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Greetings!
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2015 Synod Assembly Information
Packet
Important Pre-Assembly Information is now available. Please download the Pre-Assembly Packet and share with your leadership. It includes information about advance deadlines, cost, travel arrangements, video contest, t-shirt contest, and more!
Art/Environment Volunteer Team: We are currently seeking volunteers to be a part of our Art & Environment Team. Help us create a space that celebrates "Our Life Together." Contact Erin Power for more information
Read about Wartburg West in the Lutheran Magazine
Pastor Megan Aelabouni has written an article about Wartburg West locating at Saint John's Episcopal Cathedral in the January issue of The Lutheran. Read the article.
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HEALTH ASSESSMENT 2015
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It's time for the annual rostered leader
HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Everyone who has ELCA-primary health insurance, along with every spouse/partner, must take the annual assessment to "raise our consciousness" about living with health and harmony.
So we can "get it over with" we want everyone to take the assessment in January so that we are reminded to live in 2015 with health and harmony!
Take the Assessment now at this link.
Submit that you took it on this log page.
take the assessment now!
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YOUTH GATHERINGS
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Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp "Ride with the Ranches Bus Trip" to the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering
Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp is excited to partner with the congregations of the Rocky Mountain Synod, as we travel together to the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering: Rise up! Along the way, you get to know new friends and form a community with other high school youth and adults going to the gathering allowing you to jump right in when we arrive in Detroit.
Our goal is to make getting to and from the ELCA Youth Gathering as meaningful and stress free as possible for everyone, especially the adults! The cost (approximately $650) includes almost everything you need to travel to Detroit and get home safe and sound. The number of spots available will be determined by the number of buses that we are able to fill. For more information on Ride with the Ranches or to reserve your spots contact Kathryn Seyfarth at Kathryn@skyranchcolorado.org or call 970-493-5258.
The 2015 Middle School Youth Gathering is January 16-18
in Colorado Springs
The theme is, "Here we Go!" and the planning team has been hard at work getting plans underway! Information about the gathering is posted on the RMS website. Late registrations are still being accepted.
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CAMPUS MINISTRY
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Lutheran Student Movement offers
all-expense paid Spring Break trip to Detroit!
Lutheran Student Movement is the national association of Lutheran college students. This spring LSM is offering an all expense paid alternative spring break trip to Detroit. There will be trips offered each of the first three weeks of March. The trip is open to students from all colleges and universities. Groups will be led by Pastor Fred Fritz from Michigan State University and hosted by Salem Lutheran Church as they immerse themselves in urban Detroit in advance of this summer's youth gathering.
LSM will cover student's travel, lodging, program, and meals throughout the trip. Applications and more information.
Applications are due January 7. If you have any questions email Pastor Zach Parris at lcmpastor@colorado.edu.
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PRAYERS
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Upcoming Celebrations:
Chris Heller, Messiah, Albuquerque
Saturday January 24, 2015, at 11 a.m.
Installation of Pastor Chris Heller, Messiah Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, NM.
Clergy are invited to process, the color of the day is Green!
Erin Power, Diaconal Ministry Consecration
You are all invited to the Consecration of Erin Power into ministry of Word & Service as a Diaconal Minister. The service will be Saturday January 31 at 2:00 pm.
Lutheran Center of the Rocky Mountain Synod
7375 Samuel Drive, Denver.
All rostered leaders, candidates, and interns are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is red.
JANUARY 2015METRO WEST CONFERENCE1/4Advent Westminster, CO Barb Martens All Saints Austin, CO Paul Rosin American Grand Junction, CO Barbara Johnson
Ray McKechnie
First Gypsum, CO
Daniel Tisdel
Glory of God Wheat Ridge, CO
Emily Cardin (Interim)
1/11
Good Shepherd Glenwood Springs, CO
Jeffrey Carlson
Highlands Denver, CO
Liliana Stahlberg
Holy Cross Wheat Ridge, CO
Ron Bock
King of Glory Arvada, CO
Todd Payne
Lord of the Mountains Dillon, CO
Stephanie Kopsch
SUNDAY JANUARY 11
BAPTISM OF OUR LORD
O God our Father, at the baptism of Jesus you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized into Christ faithful to their calling to be your daughters and sons, and empower us all with your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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PEACE NOT WALLS
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Young Adult Pilgrimage to the Holy Land May 12-25, 2015
This is an amazing opportunity for young adults leaders
(ages 18-30) to travel to the Holy Land on a pilgrimage of peace and justice! The sign-up application and additional trip information can be found at Facebook.com/RMSPNW2015. Contact Melanie or Natalie at RMSPeaceNotWalls@gmail.com if you have any questions. Please share this flier with any young adults you know who may be interested in joining us on this journey: more information.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land:
June 4-18, 2015
 See the ancient stones, the holy sites. Meet the living stones-the people who work for justice and peace in the land today. Experience the culture of hospitality; worship with Lutherans in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Sponsored by Peace Not Walls, Rocky Mountain Synod. Led by Pastor Alena Lamirato and Jan Miller. More information. Contact Jan at 303-332-1263.
Please help publicize the trip by using the bulletin insert and announcements below:
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THE ANCIENT CATECHUMENATE...TODAY
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THIS WEEK!
Following The Way of Christ:
Making disciples for a
21st Century Church
A three day training event for parish teams
January 9-11, 2015
St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Arvada, CO
download the event flyer
The Way is an expression of the ancient catechumenate process of forming new Christians. It is also a tool for today's church to welcome people back to faith and shape them in the primary faith practices of worship, prayer, scripture, and ministry to the world.
This is a lay-driven process that connects the faithful people of your congregation with newcomers in a way that invites deep and honest conversation bout living the Christian Way amid the challenges of life in a rapidly changing first world milieu.
Bring a team from your congregation, clergy and lay, to learn about The Way and bringing others to Christian discipleship while deepening the faith practices of your congregation.
email: revbevpiro@gmail.com
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TO THE POINT
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Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
The Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California has launched a blog that engages theological perspectives with pressing, urgent public issues of our day. This blog involve a wide range of contributors from the PLTS faculty, other faculties at California Lutheran University, students and alums, as well as others committed to the purpose of this blog.
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 January 14.
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LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION
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Lutheran Men in Mission Presents
One Year To Live, Men's Retreat
April 10-12, 2015
YMCA Camp Santa Maria
Grant, Colorado
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EMPLOYMENT/SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
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Accompanist for Youth Music and Children's Choir All Saints Lutheran Church Albuquerque, NM
For full job description contact the church,. Submit resume, cover letter and personal or professional references to All Saints Lutheran Church,
aslc_aslc@comcast.net, or 4800 All Saints Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120, or fax to (505)
792-1939 no later than January 19, 2015.
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- ELCA Conference of Bishops in Germany
Pastor Ron Roschke
- Faith Formation Network
- RMS Environmental Stewards
- Iliff Adjunct Faculty Workshop
- Preach At Peace, Sterling CO
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Bethel, Windsor, CO
- Faith Formation Network
- Joy, Parker, CO
Pastor Stephanie Quick Espinoza
- Resurrection, Lakewood, CO
- Mision Latina, Aurora, CO
- New Beginnings, Aurora, CO
Pastor Kent Mueller
- Resurrection, Lakewood, CO
- RMS Environmental Stewards
Erin Power
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, NM
- Coalition to End Homelessness
- Advocacy Gathering at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Alamogordo
Peter Severson - Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, CO
- CO Legislature Opening Day
- Voices for Justice
- Colorado Social Legislation Committee
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| ELCA GLOBAL LINKS | |
Help Build up Christ's global church in 2015!
Share the Excitement of building up Christ's global church together. Through ELCA Global Church Sponsorship, you can make a difference by directly responding to requests from our global companions in Christ for more:
+ Missionaries and Young Adults in Global Mission
+ Scholarships for International Leaders-Women.
+Global Ministries of evangelism and education.
For 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
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
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Fourth Annual Day of Remembrance for Downwinders
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
7:00-8:00 pm
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
1070 S. Foothill Drive
Salt Lake City
January 27th will mark the 64th anniversary of the first nuclear weapons test in Nevada. Join us to honor the sacrifices of Downwinders and to give added impetus to the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Music, Prayers, Remembrances Liturgy offered by Rev. Steve Klemz with music presented by the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Choir. Followed by fellowship reception.
Sponsored by Utah Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (UCAN) and the United Nations Association of Utah. Email info@utahcan.org for more information.
Nine Nations
currently have nuclear stockpiles.
*In case of inclement weather, we will hold the vigil inside the UCCU.
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WYOMING
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Building Bridges, Mending Hearts
Workshop on Welcoming Refugees
Join in this strategic discussion and training on building welcome for refugees. Facilitators will provide in-depth information about refugee resettlement and best practices in terms of communicating with the public about welcoming refugees. Participants will strategize about how to best educate their communities and build more welcoming attitudes toward newcomers, including mapping out allies and strategic action planning.
DATE: Saturday, January 10
TIME: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
LOCATION: First Presbyterian Church of Cheyenne, 220 W 22nd St, Cheyenne.
Enter on the Capitol Street Side. Fellowship Hall downstairs.
HOSTED BY: Wyoming Association of Churches
RSVP at this link by January 8:
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NEW MEXICO and EL PASO, TEXAS
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New Mexico Legislative Session
Begins January 20
 In response to the needs of people living in poverty and with hunger in our state, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM continues to focus its work primarily on public policies and programs that can have a positive impact on people living in poverty and experiencing hunger. These policies and programs have at least two major goals:
- To make various types of assistance available to people living in poverty so that basic living expenses can be met. Adequate funding is required for basic assistance programs like Medicaid, affordable housing, nutrition assistance, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families as well as child care assistance. Programs must also be administered in an efficient and fair manner.
- To address systemic issues that can enable people living in poverty to earn a family-sustaining income. These issues can include tax policy, increasing the minimum wage and protecting workers' rights.
To learn more about Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM go to our website. Click on Join our Advocacy Network to receive Advocacy Updates and Alerts. You can also "like" LAM-NM on Facebook
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
Bishop's Legislative Luncheon
February 10
 The Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM Bishop's Legislative Luncheon will be Tuesday, February 10. Make plans to attend and be sure to make your reservation (or a reservation for a group from your congregation!) to attend this annual gathering which will begin at 12:30pm at La Fonda in Santa Fe.
Rocky Mountain Synod Bishop Jim Gonia will speak at the luncheon and will also share a message with us during the Issues Briefing in the morning prior to the luncheon. The day will begin at 9:00 am at Christ Lutheran Church (1701 Arroyo Chamiso) with registration, fellowship and an opportunity to learn more about the issues for which Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM will be advocating in 2015.
The cost of the luncheon is $30 person ($25 per person when 4 or more people from a congregation or organization make reservations together). If you are only attending the morning issues briefing, the cost is $5. Please contact Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM (phone 984-8005 or email info@lutheranadvocacynm.org) to make reservations or for more details. The deadline for reservations is February 5.
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COLORADO
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A Festival of Light
Christ the King Lutheran Church
Durango, CO
January 7, 2015 6:00 p.m.
Christ the King Lutheran Church in Durango, CO, invites everyone to celebrate and honor Jesus, the Light of the World, at their second annual Festival of Light service.
This dramatic evening of candle lit worship includes the Epiphany story; music from adult and children's choirs, praise band and soloists; and Holy Communion. A soup dinner will be available before the service between 5:00 to 5:45 p.m. The service will begin at 6:00 p.m. Fellowship follows the service with King's Cakes for dessert (and soup for those who canšt make it to the earlier serving time). All are welcome to this joy filled event. For more information,visit ctkdurango.org.
Free Suicide Awareness Training at Highlands Ranch
DATE/TIME: January 16, 2015
9am-Noon (Please arrive a few minutes early to complete registration process.)
LOCATION: Douglas County Sheriff's Office - Highlands Ranch Substation, 9250 Zotos Drive, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
REGISTRATION: Completed via the Douglas County School District: www.dcsdk12.org Click on the "C'" (for Center for Professional Development- CPD). Click on CPD. Click on course catalog. If you do not have an account created, you will be prompted to do so. Select safeTALK and the available courses will be listed. Questions contact: Roxanne Derks, Roxanne.Derks@dcsdk12.org or 303-387-9508
safeTALK, about three hours in duration, is a training that prepares anyone over the age of 15 to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. Most people with thoughts of suicide invite help to stay safe. Alert helpers know how to use these opportunities to support that desire for safety. Open to anyone 15 years old and older.
New Visions training program offered March 6 & 7
at Holy Trinity, Littleton
New Visions is a training program for raising consciousness and action regarding mission by establishing a mission school inside congregations. Using Dr. Steinke's book, A Door Set Open, study guides, a training manual, three DVDs and about 12 hours of training, the trained facilitators will prepare leaders for mission. New Visions is about change: changing you, changing your congregation, and changing the world.
The desired outcomes include turning congregations suffering mission drift to a mission direction, to increase the congregation's outputs (services), to mobilize people's energy in contributing to God's Shalom, and to influence the mission of the congregation by exercising faith active in love and proclaiming the Gospel.
Fri, Mar 6, 4:00pm - Sat, Mar 7, 5:00pm
Save the Date: Colorado Faith Advocacy Day is Feb. 16
 Save the date for Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado's Faith Advocacy Day 2015!
This year's theme will be "Homelessness and Justice." Official registration is not yet open, but you can pre-register by sending your name, congregation/ministry, and e-mail address to Peter Severson.
WHEN: Monday, February 16, 9am-3pm
WHERE: Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Ave
WHY: To live out God's calling to you as a person of faith to advocate for justice for all people.
Training for marriage counseling resource: Prepare/Enrich
Prepare/Enrich Certification Training is being offered on Friday, January 16, 2015, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Avenue, in Cherry Hills Village. 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
The workshop is designed to teach facilitators to administer and provide feedback and skills to premarital and married couples, that will improve their relationship. For more information, or to register, please call Beth Walker at 303.694.2967.
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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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