|
|
|
|
eConnection
weekly email of the
Rocky Mountain Synod
March 26, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
| |
+
Great God, in Christ, you call our name
and then receive us as your own,
not through some merit, right, or claim,
but by your gracious love alone.
We strain to glimpse your mercy seat
and find you kneeling at our feet.
ELW 358, text by Brian Wren
|
| OUR LIFE TOGETHER |
Holy Week
O God, we give you thanks for the goodness of creation, for the victory of resurrection, and for the grace of redemption. We praise you for leading us from darkness to light, and for bringing us through the waters of death into new life in you. Amen
Mark Honstein Ordination and Installation Set
 Mark Honstein has been called as Associate Pastor to Watford City Area Lutheran Parish in Watford City, ND. Please come and celebrate the Service of Holy Communion with Ordination on April 7, 2013 at the 10:30 a.m. service at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3333 Duffield Avenue in Loveland, CO (80537).
Bishop Mark Narum of the West North Dakota Synod will preside at the ordination, Pastor Ed Smith will preside at the service, Diaconal Minister Ann Maki will assist, and Mark Honstein will be presenting the sermon. A luncheon at the church will follow the ordination. All are welcome to attend and any ordained clergy are invited to participate in the laying on of hands, and wear their red stoles if they have them.
Mark's installation is currently set for Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2013, at the 9:30 a.m. service at First Lutheran Church, located at 212 2nd St. NW in Watford City, ND (58854). Mark wishes to thank everyone for all their work in helping him follow this calling into ministry!
Korra Looschen to be Installed as AIM
April 7 in Greeley, Colorado
 Korra Looschen (pictured with her husband and son) has accepted the call to ministry at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Greeley as the new Director for Children, Youth and Household Ministries . The Service of Installation will take place at Our Savior's located at 1800 21st Avenue (80631) on Sunday, April 7 at the 8:15 and 10:40 a.m. worship services. Pastor Sarah Moening, Synod Minister for Deepening Discipleship in the Office of the Bishop, will preach and Pastor John Knutson will preside. The color of the day is white and there will be a reception with light refreshments served after the service.
Synod Prayer Cycle: Metro East Conference
You are encouraged to include the listed leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. The prayer list for April is available. Also, you may view the lists for the coming months.
to remember in prayers on 3/31:
Saron Strasburg, CO Julie Brooks St. Mark Aurora, CO Inga Oyan Longbrake St. Matthew Aurora, CO Marcel Naruki St. Paul Denver, CO Kevin Maly, Mark Filbert
|
|
2013 ROCKY MOUNTAIN SYNOD ASSEMBLY
| |
Deadlines are Approaching!
Assembly is May 2-4 in Loveland, CO
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. See details online.
Registration information
- Registration deadline is April 3
- Hotel reservation deadline is April 3
|
| GETTING READY FOR ASSEMBLY! |
Several requests for assembly volunteers and involvement...
- We are seeking an additional volunteer to staff our history booth for the Friday evening assembly celebration. Any additional donations for our history display are due in the Office of the Bishop by April 15.
- For the assembly, we would like to put together a video about the creation of our assembly "Family Tree" sculpture. Most of the videoing will take place in advance of the assembly at Loveland, CO. Do you have a video camera and video editing skills to offer? Email Tara Smith.
- We will need some volunteers to help construct our "Family Tree" attaching bark and leaves. This will take place in Loveland, CO. If you or a youth group would like to help out, email Tara Smith.
We will be happy to continue to receive your "leaves and bark" for our assembly
-
Download leaf templates and make bark strips to submit bark and leaves to the Office of the Bishop by April 3. Information and instructions to add to our assembly "Family Tree.
|
|
PRAYERS for HEALING AND UNDERSTANDING
|
Good Friday Vigil
March 29, 2013
NOON
On the West Steps of the Colorado Capitol
Join us as we
- prayerfully reflect on gun violence
- as we remember the crucifixion of Christ and mourn the senseless slaughter of all victims of gun violence
- as we seek hope and pray for peace
The service will take approximately 45 minutes.
Sponsored by the Social Action & Outreach Committee, Washington Park UCC
|
CRISTO REY EL PASO BORDER IMMERSION
|
Faith Journey through Cooking and Food
Members of Faith Lutheran Church of Washington D.C. spent last week 2,000 miles across the country in El Paso, Texas, among other things, tutoring first-generation students in an After School Program and making traditional Mexican food with a member of Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey. They identified simple necessities which would greatly benefit the efforts of Cristo Rey's outreach programs:
- An electric pencil sharpener for the students in the After School Program
- A blender for grinding chile to be used in cooking Mexican meals, and
- A refrigerator in good working condition
These activities of tutoring and cooking are part of an immersion program sponsored by Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey through which people of faith learn hands-on about the complexities of life along the border region between the US and Mexico. The members of Faith Lutheran join with Cristo Rey in asking if you would please help by providing the above, or offering support to obtain them.
You can contact Justin Remer-Thamert, Border Immersion Program Coordinator at Cristo Rey, by email or phone (915-544-6545) about these needs or interest in an immersion trip.
|
SPECIAL ASSEMBLY OPPORTUNITIES
|
Discernment for Ministry and Medical Ministries are two assembly workshop themes
Email Ron Roschke for more information about any of these workshops. A series of workshops (to be publicized soon) will be offered on Saturday, May 4 for anyone to attend, not just assembly registrants. A pre-assembly workshop is also offered on Thursday, open to anyone. Registration for assembly workshops on Saturday is $25 and includes lunch. Register for the Saturday experiences.
A DISCERNMENT WORKSHOP IS OFFERED AS A PRE-ASSEMBLY OPPORTUNITY
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1:00 - 4:30 pm
"Discerning Rostered Ministry"
The RMS Candidacy Committee invites you to explore rostered ministry in the ELCA. Have you considered being a pastor, diaconal minister or associate in ministry? Meet with synod and rostered leaders along with Amber Remillard, Director of Admissions at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, to learn about the process for becoming a rostered leader and to share in conversations with others who are discerning their call just like you.
"MANY MINISTRIES" WILL BE PRESENTED AS AN ASSEMBLY SATURDAY WORKSHOP
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 10:00 - 11:30 "Many Ministries"
The RMS Candidacy Committee and the Deepening Discipleship team offer you this inter-generational workshop model to invite members of your congregation to explore ministry as a part of faith formation for all baptized Christians. The question before us is never "Will I be a minister?" but rather "What kinds of ministry are calling me today?" This is a lifelong project, and attending this workshop will give you the design for an event you can host in your own congregation to deepen ministries of all your members.
MEDICAL MINISTRIES NETWORK WILL HAVE LUNCH MEETING AT ASSEMBLY ON MAY 4
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Medical Ministries Network in the Rocky Mountain Synod
Parish nurses, hospital chaplains and synod members interested in medical ministries are invited to a lunchtime conversation to discuss how creating a synodical network could deepen our healing ministries. This gathering will immediately flow into the "Awakening" workshop, which will look at how our companion synod relationships with Madagascar are providing us with new vision for the work of spiritual and physical healing.
HEALING MINISTRIES WORKSHOP IS OFFERED AT ASSEMBLY
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 12:30 - 1:45 pm
"Awakening:" Exploring Healing Ministries from Madagascar
The Awakening Movement in Madagascar challenges our most basic assumptions about the nature of health and illness. This holistic and community approach to healing offers the church in North America a place as a partner in accompanying our sisters and brothers who face serious medical, emotional and life challenges as together we build our lives on God's baptismal promises for healing and wholeness. Take a look at this amazing movement and dream with us what it might mean to share these gifts in our own twenty-first century, North American context.
|
URBAN SERVANT CORPS
|
Urban Servant Corps Fundraising Events
 Silent Auction Celebration!
Thursday, May 16
6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Location TBD
This weather might have you thinking about spring! If so, mark your calendar for the 4th Annual Urban Servant Corps Silent Auction Celebration!
|
ELCA ADVOCACY
|
 Advocacy Survey: Voice what's important to you!
As members of the ELCA, we believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor, and advocating for public policy that helps the most vulnerable and protects God's creation is one way we live out this call.
The advocacy ministries of our church want to hear from you now! Your responses to the short four-question ELCA Advocacy National Priorities survey greatly help the church facilitate this active and growing network of Lutherans speaking out for public policy that advances the common good and reflects your commitments.
Get started now at www.ELCA.org/advocacy/survey.
|
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
|
LMPC Training Opportunities
The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center has scheduled upcoming training opportunities in mediation and conflict transformation in ministry.
First, the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center will be leading a one-day workshop,
Leadership & Anxiety in the Church, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Aurora, Colorado, on Tuesday, May 14, 2013. View a brochure with further information and a registration form plus a group discount coupon for groups of four or more registering from the same church.
In addition, there will be a Mediation Skills Training Institute at University Park Methodist Church, Denver, Colorado, during the week of October 7 - 11, 2013. This event provides 32 hours of training, which is useful for clergy who are looking for continuing education opportunities and to hone their mediation skills. Check out the brochure. Participants who register for the Mediation Skills Training Institute before the pre-registration deadline of September 13 will save $100 off the later registration price.
All brochures for events at The Center can be found on the website and downloaded, forwarded and/or printed. The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center is located at 101 W. 22nd Street, Suite 206 in Lombard, IL (60148).
|
PEACE NOT WALLS
|
International Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Middle East
We can support both Israelis and Palestinians by taking part in a new international prayer vigil sponsored by the ACT Palestine Forum that began December 24, 2012. The prayer vigil is  intended to take place around the world on the 24th of each month until the Israeli occupation of Palestine ends, all violence ceases and a just and equitable peace is negotiated. This can be as simple as co-workers gathering at lunchtime to pray for peace with justice in the Holy Land, or a meditative, musical liturgy followed by a speaker and time of education about the people and issues involved. Find educational ideas here.
There is also a Lenten litany bulletin insert:
Lenten Prayer Folder for International Prayer Vigil
|
ELCA LUTHERAN MEN in MISSION
|
LMM Retreat is April 5 - 7, 2013
Look forward to... - Banding together and being challenged
- Examining your life and making decisions
- Be prepared for a spiritual boot camp.
- This 45-hour experience is not for the faint of heart!
 YMCA Camp Santa Maria
51321 US Highway 285 Grant, Colorado 80448 303-443-4474 ext. 4450 SCHEDULE Arrive promptly at 5:30-6:00 p.m. on Friday and depart at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Please plan to stay for entire retreat-no exceptions. Registration is non-refundable, but is transferable to another participant for the same retreat. Includes 2 nights lodging, 6 meals and retreat materials. Early Registration is $175 by March 1, 2013. Late Registration cost is $195 by April 1, 2013 For more information, including the registration form, please check out this link.
|
JOB OPENINGS
| |
Seeking a bell choir director and organist/accompanist
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is seeking to fill a part time Handbell Director position starting late this summer or early fall. Previous director experience is desirable. Some benefits will be included. Resumes are being accepted now until the position is filled.
Holy Trinity is also seeking an organist and accompanist for Sunday morning worship and weekly (Thursday) choir practice. These positions may be filled separately or combined. Some benefits will be included. Resumes are being accepted now until the position/s is/are filled.
For more information, contact Pastor Dave Palma-Ruwe (303 798-1356) or Bob Zermuehlen (303 781-4107). You may submit a resume via fax (303 798-1366) or email. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is located at 6322 South Lakeview St. in Littleton, CO (80120).
Director of Children and Youth Ministries (Part-time)
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church seeks an individual who has experience working with children and youth ages 2-18 in a Christian church, school, or camp setting. The Director will work with the Children & Youth Support Group, staff, and Pastor to define specific Christian education, activities, events, and a program for recruiting families of children and youth. The Director will coordinate Sunday Children's Church and other activities (ages 2-10), lead education and activities for youth (ages 11-18), and lead fund raising efforts to support children and youth ministry programming. The position is staffed about 15 hours per week from mid-August through approximately mid-June. Visit http://shepherdboulder.org for a document containing a full description of the position. To apply, please email a resume, cover letter and three references from people who are not related to you to shepherdboulder@gmail.com or U.S. mail to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 7077 Harvest Rd, Boulder, CO 80301, Attention: Lisa Prosch.
|
ELCA WELLNESS CHALLENGE
|
It's not too late...
It's not too late to take the health assessment! Please do so before Easter!
|
|
 |
Every Person, Every Congregation, Every Ministry, Boldly Serving
God's Mission in Christ
|
THIS WEEK
Bishop Jim Gonia
- Colorado Council of Churches, Denver, CO.
- All Staff meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Meeting with the Four Winds American Indian Council, Denver, CO.
- Maundy Thursday Worship with Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bethune, CO.
- Visiting with the congregation of First St. Paul Lutheran Church, Burlington, CO.
- Visiting the congregation of Zion Lutheran Church, Limon, CO.
- Lead Worsip at the Urban Servant Corps, Denver, CO.
Pastor Ron Roschke
- All Staff meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
Pastor Sarah Moening
- All Staff meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Preach at HKBP/Montclair Lutheran Church, Denver, CO.
Pastor Stephanie Quick Espinoza
- Visiting with the Leadership of Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey, El Paso, TX.
- Visiting with Mount Hope Lutheran Church, El Paso, TX.
- Maundy Thursday Worship with Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey and Peace Lutheran Church, El Paso, TX.
- Visiting Camino de Vida Worshipping Community and Interfaith , Albuquerque, NM.
- Visiting with the Worshipping Community of Red Cliff, CO.
- Conference Deans Webex conference call, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- All Staff meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Performing the tasks of the Synod Minister for Connected Community.
Brad Wood
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry CO
- All Staff meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Skype with CIVJ Volunteers, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- CSLC Criminal Justice Issues meeting, Denver, CO.
- CIVJ Board meeting, Denver, CO.
Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - NM
- Health Care for All Steering Committee meeting, Albuquerque, NM.
- State Public Policy Office conference call, Santa Fe, NM.
|
CALENDAR |
website calendar 2013 MAY 2-4 2013 RMS Assembly Embassy Suites Hotel
Loveland, Colorado SEPTEMBER 23-26 Theological Conference YMCA of the Rockies
Estes Park, Colorado
|
| ELCA GLOBAL LINKS | |
eNewsletter of the ELCA
How would you improve the world?
Here's a chance to help shape the future of the world. The ELCA's advocacy ministry at the United Nations encourages you to participate in the "My World" survey on your priorities for creating a better world. See www.ELCA.org/WorldWeWant
Help youth learn about global hunger and poverty
Are you looking for activities to teach your youth group about the realities of global hunger and poverty? Check out the Hunger Education Toolkits developed by ELCA World Hunger. See www.ELCA.org/hunger-toolkits.
South Sudan: Helping refugee kids enjoy being kids
Life in a refugee camp can be hard, especially for the children. Through The Lutheran World Federation, the ELCA is helping bring some joy to the lives of refugee children by providing child-friendly areas and play resources. See
www.ELCA.org/SouthSudan-play
A missionary service opportunity in Europe
The ELCA is seeking a regional representative for Europe who will also be the director of the ELCA Wittenberg Center. This person will assist the ELCA in its relationships with companion churches, international congregations, mission personnel, volunteers, programs and projects in Europe and direct the program of the ELCA Wittenberg Center. Priority will be given to applications received by March 20. See www.ELCA.org/hr
|
|
|
|
UTAH
| submit Utah news or photos
Building an Inclusive Church
Building an Inclusive Church will be presented at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1070 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, April 5 - 6, 2013. Registration and information is available on the website of Institute for Welcoming Resources..
Events
|
NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
| |
 St. Paul Invites Everyone to their Malagasy Experience Event
On Holy Hilarity Sunday the folks of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, are offering a novel opportunity for people to share in the joy of being part of the world-wide body of Christ. Please read on....
On April 7, at noon, we will be holding a Madagascar awareness event at St Paul. We will have a Malagasy meal, entertainment by our Malagasy members, and information about our companion synod program and ELCA global missions. Terry Cole's purpose in making a return trip to Madagascar is to increase awareness of and involvement in Global Missions at St. Paul, her home congregation, and throughout New Mexico. She is so excited to have four fellow New Mexicans on this trip!
 Since her last trip (in 2005), she has been on Global Missions Program Committee for the ELCA and also on our synod Companion Synod Committee. Through this involvement, she realizes that we need to do more to raise awareness "out here" in the synod away from the main action in the Denver area (where congregations tend to know more and do more in this area).
The fundraising focus of this event is to support the Global Mission Ministry at St. Paul. Our vision is to connect youth through Young Adults in Global Mission and offer others the opportunity to grow deeper in their awareness of God's global church. On behalf of the people of St. Paul, you and any of the kids or adults from New Mexico are invited to attend this event.
Share this information with anyone else that might be interested, and please RSVP to Terry Cole if you are coming.
|
| COLORADO | submit Colorado news or photos
Easter Worship Service in German
�kumenischer Ostergottesdienst in deutscher Sprache
Christ ist erstanden...
1750 Colorado Blvd
Denver CO 80220
www.messiahdenver.org
info@messiahdenver.org
Tel: 303-355-4471
Ostersonntag
den 31. M�rz 2013 um 17 Uhr
Wolfgang Stahlberg, Pastor
Eric French, Organist
Ostereiersuche f�r Kinder
 Group for Progressive Lutherans meets April 8
A new group for progressive Lutheran theological thinkers holds meeting at Messiah Community Church, located at 1750 Colorado Blvd. The group meets once a month for discussions of Bible texts, church events, books, theological developments, and more. The next meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Wolfgang Stahlberg by email or phone (303-355-4471). New attendees are always welcome.
Beyond Divorce Workshop
The workshop, Beyond Divorce: Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends, begins on Thursday, April 11, 2013, at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch. The seminar is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. each Thursday for 10 weeks, ending on June 13, 2013. Complementary child care is available.
For more information please contact Beth Walker by email or phone (720-352-9915).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
