Prayer of the Day
Almighty and ever-living God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and love; and that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command, through your Son, Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord. Amen
Installations on Friday, January 29 at 9 a.m. at the Lutheran Center
Pastor Judith VanOsdol will be installed as the Director for Evangelical Mission.
Cynthia Robles, DM, will be installed as the Aurora Area Ministry Strategy director.
Friday, January 29, 9 a.m. at the RMS Lutheran Center Chapel.
Rostered leaders are invited to process (but not vest). These installations are a part of our Deans Retreat and Synod Council meeting this week.
Installation of Pastor Margot Wright is January 31
Pastor Margot Wright has been called to serve as the pastor of Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church. Installation is 3 p.m. on January 31, 2016, 21755 E Smoky Hill Rd, Aurora, CO 80015. Website.
Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process. The color of the day is green. A fellowship reception will follow.
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| CONGREGATIONS |
RMS Prayer Cycle
METRO WEST CONFERENCE
1/31
St John's Thornton,CO
Penni Walsh
St Stephen Northglenn, CO
Tracy Hinkel
United Church of the San Juans Ridgway, CO
Leslie Wood (PCUSA)
Zion Montrose,CO
Michael Rime
Zion Idaho Springs, CO
Asher O'Callaghan
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- Dean's Retreat
- Synod Council
- Margot Wright Installation
- NM Conference Retreat
Pastor Ron Roschke
- Dean's Retreat
- Synod Council
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Transitions Work
- Church Development Institute
- Elim, Ogden
- Synod Council
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
- Our Saviors, Denver CO
- Aurora Area Ministry Strategy
- New Beginnings Prison Ministry
- Dean's Retreat
- Synod Council
Pastor Kent Mueller
- RMS Administration
- Transitions Work
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Dean's Retreat
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Synod Council
Erin Power, Diaconal Minister
- Assembly Planning
- Dean's Retreat
- Synod Council
- Margot Wright Installation
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, NM
- Legislative session
- Synod Council meeting
Peter Severson- Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, CO
- 9-5 legislative Outlook luncheon
- Synod Council
- Hunger Free Colorado Day at the Capitol
- Legislative committee hearings
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| CALENDAR |
2016
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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WORLD HUNGER CHALLENGE:
BRONCOS CHALLENGE THE PANTHERS!
 Remember two years ago when over $40,000 was raised when the Broncos and Seahawks were in the Super Bowl? THIS YEAR, TEAM DENVER (the Rocky Mountain Synod) takes on TEAM CAROLINA (the North Carolina and South Carolina Synods) to see which group of fans can raise the most money to support ELCA World Hunger!
Celebrate your team making it to the "BIG GAME" and help tackle hunger. While the Panthers and Broncos are playing for football's ultimate prize, you can help in this epic battle. It will be SUPER easy to give a gift online and also check the progress! Give an online gift for TEAM DENVER!
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United in Orange invites canned goods!
You may also join in giving canned food items in a campaign challenge issued by the United Methodist Church.
Each drop-off site chooses the food pantry of their choice, and they will then email in their totals by noon on February 8. Each item is counted. Find a list of drop-off sites and more information here: http://unitedinorange.org. (But give your cash donations at the link for TEAM DENVER above!)
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Reports and Forms Due February 15, 2016
Annual Report Resources
We are "Better Together" and we are seeking some key ministry partners at the Lutheran Center
We are always looking ahead with new opportunities for volunteers and partners to share in ministry at the Rocky Mountain Synod Lutheran Center, located at 7375 Samuel Drive, 80221. Email Pastor Kent Mueller to partner with these opportunities:
LUTHERAN CENTER GARDEN
Four raised beds are in place ready to be prepared, planted, and tended throughout the growing season. The produce would be donated to the Growing Home ministry and food pantry. Could be a fun season-long opportunity for volunteers to take turns tending the garden.
GROWING HOME OVERNIGHT HOSTS
The basement at the RMS Lutheran Center serves periodically as a site for the Growing Home ministry for homeless families. It's now possible for a congregation to provide volunteers for meals and overnight housing for one or more nights at a time. If your congregation is seeking new ways to share the Love of Christ, please inquire how you can be of service.
PAINTING A VERY LONG FENCE
Looking for a youth or congregation service project? The west fence at the Lutheran Center will look better if it's not red! This would be a great Thrivent Action Grant project. Let me know if you can bring a group this spring and we'll get the funds for the paint!
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Our 2016 Synod Assembly will take place April 28-30 at the Embassy Suites in Loveland, Colorado. The packet was sent in the mail to every congregation president several weeks ago. The most important deadline for registration, nominations, resolutions, and more is MARCH 18. Additional informaiton about these areas will be posted in the near future.
Sign up for an assembly display table, ministry magazine page, or assembly table centerpiece
The deadline is March 18 for signed up for a display table, a ministry magazine page, and something new: a ministry-theme centerpiece! Sign up now!
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2016 Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM Bishop's Legislative Luncheon & Issues Briefing on Thursday, February 4
The Bishop's Legislative Luncheon will be at 12:30 pm in La Terraza at La Fonda Hotel (100 East San Francisco) on Thursday, February 4.
In order to help meet our growing expenses for this event, the cost of the luncheon has been increased to $35 per person. The cost is reduced to $30 when 4 or more people attend from your congregation or group. If you are only able to attend the morning Issues Briefing, the cost is $10. Deadline for reservations is January 31.
Please make reservations by calling the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM office at 505.984.8005 or sending an email to info@lutheranadvocacynm.org . More details in the NM section below.
Colorado Faith Advocacy Day is Saturday, Feb. 20 at Bethany Lutheran Church
Registration NOW OPEN for Colorado Faith Advocacy Day 2016!
This year's topic: "Income Inequality: Who Gets Left Behind?"
Come to Faith Advocacy Day to hear from legislators, policy experts and human services providers talk about what income inequality looks like in Colorado, and how citizens and people of faith are called to respond! Featuring keynote speaker Rep. Faith Winter, House District 32, and panelists from 9to5, Family Promise of Greater Denver, and the Colorado Fiscal Institute.
When: Saturday, February 20, 2016, 8:30am-2:30pm
Where: Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 E Hampden Ave
Cost: $30 regular, $15 student/low-income rate
Breakfast and lunch are included, and childcare is available. Registration table opens at 8:00am on the day of the event.
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IT'S HEALTH ASSESSMENT SEASON
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Rostered Leaders (and applicable spouses): Time to take the annual health assessment!
The start of a new year reminds Portico health plan members and spouses to take their health assessments by logging into their My Portico accounts. Completion of the assessment earns you $150 in wellness dollars, with the opportunity to earn $250 more in follow up activities. Taking the assessment also helps the synod reach its 65% participation goal, saving your congregation 1% in health contributions. When you have taken the assessment, log it here. If applicable, have your spouse take it and log it, too!
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Men's Retreat
April 22-24th, 2016
Lutheran Men In Mission - One Year to Live Retreat
Camp Santa Maria, Colorado
Retreats are a time away from our normal activities to spend time getting reacquainted with God, to examine the priorities of life and to make concrete and practical resolutions for improvement.
"One Year to Live is an opportunity for men to explore the difference their Christian faith can make in their lives as they relate to families, people at work and others in the Christian community. " The One Year to Live Retreat is a unique opportunity to experience spiritual and personal growth as part of a special fellowship of brothers." Those who attend with family members (fathers, sons, grandfathers) have especially meaningful experiences. One Year to Live is a retreat developed by Lutheran Men in Mission and Lyman Coleman. Designed to help a man discover who he is as a son of God, discern what his mission is, and empower him to live out that mission.
Contacts for this Retreat:
Herb Hergott 303-588-2856,
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Consider a fiscal year-end 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.
The RMS fiscal years ends January 31, so it's a great time to give!
Gifts may be given online, or send in a check made out to Rocky Mountain Synod. Gifts of appreciated stock are also welcome, providing a smart gifting strategy. Send an email to Kent Mueller to receive information about giving a gift of stock.
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Rostered leader transitions and openings
Rostered leaders include pastors, diaconal ministers, associates in ministry, and deaconesses. View the list of congregations in transition at this link on the new RMS website:
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No RMS Eucharist on Ash Wednesday
The RMS staff will be attending worship at a neighboring congregation on Ash Wednesday. Thus, no worship will take place at the Lutheran Center that Wednesday.
Other months, We invite you to join us the second Wednesday of each month for a staff/community Eucharist Service at 11:30 am at the Office of the Bishop. Email Maria Sutton if you are interested in leading worship!
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Non-rostered positions available
Nursery Assistant (part time)
Augustana Lutheran Church - Denver, Colorado
Administrative/Communications Assistant (Part-TIme)
All Saints Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Retreat Center Caretaker / Manager
Messiah Mountain Retreat Center
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RMS Earth Stewards encourages
study of climate change
 The RMS Earth Stewards Team recently heard a presentation from the Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL), http://citizensclimatelobby.org/about-ccl/ . CCL is requesting the Synod endorse two of CCL's position statements on climate change. The Earth Stewards Team believes the request is worthy of consideration, and plans to bring a resolution to the Assembly next April. We therefor are providing this information and encourage congregations to investigate further.
The Request: CCL is asking the Rocky Mountain Synod to endorse two statements: One focuses on the need for national legislation to address the climate crisis and the other for Congress to adopt the CCL policy proposal.
As preparation for discussion of this request at Assembly, churches are encouraged to arrange presentations from CCL volunteers regarding their work. Requests for presentations may be submitted to Denver CCL Volunteer, Kathleen Wells (kathleen.wells@case.edu), who will relay them to chapters throughout the region.
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Kick-Off your Lenten 40 Days of Giving
In 2016, ELCA World Hunger is extending an invitation to our congregations: Lift up the life-changing work of ELCA World Hunger through new levels of giving - spiritually, intellectually and financially - starting with Lent.
Beginning Sunday, Feb. 7, and extending through the season of Lent, congregations across the ELCA will join together to raise $2 million to benefit the ministries of ELCA World Hunger. This support will enable crucial work to get underway and help us kick-start our year-of-emphasis. Sign up now.
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Wyoming Junior High Retreat is March 11-13
All Wyoming Conference congregations are invited to participate in the 2nd annual Wyoming Conference Jr. High Retreat to be held March 11-13, 2016.
The retreat will be at Grace Lutheran in Casper. If you are interested in bringing your youth, contact Pastor Brenda at 307-258-6149. We will work together to plan our theme and schedule
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LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY
NEW MEXICO
2016 Bishop's Luncheon &
Issues Briefing: February 4
You are invited and urged to attend the 2016 Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM Bishop's Legislative Luncheon & Issues Briefing on Thursday, February 4.
PLEASE NOTE: This year, the morning Issues Briefing will be at the United Church (1804 Arroyo Chamiso, which is near Christ LutheranChurch). Registration and refreshments will begin at 9:00 am.
The Bishop's Legislative Luncheon will be at 12:30 pm in La Terraza at La Fonda Hotel (100 East San Francisco). In order to help meet our growing expenses for this event, the cost of the luncheon has been increased to $35 per person. The cost is reduced to $30 when 4 or more people attend from your congregation or group. If you are only able to attend the morning Issues Briefing, the cost is $10. Deadline for reservations is January 31. Please make reservations by calling the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM office at 505.984.8005 or sending an email to info@lutheranadvocacynm.org. After the luncheon, there will be a chance to visit the Roundhouse, contact your legislators and get acquainted with the capitol. Those who can join us for this opportunity will meetafter the luncheon at about 2:15 in the east lobby of the Roundhouse. See you on February 4!
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Urban Servant Corps benefits from your food and beverages at Berkeley Untapped in February
During the WHOLE MONTH of February, Berkeley Untapped (4267 Tennyson St.) is dedicated to benefiting Urban Servant Corps! Simply go to eat, drink, and be merry......and be SURE to tell your wait staff/bar tender that you are there to support USC and 20% of your bill will be donated to Urban Servant Corps! Did we mention it's for the WHOLE MONTH of February?! Gather with your co-workers, friends, family, neighbors , church folks any time all month long!
Urban Servant Corps Palm Sunday Prayer Walk
Palm Sunday Prayer Walk and Open House
Sunday, March 13 at 1pm
1660 Ogden St. Denver, CO 80218
 As Holy Week begins, you are invited to gather, learn, pray, and respond! Urban Servant Corps volunteers will lead walking tours around the neighborhood and placement sites where they serve to share more fully about the mission of Urban Servant Corps, a ministry of the Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA. Please join us!
You are encouraged to ask for "pledges" from friends, family, co-workers for this walk and bring those contributions with you on Palm Sunday! This is an event designed to share about the ministry of Urban Servant Corps and to ask for support in working to fulfill its mission! We are grateful to have Bishop Gonia join us for this event!
Piano Concert in Loveland is Jan 29
Gary Schmidt is the church musician at Bethel Lutheran Church, Windsor, Colorado. He is presenting an "Evening with the Classics" on Friday, January 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rialto Theatre, 228 E. 4th Street, Loveland.
The concert will feature well-loved piano classics by Bach, Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninoff and other. Tickets are $15, ($12 seniors/students). Available from the box office at 970-962-2120.
Tool for premarital and married couples: Enrich
Prepare/Enrich Facilitator Training is being offered on Friday, January 29, 2016, 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.
Iliff Innovation: Serving the Military
Thursday February 25, 2016 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM MST
Cliff of Theology, Shattuck Hall
2323 East Iliff Avenue
Denver, CO 80210
Come and learn about this amazing place called Iliff - a place where students studying faith and social justice have been transformed since 1892. Join the Iliff community for an evening of learning about Iliff from students, staff, trustees and faculty members, Zachary Moon and Carrie Doerhing - highlighting Iliff's expanding programs for military chaplains and others serving the military, veterans and their families.
Click on RSVP and complete your response by February 19.
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