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

July 8, 2025

generally published Tuesday of each week

July Greetings from the Bishop

Dear siblings in Christ,

Blessed July in this season after Pentecost!

I’ve always found it striking that this stretch of summer is called “Ordinary Time”—even though it’s often filled with extraordinary moments of joy, challenge, and change. I pray this season brings you rest, renewal, and time with loved ones.

In June, many of our ministries participated in Pride events, including a meaningful screening of Mama Bears hosted by St. Paul, Denver and Rocky Mountain Public Media Center. Thank you to all who shared photos, stories, and the ongoing work of living into our Reconciling in Christ commitments—not just this month, but always.

My family and I were grateful to travel in June, including a Footsteps of Paul pilgrimage through Greece and Turkey. Plans to attend a wedding in the Holy Land were interrupted by conflict in the region, and while we returned with heavy hearts, I remain thankful for your prayers for peace and justice.

This week we mourn the devastating flooding in the Texas Hill Country, including the tragic loss of young lives at Camp Mystic. ELCA Disaster Response is at work on the ground—please join me in supporting their efforts, as you are able, HERE.

Meanwhile, our ministry in the Office of the Bishop continues! We are continuing to accompany rostered and lay leaders and congregations in transition, planning ahead for Theological Conference and Synod Assembly, preparing elected synod voting members for Churchwide Assembly, and much more. This month we gave thanks for Pastor Katie Emery at the conclusion of her call as Synod Minister for Transitions and we are grateful for her continued faithful work with Excellence in Leadership. Her ministry has blessed many—including each of us at the Office of the Bishop.

Our synod council also officially welcomed Ray Ferry as our new Synod Vice President—with gratitude and excitement for his willingness to serve and lead in this role on behalf of our whole synod. Finally, our plans for the future location of the Office of the Bishop have also been developing in exciting and Spirit-led ways—watch this space for an official announcement coming very soon! One thing is certain: in these days, as always, there is no such thing as ordinary time.

And thanks be to God that Dios está aquí (God is here) in it all—siempre (forever)!

~Bishop Meghan

synod happenings

Hello Fellow Readers,

Check out all that’s happening across our Synod this month! From welcoming new congregations to concerts by emerging musicians and meaningful film screenings, there's a lot of amazing ministry happening. Click [HERE] for a complete list of upcoming events across Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, El Paso, and Colorado.

To our siblings in Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, and El Paso—we’d love to hear more of what’s happening in your corner of the Synod!

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). Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you!

In Christ,

Deacon Mary

Synod Minister for Strategic Communications & Events

get to know your rms synod council VP

Ray Ferry serves as the Rocky Mountain Synod Council Vice President and is one of 12 RMS Churchwide Assembly voting members.

Where’s home for you, Ray?

I live in Monument, CO and worship with Trinity Lutheran Church—but my heart home is Tennessee. I'm a proud University of Tennessee alum, and yes… my blood runs orange! 🧡

What inspired you to say “yes” to this role?

After 8 years on Synod Council, I’ve seen firsthand the important, faithful work of the RMS and the wider ELCA. When Ruth couldn’t continue as VP, I felt called to step up and serve in a larger way.

What are you looking forward to?

Sure, lots more Zoom meetings 😄—but also the chance to partner with Churchwide, Region 2, and our congregations to move the ELCA forward with creativity and care.

How do you see the Synod Council’s role?

We are the voice of the people across the Synod—discerning next steps together, encouraging our Bishop and staff, and helping shape a faithful future.

Any hopes or prayers you’re carrying into this new season?

That the Holy Spirit guides our decisions. We won’t be perfect—but with God’s help, we can choose love and act with purpose for the good of all.

Just for fun—what might surprise us about you?

Saturdays mean UT football (Go Vols!), I love off-roading with my wife (shoot me an invite!), and… I’ve been an online gamer for a long time—ask me about it sometime.

A final word to the Synod?

Please pray for me. In a world of “us vs. them,” I’m working—imperfectly but prayerfully—to respond with love. May we all see each other as beloved and seek the good of all God’s children.

+Dios está aquí. God is here. Siempre.

Ray Ferry

Synod Vice President, Rocky Mountain Synod

Trinity Lutheran Church, Monument, CO

1st annual Wyoming Conference Youth Gathering

Submitted by the Wyoming Conference

What would happen if you took a group of youth from around the state, put them together in a central space, supported them with 6 pastors from 8 different congregations. Fed them, provided campfires with smores, floated down a river with them, worshiped together with them, shared communion with them, and took them out into the community to serve others? You’d have one amazing 1^st Annual Wyoming Youth Gathering!

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. We came to celebrate our faith together along with serving as people who “are in the world but not of the world.” Our focus theme was “WhY Jesus” and exploring the question of why Jesus is important to each of us and how we see ourselves living out our faith.

What do you need?

The Synod Congregational Ministry Committee is seeking input to inform their next project. Would you like resources or events on evangelism, discipleship, worship, property, strategic planning, staffing or something else?

Click the button below to take a short survey and help us discern our next resource/event.

Pastor Travis Norton

Chair of Synod Congregational Ministry Committee

Share Your Input

sky ranch camp spots availalbe!

Know a kiddo who’d love a fun, faith-filled adventure—or a parent who could use a little mid-summer breather? We’ve still got a dozen spots open each week for Sky Ranch:

Intro Camp (half-week sessions for lower elementary campers) starting July 13, 20, and 27.

Reach out to Deacon Missie at missie@skyranchcolorado.org for more info or help with registration!

campus ministry—refer a student

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!

Refer a Student

global church of immigrant accompaniment

Opportunity to sponsor Afghan Refugees

The Church World Service is working with two refugee families from Afghanistan who are planning to relocate to the Denver-metro area. Sponsor support the family for 3 months as they secure housing and food, enroll in school, and apply for jobs.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact Rev. Diana Linden-Johnson

installations & transitions

Wednesday July 9, 5:30pm: Pastor Mandy Achterberg will be installed at All Saints Lutheran Church on Wednesday, July 9th. There will be a social hour at 4pm, service at 5:30pm, dinner reception to follow. Color of the day is green.

Pictured (left to right): Pastor Diana Linden Johnson, Deacon Anna Dykeman

Deacon Anna Dykeman was installed Sunday June 29 at Peace Lutheran Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Welcome to the Synod, Deacon Anna!

Pictured (left to right): Pastor Daniel Smith, Bp Meghan and Deacon Mary

At the end of June, Deacon Mary Stoneback wrapped up 15 meaningful years of ministry at Ascension Lutheran Church. She now steps into a new chapter, serving full-time with the Rocky Mountain Synod as Synod Minister for Strategic Communications & Events. Welcome to the Synod, Deacon Mary!

in our prayers

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

RMS Prayer Cycle

employment opportunities

View Employment Opportunities

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.