Prayers for Pastor Wolfgang Stahlberg, recovering in Germany
Pastor Wolfgang Stahlberg retired from Messiah Lutheran Church in Denver, CO, the last Sunday of February and immediately traveled to Germany to visit his ailing mother. He underwent an 8-hour surgery yesterday for an aortic aneurism. He received timely medical attention, and he is recovering at an excellent hospital in Germany. His wife, Pastor Liliana Stahlberg, Highlands Lutheran Church, Denver, CO, is traveling to be with him today
Our loving prayers surround Wolfgang and his family, as well as Lilliana as she travels.
Prayer of the Day
Almighty and ever-living God, you hate nothing you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and honest hearts, so that, truly repenting of our sins, we may receive from you, the God of all mercy, full pardon and forgiveness through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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.
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| CONGREGATIONS |
RMS Prayer Cycle
BORDER CONFERENCE
2/14
Our Savior,NM
Kristi Koppel
Peace Las Cruces, NM
Jared Carson
Laura Carson
Peace, El Paso TX
Dalene Rogers (Interim)
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- Faith Formation
- Prince of Peace, Logan
Pastor Ron Roschke
- Candidacy Manual orientation, Chicago IL
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Transitions Work
- Faith Formation
- Christ, Cheyenne
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
- Cristo Rey, Denver, CO
- Well of Hope, Castle Pines
- Aurora Ministry Strategy
- Iglesia Lutheran Jesus de Nazaret
- Lutheran/Episcopal Latino Strategy
Pastor Kent Mueller
- RMS Environmental Stewards WebEx
- RMS Administration
- Highlands Lutheran Church, Denver, CO
Erin Power, Diaconal Minister
- All Saints, Austin, CO
- Assembly Planning
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, NM
- Legislative session
- Staff meeting
Peter Severson- Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, CO
- Legislative Hearings
- No Slavery, No Exceptions kickoff
- Faith Advocacy Day 2016 preparation
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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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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!
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.
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Double win for the Broncos! The ELCA World Hunger Challenge raised an incredible $70,293!!
Team Denver: $35,621
Team Carolina: $34,672
Thanks to your generosity and outpouring of gifts, the ministries supported through World Hunger are the real winners!
Gifts to ELCA World Hunger go to work here in the Rocky Mountain Synod through our 2 Advocacy Ministries: Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO and Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM. To see how your gifts are working around the globe, watch DIKO-Marie's Story:
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Reports and Forms Due February 15, 2016
Annual Report Resources
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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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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 carmenandraymond@gmail.com
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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, skbeebe@vail.net or Brian Bergum, pastorb@lordofthevalley.org 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.
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ELCA stewardCast: Why Mission and Giving Saturday, February 27, 2016
As church together we face the challenges of current culture and world issues while striving for a deeper understanding of what the resurrection of Jesus Christ means today. Addressing these circumstances is not a financial issue, but spiritual. We are energized by the opportunity to engage in lively conversation about our faith and life, both individually and as a community of believers.
This online event invites and encourages us to do so in our role as stewards. The webcast will inspire and connect current and new steward leaders with fresh perspectives and skills.
Begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m.
Register by February 12. Shortly before the event a link will be emailed to participants.
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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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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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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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Rainbow Tail Confirmation Camp
Just a reminder: deposits for your youth going to one of the Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp Confirmation Camps are due February 15th. Your kids can either register online or you can send in a check with their paper registrations. If you want to check which of your kids are already registered, contact Sara and she can give you your list. If you see there being issues meeting this deadline, please call the Canon City office at
719-276-5233 and ask for Sara. RTLC will work with you, but they need to hear from you! Thanks!
If your congregation is not signed up for a Rainbow Trail Confirmation Camp week but would like to join a week, there is still some space in the July 17-23, 2016 Confirmation week. Contact Sara at 719-276-5233 for details and to reserve your spots!
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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. "
Contacts for this Retreat:
Herb Hergott 303-588-2856,
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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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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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Inter-Faith Alliance welcomes Pope Francis to El Paso on February 17
The El Paso and Southern New Mexico Inter-Faith Alliance, representatives of the diverse and vibrant faith traditions of the borderlands, welcome His Holiness Pope Francis to the El Paso/Ju�rez border area on February 17. At a time when our world seems overcome by fear and violence, Pope Francis comes to us as a spiritual pilgrim of mercy and peace. We stand in need of moral voices that call us to our better selves, to deeper solidarity, and to a firmer commitment to build a better world. Pope Francis has powerfully denounced the indifference that divides us, and awakened the conscience of women and men of all faiths to work together to promote a genuine culture of encounter.
Catholic representatives said that El Paso is prepared for the influx of people that will come for the papal visit across the border and is ready to celebrate the "Two Nations, One Faith" event at the Sun Bowl on Feb. 17 in honor of Pope Francis.
It will be the first time a pope visits the El Paso-Ju�rez area. The pontiff will fly into Ju�rez and is expected to visit Cereso prison, meet with workers and then celebrate a Mass at the border. Some 450,000 people from both sides of the border are expected to be at the Mass to be held at the Ju�rez fairgrounds and on streets along the route to his stops in the city, officials have said.
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".
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A Weekend with Walter Brueggemann
February 26, 27, 28, 2016
Join preeminent Hebrew Bible scholar, prolific author, and prophetic theologian, Walter Brueggemann, as he challenges us to consider our culture of fear and anxiety and the ways they break down the practice of neighborliness. Together, we'll explore his new book, Journey to the Common Good, in which he brings together contemporary cultural analysis with challenging biblical insights, and offers a hopeful roadmap for our shared human journey.
SOUTHEAST COLORADO CONFERENCE WOMEN'S GATHERING 2016
Saturday April 16, 2016 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Library 21c
1175 Chapel Hills Drive Colorado Springs, CO
Featuring Pastor Tim Bettger, Linda Slothower, the "Revelators"
Conference materials "The Return of the Prodigal Son: A story of Homecoming" available for purchase for $5.00
e-mail ralphelen@gmail.com for copy or check out at your local library or book store.
Registration fee of $45 includes two meals.
Women ages 15-30 may attend free when accompanied by a registered guest!
Register by 4/1/16 on line here you could also email carolyngardner@live.com or mail to: Carolyn Gardner, 1055 Golden Street, Calhan, CO 80808
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!
Healthy Marriage Workshop Opportunity
at Bethany February 13, 9 am � 4:30 pm
Are you looking for a unique gift for Valentine�s Day, or a fun way to invest in your spouse? The Center for Relationship Education invites you to participate in your best marriage investment yet. Join us for a Healthy Marriage Workshop on Saturday, February 13 from 9:00 a.m. � 4:30 p.m. The workshop will take place in the Great Hall at Bethany Lutheran Church, Cherry Hills Village. We are fortunate to have Larry and Vicky Daub, Bethany members, facilitating this experience. They are part of a team whose combined reach has impacted over 10,000 Colorado couples over the last 5 years through the work of The Center for Relationship Education.
Workshop cost is $75.00, however, Bethany members will get the gift of a $15.00 discount using the code BETHANY15 at registration. Childcare will be provided. Singles are welcome. Registration cost for individuals is $37.50. Use the coupon code BETHANY15 at registration to save 20%. Please plan to bring your lunch or purchase one at a nearby restaurant during the lunch break. Whether you are engaged, married, or looking to have a healthy marriage someday, this event will protect and renew the quality of your connection. Sign up at www.myrelationshipcenter.org, or call 720-488-8888. For further questions, please contact Janet Mortinsen at janet@bethany-denver.org or call 303-300-3317.
Iliff Innovation: Serving the Military
Thursday February 25, 2016 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM MST
Iliff School 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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