OCTOBER 8, 2014




Congregations must make Portico Benefit choices by October 17

 

During Employer Selection (Sept. 15 - Oct. 17), each congregation needs to select an ELCA-Primary health benefit option to offer your sponsored plan members for 2015. Plan members also have choices to make about health benefits, tax-advantaged accounts, life insurance, and pretax retirement account contributions, and will enter their selections during Member Selection which is Oct. 27 - Nov. 21. More information.


 

 PRAYERS

 

Sunday, October 12
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
 

 

Lord of the feast, you have prepared a table before all peoples and poured out your life with abundance. Call us again to your banquet. Strengthen us by what is honorable, just, and pure, and transform us into a people of righteousness and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
 
Celebrating with joy:
We celebrate with the joy the birth of Scarlett Ruthe Espinoza who was born at 8:31 p.m. on October 4, the daughter of Stephanie Quick Espinoza (assistant to the bishop) and her husband, Jorge. She weighed 8 lbs. 11 oz and was 21 inches long at birth. We give thanks for the delight and gift of this new life!

Upcoming installations:

Saturday, October 25, 10 a.m.

Installation service of Pastor Emily Ewing at Christ the King in South Jordan, UT


 

Sunday, November 16, 3:30 p.m.

Installation of LaVonne Johnson-Holt at St. Mark, Roswell, NM
 

Synod Prayer Cycle:  

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.  The prayer list for upcoming months is available. Remember in prayer this coming Sunday:


OCTOBER 2014

HOSPICE and CARE CENTERS
10/12
Frazier Meadows
Boulder, Colorado
Robert Ritzen, AIM
Shepherd of the Valley Care Center
Casper, Wyoming
Marvin Skogen
Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center
Brush, Colorado
Shelly Griffin
Rosalie (Ro) Fesser, DM
Dan Hays
PORTICO FINANCIAL SEMINAR

 

Early/Mid-Career
Financial Wellness Seminar

 

More than 15 years until you retire? Learn How to Minimize Debt, Optimize Assets, and Customize a Strategy for Retirement. Portico Benefit Services, in collaboration with Ernst & Young, invites you to join us for a day-long seminar on the fundamentals of personal finance. You�ll get information from a certified Ernst & Young financial planner on these questions and more: 

  • How can I reduce my debt?
  • How much money will I need for retirement?
  • How do I choose investment fund options in the ELCA Retirement Plan?
  • How much life insurance do I need for myself and my family?

When: Friday, November 14, 9 a.m. � 3 p.m.

Where: Rocky Mountain Synod, 7375 Samuel Drive, Denver, CO 80221

 

Materials and lunch will be provided

 

REGISTER HERE

 

MISSION MOMENT

 

God's Work.  Our Hands.

 

Thank you to all who shared photos from your "God's Work. Our Hands." Day! We are Church:  Better Together!  

(The most recent photo submissions did not make this video, but keep your eyes peeled for round 2!)
Church:  Better Together
Church: Better Together

YOUR TURN!
"Church:  Better Together"
YouTube Challenge!

The Challenge
Working together within your own congregation (or organization), with neighboring congregations, or in your RMS Conference, create a YouTube video of about two minutes or less using the exact wording of the script here. Embellish the script with images, action, additional dialogue or any other means that help bring our story to life! Creativity Counts! Choose a genre and style for your video: live action, cartoon animation, inspirational images... add music, comedy or drama. The more creative the better!  

For more information, visit the website.  Entries will be featured at our 2015 Synod Assembly!  
OUR LIFE TOGETHER

 

Prayer Partners:
Prayer in Our Life Together

 


In connection with our theme,"Our Life Together", we are encouraging our congregations and partners in ministry to pray for and intentionally connect with another congregation/ministry through out the year.  



Possible ideas:
  • Pray for them each week during worship
  • Connect with each other at your conference missional gathering
  • Plan a fellowship event during Epiphany
  • Pulpit swap during Lent
  • Connect at Synod Assembly 




Read Bishop Gonia's invitation and find your prayer partner here!
OUR LIFE TOGETHER

 

Register now for Sept/Oct Missional Gatherings in RMS Conferences


 

The focus of the 2014 Missional Gatherings will be on "Lutheran Spirituality" with special breakout sessions on networking with other congregational councils and networking with your local community. All rostered leaders, council members, outreach and evangelism committees, and congregation members are invited. Youth and young adult participation are encouraged.


 

Bishop Gonia and other representatives of Synod Council and the Office of the Bishop look forward to meeting with you for a time to be church together.


REGISTER NOW FOR ALL GATHERINGS

please register at least five days prior to each gathering

 

Saturday, October 11

Wyoming, Faith in Lander, WY 

 

Sunday, October 19, 2:00 pm (refreshments at 1:30 pm)

Boulder/Broomfield, Bethlehem in Longmont, CO 

 

Saturday, October 25

Utah, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Taylorsville, UT  

10:00 a.m. All are invited to the installation service of Pastor Emily Ewing at Christ the King in South Jordan

11:30 a.m. Missional Gathering at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Taylorsville

 

 

Saturday, November 1, 10 am

Metro West (Metro), Advent, Westminster, CO 

 

Sunday, November 2, 3 pm

North Colorado, Faith Lutheran Church in Eaton, CO 

 

Saturday, November 8, 2 pm
North New Mexico, St. Timothy in Alburquerque

 

Sunday, November 9, 3 pm

Southeast Colorado, First Lutheran in CO Springs

 

Saturday, November 15, 10 am

Border, Trinity in Las Cruces, NM

 

Saturday, December 6, 9 am

Metro South, Faith in Golden, CO

 
RMS OUTDOOR MINISTRY

 

Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp
Confirmation Retreat 

 

  

Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp invites you and your youth to join us for our annual Confirmation Retreat from November 7-9, 2014.  This retreat will be focused on the theme of downtime and the role it plays in faith.  Our keynote speaker, Jason Davis, will lead discussions and group activities of finding practices and times where God can work in our lives, especially in the busy lives of teens. Register your group online

 

 

Rainbow Trail: Bridging Borders 2015


Looking for a service opportunity for your high school youth?  Rainbow Trail's Bridging Borders program offers a variety of service trip options both domestic and abroad that focus on walking with our brothers and sisters in Christ on their journeys.  In 2015, Rainbow Trail staff will lead high school youth on trips to Boulder in support of the flood relief efforts, to Mexico with Casas por Cristo to build houses for families in need, and to Ecuador to work with an organization called Rescate Ecuador to serve children and families in remote Ecuadorian villages.  More information.

  
Youth and Family Ministry
certification school survey


Sky Ranch and Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camps both believe in supporting Youth and Family Ministry in the congregations of the RMS.  They hope that every congregation that wants a dynamic and educated person working in Youth and Family Ministry can have one, and they want to help that process by partnering with congregations to bring a Vibrant Faith Ministries Youth and Family Ministry certification program to the Rocky Mountain Synod.
 

Please give ONE MINUTE of your time TODAY to help them determine the need for this value education to come to the RMS, just click this link. Thank you, and really, it will only take a minute!
2015 ELCA YOUTH GATHERING

 

ELCA GATHERING REGISTRATION
GOES LIVE! MONDAY OCTOBER 15

 

Go to: elca.org/YouthGathering
 

There is a cap on how many people can sign up, so register ASAP. This IS the Gathering: to live and to celebrate the long-standing ELCA tradition of inviting our youth to experience and explore their faith in Story and Justice, the Community that shows us hospitality, and Proclaim Jesus in a HUGE way. Join us as we Gather in Detroit in 2015.

 

Contact: Carolyn Gage

[email protected]

 

So here is what you can do in getting ready:

(1)   The ELCA has a website: http://www.elca.org/YouthGathering

(2)  The Rocky Mountain Synod has a Facebook page: ELCA Youth Gathering Bound RMS

(3)  The Synod has two coordinators: Carolyn Gage [email protected] and Nicole Ferry at [email protected] .

(4)  You may twitter at www.twitter.com/elcagathering or @elcagathering

(5)  You can also get a playlist for the Gathering at www.YouTube.com/elca

MEN's MINISTRY REUNION

 


One Year to Live Reunion


Saturday, October 18, 2014

1:00 pm t0 4:00 pm

at The Lutheran Center

7375 Samuel Drive

Denver, CO 80221
 

We invite all One Year to Live Retreat Alumni and their families to join us for a reunion. We will check-in, catch up, follow the reunion protocol that Lyman Coleman wrote for the current version of the One Year to Live, celebrate what God is doing in our lives, and reconnect. We will have soft drinks, water, and snacks. We intend to conclude with some ice cream.


 

Brothers, join us please! Email Jim Monkman to let him know you plan to attend or call him at 817-346-0943 or 303-642-1026.


 

 
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

 

Register for Friday, for Saturday, or for both

 

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!


TO THE POINT

 

Young Adult Trip to the Holy Land
 

We are still looking for young adults (ages 18-30) to join us on a pilgrimage of peace and justice to the Holy Land May 12-25, 2015.  Goals of the trip include learning about the complexity of the conflict between Israel and Palestine, faith formation via a pilgrimage of "living stones," and empowering young adults in their capacity as change makers.  Applications and trip information can be found at Facebook.com/RMSPNW2015.  Contact Melanie or Natalie at [email protected] if you have any questions.

 

 

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 October 8.

 

RMS Women's Organization
Biennial Convention is October 10-12


The event will take place at The DoubleTree Hotel, 3203 Quebec St., Denver, CO, on Friday, October 10, through Sunday morning, October 12. Contact Carol McGill President, or call 303-443-0431 for late registration availability.
                       
EMPLOYMENT/SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

 

Read about recent JOB POSTS in the Rocky Mountain Synod. More information 


 

ORGANIST/ACCOMPANIST
Faith Lutheran Church, Golden, CO 

The Organist/accompanist exists to provide organ and piano accompaniment for FAITH's 8:30 am worship each Sunday morning, including prelude, postlude, liturgy, service music, hymn and special music as needed.  This position also accompanies the adult choir including rehearsals once a week (Wednesday evening) September-May. Contact Pastor Jane Jebsen for the complete job description and to apply: 

Email: [email protected] - Tel: 303-279-5379

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

THIS WEEK

  

Bishop Jim Gonia

  • Southern Seminary Visit
  • Missional Gathering- Wyoming 
  • Women's Organization Convention Closing Worship
  • Social Ministries Consultation
  • CU Boulder

Pastor Ron Roschke 

  • Lutheran Family Services, Rocky Mountain Board meeting
  • Social Ministries Consultation


 

Pastor Sarah Moening    

  • RM Synodical Women's Convention
  • Faith Formation Network
  • House for All Sinners and Saints, Denver, CO

Pastor Stephanie Quick Espinoza

  • Maternity Leave

Pastor Kent Mueller  

  • Lutheran Center & Call Process Administration
Erin Power
  • Event planning
  • Ministry Review coordination

 

Ruth Hoffman  

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, NM   
  • Medicaid Coalition
  • St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
Peter Severson
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, CO
  • Colorado Affordable Housing Conference
  • Preach at Holy Trinity, Littleton CO

 

 Find us on Facebook

 

Follow us on Twitter 

ELCA GLOBAL LINKS

 

Global Links logo

Zimbabwe: 
Building the church

 

 

In the second largest city in Zimbabwe, an exciting outreach initiative has begun in a downtown location, led by visionary young leaders like Arnold Moyo. Read what six ELCA visitors learned on the recent ELCA Global Church Sponsorship trip, Information 

 

 

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 congregations bulletin board, or use in your bulletin or Power Point presentation,
visit the web.

CONGREGATIONS
QUICK LINKS
CALENDAR
website calendar

 

2014 
 
 

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

 

 

 

WYOMING
 


 

NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS 

The St. Peter Pumpkin Patch is Open in Carlsbad, NM 


The St. Peter Pumpkin Patch is a charitable fundraiser with all proceeds being donated to local not-for-profit organizations and groups in Carlsbad, NM, as well as our mission-partner Iglesia Luterana Christo Rey in El Paso, TX.  This year�s local recipients are: Jonah�s House Food Pantry, and the Carlsbad Battered Families Shelter.  Thrivent Financial also provides matching funds.

 

The unloading of the pumpkins has become an annual community event with dozens of volunteers from our local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Club, the Carlsbad Fire department, and many more! The Pumpkin Patch is open daily through October 31.  Story-time for area Pre-schools is offered every Tuesday & Thursday morning during the month of October (please contact St. Peter Lutheran Church 575-887-3033 to make a reservation.)

 

LOCATION: St. Peter Lutheran Church, 1302 W. Pierce Street, Carlsbad NM

88220

Hours: Monday � Friday: 3:00 �- 7:00 pm

          Saturday: 10:00 am �- 7:00 pm

          Sunday: 1:00 �- 5:00 pm


 
Please register now! A few spots remain!
Equipping leaders to maximize their impact:

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) & Human Relations (HR) Workshop

 

November 17 - 21, 2014

The Bosque Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Tuition: $595.00

EQ 360 Assessment: $199.00

Meals and Lodging on Campus: Single $406.00, Commuter: $228.00

(an additional event will take place in Colorado next year!)

 

What happens as an EQ-HR Workshop?

 

This core EQ HR Center workshop is an intensive 5-day session designed to enable participants to learn about, build and practice emotional intelligence skills in a small group setting. Skilled facilitators provide tools and feedback to enable participants to learn about themselves and to immediately practice emerging skills. As group life unfolds, participants give and receive feedback regarding the impact they have on others in the group. Participants will learn both inter-personal and intra-group communication skills. The content of the workshop revolves around the five areas of emotional intelligence as keys to improving leadership effectiveness for faith-based leaders.

 

What is the EQ 360 Assessment?

 

As part of this core event, workshop participants complete a comprehensive self-assessment of their emotional intelligence. They also identify up to 20 people who know them well and are willing to complete the same assessment in order to provide valuable feedback. What results is a detailed report of one's Emotional Intelligence strengths and development needs. This will be for the participant's eyes only and will provide possible personal items to be explored in one's small group.

 

Register online at www.eqhrcenter.org


 

 

St. Luke continues 60th anniversary celebration

view stories and photos about the St. Luke celebration


All will be invited to Celebration Worship that includes Holy Communion with the Rite of Healing on October 18 and 19 at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, NM.  Pastor Ben Larzelere will lead the 5 PM service on October 18.  Pastor Ron Roschke, Assistant to Bishop Gonia of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, will lead the 8 AM and 10:15 AM services on October 19.  There will be special instrumental music at all services. The Rite of Healing will be open for all (open, not required).  The Rite of Healing will include prayers, the laying on of hands, and anointing with oil.

  

 

 

The St. Olaf Band to perform in Albuquerque October 14


The St. Olaf Band, dubbed "one of America's preeminent bands" by The New Yorker, will perform in Albuquerque, NM, Monument, CO, and Denver on October 14, 15, and 16 as part of its 2014 national tour. You can find  More information  or by calling 800-363-5487. The St. Olaf Band's national tour program, "Mostly British," will center around music from the United Kingdom. 

    

 

Lutheran Advocacy Day NM is November 8

 

David V�squez
The 2014 Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-New Mexico conference will be on Saturday, November 8 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Albuquerque (211 Jefferson NE 87108). The conference will take place from 9:00 am until 1 pm and the cost is $15 per person, including lunch. Session topics will include advocacy basics, hunger, immigration and more. Our featured speaker will be Pastor David V�squez, author of several Bible studies from the perspective of immigrants and refugees.  Pastor V�squez is currently a campus pastor at Luther College and recently selected as the new president of Pacific School of Religion.  Plan now to attend and learn more about advocating for our many neighbors l iving in poverty.  To register or for more information, contact Ruth Hoffman at [email protected] or 505.984.8005. Registration deadline: 
November 4.

 

Learn more about Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM and sign up for our Advocacy Network on our website: lutheranadvocacynm.org  and "Like" us on Facebook  

 

 

 

UNM Immigration Film Festival
and Symposium is October 14-28

 

UNM's Luther House received a substantial grant from the Knutson Endowment for campus ministry in the ELCA to host "People On The Move -- Immigration and Faith" -- a Film Festival October 14-28 and an Immigration Symposium with Rev. David Vasquez as a guest speaker from November 4 through 9.  The Public Events and information about the speaker are on the bulletin insert.  We hope that many of you from the Border Conference and from congregations in Northern New Mexico will join us at the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Conference on November 8.  Informational bulletin insert.

 

 

 

COLORADO

   

Voters on the Front Line: 2014 Ballot Issues and You
 


Want to know more about the four measures on your Colorado ballot this fall? Come to the CSLC Fall Voter Forum on Tuesday, October 14! Pro & con sides will be presented for all four ballot measures by their respective official spokespeople. Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado is a co-sponsor of this event.


Where: Montview Presbyterian Church, 1980 Dahlia St.
When: Food/beverage at 5pm, program begins at 5:30.
Why: To be an informed voter!


 

For more info, visit www.cslc.org or contact Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado. Don't forget to register to vote!


 


 

Eric Wicks organ recital is October 26 in Colorado Springs
 
 

On Sunday, October 26, at 3 p.m., First Lutheran Church will present organist Eric Wicks in a recital of works including pieces by J.S. Bach, C�sar Franck, Dan Locklair, Camille Saint-Sa�ns, and Louis Vierne. Admission is free, and a reception will follow.


 

Wicks has served as organist at First Lutheran since January, 2013. Before that, he spent eight years in Western Pennsylvania as music director at the Butler First United Methodist Church. He has also served churches in Cleveland, Ohio; and in Eastern Washington State. 


 

 

Lutheran Chorale concert is October 19 at 3 p.m

 

The Lutheran Chorale invites you to join them for a Reformation Concert on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at 3:00 p.m., at Bethlehem Lutheran Church,

2100 N. Wadsworth. By Grace, Faith and Scripture Alone was the battle cry of the Reformation. From this confession many denominations were born and believers chose to write their confession of faith in hymns that are treasured now by much of Christianity. Join as they sing and hear the words penned by fellow believers inspired by their trust in Christ , who opened the way of everlasting life! More info at www.thelutheranchorale.org


 


 

St. Hildegard of Bingen
 
coming to Messiah Community Church!


St. Hildegard of Bingen's Journey Through the Senses is an exhibition where people can experience St. Hildegard of Bingen's world on a sensory level. Modern day artists were commissioned to create pieces that embody the beauty, warmth and love that is the life and work of St. Hildegard of Bingen. The exhibit includes banners, calligraphy, stained glass, models, charcoal drawings, antique maps, wax tablets, paintings and some of St. Hildegard's healing remedies. Come feel the love of this great spiritual lady; a caretaker of souls, a composer of angelic music, a prophet, a writer of useful theology and a healer like none other. Dr Jeannine Goode-�Allen and Dr. David Sharp will be your guides come dive into 
the huge heart of St. Hildegard of Bingen.                                                                                           

Saturday Oct. 4, 5:00-7:00 pm: Opening of St. Hildegard Exhibition


 

Sunday Oct. 5, 9:30 am: Worship Service in the spirit of St. Hildegard

                                                Adult Forum 11 am: The Life of St Hildegard

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 6:30 pm Lecture: St. Hildegard's Gifts for our Times

                                                                               

Monday � Thursday, Oct. 6-�- 9, 5:00-�- 8:00 pm St. Hildegard Exhibition


 

   

The Church for the World:
What does it mean for the church to be a witness in the public arena?  

  

At St. John's Cathedral on October 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

1350 Washington St., Denver, CO


Capitol Hill United Ministries (CHUM) invites clergy, congregational leaders, faith-based agencies, and all who are interested in growing the relevancy of the church in our world to a powerful presentation and discussion by Wartburg College Theologian, Jennifer M. McBride.  Jenny 
will lead a discussion on the following critical issues:   What does it mean for the church to be a witness in the public arena?  What is a theology of public witness?   How can we create an atmosphere where the church is a vehicle of concrete redemption? Lunch will be provided � a free-will offering will be asked. Please RSVP by October 16 to Diana Flahive, CHUMCM at [email protected]



  

The St. Olaf Band to perform in Colorado October 15 and 16


The St. Olaf Band, dubbed "one of America's preeminent bands" by The New Yorker, will perform in Albuquerque, NM, Monument, CO, and Denver on October 14, 15, and 16 as part of its 2014 national tour. You can find  More information or by calling 800-363-5487. The St. Olaf Band's national tour program, "Mostly British," will center around music from the United Kingdom


 


 

New Beginnings Prison Ministry Fundraiser Celebrates 16 years of Ministry on October 10
 

A Celebration Fundraiser dinner for New Beginnings Prison Ministry will take place on 

October 10 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults and children 12 and under are free. It will take place at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 Alameda, Denver, CO.  RSVP to Kathy Melies 303-831-7023 or [email protected]For Silent Auction donations and inquiries please contact Heiko Meyer at [email protected]


 

Peace By Piece Symposium: Fort Collins November 7-9
 

On November 7-9, Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Collins will celebrate its first annual learning event for our Northern Colorado community focusing on issues of peace and justice: the Peace by Piece Symposium.

 

The Peace by Piece Symposium will begin on Friday, November 7, with an evening reception and opening remarks by our keynote speaker, Evan Hodkins, M,A, M. Div. and director of the school of Alchemy. On Saturday, November 8, the event will focus on primary discussions/information and will include special guest speakers, testimonials, and panel discussions. Additional Information about the Symposium.

 


Kent Mueller - Assistant to the Bishop
Maria Sutton - Communications Assistant 
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.