Blessed Advent and Merry Christmas from Bishop Meghan!

Each year, as Advent draws close to Christmas, our northern hemisphere experiences the winter solstice: the shortest day and longest night of the year. It’s a wonderful chance to ponder the holy darkness as a place of reflection, creativity, and new beginnings—and to give thanks for the holy light of Christ that guides us. Some congregations and ministries are hosting “Blue Christmas” or “Longest Night” services as an opportunity for prayer and contemplation for those who are grieving, anxious, or simply wanting a quiet space amid joyful celebrations. Whether or not you are offering or attending a service like this, I’ve been reminded these past few weeks that pain and grief are very present companions to many at the holidays. I’m grateful for the ways the people of this synod continue to surround and support one another and our neighbors with compassion.

This first Christmas back in the U.S., I’m grateful for the time we will have with family here in Colorado to unplug and unwind a bit from a whirlwind summer and fall. I hope and pray you will find that same opportunity (knowing that for our pastors, deacons, musicians, church office staff, and many others, that opportunity will have to wait until sometime later on in the 12 days of Christmas—maybe by the time the six geese-a-laying arrive?)

Yet while we celebrate together, my family and I also will be missing family and loved ones in the Holy Land who continue to struggle through times of incredible hardship; and we are thinking of all who live in grief or deep uncertainty during this time. Joy and grief, song and silence, celebration and contemplation… all can, and do, coexist in every season in our lives—as the Apostle Paul reminds us, urging the members of the body of Christ to “rejoice with those who rejoice [and] weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15).

In our office, when our staff returns from some well-deserved vacation on January 2, we will be living in another kind of juxtaposition: the known and unknown of transition. Our synod staffing team will be working to finish the process of calling positions for our office of the bishop staff. This process has brought the gift of significant interest from candidates throughout the synod and discernment discussions with many gifted leaders. From the beginning, our staffing team had the goal of moving forward as quickly as we could while still taking the time to honor the commitment we made to an open hiring process; and the result has been that this process will continue into the new year. 

In the meantime, the office of the bishop will begin the year short-staffed in some of our areas of ministry; and I ask for your patience and grace. We will endeavor to send out our e-Connections and other synod communications as frequently as we are able. Our transition coaches, along with bridge transition coordinator Pr. Will Johnson, are available for questions related to transition. Our conference deans and synod council members can also serve as great resources and as a point of contact for synod members. And, of course, please continue to reach out to me and to our office with questions and needs. We will do our very best to reply as soon as we’re able. I am grateful for your support in this, as I continue to believe that this discernment process has been faithful in inviting and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the sake of our shared ministry together into the future.

As Advent moves us through the longest night, to the long-awaited arrival of Christmas, may we remember that in this and every time of waiting, anticipation, and unknowing, God has already arrived and is present with us in Jesus. In all that this next year will bring, this is certain: the child born in holy darkness also lights our way. The God who calls us into the future will not leave us, but will accompany us in every moment of joy and every moment of grief—and in every step.

In Christ,

Bishop Meghan 

RMS Council approved two-year budget proposal 

This week, the RMS Council approved a proposal from Bishop Meghan and Finance Director Jon Johnson to: pilot a two-year budgeting process for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 that would incorporate the input of synod council, finance committee, and voting membership in the presentation of a proposed two-year budget for approval at the 2025 Synod Assembly. This proposal comes out of conversations with rostered and lay leaders and members throughout the synod; our goal is to pilot a process that is more transparent, participatory and proactive.

Read more about the rationale, planned timeline and steps, and other details HERE.

THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SYNOD MIDDLE SCHOOL GATHERING

IS BACK IN 2025 AND RAINBOW TRAIL IS HOSTING AT CAMP!!!!

SAVE THE DATE!!! JANUARY 17-19, 2025

Our speaker is Dave “Packer” Gunnlaugsson, RTLC staff alumni and dear friend of Rainbow Trail

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”   Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Our theme this year is “BREATHE”. It is important that we know our Heavenly Father gave us life and the ability to BREATHE, but it’s also important to know we became dead in rebellion, shame and fear when we choked and suffocated on our own sin. The Father then gave us new life in sending Jesus to BREATHE the last for us and to BREATHE again as He rose from the dead. Jesus now BREATHES fresh breath into us. But our breath-giving God didn’t stop there. He BREATHED His Holy Spirit into us to believe this Good News and continues, even now, for us to rest in Him and catch our breath. Jesus BREATHES His love, forgiveness and every day assurances into us not only to keep living, but to have “life abundantly!” (John 10:10).

Jesus will help us “catch our breath” and get reoriented, reanimated and replenished. He will show us awesome things we call “breath-taking”. Jesus will help us to “BREATHE deeply” of His Word, His Spirit and His presence and we will be able to be free to live the lives He gives to us.

More details will be coming after Christmas, but we wanted to get this on your calendars now! Merry Christmas! See you in 2025!!

Yours in Christ,

Dave 

Questions? contact Dave here

Excellence in Leadershipk January Cohort – Scholarships Available!

Excellence in Leadership is beginning a new cohort in January and YOU are invited!

Whether you are a rostered leader or a lay person hoping to improve your leadership skills or help your congregation navigate some new realities, this coursework is meant for you!

The new cohort begins on January 13 and meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month from 6:00pm-9:00pm, with a 6 week break in the summer, and lasts until January 2026. Over those 13 months, you will learn and practice tools and skills to: increase resiliency in times of anxiety, become more grounded and wise when handling conflict, address and navigate change in lives and systems, and deepen relationships with other people who are doing the work alongside you. We are excited to welcome you to this faithful community of learners and practitioners!

We know that especially for smaller congregations, the cost of Excellence in Leadership can be prohibitive. In response to this, we have created a group discount – if you have 4 people sign up as a group, a fifth person may enroll for free. 

Additionally, there is some money available for partial scholarships.

You can find more information at https://www.rmselca.org/excellence-in-leadership

Please direct any questions to Pastor Katie Emery (kemery@rmselca.org).

Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry Story

Haylee Hayden is an early childhood teacher and an avid hiker. She has conquered four of Colorado’s 14ers and two peaks over 13,000 feet. Her horse “Penny” is another of her passions.

While at UNC studying early childhood education, Haylee was looking for an open and affirming place to belong. Though she tried several communities on campus, she struggled to find one that felt right for her. On the advice of the director at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp where she had worked for six summers, she gave Lutheran Episcopal Campus Ministry a try.

On her first visit to LECM she felt right at home. “I am so thankful for the welcoming and inclusive space for everyone I found there,” Haylee said. “I was looking for a place that respected women and their role in the church.” It was also important to her to be part of a community that is LGBTQ friendly. And, she loved gathering off campus at the LECM house. “The LECM house was nicer and cozier than meeting on campus,” she said.

Haylee treasures her memories of casual comm union services and conversations around the dinner table. “It took away the performance aspect of church,” she remembers. “It was okay to just be a church-going person enjoying time with like-minded people. It made me value the community of the church a lot more.” Upon graduation, she immediately sought out another faith community. Haylee wants everyone to know how welcoming LECM is. “You can be who you are, and it is safe even if you are still questioning your faith.”

Your generosity helps make Lutheran Episcopal Campus ministry a cozy, inclusive space for students like Haylee. Your support makes it possible for us to offer weekly meals and communion services where young adults can explore their faith and feel safe and at home. Thank you for your partnership in this ministry!

For additional information: www.lecmgreeley.org

Recreation & Revelation Continuing Education

February 9-14, 2025

If you love winter activities (downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, and more), and you are looking for some "R&R" while engaging with amazing theologians and speakers, as well as other clergy and ministry leaders, join us for Recreation & Revelation. R&R is an annual winter theological retreat that takes place every February at Winter Park, Colorado, and has a rare approach to continuing education. This year, our speakers are Dr. Barbara Rossing and Dr. Ben Stewart. 

For information and registration, head over to http://www.recreationandrevelation.org/ 

or contact Joel Pancoast pastorjoel@zionloveland.com

or Chad Kohlmeyer pastorchad@atonementboulder.org 

Learning Beyond Your Living Room with Urban Servant Corps

First Wednesday of every month from 11am-1pm

1660 Ogden St. Denver, CO 80218

Suggested donation of $20 for lunch, provided

Why join this on-going social justice lunch group?

This is an opportunity to expand your understandings of the world (and city!) around you. An invitation back to servanthood and social justice. A way of engaging with other like-minded folks for a better community.

During the Year we will address:

January 8: Racial Justice 

February 5: Immigration

March 5: First Nations

April 2: Advocacy

May 7: Creation Care/Environment

June 4: LGTBQIA+

July 2: Israel/Palestine

August 6: TBD

Our Journey: Stories from The Open Table Connection December 2024

"Just Be"

Rowynn is a cradle Lutheran, as they say. They (singular pronoun) grew up attending church regularly. They found themself liking church sometimes and other times, not so much. Rowynn knew they were unique in middle school when they went by a new name for a whole year. Rowynn looked forward to getting older and “finding a church that looked like me, felt like me,” they remembered. When they were in high school, Rowynn was excited to give Luther House a try. They were pleased to find that Luther House was “not a formal church setting,” they shared, “and it was full of people like me! We had discussions about how we connect with God and learned to listen to each other. We could even answer questions with ‘I don’t know!’ It was great. It wasn’t church, it wasn’t a class, it was a discussion.” Rowynn found safety and comfort at Luther House because “I was allowed to just be. I didn’t have to participate. I could just sit in the corner when I felt like it,”

they shared. “Sometimes life sucks and we should be allowed to admit that." Rowynn found a balance between finding hope in conversations about God and space to just be and still feel included and valued. “Luther House helped me stop seeing God as a judgemental figurehead and to be in relationship with God,” said Rowynn. “I no longer pray by begging God to make things right, I pray by spending time with God. I know now that God walks with us, giving out little tidbits of love along the way.” Rowynn now leads the Christian Club in the school where they teach middle school Math. Rowynn says they strive to create “brave and courageous space” for their middle school students and to help them explore each other’s religious perspectives. “I want everyone to feel safe and have room to be their whole selves.”

For additional information: www.OpenTableNM.org

Bible Study with an AntiRacist lens

1st and 3rd Tuesdays at 11am MT

Grab your friends, your neighbors, your churches, your family, and join us in studying scripture! If you can't join live, DON'T WORRY! You will receive recordings. Don't forget to bring pen and paper to take notes, because it is a LOT of incredible information each week! The hour and a half FLIES by, and there is time at the end for questions. 

This deep dive into scripture has helped people strengthen their relationship with God, with their communities, and with the Bible. It has helped preachers and bible study leaders, rostered and lay leaders by opening us up to scripture with different lenses, reading scripture as it's meant to be - with other perspectives. We dive into the context of when the stories were written, geek out on the original Greek and Hebrew, and explore different angles of engaging each text.

We use the lectionary texts for the current and then following weeks. This just means we engage scripture that will be preached in most ELCA churches (and other denominations) on Sunday mornings. 

Give it a try, you won't regret it. Let's dive deep with ARTS.

Save the Date: 20th Annual Thomas H. Lake Lecture Featuring Dr. Willie James Jennings

Join us for the 20th Annual Thomas H. Lake Lecture on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 4:00 PM ET featuring renowned theologian Dr. Willie James Jennings from Yale University. Dr. Jennings will offer deep insights on faith, race, and philanthropy, drawing from his influential work, The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race . Join us via livestream - RSVP HERE - by April 1.

The Lake Institute on Faith and Giving.

Utah Conference Interfaith Day at the State Capitol

February 10, 2025 9-11 AM

Join your voice with siblings of diverse faith traditions to demand justice and love during the Utah Legislative Session, on Feb. 10, 2025, 9-11 AM in the Seagull Room of the Senate Building at the Utah State Capitol: 350 N State St. SLC, 84112.

We will have a brief advocacy training, discuss important legislation, and have an opportunity to meet with legislators. This is for everyone, of every comfort/experience level of advocacy, lay folks and clergy. 

Contact Pastor Brigette Weier at weierbrigetter@gmail.com for more information or to RSVP by Feb. 5.

Book Discussion

Saturday, January 11, 10am

Join the Creation Care team to discuss the book Stolen by Ann-Helén Laestadius, a spellbinding Swedish novel that follows a young indigenous woman as she struggles to defend her family’s reindeer herd and culture amidst xenophobia, climate change, and a devious hunter whose targeted kills are considered mere theft in the eyes of the law.

Zoom link for discussion -https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83008940316

For additional information: rmscreationcareteam@gmail.com

Brave Experiments:

Lay Leader Edition

February 20, 2025 6:30 p.m.

The landscape of congregations and leadership has shifted dramatically, especially post-pandemic. While there is a shortage of pastors and deacons the fact is many congregations are unable to afford full-time or even part-time leaders. Despite these challenges, congregations are innovating. Lay leaders are stepping up to roles traditionally held by rostered leaders, and brave experiments are underway to meet the needs of our communities. Join us at the winter 2025 Brave Experiments zoom event to hear from Bishop Meghan and three congregations pioneering lay pastoral leadership. We'll discuss training, partnerships, and how these changes are being received. Together, we'll explore what works, what doesn't, and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit for the future.



https://www.rmselca.org/event/brave-experiments-lay-leader-edition

Make a New Years Resolution to use Less Plastic

We all use too much plastic. We know it, but we can’t seem to do without it! Plastic is such a problem that the UN held a special conference to draw up an international law or treaty governing plastic production and use. More than 100 nations gathered in So. Korea a month ago and only could agree to delay a decision until next year. In 2022, 175 nations agreed to make the first legally binding treaty on plastics pollution, including in the oceans, by the end of 2024. The postponement came just days after the closing of COP 29 where climate talks again yielded little but settling on a finance bill to assist developing nations. Some negotiators feel that the UN consensus process makes any significant progress extremely difficult. All parties must agree before any vote is taken.

Plastic production is on track to triple by 2050. Microplastics are found literally everywhere. More than 3200 chemicals of concern are found in plastics. The representative from Panama said, “Postponing negotiations does not postpone the crisis. When we reconvene, the stakes will be higher.”

Can each of us try harder to minimize plastic use in our home? Could we make a New Year’s resolution to reduce plastic use? Make a list and see what you come up with. Involve all family members. Then reach a consensus to follow through (Start small—agree on only a couple of items to start.). Each of us CAN make a difference.

Mary Kwamme

rmscreationcareteam@gmail.com

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Greek Islands

June 16-25; 25-29, 2025

A Multicultural and Ecumenical Spiritual Journey Experience

Experience the origins of your Christian faith. Walk the land where it all began, walking and visiting the

fields and holy places where Jesus was born, where Jesus preached and instructed his disciples,

where Jesus suffered, died, and was risen. The holy places where Jesus inaugurated his Church and

commissioned his apostles to spread the Good News of God’s unconditional love throughout the

whole world.

Explore the ancient wonders of Athens, embark on a wonderful 3-night cruise to the Greek Islands and Turkey, experience the picturesque Greek Islands, where history and spirituality intertwine. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Greek culture, dive into the footsteps of biblical narratives, and deepen your faith alongside fellow pilgrims. Let the beauty of Greece's landscapes and the wisdom of its heritage inspire your soul and renew your spirit on this unforgettable journey.

Be immersed, spiritually and culturally, in the unique blend of holiness, history, and modernity as we also connect with the ecumenical Lutheran and Episcopal ministries in the Holy Land. You will return with a deeper faith, a clearer understanding and connection with Biblical places, a deeper connection with the universal church, and many memories that will last a lifetime.

Trip Leaders:

Margarita Reyes, Mission Developer and Vicar of the Latino Ministry Cristo Rey in Denver, Colorado.

For more information Please contact:

The Rev. Quirino Cornejo, Pastor for Multicultural Ministries and Witness qcornejo@rmselca.org

Interested in joining the RMS Veteran Servant Corps Project board?

We support Veterans/Military Members in various ways, including providing worship services at 3 Veterans Homes in the RMS.

Please contact Vicky Daub, Executive Director of VSCP, if you are interested at

lvdaub2@gmail.com

December Mission Support Memo

(click on the highlighted text below to read the full document)



In our December 2024 Mission Support Memo hear from Bishop Laurie Larson Caesar of our Oregon Synod, telling her story of joyful and important accompaniment with the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland.

She shares; "I’d been told I would be overwhelmed by the hospitality, the cakes and handmade gifts, and that was beyond true. As in Oregon, people in Poland love their coffee, the arts, film, good beer, laughter, their mountains and rivers and song. But, there’s a lot I didn’t quite understand about the complex context and the courage of the leaders, lay and ordained, in our companion synod in Poland. Explore the eight enlightening things she learned about Poland and Polish Lutherans. We are grateful how Mission Support connects us globally. You can also find out about an exciting series on aligning your pocketbook with your values, so learn how to join January 13^th to explore “6 Weeks on Money.”