Submitted by Pastor Chris Davis, Director for Evangelical Mission-North and Synod Minister for Generosity

Funding for SNAP benefits expired November 1^st as a result of the federal government shutdown. This means 42 million vulnerable people in our country are faced with even more uncertainty about where their next meal will come from. While we are disheartened by the circumstances that led to this crisis, we are not resigned to sit by and watch it happen. 

Thanks to you, we’ve begun to create a resource list of local pantries, distribution sites, and outreach contacts—please share, print, or link it in your church bulletin. If you have any you'd like to add to the list, contact Deacon Mary Stoneback, Synod Minister for Strategic Communications and Events. This list is meant to grow.

Deadline: November 12

(There will be further grants issued in 2026. Please continue to apply after due date and we'll be in touch)

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 Denver Metro area and/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.

We are providing an additional round of grants before the end of the year to assist with

a number of budget shortfalls and stresses that organizations are going through right

now. Awarded grants usually range between $1,000 and $5,000.

Further information regarding the grant application process can be found HERE.

Submitted by Susan Hernandez, member of New hope Lutheran Church

The ELCA congregations in El Paso, Texas, including New Hope, Peace, St. Timothy's, Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey and Milagro de la Frontera gathered for a city-wide Reformation Sunday service Sunday October 26, bringing together about 85 people from five ELCA congregations in El Paso (including a a two pastor brother team from the independent El Buen Lutheran Church) that meets on the New Hope property and in Juarez.

During the kids’ message, Pastor Juan De Dios Lopez led with his puppet “Punkito." The sermon was delivered by Pastor Jeff Swanson with help from Vicar Thania Drake who translated to Spanish. Youth from the congregations were also involved in delivering the readings for the day.

Thank you to everyone who participated and shared in the worship and fellowship.

We give thanks for Pastor Joel Pancoast and the ministry he has shared with Zion Lutheran Church in Loveland, Colorado

"Today (November 9) was my final day serving as pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Loveland. After More than 17 years I have been called to serve at Lord of the Valley in Granby. The community at Zion has a beautiful blessing and sending for me today, full of many memories, laughter, and tears. I am so grateful for this church that will be forever part of my family and in my heart."

~Pastor Joel Pancoast

Upcoming Installation

Pastor Joel Pancoast will be installed at Lord of the Valley in Grandby, Colorado, December 19, 4:30pm. The color of the day is blue/purple.

Weekly Advent Devotions from our ELCJHL Siblings

Open this weekly Advent gift of devotion and prayer as Lutheran siblings from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) lead us in meditation and prayer. All of the sessions are available here with accompanying discussion questions for your congregation's consideration, for your family's time of devotion or for your own personal prayer life.

Christmas Cards are Nice, but How about a Book Instead?

As we prepare for the holidays, why not send a childrens' book to those on your Christmas card list? Maybe the person is not a parent, but everyone knows a child who loves a story. This book is also an excellent story to tell at worship or during another teaching moment. It is "Issa Flies", the story of a Palestinian Sunbird's Christmas Journey.

Please find below.

UPDATED LINKS

Webinars

Wednesday November 12, 7:00 p.m.

Thursday November 20, 11:00 a.m.

Join immigration attorney, Cathy Brown, for a webinar to learn more about US Immigration. Better your understanding of how immigration laws are supposed to function and how they are currently being misused. Cathy is an experienced immigration attorney located in Lafayette, Colorado whose practice focus on family, citizenship, and asylum. 

Webinars will be offered

• Wednesday, Nov. 12th at 7 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 20th at 11 a.m.

Pictured Above: Immigration Attorney, Cathy Brown

Pictured Above: Images from Cathy Brown's Facebook Page

UPDATE ABOUT ALI

Hello everyone, 

Thank you for your ongoing support of Ali's family. I would like to share that Ali's story has been published this morning in the Colorado Sun. 

It has been 28 days since he was detained wrongfully. He has two lawyers working on his behalf in multiple ways and we hold our breath for news from the courts about the jurisdiction of the case and the issue of his wrongful detention. 

What you can do:

Share the story!

Tell people about Ali, and also about this wider problem of human rights abuses. Share the article above, or my op-ed in the Boulder Reporting Lab, or share in your own words. Together, as a community, we can make a difference. 

Send a note

Please note that the family has said the cards people are sending are a beautiful gift to know that our community stands with them. If you'd like to write the family a card, you can send it to:

Christ the Servant

c/o MA

506 Via Appia Way

Louisville, CO 80027

Call your representatives

Our Colorado representatives are aware of the situation, but if they receive calls from their constituents, they may be more forthcoming with their overt support. 

Donate

• Christ the Servant's Immigrant Host Team Fund is committed to paying for legal expenses for the family, and for any help with direct needs that come up. Should any funds remain after the family is reunited and stable, they will be used to help other families in similar situations.
• Colorado Immigrant Justice Fund: funds legal representation for folks who are detained
• CIRC (Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition) is leading the charge in our state in so many ways.

In Christ, 

Marissa

The Certificate in Faith-rooted Community Organizing for Climate Justice 

Applications Due: December 15

The Certificate in Faith-rooted Community Organizing for Climate Justice equips teams of 3-6 people from faith-based organizations to engage their broader community in designing and implementing a climate justice project. This nine-month program is 100% online and follows a three-week cycle of full group workshops, team coaching, and implementation. By the end of the course, teams will have designed and conducted community listening campaigns to develop a project that helps their larger community address the climate crisis in ways that further economic, racial, and gender justice.

The Spanish-language Certificate in Climate Justice and Faith

Applications Due: November 28

The PLTS Center for Climate Justice and Faith is accepting applications for our fourth cohort of the Spanish-language Certificate in Climate Justice and Faith until November 28, 2025. This online, cohort-based course equips faith leaders and lay leaders with the spiritual grounding, community of support, skills, and climate change knowledge needed to be effective advocates for climate justice.

November 15, 9am–3pm

First Lutheran Church

Co. Springs, Co

Want to grow in your preaching abilities? Curious about how other seasoned preachers approach the task? Are you a lay preacher who could use a head start on Lent 2026? Consider attending Adventures in Preaching, Saturday November 15 from 9am-3pm at First Lutheran Church. Thanks to a generous grant from the ELCA Innovation Lab, this event is FREE and will include preaching from Bishop Meghan Johnston-Aelabouni, Pastor Nicole Ferry, Pastor Bill Dohle and Pastor Travis Norton as well as a hearty lunch. Please register so we can be ready to welcome you well!

The Office of the Secretary a few weeks ago did a Congregation Constitution 101 webinar for the folks in Region 4. The hour-long session was recorded, and the recording and the accompanying PowerPoint are now available on the OS Constitutions page on ELCA.org. 

The training is designed for congregation leaders and covers the basics of how constitutions help, how the Model Constitution is organized, and how to go about amending and updating your congregation constitution. Please feel free to make use of it if you think it would be helpful for your congregations!

Questions about your Congregation Constitution? Contact RMS Synod Council Secretary Sharen Kamp at sharenikamp@gmail.com

Sunday, November 23, 2:00pm

Come join us at Advent Lutheran 7979 Meade St., Westminster, CO. Sunday, November 23rd at 2 P.M when Advent’s Fall Radio Plays will be performed live and online via our Facebook page in the Sanctuary. For more information please contact DennyT49@aol.com

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The first play is from the “Lights Out” series entitled “Little Old Lady” and the second is an “Inner Sanctum” Mystery, “The Dead Laugh.” Remember, these are very dramatic plays and are probably NOT acceptable for small children. A free will offering will be accepted with all proceeds going to Growing Home, a local not-for-profit organization, for their food bank. 

Rejoicing Spirits

11/16, 4–6pm: Lord of the Hills, Aurora, Co.

11/23, 4–6pm: Epiphany Lutheran Church, Denver, Co

We will unite in activities, singing, laughing and loving God. Rejoicing Spirits is an inclusive worship space for people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities, their caregivers, families and anyone who seeks an open, joyful and creative worship experience.

Learn More

Jonah, the son of Pastor Stephanie Lord of Christ the Servant in Louisville, Colorado, has been diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma. As a Synod, we lift up our prayers for him and his family.

Gracious and healing God,

We bring our brother Jonah before You—holding his body, mind, and spirit in Your tender care. Shine Your light into his struggle, renew his hope, restore his strength, and calm his fears. Grant him patience in waiting, courage in the unknown, and the assurance that You are with him at every moment. Guide his medical team with Your wisdom, surround his loved ones with Your peace, and help Jonah feel Your presence with each breath. We also pray for his family as they walk this path together—may they know Your steadfast presence and find peace amid uncertainty. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.

Amen.

Gracious God,

We give thanks for our companion partners in Madagascar — the Mahajanga Synod, the Antsiranana Synod, the Sambava Synod, the Sofia Synod, and Betela Seminary.

Bless their ministry, strengthen their witness, and deepen our mutual partnership in the gospel. In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen.

We pray for Rostered Ministers not serving in a conference and Ministers on leave from call or disability

Gracious God,

we hold before You our rostered ministers not now in active service or on leave. Grant them peace in their pause, strength in their rest, and assurance of Your abiding call. Renew their spirits, uphold their hope, and remind them they are cherished in Your work. In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen.