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February 11, 2026
generally published Tuesday of each week
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Memorials, Resolutions & Nominations
Submit memorials and resolutions and nominate yourself or others for open committee and synod council positions by March 14
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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:
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.
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
Racial Justice Training
Tuesday, April 21, 12pm – Thursday, April 23, 12pm
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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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Liturgical Items Available | | |
St. Paul Lutheran Church at 1600 Grant St. in Denver liturgical items to offer to churches and other nonprofits. UPDATED FEBRUARY 5
- Communion ware including multiple trays with individual communion cups
- Crosses including a processional cross and table-top metal crosses
- Large standing candle holders (plus candles) and Christmas eve candles
- Religious art (including ancient and contemporary icons, and metal wall plaques)- SOME ART REMAINS TO BE CLAIMED
- Lecterns and bookstands
- A funeral pall
- A box of books by and about Martin Luther
- Albs/choir robes
Photos of these items can be provided upon request.
| | If you have questions or are interested in claiming any of these items, contact Carolyn Swenson at: cjswenson57@gmail.com | | | | |
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"It's an honor to be able to welcome the synod to Bethany for Synod Assembly and has given us all something (in addition to Easter of course) to look forward to with great anticipation."
~Michelle Stone Kraus
| | Michelle Stone Kraus pictured updating the Baptismal cover | | Meet Michelle Stone Kraus, a member at Bethany Lutheran Church and a part of the Sacristy Team preparing for the 2026 Synod Assembly. Learn how one volunteer’s Baptismal “To-Do” Becomes a Synod Assembly Welcome | | | | |
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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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Portico February Announecments | | | | |
Please click the button below for Portico February updates. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Blessings,
Andrea
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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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PLTS Opportunity (Online & In Person)
| | Disputatio on Artificial Intelligence | | |
The Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary Disputatio on Artificial Intelligence will be held at 2000 Center St., Suite 200, Berkeley, CA and online on Wednesday, February 25 from 8:30 am - 3 pm.
In a digital age that is always reforming, artificial intelligence (AI) has become part and parcel of living in modernity. Given its impact, as well as overwhelming enthusiasm for and protest against, it becomes necessary to ask: how do we best live in the world with the reality of AI? How do we respond to it faithfully and theologically? How do we equip leaders to accompany people in the decisions they will face? To explore this, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary will host a Disputatio on Artificial Intelligence following the medieval questio model in collaboration with powerful voices in medicine, ecology, and higher education.
The events of the day include the main disputatio, worship, lunch, and a variety of themed generative conversations hosted by theology and AI experts. Join us online or in Berkeley on Wednesday, February 25 from 8:30 am - 3 pm for a dynamic day of inquiry!
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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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March 1 Deadline Approaching | | |
Youth musicians from across the country are headed to St. Olaf College this year for the 2026 Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival (LSM). Students in grades 8-12 will be immersed in a supportive community that nurtures their musical growth, and invites them to share their musical gifts in performance and in worship.
The Standard Enrollment deadline is March 1, and spots are filling fast. Do you know young musicians who would thrive at LSM? Nominate them today at LSMacademy.org/nominate, or remind them to submit a free application by March 1 at LSMacademy.org/apply.
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Faith Formation Network
A Network for those working with children, youth and families
| | Pictured above are members of the Faith Formation Network, who met recently at Trinity Lutheran Church in Monument, Colorado. | |
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Coming Soon: A Faith Formation Website with information about the network, upcoming meetings and more.
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Next Gathering (in person and online): March 18, 12–1:30pm at First Lutheran Church in Longmont, Colorado.
| | 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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Get connected to the FFN
Contact Deacon Kristen Saathoff (kristensaathoff@gmail.com)
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Video Resource: How does the US-funded Israeli government treat Christians in the Holy Land? We invite you to listen to their accounts in this video by Tucker Carlson. | | 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 Border Conference.
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Rick Bobbitt
Our sibling in Christ, Rick Bobbitt, (Deacon Linda's husband) passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2026. A funeral service and reception will be held
Monday, February 16, 2026 at 11 am
at Nativity Lutheran Church:
12500 E. 104th Avenue
Commerce City, CO 80022
303-288-1212 | www.nativity-lutheran-church.org
Please keep his family in prayer, and join us as we mourn our loss yet celebrate the life and witness of Rick.
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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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