Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp joined St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Cheyenne, WYO for 

worship this morning and introduced this summer’s Day Camp theme, “Harmonize: 

Bringing Our Unique Sound into God’s Song for the World.” Interim Executive Director, Deacon Missie Bonser and Program Director, Tyler Stewardson shared the message and children’s reflection, inviting all to reflect on how they help support healing in the lives of 

others. The congregation also celebrated new member Sunday and youth created 

Resurrection Gardens in preparation of Easter.

Reflection by Pastor Kaari Nieuwlandt, Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Collins, Colorado

I was overwhelmed in all the best ways by my recent installation at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Collins. The number of people that came to both affirm and celebrate our shared call at Trinity and to support me was astounding. Quite literally, there were people from every moment of my life. My family was there- people who have been with me since my birth and baptism- the beginnings of my journey of faith and call. The pastor that confirmed me and walked through discerning a call to pastoral ministry was there (shout out Pastor Paul Judson!). Members from my first call in Loveland came. Colleagues and colleagues' families came.

Representatives from our 301 Faith Partnership (with St Paul's Episcopal Church and Mary of Magdala Ecumenical Catholic Community) came. And of course, so many of the saints at Trinity Fort Collins came to celebrate and affirm our ministry together.

It was a true blessing and a gift from God to be surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses that have accompanied me, and continue to accompany me, as we all do ministry together. There are moments where God's presence feels tangible, and this was one of those moments for me. God was telling me, "Look at this community that you are a part of. This is a glimpse of the Kingdom of God." 

In the call process, one of the things that most stuck out to me about Trinity was the desire for and their active work toward connection. They wrote in their Mission Site Profile, "We are journeying from a transactional model of ministry to a relational model of ministry." In a world that often feels so divided, so jagged, so argumentative, I truly do feel that God is calling me and calling Trinity into this relational ministry. I've experienced that desire from the fine folks here at Trinity, in our robust small group ministry, through our 301 Faith Partnership, and through the desire to be engaged with community partners outside of our walls. God is calling us to connection- in deep and transformative ways. 

My prayer in this season, for Trinity and for the whole church, is that we can foster spaces for God to unleash community in our midst. 

The 2026 Youth–Lead Conference is a day event for 8th–12th graders and their church leaders to gather for leadership, learning, relationship-building, prayer, play, and skill-building. Held Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church in Loveland, this grassroots conference helps equip churches to more fully invite youth into meaningful leadership. 

Many around our synod remember the visit last year by our companion synod presidents in Madagascar. What a joy it was to meet them and hear firsthand about God’s work in Madagascar. To help support the projects the presidents shared with us, the Rocky Mountain Synod has sent each synod a gift of $3,000. These funds will go a long way toward building walls, synod office buildings, wells, radio towers, and updating medical facilities. Of course, more help is always needed. Please consider donating to Seeds of Hope through the Rocky Mountain Synod.

In other news, last month a hurricane hit the northeast coast of Madagascar, leaving devastation in its wake. At least 40 people have been killed and more than 16,000 others displaced after Cyclone Gezani slammed into Madagascar’s second-largest city earlier this week.

Madagascar’s National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) said on Friday evening that it had recorded 40 deaths, while six people remained missing and at least 427 others were injured. More than 16,300 people were displaced as a result of the storm, the agency added. Especially hard hit was the city of Tomasina. Although not in our companion synod, one member of our Companion Synod Committee served there as a YAGM. You may donate to relief efforts by giving to Lutheran Disaster Relief, designating that the funds be directed to Madagascar.

“The city is running on roughly 5 percent of electricity, and there is no water,” she said, adding that the WFP’s office and one warehouse “were also completely destroyed”.

FREE ADMISSION. LIGHT LUNCH PROVIDED.

Over thirty community and faith organizations are hosting a celebration of Palestinian culture at Fort Collins’ Trinity Lutheran Church (ELCA) on Saturday, April 18, 2026.



Join with your friends and neighbors for a joyful, family-friendly celebration of the ancient and modern cultural treasures of Palestine!

Taste traditional culinary treats, learn about the rich history of Palestine and the challenges Palestinians are facing, hear their music, share in their dance, listen to speakers, have henna applied, and explore a Bedouin tent and mini-museum featuring authentic artifacts and heritage clothing.

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.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
• Time: 10:00 am - 3:30 pm MT
• Venue: 7979 Meade St., Westminster, CO, 80030

Registration is easy and free:

1. Register at https://nationalfaithandclimateforum.org
2. Fill out the required registration fields.
3. Select the “Attend in person at a designated host location” Ticket Type.
4. Then select your specific location.
5. 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)

Reflection by Kurt Rager, Synod Minister for Advocacy- New Mexico

Nima Ward, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-New Mexico’s founding director, passed away in early March. Nima skillfully organized a handful of NM congregations around advocacy in the public arena and as a result, public policy advocacy in Santa Fe was established in 1984. Known as Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry (LOGM) in its early years, Nima served as the ministry’s director for 16 years. 

Forty-three years later, and now known as Lutheran Advocacy Ministry – New Mexico, advocacy in New Mexico state public policy continues to thrive thanks to the foundation, reputation and culture that Nima Ward established. Key to effective advocacy is building trusting relationships with legislators. Nima successfully built such relationships. One, of many, who admired her greatly was the venerable State Representative J. Paul Taylor, a powerful legislator from southern New Mexico. He called her “the Mother Teresa of New Mexico” and remembered that no matter how late the hour during the legislative session, she always seemed to be at the Roundhouse.

Nima’s work extended well beyond the halls and committee rooms of the Roundhouse. Nima traveled throughout New Mexico visiting LCA and ultimately ELCA congregations and inviting them into the world of public policy. Eventually, engagement broadened to congregations of other protestant denominations and strategic partnerships with the Presbytery of Santa Fe and the New Mexico Conference of Churches. Congregations and members were invited to take up the call as people of faith-to learn why poverty and hunger exist and to work for systematic solutions through public policy.

Nima Ward had a passion for justice that was infectious to all those she encountered. Legislators counted on her for accurate information and unbiased data on the vital issues and challenges of New Mexico. Known for her personable and respectful interactions with elected officials, pastors and church members, Nima was the model of how to move with grace between church and public square, all the while playing a vital role in policy changes that positively impacted the lives of countless New Mexicans.

• 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