Installations
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.
Almighty God, you have enriched your church with Mark's proclamation of the gospel. Give us grace to believe firmly in the good news of salvation and to walk daily in accord with it, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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| CONGREGATIONS |
RMS Prayer Cycle
WYOMING CONFERENCE
4/24
Prince of Peace, Gillette WY
St. John, Riverton, WY
Scott Jorgenson
Mount of Olives, Rocks Springs WY
St.Luke, Buffalo, WY
Alena Lamirato
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- First, CO Springs
- First, Longmont
- Prince of Peace Anniversary-CO Springs
- Augustana-Ann Hultquist Installation
Pastor Ron Roschke
- Candidacy and Campus ministry consultations
- Assembly planning
- Wartburg College Pastoral Breakfast
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Transitions Work
- Christ, Highlands Ranch, CO
- Cross of Christ, Broomfield, CO
Pastor Judith VanOsdol
- Iglesia Lutherana Jesus Nazareth, Aurora
- Cristo Rey, Denver
- HKBP, Denver
- Rejoice, Erie CO
- Centennial, Englewood
- Assembly preparation
Pastor Kent Mueller
- Assembly Projects
- Transitions Administration
Erin Power, Diaconal Minister
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, NM
- Medicaid Coalition
- Health Care for All
- LAM-NM Policy Committee
Peter Severson- Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, CO
- Legislative Hearings
- CSLC meeting
- Together Colorado meeting
- Coloradans for a Fair Wage Coalition meeting
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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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Church council members receiving eConnection!
We requested email addresses for our strategic planning survey from church council members. Those individuals are receiving this eConnection newsletter for the first time. Please note that you may unsubscribe at anytime using the link at the bottom of every email. We look forward to staying connected and bridging the distances across our vast Rocky Mountain Synod.
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Synod Assembly materials are posted online to view and/or print in advance
Voting members are asked to prepare for the upcoming Synod Assembly, April 28-30 in Loveland, Colorado, by reading and studying materials in advance. Direct links are below. The materials are all posted on the RMS website: www.rmselca.org/assembly. Bring a phone, tablet, or computer to the assembly, as voting for elections will be accomplished online. If you do not have one available, you may share with someone else, or use a computer available in the registration area. RESOLUTIONS
FINANCIAL PACKET (printing recommended)
MINISTRY & MISSION MAGAZINE
ASSEMBLY HANDBOOK (ESSENTIAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION)
NOMINATIONS INFORMATION
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Invitation to join in part
of the 2016 Synod Assembly
Opening Worship
Thursday, April 28th 7:30 PM
Embassy Suites, Loveland, CO
Join us for worship led by Our Saviour's Fort Collins and the installation of Pastor Paul Judson, recently called to CSU Campus Ministry in Fort Collins.
California Lutheran University and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary Interactive Workshop
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, anyone considering lay or ordained ministry, and anyone curious about Lutheran higher education are especially welcome. RSVP Required: Maria Sutton at the Office of the Bishop. Beer and Hymns/Hymn Sing
Friday, April 29, 7:30pm BYOH: Bring your own Hymnal! Embassy Suites Closing Worship
Saturday, April 30, 11:00am
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A variety of opportunities are being planned for visiting Germany as the 500-year observance of the Reformation approaches. Please submit additional opportunities.
Come join Pastor Scott & Pastor Kristi Beebe on an inspirational trip as we look ahead to observe the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation! The journey begins in Berlin on September 23 and ends in Munich on October 4, 2016, with pre-tour and post-tour options. The tour also includes Wittenberg, Torgau, Leipzig, Eisleben, Erfurt, Eisenach, Coburg, Mainz, Worms, a Rhine Cruise, Heidelberg, Wurzburg, Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Augsburg, Dachau, & the Linderhof Castle in the Ammergau Alps. Cost: $ 2,416 per person, double occupancy, land only, based on minimum of 36 passengers; Single Supplement = $458; Triple Reduction = $66. Additional $94 for Pre-Paid Gratuities (Tour Director, Motor Coach Driver & Local Guides). Travel Insurance Recommended. Group Round Trip Air Fare Available. Deposit: $250 per person required to hold your space on the tour, due May 26, 2016; non-refundable. Final payment due: July 20, 2016. For further questions, or to sign up, Contact: Dr. Jan Kief, Cruise Planners at jankief@cruiseplanners.com; 303-317-6669.
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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 .
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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
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IT'S HEALTH ASSESSMENT SEASON
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Portico Primary Health Plan Members:
Final, final, final deadline is April 30 when the assembly is happening. Do it today instead!
We need 32 more Rostered Leaders (and/or applicable spouses)
to take the annual health assessment! in the last two weeks of April!
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!
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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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Our synodically authorized worshipping community at the Colorado Women's Correctional Facility is seeking a donation of gently used choir robes, if a congregation has 12 or more that they are no longer using. Please contact Pastor Terry Schjang at terry.schjang@gmail.com if you have a donation available.
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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!
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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.
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Two Special Opportunities with John Philip Newell on Celtic Spirituality
Nature & Grace Presentations, Meditative Practices in the Celtic Tradition, and SharingFriday, May 6, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Saturday May 7, 9 a.m.-Noon
Friday, May 13, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Saturday May 14, 9 a.m.-Noon
Shattuck Hall
Iliff School of Theology
2323 East Iliff Avenue * Denver, CO 80210
Preview event at Highlands Church:
Preview event on May 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Highlands Church, 2644 W 32nd
Ave, located at the historic Holiday Theatre
Annual Holy Cross Pilgrimage is July 16
Again this year Mount of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Vail, Colorado, will sponsor a pilgrimage hike climbing Notch Mountain (13,237), in order to view the Mount of the Holy Cross (14,005). Because of the popularity of this hike and due to U.S. Forest Service regulations which limit the group to no more than 15 persons at a time, reservations are required.
The date is Saturday July 16, 2016. The event will last from approximately 6:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This is a fairly strenuous hike and requires proper hiking gear for a trek in the back country. While there are NO fees, pre-registration is required. Call (970) 476-6610 for a registration form or for more details you can log on the church web page, www.mountholy.com and click on the Pilgrimage link. Pastor Scott Beebe is the hike leader.
Family seeking housing in north metro area
A large family who are members of Nativity Lutheran Church, Commerce City, CO, is urgently seeking housing. Pastor Kristi Beebe says the family is willing "to live in just about anything someone might have ... a small house, a fixer-up'er, an apartment, a mobile home, or even a heated barn!" If possible, they would prefer the area of Commerce City, Brighton, Thornton, Northglenn, Firestone, Aurora, and surrounding areas.. Contact Pastor Kristi Beebe, at nativitylutheranoffice@gmail.com , cell 303-246-6995, church phone: 303-288-1212. Call Kristi for more information and the details.
Lutheran Chorale Concert is May 15 in Littleton
The Lutheran Chorale will sing to the glory of God with joyful and thoughtful music, including F. Melius Christiansen's 'Celestial Spring II Exaltation,' John Rutter's 'The Peace of God,' and Morten Lauridsen's 'Sure On This Shining Night.' Come join us for this uplifting concert! Both concerts are Sunday, May 15, 2016. Free will offering.
3:00pm
Hosanna Lutheran Church
10304 W. Belleview Ave
Littleton, CO 80127
7:30 pm
St. Philip Lutheran Church
7531 S. Kendall Street
Littleton, CO 80128
 Suicide Prevention Summit May 4-6 at Regis University
This year the conference will examine promising evidence-based practices that decrease the likelihood that suicide will occur, assist those who struggle with suicidal thinking, and help survivors of suicide loss regain their equilibrium following a loved one's suicide attempt or death.
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
Experience California Lutheran University 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
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
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
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