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Together, we proclaim and embody God's unconditional love for the sake of the world.

August 19, 2025

generally published Tuesday of each week

AUGUST GREETINGS FROM THE BISHOP

Bishop Meghan sends warm greetings this August, along with updates from the recent Churchwide Assembly and a preview of what’s ahead this fall in the Rocky Mountain Synod.

ELCA Churchwide Assembly Links

• Daily updates for the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly are available on Living Lutheran.
• CWA 2025 YouTube Playlist

NEWSLETTER OVERVIEW

Hello Fellow Readers,

This week's econnection highlights exciting updates in the life of the Rocky Mountain Synod and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, including:

THEOLOGICAL CONFERENCE

REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 22

Event Date: Monday September 29–Thursday October 2, 2025

Introducing Keynote Speaker, Dr. Michael Chan

Dr. Michael Chan serves as Vice President for Mission and Inclusion at Concordia College in Moorehead, MN. He joined the Concordia College community in June 2022 as the executive director for faith and learning. Prior to that, he was associate professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Dr. Chan looks forward to guiding conference participants in an exploration of how the story endings in the Bible illuminate the promise of something new.

Click the button below to learn more about:

• Conference Cost & Registration Deadline
• Discounted Lodging Options
• Conference Schedule

We invite all Rostered Ministers—Pastors & Deacons, as well as SAMs (Synodically Authorized Ministers, TEEM Candidates (Theological Education for Emerging Ministries) and Ministry Interns to join in for this meaningful gathering.

Questions? Contact Deacon Mary Stoneback

CONGREGATION HIGHLIGHT

On Friday, August 15, the Candidacy Committee convened at Cristo Rey Christ the King Lutheran Church in Denver. While there, Rev. Quirino Cornejo—pastor at Cristo Rey Christ the King as well as Director for Evangelical Mission–South and Synod Minister for Multicultural Witness—guided the committee on a tour of the church.

During the visit, they learned how the congregation’s growth prompted a move to a larger site gifted to the Synod by Christ the King Lutheran Church. The story stands as a beautiful illustration of how one congregation’s closing season can become a source of new beginnings and vitality for another.

ADVOCACY

Gathering at the Gate is an opportunity Sept. 16-17, 2025 for ELCA leaders, rostered and lay, to demand God's justice, grace and mercy from our elected leaders in Washington D.C. for our neighbors who are hungry, sick, and poor. We will engage in advocacy learning from the ELCA Advocacy Office, meet with our members of Congress, and participate in the Empty Plates, Empty Promises action on Sept. 17, in the Upper Senate Park where we will stand in solidarity together with all people who need food, housing, healthcare and ethical immigration policy.

*Registration Cost increases after September 1.

SYNOD COMMITTEE UPDATES

Thank you Pastor Laura Bostrom for your leadership with the Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA Candidacy Committee. Laura has served two, 5 year terms, and chaired the committee the last five years. The committee celebrated Pastor Laura at their August meeting. And welcome to the committee’s next chair, Kelly Martin!

Retreat in a Box was created by Colleen Maki and the leadership of Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village, CO (www.bethany-denver.org). Through a partnership with ELCA Fund for Leaders, it is our free gift to you!

El Paso & Juarez Border Immersion

Join Bishop Meghan Aelabouni for a Rocky Mountain Synod El Paso & Juarez Immersion November 1–7, 2025. Registration deadline is October 15, or when capacity is reached. Question? Ask Pastor Diana Linden-Johnson, Synod Minister for Rostered Ministry (dlinden-johnson@rmselca.org)

Campus Ministry

Connect students to their campus ministries

Do you know young adults heading to campus this fall? Connecting them with their local campus ministry is a great way to support them in their college years. Young adults experience unique spiritual, intellectual and emotional challenges and our campus ministries seek to strengthen and support them as they learn and grow.

Visit the LuMin website to refer young adults you know to one of the over 240 campus ministries in our ELCA network. Thank you for supporting campus ministries and young adults on campus!

CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT & RESOURCES

Excellence in Leadership Cohort

Join us as we launch a new cohort for Excellence in Leadership this September. Open to individuals and congregational groups alike, it is meant for all who seek to become more healthy, courageous, resilient, and faithful leaders in their lives and in their contexts.

If cost is a consideration, a limited number of partial scholarships is available. Register [HERE] today! 

More information about the cohort can be found on the website [HERE]

Any questions can be directed to eil@rmselca.org

Region 2 Zoom Sessions—Date Correction

ELCA‑Primary Health Plan Options for 2026 – Region 2 Zoom Meetings

All ELCA‑Primary plans are changing effective January 1, 2026. Join one of two live Zoom sessions for Rostered Ministers, Lay Staff and Congregational Leaders to:

• Learn how the updated plans work
• Review decision-making tools
• Understand what each option means for you

Session 1 – Rostered Ministers & Lay Staff (on ELCA‑Primary):

Aug 27, 2025 • 12:00 PM PT / 1:00 PM MT (not recorded; registration required)

Register Here

Session 2 – Congregational Leaders:

Aug 28, 2025 • 5:30 PM PT / 6:30 PM MT (not recorded; registration required)

Register Here

After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with Zoom access details.

Questions?

Contact Andrea Arey

Portico Benefit Services

AArey@porticobenefits.org

We pray for the congregations, ministries, and leaders of the Northern Colorado Conference.

Rev. Chris Davis (Synod Minister for Evangelical Mission–North and Generosity), Deacon Mary Stoneback (Synod Minister for Strategic Communications & Events), and Pastor Sara Wirth (Synod Minister for Transitions & Healthy Ministries) will be on the road this week and next, visiting rostered leaders and congregations across the Utah Conference.

Stay connected by following our team on the Rocky Mountain Synod’s social media channels, where we’ll be sharing updates along the way.

Note: The Jobs in Congregations web page has been updated to reflect the most current employment opportunities in the Synod. Each position will be posted on the Synod website for at least two months unless otherwise noted. If your employment opportunity has been filled, please send an email to advise Dn Mary Stoneback so your ad can be removed.

• Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni, maelabouni@rmselca.org