PRAYERS
Prayer of the Day

O God, you show forth your almighty power chiefly by reaching out to us in mercy. Grant us the fullness of your grace, strengthen our trust in your promises, and bring all the world to share in the treasures that come through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.


2015 Prayer Cycle
NOVEMBER 2015 
ADVOCACY, GRIEF and PRISON
MINISTRIES
11/8

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry -
Colorado
Peter Severson

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry -
New Mexico
Ruth Hoffman

New Beginnings Church
(Prison Ministry)
Terry Schjang

HeartLight Center/Horan &
McConaty Mortuary (Grief Ministry)
Jennifer McBride (D.M.)



Cynthia Marie Robles
will be consecrated
Nov 7, 2015 at 1:00 PM

Her Diaconal Ministry consecration will take place at Saint John's Lutheran Church, Dubuque, Iowa. Your prayers and presence are requested.
All ordained, consecrated, and commissioned ministers are invited to process. The Color of the Day is Red.
 
Cynthia will serve as the new Area Ministry Coordinator/ Latino Ministry Outreach Minister in Aurora, Colorado.


Brigette Weier Installation Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m.

All are invited to attend the installation celebration for Pastor Brigette Weier who has been called to serve as the Pastor and Director of Faith Formation at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E Hampden Ave, Cherry Hills Village, CO. The installation will take place on Wednesday, November 4 at 6:30 p.m. The color of the day is white, and all rostered leaders are invited to vest and to process. 

THIS WEEK
  
Bishop Jim Gonia
  • All Day Staff Meeting
  • Intern Gathering-Evergreen
  • Brigette Weier Installation
  • Missional Gathering-Zion-Utah
  • Shepherd of the Mountains, Park City, UT
Pastor Ron Roschke 
  • All Day Staff Meeting
  • El Camino
  • First Call Theological Conference- CA 
Pastor Sarah Moening 
  • All Day Staff Meeting
  • Preach at Christ, Highlands Ranch

Pastor Judith VanOsdol
  • DEM transition
  • All Day Staff Meeting
Pastor Kent Mueller   
  • All Day Staff Meeting
  • Call process administration
  • New website work
Erin Power, Diaconal Minister
  • All Day Staff Meeting
  • First Call Theological Conference-CA
Ruth Hoffman - 
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, NM  
  • State Public Policy Offices conference call
  • All Day Staff meeting
  • LAM-NM Advocacy Conference
  • Bethlehem-Los Alamos
Peter Severson - Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, CO
  • Vacation
 

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CONGREGATIONS
CALENDAR
website calendar 

  

 2015
 

  

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
 

  

 
The Office of the Bishop staff is meeting today, Wednesday, November 4 in an 
all-day staff meeting/retreat. 
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 

UtahSat 11/7Zion
Salt Lake City
10 a.m.-noon
Border
Sat 11/14
St. Mark
Roswell
10 a.m.-noon
N New MexicoSat 12/5Community of Joy
Rio Rancho, NM
10 a.m.-noon




 

RMS YOUTH GATHERINGS

Senior High
Youth Gathering 
November 20 - 22, 2015
Denver Marriott West
West Denver, Colorado

THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 7! The room rate may be higher after this date, so please register now!

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 

WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER!

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. Currently the amount raised is $35,670.
 



YOUTH LEADERSHIP
Calling Awesome Youth Leaders for the new RMS Youth Discipleship Team!

The kick-off retreat for the Youth Discipleship Team (formerly the LYO) is almost here!  The retreat will take place Nov. 19-20th, the Thursday night/Friday day before the Sr. High Gathering, at the Marriott West Hotel in Denver.  

YDT is meant to empower youth as current leaders in the Church, to provide a space for youth voice, and to show youth the greater Church.  If you have youth displaying leadership in your congregation, please encourage them to attend!  The retreat is free for participants (the only costs will be dinner Friday night and seeing the midnight showing of the final Hunger Games movie).  For more information contact. Melanie Ferraro.  
You can fill out an online registration form here.  Registration is due this Friday, November 6th!
TO THE POINT


Two Seminaries offers Lay School classes
PLTS offers a series of lay school theology courses. Information is available online. Praxis is fully online and taught by well-known faculty and practitioners in a variety of fields.  Its main premise is that ministry professionals and lay persons are life-long learners who need to maximize the time they have for education. Its goal is to boost and enhance ministry skills, and to raise up leaders in the congregation and world.

Luther Seminary has developed a series on Lutheran theology and the Lutheran church designed especially for training and education prior to the observance of the 500th year of the Reformation. Several of these classes are available online/webcasts. Information at this link .


Faith Formation webinar is November 5

The Lutheran Campus Ministry Network (LCMNet) has scheduled a webinar entitled "Faith Formation in Young Adults" for Thursday, November 5, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. The webinar will be led by Dr. Roland Martinson, and is designed for Lutheran Campus Ministry staff and other professionals who work with young adults. Please contact Don Romsa (don.romsa@elca.org) for more information on this free webinar.

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 Maria Sutton 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.  
 

Office Manager
Zion Lutheran Church, Loveland, Colorado

The congregation is seeking a full time, exempt office manager.  This position coordinates the administrative functions of the congregation with a focus on efficient and effective operations and procedures.  Zion has a strong tradition and network of office volunteers, so the office manager is expected to delegate many responsibilities, while holding the primary responsibility of office technology and communication, congregational records, budget management, and building coordination.  For more information, call the Zion office at 970-667-1836 or email pastorjoel@zionloveland.com.  
 
UTAH
NEW MEXICO / TEXAS




2015 Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
Advocacy Conference is November 7

The 2015 Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM Advocacy  Conference will be Saturday, November 7 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. Our lunch speaker will be state Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino and breakout session topics will include advocacy basics, hunger, predatory lending and more. Plan now to attend and learn more about advocating for our many neighbors living in poverty. 

To register or for more information, contact Ruth Hoffman at ruth@lutheranadvocacynm.org or 505.984.8005.  Registration deadline: Nov. 3. 
WYOMING
 
COLORADO


Anti-racism workshop November 7th at Shepherd of the Valley in LaSalle.
Racism

  

Annual Global Gift Fair is Nov 7 & 8 at Atonement, Lakewood, CO
 


Atonement Lutheran Church will be hosting its annual Global Gift Fair this year. Dates will be Sat. Nov 7 & Sun. Nov. 8. Times: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Location: Atonement Lutheran Church, 6281 W. Yale, Lakewood, CO 80227. Phone: 303 985-1122. The church is located on the north side of Yale Ave. between Sheridan & Wadsworth. The parking lot is on the north side of the church.

Nov. 7 Symposium on Food, Religion, Culture, and Social Justice

Join the Colorado Council of Churches for Just Food, an inaugural symposium lifting up issues at the intersection of food, religion, culture, and social justice. The goal is to move congregations along the journey from food charity to food justice through a deeper understanding of the root causes of hunger. Christian perspectives on food and culture will be offered, but anyone is invited!
 
When: Saturday, November 7, 2015, 8:00am-4:00pm
Where: Iliff School of Theology, Shattuck Hall, 2323 E Iliff Ave
Cost: $15 per person by October 15. Register at this link.

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado is offering six (6) scholarships for this event (max of 2 per congregation). If you are interested, please contact Peter Severson: 303-777-6700 or pseverson@rmselca.org.


Mark your calendars for the November 12 CSLC Fall Forum:
Can We Afford to Live in Metro Denver Anymore?
A Showcase of Initiatives and Programs of CSLC Members
While the need for low income and affordable housing dwarfs the resources of any one organization or effort, many are trying to address this crisis.  Learn about what CSLC member organizations are doing related to renters organizing, transit oriented development, permanent supportive housing, rental vouchers, faith based initiatives, senior housing needs, and funding sources for housing developments.

When: Thursday, November 12, 2015
4:00- 6:30 p.m.
Where: Augustana Lutheran Church
5000 E Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80246

Free, no RSVP necessary. Food and refreshments will be served
There will also be information tables by our supporting cosponsors.
Download a flyer with event information.
Have something to share? 
Sign up to have an information table at the event.
For questions, contact Katy Fleury kfleury@coloradocoalition.org  or  Chaer Robert (303) 573-5559 x307 or  
crobert@cclponline.org


MOVIES AT THE LUTHERAN CENTER:
My Neighborhood/Homefront
from Sheikh Jarrah, an East Jerusalem neighborhood
Short films, chronicling the human impact of Israeli settlements and nonviolent efforts to prevent the displacement of Palestinian families
Saturday, November 14
4:00 pm - at the Lutheran Center
7375 Samuel Drive (near Boulder Turnpike and Pecos)
 
The stories of these Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers help us better understand how Israeli settlements are related to today's news. My Neighborhood tells the story of Mohammad El Kurd, a teenager whose family is forced to give up part of their home and live under the same roof as Israeli settlers and the unexpected support his family finds from Israeli allies.

Homefront includes three connected stories: an Israeli mother who becomes involved in the demonstrations when her children are arrested for protesting; a former Israeli soldier who takes on a leading role in the protests; and a Palestinian community organizer who spearheads the involvement of local women, even as her own home is threatened. 

--Sponsored by Rocky Mountain Synod Peace Not Walls 


Seeking team: social message on gender-based violence
Interested in helping your congregation fight gender-based violence in your community? The ELCA is in the process of developing a Social Message on Gender Based Violence that will come before the ELCA Church Council this November. All expressions of the ELCA, including synods and congregations, will be encouraged to address the issues identified in this statement.

The Rocky Mountain Synod is putting together a team to develop a strategy for addressing these concerns. If you are interested in learning more about this team and/or joining us, or know someone in your congregation who would be interested, contact Judy Lounsberry, judyloun@aol.com , 303-347-2158, or Linda Jantzen, hljantz@comcast.net, 303-794-4489.


Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Fort Collins
Alternative Giving Fair and Market
 
Saturday, November 7, 9:00 to 4:00
Sunday, November 8, 9:00 to 12:00
 
Please join us for the annual Alternative Giving Fair and Market at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 1200 South Taft Hill Road, Fort Collins. Every purchase you make
gives someone hope for a better life. The Alternative Giving Fair supports Fair Trade and provides an alternative to traditional Holiday gifts. Beautiful, handcrafted items created by people around the world- give a gift this season that gives back to the world!
 
Free Admission. Coffee, soup and baked items available for freewill donations to benefit Homelessness Prevention.

1200 South Taft Hill Road
Fort Collins, Colorado
482-9692 www.sothfoco.org
Every purchase you make gives someone hope for a better life. All "Fair" participants are non-profit organizations.