kid, with a maximum fee per family of $10.00. Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford this. Elim's VBS is funded in part by a grant from the Northern Utah Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Every year, the VBS kids pick a worthy cause to support with their offerings. This year, the kids on the steering committee voted to support the same cause as last year, the ELCA Malaria Campaign, which has as its goal to end malaria in sub-Sahara Africa by 2015. For more information or to register, please contact the Elim Lutheran Church office by email or phone (801-394-5543).
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NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
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Peace Lutheran Wishes Farewell and
Godspeed to Pastor Wayne Kendrick
June 10, 2012, is the final Sunday of Pastor Wayne's Ministry at Peace Lutheran Church in El Paso. Special activities that day include Worship Service which will be at 10:30 a.m., followed by a potluck lunch at noon. Then at 1:00 p.m., there will be a Celebration and Roasting of the 14 Years of Peace's and Pastor Wayne's Ministry.
Please place this special date on your calendar and plan to attend all or part of the celebration. Email invitations will be sent later. Please call 915-584-1383 if you have questions.
Please Note: A pictorial video for Pastor Wayne's retirement celebration is being made and we are looking for photos. If you have any photos that you would like to share, please email them or drop pictures off to the church office as soon as possible.
 Camino de Vida Offers Summer Music programs for Kids Camino de Vida (Presbyterian/Lutheran), a New Church Development Congregation within the Rocky Mountain Synod, invites students and musicians to be a part of their summer music program. The program will be taught by Camino de Vida professional musicians with Saturday morning classes from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lessons will be offered on guitar, conga, drums, piano, trumpet, and violin. In order for each student to have an instrument, donations of used instruments are invited: - 6 Congas
- Acoustic guitars
- Drum sets
- Violins (3/4 and full size)
- Electric keyboards with cables/stands (at least 61 keys)
- B flat trumpets
If you have an instrument to donate, know of a student who would like to be part of this great summer opportunity, or would like to make a financial gift, please contact Pr. Guillermo Yela by email or phone at 505-514-9515 revgyela@gmail.com
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| COLORADO | submit Colorado news or photos
 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.
 Tour de Tikes Fun Run, Walk and Children's Bike Parade
A fundraiser and foster family appreciation event Tour de Tikes 5k Fun Run & Walk Children's Bike Parade will take place on Saturday, June 9, 2012. The Race begins at 8:30 a.m. - and the Bike Parade at 10:00.a.m. at Cottonwood Creek Park, located at 6740 Rangewood Drive in Colorado Springs (80918). 
Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains is pleased to announce the Tour de Tikes 5K Fun Run/Walk - a family-friendly event suitable for both runners and walkers. The purpose of the event is designed to improve the lives of the children and families Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (LFS) serves in our community. 5K Course This is a self-timed race and there will be a few fun, easy and optional obstacles along the way. The running surface of the route is primarily paved walkways within Cottonwood Creek park. Runners, walkers and individuals with strollers are welcome to participate. Bike and Trike Parade Children under 12 are invited to decorate their bikes or trikes and participate in the "Tour de Tikes" parade after the 5K. Prizes will be given to all children who participate. There is no entry fee and no T-shirt will be given out. Parents must sign a waiver for each child in the parade.  This event is not only a fundraiser, but also a foster family appreciation event for LFS foster families. LFS is committed to serving children and families regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation or gender. For over 64 years, LFS has been extending a healing hand to ALL people who come to us in need through programs in:
* Adoption * Foster Care * Refugee & Asylee Programs * Disaster Response * Pregnancy Counseling Many more details can be found on the brochure and mail-in registration form and you may register online as well.
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 Mount of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Vail
2nd Annual "Be the Blessing" Event at Bethany Lutheran Church was a Success Be the Blessing! If you showed up to worship as usual at 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village on Sunday, June 3, you may have found the building empty. A sign was posted that said that worship is cancelled at these times and our congregation has joined the service in the neighborhoods of our community! Check out all sorts of "way cool things" about Bethany's "Be the Blessing" day.  Over 750 people "skipped" church "to be the church" on Sunday. In addition, more than 100 people attended a special prayer service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday since the 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. services were CANCELLED. There were opportunities for anyone to serve from the little ones through 100 year olds.
This was Bethany's second year to offer this amazing outreach opportunity, and the list of projects had folks at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp and Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp, the Urban Servant Corps and Metro CareRing. |
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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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