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eConnection
weekly email of the
Rocky Mountain Synod
June 19, 2012 |
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Greetings!
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Advocating for Creation in Colorado
Congregations in Colorado are committed to recycling, completing energy audits and using renewable resources. And ELCA members also know that we need to work hard to protect the beauty of God's creation. I know many people who feel that God has called them to stand up to help protect God's beauty and resources in different ways, from advocacy to trail rebuilding...
Read the entire blog post by Brad Wood, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - Colorado.
Sky Ranch Camp Update
Read about Sky Ranch's amazing ministry even while the camp is shut down because of the fire.
Please take this survey about how the ELCA addresses social concerns
The ELCA Church Council appointed an Addressing Social Concerns Review Task Force this past fall in response to the 2011 Churchwide Assembly action calling for a review of our social statement process.
The task force is currently addressing how we as a church will respond to social concerns and searching for the best way to understand what God is calling the church to do in the world. The review will be completed and brought to the fall 2012 Church Council meeting, with a report to the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
All ELCA members are asked to complete a brief questionnaire: Survey link.
Learn more about the work of the task force.
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| OUR LIFE TOGETHER | John the Baptist
Almighty God, by your gracious providence your servant John the Baptist was born to Elizabeth and Zachariah. Grant to your people the wisdom to see your purpose and openness to hear your will, that the light of Christ may increase in us, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer from Sundays and Seasons Year B 2012
 Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer 50th Anniversary Celebration We celebrate with the people of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Fort Morgan, on the occasion of the congregation's 50th anniversary, on Sunday, June 24, 2012. Bishop Allan Bjornberg of the Rocky Mountain Synod will be celebrating the occasion with the community of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, please email or call the church office at 970-867-8432. 
Service of Ordination for Kris Trahnstrom
By the grace of God and the call of the Church, Kristofor Lars Trahnstrom will be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Service of Ordination will take place on Sunday, June 24, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church, located at 920 Kipling Street in Lakewood, CO 80215. Your prayers and presence are welcome and appreciated.
Bishop Allan Bjornberg of the Rocky Mountain Synod will officiate the ordination. Clergy are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. A reception at the church will follow. Kristofor has been called to serve as pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Lander, WY.
For questions of more information, please contact the church at 303-233-2740.
 Kirsten Nelson Roenfeldt to be Ordained
You are invited to Kirsten Nelson Roenfeldt's Service of Ordination at Bethany Lutheran Church, located at 4500 East Hampden Avenue, Cherry Hills Village, CO (80113) on June 30, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Rostered leaders are invited to process and the color of the day is red. All those processing are invited to gather at 10:30 a.m. in the Great Hall. Rostered leaders are requested to RSVP to Rhonda@bethany-denver.org Kirsten will serve at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. 
Jennifer and Steven to be Ordained at Bethlehem, Los Alamos
You are invited to a Service of Holy Communion with the Rite of Ordination for Jennifer Chrien and Steven Simpson on July 1, 2012, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, located at 2390 North Road in Los Alamos, NM (87544). The service will take place at 2:00 p.m. and light refreshments will be provided afterwards. If overnight accommodations are needed, or if there are any questions, please contact Jennifer at 505-690-7534.
Steven is being called to serve King of Glory Lutheran Church in Newbury Park and Jennifer is being called to serve Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Oxnard, California.
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 August is available. to remember in prayers on 6/24: Tabor Pueblo, CO Cindy Josephson Trinity Monument, CO Tyg Taylor, Missie Bonser Sandra Hanawalt Trinity Fowler, CO Wayne Josephson Zion Limon, CO Kristi Ursin Zion's Trinidad, CO Andrea Doeden (TEEM)
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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
(please call the camp to learn about the location)
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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URBAN SERVANT CORPS NEWS
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USC Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary with 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!
See New Date for the Barbeque Event 
Closing BBQ at USC
Monday, July 9, 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! |
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BISHOP INSTALLATION SEPTEMBER 23
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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.
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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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ROCKY MOUNTAIN SYNOD CAMPUS MINISTRY
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Connecting with our college-bound students through Campus Ministry
Lutheran Campus Ministry is eager to welcome and connect with college students from your congregation or organization. The pastors of Campus Ministry within the Rocky Mountain Synod would LOVE to receive the names and emails of your college students. Please help us reach more students on campus! Each name is like GOLD to us. Thank you.
The campus ministry emails for the various schools in our Synod are listed below. If you have a list of your students from many schools around the country, please send these to LCM at University of Colorado at: Liz.Gonzales@colorado.edu . The names that you provide will be dispersed to the appropriate schools.
University of Northern Colorado (Greeley, CO) - unco.lcm@gmail.com
Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO) -
lcmcsu@gmail.com
University of Wyoming (Laramie, WY) -
ipastor@qwestoffice.net
University of Colorado (Boulder, CO) -
lcmpastor@colorado.edu
University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM)-
lcm@unm.edu
New Mexico State University (Las Cruces, NM) -
office@peacelutheranlc.com
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ELCA ADVOCACY NETWORK
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 Farm Bill Update from the ELCA Advocacy
You are invited to participate in a special advocacy/hunger online web-based learning opportunity regarding the Farm Bill. Updated information on the upcoming legislation will be provided by the ELCA Washington Office on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. (Central Time).
Food not only sustains our bodies, but so much of the economy relates to the processes by which we grow, harvest, transport, cook, bake, package, distribute, sell and buy what we eat. "Give us this day our daily bread."
 To explain this part of the Lord's Prayer, Martin Luther commented on the provision of "daily bread" by describing the ability of a farmer not only to grow wheat but to plant in peaceful fields and bring crops to a fair market. There is a system involving the production and consumption of food that needs people to consider it comprehensively if it is to work well.
 The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is present in many communities, speaking out for policies that support rural economic growth and the long term stability of American farming. As people of faith who are concerned about hunger, understanding and influencing the forces that shape our food economy is essential if we are to make sure that all who are hungry are fed.
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PASTORS RIDING FOR A CAUSE
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Pastor Chris Davis to ride the MS 150
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Last year at the finish line.
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On June 30 and July 1, Pastor Chris Davis, Atonement, Lakewood, will join thousands of cyclists for the Colorado MS 150, a two day bike ride from Westminster, through the foothills of Colorado, to Fort Collins, and back again to Westminster, to help raise funds for the National MS Society.
Chris writes, "Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive neurological disease that affects people in many different ways. It could be numbness one day, loss of vision the next or impaired memory the day after. Living with MS means living with uncertainty. There is no cure for this disease, yet, but there is hope! This past year was a good year for me with MS...." Read more of Chris' story and donate towards his goal.
12 Pastors to run 188 mile relay-night and day-for Malaria in Sept!
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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PEACE NOT WALLS
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 2012-2013 ELCA Glocal Mission Gatherings
God's work in mission always propels us to encounter the neighbor, particularly in the stranger. ELCA Glocal Mission Gatherings equip us for God's work in today's global and local realities and their "glocal" intersections.
The ELCA Glocal Mission Gathering gathers congregational teams and leaders for worship, workshops and sharing around global and local mission and to answer questions together for our migrating and immigrating world. Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:
September 14-15, 2012 - Chicago, Illinois
Event Details Register Now
September 21-22, 2012 - Portland, Oregon
October 5-6, 2012 - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Event Details Register Now
October 26-27, 2012 - Puerto Rico
Event Details Register Now
November 9-10, 2012 - Denver, Colorado
View Promotional Video for more information or go to www.elca.org/glocal .
You are invited to save the date and begin gathering a congregational team to register for an upcoming ELCA Glocal Mission Gathering. For only $35 per person and in only 1 1/2 days, your team can enhance your connections with the local and global Christians, gain practical skills for mission and learn how churches are changing how they proclaim and serve.
By the end of the event, your team will be equipped to lead inviting worship that includes global voices; serve in a way that is sustainable, respectful, and cross-culturally sensitive; give, receive, lead and serve in different ministry settings; practice and share best practices in mission in your own congregation, the local community and across the globe.
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ELCA HUNGER GRANTS
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 Hunger Grants Applications are Available Online
Welcome to the Domestic Hunger Grants Program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Here you can learn about the grants process, read descriptions of current grant recipients (and search for them by state or synod), and find out how you can support hunger ministries like these.
The Domestic Hunger Grant application is now on the ELCA website. Please note that applications are due by July 9, 2012. You may go to www.elca.org/grantinghope for more information. There are menu boxes on the left side of the page that will take readers to the application and the criteria for grants.
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| JOB POSTINGS | |
Cross of Christ Seeks a Director of Youth Ministries
Cross of Christ Lutheran Church is currently seeking a Director of Youth Ministries to continue current Youth programming and expand programming to engage the 3rd-12th grade population of the congregation.
The goal of the Director of Youth Ministries is to develop Youth in their faith formation and to help them mature as Disciples of Christ. The Director of Youth Ministries will do this by maintaining and developing a comprehensive youth ministry program for the Cross of Christ congregation. This is a full-time position and reports to the pastor responsible for education and youth, and, ultimately, to the Church Council.
A complete job description is available but for more information, please contact the church at 303-469-4004.
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
Region 2 Mobility Conference, Pacifica Synod, CA; 50th Anniversary Celebration with Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, Fort Morgan, CO; Ordination of Kris Trahnstrom at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church, Lakewood, CO.
Region 2 Mobility Conference, Pacifica Synod, CA; In the office 6-21 to 6-26.
Region 2 Mobility Conference, Pacifica Synod, CA; Visiting and worshipping with the congregation of St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, NM.
Youth Leadership Training, Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp. Available by email
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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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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
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.
New Beginnings Church 12th Annual Celebration Dinner and Silent Auction New Beginnings Church invites you to joint them in their 12th Annual Celebration Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday, September 29 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, located at 4500 Wadsworth Blvd. in Wheat Ridge (80033). The featured speaker is  Sydna Mass�, founder of Ramah International, and her topic is "Forgiveness: Breaking the Chains." The auction will also include many handmade items donated by women on the inside. Music will be provided by New Beginnings Church. For dinner, there is a suggested donation of $10.00, payable at the door. For more information or to register, please email Kathy or give her a call on 303-831-7023.
Her Choice to Heal New Beginnings Church of the Rocky Mountain Synod (ELCA), invites you to hear Sydna Mass�, founder of Ramah International, speak at a workshop on Saturday, September 29, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The workshop is titled Her Choice to Heal: Finding Spiritual and Emotional Peace After Abortion and will take place at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 6322 South Lakeview in Littleton (80120).  During the workshop, Sydna will outline:
- Basic issues confronting post-abortive women
- Post-abortive mindsets and how to communicate through them
- Provide a healing method for assisting them to grieve those losses at a healthy level
- Offer a much a deeper understanding of how this particular American demographic impacts the attendees personally
The cost of the workshop is $45/person and includes a detailed manual. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. For more information and to register, please email Kathy or give her a call at 303-831-7023. The event is sponsored by New Beginnings Church. |
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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
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