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eConnection
weekly email of the
Rocky Mountain Synod
April 9, 2013 |
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Assembly workshops and excursions take place on Saturday, May 4
Assembly participants will either attend ONE Excursion or TWO Workshops. The workshop and excursion details and descriptions are now available to review. Those attending from the same congregation should plan to participate in different opportunities.
Those on Excursions will carpool together to a variety of sites. We will need volunteer drivers. Watch for information next week on how to sign up for your choices. Take some time to become familiar with the options and the schedule.
Synod Assembly Art Tree: Help Needed Saturday!
A message from Tara Smith
 As many of you know, I have been working collaboratively on a gigantic tree sculpture for the synod assembly. Many of you and your churches have submitted leaves and bark, etc. for the project. From all our synod efforts, we have collected 915 leaves and 608 pieces of bark with more on the way! Several people have asked how they can help or be involved. So, here is our opportunity to come together and be a part of the final stages of tree creation.
This coming Saturday, April 13 we will have an "art party" to gather and help finish the final parts of the large interactive tree sculpture for the synod assembly. I definitely need lots of help with the final details of assembling all the leaves and bark and some other small things. It is a fun way to see the "fruits" of all our hard work come together.
If you are interested in being part of the project, I can use some help all day Saturday (very early till probably evening). Feel free to show up anytime! Friends, kids, and dogs welcome! The address is 2008 Kaiser Lane, Loveland, CO. 80538. You can either just show up, email, or call/text me at 970-218-2311 to let me know you'll be coming.
Thanks so much for being a part of the project and I'm looking forward to it all coming together!
God's Peace and lots of bark and leaves,
Tara Smith
Director of Youth and Family Ministry
Highlands Lutheran Church, Denver
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ELCA WELLNESS CHALLENGE
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WE DID IT a month early!
The Rocky Mountain Synod is one of just three synods to reach the health assessment challenge goal one month early! That unlocks a 2% reduction in all health care costs and results in a $20,000 award for health and wellness projects and initiatives. Thanks to all who made it happen!
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| OUR LIFE TOGETHER |
Third Sunday of Easter
Eternal and all merciful God, with all the angels and all the saints we laud your majesty and might. By the resurrection of your Son, show yourself to us and inspire us to follow Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Mark Honstein's Installation Set for May
 Mark's Honstein'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!
Synod Prayer Cycle: Wyoming Conference
You are encouraged to include the listed leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. The prayer list for May is available. Also, you may view the lists for the coming months.
to remember in prayers on 4/14:
Good Shepherd Casper, WY
Jack Damien
Grace Casper, WY
Brenda Frelsi
Mount of Olives Rock Springs, WY
Martha Atkins
Our Saviour's Casper, WY
Robert McNamara
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2013 ROCKY MOUNTAIN SYNOD ASSEMBLY
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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. PRE-ASSEMBLY MATERIALS will be posted April 12.
ASSEMBLY INFORMATION
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SPECIAL ASSEMBLY OPPORTUNITIES
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Do you sense a call to ministry in the church? Consider these discernment opportunities...
Email Ron Roschke for more information about any of these workshops. A series of workshops 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.
And learn about medical and healing ministries at assembly....
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.
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URBAN SERVANT CORPS
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Urban Servant Corps Fundraising Events
 Alumni Community Meal SAME Cafe -- 2023 E. Colfax April 24 at 6:00 p.m. The USC Alumni and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans affinity group is supporting a gathering of Urban Servant Corps alumni to do one of our favorite things -- SHARE A MEAL TOGETHER and reminisce about the GOOD 'OL DAYS! Dinner is free and so is the fun! Please RSVP to krista@servantcorps.org by April 19th so that the appropriate amount of food is prepared.
 Silent Auction Celebration: The Many Hands of Service! Thursday, May 16 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at St. John's Cathedral: Dagwell Hall
Join the Urban Servant Corps community for an evening of celebrating "The Many Hands of Service!" Snacks and beverages (home brew beer!) will be provided. You'll also have
the opportunity to bid on a Champagne Brunch for 8, weekend at Keystone, organic fruits and vegetables, gift cards for local restaurants and coffee shops, and LOTS MORE!
Who will you bring that definitely needs to know about Urban Servant Corps? Please spread the word!
RSVP on the USC website: www.urbanservantcorps.org under the "News and Events" tab or email: krista@servantcorps.org by May 5. $15 suggested donation.
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PEACE NOT WALLS
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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
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SUMMER MUSIC and SENIOR ADULT RETREAT
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 Lutheran Music Program and Retreat
The Lutheran Music Program is gearing up for another concert-filled summer at Lutheran Summer Music. This year, we're even more excited to announce a new partnership with Lutheran Life Communities to produce the Senior Adult Retreat, as a part of our Festival Week happenings. This five-day retreat will take place at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. More information can be found on the attached brochure.
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Every Person, Every Congregation, Every Ministry, Boldly Serving
God's Mission in Christ
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THIS WEEK
Bishop Jim Gonia
- Executive Committee Webex, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Urban Servant Corp/Border Servant Corp Retreat, Denver, CO.
- Meeting with the Council of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Casper, WY.
- Visiting with the congregation of St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Buffalo, WY.
- Mission Table - New Starts, Chicago, IL.
Pastor Ron Roschke
- First Call Theological Education, Las Vegas, NM.
- Preach at First Lutheran Church, Ault, CO.
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Front Range Youth Ministry Network meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Youth Gathering Planning meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Visiting with the congregation of Faith Lutheran Church, Eaton, CO.
Pastor Stephanie Quick Espinoza
- Visiting with Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains, Denver, CO.
- Preach at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Aurora, CO.
- Prayer at the Park Service, Well of Hope Worshipping Community, Castle Pines, CO.
- Assembly Planning meetings and tasks.
Brad Wood
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry CO
- All Families Deserve a Chance Coalition meeting, High High United Way, Denver, CO.
Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - NM
- Medicaid Coalition meeting, Albuquerque, NM.
- Health Care for All Steering Committee meeting, Albuquerque, NM.
- Lutheran Advocacy ministry-NM Policy Committee meeting, St. Luke Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, NM.
- Medicaid Advisory Committee meeting, Santa, Fe, NM.
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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
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| ELCA GLOBAL LINKS | |
eNewsletter of the ELCA
Haiti: Seeking a more secure future
The goal in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and recent hurricanes goes beyond repairing the damage to buildings and includes making the lives of Haitians more secure and self-sustaining, says Joseph Livenson Lauvanus, president of the Lutheran Church in Haiti. With 1.3 million people still living in tents, much still needs to be done. See more
New: 2013 Directory of ELCA Global Missionaries, Scholarships and Ministries
You will want a copy of this annual directory, full of beautiful pictures and stories of our engagement with the global church. Request a single free copy at RIS@elca.org
Nigeria: Working toward a dream
A proud 15-year-old student of ELCA missionary Mary Beth Oyebade moved down to the fourth-grade to improve his math and reading, but his eye is on the goal of one day attending a university. More information.
Madagascar: "We have found our home here"
It was a year ago that the Rev. Austin and Tanya Propst came to Madagascar. The ELCA missionaries say, "Through much prayer, challenge, laughter, joy, wrong turns, ah-ha moments, quiet spaces, tears, noisy streets and handshakes, we find peace in our being here." Read more.
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NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
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| COLORADO | submit Colorado news or photos
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).
 Harvest of Empire: A Documentary At a time of heated and divisive debate over immigration, Onyx Films is proud to present Harvest of Empire, a feature-length documentary that examines the direct connection between the long history of U.S. intervention in Latin America and the immigration crisis we face today. The film will be showing from Friday, April 5 through Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the Sie Film Center (2501 E. Colfax, across the street from East High School).  Based on the ground-breaking book by award-winning journalist Juan Gonz�lez, Harvest of Empire takes an unflinching look at the role that U.S. economic and military interests played in triggering an unprecedented wave of migration that is transforming our nation's cultural and economic landscape. Harvest of Empire unveils a moving human story that is largely unknown to the great majority of citizens in the U.S. The living history depicted in Harvest of Empire is a moving, inspiring and often heartbreaking tale that must become part of our national conversation about immigration. You will find here more information about the film, the film makers and issues surrounding immigration.
 Spring is here! Time to celebrate with some worship under the blue sky!
All are invited to Prayer and Party in the Park on April 14, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the pavilion and sports field on the South-west corner of Infinity Park in Glendale, CO. We gather to worship and celebrate the season of Easter, the blessings of Spring as well as have a blessing of Spring recreational activities and equipment.
We would love to see you there. If you cannot attend, we would be deeply grateful for your prayers for the event! More details and FAQ can be found at http://bit.ly/PPP2013
 Fundraiser Invitation to Cherokee Ranch for Children in Haiti April 25
Danielle Gilbert, a youth attending Well of Hope Worshipping Community has been planning (with some guidance from one of her high school teachers and Pastor Michelle de Beauchamp) to put on a fundraiser at Cherokee Ranch and Castle in Sedalia. She has worked tirelessly at getting people to donate so that all the funds can go directly toward the fundraiser! Funds raised by the event will go toward serving children in Haiti through the Haitian Timoun Foundation summer camps in the Jacmel, Haiti. These summer camps are set up to help child slaves and when the children attend they receive two meals a day, a water filtration system for their family, and new clothes. The event is being funded by Abiding Hope and Well of Hope.  There will be speakers throughout the night, and rostered leaders are especially urged to attend to show their support for the Rocky Mountain Synod's newest worshipping community (Well of Hope in Castle Pines). You can look forward to fabulous food from the caterer, a chance to enjoy the cash bar, an awesome silent auction, and if you get there by 6:00 p.m., there are free tours of Cherokee Castle! If you don't know about Cherokee Ranch it is a "big deal" in Douglas County as a venue and is actually like a Castle! Invite your friends, families and church members! Here are the details: Thursday, April 25, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Cherokee Ranch and Castle
6113 Daniels Park Rd
Sedalia, CO 80135The tickets are $45 per person or $80 per couple. To purchase tickets online, please visit the website or contact Pastor Michelle by email!
 Wartburg College Choir in Denver
You are invited: Wartburg College Choir in Denver, Colorado
Thursday, April 25, 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, 7:30 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church St. John's Cathedral
4500 East Hampden Ave. 1350 Washington St.
Cherry Hills Village, CO Denver, CO  The internationally acclaimed Wartburg Choir performs sacred music from all historical periods and styles. Called "a mighty fortress of skill" by the Washington Post, the choir is often invited for special performances in the U.S. and abroad. They participated in the December 2011 White House Holiday Concert Series and at the National Cathedral's Bethlehem Prayer Service, simulcast worldwide. The choir has sung at the Kennedy Center, the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and throughout Europe and in South Africa. Wartburg West Reception: Wartburg College is a selective four-year liberal arts college of the Lutheran Church (ELCA), nationally recognized for community engagement, with Wartburg West an urban extension program located for over 25 years in Denver. There is exciting news about the future of Wartburg West moving to Cathedral Square. A formal announcement will be madeSunday, April 28, 2:00 p.m., St. John's Cathedral (Dagwell Hall). Join Lutheran, Episcopalian, College and Community representatives for this momentous event. ($15 adults, $5 K-12 students) or purchased at the door. Bethany Tickets St. John's Cathedral Tickets
 Highlands Lutheran Church 90th Anniversary Celebration is Sunday, April 28 On April 28, 2013, Highlands Lutheran Church celebrates 90 years of ministry in NW Denver. The Celebratory Service will take place at 10:30 a.m. and the Party is from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. The theme of our celebration is: 90 and Forward in God's Grace!
Our celebration will include guest preacher and musician Rev. Kent Mueller, of the Office of the Bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod. Former pastors and guest preachers at HLC will be in attendance. Doug Howe and his Band will uplift the attendees with music from all the decades between 1926 and 2013. There will be a Period Costume Contest, so choose an era that spoke to you in terms of clothing and come dressed up! Since Highlands Lutheran Church had a Swedish constituency in its early years, we will have a Swedish buffet and desert. ELCA pastors and church members are welcome to attend.
Highlands Lutheran Church is located at 3995 Irving Street in Denver (80211). Please RSVP to the church by email or phone (303-477-2031).
New Beginnings Church at the Denver Women's Correctional Facility  The women of New Beginnings Church welcome visitors to their weekly Friday Bible Study and Worship. This will be an experience of a lifetime and will bless both you and the women in prison. Please contact Kathy at 303-831-7023 or via email with at least two-weeks notice for groups of six or fewer. Time is needed for a background check with name, birth date, and driver's license number provided for each visitor. Visitors may be either men or women, but must be 21 years or older.
Family Promise 12th Annual Bowl-A-Thon
You and your family are invited to spent some quality time together at the 12th Annual Family Promise Bowl-a-Thon which will take place on Saturday, May 11 from 12:30 - 2:20 p.m. Check-in begins at 11:45 a.m. and bowling begin at 12:30 p.m. The new location is Brunswick Zone green  Mountain at 945 Kipling Parkway in Lakewood. A team of 4 - 6 bowlers is $200 and a bowler bowling alone is $50. The cost includes 2 hours of bowling, shoes, soda, and lunch. This is a FUN event for all ages so recruit family, friends and colleagues. There will be great prizes available. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go toward shelter and supportive services of children and their families who are experiencing homelessness in our community. Call Family Promise at 303-675-0713 to register a team.
Events
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