PRAYERS
Prayer of the Day

Holy God, mighty and immortal, you are beyond our knowing, yet we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Transform us into the likeness of your Son, who renewed our humanity so that we may share in his divinity, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.


Ordination February 6
 
Jasmine Lee Tesdahl has been called by Faith Lutheran Church in Cuba City, Wisconsin, as their Pastor, and by First English Lutheran Church in Platteville, Wisconsin, as their Associate Pastor.  

Her Ordination is February 6 2016, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Longmont, CO, at 11:00 am. Rostered leaders are invited to vest and process, the color red. Bishop Mary Froiland, of the South Central Synod of Wisconsin of the ELCA will be presiding.

Consecration and Installation February 21
 
Mary Stoneback will be consecrated and installed as a Diaconal Minister of Faith Formation on Sunday February 21 at 5 pm at Ascension Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs. All ordained, consecrated and commissioned ministers are invited to process. The color of the day is purple.


CONGREGATIONS
THIS WEEK
  
Bishop Jim Gonia
  • NM Conference Retreat
  • New Mexico Advocacy Bishop's Luncheon
  • Native Ministries Meeting-Holy Cross, Albuquerque NM
  • Faith Formation
     Extravaganza-Anaheim, CA
Pastor Ron Roschke 
  • Candidacy Consultations
  • Preach and do a Global Mission Workshop-Christ the King Durango,CO
  • RMS Global Mission WebEx
Pastor Sarah Moening 
  • Transitions Work
  • Church Development Institute Utah
  • Elim, Ogden, UT
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
  • New Mexico Advocacy Bishop's Luncheon
  • Native Ministries Meeting-Holy Cross, Albuquerque, NM
  • Cristo Rey, Denver, CO
Pastor Kent Mueller  
  • Shepherd of the Mountains, Estes Park, CO
  • RMS Administration
  • Transitions Work
  • Strategic Plan Coordination
Erin Power, Diaconal Minister
  • Assembly Planning
Ruth Hoffman - 
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, NM  
  • Medicaid Advisory Committee
  • Bishop's Luncheon & Issues Briefing
  • Legislative session
Peter Severson- Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, CO
  • Atonement, Boulder, CO
  • Interfaith Alliance Day at the Capitol
  • CSLC Noon Meeting

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CONGREGATIONS
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
 


 

  

 
Assembly Registration
Deadline is March 16


Registration is now available online for the 2016 Synod Assembly, which is April 28 to 30 at the Embassy Suites in Loveland, Colorado.  Please review the FRIDAY late afternoon EXCURSIONS before registering. Some options have limited space so don't wait to register!
 
Open positions and nomination information is posted online, along with the nomination form. The nomination deadline is also March 16.

The process for submitting resolutions and memorials is also available on line.  The deadline is March 16.

Pre-assembly materials include the important deadlines.

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!  Each organization or ministry is invited to create a ready-to-use page, submitted as a .pdf ideally, or Word document. The page should "tell a story" and include photos and graphics.
 
Check out the website link for all of the assembly information and forms:  http://rmselca.org/assembly 
 
___________________________________

WORLD HUNGER CHALLENGE:
BRONCOS CHALLENGE THE PANTHERS!

Team Denver is now on top with $6,985 in donations to World Hunger, Team Carolina is at $5,450! Let's keep it that way! The goal is $25,000 each!
 
The challenge is to see which group of fans can raise the most money to support ELCA World Hunger!

Give an online gift for TEAM DENVER!
Give an online gift for TEAM CAROLINA!

Gifts to ELCA World Hunger make a difference! For example, the work to eradicate Malaria is expanding to Madagascar, the home of our companion synods. This project, alone, is estimated to benefit more than 38,000 people in Madagascar!

___________________________________

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.

TO THE POINT
Nicaragua trip needs Spanish translators
Lord of the Valley Lutheran Church in Granby, Colorado is in need of volunteers for their Mission Nicaragua Team which will travel to Somoto, Nicaragua in late June for 10 days. They are looking for 2-3 people who have fluency in Spanish and could serve as translators. One will work with a children's ministry. The other(s) would work in one of the medical/dental clinics. The cost is $1500 (travel, meals, lodging) and scholarships may be available. If interested, or for more information contact Carmen Covington, RN, at 970-531-2857 or email her at [email protected]


Ski Days for RMS Rostered Leaders:
Feb 25 and Mar 10
 
Two opportunities for winter fellowship on the slopes are offered for RMS Rostered Leaders. Thursday, February 25 at Vail and Thursday, March 10 at Winter Park. Contact Scott Beebe, [email protected] or Brian Bergum,  [email protected] if you are interested in either of these gatherings.

"Wondering Creatively" Webinar: February 11

The first 2016 FREE Practice Discipleship Initiative webinars is Thursday, February 11 at noon Mountain time. 

Webinar Description:
Virtually every one of us is creative as a child, but as we grow older we often lose a sense of that wonder and freedom that comes with creativity. In this session we will re-imagine the concept of creativity, and through hands-on explorations rediscover and reignite God's creative presence and vision for our lives. Register now.




2016 SYNOD ASSEMBLY


Pre-assembly materials include important deadlines

Download and view the pre-assembly packet.

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!

SYNOD EVENTS
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 [email protected] . More details in the NM section below.

Colorado Faith Advocacy Day is Saturday, Feb. 20 at Bethany Lutheran Church

register now(link is external)

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.


40 DAYS OF GIVING



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.

IT'S HEALTH ASSESSMENT SEASON
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!
LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION
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. "  
 
For brochures and registration:
www.lutheranmeninmission.org/events/oytl or here
 
Contacts for this Retreat:
Randy McNitt  303-910-4008, 
Email:
[email protected]

Herb Hergott   303-588-2856,  


WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER!

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.


OUR LIFE TOGETHER

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:

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!  
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
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

RMS EARTH STEWARDS TEAM
RMS Earth Stewards encourages
study of climate change

Eco-Justice logo 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 ([email protected]), who will relay them to chapters throughout the region.



WYOMING
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

UTAH
NEW MEXICO / TEXAS

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 [email protected].

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!


Solidarity Response Team
formed at Peace Lutheran, El Paso

In response to discussion and reflection on internalized racism in their adult education classes, a group of members of Peace Lutheran, El Paso have created a "Solidarity Response Team." The Solidarity Team decided that it was important for the Church to respond whenever a particular group of people in El Paso are being denigrated because of their skin color, religion, language, immigration status, etc. 

A contact information list has been created to notify the Team members when a response is needed. The group feels this response moves from intellectual theological reflection to putting the Gospel into action, consistent with "God's Work, Our Hands".

COLORADO

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!




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.