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Lutheran Center garden is thriving
 In late June, Pastor Michelle De Beauchamp, Well of Hope, Castle Pines, CO, along with her husband, Phil Olafsen, and Amanda Acterberg, serving as an intern in Seattle, WA, planted the raised beds at the new Rocky Mountain Synod Lutheran Center. The garden, on the north side of the Office of the Bishop, is now thriving and beautiful! Thank you, Michelle, Phil, and Amanda! Produce items will be donated to the Growing Home food bank in Adams County.
How are Lutheran responding to the border humanitarian crisis?
REFLECTIONS FROM THE BORDER SERVANT CORPS:
Our ears, eyes, and hearts have seen, listened, and felt the pain behind leaving your home, being treated as a prisoner, and the fear of not knowing what is next. I invite everyone who reads this to get out there are find the true stories, the truly painful narratives that people carry and let it touch you, let it change you.
READ A REFLECTION FROM THE BORDER
Hear James Alison September 26 & 27
at the new RMS Lutheran Center
 James Alison is our 2014 keynote guest at our fall Theological Conference in Colorado Springs, and we are offering the opportunity for everyone to hear him at a special event at the new RMS Lutheran Center. These "Conversations with James Alison" will take place Friday and Saturday, September 25 and 27 at 7375 Samuel Drive, Denver, CO, 80221.
Friday, September 26, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
"Where are we now, and where are we going?"
Thinking through Christianity and the LGBT emergence
Saturday, September 27, 9 - 11 a.m.
Jesus the Forgiving Victim
Presenting a new course of introduction to the Christian faith for adults (forgivingvictim.com)
James Alison (b. 1959) 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, following from the insight into desire associated with Ren� Girard.
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PRAYERS
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Emily Ewing to be ordained August 23
All are invited to share in the joy of the ordination of Emily Ewing, which will take place on Saturday, August 23, at 11 a.m., at the Vail Interfaith Chapel, where Mt. of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church worships. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is Red. Emily has been called to serve at Christ the king South Jordan Utah.
Sonja Sandquist will be ordained
All are invited to attend the Service of Ordination for Sonja Cay Sandquist on Sunday, August 31, at Christ Lutheran Church, 8997 S. Broadway, Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Holy Eucharist and Rite of Ordination is at 4 p.m. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red. Sonja will be serving as an Associate Pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Littleton, Colorado.
Sunday August 24
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
O God, with all your faithful followers of every age, we praise you, the rock of our life. Be our strong foundation and form us into the body of your Son, that we may gladly minister to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Synod Prayer Cycle:
North Colorado Conference
Remember in prayer this coming Sunday:
8/24
Shepherd of the Mountains Estes Park, CO
Ron Bockhaus
Shepherd of the Valley LaSalle, CO
Dan Barwinski
Spirit of Joy Fort Collins, CO
Jason McSpadden
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Men's Fly Fishing Retreat at Rainbow Trail
As the busy fall season kicks off, take time to step out of the stress of ordinary life and into the refreshing waters of the Arkansas River. Rainbow Trail�s Men�s Fly Fishing Retreat offers an amazing weekend for faith renewal, rest, and fly fishing. Time for hanging out with the guys, amazing worship, challenging conversation, and honing your fishing skills is led by a team
 of pastors, and long-time friends. Dave Risendal and Ro ger Thompson have a deep love for fly fishing and the gospel. Join them for this amazing weekend, Sep tember 11-14, 2014. More information and registration.
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LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION
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One Year to Live Men's Retreat
October 10-12
Lutheran Men in Mission invite you to a retreat October 10-12 at the YMCA Camp Santa Maria in Grant, Colorado. Men of all ages yearn for real friendships and a closer relationship with Christ. Join us and be
- Adventurous and courageous
- Genuine and spiritual
Look forward to
- Banding together and being challenged
- Examining your life and making decisions
Be prepared for a spiritual boot camp. This 45-hour
experience is not for the faint of heart! Download the brochure.
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RMS WORLD HUNGER NETWORK
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Spirituality, Ethics,
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!
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Connect your Students with Lutheran Campus Ministry!
Graduation parties have ended and many of our congregation's young adults are preparing 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.
What? You want three good reasons why you should connect students to campus ministry? Well, we've got three good rights right here!
Convincing enough? When you provide 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. Connect your students to Lutheran Campus Ministry around the country.
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THEOLOGICAL CONFERENCE 2014
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Fall Leadership Retreat 2014:
Our Life Together
REGISTRATION DEADLINE AUG 23
 September 22-25Marriott 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
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JOURNEY OF RENEWAL
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Journey of Renewal is opportunity for new focus in a life of ministry
 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.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE AUG 23
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TO THE POINT
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Font and altar available
Mount Calvary, Boulder, Colorado, has an altar and font available to a congregation who could use them, perhaps in a chapel setting. Please contact Sarah Wirth if interested.
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 August 13, led by Pastor Michael TeKrony, Holy Shepherd, Lakewood, CO.
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EMPLOYMENT/SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
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Read about recent JOB POSTS in the Rocky Mountain Synod. More information
Organist/s
St. Philip Lutheran Church, Littleton, CO
St Philip Lutheran Church, 7531 Kendall Blvd., Littleton, CO 80128, is seeking two organists to job share service playing and ensemble accompanying. Contact Dr. Nancy Beyer for a full job description or to apply.
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- Emily Ewing Ordination, Vail Interfaith Chapel
- Evergreen, Evergreen CO
- Dean's WebEx
Pastor Ron Roschke
- Campus Ministry
- Companion Synod
- Global Mission Committee
- Peace not Walls
- Sky Ranch Board
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Faith Formation Strategic Planning
- Church Development Institute visioning
Pastor Stephanie Quick Espinoza
- New Beginnings Prison Ministry, Aurora, CO
- Well of Hope, Castle Pines, CO, Ministry Review
- Colorado Together Faith Leaders
Pastor Kent Mueller
- Lutheran Magazine
- Lutheran Center Administration
- Transitions Database
Erin Power
- Theological Conference and Journey of Renewal Planning
- Ministry Review planning
- Assembly planning
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, NM
- NMCC Service and Outreach
- Interfaith Hunger Coalition
- Conference of Churches Board
Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, CO
- Emily Ewing Ordination
- Together Colorado
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| ELCA GLOBAL LINKS | |
Mission of the Month: Abby in South Africa
As a Young Adult in Global Mission, Abby Henderson mentored teen girls and encouraged them to stay in school. Inspire your congregation with her story! For a colorful Word document to display on your congregation�s bulletin board, or usein your bulletin or PowerPoint presentation, visit the web.
ELCA advocates for unaccompanied children entering U.S
An estimated 80,000 unaccompanied children will seek safety in the United States this year. The ELCA and its partners "are pursuing both the short-term efforts at achieving safety and relevant social services for these children of God, as well as long-term systemic solutions to stem the flow of children cast adrift," said the Rev. Stephen Bouman, executive director, ELCA Congregational and Synodical Mission. More information.
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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
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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UTAH
| submit Utah news or photos
Utah Church Development Institute training in 2014/15
CDI is a relevant training for developing the spiritual, communal, and organizational life of congregations. Leaders are equipped to lead healthy and mission-shaped change in the congregation. It is a program for clergy and lay leaders who desire to make their parishes stronger, healthier, more mission-minded, more responsive to God, and more effective in their communities.
Cycle 1 Dates & Program:
September 12-13, 2014 - Understanding Congregational Systems
November 14-15, 2014 - Methods of Discovery
February 27-28, 2015 - Building Healthy Mission Shaped Community
May 15-16, 2015 - Leadership in Congregational Systems
CDI will take place at the Episcopal Commons, 75 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, beginning at 1 pm on Friday through 4 pm on Saturday.
brochure
registration
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NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
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Bishop Gonia visits our newest NM congregation
On May 9 the congregation of Desert Springs Lutheran Church, Truth or Consequences, NM, was welcomed into the ELCA at the annual assembly in Denver, CO. On Sunday August 10, Bishop James Gonia paid a second visit since the congregation's entry into the ELCA. His first visit was cut short because of a change in his schedule, but he promised to return.
 Holy Communion was celebrated by the bishop with the assistance of the supply pastor, the Rev. Peter A. Cacoperdo, who has served the congregation for the past three years. The bishop also preached the sermon. At a fellowship meal after the service the bishop was warmly welcomed by the Church Council members and the congregation. Desert Springs Lutheran Church is located at 1685 Caballo Road, Truth or Consequences, NM. All are welcome to Scripture Study at 9 a.m. and the Worship at 10 a.m. Save the Date! LAM-NM 2014 Advocacy Conference Saturday, November 8 St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Albuquerque
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COLORADO
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Marriage Encounter weekend is October 10-12
Enjoy a weekend of discovery together with Marriage Encounter! The next Weekend will be offered October 10 - 12, 2014, in Denver, CO. Apply now or contact
Bud & Cindy Amack or 303-796-9119 for more information. Weekends fill fast and pre-registration is required. Registrations must be received by September 17.
Beyond Divorce: rebuilding workshop
Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends, begins on Thursday, September 4, 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 November 6, 2014. Complementary child care is available. For more information please contact Beth Walker at 720.352.9915 or bethdwalker@gmail.com
THIS FRIDAY: Carrie Newcomer in Concert August 22
 Carrie Newcomer was well-received as a guest at several of our Theological Conference over the years. She presents a concert at 8 p.m. on Friday, August 22 at the Swallow Hill center, 71 East Yale Avenue, Denver, CO. Tickets are $20. Carrie says, "Every day we are living moments of grace and wonder, shadow and light. These are the moments I write about."
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Rocky Mountain Synod
800-525-0462 / 303-777-6700 / fax 303-339-4744
Announcements for eConnection are due before noon on Thursday for the issue the following Tuesday. Event announcements are included for about two weeks. Please submit your announcement at the time it should appear, ready to copy and paste into the newsletter, with a link to your website for more information.
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