Together, we proclaim and embody God's unconditional love for the sake of the world.
| | |
May 6, 2025
published Tuesday of each week
| | |
Dear friends in Christ,
Good news! I am overjoyed to share that our Office of the Bishop team is complete. This month, we are introducing two new directors for Evangelical Missions, DEM–North and DEM–South. We welcome Rev. Quirino Cornejo (QC) as DEM-South, and Rev. Chris Davis as DEM-North and Synod Minister for Generosity.
Father QC, DEM–South, ordained in the Episcopal Church (USA), is well known to many in our synod as our Minister for Multicultural Witness and former mission developer pastor for Cristo Rey/Christ the King in Denver, CO. Last fall, Father QC stepped into the role of acting DEM, accompanying many of our SAWCs (Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities) and other strategic ministries. In the DEM-South role, Father QC will continue serving half time with the Rocky Mountain Synod and half time with our partners in the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado. His portfolio will include New Mexico, El Paso, and part of Colorado.
| |  | Pastor Chris begins his call as DEM-North and Synod Minister for Generosity on May 15. Pastor Chris has served as a mission developer and pastor in three congregations in the Rocky Mountain Synod, most recently at Trinity, Loveland, CO. Pastor Chris will be serving half time as DEM with a portfolio including Utah, Wyoming, and part of Colorado; the other half of his call as Synod Minister for Generosity will focus on supporting stewardship, mission support, grants, and other efforts to build financial capacity throughout the synod. | What’s a DEM? The role of the Director for Evangelical Mission focuses on new and revitalized ministries. DEMs work to create partnerships between congregations, and equip synod members to share the Gospel in their communities. DEMs also serve as a bridge between synods and the wider church. The role of the Director for Evangelical Mission is a grant-supported partnership between the ELCA Churchwide Office and synods. | |
“But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7, 12)
| |
+Thank you to our synod hiring team, to all our candidates, and to the whole synod for supporting this process of discernment and the building of our synod staff with your prayers and trust.
| | welcome our newest synod staff | | |
Pastor Chris Davis | Synod Minister for Director for Evangelical Mission–North and Synod Minister for Generosity
Pastor Chris is thrilled to serve as your Director for Evangelical Mission – North, and Synod Minister for Generosity! He has a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Northern Colorado and earned his Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Pastor Chris has served congregations in Hermantown, MN, and in Greeley, Denver, and Loveland, Colorado. Together with his wife, Rachel, and their kids, Celia and Brennan, Pastor Chris lives in Loveland, and loves the foothills along the Front Range. In his free time, you can find Pastor Chris performing in theater productions, cheering on his favorite Colorado teams, riding his bike, and capturing images of the night sky!
Pastor Chris is passionate about supporting congregations as they make the most of their gifts and resources to uniquely proclaim the Gospel in the community in which they serve. He’s looking forward to partnering with you as you build relationships in your community and faithfully utilize your resources to make Christ’s relentless love known to the world around you!
| |
The Rev. Quirino (QC) Cornejo
Synod Minister for Director for Evangelical Mission–South & Synod Minister for Multicultural Witness
QC was born in Leon Guanajuato, Mexico. In 1980 he obtained his BACHELOR’s degree on Social Administrative Sciences from the University of San Luis Potosi. In 1984 he obtained his Master’s in Philosophy from the Palafox Pontifical Seminary in Puebla, Mexico, and in 1988 he obtained his M-Div in from the Redemptorist International School of Theology in Mexico. On September 16, 1989 he migrated to the USA and he was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest for the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas, in 1991. He served as a priest and pastor for more than 20 years in the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, Texas, in different rural and urban congregations. At the beginning of year 2012, He moved to Metro Denver area in Brighton, Colorado, seeking incorporation into the Episcopal Church. Rev Q married his wife Margarita and they have a daughter Analey Sophia. In June 18, 2016, Rev. Q was received by Bishop Rob O’Neill as an episcopal priest for the Diocese of Colorado.
Since 2016 the Rev. QC has been developing Latino/Hispanic Ministry for the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado and the Lutheran Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA. In June 2018 he was appointed Vicar-Pastor for Intercession Episcopal in Thronton, CO and in 2019 he was appointed Missioner for Multicultural Ministries for the Episcopal Church in Colorado. In 2021 he was called Minister for Multicultural Witness for the Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA as he continued Pastor of the Latino Ministry West Denver, CRISTO REY. Since October 2024 he has served as Interim DEM for the RMS. Rev. QC looks forward to continuing his service to God through his work with the people and ministries of the Rocky Mountain Synod.
| | Share Your Story—All Are Welcome! | | | | | |
The 2025 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly theme is “Dios esta aqui. God is here.” We know that God is everywhere and we invite you to share your story of how God is present in your life and in your context.
Click HERE or the button below to share a few sentences and if you'd like, a corresponding picture of how God is with you.
With your permission, your stories and photos may be featured during the Assembly in Albuquerque, May 22–24, and in Synod communications like the eConnection and social media.
| | *Extention: Submit your story for inclusion at Synod Assembly by Sunday, May 11 | |
Dios está aquí. God is here.
On my best days, I’m an energetic planner, mentally mapping out contingencies for unlikely events. On other days, I’m a worrier, nearly overwhelmed by the scenarios I’ve imagined. My kids are one way the Holy Spirit has invited me to just be here, in the now. Despite how I’ve worried (and prayed) about my kids’ lives, development, health, and everything else, they go on, resiliently as ever. One of my biggest parental fears was that they wouldn’t get along. This picture shows their genuine love for each other and captures their unique personalities. It was a moment that reminded me, “God does indeed work everything out.”
Pastor Brittany Kooi,
Holy Love Lutheran Church
Aurora, Colorado.
| | | We pray for the congregations, ministries, and leaders of the Metro East Conference | | -
Saturday May 10, 5:30pm: Deacon Korra Looschen will be installed as Coordinator of Faith Formation on Saturday May 10, 5:30pm at First Lutheran in Longmont, Colorado. The color of the day is white.
| | |
After 25+ years in ministry, ten of those as a rostered minister of Word and Service, Deacon Gail Britt completed her final call as an active deacon on February 31, 2025 and celebrated May 3 in Glenwood Springs, Co.
Her journey of faith began with a conversion from Judaism to Christianity in 1997 at First Lutheran in Gypsum, CO., continued with a second-career MA degree and as an ELCA candidate for diaconal ministry at Luther Seminary in 2008 and culminated as a Deacon in vocations as a hospice chaplain (2017) and as a minister of hope and healing during the pandemic (2021) for those homebound and in facilities for Shepherd of the Valley (SOV) and American Lutheran churches in Grand Junction, CO. Her last call concluded at SOV in 2023 in congregational leadership and administrative roles as the church transitioned to locate full time pastoral leadership. Deacon Gail will continue to serve on the RMS Congregational Ministries Committee and as a Certified Grief Counselor for congregations, support groups and individuals.
| | |
"As I look back, I think God put me in the right places at the right times with the gifts needed to accomplish the goals intended for me. God already knew that I would walk alongside people in joy and sorrow and somehow gave me the ability to "keep the boat afloat". My ministry was definitely not a trumpet fanfare, but a quiet interlude enjoyed during a one-on--one stroll or as a voice of encouragement to those who lost their way."
~Deacon Gail Britt
| | 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. | | | | |
