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Greetings!
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As we give thanks for our earth...
 Today, April 22, is Earth Day, a great day to reconsider our commitment to stewardship and care of the creation as part of our baptismal calling. If your congregation has installed solar panels or taken part in the national Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) in any way, Pastor Jeffrey Louden invites you to email him a picture of your panels or confirmation that you are members of IPL. And if you would like information about how your congregation can become more eco-friendly, just drop him an email. Pastor Louden is serving as the Director of Communications and Outreach for Utah Interfaith Power and Light.
The photo shows the solar panels on the new Office of the Bishop at the Lutheran Center.
Bishop Jim Gonia has posted a new blog for the days after Easter
"In our context, Easter Monday is just another day, a return to the "daily grind." It can often feel like something of a letdown, especially for pastors, rostered lay leaders, and other church professionals who have poured their heart and souls into guiding us through the Lenten journey, and especially the Three Days leading us through the darkness of death to the Resurrection dawn. Monday comes and it's all over... and there's a tendency to wonder. Did any of it matter?"
2014 Assembly Information
Pre-Assembly Information Now Available:
Read more about the 2014 Assembly and register online. A $25 late fee now applies. The schedule is creatively designed with flex start and end times for those traveling long distances and those closer, since travelers need to be on their way by noon on Saturday.
View assembly information online. Additional assembly materials will be made available as they are ready.
 May 8
New Lutheran Center Dedication 7375 Samuel Drive, Denver, CO map
Denver, Colorado
Global Mission Dinner Table Hosts Needed For Friday night at Assembly
Friday night of the Assembly will be a
Global Mission Dinner. We are looking for people who have global mission experience to act as
global mission table hosts and facilitate a conversation around the Rocky Mountain Synod's role in the Global Church.
Have you been on a mission trip to Madagascar or elsewhere? Or does your congregation support a missionary or ministry abroad? We would also love members of our ethnic and international congregations to serve as hosts.
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PRAYERS
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Almighty and eternal God, the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt, may we, who have not seen, have faith in you and receive the fullness of Christ's blessing, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Second Sunday of April
April 27 , 2014
Synod Prayer Cycle: Wyoming
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:
4/27
St. Paul's, Cheyenne, WY
Trinity, Laramie, WY
Trinity, Evanston, WY
World Malaria Day, April 25
We put all our hope in you, O God. We trust in your mercy and find comfort in your grace. As we remember those individuals and communities suffering from malaria, we pray for your light to enter the world and shine brighter than any darkness. Let it be a pathway illuminated by your love. Amen.
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From the RMS Flood Relief Coordinator
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Flood Relief opportunities
on the Front Range of Colorado
Rocky Mountain Synod Disaster Response on Facebook
We invite congregations in the Colorado Front Range area to post this notice in your bulletin or newsletter:
Did you know there are flood relief efforts still going on? There are people who continue to need help with their homes and debris removal. Did you know the Rocky Mountain Synod is helping? Do you want to contribute, help, or volunteer in some way? Go to Facebook and search for the page Rocky Mountain Synod Disaster Response to get the latest news about the flood relief efforts as well as to find all of the upcoming volunteer opportunities that Synod Disaster Coordinator Brea Hapken has posted there. Whether you have a whole week to share or a few hours on a weekday or weekend, you can help!
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WORLD MALARIA DAY
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World Malaria Day is coming up on April 25 and it's another great opportunity to do something big for the ELCA Malaria Campaign. For the last several years, the ELCA observed World Malaria Day by dedicating an entire week to raising funds and awareness for our companions' programs. To date, we have joined hands in 12 African countries to help fight malaria, and we have seen great progress. This year, let's make it 13.
We are looking to you and members of this church to help take the ELCA Malaria Campaign work into the next country - Namibia. If we raise $250,000, we'll have enough to kick start programming in Namibia, the last country in our rollout plan.
Will you join thousands of ELCA members across this church and millions of people around the world in taking action? Please consider observing this day by taking a special offering for the ELCA Malaria Campaign on Sunday, April 27, 2014. Find special World Malaria Day resources that will help you activate your congregation to learn about malaria, the ELCA Malaria Campaign, our work in Namibia and more.
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MISSION CONGREGATION GIFTS
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GIFTED TO GROW!
Do you remember the Tree at last year's assembly? Well it will be back again this year! As a way to live out our theme "Gifted To Grow" congregations and assembly participants are invited to bring gifts that will be shared with our Mission Partner Congregations:
- gift cards for supplies or for gas/groceries (for pastor's discretionary funds for people in need)
- Gluten free communion wafer
- Regular communion wafers
- Veggie Tales movies
- white computer paper
- pens and pencils
- colored pencils and crayons
- musical instruments for kids (maracas, tambourines, shaker eggs, etc)
- coffee
Gifts brought to the assembly and placed under the tree will be shared with :
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TO THE POINT
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Office of the Bishop Eucharist is Second Wednesday
We invite you to join us the second Wednesday of each month for a staff/community Eucharist Service at 11:30am at the Office of the Bishop. Email Erin Power if you are interested in leading worship! There will be no worship service in May since it would fall around the same time as the Assembly. Join us on June 11!
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- First Lutheran, Gypsum, CO
- Staff Development Day
- Synod Council Executive Committee
- Peace In Christ, Elizabeth, CO
- National Workshop on Christian Unity, Albuquerque, NM
- Wyoming Conference Retreat, Cheyenne, WY
Pastor Ron Roschke
- Conference Dean's Webex
- Theatre & Theology
- Staff Development Day
- Zion Lutheran, Limon, CO
- LCM-CSU
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Conference Dean's Webex
- Staff Development Day
- Mount of Olives, Rock Springs, WY
- King of Glory, Loveland, CO
Pastor Stephanie Quick Espinoza
- Staff Development Day
- Camino de Vida, Albuquerque, NM
- Generosity Project
- Christ the King, South Jordan, UT
Pastor Kent Mueller
- Conference Dean's Webex
- Staff Development Day
- Prepare for Synod Assembly
Ruth Hoffman
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry NM
- Staff Development Day
- Interfaith Hunger Coalition
- Meeting with Cabinet Secretary
- National Workshop on Christian Unity, Albuquerque, NM
Becky Jones (interim)
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, CO
Kim Williams
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| ELCA GLOBAL LINKS | |
Chile: Community health training
ELCA missionary Karen Anderson works with an award-winning program that trains community leaders to improve health services. Request a profile of her at globalchurch@elca.org or make an online gift and learn more about ELCA engagement in Chile here.
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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 2014
MAY 8-10
2014 Synod Assembly
Marriott Tech Center
Denver, Colorado
SEPTEMBER 7
2014 God's Work Our Hands Sunday
SEPTEMBER 22-25
2014 Theological Conference
Marriott Hotel
Colorado Springs, Colorado
NOVEMBER 21-23
2014 Senior High Youth Gathering
YMCA of the Rockies
Estes Park, Colorado
2015
JANUARY 16-18
2015 Middle School
Youth Gathering
Elegante Hotel & Conference Center
Colorado Springs, Colorado
MAY 1-3
2015 Synod Assembly
Sheraton Hotel
Salt Lake City, Utah
SEPTEMBER 21-24
2015 Theological Conference
YMCA of the Rockies
Estes Park, Colorado
NOVEMBER 20-22
2015 Senior High Youth Gathering
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WYOMING
| submit Wyoming news or photos
Strawberry Festival Benefit
Saturday, May 17
9:00 am- 3:00 pm
Prince of Peace, Gillette, WY
Join Prince of Peace for a day of great food, music, local crafts, bake sale, kids carnival, and lots MORE! Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity, Boys & Girls Club, Pilots for Christ, and POP Community Service Projects.
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NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
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COLORADO
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LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES ROCKY MOUNTAINS
YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
"Learning through leading while
enriching the community!"
Do you know a sophomore or junior in high school who has a passion for non-profit work? Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (LFS) is starting a new program called the Youth Ambassador Program, which is designed to educate high school sophomores and juniors about the non-profit world.
Through the program, youth will get a firsthand look at the programs offered by LFS, as well as grow their leadership skills, gain job and life skills, and build confidence. While learning about meeting the needs of the vulnerable, youth will become an ambassador for LFS in their church and other communities. Also, in line with LFS' mission statement "Inspired by the compassionate love of Christ, LFS walks with the vulnerable through services that heal, strengthen and provide hope," youth will impact our community with their service through this program.
The Youth Ambassador Program will last four months throughout the summer. During this time, there will be 3-4 meetings, approximately two hours each. Since this is the first year, we are asking Youth Leaders and/or Pastors to nominate a youth or two from your congregation. Once we have a nomination form, we will send a letter explaining the purpose and commitment of the program to the youth and his/her family.
If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Becca Sager at becca.sager@lfsrm.org
or at 303.217.5841.
St. Swisem's Day Dinner: Men Can Cook Too, Two Dinner
April 26
Holy Love Lutheran Church
Aurora, CO
Holy Love is hosting a benefit dinner on Saturday, April 26 at 6:00pm to benefit an area family who has a child with severe health issues. Learn about the family here. How can your congregation help? What would it look like if every congregation in the area joined together to do "God's Work, Our Hands"? Download the flyer for more information
Prepare/Enrich Certification Training
is being offered Thursday, April 24, 2014, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Avenue, in Cherry Hills Village. The workshop is designed to teach facilitators to administer and provide helpful feedback to premarital and married couples. For more information, or to register, please call Beth Walker at 720.352.9915 or bethdwalker@gmail.com.
Beyond Divorce: Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends
begins on Thursday, May 1, 2014, at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch. The seminar is from 6:30 to 8:30 PM each Thursday for 10 weeks, ending on July 10, 2014. Complementary child care is available. For more information please contact Beth Walker at 720.352.9915 or bethdwalker@gmail.com .
6th Annual Selian Lutheran Hospital 5K Run/Walk
1K Fun Run for the Kids!
 Saturday, May 31, 9 a.m. To Benefit Selian Lutheran Hospital in Arusha, Tanzania
Location: St. Peter Lutheran Church
9300 E. Belleview
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
303-770-9300
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Synod Minister for Connected Community
Rocky Mountain Synod
800-525-0462 / 303-777-6700 / fax 303-339-4744
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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