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Prayer of the Day
Gracious God, throughout the ages you transform sickness into health and death into life. Open us to the power of your presence, and make us a people ready to proclaim your promises to the whole world, through Jesus Christ, our healer and Lord.
August 2015 Prayer Cycle
NORTH COLORADO
9/6
Abiding Hope
Littleton, CO
Chad Johnson, Doug Hill, Laura Bostrom
Filemon Diaz
Atonement
Lakewood, CO
Chris Davis
Bethany Cherry Hills Village, CO Debra Engquist, Russ Britton
Anniversary Celebrations
Christ the Savior - 50th
Aurora, CO
September 27 at 10:00 am
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- All Staff Meeting
- Vacation
Pastor Ron Roschke
- All Staff Meeting
- Urban Servant Corps, Denver CO
- Preach at St Philip, Littleton CO
- Preach at Lutheran Campus Ministry, CSU, Ft. Collins CO
Pastor Sarah Moening
- All Staff Meeting
- Our Redeemer, Fort Morgan, CO
Pastor Stephanie Quick Espinoza
- Mission congregation accompaniment and ministry reviews
Pastor Kent Mueller
- All Staff Meeting
- Lutheran Center & Call Process Administration
- King of Glory, Loveland, CO
Erin Power, Diaconal Ministry
- All Staff Meeting
- Theological Conference and Event planning
- Ministry Reviews
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, NM
- All Staff Meeting
- State Public Policy Directors
- Solitary Confinement Coalition
- NM Coalition to End Homelessness
Peter Severson - Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, CO
- All Staff Meeting
- After-School Meal Program site visit
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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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Seeking several volunteers to migrate content to a new, improved RMS website!
The RMS website is not optimized to work well on phones and tablets, and it's difficult to update. We're working on a brand new website, and we are seeking several volunteers who would be able to assist with filling the new site with content. No coding expertise needed! If you can help out in the next couple weeks, please email Kent Mueller.
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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.
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.
Day of Confession, Repentance, Prayer, & Commitment to End Racism -September 6
Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton has pledged the 3.8 million-member ELCA to participate on September 6 in "Confession, Repentance, and Commitment to End Racism Sunday."
We are asking every congregation to focus on race, while asking every pastor and leader to preach on race, reminded that out of one blood, God created all of us to dwell together in unity. Bishop Eaton said, "I will invite our bishops, pastors, and leaders to reach out to ecumenical and inter-religious partners to encourage them to do so as well, and to consider possible ways of joining together." More info.
New blog post from Bishop Gonia: The first three years!
Bishop Gonia has written a blog, reflecting on his first three years serving as Bishop in the Rocky Mountain Synod. He says that the highlights fall in these three areas:
* Visiting congregations and ministries
* Accompanying rostered leaders
* Experiencing what it means to be church together
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| THEOLOGICAL CONFERENCE 2015 |
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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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September 10 at 11:30 a.m at Holy Trinity, Littleton
Metro South invitation: hear a guest speaker on effective transformation in organizations
 Join the Metro South Conference Sept. 10 at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 6322 S. Lakeview Littleton, for an opportunity to hear about the topic leadership in times of change with Chris Laping. He is the current co-founder and CEO of People Before Things, a business dedicated to change and business transformation.
Chris has 24 years in IT, 14 as a CIO and the past 8 years as the SVP of business transformation and CIO of Red Robin here in Denver. He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, Harvard Business Review, The Economist and received numerous national awards for business leadership.
Chris Laping was part of the leadership team that transformed the Red Robin restaurant chain from the brink of failure to revenue over a billion dollars a year. They made hard changes and transformed culture, procedure and process. Chris is now dedicated to helping other organizations (such as churches!) do the same and thrive. For a taste of what he offers please view this video. All are welcome! This is an opportunity you don't want to miss! (We'll be looking into recording the event and making it available online for those outside the Denver area.)
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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.
"Cornerstone" volunteers needed for youth gatherings
Cornerstone is an important piece of the High School and Middle School Youth Gatherings held each year by the Rocky Mountain Synod. As Cornerstone you will help facilitate the gathering experience from setting up for the weekend, leading a bible study, setting a safe environment for participants or simply being a good listener and friend.
Cornerstone is the foundation for the gathering and their help is greatly appreciated by the planning team and those at the gathering. If you are interested in being apart of the Cornerstone Team for the Senior High Youth Gathering, November 20-22, please e-mail Eric Plothow at ecplothow@aol.com or Kathryn Seyfarth at Kathryn@SkyRanchColorado.org for the application.
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 resolution also called on the Peace Not Walls working group to gather resources for congregations and include these on the Synod website. Resources are now online.
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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.
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.
Rainbow Trail's Ninth Annual Grace Race: Registration Is Now Open
RAINBOW TRAIL is hosting its 9th Annual Grace Race to benefit the ELCA World Hunger appeal on Saturday, October 3, 2015 with a 9:00 am start.
This is a 5K run/walk around beautiful Sloan's Lake in south Denver. There will be food and refreshments for all participants following the race. The entry fee is $30 before September 25th and $35 after that date.
You can register for the race after that date and even on the day of the race; however we can't guarantee you'll get one of the cool long sleeve tech shirts from the race after September 25. You don't have to be a runner to make a difference. Parents with baby strollers, grandparents with grand kids, and runners and walkers of all types participate. Encourage the members of your congregation to participate. Come join us for a great day in the park for a great cause. You can register on-line! To learn more and to register, go to http://www.rainbowtrail.org. Bring your friends and family or your whole youth group. They are hoping for 300 participants. Over the past 8 years, we have raised almost $38,000. Help RTLC raise another $10,000 for ELCA World Hunger this year! If your congregation would be interested in being a sponsor of the race, please contact Dave Jarvis at 719-276-5233. They'll get your church logo on our race shirt! See you October 3rd!
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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.
For information, email Anna Thompson at
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Rostered leader transitions and openings
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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.
Faith Formation/Cross+Generational Minister (Part Time) King of Glory Lutheran Church Loveland, Colorado
Formation/Cross+Generational Minister: will be responsible for helping develop a cradle to grave Faith Formation Ministry. Please send cover letter to office@aplace2grow.org. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. A complete job description can be requested by emailing the church office.
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2015 Catholic Immigrant Integration Conference
October 2, 2015
9:30am - 6:30pm Conference
6:30pm - 8:30pm Dinner
Cathedral High School, 1309 N. Stanton Street, El Paso, Texas 79902
Free Event
Linda Hartke, President and CEO, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, is one of the presenters on the topic of Rethinking the Border from the Faith Perspective. The conference is presented by The Center for Migration Studies of New York (CMS), Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR), Hope Border Institute, and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD).
More information at this link:
To attend this free event in El Paso, Texas, register at
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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!
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Join us for "Grace Period"--A Clergy Social!
Tuesday, September 15, 2015 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
All clergy are invited! Free!
"For Everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1.
With summer ending and the school year beginning, we thought this would be a great time for you to get to know your fellow colleagues in ministry. ALL MINISTERIAL STAFF are invited to this social gathering, and you may stop by any time between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Light appetizers and beverages will be provided. We'll rotate this event throughout different parts of the city so that at least one of these gatherings will be geographically desirable and convenient to you.
When: Tuesday, September 15, 2015, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: New World Cheese, 2504 E. Colfax, Denver, CO 80206 (across Colfax from East High School), www.newworldcheese.com. Parking is available on the street and in the garage on the southern side of the complex.
CROSS+GEN Conference at Estes Park, October 5-8
If you're tired of recruiting Sunday School teachers, get in on the conversation and design of Cross+Gen Worship and Faith Formation for the post-television generation! The Faith Inkubators Foundation is hosting its second annual conference on replacing Sunday School with Cross+Gen faith communities on Oct 5-8 at Estes Park's YMCA of the Rockies.
90% of the Case Studies presented are from ELCA churches across the country who have pioneered methods, models and materials to bring "the wisdom of the elder and the wonder of the child into the same sacred space every week at church." Check out www.crossgenconference.com for information
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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