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January 29, 2026
generally published Tuesday of each week
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(Pictured Above) Synod Staff outside of Iliff Seminary, where the Rocky Mountain Synod offices are now located. | | |
New Year, new office!
As we begin 2026, the Rocky Mountain Synod office is excited to share an announcement that has been a long time coming: we have officially moved in with Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado.
Iliff is a seminary of the United Methodist Church located on the campus of the University of Denver. The RMS has signed a five-year lease agreement to share space in the Iliff building in an office suite that is currently being remodeled for us; in the meantime, our synod minister team is working out of several offices in Iliff’s own administrative wing.
We are excited about this move and believe it is the next most faithful step for our synod office, for several reasons:
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Good stewardship: The staff, synod council members, and conference dean who worked to identify the next location for the RMS office sought an alternative to the financial and time-intensive responsibilities of owning and maintaining a building, in the hope that more of our synod mission support could be directed toward the mission of the office of the bishop to relate to, connect, support and equip our 150 congregations and ministries, leaders and members. Our agreement with Iliff will cost approximately one-third of our annual operating costs for the former Lutheran Center (not counting the savings from deferred maintenance projects). Staff time previously spent on building maintenance will be freed to focus on strengthening our accompaniment of our people and ministries throughout the synod.
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Ecumenical partnership: Iliff School of Theology, the only theological school of any ELCA full-communion church that resides in the geographic territory of the Rocky Mountain Synod, is a place of theological learning and leadership formation for ordained and lay leaders across denominational backgrounds, for vocations within and beyond the church. Bishop Meghan and the RMS staff will have the opportunity to work with Iliff’s president, the Rev. Dr. Lee Butler, and other Iliff leaders to discern ways we can build closer relationships and identify opportunities for partnership.
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Commitment to synod presence: Having our synod office located at Iliff, through cost and time savings, will support our commitment as RMS staff to be synod ministers, in a ministry of presence and active accompaniment throughout the five states of our synod. Iliff is a location that offers myriad opportunities for gathering spaces. That said, we will continue to focus on bringing staff, meetings, and events out into the Rocky Mountain Synod whenever possible (as with our quarterly staff retreats and our 2026 synod assembly and theological conference, which will both be hosted by synod congregations).
We are hopeful that the new office suite at Iliff will be completed by the time of this year’s synod assembly at Bethany Lutheran Church in south Denver, and that we might be able to include an opportunity to visit this new space as part of our assembly activities.
In the meantime, please note our change of address going forward: all mail to the RMS office of the bishop should be addressed directly to the Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA at 2323 E Iliff Ave, Denver, CO, 80210.
What’s happening to the Lutheran Center?
(Pictured below) On December 17, our Rocky Mountain Synod staff gathered at the Lutheran Center to officially bless and decommission the building as a church property. Synod Council and I will update you when more is known on the next steps for the Lutheran Center. We are grateful to a number of congregations and leaders who reached out to Bishop Meghan and the RMS staff to offer ideas and potential location sites for the office, as well as to the Lutheran Center transition team who faithfully engaged in this discernment process.
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Welcome to the new RMS Website—
We continue to welcome your feedback!
| | Welcome to the Rocky Mountain Synod’s new website—see what's new as we refresh the look, navigation, and content. We hope you enjoy the new site and are easily able to find what you are looking for. Because this is a work in progress, some areas are still being built and populated. For example, you may notice pages 'coming soon' and other areas in process. A number of the links have changed. If you have bookmarked pages on the previous site, they will need to updated. | |  | |
We want this to be user friendly, helping you find what you need easily. Your feedback is welcome—as you explore, please share what’s working well, what’s confusing, what feels missing, and anything that doesn’t behave the way you expect. And check back often as content will be updated regularly.
A special thank-you to our Web Developer, Patrick DeLoughry from Cyntacs Studios for his hard work in getting this new site up and running—and to everyone who has helped over the past two years to get this process underway.
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Lodging Information
The synod is not contracting a room block for this year’s Assembly. You may book lodging wherever you prefer; a few nearby, reasonably priced options are provided for your consideration.
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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:
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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ASSEMBLY PARTICIPANT COST: We were able to reduce the cost per participant from $450 to $375 per participant. As we finalized the budget for this year’s Assembly, we found that while we can trim some expenses, the baseline costs of hosting a multi-day event remain significant—and that’s reflected in the final registration amount. Meals, transportation, and contracted services (including guest speakers, musicians, and event staff onsite) all contribute to the overall cost.
Please visit the Synod Assembly Event Website often to stay up-to-date as you prepare for this year's Synod Assembly.
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More Information Coming Soon
Walking What Jesus Talked About
Tuesday, April 21, 12pm – Thursday, April 23, 12pm
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Office of the Bishop 2025 Ministry Highlights | | Whether you've had your Annual Congregational Meeting already or have one coming up, we welcome you to share the Office of the 2025 Bishop Ministry Highlights. | | | | |
Liturgical Items Available | | |
Liturgical items to donate after St. Paul Denver Holy Closure
St. Paul Lutheran Church at 1600 Grant St. in Denver has numerous liturgical items to offer to churches and other nonprofits. Items include:
- Communion ware
- Crosses
- Numerous candles including Christmas eve candles
- Religious art (including ancient and contemporary icons, wall plaques)
- Lectors and bookstands
- A funeral pall
- A kneeler
- Books including a box of books by and about Martin Luther
- A beeswax nativity
| | If you have questions or are interested in claiming any of these items, contact Carolyn Swenson at: cjswenson57@gmail.com | | | | |
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"I am beyond honored and blessed to have served as your Director for so many years. I am different because I have been here."
~Dave Jarvis, former Executive Director of Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp
| | Picture (left to right): Nellie Jarvis, Dave Jarvis | | |
The Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA is grateful to be partners in ministry with our outdoor ministries, including Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp and Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp. And they all showed up to celebrate Dave Jarvis' retirement after serving 37 years as Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp's Executive Director.
The celebration overflowed with the Holy Spirit’s work—alive in relationships across generations and among people from every walk of life. What a powerful witness to what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do through the ministry of Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp.
A special thank you to the Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp Board of Directors for their faithful leadership and the incredible sending for Dave, Nellie and his family.
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"I kept asking the Lord to send someone. And eventually, my prayer changed. I finally asked the Lord to send me."
~Josh Welbaum
| | Meet Josh welbaum, installed on January 18, 2026 as a Synodically Authorized Minister (SAM) at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. | | | | |
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The Office of the Secretary Announcement
Annual Congregation Reports
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Dear Synod Bishops,
We are pleased to share that the online system for the Annual Congregation Report was opened on Monday January 12 for data entry by congregations. We have received nearly 200 responses, and there are another 600 in progress. The Office of the Secretary is eager to receive their reports.
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January 2026 ELCA Mission Support Memo | | |
The ELCA Mission Support Memo is a monthly communication from churchwide. Here's more information about the resource.
What it is: The ELCA’s Mission Support Memo for January 2026, meant to spark reflection and storytelling.
Main story: “Bridge-builder for Justice”—spotlighting Community Lutheran Church (Frankford, Delaware) and its bridge-building, justice-centered ministry in the community. What it highlights: Practical examples of welcome/inclusion and justice work (e.g., community care, advocacy, anti-racism, etc.).
Extra item: A plug for a synod-focused learning opportunity: “Property Development 101 for Synods.”
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Portico’s January 2026 highlights include::
- ELCA-Primary members should watch for their new 2026 health ID card, now with a Group ID—and if two sets arrived, use the second set and destroy the first (Quantum Health can help at 877-851-5656).
- As of Jan. 1, 2026, the ELCA-Primary EAP moved to Spring Health (via 98point6 by Transcarent), offering therapy (age 6+) and coaching (age 13+) through the app/myPortico.
- January is Financial Wellness Month—check Fidelity’s quick tips and consider a no-cost Portico Financial Planner appointment (book online or call 800-922-4896).
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40-40-40 Lenten Challenge
for Region 2
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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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Faith Formation Network
A Network for those working with children, youth and families
| | THE SUMMIT - APRIL 20-22, 2026 | | |
Dear Faith Formation Network Colleagues,
MARK YOUR CALENDARS for THE SUMMIT!
April 20-22, 2026 Youth Summit “Plan It!” at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp. See flyer attached below! We will send out another FFN Update when the Link to register is “Live” so you can register. Click the button below!
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As always, please let me know if you have information or events to share with the FFN. Also, if you are new to the FFN or interested in learning more about the network, please let me know. We would like to welcome you in our next newsletter! I hope you feel encouraged and inspired to continue your Faith Formation Journey with the precious children, youth, and young adult Children of God in our midst!
+In Christ’s Love and Hope,
Deacon Kristen, FFN Coordinator
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Resource Available
A Book Study, for our better awareness,
accompaniment and advocacy
| | Immigration Accompaniment Network (IAN) | | We give thanks for our companion partners in Madagascar — the Mahajanga Synod, the Antsiranana Synod, the Sambava Synod, the Sofia Synod, and Betela Seminary. | | |
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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Synod Prayers
We prayer for the rostered ministers, congregations, and ministries throughout the Metro West Conference.
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Pastor Alena Lamirato will be installed at Advent Lutheran Church on Thursday January 29, 6pm. Color of the day is green. All are welcome!
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Vicars Shila and Ben Adolf are being installed February 1st to service in Prairie Parish.
9:15am - All Saints Church, Brush, Colorado (pictured above)
Location: 122 Hospital Rd, Brush, CO 80723 (located on the campus of Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center)
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11:00am - Peace Lutheran, Sterling, Colorado (pictured above)
Location: 1404 S. 9th Ave, Sterling, CO, United States, 80751
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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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