Provide feedback for RMS
pilot compensation guidelines

 

The Synod Council is in the process of reshaping the compensation guidelines to better take into consideration differing settings and circumstances throughout the vast Rocky Mountain Synod.

 

 

Day Camp Opportunity August 3-9

 

A Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp Day Camp team just became available for a Day Camp August 3-9.  If your congregation is planning a VBS that week (or want to plan one very quickly!) and would like to have a team join you please contact Ben Larson, 719-431-0050.  Cost for the team would be $500 plus housing and feeding the team of four staff.  

 

New Hunger Resource for Food

Drives and Food Pantries

 
The new "Road Map to Food Drives: A By-Youth, For-Youth Guide to Feeding Communities" is now available from ELCA World Hunger! This guide was written by youth with input from staff and volunteers at food pantries across the U.S. It has step-by-step suggestions for planning a successful food drive for local pantries, along with discussion questions, Bible study starters and games to learn more about hunger. You can download the guide
 
 PRAYERS

Sunday July 6

Third Sunday after Pentecost

 

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:

7/13

Christ the King Durango, CO
Tim Orlowski
Community of Joy Rio Rancho, NM
Michael Bastian
Cross of Hope Albuquerque, NM
Matthew Powell
Holy Cross Albuquerque, NM
Julie LaHam  



Donna Rutten will be ordained 

July 13 in Colorado Springs

 

Donna Rutten was a candidate in the RMS and she will be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament on Sunday, July 13 at 3 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 950 Vindicator Dr, Colorado Springs.  Bishop Richard Hoyme from the Northwest Wisconsin Synod will be presiding. All ordained, consecrated and commissioned ministers are invited to process. The color of the day is red. Donna has been called to serve as Pastor at Peace Lutheran Church, Poplar, WI.

 

  

Sharing the Joy of Marriage

 

We celebrate the marriage of Pastor Don Thurn, staff chaplain at Presbyterian Hospital, Albuquerque, NM, who was married to Sally Gray of Rye, Colorado, on Saturday, June 21. Pastor Thurn writes, "Please rejoice with us as we join our lives together and we cherish your prayers for God's guidance and blessing." Congratulations Don and Sally!

  

It's a girl!

 

Great news! Pastor Kirsten Sauey Hoffman and her husband, Tom, gave birth to a healthy 5 lb. 12 oz. baby girl this morning at 5:30 a.m.  Everyone is doing well. Kirsten is the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Hobbs, NM.

 

EL PASO SUMMER PROGRAM

Cristo Rey still seeking sponsors for the Summer Program

 

Cristo Rey, El Paso, TX, is still seeking sponsors for their children's Summer Program, which is in full swing! They have 40+ kids participating in this enriching and fun program.

 

Your gift will allow a child of central El Paso to attend Cristo Rey�s Summer Program. When you become a sponsor, you are linked with one child who will benefit from your gift by being able to participate in the summer program. Since many neighborhood families are financially challenged, the cost of this program to families is nominal. These programs are sustained through grants, volunteer efforts, and donations from generous partners.

 

If you would like to donate or find out more information,

download the form.
RMS WORLD HUNGER NETWORK

Spirituality, Ethics, 
Environment 
and Relief
 

Friday evening, November 7 and Saturday, November 8

The RMS Lutheran Center -

7375 Samuel Drive, Denver

 

Join us as we explore the spirituality and ethics of hunger, the effect of climate change on hunger and ways to provide relief in this country and around the world.  Dr. Samuel Thomas, Associate Professor of Religion at California Lutheran University, Dr. Ryan Cumming, Director of Hunger Education for ELCA World Hunger, and Rev. Nelson Bock, Professor and Co-Director of Wartburg West, will be our guides as we learn more about hunger, its causes, and what we can do about it. Registration will open in September so check the e-Connection and register early!


 
Hunger Network request your participation in a survey

 

complete the questionnaire now

As pastors, other rostered leaders, and key lay leaders of your congregation, you are the teaching theologians and primary interpreters of the work of the larger church.  You are also called to speak in solidarity with the poor and oppressed, advocate for justice, and proclaim God's love for the world.  

 

ELCA World Hunger as a key component of the work of the larger church directly addresses the root causes of hunger and poverty, and helps communities create their own sustainable solutions. The Core Team of the Rocky Mountain Synod's Hunger Network is charged with helping congregations understand the realities of poverty and our Lutheran calling to address those realities and encouraging contributions to ELCA World Hunger.  Thank you for completing this questionnaire so we can serve you better!

 

Please complete the survey by July 25.

 

 

MISSION INTERPRETATION MOMENT

Mission Interpretation: 
 Telling the Story

 

How is your congregation being equipped to share the Good News?  How can we use our stories as tools for outreach?

Options for learning about Mission Interpretation and how it might work in your congregation:
  • 10 minute introduction at your next council or evangelism committee meeting
  • Adult forum 
  • 60-90 minute "workshop" specifically tailored to your congregation: learning our stories, 1-on-1 meetings, beginning a missional plan,etc.
 
Our stories help us share how God's mission in the world and how we are a part of it.  We would love to accompany you as you continue telling the stories of God's work in the world!  Contact Erin Power for more information.

THEOLOGICAL CONFERENCE 2014


Fall Leadership Retreat 2014:

Our Life Together

 

September 22-25
Marriott Hotel
Colorado Springs, CO 
 
Leaders in the Rocky Mountain Synod are invited to gather together for a time of learning, rest, and renewal as we look at
"Our Life Together."   The event begins late afternoon on Monday, September 22 and concludes before noon on Thursday, September 25.

Registration

The registration (including room, meals, breaks, program costs, and travel equalization) is:

 

Single $495

Double $375

Commuter $175-225 (depending on meal choices)

 

Link to Online Registration

  
Speaker:  James Alison

We are excited to be welcoming James Alison as our guest theologian at this year's Leadership Retreat /Theological Conference. James is a Catholic theologian, priest and author. He has studied, lived and worked in Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and the United States as well as his native England. A systematic theologian by training, James' most recent work is Jesus the Forgiving Victim a program of induction into the Christian Faith for adults, based upon his study of Ren� Girard. (www.forgivingvictim.com)
  

Affinity Groups

We are contemplating an opportunity at the Leadership Retreat to meet with Affinity Groups for intentional conversation and dialog around topics/circumstances YOU are interested in. For example, would you want to meet with others who share a passion for small group ministry, or community gardening, or a certain spiritual practice? Email  Erin Power with your suggestions/ideas. 

  
JOURNEY OF RENEWAL

  

Journey of Renewal is opportunity for new focus in a life of ministry

 

Atonement Boulder stained glass Recognizing the significant amount of energy it takes to serve a life of ministry, we offer Journey of Renewal in partnership with Portico. This intensive, year-long wellness experience is designed to help the ELCA's rostered and other church leaders grow their ability to live well in Christ. Journey of Renewal leads participants to reflect, explore, and take action toward renewing their well-being and their ministry.

 

The Rocky Mountain Synod is taking part in a pilot Journey of Renewal opportunity for leaders.

 

Three-Part Experience

  1. Opening retreat (two-day, two-night event) Sept. 21-23,2014

  2. Ten months of hour-long, small-group coaching calls October 2014-August 2015

  3. Closing retreat (two-day, two-night event) Sept.20-22, 2015.

The opening and closing retreats are being planned in conjunction with the annual Rocky Mountain Synod Theological Conference. Those participating in Journey of Renewal will arrive one day early and then join in the theological conference.        

Participants must be committed and prepared to engage in all three parts of the year-long process.

 

Cost:  total cost is $1,500 ($1200 cost plus $300 retreat expenses) but scholarship funds are available to offset the cost. Complete the registration form and submit the amount you can contribute, ideally at least $500 or $1000, up to the full amount, which can be contributed over two calendar years.

 

The registration deadline is Aug. 23, 2014 

  
LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION

Triennial Lutheran Men's Gathering is in Nashville, TN, July 18-20

For every man to become a bold,
daring follower of Jesus Christ 

 

Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous,
be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

 

Join us for the Triennial Lutheran Men in Nashville, TN, at the Loews Vanderbilt University, 18-20 July. Register at www.lutheranmeninmission.org. (There are links to Gathering and Hotel registration on the home page.)

 

For more information, contact Jim Monkman, jim_monkman@yahoo.com, or 303-642-1026.

 

 

Call for Delegates to the Lutheran Men in Mission Assembly, 17-18 July 2014

 

Lutheran Men in Mission will have its Triennial Assembly in Nashville from Thursday, July 17 at 1 p.m., until Friday, July 18 at 3 p.m. at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. Our national ministry conducts its business during this assembly every three years. To be a part of shaping our national ministry to men for the next three years, contact Jim Monkman at Jim_Monkman@yahoo.com or 303-642-1026.

 

  

TO THE POINT

   

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!  Our next worship will be July 9. We welcome Pastor Stephanie Kopsch as our guest pastor that day.
                       
EMPLOYMENT/SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

 

read about recent JOB POSTS in the Rocky Mountain Synod:

more information 

 

Secretary (12 hours/week)

Christ Lutheran Church

 

 The position will have primary responsibility for daily operations of the church office. Bilingual in Spanish is a plus. Full job description available upon request. Please send resume and references to:

church@christlutheransantafe.org
 

Sexton (part time)

St. Paul Lutheran Church

Denver, CO

 

St. Paul Lutheran Church is located in downtown Denver, just north of the Capitol building. The congregation is seeking a Sexton for 32 hours a week. Salary is dependent on experience, and benefits are negotiable. The position is open immediately. Please contact the church office at (303)

839-1432 or email Pastor Kevin Maly at kevin@stpauldenver.org.

 


Director of Administration/Emphasis in Accounting

Bethel Lutheran Church, Windsor, Colorado

Bethel, Windsor, CO, is seeking to add an accomplished individual to our growing staff as we invite others to "Know the Power of Christ."  We will hire the right individual who is collaborative, extraordinarily detail oriented and loves organizing both paid staff and volunteers to achieve our ministry goals. A successful candidate will regularly attend worship services in the area, possess broad and diverse skills in office management including but not limited to using accounting software, database management and the Microsoft Suite. A demonstrated track record of volunteer management, driving projects to conclusion, meeting deadlines, and imagination is required, a bachelor's degree or equivalent preferred. Salaried position with benefits. Reply to
pastorkevin@bethellutheranwindsor.com

 

 

 

THIS WEEK

  

Bishop Jim Gonia 

  • Shepherd of the Valley VBS - La Salle, CO
  • Installation of Paul Rosin, All Saints, CO

Pastor Ron Roschke

  • Ordination of Donna Rutten
  • RMS Global Mission Committee

 Pastor Sarah Moening    

  • Mount Calvary, Colorado Springs  

Pastor Stephanie Quick Espinoza

  • Mission Congregation meetings                      

Pastor Kent Mueller  

  • Lutheran Center meetings
Erin Power
  • Theological Conference and Journey of Renewal Planning
  • Ministry Review planning
Ruth Hoffman 
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, NM   
  • Interfaith Hunger Coalition
  • Kids Count Conference
Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, CO
  • Urban Servant Corps
  • Peace Not Walls
 

 

 Find us on Facebook

 

Follow us on Twitter 

ELCA GLOBAL LINKS

 

Global Links logo

 

Israel-Palestine: Time for peace Œis now,� ELCA bishop and U.S. religious leaders say

  In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton and more than 30 U.S. Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders declared that "the time for Israeli-Palestinian peace is now."  See www.ELCA.org/News-and-Events/7672

 

YAGM Country Coordinators Needed

 

YAGM country coordinators are needed for Dakar, Senegal; Jerusalem/West Bank; Phnom Penh, and Cambodia to oversee the Young Adults in Global Mission program.

Help

facilitate the program. Depending on the focus, fluency in French or Khmer may be needed. See the ELCA website for more information:

www.elca.org/en/Careers/Global-Service-Opportunities 

 


 

 

 

CONGREGATIONS
QUICK LINKS
CALENDAR
website calendar

 

2014 

 

 

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

 
 
 
REGIONAL ROUNDUP: SELECT A STATE
UTAH
WYOMING
NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
COLORADO
  UTAH
submit Utah news or photos

 

Share the word about Lutheran Social Service of Utah

 

Lutheran Social Service of Utah encourages you to share the word of our confidential services to people in need at a particular moment!  Tell your neighbors, friends and folks in need about the amazing ministries at Lutheran Social Service of Utah: More Blue Sky Employment Center; International Adoption;  In-Home Senior Assistance; Refugee, Economic Immigrant & First Generation Ministries; and Utah LDR Disaster Response (site for Utah).  Our services, except for international adoption, are free (without fee).  

 

Open: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. 

(Note: Closed Mondays in June/July/August).  

 

Toll-Free Number: 1-877-388-5778 or 801-588-0139. 

Email is best: LSSUtah@yahoo.com.

Texting is second best at: 801-721-2641. 

Address (Just Come By!): 4392 South 900 East  SLC, UT  84124. 

WYOMING
submit Wyoming news or photos 

 


St. Paul's Lutheran Church Celebrates 130 Years

 by The Rev. Robert Chalstrom, Pastor Emeritus St. Paul's Lutheran Church

 

   On July 14, 1884, the Rev. Frederick Andreason organized The First Scandinavian Lutheran Church, a Swedish congregation of 31 people. This was the first Lutheran Church in the Wyoming Territory. Four years later this pioneer congregation constructed its first church building, a small white structure, on the corner of 19th and House Ave.

  The first 50 years were difficult. Pastors moved often, vacancies were long and Swedish, an unfamiliar language, was used in the services. It wasn�t until 1927, when the congregation changed its name to First Lutheran Church and used English in their ministry, that the church began to grow. The name changed to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in 1950.

  During the war years in the 1940�s the congregation had rapid growth and a new sanctuary was built in 1950. The educational building was constructed in 1960. Major remodeling took place in the early 1980�s and since that time the goal has been to make the building totally handicapped accessible. This was accomplished earlier this year.

 St. Paul's and its members have been very active in the community. For 22 years Meals on Wheels used the church kitchen to cook meals until they outgrew the facilities. Many other social programs had their beginnings at St. Paul's. The members have always been interested in social concerns of Cheyenne and are serving or have served in various ways to support those in need.

  The celebratory worship service of thanksgiving for 130 years of history will be on July 13th at 9:30 a.m. The congregation invites the Cheyenne Community to the worship service and to the Old-fashioned ice cream social on the church lawn following the service.

 


NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS 

 

Servant Stories on July 27

 

Join the Border Servant Corps on Sunday, July 27, at 12 P.M. immediately following El Paso Re-Commissioning  Service at New Hope Lutheran Church 4801 Sun Valley Dr, El Paso, TX 79924 as the 2013-2014 BSC volunteers reflect and share about their time of service on the U.S./Mexico border! Lunch is provided.

 

Save the Date!

 

LAM-NM 2014 Advocacy Conference

Saturday, November 8

St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Albuquerque  

 

 

COLORADO
  
 

"The Splendor of Madagascar" at

 Denver Museum of Nature and Science

 

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science will present a program the evening of Monday, July 14 at the museum titled, "The Splendor of Madagascar." Tickets are $10.  Come and listen to intrepid senior field biologist Steve Goodman of The Field Museum speak about one of the most unique plant and animal communities on our planet - the island of Madagascar. Goodman is intimately aware of this fact after studying the biodiversity of this exceptional ecosystem for more than 25 years. Using compelling images and stories, Goodman will take you on an exploration of what makes Madagascar and its inhabitants so special. He will share the challenges Madagascar faces and what actions would ensure a more stable future.  For reservations call 303.370.6000, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.  or visit this webpage. 

 

 

 

Healthy Marriage Workshop August 2

 

Healthy Marriage Workshop at Bethel Lutheran, Aurora, CO. Saturday, August 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Childcare and lunch provided. Register at www.marry-well.org.  

 

 

 


Assistant to the Bishop
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.