PRAYERS
Prayers for Pastor Wolfgang Stahlberg, recovering in Germany

Pastor Wolfgang Stahlberg continues to recover from surgery after a serious aortic aneurysm. Signs this week look hopeful! Pastor Liliana Stahlberg is so very appreciative of your prayers!

Prayer of the Day

Eternal God, your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Help us to hear your word and obey it, and bring your saving love to fruition in our lives, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

CONGREGATIONS
THIS WEEK
  
Bishop Jim Gonia
  • LFS meeting with Episcopal Delegation
  • LFS RM Board Meeting
  • First, Burlington
  • CU Boulder: panel on 'Work"
  • All Staff Meeting
Pastor Ron Roschke 
  • Western Regions Campus Ministry Consultation Los Alto, CA
  • All Staff Meeting
  • Campus Ministry Interfaith Panel on Vocation, Boulder CO
Pastor Sarah Moening 
  • Transitions Work
  • 1st 3rd of Life meeting
  • Atonement, Denver
  • All Staff Meeting
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
  • Mission Developer/Re developer Training
  • All Staff Meeting
Pastor Kent Mueller  
  • RMS Administration
  • Advent, Westminster, Council Retreat

  • All Staff meeting

Erin Power, Diaconal Minister
  • Assembly Planning
  • All Staff Meeting
Ruth Hoffman - 
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, NM  
  • NM Conference of Churches Board
  • Health Care for All Coalition
  • All Staff Meeting
Peter Severson- Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, CO
  • Legislative Hearings
  • Bishop Gonia, Opening prayer at CO House of Reps (2/26)
  • CSLC Noon Meeting
  • All Staff 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
 


 

  

 
Council emails requested for Strategic Planning survey

In January the Synod Council took steps forward with our strategic planning process.
There will be opportunities to share your perspectives through surveys, Synod Assembly, and invitations to connect with your Synod Council representative and Conference leadership. To gather a wide range of voices, our first task is to obtain names and email addresses of your Congregation Council members. Each church council is asked to submit that information by February 25. 

Check if your congregation has submitted email addresses 


Email addresses will be used for the strategic planning process and for RMS communication. (An unsubscribe button is at the bottom of every email newsletter!)
___________________________________

Also... please complete these now even though it's after the deadline...

Synod council can't plan well with responsible fiscal leadership without now how much Mission Support congregations will be sharing for our ministry: better together!



2016 SYNOD ASSEMBLY

Youth Presence at Synod Assembly!

High school youth are encouraged to attend the assembly, either as a voting member or a visitor. Congregations who bring youth as a visitor cost is $150. This covers food and part of a room if they want to stay with other youth.  Covenants and other important information will be posted on the assembly website soon!
  • Special events just for youth:
  • Reception and orientation Thursday evening following worship
  • Lunch with Mikka McCracken, Program Director for World Hunger & our ELCA Church Wide Representative
  • Meeting with representatives from CLU/PLTS
  • Other fellowship opportunities hosted by the Youth Discipleship Team                                                                  
Youth voting members should be registered as a "voting member;" youth visitors should select the "youth visitor" option.  If your youth would like to stay with other youth, please email Korra Looschen: [email protected] to reserve a hotel space.  

**Adult chaperones needed**
We are in need of a handful of caring adults who are willing to stay in the youth rooms on the pull-out couch. A good option for voting members looking to save costs on hotel room, or those interested in attending as visitors.  Please email Korra Looschen if you are willing to serve in this way.
                                                                                
Encourage youth to attend so they, too, can be part of "church better together"!

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! Assembly information is at http://rmselca.org/assembly.

NOMINATIONS 

Open positions and nomination information is posted online
, along with the nomination form. The nomination deadline is also March 16. Nominations are needed for these positions:

SYNOD COUNCIL:

(4 year term unless otherwise noted)
Border (Vote for 1)
               Lay Female
Boulder/Broomfield (Vote for 1)
               
Clergy
Metro West - (Vote for 1)
               Lay Male
Southeast Colorado (Vote for 1)
               Lay Female
Wyoming  (Vote for 1)
               Lay Male
at Large Clergy (Vote for 1)
               Clergy
Youth 2 year term (Age 15-17)(Vote for 1)
               Male or Female
 
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES:

CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRIES BOARD
(4 year term unless otherwise noted)
Utah Lay or Clergy (Vote for 1)
at Large Lay or Clergy (Vote for 1)
 
COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINE
(6 year term unless otherwise noted)
at Large Lay Female (Vote for 2)
at Large Lay Male (Vote for 2)
at Large Clergy (Vote for 2)
 
CONSULTATION COMMITTEE
(6 year term unless otherwise noted)
at Large Lay (Vote for 2)
at Large Clergy (Vote for 2)


RESOLUTIONS AND MEMORIALS

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

DISPLAYS, MINISTRY MAGAZINE, 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 

ASSEMBLY INFORMATION PACKET
 
ASSEMBLY VIDEO PROJECT

We will be weaving together submitted videos of people throughout the Rocky Mountain Synod singing the song: "Oh Sing to the Lord." A link to a piano version of the song is posted at http://rmselca.org/assembly-video-project  so you may hear it to get the melody and tempo. It's hymn 822 in ELW. Metronome tempo of 70 beats per minute.

Go to http://www.webmetronome.com
 for metronome tempo. Be creative with the song as you sing it. Feel free to submit just a couple verses, or the whole thing, in English, or Spanish! Submit your videos in one of two ways. Upload them to a Dropbox account and send a share link to Kent ([email protected]) or send on a flash drive or disk to Kent at RMS, 7375 Samuel Drive, Denver 80221. We will return your flash drive. Deadline is April 1 for video submissions. 

ASSEMBLY REGISTRATION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are in need of 5-6 volunteers to assist with registration.  Volunteers will need to be able to meet 1 week prior to assembly to help assemble registration materials (at the Office of the Bishop) and then be present on Thursday, April 28th from 10am- 4pm (Embassy Suites Loveland).  If available your presence would be a welcomed gift on Friday as well.  Please contact Erin Power if you are interested in serving in this way.    

ASSEMBLY CHILD CARE TEAM NEEDED

We are looking for at least 2 people to provide child care Thursday-Saturday of the assembly.  Assembly begins at 2pm on Thursday and ends by noon on Saturday.  Interested people should meet Safe Haven.
MARCH LANDSCAPE IS READY TO SHARE
Reprint & share the March 2016 Landscape newsletter
 
The March 2016 Landscape one-page newsletter was mailed to every congregation. You may also use the electronic version and share the link:


 
ELCA GRACE GATHERING


Concurrent with the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, come to the GRACE GATHERING August 10-13 in New Orleans

People from across the ELCA will see the assembly in action, participate in bible study and service learning with the voting members, see the work we do together as the ELCA, and worship with thousands of Lutherans.

The Grace Gathering begins at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, August 10 and concludes at 10:30 on Saturday, August 13. Participants will join with voting members for plenary sessions and worship as well as have their own workshops and events.
Many of the workshops have to do with Reformation history and relevance, planning local Reformation observances as well as Lutheranism today.

Register for the Grace Gathering at http://ELCA.org/GraceGathering. 

This is an important component of the ELCA Reformation observance. Share the word of invitation with others!


TO THE POINT
Lutheran Youth Choir International invites auditions for summer program

Based in the Chicago, Illinois, area at Faith Lutheran Church in Glen Ellyn, the choir has formed eight times for 10- 14 days in the summertime: four times for a North American tour or festival, and four times for a tour or festival in Germany. The general age of our students ranges from 14 to 19 years old (entering grade 9 through graduating grade 12), and we usually have a choir of 20-30 singers, counting both Americans and Germans. Some are returning students but many are new each year. Participants do not need to be Lutheran or able to speak German, nor do they need to be members of a choir at church or at school. Everyone selected receives scholarship assistance. More information at www.lutheranyouthchoir.org or email [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.


ELCA STEWARDCAST
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.

You can register online, and the deadline has been extended to midnight on Tuesday, February 23. 

Shortly before the event a link will be emailed to participants.

IT'S HEALTH ASSESSMENT SEASON
It's not about the money... it's about making positive, healthy change

Rostered Leaders (and applicable spouses): Time to take the annual health assessment!

As of February 1, 37 rostered leaders with Portico medical insurance have taken the 2016 Health Assessment!  Thank you!  Just 109 more to reach our goal resulting in a 1% discount on medical costs.  And YOU receive free money!

Take the 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,  


DEATH PENALTY AND THE FAITH PERSPECTIVE



Death Penalty and the Faith Perspective: New resource for study
 
The death penalty has been a source of much controversy here in Colorado over the last several years. Now, there is a quality resource for the faith community to study this issue from the faith perspective. A four session presentation /discussion video study featuring among the top faith leaders in Colorado can be downloaded at no cost. Bishop Gonia is one of the faith leaders. Although the presenters are Colorado faith leaders, the study is not Colorado specific.
 
Use the link below to watch a 2 1/2 minute video explaining the video study series: https://youtu.be/V4HVkJfG_D8
 
You can download the study series at no cost at this link www.doingjusticellc.com
 

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:

Monthly RMS Eucharist

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
CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY


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




COLORADO
Pastor Matthew is featured in the "Men Can Cook" benefit dinner

Saturday, March 12, 2016, at 6 p.m. is the Holy Love Lutheran Church "Men Can Cook Too" dinner to Benefit Courtney Doell, a 16 year old heart transplant, recipient.  While the surgery has gone well, she will be on heart rejection drugs the rest of her life. The copay for those drugs is $2500 per month, so they are trying to help offset some of those costs.  Courtney's dad is a Denver Police Officer. Holy Love invites congregations to give special gifts as well. Among the entree selections, Chef Pastor Matthew will be serving his famous Boulder Vegan Pot Pie! Info and tickets:  Phone: (303) 690-2428 or E-mail: [email protected]

Learn more about Courtney's story.  Holy Love is at 4210 South Chambers Road Aurora, CO 80014. A dinner ticket costs $10 ($5 for age 12 and under).
 


Family & Faith Game presented by Thrivent Financial and Colorado Eagles Hockey:


Fellowship of Recovering Lutheran Clergy Retreat

A retreat of the Fellowship of Recovering Lutheran Clergy will take place April 25-28, 2016, at the Highlands Presbyterian Camp &  Retreat Center. The agenda is a discussion of the Twelve Steps, fellowship, worship, and prayer. Cost depends on the housing arrangements. For information and registration, please contact Bohdan Vadis at 858-560-8688 or email: 
[email protected]

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.



Issues of Race & Mass Incarceration




Why Work? [an interfaith conversation on the meaning of career]

Join Lutheran Campus Ministry at CU as they host a community meal and interfaith panel discussion to explore the role that career/work plays in a life of faith. Panelists include our very own Bishop Jim Gonia, Rabbi Marc Soloway, Sreedevi Bringi, and Giovannina Jobson. The event will take place Tuesday March 1 at 6:00 pm at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Boulder.  All are welcome!  For more information check out our Facebook event.


Criminal justice speakers available on May 15 for your congregation

One of New Beginnings' Partners in Ministry is Prison Congregations of America (PCA).  Their next board meeting will be on May 15 in Denver.  The board, that is quite fluent on the subject of Criminal Justice from a faith perspective, has offered themselves to area congregations that Sunday.   
 
There are four ordained pastors, and one lay leader who also can do pulpit supply. Additionally, two lay leaders would be happy to lead an Adult Forum on Criminal Justice, the work of PCA, and how New Beginnings fits into that model in our synod. If you are interested in having one of these as a guest in your congregation on May 15c0j, please email Pastor Terry Schjang at



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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 
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 20 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!