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Greetings!
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Wednesday, July 31, 11:30 a.m.
Groundbreaking for new Office of the Bishop renovation & addition
Join us at the new location of the Office of the Bishop on Wednesday, July 31, at 11:30 a.m., for a liturgy of groundbreaking. If all goes as scheduled, the completion is expected to be in March. View the plans in the 5 minute presentation below:
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Welcome home, Malagasy travelers!
From Bishop Jim...
We in the Rocky Mountain Synod can be incredibly proud of the travelers that represented our church during the last three weeks in Madagascar.
Each person served as a thoughtful and engaged ambassador of the ELCA and the RMS during a variety of experiences with the Malagasy Lutheran Church and its members. From home stays to congregational worship/visits to youth concerts to conversations with leaders from our four companion synod, each RMS traveler brought unique insight, energy and perspective and participated in vital ways in building our relationship with the Malagasy Lutheran Church.
Together they illustrated in tangible and loving ways the truth of our unity the Body of Christ despite our differences in geography, language, culture and practice. I feel humbled and deeply grateful to have been part of such a significant visit.
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PRAYERS
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Tenth Sunday After Pentecost
July 28, 2013
Almighty and ever-living God, you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and you gladly give more than we either desire or deserve. Pour upon us your abundant mercy. Forgive us those things that weigh on our conscience, and give us those good things that come only through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Synod Prayer Cycle:
North New Mexico Conference
You are encouraged to include the listed leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. Many congregations print the listing in the Sunday bulletin and/or monthly newsletter.
Remember in prayer this coming Sunday:
7/28
St. Paul's/Peace, Las Vegas, NM
Tom Woodward (ECUSA)
St. Timothy, Albuquerque, NM
Rachael Powell
Trinity, Farmington, NM
Larry Davis
Valley, Los Lunas, NM
Ken Vogler
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RMS LEADERSHIP RETREAT
AND THEOLOGICAL CONFERENCE
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Leadership Retreat
& Theological Conference
September 23-26, 2013
YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, CO
Gifted to Grow will be the overarching theme of the 2013-2014 year. We will gather in the prime season of golden aspen, just outside Rocky Mountain National Park, as a time for spiritual renewal, connected community, prayerful worship, and engaging dialogue. We will consider what it means to be a spiritually-vibrant leader within the context of a changing and challenging ecclesiology.
Retreat leaders and guests are:
The Rev. Louise Johnson, Vice President for Mission Advancement, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, PA.
The Rev. Craig Mueller,
pastor, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church,
Chicago, IL.
Carrie Newcomer, singer/songwriter,
Bloomington, IN.
Tammy Devine,
Diaconal Minister and
ELCA Wellness Manager
The event begins on Monday, September 23 with an optional pre-gathering opportunity with Tammy Devine at 1 p.m. and the start time overall at 4 p.m. The event concludes before lunch on Thursday, September 26.
Pre-Conference:
What are your Strengths?
1 to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, September 23
We have uniquely been blessed with gifts, some we may wish we didn't have, others we covet as did the people of Corinth as recorded in 1 Corinthians 12-13, others believe their gift is the coolest. Paul writes: "Fools, Every godly gift is necessary, and nobody has all the gifts! Everybody gets some gift from God; nobody gets them all." We all have been blessed with gifts to share. Through the use of story, we will listen, share, and identify your most dependable strengths (gifts). Living from our strengths we are most fulfilled and together we complete the Body of Christ.
Who should attend? Rostered leaders most certainly, but also other leaders in the church: leaders of faith formation, youth directors, seminarians.
All are welcome! All are welcome!
more information
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LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION
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One Year to Live Retreat For Pastors, Camp Directors and Senior Camp Staff
August 27-29, 2013
Camp Santa Maria, Grant, CO
Lutheran Men in Mission is conducting a One Year to Live Retreat for Pastors and Senior Camp Staff from August 27-29, 2013, right here in Colorado at Camp Santa Maria in Grant. The early registration deadline is July 26th. The cost is $225 with an early registration price of $195. This is a boot camp for men's spirituality with follow-on work that builds a community of men who support one another in their journey following Christ. For more information, contact Jim Monkman, (303) 642-1026.
To register, visit www.LutheranMenInMission.org/events/oytl, and download the brochure/registration form.
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LUTHERAN CAMPUS MINISTRY
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Send campus ministry leaders the names of your new college students!
Graduation parties have ended and many of our congregation's young adults are preparing to leave home to find their way at college.
The Lutheran Campus Ministries of the Rocky Mountain Synod work to stay connected with these young people, continuing the good work of your congregations and helping young adults navigate the demands of college life.
If you could provide LCM with the contact information of students who will be attending college in the fall (especially CSU, CU, UNM-CNM, UNC, Wyoming, and Utah State), each student will receive a simple invitation to check out one of our ministries.
Please send names and contact information to Karen Nelson at lcmoffice@colorado.edu to connect your students with LCM!
Thank you for helping to keep your young people connected!
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RETREAT FOR LATINO PASTORS
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Latino Pastors enjoy three-day retreat
June 24-26, the Latino pastors of the Rocky Mountain Synod participated in a three-day retreat at Messiah Mountain Retreat Center in Indian Hills, Colorado. The purpose of the meeting was to connect with each other, get to know the new Synod Minister for Expanding Vision, Pastor Stephanie Quick, and talk about ways in which they can have be a voice for our Synod regarding Latino ministry.
The group had a much needed time together after four years of not having any formal meetings. They enjoyed cooking for each other, having conversation about our ministries, praying together, and planning to stay connected to support each other in the future.
They are organizing a Latino Table within the structure of the synod with Pastor Rose Mary from El Paso, Pastor Guillermo from Albuquerque, and Pastor Abe Gonzalez from Colorado as the coordinators of the group. As this Latino Table organizes and gets started, they will keep everyone informed through the synod online newsletter and web site.
"We want to thank our Bishop Jim Gonia and Stephanie Quick for their commitment to support and work with our Ethnic ministries," said Pastor Rose Mary S�nchez-Guzm�n. "May we begin a new chapter for our Latino Ministry in the Rocky Mountain Synod."
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TO THE POINT
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NEW VIDEO CONFERENCE TEXT STUDY!
Especially for those in "remote" parts of the RMS
Webex, Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
A new text study is forming especially (but not necessarily only) for those in the more isolated parts of our Synod. The WebEx (online) Text Study meets on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. MST to talk about the texts for the coming Sunday, with a focus specifically on preaching. All preachers are invited to this online text study. Please email Pr. Kirsten Sauey Hofmann from Trinty, Hobbs, NM, if you are interested.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
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Organist
Grace, Boulder, CO
Grace Lutheran Church in Boulder, CO, is seeking an Organist. Grace has a strong traditional music program with an emphasis on liturgy. The qualified candidate works with the Pastor and Music Director, leadership and members of Grace Lutheran Church to support the congregation's worship life and the music program of the congregation, which includes weekly staff meetings. The candidate will be responsible for one Sunday service and a weekly choir rehearsal, plus additional services for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, as well as occasional weddings and funerals.
Please email office@graceboulder.org for more information or to submit a resume.
Urban Servant Corps Volunteers
Denver, Colorado
Urban Servant Corps is closing in on the application process and have some newly available positions for USC volunteers for this upcoming year of service (Warren Village, Focus Points, Urban Peak, Cooking Matters St. Francis Center). Who do you know that would be a great fit, but might need a little extra nudge to consider it?
- USC is a Lutheran-affiliated full-time, year-long volunteer program. The program provides food, housing, health insurance and a modest monthly stipend as well as personal growth and development funds throughout the year.
- Volunteers live in intentional community and uphold tenets of service, simplicity, spirituality and intentional community.
- Each individual is placed at a non-profit organization, where he/she works 40 hours per week as a full time volunteer.
- USCers may be eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award upon completion of the program -- $5500 to be used to pay off school loans or can be utilized for future education (grad school, seminary, etc.).
- The program begins on August 25 and ends the first week in August 2014.
- Visit http://www.urbanservantcorps.org/ to find the application under the "Become a Volunteer" tab.
Director of Youth Ministries
Trinity Lutheran Church, Boulder, CO
The director of youth ministries at Trinity Lutheran Church a full-time position that is responsible for directing the planning, scheduling, and implementation of Trinity Lutheran Church's Youth and Family Ministries and Programs. Qualifications: This position requires college education with the minimum of a Bachelor's degree. Course work in Christian Religious Studies and/or extensive Bible Study is helpful and preferred. Position will work with youth up to 12th grade. Certification through Center for Youth Ministries - Wartburg Seminary, and CPR and/or First Aid certification is required within the first year.
Please submit applications to: youth@trinityboulder.org Deadline to submit application is July 26.
For more information, please contact Pastor Mark Twietmeyer at Trinity Lutheran Church at 303-442-2300 or twiet@comcast.net
Job openings can be found on
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CELEBRATING OUR 25 YEARS TOGETHER
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September 8, 2013, is ELCA-wide "God's work. Our hands." Sunday!
September 8, 2013, is "God's work. Our hands." Sunday, an opportunity to celebrate our 25th anniversary as the ELCA! Since we are a church that "rolls up our sleeves and gets to work," join together for a dedicated day of service as 4 million ELCA members and nearly 10,000 congregations. You can order personalized T-shirts to wear that Sunday, as well as bulletin inserts, flyers, and other resources to promote the day.
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- Holy Trinity, Littleton, CO
- Region 2 Bishop's Gathering
Pastor Ron Roschke
- Strategy Mission Table
- Team Leader Retreat
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Deepened Discipleship Meeting
- Trinity Lutheran, Loveland, CO
- Strategy Mission Table
- Team Leader Retreat
Pastor Stephanie Quick Espinoza
- Strategy Mission Table
- Team Leader Retreat
Pastor Kent Mueller
- Team Leader Retreat
- New Office of Bishop meetings
Brad Wood
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry CO
Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - NM
- Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
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| ELCA GLOBAL LINKS | |
ELCA aids those forced from their homes in Syria
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Syria: ELCA aids those forced from their homes
An estimated 4.25 million Syrians have fled their homes during the civil war but remain in the country rather than joining more than 1.5 million who have sought refuge in other countries. The ELCA is providing more than $540,000 to help these "internally displaced" war victims.
See www.ELCA.org/Syria-displaced
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QUICK LINKS
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SOCIAL SERVICES
HEALTH CARE MINISTRY
SERVANT CORPS OUTDOOR MINISTRY
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| CALENDAR |
website calendar 2013 SEPTEMBER 23-26 Leadership Retreat / Theological Conference YMCA of the Rockies
Estes Park, Colorado
NOVEMBER 22-24
Senior High Youth Gathering
YMCA of the Rockies
Estes Park, Colorado
2014
JANUARY 17-19
Middle School Youth Gathering
Elegante Hotel & Conference Center
(new name for the Crowne Plaza!)
Colorado Springs, Colorado
MAY 8-10
2014 Synod Assembly
Marriott Tech Center
Denver, Colorado
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UTAH
| submit Utah news or photos
Elim Vacation Bible School raises $213.88 for WRCNU
Elim Lutheran Church, Ogden, UT
A check for $213.88 was presented to Dalyn Erickson-Marthaler, director of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah (WRCNU) during a "Faith Hike" of Elim Lutheran Church on Monday, July 14, 2013, said Pastor DanaLee Simon of Elim.
The money donated was raised by the children enrolled in Elim's recent Vacation Bible School (VBS). Elim's VBS enrolls students from preschool through sixth grade, with teenagers in higher grades serving as helpers. One of the perks of being a helper is to select the charity to be supported each year, said Simon.
For the last three years, the VBS has supported the ELCA Malaria Initiative, but this year the teen helpers voted to raise money for the WRCNU, which is rehabilitating the beavers injured by the Willard Bay diesel oil spill. A plush animal, Bucky the Beaver, was chosen as mascot for VBS and presided over donations during closing worship each of the six days of VBS.
Photo courtesy Gloria Wurst, Elim Luterhan Church.
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NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
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Border Servant Corps 2013-2014 Service Year:
Positions Available!
Border Servant Corps is seeking individuals that are interested in living and serving on the U.S./Mexico border for the 2013-2014 service year (August 19, 2013 - August 8, 2014)!
BSC is a domestic full time volunteer program that hosts 15-25 full-time volunteers that live in intentional community, learn about living simply, work for social justice, and explore spirituality. Volunteers work with issues such as poverty, immigration, domestic violence, education, and health care with opportunities to work in churches, shelters, legal centers, after-school programs, clinics, and other social service agencies within the unique context of the border region.
Positions currently available*:
*All positions are eligible for a full-time AmeriCorps Education Award.
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COLORADO
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Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains
20th Annual Golf Classic - Tee Off for Hope
Monday, August 12
Hiwan Golf Club
30671 Clubhouse Lane, Evergreen, CO 80439
6:30-7:15am Registration and Breakfast
7:30am Shotgun Start
1:00pm Luncheon & Awards
A Great Game of Golf for a Great Cause! Don't Miss It!
Click Here to Register
Prepare/Enrich Facilitator Training
Bethany Lutheran Church, Cherry Hills Village, CO
4500 E. Hampden Avenue
Prepare and Enrich Facilitator Training is being offered Thursday, August 22, 2013, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village. The workshop is designed to teach facilitators to administer and provide feedback to premarital and married couples to enhance their relationship. For more information, or to register, please call Beth Walker at 720.352.9915, or go to prepare-enrich.com.
Day Camp 2013: Blessed to Be a Blessing
August 5-8, 2013
St. Peter Lutheran Church, Greenwood Village, CO
9300 East Belleview Avenue
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
303-770-9300
For more information visit us at www.stplc.org
Download Registration Forms
Young people 3-years-old through those entering sixth grade are invited to register as participants. Middle School and High School students are invited to join the Day Camp Staff of Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp for the week.
The program begins at 9:00 a.m. and concludes at 3:00 p.m. each day, (the preschool program ends at 11:30 a.m.). Thursday night, August 8, we will wrap up camp with a family picnic and program beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The cost for the week is only $55.00/child, $45.00/each additional child, and $35.00/preschooler. Snacks and water bottles will be provided, but campers will need to bring their own lunches. (Preschoolers do not eat lunch at camp.)
For more information on this year's Day Camp, to volunteer as part of our staff, or to offer other support for this ministry, please contact the church office at 303-770-9300.
Join us this August at Saint Peter Lutheran Church, as we consider what it means to be
Blessed to Be a Blessing - it is guaranteed to touch your hearts!
Celebrating 15 Years: Ministry Behind Bars
taking place at Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Wheat Ridge, CO
Join us for a dinner and silent auction celebrating 15 years of ministry behind bars at New Beginnings Church on September 28, at 5:30 p.m., at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. There will be a freewill offering for the cost of the buffet dinner, and music by Apostles Creed. Thrivent has committed to match the funds raised in the auction.
Please RSVP to Kathy Melies at 303-831-7023 or by email at oslc915@juno.com
Holy Cross is located at 4500 Wadsworth Blvd, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Urban Servant Corps Update Alumni: Paint Your Old Room! at USC Homes Saturday, August 17: 9am-2pm Are you missing your old USC sleeping space? Or perhaps you are looking for a fun, productive way to gather with your former housemates?!? This day of service will not disappoint! There are a number of projects that will be tackled in preparation for the August-arriving volunteers! Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Spread the word! Brought to you in partnership with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and the USC Alumni Affinity Group. Closing BBQ 835 32nd St. (USC 5&9 House) Monday, July 29: 5:30pm So long! Adios! Au revoir! Believe it or not, it's time to offer a departing blessing on the 2012-2013 USC volunteers. Please help celebrate this year of service! Main dish will be provided -- bring a side to share, if you are able! For more Urban Servant Corps news, visit www.urbanservantcorps.org
Annual Mount of the Holy Cross pilgrimage dates set  Again this year Mount of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Vail, CO, will sponsor two pilgrimage hike climbing Notch Mountain (13,237) in order to view the Mount of the Holy Cross (14,005). Because of the popularity of this hike and due to U.S. Forest Service regulations which limit each group to no more than 15 persons at a time, reservations are required. Dates are Friday, July 26 or Saturday, July 27, 2013. The event will be from approximately 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day. This is a fairly strenuous hike and requires good hiking boots and waterproof weather protection. Pre-registration is required. Call Pastor Scott Beebe, (970) 476-6610 or email mtholy@vail.net for a registration form or for more details.
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Synod Minister for Connected Community
Rocky Mountain Synod
800-525-0462 / 303-777-6700
Announcements for eConnection are due before noon on Monday for the issue the following day. Event announcements are included for about two weeks. Please submit your announcement at the time it should appear.
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