December 17, 2025

generally published Tuesday of each week

The Wyoming Conference’s custom Rocky Mountain Synod logo, brought to life in paint by Yvonne Wilken, Synod Minister for Administration.

The official state flower of Wyoming is the Indian paintbrush (Castilleja linariifolia), also commonly called prairie fire. It was adopted as the state flower in 1917 and is known for its bright red, orange, yellow, and pink bracts that stand out across Wyoming’s wild landscapes.

Bishop's Christmas Message

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Synod News

We Will Remember: Homeless Person's Memorial Vigil & Blanket Project

December 21, 4pm

Installation: Pastor Joel Pancoast

December 19, 4:30pm

TIME SENSITIVE PORTICO Update

Expect Your 2026 Health & Debit Cards this December

Immigrant Accompaniment Network: An Update & Message from Ali

YAGM Update

Daniel Serving in Guadalajara, Mexico

Holy Closure: St. Paul Lutheran Church (Denver)

December 28, 4pm

Equip Yourself to Ignite Christ's Light in Others

January 22–24, 2026

Compensation Guidelines

Search Employment Opportunities

In Our Prayers

With Deepest Sympathy: Judith Marxhausen

With Deepest Sympathy: Kathryn (Kitty) Sherlock

New Synod Address:

2323 E. Iliff Ave., Denver, CO 80210

Have a story you'd like to share? Or an upcoming event you want others to know about? Or how can we pray for you? Please submit them through the website [HERE]. If you’ve already submitted something and don’t see it listed, please email Synod Minister, Deacon Mary Stoneback at mstoneback@rmselca.org.

Note: Please complete as much of the event submission form as you can—I can only share the details you provide. Thank you! ~Deacon Mary

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Synod Event Calendar

Synod Stories

Stories from Wyoming + Beyond

This past October, the Synod Staff came together for their fall retreat at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Casper, Wyoming. The weekend began with visits to congregations throughout the Wyoming Conference and Colorado on the Sunday beforehand. What follows are the stories and reflections that emerged from the team's time out and about.

Congregations in the Wyoming Conference include:

Ascension Lutheran Church (Cheyenne, WY), Covenant Lutheran Church (Wheatland, WY), Faith Lutheran Church (Lander, WY), Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Casper, Wyoming), Mount of Olives (Rock Springs, WY), Our Saviour's Lutheran Church (Casper, WY), Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (Gillette, WY), Trinity Lutheran Church (Laramie, WY), St. Luke's Lutheran Church (Buffalo, WY), St. John's and United Presbyterian (Riverton, WY), and St. Paul's Lutheran Church (Cheyenne, WY).

My memories of Wyoming go back to early childhood: the smell of the prairie grass, clouds moving across the wide-open skies, and standing up on my bicycle to use all my body weight to pedal downhill (against the wind!).

Wyoming also holds some of my earliest church memories. We moved to Cheyenne when I was five and joined St. Paul’s Lutheran Church downtown. St. Paul’s was the first place I received Holy Communion, gave off-the-wall answers during children’s sermons (to no one’s surprise, I was that kid), attended Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, joined the children’s choir and Christmas pageants. Because of God’s grace working through the people of St. Paul’s, I experienced church as the body of Christ—a place of belonging that has shaped my love for this church always.

Bringing our team of synod ministers to Wyoming this fall was a gift. We experienced the joy of a warm Wyoming welcome and also learned more about how our church shows up in this part of our Rocky Mountain Synod: tending to communities that can be isolated (by choice or not); living near and among Indigenous neighbors, finding strength in ecumenical relationships, and responding to context-specific needs in love and service (such as transportation ministry for those whose doctors’ appointments may be hours away).

Over and over again, we heard: God is here (Dios está aquí!) I give thanks for God’s continued presence in this part of our church and world where my own faith was kindled.

by Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni

Ascension Lutheran Church Cheyenne, WY

It was a joy to be with the people of Ascension Lutheran Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Among the many I met was Charles McColl (CJ), a high school junior who has a sincere desire to share Christ's love and God's Word with those around him—at church, school and on the football field. This video captures a day in the life of a high school youth living out their faith.

~Deacon Mary Stoneback

Synod Minister for Strategic Communications and Events

Meet Charles (CJ) McColl

"I feel like God is leading me to help kids to learn more about Him."

~CJ McColl

Good Shepherd Lutheran Casper, WY

"My experience with them leads me to believe that any called leader would be blessed to be a member of their community and I too hope and pray that God will provide that leader sometime soon."

~Yvonne Wilken

I worshipped with, preached, and engaged in conversation after worship with the community of Good Shepherd Lutheran in Casper WY. This is a community who have been without a called leader since 2019 but very much like the widow in the Gospel message that day, Luke 18 1-18, they have been a persistent and faith lead group. The members of this faith filled community have kept this congregation going. They have stepped up by leading worship, preaching the gospel, caring for the community members of the care home that is attached to their congregation, as well as staying involved in the greater Casper community.

They have done all this while continuing to hope and pray for a called leader to shepherd them into the future. My experience with them leads me to believe that any called leader would be blessed to be a member of their community and I too hope and pray that God will provide that leader sometime soon.

~Yvonne Wilken

Synod Minister for Administration

Mount of Olives Rock Springs, WY

"What I witnessed was an engaged and faithful congregation, nourished by God’s presence and by one another."

~Pastor Sara Wirth

On Sunday, October 19, I drove to Mount of Olives Lutheran Church in Rock Springs, Wyoming—and the first thing that caught my eye was the deer. They surrounded the church, quietly feeding on fallen crab apples. I later learned that in spring, those same trees burst into bloom, a reminder of renewal that follows each long Wyoming winter. Watching the deer, I couldn’t help but think how God provides nourishment in every season—sometimes in unexpected ways.

I was there at the invitation of the congregation’s council, as Mount of Olives has been in transition for 18 months.

As the Synod Minister for Transitions and Healthy Ministries, I came to listen to their hopes and questions about pastoral care, leadership, and sustainability. My sermon, Never Lose Heart (Luke 18:1–8), spoke to this time of waiting for their next pastor. What I witnessed was an engaged and faithful congregation, nourished by God’s presence and by one another. In their waiting, they continue to bear fruit—serving neighbors, deepening ecumenical connections, and embodying the priesthood of all believers.

~Pastor Sara Wirth

Synod Minister for Transitions and Healthy Congregations

Our Saviour's Casper, WY

"Forgiveness is a gift from God."

~Pastor Mike Eisenman

We were warmly hosted by Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Casper for our October Synod Staff Retreat—a time of connection, conversation, and spiritual renewal with leaders from across the Wyoming Conference!

One of the highlights? Joining Our Saviour's Preschool chapel, led by Pastor Mike Eisenman, where we were joyfully reminded of the wonder, curiosity, and faith of our youngest siblings in Christ. Watching children sing, pray, and gather around the Word grounded our retreat with fresh perspective and hope for ministry with all ages.

Thank you, Our Saviour’s, for your generous hospitality and for inviting us into worship and learning alongside your preschool community. We’re grateful for moments of shared worship that renew our calling to Relate, Connect, Support, and Equip in every corner of the Synod.

Watch an excerpt of Pastor Mike's children's message about Jacob and Esau and forgiveness, as told by Octavia the Octopus

St. John's + United Presbyterian (Riverton, WY) and Faith Lutheran (Lander, WY)

"I’m so grateful for how God is present in these congregations, for their ministries to their communities and one another and for the faithful leadership of Pastor Kris in this beautiful part of the Rocky Mountain Synod!"

~Pastor Diana Linden

I had the honor of being in Riverton, Wyoming with the congregations of St. John’s Lutheran, Riverton, Faith Lutheran, Lander, and United Presbyterian, Riverton for a joint worship service and chili cook-off at St. John! Located about 30 minutes apart, St. John’s and Faith are both led by Pastor Kris Trahnstrom. The two congregations come together twice a year for worship and fellowship. On this Sunday, United Presbyterian, who recently sold their building and now worship at St. John, also joined the Sunday celebration.

First and foremost, I found the people I encountered to be exceedingly kind and welcoming. The joint worship service was beautifully coordinated, with leaders from each of the three congregations participating.

During the time of offering, a member of the congregation was invited to share how she has experienced God’s presence in her life and the testimony was extremely moving. I’m so grateful for how God is present in these congregations, for their ministries to their communities and one another and for the faithful leadership of Pastor Kris in this beautiful part of the Rocky Mountain Synod!

~Pastor Diana Linden

Synod Minister for Lay and Rostered Leaders

St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cheyenne, WY

It was a joy to be with the people of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Among the many I met was MaKaylah Rentner, a high school junior who has grown up in that community—baptized, confirmed, and fully engaged in the life of her home congregation. I invited her to share a bit of her story.

~Deacon Mary Stoneback

Synod Minister for Strategic Communications and Events

Meet MaKaylah Rentner

By MaKaylah Rentner

People sometimes called me Mother Mac n Cheese growing up, because in middle school I was teased about my name. My name has a “K” that’s capitalized, so I decided to turn that into something fun—something that makes people smile. I took that nickname and made it mine because I’ve always been the one who takes care of others. That’s just who I am.

At my core, I’m a Wyoming girl who loves to sing, dance, sew and be involved at my church, St. Paul's. You can usually spot me wearing my favorite headbands, and I absolutely love flamingos—not just because they’re bright and fun, but because of what they stand for: uniqueness, joy, resilience, and standing tall even when life feels a bit wobbly.

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

In this video, Makaylah—a youth from St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming—shares about her Youth Gathering experience and what she learned from serving at Kind Grounds, a navigation center for people experiencing homelessness in Casper, Wyoming.

Trinity Lutheran Church Laramie, WY

"Thank you Trinity Lutheran for your great welcome and hospitality and for being a living testimony of Love and Diversity of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wyoming."

~Rev. Quirino Cornejo

It was an amazing experience to be present and celebrate Sunday worship with the great community of Trinity Lutheran Congregation in Laramie, WY; it truly was an amazing multicultural and diverse Christian celebration. Pastor Nathan Keith and his leadership team went the extra mile in putting together many gifts and talents to fully enrich and celebrate our diverse cultures and languages.

The Word of God was proclaimed and diverse native languages in Korean, Guane, Spanish and English. The Music Band was phenomenal by putting together a great variety of Multicultural song and instruments.

Thank you Trinity Lutheran for your great welcome and hospitality and for being a living testimony of Love and Diversity of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wyoming.

~Rev. Quirino Cornejo

Director for Evangelical Mission–South & Synod Minister for Multicultural Witnes

A God–given New Voice

"God gave me a love for playing drums, so now I can sing to God and praise God through playing drums."

~Alice

After the service, Rev. Quirino connected with Alice, a member of Trinity who, after losing her ability to sing, discovered that God was leading her into a new form of praise and worship through playing the drums.

Reaffirmation of Ordination

Shepherd of the Valley La Salle, CO

"Over the years, I am afraid pastors sometimes get so caught in the day to day routine of leading worship, pastoral care, preaching, and administration that we lose sight of what we once vowed to do and how to live this call faithfully."

~Pastor Tim Bettger

by Pastor Tim Bettger

Over the years, I am afraid pastors sometimes get so caught in the day to day routine of leading worship, pastoral care, preaching, and administration that we lose sight of what we once vowed to do and how to live this call faithfully. The opportunity to hear and commit myself again to such a call gave me a renewed spirit—empowered by the Spirit—to continue that very call. Having the opportunity to renew ordination vows before God, Bishop Meghan, and the congregation—vows taken and spoken thirty-eight years ago—was a needed refreshment of what my call into the ordained ministry was...is.

The family of faith at Shepherd of the Valley, LaSalle, Colorado is a community which serves and tends to the needs of many in the Greeley, Evans, and LaSalle communities. Outreach in service is one of the gifts that makes SOTV a great place to live out my call as pastor. The congregation is willing to seek new ways to live the gospel and looks forward to new and faithful ways to serve. It’s a pleasure to be servant to such a community.

I pray that we at SOTV will continue to live faithfully to our call as baptized and grace-filled children of God, always seeking where it is we can fit into the desires of our Savior who calls us to witness through word and deed to the Truth of love and mercy, always seeking God’s guidance to lead us.

100 Years of Ministry

Zion Lutheran Church Limon, CO

by Pastor Chris Davis

I had the priviledge of being at Zion in Limon, Colorado while many of the Synod Staff were in Wyoming the Sunday before our Staff Retreat. It was such a wonderful day! One of the things that was impactful was hearing how rural ministry formed Bishop Tracey Breashears Schultz when she was an intern, and how that experience shaped her future ministry. See the buttons below for my interview with Bishop Tracey, the Acolytes and Pat, a long-time member of Zion.

Acolytes, Bishop, and Members … Oh My!

Pastor Chris Davis Discovers the Intergenerational Heart

of Zion’s 100-Year Ministry

Acolytes

Bishop Tracey

Zion Member, Pat

Wyoming Reflections

One thing I learned being in Wyoming is how much diversity and diversity training means to many of our congregations in Wyoming. It’s easy for many to see Wyoming as a state filled with white, rural cowboys and cowgirls. But that stereotype is just not true, and congregations are looking to support the unique diversity in their community, including a strong Indigenous heritage (Shoshone & Arapaho), and a growing Hispanic/Latino population.
My prayer for the Wyoming conference is that they will be able to continue to grow in their partnership with each other as they meet the challenges and needs of their communities.
I love the way our team is growing together while we are deepening our relationships with our conferences!

~Pastor Chris Davis

Director for Evangelical Mission–North and Synod Minister for Generosity

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OFFICE OF THE BISHOP STAFF

Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni — maelabouni@rmselca.org

Rev. Barbara Berry-Bailey (she/her), Synod Minister for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, bberry-bailey@rmselca.org
Rev. Quirino Cornejo (he/him), Director for Evangelical Mission-South & Synod Minister for Multicultural Witness, qcornejo@rmselca.org
Rev. Chris Davis (he/him), Director for Evangelical Mission-North and Synod Minister for Generosity, cdavis@rmselca.org
Jon Johnson (he/him), Synod Minister for Finance and Human Resources, finance@rmselca.org

Rev. Diana Johnson, Synod Minister for Rostered Ministry, dlinden-johnson@rmselca.org
Kurt Rager, Synod Minister for Advocacy, New Mexico, krager@rmselca.org
Deacon Mary Stoneback (she/her), Synod Minister for Strategic Communications and Events, mstoneback@rmselca.org
Yvonne Wilken (she/her), Synod Minister for Adminstration, office@rmselca.org
Pastor Sara Wirth (she/her), Synod Minister for Transitions and Healthy Ministries, swirth@rmselca.org