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

July 22, 2025

generally published Tuesday of each week

synod happenings

Hello Fellow Readers,

You might have noticed a small refresh in our weekly newsletter—“eConnection” now features a lowercase c and o! Though subtle, this update carries significance: the econnection strives to represent everyone across the Rocky Mountain Synod—Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, El Paso, and Colorado—bringing you stories, updates, and ministry highlights from every corner of our synod & beyond.

Click [HERE] for a complete list of upcoming events happening across the Rocky Mountain Synod. Highlights include:

• The Colorado Christian Short Film Festival (7/25–7/26)
• Bad Faith: Documentary Screening & Community Conversation (7/29)
• ELCA Churchwide in Phoenix, Arizona (7/28–8/2)

To share your upcoming events, submit it through the website [HERE]. If you’ve already submitted something and don’t see it listed, please reach out and let me know (mstoneback@rmselca.org).

We also welcome your stories and how God is at work in your life and your faith communities. Share your stories (prompts provided) [HERE].

Thank you for reaching out with your suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you!

In Christ,

Deacon Mary

Synod Minister for Strategic Communications & Events

The Bishop & Synod Staff on Retreat this Week!

This week, the Rocky Mountain Synod staff is offsite for a retreat at Bethany Lutheran Church in Denver, Colorado (Tuesday–Thursday). We're spending time together reflecting on how we relate, connect, support, and equip one another—and the wider synod—for God’s ongoing outreach in the world. Your prayers are appreciated as we listen, learn, and grow in our shared calling. The team will make their way across the synod throughout the coming years—and look forward to seeing you!

Next week, a faithful group of twelve from our Rocky Mountain Synod will join 845 voting members of the ELCA in Phoenix, AZ, for the Churchwide Assembly—“For the Life of the World.” Rooted in worship and prayer, the assembly will:

• Elect a new Presiding Bishop and Secretary
• Consider a new social statement on Civic Life and Faith, plus editorial changes to the Social Statement, Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust
• Examine proposed Churchwide budgets for the next three years
• Receive the report and recommendations from the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church
• Discuss and vote on memorials from synod assemblies—like the Rocky Mountain Synod’s memorial, Stand up for Human Rights, an End to the Occupation of Palestine, and Recognition of Palestinian Statehood, passed by our Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly in May 2025 in Albuquerque, NM.

We appreciate your prayers for our synod delegation and the assembly as a whole! For candidate info, agenda details, and a livestream of the event, visit elca.org/cwa.

featured congregations

We welcome Well of Hope, ELCA in Castle Rock, CO, and Pastor Nic Leither as they are officially received as an organized congregation of the Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA!

From their beginnings in 2007 as a second worship site of Abiding Hope in Littleton, to all the moves, transitions, and faithful leaders—ministry happened. And through it all, the Good News of Christ and God's inclusive love continues to be proclaimed. Welcome, Well of Hope!

In next week's econnection, a video feature of the special day for Well of Hope will be shared.

Wyoming Conference Youth Video Reflections

The Wyoming Conference sponsored the 1^st Annual Wyoming Youth Gathering June 26-28 in Casper, Wyoming. The group was comprised of youth, middle school through high school from six congregations across Wyoming.

In this video, Cambria—a youth from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming—shares what was most fun and meaningful to her about the gathering.

congregations in transition resources

Moving Boldly Into the Future

Revised Manual for Congregations in Transition

Letter from the Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni

Grace and peace to you from Jesus! Transitions are a part of life, including life in the church. Generations grow and change. Pastors, deacons, and members are welcomed into communities and are sent onward with prayers and blessings. Times of transition and change often bring a mixture of emotions: joy and grief, gratitude and loss; excitement and uncertainty. As your congregation enters a time of transition, whatever the circumstances, you are not alone. God is with you! And the Rocky Mountain Synod Office of the Bishop is here to accompany you.

This transition will offer your congregation an opportunity to reflect on the ministry and future of your congregation. Who have you been together? Who are you now? Who is God calling you to become? Entering the transition process intentionally and thoughtfully invites and allows the Holy Spirit to guide you in discernment and to renew the ministry of your congregation.

Our Synod Minister for Transitions and Healthy Ministries, Pastor Sara Wirth, will work with you to help you determine the kind of transitional process that is right for you. Click on the link below to learn more.

View/Download Manual

registration open for NEW EiL Cohort

As far as we know, there isn't an AI built for church - but there is a community that shares Actual Intelligence, Application Insights, and Applied Instruction. In Excellence in Leadership, we talk about current situations, accompany you through the seasons of life, and share wisdom in real and experiential ways. And while our classes might take place on a computer screen, there is nothing artificial nor quick-fix about our curriculum. We create community, address reality, and deepen spirituality and critical thinking.

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

installations

We pray for the congregations, ministries, and leaders of the North New Mexico Conference

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