Installations
On Sunday April 10, at 3:00 pm
Pastor Chad Kohlmeyer will be installed as the lead pastor at Atonement Lutheran Church in Boulder, CO. Everyone is welcome! Rostered leaders: the color of the day will be white. 685 Inca Pkwy, Boulder, CO 80303.
On Sunday April 24, at 3:00 pm
Pastor Ann Hultquist will be installed as the pastor of Augustana Lutheran Church in Denver, CO. Everyone is welcome! Rostered leaders: the color of the day will be white. 5000 E Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80246.
On Saturday, May 14, at 5:00 pm, Pastors Breonna and Ryan Roberts will be installed as the pastors of St. Luke Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, NM. Everyone is welcome! Rostered leaders: the color of the day will be white or red (yet to be determined). 9100 Menaul Blvd., NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112.
Prayer of the Day
Eternal and all-merciful God, with all the angels and all the saints we laud your majesty and might. By the resurrection of your Son, show yourself to us and inspire us to follow Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
|
| CONGREGATIONS |
RMS Prayer Cycle
WYOMING CONFERENCE
4/10
St Paul's Cheyenne, WY
Trinity Laramie, WY
Rachel Larson
Trinity Evanston, WY
|
|
|
Bishop Jim Gonia
- Candidacy Committee
- Chad Kohlmeyer Installation
- Rainbow Trail-Youth Leader's Retreat
Pastor Ron Roschke
- Candidacy Committee meeting
- Lilly Endowment grant development
- First Call Theological Education, Sacramento CA
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Transitions Work
- North Colorado Conference Council Workshop
- Messiah, Denver
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
- Cristo Rey, Denver
- Well of Hope, Castle Pines
- Our Saviors, Denver
- HKBP, Indonesian, Batak, Denver CO
- Rejoice, Erie, CO
Pastor Kent Mueller
- Assembly Projects
- Transitions Administration
Erin Power, Diaconal Minister
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, NM
- NM Coalition to End Homelessness
- Congregation & Synodical Mission Unit meeting
Peter Severson- Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, CO
- Legislative Committee hearings
- Urban Servant Corps, Day at the Capitol
- Churchwide CSM All Staff Meeting, Chicago, IL
|
| 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
|
|
 |
|
In Colorado Springs
Sharing together in grief, prayer,
and the hope of the resurrection
Four congregations in Colorado Springs, Colorado, extended an invitation to the wider community to gather together at Christ the King Lutheran Church after a beloved young high school student was murdered by her own father.
Pastor Rev. Michael Tassler of Grace Lutheran Church says, "It's incomprehensible. It's just a shock. Lots of tears, lots of talking, lots of hugging. Lots of wondering and questioning." Nearly 100 people gathered at Christ the King Lutheran Church to mourn the teen's death. Police say Wolf was shot and killed by her father Robert while she was traveling with him on spring break. He later took his own life... The local Lutheran churches came together to host the vigil for students and their families. Mourners were able to express themselves by drawing and coloring, writing postcards to God and memorial notes, and prayer using knots of yarn and candles. "Human beings thrive when they are together," says Tassler, "whether it's to celebrate their joys or in incomprehensible times of sadness, to share their grief as well. I think there's strength that we have when we join together." The vigil took place Sunday evening. It was planned after Pastor Tassler and Pastor Carrie Baylis, First, started talking about what response the faith communities might have. They discovered that four of our congregations have members who are students at Air Academy. They quickly contacted Mary Stoneback, Diaconal Minister, and Ascension was on board. They then contacted Pastor Mark Meyer at Christ the King, which is in the immediate neighborhood of AAHS, and they agreed to host the vigil. More than 100 attended. "This is strictly for the community," said Christ the King Lutheran pastor Mark Meyer. "It gives them an opportunity to reflect, pray and support each other."
|
Not too late for assembly registration
The registration deadline has passed for the 2016 Synod Assembly, which is April 28 to 30 at the Embassy Suites in Loveland, Colorado. But you may still register late. Please review the FRIDAY late afternoon EXCURSIONS before registering. Assembly information is at http://rmselca.org/assembly. Late registrations will not be received after Thursday, April 21
Note that the Embassy Suites hotel is now sold out. Please make arrangements at a neighboring hotel.
|
Strategic Planning Survey:
We invite your response by April 18
At the direction of the Rocky Mountain Synod Council, we as a synod have entered into a time of discernment and strategic planning for the future of our life together. Your feedback is important, and your participation in our survey will help shape our future. All responses will be compiled by a third party and reported anonymously to the leadership of the Synod. We invite responses and opinions from every corner of our vast geography that comprises the Rocky Mountain Synod. Please submit your survey response by April 18. Thank you!
|
|
2016 Churchwide Assembly: attend as Congregation Observer or a "Grace Gathering" participant
Each congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America may register with the secretary of this church one congregation observer for the Churchwide Assembly prior to May 31. The assembly takes place in New Orleans August 8-13, 2016. Transportation costs, housing, other meals, and related expenses are the responsibility of the registered observer or sending congregation.
The registration fee for congregation observers is $100. Please note the meal package is not included in the registration fee, but may be purchased separately when registering. Online registration will open in April at www.elca.org/churchwideassembly. Please contact the assembly hotline at 800-638-3522 ext 2911 or the registrar via email to CWARegistrar@elca.org if you have any questions.
Or, attend portions of the assembly as well as other companion events and workshops as a part of the ELCA Grace Gathering, overlapping some of the assembly dates. More information at https://www.elca.org/gracegathering .
|
DISCERNMENT WORKSHOP
Singing God's Song as a Rostered Leader
Would you like to know more about ways in which you can serve God as a rostered leader in the church? A workshop will take place during the Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly on April 29 from 4-7 pm which will give you an opportunity to learn about how a person becomes a rostered leader in the ELCA. You do not need to be attending the Assembly to come to the workshop, which will be at the Embassy Suites in Loveland.
During the workshop, you will find out about the different forms of rostered leadership and have an opportunity to meet leaders who are already serving the church and hear their stories. If you'd like to attend, please email Janice Ladd-Horkey by April 22
|
|
IT'S HEALTH ASSESSMENT SEASON
|
Portico Primary Health Plan Members:
Final, final, final deadline is April 30 when the assembly is happening. Do it now instead!
Rostered Leaders (and applicable spouses): Time to take the annual health assessment!
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!
|
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!
|
Non-rostered positions available
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: Want to work in a fun and dynamic environment? Want to help people use their God-given gifts? To help our ministries grow and the people of KOG to connect? King of Glory, Arvada, is hiring a Volunteer Coordinator, approx. 5 hrs/wk. If you are interested, the complete job description is on the front page of our website, www.kog-arvada.org. Please contact Pastor Todd, kogpastor@me.com, for more information or to apply.
|
|
|
Elim welcomes Day of Prayer speaker
On Sunday, April 10, the Rev. Ron Flessner, Utah State Coordinator for the National Day of Prayer Task Force (NDP TF) will present a short talk about the National Day of Prayer during the 10:00 a.m. worship service at Elim Lutheran Church, 575 - 23rd Street, Ogden, Utah.
The National Day of Prayer will be May 5, 2016. A display about NDP may be seen during the coffee hour after the worship service in Elim's Fellowship Hall. Interested members of the public are invited. For more information, please call Elim's office at 801-394-5543, or the National Day of Prayer Task Force - Utah office at 435-760-5412.
From Salt Lake City to El Paso: Better Together
Sunday's Mexican fiesta to support Juan de Dios at Zion, Salt Lake City, raised $1227
Lopez in seminary study! From Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Salt Lake City to Cristo Rey Lutheran in El Paso, as our Bishop Jim Gonia never tires of saying, "We are Church. Better together."
|
|
|
Service! Intentional Community! Simplicity! Spirituality!
Urban Servant Corps is a year-long, full-time volunteer program that allows for personal growth and professional development -- if you (or someone you know) are asking, "what's next?!" this could be the answer you are looking for!
Urban Servant Corps volunteers live in intentional community with other full time volunteers and serve at a non-profit organization providing direct service. Food, housing, healthinsurance, a monthly stipend and an annual "growth and development" allotment are provided.
Are you dedicated to social justice and a simpler way of life? Do you hope to explore your faith? Do you want to gain experience in the non-profit/service field? Come to Urban Servant Corps! Apply at www.urbanservantcorps.org
Discovering God's Economy Toolkit: April 19 Workshop
TOOLKIT is a one-day workshop that helps church leaders imagine how they could use FINANCE AS A TOOL FOR SOCIAL CHANGE. It is a great, mind expanding, empowering experience. It is happening in downtown Denver on April 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $299.
TOOLKIT is a fully participatory workshop, where you bring your issues and your faith commitments and have a structured way to practice designing solutions at the intersection of faith and finance. You will come away with a new understanding of the systems of finance, a deck of cards that clearly explain financial terms and concepts, and several strategies on how you can lever the system of finance as a tool to for the social change you'd like to see in the world. More information at this link
New Resource for Congregational Discussion of Death Penalty
The death penalty has been a source of much controversy in recent years. A new, high-quality resource is now available for the faith community to study this issue from the faith perspective. This four session video study features some of the top faith leaders in Colorado (including Rocky Mountain Synod Bishop Jim Gonia) and can be downloaded for free. Although the presenters are Colorado faith leaders, the study is not Colorado-specific.
May God bless the groups in your congregation as they explore this important moral issue.
Rev. Dr. Jim Ryan
Doing Justice, LLC
Emotional Intelligence Workshop is May 2-6 in Woodland Park, CO
The Center for Emotional Intelligence and Human Relations Training Presents their core Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Humans Relations (HR) workshop May 2 thru 6, 2016, located at Cathedral Ridge, Woodland Park, CO. It is recommended for all faith-based leaders seeking to maximize their potential in their ministry settings! For more information go to the EQ-HR website>Our Workshops and Upcoming Events at
Rising Star Organ Recital at First, Colorado Springs
Sunday, April 10, 3:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
First Lutheran Church, 1515 N. Cascade Ave.
The Colorado Springs Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will present Madeleine Woodworth in a Rising Star organ recital. The program will include works by Bach, Widor, Franck and Dupr�. Madeleine is a sophomore at the Eastman School of Music, studying organ with Nathan J. Laube. In addition to giving performances in the Rochester area, Madeleine sings in the Christ Church Schola Cantorum and the Eastman Chorale. She belongs to the professional music fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota and recently won first place in the 2015 Great Lakes Regional Competition for Young Organists. This event is free of charge. For more information contact Joan Kuehn or Eric Wicks at (719) 632-8836
ACRONYM, PTSD Film Showing at Bethany April 10
Steffan Tubbs, the morning host on KOA, created a multi-generational documentary film on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD titled "ACRONYM" to increase awareness of the common thread of PTSD with those who fight for our freedom. Twenty-two U.S. veterans take their own lives EVERY DAY. This film project was created to help those who serve us. To view a 3 minute trailer of this documentary, please go to http://www.mountainm.com/acronym/.
ACRONYM will show at 6:30 pm in the Great Hall at Bethany Lutheran Church, Cherry Hills, Village, CO. We hope you can join us for this important film. For questions or more on Sunday. April 10. For more information, please contact Janet Mortinsen at janet@bethany-denver.orgor 303-300-3317.
Experience California Lutheran Univeristy and Pacific Lutheran
Theological Seminary at Workshop on April 29
FIND YOUR PURPOSE: Wondering about college? Ever considered seminary? Searching for your calling and purpose? Join faculty, staff and alumni from California Lutheran University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary at the Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly on Friday, April 29 from 4-7pm at the Embassy Suites in Loveland, CO for a free interactive workshop. Dinner (and free school swag!) included. Participants do NOT have to be attending the assembly. Students, parents, and anyone curious about Lutheran higher education are especially welcome. RSVP by April 22 to Maria Sutton at the Office of the Bishop: msutton@rmselca.org
California Lutheran University Alumni Social is April 8
CLU, Pastor Melissa Maxwell-Doherty, and Desta Goehner are hosting a CLU Alumni night. Join your fellow alumni on April 8 beginning at 6:30pm, at the Breckenridge Brewery and Farm House, 2990 Brewery Ln, Littleton, CO 80120. Come meet other alumni from the area, while catching up with old friends. We hope to see all our front range alumni there! Questions contact: Brad.Doty@icloud.com or Maryalice Marston - mmarston@callutheran.edu
California Lutheran University hosts vocation discussion for high schoolers
Celebrate Wartburg West's 30th year with the Wartburg Choir
As part of the 30th Anniversary celebration for the Wartburg West Urban Semester program, the renowned Wartburg Choir, along with members of the Denver School of the Arts choir, will present a concert at Saint John�s Episcopal Cathedral in Denver on Friday, April 22, at 7:30 PM. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit
Workshop for Council Members in North Colorado
Council Workshop is Saturday, April 9, at Faith in Eaton, CO, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be made available for approximately $10 a person. This is a great opportunity for Councils and pastors to share in the role of Council in congregational life. There's is much we can learn from one another. If you have more questions, you can contact Sarah Moening at smoening@rmselca.org.
Clergy Renewal: JS Bach - A Journey into Joy / A Fortress Found
Join others in ministry for our unique 'day retreat' format as we let the music of Johann Sebastian Bach open areas of music, beauty and renewal. Through his cantatas, we will explore that which seems to rob us of safety, joy and love. Through Bach's loves, humor and genius we will be guided by this mystical musician who gloried in the Word of God and mathematical marvels. Each participant will take home means and methods to expand personal areas of beauty, joy, genius, happiness and creativity all while keeping our feet on the firm foundation of our fortress. Ministers from all settings are welcome!
Dates: Friday, April 15, 2016 & Saturday, April 16, 2016
Time: Day 1, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Day 2 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Faculty: Schawn Kellogg, MDiv, RN, Kelby Cotton, MDiv
Lutheran Men In Mission Retreat is April 22-24
"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 retreat is April 22-24 at Camp Santa Maria in Colorado. For brochures and registration: www.lutheranmeninmission.org/events/oytl. Questions, contact Randy McNitt 303-910-4008, email: RandyMcNitt@Comcast.net
Meet others interested in recovery ministry in Springs event
Nadia Bolz-Weber, Dr. Matt Russell, Dale Ryan, Gregg Taylor, Scott McBean and others will lead us in challenging discussions focusing on the messiness of ministry, particularly in the field of recovery, with thought-provoking suggestions and challenges for change. Dates are July 18 to 22, 2016, in Colorado Springs, CO. This event is intended primarily for recovery ministry leaders and pastors who are working in the local church context. Our focus this year will be on practical strategies for sustainable ministry development. More information: http://www.nacr.org/summer-institute-of-recovery-studies-2016
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: pastorvadis@sbcglobal.net
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
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
|
|
|
|
|
