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Prayer of the Day
O God our strength, without you we are weak and wayward creatures. Protect us from all dangers that attack us from the outside, and cleanse us from all evil that arises from within ourselves, that we may be preserved through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
August 2015 Prayer Cycle
NORTH COLORADO
8/30
Gabi and Meghan Aelabouni
Randy Pabst (Interim)
Zion
Loveland, CO
Sonja and Joel Pancoast
Anniversary Celebrations
Christ the Savior
Aurora, CO
September 27 at 10:00 am
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- Holy Shepherd, Lakewood CO
- Region 2 Consultation,
Sacramento CA
Pastor Ron Roschke
- Mustard seed House Churches Comprehensive Ministry Review, Ft Collins CO
- Congregation Ministry Board
- Sky Ranch Board of Directors
- Preach at St. Paul Denver CO
- ELCA Region 2 Consultation, Sacramento CA
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Continuing Education
- Spirit of Joy Fort Collins CO
- Region 2 Consultation, Sacramento CA
Pastor Stephanie Quick Espinoza
- Mission congregation accompaniment and ministry reviews
Pastor Kent Mueller
- Lutheran Center & Call Process Administration
- Trinity, Loveland CO
- Region 2 Consultation, Sacramento CA
Erin Power, Diaconal Ministry
- Theological Conference and Event planning
- Ministry Reviews
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, NM
- Medicaid Advisory Committee
- Housing Task Forces
- Housing Oversight Committee
Peter Severson - Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, CO
- Churchwide meetings, Chicago, IL
- CSLC retreat
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| CALENDAR |
website calendar
SEPTEMBER 21-24
2015 Theological Conference
YMCA of the Rockies
Estes Park, Colorado
NOVEMBER 20-22
2015 Senior High Youth Gathering
2016
JANUARY 15-17
Middle School Youth Gathering
Hotel Elegante
Colorado Springs, CO
APRIL 28-30
2016 Synod Assembly
Embassy Suites
Loveland, CO
SEPTEMBER 19-22
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
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Submit feedback regarding new compensation guidelines by September 15
In October, Synod Council will be reviewing the compensation guidelines that were approved a year ago. The Compensation Committee welcomes feedback to learn how the guidelines have been received in congregations and if there are specific issues that should be addressed.
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The people of Christ the King Lutheran Church gathered on Sunday, August 23 for the liturgy of Holy Closure. We thank Pastor Emily Ewing for her ministry in South Jordan, Utah.
Worship resource provided for RMS "Church Together" Sunday on October 25
Our "Church Together" Sunday is an invitation for Rocky Mountain Synod congregations to worship in unity with one another, sharing together their Many Voices in One Song. You will use your typical worship experience, sharing words of the provided "Narrative Eucharist" throughout the liturgy, as a replacement for the Sunday sermon. The document includes some suggested hymns.
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2015 Leadership Retreat / Theological Conference is September 21-24 at Estes Park
Registration is open for the annual gathering for leaders in the Rocky Mountain Synod.
Those who have been participating in the Journey of Renewal program will gather one day early for the program closing retreat.
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| 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 West | Sat 9/19 | Good Shepherd
Glenwood Springs | 2-4 p.m. | | Metro East | Sun 9/20 | Augustana
Denver | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | | Metro West | Sat 9/26 | Holy Cross
Wheat Ridge | 10 a.m.-noon | | North Colorado | Sun 9/27 | Our Redeemer
Fort Morgan | 2-4 p.m. | | Wyoming | Sat 10/10 | Grace
Casper | Noon-3 p.m. | |
SE Colorado
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Sun 10/25
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First
Colorado Springs
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2-4 p.m.
| Boulder-
Broomfield | Sat 10/31 | Church of Hope
Broomfield | 10 a.m.-noon | |
Metro South
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Sun 11/1
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Christ the King
Denver
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1:30-3:30 p.m.
| | Utah | Sat 11/7 | Zion
Salt Lake City | 10 a.m.-noon | |
Border
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Sat 11/14
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St. Mark
Roswell
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10 a.m.-noon
| | N New Mexico | Sat 12/5 | Community of Joy
Rio Rancho, NM | 10 a.m.-noon |
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 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
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Senior High Youth Gathering
November 20 - 22, 2015
Denver Marriott West
West Denver, Colorado
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.
Middle School
Youth Gathering
January 15 - 17, 2016
Hotel Elegant�
& Conference Center
Colorado Springs, Colorado
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A Palestinian Arts Celebration
Denver - Boulder - Fort Collins
Week of September 20-27, 2015
Music, Dance, Fine Arts, Film, Food, Learning
Connect with sisters and brothers from the Holy Land
Meet talented students and faculty from Dar al-Kalima
University, Bethlehem, Palestine
Sponsored by Bright Stars of Bethlehem
and Peace Not Walls, Rocky Mountain Synod
Denver: Bethany, Augustana and Abiding Hope Lutheran;
Iliff School of Theology, DU, Ten Thousand Villages
Fort Collins: Trinity Lutheran, Redeemer Lutheran, and Ten
Thousand Villages. Boulder: First United Methodist Church
RMS Resolution on Israel: Resources For congregational study and action
In May, voting members to the 2015 Synod Assembly passed a resolution, calling on the US to make its aid to Israel contingent on Israel ending its settlement construction in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
* The text of the resolution
* List of resources and links
* A sample letter to senator/representative
* Kairos Palestine document in English
* Kairos Palestine document in Spaniksh
* Study guide for reading Kairos Palestine
Please contact members of Peace Not Walls if you would like speakers or help. Contact information is on the list of resources.
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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.
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Making Effective Decisions
in the Congregation
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
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Adult Yoga Retreat at Sky Ranch,
September 18-20
Join us at Sky Ranch for a unique experience as we explore the mind, body, and spirit through the practice of yoga! Whether you are a seasoned yogi or new to the whole practice, we would love you to join us for a beautiful fall retreat, at the peak of the aspen fall colors. Former staff member, pastor, and certified yoga instructor, Rachel Bass-Guennewig will be our leader for the weekend.
The Yoga Retreat will be September 18-20 and is $200 per person. To register visit www.skyranchcolorado.org or call 970-493-5258.
Confirmation Retreats at Sky Ranch
Our Coyote Howl Confirmation Retreat creates sacred space for confirmation students to build upon a foundation which will travel back with them to their home congregations. Coyote Howl offers community building, Bible study, worship and fellowship with youth from throughout the Rocky Mountain Synod. Alongside our dynamic, energetic and passionate staff, your youth will explore the way that God is at work in their individual communities along with how their connection to one another essentially shapes their journey of faith.
This program is designed to support your confirmation curriculum with time for congregations built in throughout the weekend.
Coyote Howl dates are September 25-27 and October 2-4. Cost: $105.
Contact our Program Director Kathryn Seyfarth via e-mail at kathryn@skyranchcolorado.org or at the office-970-493-5258 with questions or to register for the weekend.
Sky Ranch New Shower House Dedication
Yes, the shower house is now completed! This event has been years in the making as the old shower house was built as a temporary solution over 30 years ago. The shower house is the most-utilized building on site and we rejoice as it is replaced, preparing Sky Ranch for the next generation of ministry!
We would like to invite you to the dedication of the new shower house on Saturday, August 29 at 2:00 pm. A light lunch buffet will be served starting at noon.
Please RSVP to the Sky Ranch Camp office at 970-493-5258 by August 16.
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.
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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.
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ATTENTION--The early registration date for the RMSWO Fall Gathering has been extended from July 31 to September 10, 2015. Please use the Form to send in check for $60 to the registrar!
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
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'Confronting Racism' webcast available
How do we talk about race, systemic racism and becoming a more inclusive church? Watch the webcast of the Aug. 6 conversation as ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton and William B. Horne II, a member of the ELCA Church Council, discuss the complexity and implications of racism. This page includes many resources to support this important conversation in your congregation.
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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 Maria Sutton if you are interested in leading worship!
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Non-rostered positions available
Congregations and agencies are seeking non-rostered positions, such as office administrators, musicians, faith formation staff, and more.
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
Soprano, Tenor, and Bass Section Leaders in the Saint Paul Choir
Downtown Denver, Colorado
Duties include Thursday evening rehearsals, Sunday worship, occasional non-Sunday worship or concerts, occasional Saturday dress rehearsals, and solo opportunities on major works. Contact Mark Filbert at Mark@stpauldenver.org for the full description and details
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The Original Faith-Based Enrichment Program
Helping Married Husbands & Wives Find Greater Joy Together
Your church can help married couples find more joy together by making them aware of our Fall 2015 Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend in Sheridan, Wyoming.
November 13 - 15, 2015 - Sheridan, Wyoming
Contact John & Nancy Orwig
307-684-2700 for more information. But hurry! Pre-registration is required and Weekends fill fast!
to use in your church bulletin, hallway bulletin boards, or worship services!
Call Alena Lamarato at 307.684.7872
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Lost and Found concert is September 24 at Lutheran Church of Hope
All are invited to attend a special concert that is part of the final tour of Lost and Found, a Lutheran contemporary band. Lutheran Church of Hope, Broomfield, Colorado, is the location on September 24, 2015, at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are $8. For more information, call (303) 466-4823. Lutheran Church of Hope is located at 1305 W. 10th Avenue, Broomfield, CO 80020. This is the final Colorado show for Lost and Found!
"Cantus" at Augustana September 19 - RMSELCA Discount!
Eben Ezer Auxillary seeks crafters for Fall Festival 
The Eben Ezer Auxiliary extends the invitation for crafters throughout the Rocky Mountain Synod to have the opportunity to raise funds for the neighbors (residents) who live at Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center. The Fall Festival will be held Saturday, September 26, 2015, 8:00 am-Noon. Anyone who would like to send crafts: Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center %Chaplain's Office, 122 Hospital Road, Brush, CO 80723. Funds raised will be used to provide activities and field trips for the neighbors, bibles at every bedside, blanket material for neighbors to tie blankets for hospice patients. Questions: Call Chaplain Ro at 970-842-2861, Ext 250.
Eben Ezer Fall Festival is September 26
The Rocky Mountain Synod is invited to come to the Eben Ezer Fall Festival, Saturday, September 26, 2015, 8:00 am-Noon at the Carroll Building in Brush, CO. Available for sale that day: homemade breakfast and lunch burritos, homemade baked goods and pastries, homemade noodles, crafts and gift baskets. Make a day of it and enjoy Oktoberfest and Street Fair on the Northeastern Plains of Colorado!!! Tours available at All Saints Church and Eben Ezer Museum. Call to schedule: 970-842-2861, Ext 250.
Training offered for married and engaged couples
Prepare/Enrich Facilitator Training is being offered on Friday, September 11, 2015, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Avenue, in Cherry Hills Village. The workshop is designed to teach facilitators to utilize this tool to assist both premarital and married couples in understanding and improving their relationship. For more information or to register, please contact Beth Walker at bethdwalker@gmail.com or 720.352.9915 tel: 720.352.9915, or go to
Mental Health First Aid course is October 22 at Bethany
A "Mental Health First Aid" course will take place at Bethany Lutheran on October 22, 2015. It is designed to equip anyone to recognize and better respond to a situation where someone is or may be having trouble effectively coping with a mental health condition.
Who: All are invited. It should be noted that this is a tremendous outreach program not only for the RMS, but also for the general community. At previous workshops, 75% of the participants were from outside the Bethany community. Limit of 25 participants.
What: 8 hour certification course where Depression, Anxiety, Psychosis, and Substance Abuse are covered
When: Thursday, October 22, 2015, 8am - 5pm
Where: Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E. Hampden Avenue, Cherry Hills Village, CO
Cost: $20 per participant for the course manual, which is a required part of this workshop. Snacks and beverages will be provided by Bethany.
Lunch: will not be provided.
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