Forced to scramble to go online in just a few weeks during the COVID pandemic, the church has discovered the online world is far more than a replacement for the yellow pages. It is a place where genuine community and real ministry happens.

Hosted by the Southwestern Texas Synod, all congregations (rostered and lay leaders) are invited to this 5-week FREE series on Monday evenings beginning July 26 at 6:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time.

These sessions will be an overview of several areas of congregational ministry and reflect on how to begin to move every aspect of church life to a dual platform – on-the-ground and online. This “hybrid” kind of ministry will be the new norm for the next season in most congregations' work. You will begin to reframe your thinking on a particular aspect of congregational ministry. Becoming a hybrid church is one path forward to both strengthen the church and reach new people with the gospel in bold, creative new ways. More info about the sessions here.

Join the Border Servant Corps staff for a "Borderland Update + Q&A" for July 2021. Sessions will include updates on:

SPECIAL NOTE: Please be sure to save the Zoom link provided after your registration has been completed. For additional information - Info@BorderServantCorps.org

The Congregations Lead Initiative is a new, two-year program that will gather a cohort of 50 congregations from across the ELCA to unleash and harness their collective genius and discover new and useful ministry innovations. Beginning on July 8, your congregation is invited to apply to join the Congregations Lead Initiative. Learn more at ELCA.org/CongregationsLead.

Put on your radar the forthcoming Advocacy Summer School presented by ELCA advocacy staff in collaboration with ELCA Peace Not Walls. In a fresh format, five skill-building and issue-informing virtual sessions are planned on Wednesdays beginning at 2 p.m. EDT. Pick 1 or take all 5! Each is presented in 30 minutes, followed by an optional 15-minute Q&A time. More info here.

Registration details will be promoted in ELCA Advocacy Connections and @ELCAadvocacy social media.

Learn how to do year-round, on-going stewardship resulting in more money for ministry, become more energized stewards, and build a culture of generosity. Registration is open now for Beginning a Culture of Generosity (BCG) and SAS Refresher that both begin in August.

“I expected that this program would help us put together a stewardship appeal but WOW! It has certainly exceeded my expectations…It has made a huge difference for us.” ~ BCG pastor

Beginning a Culture of Generosity (BCG) is a program to guide congregations and provide the necessary tools to run a successful fall appeal. Participants receive training online in seven online sessions August 14 to December 4, and one-on-one guidance on an easily implemented program to stimulate generosity. Cost is $150 per congregation – no limit on number of participants. 

Register for BCG online - or - register by mail.

The SAS Refresher is a 6 session once-a-month course designed for congregations that have been through Stewardship for All Seasons (SAS) previously. The Refresher is for those who wish to continue the journey of generosity culture building. It is for those who have new leadership on your council and/or new members on your stewardship team.

The full year Stewardship for All Seasons (SAS) has already started with Cohort 5. If you are interested in participating in SAS beginning April 2022 or have questions about all programs, contact Deb Elstad, 3E Associate Director for Stewardship at deb.elstad@gmail.com.

  

Join us for a good ol’ fashioned evening in the great outdoors at “Relax and Unwind: No Strings Attached!” Enjoy the powerful healing music of 2 guitars and a bass with Denver’s newest ensemble, “16 Strings,” and the beautiful instrumentation of “Voice of the Wood” strings ensemble. No strings are attached at this acoustic concert, so join us at Augustana Arts for a relaxing evening of music, massages, and fun!

16 Strings is made up of Tom Virtue, Allan Ferguson, and Rick Chinisc: 3 distinguished Denver-area musicians who are coming together for this rare opportunity for you to hear them play their jazz favorites!

Voice of the Wood is made up of Kathy Thayer, Carrie Beeder, Mike and Shirley Marecak, and Marilyn Hof who will perform unique arrangements created by one of the group's members.

Don’t forget to bring your own blankets, chairs, and food for an evening picnic under the stars!

Tickets available at https://ci.ovationtix.com/35350/production/1068774 or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/162438797817.

Join us on 7/23 to experience all of the above! Get ready for a night of dancing and twirling to New Orleans jazz and popular music by the Boulder Brassaholics, a local sextet who are sure to get all feet (big or little) tapping! If you’re in the mood for something fun and new, “Relax and Unwind: Backyard Brass” is for you! What better way to close out your weekend?

The Brassaholics Sextet is a Boulder, CO-based brass sextet playing New Orleans jazz and popular music, including standards. You won't want to miss their upbeat, toe-tapping, fun music at this open-air courtyard concert!

Flex-pay (pay what you choose) tickets available at https://ci.ovationtix.com/35350/production/1068775 or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/162441323371.

Feeling “blew” these days? You won’t want to miss this "Garden Party"-themed evening of pop tunes and classical favorites from Denver’s renowned wind ensemble, Gossamer Winds. With music that is familiar and approachable (hear everything from Elton John to Bach!), this is the perfect opportunity to heal through music with your kids, your partner, or with friends.

The Gossamer Winds are a Denver-based chamber ensemble that was established in 2005 with the intention of making great music accessible to all audiences and helping the greater Denver community. The group members are Amanda Rusten, flute; Jaime Askvig, clarinet; Katie Smith, oboe; John Richardson, bassoon and Kelli Hirsch, horn.

In addition to the music, everyone is encouraged to attend an all-ages-and-abilities yoga with Robyn Lambert at 6:15pm before the concert begins! Catherine Hupp of EmBodyWorks will also be available for massages from 6:15pm until the end of the concert. Between the music, crafts, yoga, and evening breezes, you will surely be blown away by this fantastic event.

Tickets available at https://ci.ovationtix.com/35350/production/1068550 or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wind-down-with-winds-tickets-162444408599.

Join LFSRM for our annual Tee Off for Hope golf tournament, held at Red Rocks Country Club in Morrison, CO! This is a fun-filled day of golf, community, prizes, and supporting the work that we do in Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Come with a friend or a foursome to one of Colorado's most beautiful private courses for a great cause!

Questions? Email emmily.ureste@lfsrm.org

This year, the LWF is uniting around the theme, “A home for All? Renewing the Oikos of God.” Oikos is the Greek word for “home,” or “household.” By rooting our theme in the concept of oikos, we celebrate the integral web of relationships that sustain the well-being of the Earth. We hope that this Season of Creation renews our baptismal call to care and sustain this ecological turning so that life may flourish, and all creatures may find their place to flourish in our common home.

The Celebration Guide contains liturgical resources, prayers and meditations, and calls to action and advocacy, and can be used by individuals or congregations, to nurture faithful imagination to restore right, just and sustainable relationships with the Earth and among all species. Find an ecumenical prayer service, ecologically themed Bible readings, links to eco-theological commentaries and songs, and more in the 2021 Celebration Guide, A Home for All?

Our August activity will be discussing "Rewilding the Way: Break Free to Follow an Untamed God" by Tod Winward. Watch for more details!

Are black and brown children “violent, disruptive future criminals” or “amazing gifts of God to be cherished and protected?” Learn about the impact of punitive discipline and policing on children and families. Discuss how to reduce the criminalization of Black girls, that we may interrupt pathways to confinement for ALL youth.

Purchase Pushout from a bookstore or borrow from a library near you.