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March 4, 2026
generally published Tuesday of each week
| | CORRECTION: PASTOR ALY'S KOHLMEYER'S INSTALLATION DATE IS MARCH 22, 6:30pm | | A Letter from Bishop Meghan | | “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4) | |
“We must speak with moral clarity: the continued decision to resort to war is a failure of human responsibility before God… From our Palestinian Christian context, we affirm without hesitation: life, not death, is God’s choice for humanity.”
Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (read his entire letter here.)
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Over the past week, following the U.S./Israeli attack on Iran and Iran’s retaliation throughout the Middle East, many of us have watched with a mixture of horror and weariness at what feels on the one hand like yet another chapter in an endless story of war, and on the other like a threshold crossed to a new, frightening reality—the outcome, timeline, and scope of which are completely unknown.
My family and I anxiously scan the news each day and night to learn where missiles and shrapnel have landed, relieved when the names of affected villages and neighborhoods do not include the places where our family and friends live, and yet devastated to hear of loss of life everywhere: more than 100 children dead and buried in the rubble of a girls’ school in Minab, Iran; nine killed in Beit Shemesh, a suburb of Jerusalem; rising reports of casualties at U.S. military bases and embassy buildings; and in the West Bank, under cover of war, Palestinian farmers killed by emboldened Israeli settlers, with no accountability in sight.
Having lived and served in Jerusalem, I know something of how endless occupation and war have affected the real lives of real people I know in Palestine and Israel. I know very little about Iran, besides what any of us can access via media sources; but I do know that this war is affecting not just numbers, or a faceless “enemy,” but the real lives of real people with names, families, stories, and the same right to live as you or I. The burden of war always falls disproportionately on the most vulnerable: on the very young and the very old, on those too ill or poor or powerless to leave, who are snatched by the jaws of violence and the hunger and disease that follow. And, despite the puffed-up rhetoric of war—the assurances that this violence, this time, will bring peace and prosperity—the truth is that violence begets violence. It is impossible to bomb our way to peace.
My friend and colleague Bishop Imad Haddad, of our partner Lutheran church in the Holy Land, writes powerfully of this reality with Gospel conviction:
“We must speak with moral clarity: the continued decision to resort to war is a failure of human responsibility before God. Each new escalation tightens the grip of dread, deepens the lived reality of siege, and further constricts the space in which human dignity can breathe. Political calculations and security arguments must never be allowed to eclipse the sacred worth of human life. From our Palestinian Christian context, we affirm without hesitation: life, not death, is God’s choice for humanity.”
| | Synod Staff Greetings from the Border | | |
Synod staff recently spent time along the border in prayer, fellowship, and conversation with leaders and congregations of the Rocky Mountain Synod’s Border Conference. With gratitude, we thank Border Conference Dean Pastor Catherine Lemons for her coordination, and Peace Lutheran Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico for hosting us with generous hospitality, a wonderful lunch, and space to gather as the body of Christ.
The Border Conference includes congregations across New Mexico and West Texas:
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Our Savior Lutheran Church (Alamogordo, NM)
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St. Peter Lutheran Church (Carlsbad, NM)
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Peace Lutheran Church (Las Cruces, NM)
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Trinity Lutheran Church (Hobbs, NM)
- St. Mark’s Lutheran Church (Roswell, NM)
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Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey “Milagro de la Frontera” (El Paso, TX)
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New Hope Lutheran Church (El Paso, TX)
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Trinity Lutheran Church (Las Cruces, NM)
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Peace Lutheran Church (El Paso, TX)
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St. Timothy Lutheran Church (El Paso, TX)
Synod staff shared ministry through preaching and participation in worship across the conference for Sunday services.
- Our Savior (Alamogordo) — Pr Diana Linden
- St. Mark’s (Roswell) / St. Peter’s (Carlsbad) — Dn Mary Stoneback
- Trinity (Las Cruces) — Yvonne Wilken
- Milagro de la Frontera (El Paso) — Father Corino Cornejo
- New Hope (El Paso) — Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni
- Peace (El Paso) — Pr Sara Wirth
- St. Timothy (El Paso) — Pr Chris Davis
The team looks forward to sharing more stories from the Border Conference—stories of faith rooted in place, shaped by neighbor-love, and lived out together in Vida en Cristo / Life in Christ.
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Be part of the art—whether you’re at Assembly or not! | | For me as an artist, my worldview, and therefore my artwork, is informed by God’s story of creation, an image-bearing humanity, and a counter narrative to worldly ideals. My artistic practice seeks to create community and inspire meaning and questions about how we move through the world. More than any final product, true art exists for me in the coming together of voices and revelations experienced through the creative process. I am excited to collaborate with assembly participants to artistically reflect on the spiritual theme of Vida en Cristo. Life in Christ. | |  | |
Assembly participants will engage in creating a large-scale art piece that highlights who we are as individuals with our unique gifts and calling, and whose we are as the body of Living Love in the world. Participants in the art workshop both before and during the event will have the opportunity to contribute to a unified piece that will serve as the center visual for our time together at the assembly.
~Tara McConnell
| | Assembly Quick Links & Upcoming Due Dates | |
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March 31: Retiree applications due
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March 31: Scholarship applications due
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April 10: Assembly Registration due
| | | This is your assembly information hub—check back here often for all things related to Synod Assembly! | | | March 14: Memorials & Resolutions are due | | | March 14: Nominations are due | | | |
The 2026 Synod Assembly Website and Online Guide is a central hub for this year's Assembly titled, “Vida en Cristo. Life in Christ.”, happening April 23–25, 2026 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village (Denver).
PLEASE NOTE:
MEMORIALS & RESOLUTIONS: Submit your memorials and resolutions by or before March 14, 2026 to both:
NOMINATIONS: Nominate yourself or someone else for position openings with Synod Council and Synod Committees through March 14. Click on the buttons above for more information.
LODGING: The Synod is NOT contracting a room block. We are only providing a few options close to Bethany with reasonable rates.
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Pre-Assembly Gathering (open to everyone, not just assembly participants) | | |
More Information Coming Soon
Walking What Jesus Talked About
Racial Justice Training
Tuesday, April 21, 12pm – Thursday, April 23, 12pm
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Highlands Lutheran Church Endowment Grants Available | | |
Deadline: February 28th (applications being accepted after February 28)
Grant Disbursement: April/May
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Dear Valued Partner,
We are reaching out to you on behalf of the Highlands Lutheran Endowment. We provide small grants to non-profits that support programs in and around the Denver Metro area or that serve greater Colorado, which are focused on youth, LGBTQ, people who are unhoused/homeless, Indigenous/Native American communities, prison programs, and food banks. We are specifically focused on projects that bring hope, healing, and hospitality in these areas. Awarded grants usually range between $1,000 and $5,000.
Further information regarding the grant application process can be found HERE.
(There will be a second grant in the fall of 2026. Please continue to apply after due date and we'll be in touch)
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The Rocky Mountain Synod is co-sponsoring with Together Colorado Faith & Justice at the Capitol 2026 Lobby Day, March 23, 8:30a–1pm | | |
Dear Rocky Mountain Synod,
We’re excited to partner with the Rocky Mountain Synod again and plan to follow a format similar to last year: a morning grounding and brief “how to lobby” training, followed by House and Senate group visits. We also hope to close out our time together with a clear call to action before lunch—possibly a short gathering on the Capitol steps with a song and invitation to next steps.
Please click on the button above to register for the event and we invite you to use the Lobby Day Toolkit to spread the word to your faith communities.
Sincerely,
Meghan Carrier
Executive Director, Together Colorado
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SURVEY: Mountain Sabbath for Church Leaders | | |
Please consider taking the survey (see survey button) if you are interested in participating in Sabbath and Learning Opportunities for Church Leaders (rostered and lay leaders) in the mountains of Grand County, Colorado. We value your feedback through this survey on what would be most appealing personally, fruitful for your leadership and ministry, and how we might help create sabbath and continuing education opportunities. Please complete the survey and share this link with other colleagues who may benefit from such an opportunity.
Recreation & Revelation has provided an annual winter continuing education retreat in Winter Park, Colorado for many decades. At this time, we are considering providing further opportunities throughout the year to gather with small groups in the mountains to rest, learn, and grow.
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We take seriously both parts of our name: (1) Recreation is an important part of being in community with others and with creation, especially for opportunities of rest, learning, and being re-created by God as leaders; (2) Revelation is the intentional work to grow together with others as the people and leaders God has called us to be. We know that time, money, and other resources are limited for some, so we are looking for ways to provide these opportunities as affordable and life-giving opportunities.
Thank you for sharing your input,
Pastor Joel Pancoast
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"When Pastor Gabrielle heard that a kneeler from St. Paul’s in Denver would be available as part of their holy closure process, she shared that it was on her “wish list” of items to receive for the church. I’m grateful for the chance to help refurbish it and bring it into Grace’s sanctuary.”
~Cathy Benson
| | As St. Paul’s in Denver moved through its holy closure, several items were distributed throughout the synod, including the kneeler featured in the back of Cathy's vehicle. This is a tangible sign of their faithful ministry and legacy and how it continues to live on in new ways throughout the synod. Thank you, all who have reached out to inquire of available items. St. Paul's is truly grateful. | | | | |
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Ash Wednesday has a way of catching us right in the middle of real life—between classes, meetings, errands, and everything in between. That’s exactly what happened at the University of New Mexico, as Ashes on the Go met students and passersby at the duck pond and inside the Student Union Building with a simple invitation: “Get your ash over here!”
Pastor Rhonda shares that Ashes on the Go was a gift-filled day at UNM, with special thanks to Erica Lea-Simka and Lucas Grubbs for showing up with ecumenical love alongside LuMin (ELCA Lutheran Campus Ministry Network), Open Table NM, the Rocky Mountain Synod (ELCA), and the Southwest Conference UCC.
Were you “caught in the ash” this year—at church, on campus, at work, or somewhere unexpected?
We’d love to hear your Ash Wednesday experience. Share a photo or a short reflection—where you received ashes, who you were with, and what you’re carrying into Lent.
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Church Property Resources
Town Halls
| | A beautifully celebratory worship service at Wicker Park Lutheran Church in Chicago, IL. Photo credit: Brian Eaves, https://www.eavesphoto.com/ | | |
Join the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for three ELCA-wide Town Halls introducing the new Church Property Resource Hub—a growing collection of templates, guides, explainers, and courses to help congregations steward buildings and land in faithful, practical ways. Choose a session that fits your schedule:
- March 17 (12 p.m. MT / 1 p.m. CT)
- March 19 (3 p.m. MT / 4 p.m. CT)
- March 24 (12 p.m. MT / 1 p.m. CT)
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40-40-40 Lenten Challenge
for Region 2
| | Our goal is for participation by at least one individual from 50 congregations in each of the five synods. | | |
Join the Region 2 ELCA Lenten Challenge (2026)—a friendly, faith-filled effort across the five Region 2 synods (Sierra Pacific, Southwest California, Pacifica, Grand Canyon, and Rocky Mountain) to put Matthew 25 into practice.
This year’s theme—“Lord, When Did We See You?”—invites individuals, families, congregations, and organizations to commit to 3 of 4 practices (Devotions, Learning, Action, and Donation) throughout Lent, while together aiming to raise $100,000 for ELCA World Hunger—supporting sustainable solutions that address the root causes of hunger and poverty.
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The Buntrock Scholars Program at Augustana University supports students who are active and engaged in ELCA congregations throughout the Midwest by covering half of the net price of attendance, up to $13,000 per year.
Applications for Fall 2026 are now open. Find more information and the application at augie.edu/BuntrockScholarship.
Congregations whose students are awarded the Buntrock Scholarship are strongly encouraged to provide some level of financial support to help the students cover the other half of net tuition. The donor’s vision for this generous scholarship program is to partner with congregations and synods to make college more accessible for young people in the Church.
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Faith Formation Network
A Network for those working with children, youth, families and young adults
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THE FFN WEBPAGE IS LIVE!
Get connected in person or online, learn, share resources & stories, upcoming events and more!
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Dear FFN Colleagues:
Bishop Meghan Aelabouni plans to attend the Western States Youth Gathering (WSYG) at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California on June 28-July 1, 2026. Bishop Meghan would like to know if we have any congregations in the Rocky Mountain Synod who will be bringing youth to this gathering.
If so, please email Yvonne Wilken (Synod Minister for Administration) at office@rmselca.org . We would love to know if you will be there so that we can network together. If there are congregations who have a few youth but no set plans or limited capacity to lead a summer trip, please let us know and we might be able to link these youth to another group that is already planning on going.
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This year the theme is "A Faith Odyssey" and with WSYG being a year prior to the ELCA Youth Gathering, it provides a wonderful opportunity to prepare your young people for the overall Gathering experience. Youth graduating 8th grade through those graduating 12th grade, including their adult leaders, are invited to attend. Registration includes all housing, meals, and programming.
Please take a look at all the opportunities this Western States Youth Gathering has to offer by clicking the link below.
Western States Youth Gathering
or on Facebook:
Western States Youth Gathering | Thousand Oaks CA - Facebook
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Lenten Devotional from this ELCA Sumud series, prepared by some of the ELCA bishops who visited ELCJHL in January 2026 on the occasion of the consecration of Bishop Dr. Imad Hadda. | | |
On the Website
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Go to Connect & Serve on the Main Menu, where you'll find individual pages for: Global Church Network, RMS SUMUD, Companion Synods and Immigrant Accompaniment Network
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National Faith + Climate Forum | April 25 | | |
We are excited to share that Advent Lutheran Church in Westminster, CO, will serve as a host site for the National Faith + Climate Forum 2026 on Saturday, April 25, and this year promises to be the most inspiring yet.
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is the keynote speaker for the National Faith + Climate Forum. Dr. Johnson is the acclaimed author of What If We Get It Right?, co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab, and co-editor of All We Can Save.
Her visionary leadership at the intersection of climate action, justice, and community makes her an extraordinary voice for this moment.
With the theme “The Future We Choose: Faith in Action for a Thriving Tomorrow,” the 2026 Forum invites us to imagine and build the future our faith calls us to create. Through dynamic workshops, energizing conversations, and powerful storytelling, we will explore how communities of faith can lead with courage, compassion, and hope.
Whether you’ve joined us before or are stepping into this movement for the first time, your participation is vital. Together, we will learn, connect, and catalyze action toward a more sustainable and equitable world.
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Event Details:
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Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
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Time: 10:00 am - 3:30 pm MT
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Venue: 7979 Meade St., Westminster, CO, 80030
Registration is easy and free:
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Register at https://nationalfaithandclimateforum.org
- Fill out the required registration fields.
- Select the “Attend in person at a designated host location” Ticket Type.
- Then select your specific location.
- Submit your registration and look out for a confirmation email with your registration details!
We hope you will join us for this transformative day.
Questions? Contact Pastor Alena Lamirato (pastoralena@yahoo.com)
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Pastor Aly Kohlmeyer will be installed on March 8, 2026, 6:30pm at Atonement Lutheran Church in Boulder, Colorado. All are welcome!
God of grace, bless Pastor Aly as she is installed at Atonement in Boulder. Fill her with your Spirit, wisdom, courage, and joy for the work ahead. Unite this congregation in love, renew their shared mission, and make their ministry a bright witness to Christ. Amen.
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OFFICE OF THE BISHOP STAFF | |
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Rev. Barbara Berry-Bailey (she/her), Synod Minister for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, bberry-bailey@rmselca.org
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Rev. Quirino Cornejo (he/him), Director for Evangelical Mission-South & Synod Minister for Multicultural Witness, qcornejo@rmselca.org
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Rev. Chris Davis (he/him), Director for Evangelical Mission-North and Synod Minister for Generosity, cdavis@rmselca.org
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Jon Johnson (he/him), Synod Minister for Finance and Human Resources, finance@rmselca.org
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Rev. Diana Johnson, Synod Minister for Rostered Ministry, dlinden-johnson@rmselca.org
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Kurt Rager, Synod Minister for Advocacy, New Mexico, krager@rmselca.org
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Deacon Mary Stoneback (she/her), Synod Minister for Strategic Communications and Events, mstoneback@rmselca.org
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Yvonne Wilken (she/her), Synod Minister for Adminstration, office@rmselca.org
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Pastor Sara Wirth (she/her), Synod Minister for Transitions and Healthy Ministries, swirth@rmselca.org
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| | Rocky Mountain Synod | 2323 E. Iliff Ave., | Denver, CO 80210 US |
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