March 17, 2021
A Reconciling in Christ synod
Lessons from a Pandemic
Marking the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton acknowledges there are many things we want to forget but there is much to remember, especially that God has been with us and will continue to be with us through it all.
eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
SAVE THE DATE!
...for an Easter Vigil Service from PLTS!
PLTS will be recording an Easter Vigil Service of the Word that will be available by March 31 for your use. And they will host a watch party on April 3 at 7:00p.m. Pacific Time. More information coming soon!
RMS & ELCA News and Events
2021 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly
April 29-May 1
Location: ZOOM
The registration deadline is April 9. Due to the time needed to assemble and mail out materials, we will not be accepting late registrations. 
Elections
At this year's assembly, we will be electing our Synod Vice President, as well as voting members for the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.

The Nominating Committee of the Rocky Mountain Synod invites members of congregations to prayerfully consider if God is calling them to serve as the Vice President of our Synod. Important information about this office is attached here.

All nominations must be received by the end of the day, Friday, March 19.

Specific openings and the nomination form can be found on our website.
Urban Servant Corps Palm Sunday Prayer Walk
Sunday, March 28 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Drop-by 1:00 p.m. Prayer with Bishop Gonia via Zoom
We traditionally gather on Palm Sunday as a way to enter into Holy Week with communal connection and deep meaning -- praying for those who are most vulnerable in our communities.

This year, we invite you to drop-by (masked) between 9-11am for a self-guided tour of the neighborhood with your household. You will be warmly greeted outside of the USC Ogden St. house (1660 Ogden Street, Denver, CO 80218) and offered a prayer booklet, and walking route. You also have the opportunity to register for QUICHE and COFFEE CAKE, safely prepared by USC staff and volunteers, to take home for your Palm Sunday Brunch!

Also, join us in a Prayer Service at 1:00 p.m. with Bishop Gonia via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83482567987?pwd=dWFLRm5CZW13UUpsckZIYlJ6clFVZz09

May this time be an act of faithful support for the justice that we seek in our neighborhoods!
Carrie Newcomer Concert
Online event with the Rocky Mountain Synod
Sunday, March 28, 4:00 p.m.
Carrie Newcomer is a much-loved singer and songwriter. Her music speaks to the heart of what it means to be people together on life's journey.

Join Carrie Newcomer, Gary Walters, and Allie Summers for an evening of music that acknowledges the very real challenges we face, while affirming the resilience and resources found in our individual inner work and our community and collective work. Carrie will perform songs that stir the spirit, open the heart, laugh out loud and create a sense of connection and shared community.

A portion of ticket sales will be donated back to the Rocky Mountain Synod in support of our ministry together.

Ticket Options:
$20 | Single Ticket
$30 | Family/Household Ticket
$10 | Student Ticket

How to Purchase a Ticket:

  1. Once you make an online purchase by clicking on the button below, you will receive an electronic "ticket" from the Mandolin platform by email.
  2. You will then go to the Mandolin website to create a Mandolin account with your name and email. You can opt out of email marketing.
  3. You will log back into Mandolin to view the live show at the appointed time. (Mandolin help site)
from the RMS Veteran Servant Corps Project
Veterans Community Project
Veterans Community Project in Longmont, CO is asking for donations of items for homeless veterans. YOU can help!
Click here or on the document to download the list of items needed.
For Your Bulletin
RMS Prayer Cycle

March 2021
Boulder/Broomfield Conference

- Week of March 21 -

Atonement Lutheran, Boulder, CO
Rev. Chad Kohlmeyer
Rev. Stacy Payne
 
Bethlehem Lutheran, Longmont, CO
Rev. Katie Chullino
Deacon Ann Maki
 
The Servant Lutheran, Louisville, CO
Rev. Stephanie Lord
 
Lutheran Church Of Hope, Broomfield CO
Rev. Scott McAnally
Sunday, March 21, 2021
Fifth Sunday in Lent

Prayer of the Day
O God, with steadfast love you draw us to yourself, and in mercy you receive our prayers. Strengthen us to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, that through life and death we may live in your Son, 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
21 - 27 March : Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania - Intercessions and Prayers

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.
Around the Synod
Conversations for Connection: Supporting Mental Health
Hosted by Atonement Lutheran, Boulder and Interfaith Network on Mental Illness

Looking at Immigration through a Different Lens"
Thursday, March 18, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Immigrants documented and undocumented, predominately those from Latin America, have traditionally received a harsh welcome by a portion of our society. Join in a conversation on how faith communities can help advocate and assist immigrants and how our country has had a hand in the disruption and chaos that caused many to flee into this nation, encountering ensuing mental health obstacles.

Jon Gilbert Martinez, M.Div. serves as a designated-term pastor at Christ Church UCC Des Plaines, IL. He also serves the Colectivo de UCC Latinx Ministries as their communications consultant, vice-moderator of the Chicago Metropolitan Association of the United Church of Christ, and vice-chair of the UCC Mental Health Network.

Join Zoom Meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4264420220
“Food for Thought"
Thursday, March 25, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
This will be an engaging conversation about our relationship with food with a focus on the development and treatment of Eating Disorders.

Priscilla Dann-Courtney is a writer and clinical psychologist in Boulder, where she and her husband raised their three children. She has been in private practice for 30 years treating both adults and adolescents struggling with a variety of challenging life issues. Her areas of interest and expertise include: eating disorders, mood instability and disorders, anxiety and stress management, addictions, grief and loss, life transitions, and relationship issues. Her columns have appeared in national publications and her book, Room to Grow, Stories of Life and Family (Norlights Press, 2009), was her way to navigate the light, dark, and wonder of life.

Join Zoom Meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4264420220
Heart for the Arts 2021: Voyage on the Waves
Saturday, March 20 through Monday, March 29, 7 p.m. each day
Join us for our 2021 Heart for the Arts: “Voyage on the Waves” from March 20-29. In lieu of our annual in-person gala, this 10-day fundraising journey will feature mini musical excursions that will highlight the talent of Stratus musicians, with the “New Dawn String Quartet” - Stratus’s principal string musicians - opening night with Handel’s Water Music. You can enjoy these mini-concerts each night at 7pm via VIMEO (link on our Facebook and website).

Our goal for this fundraising journey is to get 200 people to donate $20 to reserve a virtual Stateroom seating ticket. Tax Deductible Stateroom Seating Donations will benefit all programs of Augustana Arts including Stratus Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Women’s/Men’s Chorales, and Music Encounters. These donations can be made via our website or our GoFundMe. Help us keep music buoyed on the waves during these difficult times!
Celebrate Music Encounters:
An Evening of Uplifting Music & Inspiring Stories about Music Teachers
Friday, April 16, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Celebrate the music teachers in our life who inspire and encourage young lives in the arts! Join us for an evening of uplifting music as the teachers from City Strings share their stories of their early encounters in music followed by a favorite composition or two. This virtual presentation will debut on Friday, April 16 at 7:00pm.

Let us know you can attend by making a reservation at https://www.augustanaarts.org/tickets. This is a FREE virtual concert, but your donations are always appreciated in support of the arts.
Our Life Together
Free Webinar!
Addiction & Motivational Interviewing
A Conversation with Dr. William R. Miller
co-founder of Motivational Interviewing
Thursday, March 25, 10:00 a.m. MDT
Dr. Miller is one of the world's leading addiction researchers and co-creator of 'Motivational Interviewing.' He has dedicated his life and career to understanding how and why people change and the connections between psychology and spirituality.

Join us for a conversation about this important evidence-based approach to addressing addiction. Miller's research applies to far more than just problematic behaviors but is helpful and inspirational for anyone interested in encouraging the process of personal and spiritual transformation.

This webinar will be presented in interview format by the Center of Addiction & Faith. It will be co-hosted by Tim McMahan King and Pastor Ed Treat.
Urban Servant Corps: Accepting Applications!
Service! Intentional Community! Simplicity! Spirituality! If these values are important to you (or someone you know!), consider joining the Urban Servant Corps community! At USC, we believe that service is transformational and that it makes a difference for how we show up in the world.

Full-time volunteers live in an intentional community house in downtown Denver. Food, housing, health insurance, a monthly stipend and an annual "growth and development" allotment are provided. Additionally, Spiritual Direction, alumni mentorship, and professional development opportunities are offered as part of this experience. Are you a young adult dedicated to social justice and a simpler way of life? Are you someone who hopes to explore or deepen your faith? Are you seeking experience in the non-profit/ministry field? Join us! Go to http://www.urbanservantcorps.org/volunteer/volunteer_overview.html for more information and to apply!
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
from Administration Matters
2020 tax guide now available
Portico Benefit Services offers a set of annually updated Richard R. Hammar tax guides at no cost to pastors and congregations participating in the ELCA benefit program. Both 2020 editions address the tax-related impacts of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in March 2020. Clergy and sponsoring organizations can access the guides through myPortico and EmployerLink.

New PPP guidance and loan application forms available
The Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Treasury have issued new guidance and application forms for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Here are the latest developments pertinent to nonprofit organizations, including churches, schools and private institutions of higher education. >More
Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology
Covalence for March 2021
As we were all making peace with our year in lockdown, NASA’s Mars Rover 2020 mission was speeding along in its aim to reach the red planet. This past month, the Rover Perseverance lived up to its name and successfully landed and began its search for signs of ancient life. The detailed images it has sent back so far have not only been awe inspiring, but also offer a glimmer of hope for progress in a year that has been so devastating to so many.

Employment Opportunities
New Listings
We are an ELCA and Reconciling in Christ congregation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, seeking a part-time Director of Music (averaging 15 hours per week). The role of this position is to lead, seek out, encourage, and coordinate the music ministry to enrich the worship and spiritual life of the congregation and the community. Full job description, and submission information here.

Candidates must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in music, while a Master’s degree in music is preferred.

Application deadline: 1 April 2021 Start date: 1 May 2021
The Facilities Manager will ensure that the building and infrastructure is in good working order, maintain a high level of cleanliness and follow all safety guidelines. The Facilities Manager will maintain appropriate relationships with necessary vendors, staff and community partners, and will supervise the custodial staff. Additionally, the Facilities Manager will serve as chairman of several facility support committees. This is a part-time position working 20 hours per week. Compensation range, $17.00-19.50 per hour.
For a full job description & application, please go to: https://www.firstluth.org/blog/facilitiesapp/
Interim Director of Faith Formation (updated)
Trinity Lutheran Church, Loveland is seeking an Interim Faith Formation Director. This interim position has been developed to assist in continuing the energy found in Trinity Lutheran Church's youth and family activities. The Interim Faith Formation Director will work a flexible schedule -- no more than 20 hours/week for $400/week, and for approximately 6 months. The committee is seeking an experienced individual who can be organized, energetic, a positive problem solver, a good listener and actively engage with the following youth at Trinity: Elementary, Middle School, High School, and families of all types!

Go to https://sites.google.com/view/trinitylovelandjobs/home for the full job description and application!
All Non-Rostered Listings
Director of Music
St. Paul Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM

Facilities Manager
First Lutheran Church - Longmont, CO

Director of Music Ministries
King of Kings Lutheran Church - Pueblo, CO

Church Business Administrator
St. Philip Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO

Interim Director of Faith Formation
Trinity Lutheran Church - Loveland, CO
Office of the Bishop This Week
 Bishop Jim Gonia
  • Vacation, March 14-22

ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson
  • Global Mission Committee
  • Westview, Boulder, CO
  • RMS Campaign Event

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Kurt Rager
  • New Mexico First Working Group
  • Tenant/Housing Coalition

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
  • Excellence in Leadership
  • Colorado Social Legislation Committee
  • Atonement, Lakewood, CO
  • Christ the King, Denver, CO
DIRECTOR FOR CONGREGATIONAL TRANSITION
Pastor Sarah Moening
  • Congregational Transition
  • Excellence in Leadership

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller (1/2 time)
  • Candidacy Committee
  • RMS Campaign Event
  • 1-1 Appointments

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
  • Struggling with Our Stories of Race Webinar and Discussion Series
  • RMS Communications
  • Assembly Planning

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie O'Callaghan
  • Candidacy Committee Meeting
Quick Links
Share the News
Erin Power,  Assistant to the Bishop
Feel free to contact Andrew Nakatani, 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