The 2013 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly will feature our year-long theme: Deeply Rooted, Bearing Fruit. Taking place May 2-4 at the Embassy Suites in Loveland, CO, it promises to be, well, "fruitful!" Registration will open later this week.

 

Please note important information for your planning:

• The assembly will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, with OPENING WORSHIP (which will enable some attendees not to have to miss an entire day of work or school)
• Friday, May 3, will focus on much of the "business" of the assembly
• Friday evening, May 3, will be a celebration of the ELCA's 25th Anniversary
• Saturday, May 4, will be an extravaganza of opportunities for excursions, workshops, conversations, and projects, with concluding worship. We will welcome additional participants to attend the Saturday opportunities!

The day will conclude at around 3:00 p.m. following closing Eucharist at 2:00 p.m.

 

Ministries, Teams, and Organizations may sign up for involvement at the assembly by February 15.

In addition to the usual display tables and the annual ministry booklet, we are seeking involvement in new and unique ways. At our May 3, Friday evening celebration of the ELCA's 25th anniversary, we invite booths and activities where attendees can interact and experience various ministries. On Saturday, May 4, we are envisioning a day of excursions and engagements. Those present at the assembly will journey to Northern Colorado sites such as campus ministry sites, participate in unique opportunities in the Loveland community, or be engaged by workshops and experiences at the hotel. Please sign up for ways your organization, congregation, institution, or ministry team can engage the assembly!

 

Sign up for opportunities here with a deadline of February 15.

  

Registration information

• Registration link and hotel reservation link will be available by February 7.
• Registration deadline is April 3
• Hotel reservation deadline is April 3 
• Voting member registration is $300 per voting member. Includes two lunches, one dinner, and breaks.
• Visitor with meals is $240. Visitor without meals is $125.
• Exhibitor with meals is $165. Exhibitor without meals is $50.
• Guests attending only the Saturday Celebration are $25.
• Hotel is $109 per room for a single or double room. For triples or quads the rate is $139 for the room. Note that all Embassy Suites rooms are two-room suites with beds in the bedroom and a sofa-bed in the front room.
• Travel equalization funds will be available for those who must travel far distances.

 

 

 

Lenten Book Club

Starting the week
of February 17  

 

Each year, USC volunteers, alumni, and friends gather for a communal Lenten discipline of reading and discussion. The books and dates/times of the gathering are to be determined based on each group. If you are interested in engaging in conversation around a book that connects to one of the USC tenets (intentional community, service, simplicity, and spirituality), please email

krista@servantcorps.org! It is a great way to reflect in the midst of community during the season of Lent!

 

3201 E. Colfax (Colfax and Steele)
Sunday, March 17 
5:00 p.m. - close (9:00 p.m. for dinner, 11:00 p.m. for drinks)

 

A great way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day -- Italian food! When you dine at Stella'son Colfax Avenue on March 17 from 5:00 p.m. until close, 10% of your bill is donated to the Urban Servant Corps!

 

Thursday, May 16
6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Location -- coming soon!

Get Involved with the Border Servant Corps 

 

Border Immersions:
Border Servant Corps hosts groups interested in first-hand cultural immersions focused on education about border issues. This program is designed for undergraduate missions, alternative spring break programs, seminarians, and church and youth groups. 

 

Honoring 15 Years of Service to the U.S./M�xico Border: Consider donating $15 per month to BSC. This donation can be made easy through JustGive.org, which provides options for one-time or automatic, monthly giving.

• Details
  • Visit http://www.borderservant.com/, select the big, red "Make a Donation" button on the right-hand side, and "Donate Now."
  • BSC is a ministry of Peace Lutheran Church, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization; gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
  • BSC relies heavily on support from individuals and congregations. With your donation, BSC can continue doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly on the U.S. / M�xico border.

Many Thanks: During the month of January, participants in the BSC Servant Stomps in both cities were able to learn about community resources and updated border issues from current volunteers. Thank you for your support of BSC in a variety of ways!

Wartburg Youth Leadership School (WYLS)

 

Considering the Ultimate YOU 

 

Wartburg Youth Leadership School is a six day school in which youth will gather for an ultimate faith journey as they share adventure, service, study, music, and worship. Held on the campus of Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque from June 23 - 29, 2013, WYLS participants consider the ULTIMATE YOU: Who claims You? Who Calls You? Who Sends You? Through the setting of an intentional Christian community, the youth are challenged to live out the Gospel and ask themselves, "How am I being called to lead?" Click here for a printable WYLS flyer.

 

Which 3 Youth Will You Nominate?

Do you have youth in your congregation that may already be leaders, or who have leadership potential? Please nominate them for WYLS. You may nominate up to three youth who have completed 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. Click here for an online nomination form.

 

WYLS graduates return home sharing their faith, gifts, and passionate commitment to the Gospel with newly found enthusiasm and confidence.

Bishop Gonia encourages leaders to meet with a Spiritual Director 

A safe, spiritual companion for conversation, encouragement, and mentoring can be life-giving and renewing. Bishop Gonia encourages all leaders to intentionally tend to their spirituality and prayer.

 

So that we may assist leaders who are seeking a Spiritual Director, we are asking that names be submitted of those persons who can be recommended as a Spiritual Director to others.

 

Please send an email to Willie Hobbs with the name of Spiritual Directors you can recommend with their contact information, such as email, phone, and location/address.

 

 

  

 

Make plans to attend a concert to benefit Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp on Friday, February 22, 2013, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The concert will feature Michael Tomlinson, who is known for his intimate performances, appealing tenor voice and melody-rich songs that focus on healing and unity among humankind through understanding and honest communication.

 

This benefit concert will take place at the First Lutheran Church Friendship Center, located at 3rd Avenue and Terry Street in Longmont, CO (80504).  

 

Tickets are $15 or $17 at the door and are available via  www.firstluth.org or the First Lutheran Church office (303-776-2704). Please help get the workout out by downloading and posting this announcement in your organization.

 

For a free song mp3, email mt@michaeltomlinson.com and I'll email you a beautiful song - Michael Tomlinson

---

 

Year of Jubilee

 

2013 marks the 50^th anniversary of Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp, celebrating 50 years of Ministry with Altitude. 

 

Visit www.skyranchcolorado.org and check out the "50th Anniversary" tab for the latest information.

 

Tuxes and Tevas

 

Register now for the initial event of the 50th year. Take time to complete the questionnaire and share your favorite memories. Your input will help shape the evening. Go to www.skyranchcolorado.org for updates. Tell your friends. 

 

50th Anniversary Calendar of Events  

• March 1 Alumni Gathering in Fort Collins
• March 2 Gala in Loveland
• March 3 Worship and Annual Meeting at Zion in Loveland
• June 28-30 Alumni weekend with Pastor Ralph Yernberg & Joel Abenth
• June 30 - July 5 Family Camp with Pastor Kim Gonia
• July 5 -7 Alumni weekend with Pastor Ron Letnes
• July 26 -28 Alumni weekend with Pastor Bob Kuehner
• September 13-15 All Camp Reunion
• October 13 Rendezvous in Longmont

Please download and share the bulletin with friends, family and in your congregations

TWO Februrary 15 Deadlines for Congregations...

 

 

 

 

Annual Parochial Report   

Submit your congregation's Annual Parochial Report by February 15. Link to forms.

 

listings by congregation name with links to websites

congregations seeking rostered and lay leaders

website calendar

2013

FEBRUARY 18  

MAY 2-4 

2013 RMS Assembly

 

SEPTEMBER 23-26

Theological Conference 

  

When Rachel Hunstad heard a story read to her South African school children about a fish wanting to explore new streams, it captured perfectly her urge to become a mission volunteer in South Africa for a year. "The fish's desire to 'see if there's another way' resonated with me like crazy," she says. Read more. 

submit New Mexico or El Paso news or photos        

 

  

A cordial welcome is extended to you to join the THEOPROBE (sometimes known as skioprobe!) experience this year at Beaver Lodge in Winter Park, CO for 6 day from Saturday, February 23 through Friday, March 1, 2013. Pastors and their families and congregation members come from all over the country.

 

Each morning and evening (leaving the day free for skiing!), two professors will lead theological lectures and dialogue focusing on the Lukan cycle. (A certificate of participation is issued to present, if needed, for continuing education.)

 

During the day, there are many local winter activities, as well as time to meet with the professors or small groups or catch up on rest or reading.

 

Following a trip to the hot tubs, a great dinner and lecture, we close each evening with worship and fellowship.

 

The cost is $540 (double occupancy), which includes room, breakfast, dinner and lectures. (Lift tickets are not included, however good discounts are available.)