THIS WEEK

  

Bishop Jim Gonia

  • Region 2 Bishops Retreat
  • Trinity, Evanston
  • Installation of Christine Higuera Street, St Mathew's, Taylorsville, UT
  • Worship at Mt Tabor, Salt Lake

Pastor Ron Roschke 

  • In-office projects and appointments

Pastor Sarah Moening 

  • Vacation

 

Pastor Stephanie Quick Espinoza

  • Mission congregation accompaniment and ministry reviews

Pastor Kent Mueller   

  • Lutheran Center & Call Process Administration

Erin Power, Diaconal Ministry

  • Theological Conference planning
  • Ministry Reviews

Ruth Hoffman - 

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, NM  
  • Housing Task Force
  • Medicaid/Medicare 50th Anniversary Celebration
Peter Severson - Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, CO
  • C C C Soulful Sunday

 

 

 

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CONGREGATIONS
CALENDAR
website calendar 

  

 2015
 

  

SEPTEMBER 21-24

2015 Theological Conference

YMCA of the Rockies
Estes Park, Colorado


NOVEMBER 20-22

2015 Senior High Youth Gathering

  

 

2016   

 
APRIL 28-30 
2016 Synod Assembly 
Embassy Suites 
Loveland, CO

SEPTEMBER19-22 
2016 Theological Conference 
Little America 
Cheyenne, WY

   

2017  

  

MAY 5-7
2017 Synod Assembly
Antlers Hilton Hotel
Colorado Springs, CO

 

SEPTEMBER 18-21
2017 Theological Conference

 

  

2018  

MAY 3-5
2018 Synod Assembly
Westin Hotel
Westminster, CO
 

  

 

So, What are You Doing with 
Your Life? And Why?

 

Sat., Aug 22, 2015, 9:00 am-3:00 pm

The Lutheran Center, Denver
 

Vocation is bigger than your job. It is your baptismal life in the world--the way you respond to God's call and grace. It is as big as your life in the world. Dr. Kurt Hendel, recently retired faculty member from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, joins Pastors Zach Parris and Ron Roschke to explore how we engage in this baptismal vocation. The workshop will offer tools and practices for discerning your vocation. This retreat is part of El Camino Colorado, the vocational discernment program of Lutheran Campus Ministry-CU Boulder. For more information, including registration, please visit this link.

 


You may still register!

Pre-Retirement Seminar for ELCA leaders

is August 17 in Albuquerque

 

If you're 50+, it's a good idea to plan for retirement. A seminar won't be offered in Albuquerque for quite some time, so this is great opportunity to participate in that region! IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER.

 

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?

Here is more information about a seminar:

Location: St. Luke Lutheran Church  9100 Menaul Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87112

Date: Monday, August 17, 2015

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

 

Register now

 




Better Together Fund

Video: We are Church. Better together!

 

The confirmation program is a shared experienced with several congregations in west Denver, including Lutheran Church of the Master. The congregations are made stronger because of their collaborate work. How will you be Better Together in the Rocky Mountain Synod? 


Consider a gift to the Better Together Fund

The Scriptures remind us that we are the Body of Christ, woven together for the sake of our witness to God's love and grace. As members of the ELCA we claim the power of being Christ's Church-Better Together.  


At our Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly in May the Synod Council announced the Better Together Fund, an opportunity for those passionate about our shared ministry as a synod and as a global church to set aside one dollar a day (or more) for the foundational work we do together.Learn more and give a gift online.

 




2015-16 RMS Events Poster: Many Voices. One Song.


Download and Print (11x17) this poster to display in your congregation. One color copy was mailed to each congregation in early July. 

Call or email for additional color copies. Download the Word version to copy/paste information into your congregation bulletins and newsletter! 

 

Download the .pdf version.



RMS CAMPUS MINISTRY
students_portrait.jpg

Connect students you know with any Lutheran Campus Ministry in the country!


 

Help your students find a welcoming and supportive community when they go to college by connecting them with Lutheran Campus Ministry! Please go to www.elcacampusministry.org to connect a student with any Lutheran Campus Ministry in the country or contact a campus ministry in the Rocky Mountain Synod directly:

University of Colorado - Boulder
Pastor Zach Parris
lcmpastor@colorado.edu

Colorado State University
pastor@lcmcsu.org

University of Northern Colorado
Pastor Deb Abbott
lcm.unco@gmail.com

University of Wyoming
Pastor Rachel Larson
pastorrachel@qwestoffice.net

Utah State University
Pastor Scott Thalacker
pastorpop7@gmail.com

University of New Mexico and
Central New Mexico Community College
Pastor Anne Morawski
lcm@unm.edu

New Mexico State University
Pastor Jared Carson
carsonj@peacelutheranlc.com

 

WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITY

 

Making Effective Decisions
in the Congregation

retro-blue-squares-banner.gifSaturday, August 8, 2015, 10 am-3pm
Community of Joy, Rio Rancho, NM
 

Tuesday, September 15, 3 to 8:00pm 
at the Lutheran Center, Denver, CO

 

Making effective decisions allows pastors, councils and congregations to work together to bring our many voices into the song of the Gospel. Understanding how we make decisions and how groups make decisions is a critical aspect of being church together-carrying out our Mission-and building God's kingdom. 


The workshop explores three key elements of effective decision-making:

  • Communications styles and how they affect understanding
  • The role of interests in individual and group decision-making
  • The importance of active listening in decision-making and problem-solving

Workshop leaders are Rev Sarah Moening, Assistant to the Bishop, RMSELCA, and Rich Nelson, a member of Community of Joy Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, NM, with more than forty years experience in helping groups make effective decisions.The workshop is part of the Congregational Ministry Board's program in the Rocky Mountain Synod.

 

We are encouraging pastors, council presidents, church councils, and congregational leaders to attend. Please register with Rich Nelson: richnelson@cableone.net

 

 

 

OUTDOOR MINISTRY
Great Fall and Winter Retreat
Dates Available At Rainbow Trail

As you begin planning another year of ministry consider the many benefits of taking time away to retreat with your groups at Rainbow Trail.  Amazing hospitality in a peaceful and beautiful mountain setting provides the space for growing in community, reflecting on life, and preparing for the future.  Dates are available from September - May.  Please contact Ben Larson, ben@rainbowtrail.org, for special deals in January and February.  More information available at www.rainbowtrail.org/retreats.


THEOLOGICAL CONFERENCE
2015 Leadership Retreat / Theological Conference is September 21-24 at Estes Park, CO
 
Registration is open for the annual gathering for leaders in the Rocky Mountain Synod. The registration deadline is August 20.

Information about the event is posted online, including the registration link.

Those who have been participating in the Journey of Renewal program will gather one day early for the program closing retreat.

PRAYERS
Christ the King mission congregation in South Jordan, Utah, to close August 23

The Rocky Mountain Synod Council has made the difficult decision to close the mission congregation currently served by Pastor Emily Ewing in South Jordan, Utah. For the past nine years, this unique "storefront" ministry has faithfully witnessed to the Good News of Christ in the unique Utah context, and we give thanks for Pastor Emily's ministry.

The Service of Holy Closure will take place on Sunday, August 23 at 5 p.m. at 10318 Redwood Rd #16, South Jordan, UT 84095. All are invited to join with Bishop Gonia in giving thanks for this ministry as it comes to a conclusion.
Prayer Cycle
AUGUST 2015
NORTH COLORADO
CONFERENCE

8/2
All Saints Brush, CO
       Dan Hays
Bethel Windsor, CO
         David Barber
Bethlehem Brush, CO

Faith Eaton, CO
         John Maroni
First Ault, CO
         Renne Lier
  

Installations


Pastor Christine Higuera Street
St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
2654 West Builders Drive (5200 S. and 2700 W.)
Taylorsville, UT 
August 2 at 4 p.m.
Prayer of the Day

O God, eternal goodness, immeasurable love, you place your gifts before us; we eat and are satisfied. Fill us and this world in all its need with the life that comes only from you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 

CHURCH DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE  

Congregations are stronger and
healthier through CDI training program

 

St. Makr's Aurora stained glass windowThe Church Development Institute (CDI) is a program for clergy and lay leaders focused on developing the spiritual community and organizational life of congregations to transform them by making them stronger, healthier, more deeply rooted in spirituality, more responsive to God, and more effective in their communities. CDI adpts research and experimentation of secular organizations to the Church's nature and mission through 110 hours of instruction delivered over eight weekends over the course of two years. CDI emphases the building of relationships in congregations and the wider church, demonstrating that we are "Better Together" especially since this is an opportunity provided to us through the Episcopal Church, USA.

 

Funding for scholarships is under consideration by the Rocky Mountain Synod Council. For more information, please contact Earline Bohling, Rocky Mountain Synod Vice President, at ebohling@comcast.net 

 

Church Development Institute Colorado

 www.coloradodiocese.org

 

Church Development Institute Utah

  www.episcopal-ut.org/register
ELCA DAY OF SERVICE
GOD'S WORK. OUR HANDS
DAY OF SERVICE: SEPT 13

"God's work. Our hands." Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

 

The date for the 2015 dedicated day of service is Sunday, September 13. Mark your congregation's calendar today! In speaking about his congregation's 2014 experience, a 10-year-old member from St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Whittier, Calif., puts it best: "It feels good to give." More information at this link.


SENIOR HIGH YOUTH GATHERING

Exciting changes for SHYG, November 20-22


sunrise-illustration.jpg We have big changes in store for the High School Synod Gathering this 
November 20-22! If you have been doing the gathering for years or this is your first time, this is going to be a great retreat. This year's theme is "The Pursuit." We will be focusing on our individual giftedness and how those gifts fit into and help to forms the greater community of faith.

 

There are a lot of new surprises this year! Here's what's in store.

  1. The gathering will be held at the Denver Marriot West. It is 2-3 hours closer to our southern and western congregations with no travel difference for those up north.
  2. Added service component. We will be heading out to Denver in congregational groups on Saturday for service in the community.
  3. Fun activities in the hotel and surrounding area!

Some of the tried and true things that we always do will still be the

same!

  1. Small Groups
  2. Large Group
  3. Congregational time
  4. Saturday night Party!

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us November 20-22 in Denver! Cost has not yet been finalized, but budget for between $135-155.

 

RMS WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION
Register for the 
2015 RMSWO Fall Gathering

REGISTRATION FORM
REGISTRATION EXPLANATION

The RMSWO 2015 Fall Gathering is Sept. 18-20, 2015, in Colorado Springs, CO at First Lutheran Church. The theme will be "Walking Side by Side-Part 2"-Mark 6:7.

Please use the Gathering Registration form above which includes the correct mailing address. Further information is included on the Walking Side by Side Registration Explanation sheet above, such as the early bird deadline of JULY 31 and recommended hotels. See you in Colorado Springs September 18-20, 2015!

Your sister in Christ,
Anna Thompson
President, RMSWO
307-221-3218
anna498.at@gmail.com


2015 MISSIONAL GATHERINGS
Eleven fall gatherings throughout 
the RMS invite your participation

This year's Missional Gatherings in each conference will help us explore our theme for the year, "Many Voices, One Song." The church is made of many voices, and each voice is as distinctive as the person or the community that sings it. The wonder of the project is how the voices all come together to make one song. 


But really, the voices don't make the song; the song invites the voices to take up the project of making God's music. That is because the song is God's-God's love song for this world loved so deeply and always unfolding in Jesus' good news. We come together this fall to listen for the song and join our voices to the "Gospel music" God is making in the world. 


 

REGISTER NOW AT THIS LINK
 

 

Mountain WestSat 9/19Good Shepherd
Glenwood Springs
2-4 p.m.
Metro EastSun 9/20Augustana
Denver 
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Metro WestSat 9/26Holy Cross
Wheat Ridge
10 a.m.-noon
North ColoradoSun 9/27TBD2-4 p.m.
WyomingSat 10/10Grace
Casper
Noon-3 p.m.
SE Colorado
Sun 10/25
First
Colorado Springs
2-4 p.m.
Boulder-
Broomfield
Sat 10/31Church of Hope
Broomfield
10 a.m.-noon
Metro South
Sun 11/1
Christ the King
Denver
1:30-3:30 p.m.
UtahSat 11/7Zion
Salt Lake City
10 a.m.-noon
Border
Sat 11/14
St. Mark
Roswell
10 a.m.-noon
N New MexicoSat 12/5TBD10 a.m.-noon




 

OUR LIFE TOGETHER

Rostered leader transitions and openings

Rostered leaders include pastors, diaconal ministers, associates in ministry, and deaconesses. View a list of congregations in transition at this link.
Eucharist is second Wednesday of each month

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!  
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Non-rostered positions available

Congregations and agencies are seeking non-rostered positions, such as office administrators, musicians, faith formation staff, and more.  View positions at this link.

 

 

Director of Youth & Education Ministries 

Advent Lutheran Church Westminster, CO and St. John�s Lutheran Church � Thornton, CO

For questions or to submit resume:  YouthEdDirector@gmail.com or pastorbarb@qwestoffice.net

 

NEW MEXICO / TEXAS


UTAH
WYOMING
 People need to call by August 1 if they plan on attending. Call Alena Lamarato at 307.684.7872







COLORADO



                                                                                                                                                
Join Us for Soulful Sunday
Sunday, August 2, 2015 at noon
Park Hill United Methodist Church, 
5209 Montview Blvd.
Denver, Colorado 80207
What is Soulful Sunday?

Soulful Sunday, as we call it, will be a time of fellowship and worship that will give a diverse group of people of faith an opportunity to get to know one another. This is a collaborative effort of Capitol Hill United Ministries and the Colorado Council of Churches.

The goal is for predominantly black and predominantly white congregations to enter into fellowship and commit to building a relationship. Congregations can decide what form that relationship might take.
 

Clergy are invited to bring yourselves, your congregants, and enough potluck food & drink to feed the number of people you're expecting to bring.

RSVP at this link: Soulful Sunday. Questions can be directed to Adrian Miller, adrian@cochurches.org

What Will Happen at Soulful Sunday?