REGISTRATIONS STILL BEING RECEIVED!

2022 Synod Assembly

May 9-11, 2022

Loveland, Colorado

Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center

2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 9 through Noon on Wednesday, May 11

We have not maxed out our room block and the hotel is allowing us to extend their meal count deadline. Thus, please join us for the assembly! We understand there are a number of congregations that have not yet registered, so we invite you to join us as we are "better together."

The registration deadline has passed, but there are still hotel rooms available. Questions? Concerns? More Information? Please contact Deacon Sarah Bjornebo.

Wonderfully Made – An RMS High School Summer Experience

Registration is OPEN! Deadline May 31!

With the news of the cancellation of the ELCA Youth Gathering this Summer, many leaders from around the Synod stepped up and said "we need to offer something."

So we are proud and excited to announce that the Rocky Mountain Synod, in partnership with Other + Wise, will be hosting a Summer event for your high school youth! Price is TBD, however, it is sure to be less expensive than the ELCA Youth Gathering, with even further cost savings with the option to sleep on a church floor, or a hotel/Airbnb of your choice!

The large group gatherings will take place at Bethany Lutheran Church, just south of Denver in Cherry Hills Village. Immersion experiences will take place each afternoon. Registration deadline is May 31.

Each group must secure their own transportation as this experience includes travel exploration. More info at 2022myj.com and otherwise.info.

For any questions, contact our RMS Faith Formation Coordinator - Kinna Nordstrom Kemp at 303-889-9844 (call/ text) or email misskinna.cyf@gmail.com.

from Christ the Servant Church

Marshall Fire Designated Fund Update: March 2022

Christ the Servant Lutheran Church (CTS) in Louisville, CO established a Marshall Fire Fund on December 31, 2021, to financially support survivors of the devastating Marshall Fire in a way that has no strings and is beyond the official channels of support like insurance and government agencies. 

To date we have received approximately $189,000 in monetary gifts and gift cards from as far away as Singapore. We have distributed $107,000 to survivors through a combination of responding to requests as well as unsolicited gifts to those in our family who have lost their homes or have been displaced for a period of time. CTS and the Rocky Mountain Synod have combined to cover administrative expenses so that 100% of the Marshall Fire Fund donations go to survivors. For those who have been a part of this generosity – THANK YOU!

Our fund vision is to distribute up to 50% of our monthly balance to the most impacted folks and up to 25% to other survivor needs including outreach to survivors outside of CTS for as long as we have funds within the three-year journey of recovery and rebuilding that we anticipate. Ongoing contributions allow us to continue this ministry which has been a very tangible sign of care to our brothers and sisters. If you would like to contribute to this ministry, you can use CTS’ online giving portal or make checks out to Christ the Servant with “MFDF” in the memo and sent to CTS at 506 Via Appia, Louisville, CO 80027. Trinity Lutheran Church in Boulder, the Rocky Mountain Synod, and Lutheran Disaster Response are also taking donations. 

As people of faith, we know that there is no such thing as “just praying.” Beyond money, please know that your prayers are sustaining us.

Thank you and God Bless

Marshall Fire Fund Committee

CTS Lutheran Church

If you be holding a Memorial Day tribute for veterans at your church/community, please share it by contacting Vicky Daub at: director@veteranservantcorps.org.

Lutheran Campus Ministry Regions 1 & 2

Staff Retreat June 26-29

We are on for June 26-29 at the Dumas Bay Center in Federal Way, Washington. Staff, please fill out this form to register. Synod folks, encourage the staff in your part of the world to join us for this important and life-giving event!

The cost is only be $150 per person for 3 nights in single dorm rooms with catered food and a lovely view of the bay. We'll start Sunday night with dinner and check-in. We'll have time to share about our ministries, experiences, and to have practical conversations about our work within our regional and historical context. We'll make sure we have time for prayer, rest, outdoor and urban exploring.

Lutheran Campus Ministry Network (LuMin) is a network of inclusive faith communities celebrating God’s love and grace on or near the campuses of over 230 colleges and universities across the United States.

Checks or paypal accepted. Checks should be mailed to: LCMNet, c/o Agape San Diego, 6556 Park Ridge Rd, San Diego, CA 92120-3236. To pay online go to paypal.me/LCMNet

AUGUSTANA ARTS PRESENTS:

Synergy of Stratus II: For the Love of Music

Saturday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Augustana Lutheran Church (5000 E. Alameda Ave.)

Enter code WelcomeBack2022 at checkout for $10 OFF all ticket price levels.

Our final Stratus concert of the season transcends all the challenges of the year with a synergistic concert of exciting works.

Join Stratus for ONE NIGHT ONLY as they also perform Rands’ Fanfare for a Festival, Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 (Pastorale).

Masks and PoV may be requested at the time of this concert and will follow prescribed state, city and church guidelines.

AUGUSTANA ARTS PRESENTS:

Dr. Kris Rizzotto - In Concert!

Sunday, May 8 at 3:00pm

Augustana Lutheran Church (5000 E. Alameda Ave.)

Don’t miss this unparalleled matinee performance forthis ONE-TIME performance!

Join Augustana Arts and the Rocky Mountain Guild of Organists for our 2021-22 season finale featuring organist, composer, and international recitalist Dr. Kris Rizzotto. The organ, likely an instrument you hear very seldomly, is the world’s most powerful instrument, with an enthralling range of sounds and sheer volume reminiscent of a full orchestra. Kindle your love of this extraordinary instrument with a colorful and invigorating performance featuring the world’s best organ repertoire.

Dr. Rizzotto is a Latvian Brazilian organist who is currently the Director of Music at Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. They have played concerts in Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and in 20 American states.

Dr. Rizzotto holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Organ Performance from the American Organ Institute at the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Music in Organ Performance and Sacred Music from East Carolina University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Their first published composition, “Toccata,” was released in 2014 by Wayne Leupold Editions, and they now find success as a self-published composer.

Masks and proof of vaccination may be requested at the time of this concert and will follow prescribed state, city and church guidelines.

The Summit:

A Retreat for Faith Formation Leaders

Monday, April 25 through Wednesday, April 27

Calling all faith formation leaders! Come spend time at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp in Colorado for personal reflection, renewal, and professional development with other youth, family, children, young adult, and faith formation leaders!

This is a FREE retreat for folks in the Rocky Mountain Synod! Folks outside of the synod are welcome to join. Professional Counselor, Julie Miller, and other speakers will facilitate conversations about Managing Mental Health: A two part training for ministry professionals.

More info and registration at rainbowtrail.org/retreats/the-summit and email: hannah@rainbowtrail.org

Women's Ministry Event

Hosted by St. Philip Lutheran Church, Littleton, CO

Get more info and register at stphilip-co.org/womens-ministry-event!

IN-PERSON EVENT

REAL SABBATH

Pub Theology Retreat at Sky Ranch

May 6-8

Friday night to Sunday 11am

A Young Adult retreat for those age 18-35!

Use QR code to register.

Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp:

Day Camp Weeks Available!

RTLC Day Camp is a unique partnership designed to provide congregations with a vibrant and faith formative experience that nurtures relationships between the adults and children within the church, and provides an outreach opportunity in the local community. Weeks available for Day Camp this summer are:

• Week 3: June 26- July 2
• Week 4: July 3- July 9
• Week 9: August 7-13
• Week 10: August 14-20

For more info visit rainbowtrail.org/summer-camps/day-camps or contact Maggie at maggie@rainbowtrail.org.

United for Immigration Reform

March 21 - May 1

A group of Colorado undocumented immigrants and allies are setting out on a 40-day bicycle ride from Denver to D.C. to push the federal government to pass immigration reform before the November 2022 elections.

We believe that immigrants and allies have a responsibility to take action to create change… even if it requires sacrifice. We invite ELCA members to join us - by bicycle and car, in demonstrations, and in prayer and meditation - during this journey. Please visit the united4immigrationreform.org to learn more about this effort and how you can support, and please share with your friends and family!

from the RMS Creation Care Team -

Earth Day is April 22

Earth Sunday will be celebrated in many ELCA churches on April 24. The actual Earth Day is April 22 and is observed by about 200 countries around the world. Some countries call it International Mother Earth Day. The first Earth Day was March 22, 1970. Oil spills, pesticides, lake and river pollution, and smog were prevalent. Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River actually caught on fire. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, of Wisconsin, had been campaigning for a decade before the cause of environmental action caught on. Earth Day has remained an important way to raise awareness about environmental issues each year. Remember, there was no EPA, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act--no regulation at all to care for our environment. Senator Nelson proposed to Congress that there be a special day to honor and promote “care of creation”—our Mother Earth. We are grateful for this planet and its amazing natural resources.

Each Earth Day has a special theme. This year it is “Invest in Our Planet” to focus on accelerating solutions to combat climate change. The planet needs our help. The number of garbage trucks Americans fill each year would stretch halfway to the moon! We can limit waste by reducing the amount we buy; and one reusable shopping bag can prevent the use of 600 plastic bags. The “Seventh Generation Principle” is based on an ancient Iroquois philosophy that the decisions we make today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future.

There is hope and there are solutions to the climate change crisis. We have the technologies. State and local governments are leading the way. Faith-based organizations must encourage this leadership. Every fraction of a degree of warm avoided will save lives. Together we can protect the climate and a livable future for our children. It is our sacred trust.

Follow the Rocky Mountain Synod Creation Care Team on FB!

Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology, March 2022

Covalence Magazine: The old and new story of faith and science

This month we are exploring again with Jim Miller some of the key aspects of historical faith and science interactions as part of his ongoing series of articles providing a wealth of ancient wisdom in a new way. Indeed, much more can be done in bringing these ideas to...

Read more>