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eConnection
weekly email of the
Rocky Mountain Synod
May 7, 2013 |
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| Greetings! |
Created by artist Tara Smith, the "Tree of Life' sculpture anchored our time together as "participatory art." Pieces of cardboard were submitted for the bark with words written about how we are "deeply rooted" as the people of God. On the leaves, people wrote how they are "bearing fruit." Bishop Gonia is pictured presiding at closing Eucharist with assisting minister Katie Kline, youth director at Evergreen Lutheran Church, Evergreen, CO.
Assembly celebrates being "deeply rooted and bearing fruit" together
542 voting members and visitors gathered in Loveland, Colorado, May 2-4, for the 2013 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly. Assembly actions include:
- electing Earline Bohling as RMS Vice President
- expressing gratitude to Linda Bobbitt who has served as Vice President for eight years
- adopting the budget
Five resolutions were adopted:
- encouraging physical, emotional and spiritual health among church professionals.
- affirming Peace Not Walls as the means by which the ELCA implements its strategy for engagement in the Holy Land conflict.
- encouraging all synod congregations and ministries to provide rostered leaders and church professionals at least one paid day per month for dedicated prayer and meditation.
- designating the Rev. Allan Bjornberg as Bishop Emeritus of the Rocky Mountain Synod.
- affirming the Synod Council's plan for a new location for the Office of the Bishop in the now-closed site of Valley Lutheran Church after a program of renovation and renewal.
- read the full text of the resolutions.
Highlights of the assembly included:
- an amazing video link with Madagascar, sharing in our companion synods relationship.
- celebrating the ELCA's 25th Anniversary with a festival of food, music, and fun.
- lively worship and music.
- an engaging 22-feet high "tree sculpture" anchoring our gathering together.
More assembly information, photos, and follow-up materials will be posted on the RMS website later this week.
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| OUR LIFE TOGETHER |
Ascension of Our Lord
Almighty God, your only Son was taken into the heavens and in your presence intercedes for us. Receive us and our prayers for all the world, and in the end bring everything into your glory, through Jesus Christ, our Sovereign 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!
Installation of Pastor Jerry Reynolds at Trinity, Las Cruces
Pastor Jerry Reynolds' installation is set for
Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 2900 Elks Drive in Las Cruces New Mexico (88005). The congregation is deeply honored to have Bishop James Gonia preaching and presiding at Pastor Jerry's installation. The Service of Installation will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary with a reception following. For more information, please contact the church office at 575-523-4232.
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 5/12:
Cross of Christ Broomfield, CO
Ann Hultquist, Kathleen Armstrong,
First Longmont, CO
Steven Berke, Paul Judson
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URBAN SERVANT CORPS
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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!
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LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY - COLORADO
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Conversation about Homeless Issues
- Wish you knew more about why people are homeless?
- Do members of your church ask you questions you cannot answer?
- Want to know more facts about the causes and realities of homelessness?
 Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - Colorado invites you to lunch and a conversation with Bobbie Kanary to take a survey about the facts of homelessness and a conversation about the facts behind the issue.
Bobbie has been homeless and wrote a book about the issue for the Rocky Mountain Synod in 1987. This event will take place at the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver, 4550 East Alameda Avenue in Denver (80246). Lunch is free but you need to RSVP to Brad Wood at bwood@rmselca.org or call 303-777-6700.
photo from the Denver Rescue Mission
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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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COLORADO COUNCIL of CHURCHES
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Colorado Council of
Churches Event
Colorado Council of Churches presents: Walking Together in Faith, Working Together for Justice
All are welcome and invited to attend this Ecumenical Assembly which is a Covenanting Ceremony for Denominations and Congregations.
The event will have Discussion Groups on:
- Ecumenical Relations
- Interfaith Relations
- Shining the Light on Societal Issues
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Respectful Conversations
We will participate in the Sharing of Bread in a worship context. The event will take place at Central Presbyterian Church located at 1660 Sherman Street in Denver (80203) on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 with registration beginning at 6:30 and worship at 7:00 p.m.
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CONFIRMATION in the CONGREGATION
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Re-thinking Confirmation, again, at five retreats with Pastor Paul Judson
Pastor Judson is hosting five retreats on the five chief parts of Luther's Small Catechism over five months at our synod church camps in his sabbatical 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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CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY
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California Lutheran Summer Events
California Lutheran University invites you to join then for two events this summer from August 1 - 3, 2013. The events will last from noon Thursday - noon Saturday.
22nd Anniversary Invitation to Service
Where is God calling you to serve?
August 1-3, 2013
$120 (includes meals and lodging)
For more information visit www.callutheran.edu/its or contact the Office of Church Relations at 805-493-3936
14th Annual Youth Ministry Training Event
This program offers several unique levels of training. Participants who complete the four tracks will be offered Region 2 recognition. For more information, go to
 Keynote: Jonathan Rundman Jonathan is a Finnish-American born in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He has been writing songs and performing across the country since he was 18 years old and now lives in Minneapolis. Mr. Rundman continues to tour and record as his songs are on radio stations across America, in Scandinavia and England.
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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
- All Staff meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Colorado Council of Churches Assembly and Covenant Signing, Central Presbyterian Church, Denver, CO.
- Visiting the congregation of Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, Dillon, CO.
- Visiting with the congregation of Mount of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Vail, CO.
- Visiting with the congregation of First Lutheran Church, Gypsum, CO.
- Visiting with the congregation of Zion Lutheran Church, Montrose, CO.
- Visiting with the congregations of All Saints Lutheran Church, Austin, CO.
- Visiting with the congregation of American Lutheran Church, Grand Junction, CO.
- Metro West Bishop's Retreat.
Pastor Ron Roschke
- All Staff meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Colorado Council of Churches Assembly and Covenant Signing, Central Presbyterian Church, Denver, CO.
- Rainbow Trail Board meeting, Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp.
Pastor Sarah Moening
- All Staff meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Faith Formation meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Front Range Youth Ministry meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Leadership and Anxiety Workshop, St. Mark Lutheran Church, Aurora, CO.
- Visiting with the Council of Messiah Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, NM.
Pastor Stephanie Quick Espinoza
- Generosity Project Table planning, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Visiting and worshipping with the congregation of Christ the King Lutheran Church, South Jordan, UT.
- Visiting with the Council of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Taylorsville, UT.
- Visiting with the Steering Committee of Christ the King Lutheran Church, South Jordan, UT.
- All Staff meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO
- Administrative Team meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
Brad Wood
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry CO
- All Staff meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - Colorado Public Policy Board meeting, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- All Families Deserve a Chance Coalition meeting, Mile High United Way, Denver, CO.
Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - NM
- All Staff meeting by Webex, Office of the Bishop, Denver, CO.
- Medicaid Coalition meeting, Albuquerque, NM.
- Visiting and worshipping with the congregation of St. Michael's and All Angels Episcopal Church, Albuquerque, NM.
- Wage Theft Task Force meeting, Santa Fe, NM.
- Legislative Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy 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
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
 Interfaith Prayer Service in Salt Lake City on May 11 at 7 p.m. Hope with Immigrants Please join The Most Reverend John C. Wester, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City and Reverend Steve Klemz, Pastor at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church as they pray in solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters for humane immigration reform. Prayers, readings, and reflections will be lead by: Bishop Wester, Rev. Klemz, Rev. Canon Pablo Ramos,
Imam Mehtar, Fr. Elias Koucos, and Rev. Curtis Price. This very special prayer event will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church located at 1070 S. Foothill Drive in Salt Lake City (84108).
 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
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.
 Prepare/Enrich Facilitator Training Prepare/Enrich Facilitator Training is being offered Thursday, May 16, 2013, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church located at 4500 E. Hampden Avenue in Cherry Hills Village (80113). The workshop is designed to teach clergy and other professionals to administer and provide feedback to premarital and married couples. For more information, please call Beth Walker at 303-694-2967 or go to www.prepare-enrich.com and click on 'Become a facilitator'. You may register online.
 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.
 BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass - 5th Annual Sky Ranch FundraiserYou are cordially invited to join the fun at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church as they host the 5th Annual Sky Ranch Fundraiser on Saturday, June 1 beginning at 5:30 p.m.   Musical entertainment will be provided by Lost Sheep and Jerusalem Road. Tickets are $12 (5 and over) and $30 (family). Young folks under five years old are free. You will be able to enjoy barbeque, coleslaw, chips, and dessert (vegetarian and gluten-free choices will be available). Spirit of Joy is located at 4501 South Lemay Avenue in Fort Collins (80525). Supplemental funds provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. 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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