A Reconciling in Christ synod
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Bishop Eaton responds to anti-Semitic incidents in New York
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Bishop Eaton responded on December 30 after the several anti-Semitic attacks in New York:
"Tragically, several acts of anti-Semitic hatred, bigotry and violence in New York during these days have marred the joyful festivities in Jewish communities across this country and around the world. Within the last year, we have witnessed the broader surge of anti-Semitism from Pittsburgh to Poway in which these most recent incidents have occurred. Our Jewish neighbors are living in pain, grief and fear.
Twenty-five years ago, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America joined other Lutheran Christians worldwide in repudiating anti-Judaism within our own tradition. In our 1994 “Declaration of the ELCA to the Jewish Community” we affirmed that “we recognize in anti-Semitism a contradiction and affront to the Gospel, a violation of our hope and calling, and we pledge this church to oppose the deadly working of such bigotry, both within our own circles and in the society around us.”"
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eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
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"I see the face of God in you"
ECC / RMS celebration and document signing
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Bishop Jim Gonia joined with Presiding Bishop Francis Krebs of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion (ECC) for a signing of a document "
Considerations for Collaboration in Mission and Sharing in Worship between Congregations of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Congregations of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion in this Territory"
outlining protocols for our shared ministry. This joint worship and document signing took place at St. Paul Lutheran and Catholic Community of Faith in Denver. Currently, five RMS congregations are partnering with ECC congregations.
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Annual Report resources now available
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A busy time of year is coming up and we now have annual report resources available for your congregations, including covers, the RMS report insert, and Where Does My Offering Go posters. These resources are also available
here.
Annual Report Cover:
Other resources:
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2020 Synod Assembly Voting Member Information
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The voting member info packet is now available here (
Word
/
PDF
).
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Urban Servant Corps -- Apply Now!
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Service! Simplicity! Intentional Community! Spirituality!
At Urban Servant Corps, we believe that doing a year of service will not only impact those you serve, but it will change who you are and how you show up in the world. This experience will offer concrete direct service skills, the opportunity to explore and live out your faith, and leave you with an understanding of what life might look like for marginalized and vulnerable populations in our country. This all happens as you build community with a group of like-minded people! Are you dedicated to social justice and a simpler way of life? Do you hope to explore your faith? Do you want to gain experience in the non-profit/service field? Join us!
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UPDATE: RMS 2020 Middle and High School Youth Gathering!
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Saturday, January 18 5:00 p.m. to Monday, January 20, 11:00 a.m.
YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, CO
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Ready and Real:
ELCA Young Leaders in Advocacy
Apply by January 15, 2020
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A small group of young adults ages 18-30 with passion and commitment for advocacy will receive scholarships from the ELCA for focused advocacy leadership training followed by participation in the Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) gathering and lobby day on Capitol Hill, April 23-27, 2020.
Grow in faith advocacy leadership and experience by participating in this exciting opportunity and making a commitment to a one-year follow-through in self-selected advocacy projects based in ELCA institutions or networks.
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Global Mission Update - Sarah Gaiser
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Every year the ELCA's Young Adults in Global Missions (YAGM) program sends out dozens of young adults, ages 21-29, into a year-long journey of international service. This experience of global service invites young adults to serve as Jesus’ hands and feet in the world, as they form global friendships, provide critical support to communities in need, and reflect on how their identity connects with God’s work in the world.
For the next few months the Rocky Mountain Synod Global Mission Committee will be highlighting one of the eight current YAGM's hailing from the Rocky Mountain Synod with the hope that you as individuals and congregations will consider supporting them through prayer, communication and financial support.
This week's featured YAGM is Sarah Gaiser, who is currently serving in Jerusalem/West Bank.
Sarah’s home congregations are All Saints, Ebenezer in Brush, CO, Lutheran/Episcopal Campus Ministry, UNC and Our Saviors Lutheran, both in Greeley. If you would like to support Sarah this year or learn more about her work, please
go here
.
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Installations
Rev. Nicole Garcia
Westview Church, Boulder, CO
11:00am, Saturday, January 11
Color of the day: White
Deaconess Colleen Tuewey
Prince of Peace, Gillette, WY
5:00pm, Saturday, January 11
Color of the day: White
Ordination
R
yan Cronshaw
Deacon of Inclusion and Community
House for All,
Denver, CO
5:00pm, Sunday, January 12
Color of the day: Red
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RMS Prayer Cycle
JANUARY 2020
METRO WEST CONFERENCE
- Week of January 12 -
Good Shepherd - Glenwood Springs, CO
Jeffrey Carlson
Highlands - Denver, CO
Asher O'Callaghan
Holy Cross - Wheat Ridge, CO
Ron Bock
King of Glory - Arvada, CO
Linda Bobbit
Sara Wirth (Interim)
Lord of the Mountains - Dillon, CO
Liliana Stahlberg
Spirit of the Mountain - Golden, CO
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Join us in daily prayer:
Download
ELCA Prayer Ventures
for daily guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world.
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Sunday, January 12
First Sunday after Epiphany
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Prayer of the Day
O God our Father, at the baptism of Jesus you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized into Christ faithful to their calling to be our daughters and sons, and empower us all with your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
In God's Hands: Ecumenical Prayer Cycle from the World Council of Churches
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Two Workshops brought to you by Contemplative Outreach of Colorado --
Introductory Workshop to Centering Prayer
Saturday, January 11 from 9:00 a.m. to - 1:00 p.m.
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Looking for a closer relationship with God in the coming year/decade? Please join us for our free intro workshop to learn the practice of Centering Prayer. You will discover a centuries-old prayer method consisting of simply sitting in silence with God—beyond thoughts, words, and emotions – opening your whole being to the Ultimate Mystery. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of Centering Prayer, experience it in a guided setting, and be able to ask questions of the presenters.
Questions? Call 303-698-7729 or for more information and to register for this session,
go here.
12-Step Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop
Saturday, January 11 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
When applied as an 11th Step prayer practice, Centering Prayer draws us closer to the healing we desire from the Higher Power. In this free workshop, you’ll learn the basics of Centering Prayer practice, experience it in a guided setting, and be able to ask questions and share experiences with the instructor and your fellow initiates.
Questions? Call 303-698-7729 or for more information and to register for this session,
go here.
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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Definitions, Impact, Mitigation and Prevention
Sunday, January 12 from 10:50 a.m. to - Noon
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Atonement Lutheran Church
685 Inca Parkway
Boulder, CO
We want to underscore the positive influence that our church's community can be hopeful, helpful, and healing. Our presentation about ACE will be offered by Lindsey Breslin. Lindsey and will define Adverse Childhood Experiences, share some of the research and mental health and physical outcomes for people who have experienced adverse childhood experiences. She will offer some tips church members can be use to help prevent or mitigate adverse childhood experiences in the community.
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James Hersch Annual Concert/Soup Supper
Saturday, February 1 at 6:00 p.m.
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James Hersch will be joining us for his annual concert at Holy Love Lutheran Church. A potluck soup supper will be held in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 6:00 p.m. and the concert will follow immediately after. Free will offering.
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How to Become a WISE Congregation for Mental Health: Inspiring Stories & Practical Advice
Sunday, February 9 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
(Venue in Boulder to be determined)
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Learn how to become a WISE Congregation: a Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged faith community offering radical belonging with those living with mental health challenges, brain differences, and substance use disorders. Using a ten-step approach, we will cover the history of the WISE Congregation program, discuss the opportunities for spiritual and membership growth through WISE certification, and share practical advice on how to overcome common challenges and emerge a WISE Congregation on Mental Health.
Rev. Amy Petre Hill is the Minister of Mental Health and Inclusion at Mountain View United Church in Aurora, Colorado and will offer the presentation and lead the discussion.
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Purposeful Pastor Book Club
4th Thursday of each month beginning January 23, 2020
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We'll explore a chapter of a book together each month with other faith leaders. Our first book will be
She: Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Women in Ministry by Karoline M. Lewis
There are two options for meeting:
*IN PERSON in Niwot, Colorado. Bring a lunch and meet from 12:00-1:30 p.m. Once you sign up the address will be emailed to you.
*REMOTELY via Zoom. We'll gather via Zoom from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Once you sign up the Zoom information will be email to you.
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Stratus Chamber Orchestra -
Serenade: Of Love & Enchantment
Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. (Immersive Seating)
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. (Traditional Seating)
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Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 at 7:30pm (Immersive Seating)
1st Plymouth Congregational Church
3501 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO
Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 at 7:30pm (Traditional Seating)
Augustana Lutheran Church
5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver, CO
The Serenade is the “music of the evening.” A lover sings below his lady’s open window, a violinist spins a tune to intertwine the hearts of the couple in the restaurant. However you picture it, the Serenade uses the language of love. Stratus’s serenade includes
Canteloube’s Songs of the Auvergne, Strauss’s
Serenade for Winds, and Johannes Brahms’s youthful and expansive
Serenade No. 1.
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Stratus Chamber Orchestra -
Quartetto: Great Quartet Masterpieces
Friday, April 24, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. (Immersive Seating)
Saturday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. (Traditional Seating)
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Quartetto: Great Quartet Masterpieces
Schumann for Horns, Vivaldi for Violins, Peck for Cellos, Sejourné for Mallets
Friday, April 24, 2020 at 7:30pm (Immersive Seating)
1st Plymouth Congregational Church
3501 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO
Saturday, April 25 at 7:30pm (Traditional Seating)
Augustana Lutheran Church
5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver, CO
Amazing things come in fours. Stratus wraps up the season with a set of four concertos with the spotlight on our musicians! Schumann’s
Concert Piece for Four Horns, Vivaldi’s
Concerto for Four Violins, Russell Peck’s
Voice of the Wood for Four Cellos, and Sejourne’s
Marimba Concerto for Four Mallets. And just to give you a hint, you might notice that this is our fourth and final concert of the season.
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Academy of Artful Leadership
Thursdays, January through December 2020, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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Coaching gifted pastors and laity to lead transformational change.
18 hours of coaching that includes:
- eight monthly 90-minute group sessions designed to spark dynamic conversation around key themes in ministry
- six individual one-on-one coaching sessions with a trained coach focusing on challenges and opportunities in ministry
- Certificate of Leadership Development upon completion of the training
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ALOA - Don't miss these upcoming FREE webinars!
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ALOA webinars feature a knowledgeable older adult ministry leader covering a single topic and providing information on available resources.
All are free and last approximately 60 minutes. If you can't be available for the live webinar, sign up anyway and we'll email you a link to the recording and associated resources.
January 23, 2020 – Noon ET
Aging Parents and Their Adult Children with Disabilities
Mona Fuerstenau, Director of Ministry Partnerships at Bethesda Lutheran Communities, Watertown, WI, will discuss the challenges and possibilities aging parents face as they make plans for their adult children with disabilities after they are gone.
Register now
February 27, 2020 – Noon ET
Nursing Homes: Quality Care & Quality of Life, Part 2
Alice Hedt, former Executive Director of the Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, provides a follow-up to her webinar on finding a quality care facility. In this session, she'll explore how family members and residents themselves can promote quality of care and quality of life once there.
Register now
Find out more about ALOA webinars and check out the archive of past topics on our
website.
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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Stewardship Toolkit for January 2020
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Here's your
January 2020 "Stewardship Toolkit!" It consists of an original newsletter article and RCL-based "stewardship snippets" that they can cut and paste into your publications. It also has web resources to explore January 2020's theme,
"Steward your best year ever!"
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Office Manager (part-time)
King of Glory Lutheran Church - Arvada, CO
Director of Youth Ministries
Glory of God Lutheran Church - Wheat Ridge, CO
Administrative Assistant-Communications
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO
High School Program Director
Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp - Fort Collins, CO
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Office of the Bishop This Week
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Bishop Jim Gonia
- Executive Committee
- Excellence in Leadership
- Installation of Deaconess Colleen Tuewey, Prince of Peace, Gillette, WY
- Ordination/installation of Ryan Cronshaw, House for All, Denver, CO
- In-office appointments
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson (Interim, 1/2 time)
- New & Renewing Ministries
- In-office appointments
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Kurt Rager
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
- Opening Day of Legislature
- Excellence in Leadership
- Our Saviour's, Fort Collins, CO
- Colorado Social Legislation Committee
ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
- Excellence in Leadership
- Holy Shepherd, Lakewood, CO
- Our Saviour's, Salt Lake City, CO
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ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
- In-office appointments
- Excellence in Leadership
- First, Ault, CO
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
- Excellence in Leadership
- Assembly Planning
- Lord of the Hills, Centennial, CO
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
- Assembly Planning
- Excellence in Leadership
- Highlands, Denver, CO
- Assembly Worship Planning Retreat
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie Welton
- Vacation through January 12
- RMS Youth Council
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Feel free to contact
Andrew Nakatan
i
, Communications Assistant, with your questions and comments about eConnection and our website!
Rocky Mountain Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
800-525-0462 / 303-777-6700 / fax
303-733-0750
Submissions
are due noon Monday each week's issue.
Past issues of eConnection may be found
here.
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