A transcript of Bishop Meghan's video is available HERE

Gratitude for Synod Staff

Please join us in giving thanks for the ministry of Peter Severson, Director of Lutheran Advocacy Colorado who will conclude his service in the Office of the Bishop on November 30th. Email Peter HERE

Please join us in giving thanks for the ministry of Deacon Katie Kline, Director of Transition Ministry, who will conclude her service in the Office of the Bishop on December 13th. Email Katie HERE

A message from Peter Severson

Dear Rocky Mountain Synod community,

With immense gratitude, I share with you this important news: after 10½ years of service as the Director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado, I will be stepping down from my position at the end of this month. Although I was honored that our new Bishop invited me to stay on, I have decided that this is a good inflection point for me to explore a new phase in my life and career. My last day will be November 30.

This position has been a great joy for me, in large part due to my excellent colleagues in advocacy (especially Ruth Hoffman and Kurt Rager), my colleagues in the Office of the Bishop, and all those across our church who I’ve gotten to know and work with for so many years. I feel immensely grateful when I consider all that we have accomplished in Colorado through our faithful advocacy work over the past decade, and it has been my honor to steward this ministry into its 40th year of existence.

As an avid skier and hiker, it feels right for me to think of this moment as the time to seek new adventures. Thanks to all of you for your collegiality and kindness over the years. The experiences I've had leading this ministry and your faithful support of this work throughout the years will remain with me always. May our God of grace and mercy, who shows up in our midst as the hungry, the stranger, the sick and the imprisoned (Matthew 25:34-40), guide your feet and give you peace in the days that are to come. Thank you all.

A message from Deacon Katie Kline

Dear Rocky Mountain Synod community,

Having served the past year as the Interim Director of Congregation Transition for the Rocky Mountain and Grand Canyon Synods, I am concluding my service.

I have spent this past year both stewarding transitions within the synods (this has been a shared position with Grand Canyon Synod) as well as doing the interim work of evaluating the ministry and helping to strengthen how the Office of the Bishop accompanies transitions in congregations and for pastors and deacons. I am especially grateful to have worked alongside the Transition Coaches: Pr. Mandy Achterberg, Pr. Christine Higueria-Street, Pr. Will Johnson, Pr. Barb Martens, Pr. Libbie Reinking, and Pr. Pam Stofferahn. Together, we have strived to ensure continuity in ministry, foster growth, and cultivate connections across our synod. Thank you for this opportunity!

Synod Staff Positions

Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni and the RMS synod staffing team invite applications for the following open positions on the staff of the Office of the Bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the ELCA:

• Synod Minister for Transitions and Healthy Ministries
• Synod Minister for Rostered and Lay Leadership
• Synod Minister for Strategic Communications and Events

These synod ministers will work in collaboration with one another, and with the rest of the team in the Office of the Bishop, to accompany and support the people, ministries, and communities of the Rocky Mountain Synod. Full job descriptions with more details are listed below.

We encourage all who discern a sense of calling and possess the gifts, skills, and experience for one or more of these positions to apply by completing the form below. If you wish to apply for more than one position, you will need to complete the form for each application. Applications will be received and reviewed on an ongoing basis, and we expect the application window to close approximately 40 days from the initial posting date. Please note that two additional open positions for Director of Evangelical Mission in the Rocky Mountain Synod will be posted by the ELCA Churchwide Organization on the ELCA job board; to apply, visit elca.org/careers.

Questions may be directed to Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni maelabouni@rmselca.org. All inquiries, as well as the candidate process, will be kept confidential by the staffing team.

Thank you for your discernment of these potential ministry calls; and please feel free to share with interested and qualified candidates!

Rocky Mountain Synod staffing team:

Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni, Ruth Hoffman (Synod Vice President), Matthew Weber (Synod Executive Committee), Stephanie Lord (Conference Dean), Jeff Carlson (Conference Dean), Susan Sharkey (Synod Finance Team)

Synod Minister for Rostered and Lay Leadership

The Synod Minister for Rostered and Lay Leadership directs the synod’s strategy for accompanying rostered and lay ministry leaders during candidacy, first call, and continued formation, education, and support. In collaboration with the Office of the Bishop team and committees, coordinate key aspects of rostered and lay leadership development within the synod. This called rostered minister position offers a part-time (.75 FTE) to full-time schedule, with a base salary range of $48,420 to $84,710, equating to an hourly rate of $31 to $40. Final salary is to be determined by factors such as work status (part-time or full-time), education, and work experience. Position requires residence within RMS area. Current option for remote and/or in-office work location; travel required for in-person meetings with synod staff and people served by the synod. View the job description HERE

Initial posting: 11/7/2024. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until position is filled or closed. Application window expected to close approximately 40 days from initial posting date.

Synod Minister for Transitions and Healthy Ministries

The Synod Minister for Transitions and Healthy Ministries directs the Rocky Mountain Synod’s strategy of accompaniment and guidance for synod congregations as they navigate transitions between called leaders and/or times of viability discernment, conflict, or crisis. This called rostered minister (pastor or deacon) position offers a part-time (.85 FTE) to full-time schedule, with a base salary range of $54,876 to $84,710, equating to an hourly rate of $31 to $40. Final salary is to be determined by factors such as work status (part-time or full-time), education, and work experience. Position requires residence within RMS area. Current option for remote and/or in-office work location; travel required for in-person meetings with synod staff and congregations served by the synod. View the job description HERE

Initial posting: 11/7/2024. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until position is filled or closed. Application window expected to close approximately 40 days from initial posting date.

Synod Minister for Strategic Communications and Events

The Synod Minister for Strategic Communications and Events is a brand ambassador and event planner for the synod. This position involves three key aspects: Coordinate strategic communications on behalf of the Rocky Mountain Synod (RMS) Office of the Bishop through multiple communication channels, oversee creation and promotion of storytelling for synod ministries and initiatives, convene and direct teams to design and implement all aspects of key synod-wide events, including the annual Theological Conference and the Synod Assembly. Called minister status not required. This position offers a part-time (.5 FTE) to full-time schedule, with a base salary range of $30,330 to $71,060, equating to an hourly rate of $29-$34. Final salary is to be determined by factors such as work status (part-time or full-time), education, and work experience. Position requires residence within RMS area. Current option for remote and/or in-office work location; travel required for in-person meetings with synod staff and events within the synod. View the job description HERE

Initial posting: 11/7/2024. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until position is filled or closed. Application window expected to close approximately 40 days from initial posting date.

New Excellence in Leadership beginning this January!

Excellence in Leadership (EiL) has opened enrollment for a new, 13-month leadership training cohort. This cohort will begin in January and meet on Monday nights from 6:00pm-9:00pm MT. 

Over the past five years, EiL has walked with leaders seeking skills to meet the future of the church – a future we cannot fully understand yet. As we live in the liminal time of the church today, Excellence in Leadership is poised to walk with you, with leaders from across the country and from multiple denominations, in order to engage courage, resilience, and faithfulness in the midst of the unknown.

Are you a leader in children, youth, young adult or outdoor ministry? If so, this conference is for you!

Extravaganza 2025 - January 23-26, 2025 - Louisville, KY

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

Women in Ministry and Money

In the thick of stewardship season it’s easy for money to feel like a necessary evil or out of your control, especially when it comes to the church budget and your own finances. 

 “Never bring up religion, politics or money at the dinner table,” right? But it’s more than possible to cultivate confidence with money. 

 This series is going to change your relationship with money as a woman in ministry for the better. 

You’ll learn how to: 

Lead from abundance without trying to fix the “there’s not enough [money/volunteers/time]” mentality. 

 See yourself as competent with money instead of feeling embarrassed to ask questions in a finance meeting. 

 Feel capable of managing your family’s money without deferring to your spouse because “he’s just better at it.” 

 Powerfully negotiate your salary and benefits instead of thinking you “should feel grateful they’re hiring you at all.” 

 Click here to enroll now.

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.

In October, we begin with food. We center around the prayer “To those who have hunger, give bread. And to those who have bread, give the hunger for justice.” Each monthly gathering will begin by breaking bread together and in October, we will take a look at food justice, food access, and organizations that address the hunger that our neighbors experience. Fuller details for each gathering will be shared a month in advance.

During the Year we will address:

December 4: Affordable Housing/Homelessness

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

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.

AMMPARO NEWS

U.S. Election Implications on Migration Policy in the Americas

In recent years, the Biden administration has shaped hemispheric migration policy through the LA Declaration on Migration and Protection, the introduction of the Safe Mobility Initiative, the expansion of alternative pathways, and bilateral negotiations and arrangements with other countries, especially Mexico and Panama. This webinar will explore potential shifts in U.S. migration policy following the election and the resulting impacts on regional cooperation and bilateral agreements; access to protection, pathways, and integration; and funding for enforcement and humanitarian efforts. The event will take place in English, with Spanish and Kreyol interpretation.

Thursday, November 14, 2024

12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET

Virtual

Moderator

Maria Jose Espinosa Carrillo, Executive Director, Center for Engagement and Advocacy in the Americas (CEDA)

Panelists 

Francisca Vigaud-Walsh, Director of Strategy and Advocacy, CEDA

Yael Schacher, Director for the Americas and Europe, and Rachel Schmidtke, Senior Advocate for Latin America, Refugees International

Hannah Flamm, Deputy Director of Policy at International Refugee Assistance Project

Guerline Jozef, Executive Director, Haitian Bridge Alliance

SUPPORT RAINBOW TRAIL ON COLORADO GIVES DAY!

December 10, 2024

Colorado Gives Day is an annual day of giving to non-profit organizations all across Colorado. Whether you live in Colorado or not, you can donate to Rainbow Trail on Tuesday, December 10th. Each donation helps RTLC receive additional funds from Community First Foundation through a sum that's divided among all participating non-profit organizations and prizes at the end of the day. You can even make your CO Gives Day gift NOW so you won't forget to donate! Gifts made in the month of November on the CO Gives website will count toward Rainbow Trail's Colorado Gives Day total on December 10. 

Give HERE TODAY!!

Holy Love Fall Craft Fair

November 16, 2024 9am-3pm

Holy Love Lutheran in Aurora is holding a Fall Craft Fair on November 16th from 9am-3pm. More than 30 vendors are slated to attend with a wide variety of wares. A great way to spend a find unique Christmas gifts. For more information, go to https://holylovelutheran.org/fall-craft-fair or contact us at admin@holylovelutheran.org. Hope to see you there.

"Faster Pastors" raise over 10K for Lutheran Disaster Response

Enjoy a fun video created by Pastor Kate Davidson