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eConnection
weekly email of the
Rocky Mountain Synod
April 30, 2013 |
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| Greetings! |
For 6 1/2 years, Willie Hobbs has served as our Synod Minister for Hospitality and Communication. He has been the voice of welcome to those who have called the office, and he has been the embodiment of hospitality for visitors and guests to the Office of the Bishop. He has also been instrumental in preparing these email newsletters, serving as the "web steward" for the RMS website, and wearing many other hats.
Tuesday, May 7, will be Willie's last day in the office. He will be moving to Florida for new family opportunities. We wish him well, and send him into this new life chapter with prayers of gratitude for his faithful service to the Rocky Mountain Synod family! We'll miss you!
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ASSEMBLY UPDATES
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All are invited to Assembly Worship
All are invited to the Assembly Opening Eucharist at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 2. Closing Eucharist is at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 4.
Assembly participants received an informational email yesterday
Included was information about the assembly. Most important is that registration begins at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, and dinner is not provided on Thursday. See you there!
Invitation to sing in May 4
Assembly Choir! (for Northern Colorado folks and assembly participants!)
All are invited to sing in the synod assembly choir at the 2 p.m. worship on Saturday, May 4 at the Embassy Suites in Loveland.
Two rehearsal options:
1) Come to rehearse at 1:00 p.m. in preparation for the 2:00 p.m. service.
2) If you are attending the assembly and have a workshop at that time, a separate rehearsal is from 11:45 - 12:15 (during lunch... so finish your box lunch at the 12:15 workshop!).
You are welcome to come to both rehearsals and be well prepared! Music will be provided at that time, or you can contact Dennis Larson at dlarson@greeleylutheran.org for a copy in advance.
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| OUR LIFE TOGETHER |
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Bountiful God, you gather your people into your realm, and you promise us food from your tree of life. Nourish us with your word, that empowered by your Spirit we may love one another and the world you have made, through 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: Boulder/Broomfield Conference
You are encouraged to include the listed leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. The prayer list for June is available. Also, you may view the lists for the coming months.
to remember in prayers on 5/5:
Atonement Boulder, CO
Debra Engquist, Chad Kohlmeyer
Bethlehem Longmont, CO
Mark Peterson
Christ the Servant Louisville, CO
Keith Prekker (interim)
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2013 ROCKY MOUNTAIN SYNOD ASSEMBLY
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Pre-Assembly materials are ready to download
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. The assembly Handbook and the Financial Packet are now available.
ASSEMBLY INFORMATION
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URBAN SERVANT CORPS
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Urban Servant Corps Event
 Silent Auction Celebration: The Many Hands of Service! Thursday, May 16 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at
UMB BANK (Colfax and Franklin)
1635 E. Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80218
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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BORDER SERVANT CORPS NEWS
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Border Servant Corps Newsletter for May
BSC Sale Success: BSC's annual sale raised more than $3,000 which the Southwest New Mexico Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans matched 3:1 with $1,000 grant. Many thanks to all who assisted with donations, sorting and working the sale!
Prayers for BSC: At this time of the year our 2012-2013 volunteers are beginning to look towards the fall and the next step in their journey, 2013-2014 volunteers are being assigned to placement agencies to begin in August, and BSC is working to support all involved during these times of transition. Please keep BSC, volunteers, and placement agencies in your prayers this month as we continue to serve the U.S./M�xico border.
Thrivent Choice Dollars: The Thrivent Choice� program allows members to recommend where some of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' charitable outreach funds are allocated by directing Choice Dollars(SM). BSC is able to accept these donations through Peace Lutheran Church (Las Cruces, NM). For more information about how to donate, please contact kari.bsc@gmail.com
Border Servant Corps seeks to provide an opportunity for volunteers to work for justice, serve their neighbor, and walk humbly with their God. This month, we share an adaptation by Alexa Garcia (BSC volunteer at La Casa, Inc. Domestic Violence Shelter) of a prayer, originally written by De Colores of LMU (2010-2011) that was shared during a reflection at the volunteers' recent spirituality retreat. The title is WE Are One. Read more.
We thank you for all of the ways you support of Border Servant Corps! If you have any questions or would like to become more involved with BSC, please contact us at kari.bsc@gmail.com or 575-522-7119 Ext. 16. Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly.
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CONFIRMATION in the CONGREGATION
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Re-thinking Confirmation, again, at five retreats with Pastor Paul Judson
Pastor Paul Judson of First Lutheran Church in Longmont, Colorado will be dedicating a part of his sabbatical time this year redesigning the confirmation material that he has developed and used for the last 20 years. He would like to invite interested co-workers in Christ to join him in retreating, talking, and re-developing new strategies and materials for teaching confirmation in the congregation. Special focus will be taken to develop confirmation ministry that speaks to a post-modern generation, is global in perspective, and works well in partnership with households. It is hoped that the end product would be open sourced on the web.
Pastor Judson is hosting five retreats on the five chief parts of Luther's Small Catechism over five months at our synod church camps for this work. The first retreat will be May 19-22 at Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp. The event will begin Sunday night and end before lunch on Wednesday. Additional retreats will happen in August, September, October, and November. Each participant is asked to pay $50 to partially cover food. Grants and gifts have been given to cover housing and additional costs. Please contact Pr. Paul Judson at paul.judson@firstluth.org if you are interested in participating or if you have questions.
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RESOURCE for PASTORS
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Mini-MBA for Pastors
California Lutheran University is offering a workshop opportunity with faculty from the School of Management. In the complex environment of congregational management we all can use new tools for ministry. This week-long event for pastors will explore how concepts from a MBA program can be applied to the arena of congregational life. Each day we will explore a different theme.
- Stewardship
- Leadership
- Marketing
- Technology for Ministry
- Strategic Direction
When: July 15-19, 2013
Where: The campus of California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks California
Cost: $599.00 which includes classes, materials, room and board
The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. on July 15 and conclude at 4:00 p.m. on the 19, 2013. For those who are traveling, housing may be arranged for Sunday night the 14th or Friday night the 19th.
This event is being subsidized by a generous gift from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
For more information or to register, please contact the Office of Church Relations by phone at 805-493-3936 by e-mail leblanc@callutheran.edu or bergland@callutheran.edu
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JOB OPPORTUNITY
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Office Administrator at Holy Cross Wheat Ridge
Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO is seeking an Office Administrator to be a vital part of our growing ministry. The primary mission of the Office Administrator is to support the ministry and mission of Holy Cross, a welcoming faith community, through the efficient operation of the church office. This will include the coordination of all employee and volunteer administrative/clerical activities, the ordering and maintaining of supplies, developing and coordinating much of the internal and external communication for the church, and maintaining church records both financial and membership. Compensation for this 30 hour per week position ranges up to $20 per hour and is commensurate with abilities and experience.
If you would like to be part of the ministry team of Holy Cross and have questions about this position or wish to submit a resume with cover letter, you may send an email.
Job openings can be found on the Rocky Mountain Synod's website.
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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
- RM Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites Hotel, Loveland CO.
- Worshipping with the congregation and meeting with members of Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey, Denver, CO.
Pastor Ron Roschke
- RM Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites Hotel, Loveland, CO.
Pastor Sarah Moening
- RM Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites Hotel, Loveland, CO.
Pastor Stephanie Quick Espinoza
- RM Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites Hotel, Loveland, CO.
- Worship at Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey with Latino Pastor and Building Committee, Denver, CO.
- RM Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites Hotel, Loveland, CO.
Brad Wood
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry CO
- RM Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites Hotel, Loveland, CO.
- Skype with CIVJ Volunteers, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - NM
- RM Synod Assembly, Embassy Suites Hotel, Loveland, CO.
- Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee meeting, Albuquerque, NM.
- SPPO Conference Call, 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
ELCA, Malagasy Lutheran Church strengthen bond
"The reason we need one another is that through these very concrete partnerships, we make God's dream a reality in our midst," said the Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla, ELCA executive director for global mission, upon the signing of an agreement designed to nurture the ties between the ELCA and the Malagasy Lutheran Church. See www.ELCA.org/Malagasy-Lutheran.
New pope has ties to Lutherans
Regarding the election of the new pope, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson said he is "encouraged that Pope Francis has worked with Lutherans in Argentina." Hanson added, "We share a deep commitment to our ongoing dialogues with the Catholic Church internationally and in the United States." See www.ELCA.org/pope.
Southern Africa: Malaria hits home
A delegation of ELCA members representing the ELCA Malaria Campaign was in southern Africa during Lent and learned about the ever-present threat of the disease. On Palm Sunday the granddaughter of the pastor of a Mozambique Lutheran congregation was rushed to a hospital after contracting the disease. See www.ELCA.org/malaria-Mozambique and www.ELCA.org/malaria-trip.
Cambodia: Learning to harvest a better life
When they married in 2006, Hong Srey Touch and her husband, Doeun Dy, didn't have the knowledge to make a living off the rice paddy and the small plot of land they were given. But today, with the help of a program supported by ELCA World Hunger, they grow enough rice to feed themselves and sell the extra at the market. See
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UTAH
| submit Utah news or photos
 3rd Annual Bike Rodeo Ascension St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, located at 522 Homestead Blvd. (84501) in Price will be host its 3rd Annual Bike Rodeo for ages 3-12. The event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. May 11, 2013.  Rodeo Registration (Free) Bike Registration with the Price City Police Department Bike Inspections (Fuzzy) Safe Riding Course All riders must have helmets (We will have some on hand as well) All registration forms will be entered for the drawings but the winners need not be present to win.Please call the church office at 435-637-0106 for more information. Sponsors Ascension St. Matthew's Church Dr. David Nichols
Health District Price Area Singletrack Society Price City Police Department Southeastern Utah
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NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
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| COLORADO | submit Colorado news or photos
 Music Festival Led by John Helgen: Jazz and Other Alternative Worship Styles On Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5, 2013, Mount Calvary Lutheran Church will host John Helgen who will lead a special Music Festival. John Helgen  currently serves as Director of Music Ministry at Roseville Lutheran Church (ELCA) in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota, where he leads congregational songs and conducts several vocal and instrumental ensembles. On Saturday, May 4th, John Helgen will present a music workshop for church music directors, instrumentalists, and choral members. On Sunday, May 5th, John Helgen will direct a combined choir from local churches during a special church service at Mount Calvary. He has served as a presenter on worship topics at several national events for ELCA and for the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM). For more in depth information concerning John Helgen, his music, and his Music Ministry at Roseville Lutheran Church, please check out the website. If you would like to take part in this exciting event we encourage you to submit your registration early but registrations will be accepted until May 4th. Please download a registration form today or register online.
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.
 Lutheran Chorale Spring Concerts The Lutheran Chorale Spring Concert, entitled "Holy Music of Great Britain, France, and Italy", will be held at two venues on Sunday, May 19: 3:00 p.m., at Faith Lutheran Church, 17701 W. 16th Avenue, Golden (80401) and 7:00 p.m., at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 9770 S. Foothills Canyon Blvd, Highlands Ranch (80129) Adults $15; Seniors/Students $12; Families $25 Music will include two selections from Randall Thompson's "The Place of the Blest", Handel's stirring "Zadok the Priest", Camille Saint-Saens' "Be Still My Soul" and "Ave Verum", plus music by Thomas Tallis, John Ireland, Orlando Gibbons, Ralph Vaughan-Williams, and Roger Quilter.
 St. Mark Lutheran Church 60th Anniversary Celebration St. Mark's Lutheran Church will celebrate its 60th Anniversary on May 19, 2013. Pastor Tange held the first worship service and Sunday School at his home on February 8, 1953. There were 41 present that Sunday. May 24, 1953, was the groundbreaking ceremony with 107 charter members. At this time, the address was 12377 Hoffman Boulevard, Aurora, Colorado, but was  later changed to 111 Del Mar Circle, Aurora, Colorado (80011). Pastor Inga Oyan Longbrake is the current pastor. We ask for your prayers as they continue to serve the Lord and be of service to their community.
 St Peter Lutheran Church 5th Annual Selian Hospital 5K Run/Walk "We Run That They May Walk" Saturday, June 1, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. - Noon The Saint Peter Lutheran Church Congregation is hosting its 5th annual 5K run to help support  Selian Lutheran Hospital's comprehensive medical care programs. Selian, located in Tanzania, ministers to marginalized and disabled people by providing basic immunizations, re-constructive orthopedic surgeries, hospice and palliative care, HIV/AIDS education and treatment, rape and abuse counseling programs and treatment of malaria and tuberculosis. Come with your family and friends to participate in a morning of exercise and family fun! Enjoy live musical entertainment, food and craft concessions, door prizes, t-shirts & swag bags. The Selian 5K Run Event will include a jump castle, 1k run and face painting for the kids. To get additional information, contact Carol by email. You may register online.
 5 Steps to Holding Your Family
Together featuring Rich Melheim
Faith5 Workshops at Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Greenwood Village
 June 14, 2013 Pastors and Leaders (1:00 to 5:00);
Parents and Families (6:30 to 8:00)
The afternoon event is geared toward pastors and church leadership. In four hours of challenging systems thinking, you will learn how to challenge, equip, and support parents in the role as primary faith mentors for their children every night. Faith will be incubated every week at church and every night in every home. The evening event will teach parents and children the FAITH5, an easy-to-remember, five-step faith practice that can help you hold your family together in a few minutes each night.
information registration Saint Peter Lutheran Church is located at 9300 E. Belleview Avenue in Greenwood Village (80111).
 'The Greatest Kids on Earth - A Circus of Hope'  Join LFS for this fundraiser and foster family appreciation event! The event will take place on June 8, 2013 at the World Arena in Colorado Springs. Tickets are $20 and include a private animal open house tour, an all-access pre-show, main circus event, and coupon for popcorn and drink!
Events
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