March 24, 2021
A Reconciling in Christ synod
A Litany of Prayer
Concerning the Mass Shootings in Boulder
Statement for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
March 21, 2021
From Churches Beyond Borders: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Anglican Church of Canada, The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 
 
In Advent 2020, Churches Beyond Borders expressed a commitment to dismantling racism, combating white supremacy and actively seeking opportunities to engage more deeply on these important issues. In this season of Lent, we continue our journey as we join together in observing the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This is an annual day of recommitment in remembrance of the day police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960. Recognizing that the March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is a calling to be lived out every day, we offer this reflection as encouragement to continue the journey with renewed determination.    
 
I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them
(Exodus 3:7-8a, NRSV)
 
How do we lament the sin of racism?

eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
ELCA and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) resume dialogue
CHICAGO (March 18, 2021)
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) have resumed a bilateral dialogue that will define a new ecumenical relationship for common mission and ministry.
In a March 10 meeting, leaders from the two church bodies resumed the dialogue that had begun in 2004 but been put on hold due to leadership and staff changes at both churches.

The goal of the dialogue is to determine what form of ecumenical relationship will enable the two church bodies to affirm their common confession of the Christian faith and to witness to the good news of Christ together more fully. The two churches will explore how they have grown in mutual understanding and common mission over time. An important consideration will be the maturity of the full communion relationship each church shares with the United Church of Christ (UCC). For this reason, the UCC was invited to appoint an observer.

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. 
A City for Everyone:
The Affordable Housing Crisis in Colorado Springs
Thursday, March 25, 2021 6:00-7:30 p.m. MDT
Find out how zoning is impacting the affordable housing crisis in Colorado Springs and why we need to take action now! Co-sponsored by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-Colorado. All are welcome to this free online conversation. (Download poster here)

Join Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary for an Easter Vigil Service
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary invites you to join its Easter Vigil worship watch party on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 7 pm Pacific / 8 pm Mountain on the PLTS Facebook page. The worship service includes a liturgy of Word, music, readings, reflections, and prayers, led by PLTS students, pastors, and faculty with plenty of water and fire for all! You don’t need a Facebook account to participate. A recording of the service will also be available on the PLTS Worship YouTube channel. We hope you will join us for this once in a pandemic online worship experience as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Sara Wilson at [email protected].
 
 
Join the Easter Vigil Watch Party here: https://www.facebook.com/pltsofclu
 
Watch later on the PLTS Worship YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcb87T-S-XAJjd4JRHTrP_Q
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)
For Your Bulletin
RMS Prayer Cycle

March 2021
Boulder/Broomfield Conference

- Week of March 28 -

Rejoice Lutheran, Erie, CO
Rev. Phil Kettering

Shepherd Of The Hills Lutheran, Boulder, CO
Rev. Janet Kettering

Trinity Lutheran, Boulder, CO
Rev. Dione Stepanek

Westview, Boulder, CO
Rev. Nicole Garcia
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Sunday of the Passion/Palm Sunday

Prayer of the Day
Everlasting God, in your endless love for the human race you sent our Lord Jesus Christ to take on our nature and to suffer death on the cross. In your mercy enable us to share in his obedience to your will and in the glorious victory of his resurrection, 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
28 March - 03 April : Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia - 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

Collective Trauma: Supporting Mental Health"
Thursday, March 25, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Given the recent tragedy in Boulder, we will be understanding our collective trauma in these days and learning ways to strengthen our mental health, including spiritual practices.

Priscilla Dann-Courtney is a writer and clinical psychologist in Boulder. Her areas of interest and expertise include eating disorders, mood instability and anxiety, stress management, addictions, grief, and loss, life transitions, and relationship issues. Her columns have appeared in national publications and the Daily Camera and her book Room to grow, Stories of Life and Families, Norlights Press, 2009), was her way to navigate the light, dark and wonders 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
Palm Sunday Worship Service
Boulder-Broomfield Conference
Cross of Christ, Broomfield,CO
March 28, 2021
When we planned to do a joint Boulder-Broomfield Conference Palm Sunday Service, we certainly did not expect the events of March 22. Our hearts our broken for our community. But that makes this service even more important and more special. To worship together, the only way we can right now - online, in this moment as we walk through the celebration of Palm Sunday to the Cross of Good Friday. That is the church.

We have posted it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD2G61WKZEE, or you may view or download it (it is a big file):
Any congregation free to use it.
Also available is the bulletin for this worship service (here).
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.
Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
from Administration Matters, March 2021
Independent contractor or employee?
Correctly classifying employees and independent contractors is crucial for each congregation and church entity. The ELCA offers a checklist to help you review employment classification. >More
 
Information security
Identity and data theft, phishing, ransomware and malware are real and present risks for all organizations. The ELCA’s Information Security Webinar presentation will help you strengthen your controls, minimize your risks, and identify areas that may need to be addressed. >More
 
Why background checks matter
Performing a background check is a final step often taken by employers to verify the information provided by a job candidate. A background check is a reliable way of verifying claims made by job seekers during the hiring process. These reports promote a safe workplace and are a useful risk-management tool. >More
Employment Opportunities
New Listings
We are looking for a technology admin individual to support our live streaming Worship services on Sunday mornings 8:00am - 11:00am. Prep work required. Compensation for work. Ability to work with others necessary. Creative license is a asset. For more information and to apply write to: [email protected].
Adminstrative Assistant/Bookkeeper
The Administrative Assistant is responsible for sharing in the day-to-day operations of the church office, providing support to all staff and church members, maintaining confidential church records, preparing printed materials, and scheduling facility use. Additionally, the Administrative Assistant will maintain accurate accounting records of the church, including the general ledger, payroll and financial statements. Please follow this link for complete details and how to apply.
Assistant Preschool Teacher
Joy Lutheran Church in Parker, CO, is seeking two Assistant Preschool Teachers. The persons selected for this position must be experienced in working with young children and must be sensitive, mature individuals, able to relate well to both children and adults. They should have an understanding of Joyful Mission Preschool’s mission statement and philosophy, as well as Joy Lutheran Church’s vision statement.
A full job description is available here.
For questions or additional information, write to: [email protected]
Joyful Mission Preschool(link is external) in Parker, CO, is seeking a Lead Teacher. The individual selected for this position must meet the requirements of the Department of Human Services of Colorado with a minimum of Lead Teacher qualifications required; be a sensitive, mature individual, able to relate well to both children and adults; have the personality and ability to provide leadership and stability for the program; and be able to lead the classroom education program through both the Christian and academic curriculum.
A full job description is available here.
For questions or additional information, write to: [email protected]
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
All Non-Rostered Listings
Technology Administration
Glory of God Lutheran Church - Wheat Ridge, CO

Adminstrative Assistant/Bookkeeper
First Lutheran Church - Longmont, CO

Assistant Preschool Teacher
Joy Lutheran Church - Parker, CO

Preschool Teacher
Joy Lutheran Church - Parker, CO

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
  • 1-1 Appointments
  • Synod Council
  • Urban Servant Corps Prayer Walk

ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson
  • Well of Hope, Castle Rock, CO
  • 1-1 Appointments

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Kurt Rager
  • Legislative Session Wrap-up

LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
  • Vacation March 25-28
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)
  • Lutheran Center Administration
  • Messiah Mountain Advisory Meeting

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
  • Struggling with Our Stories of Race Webinar and Discussion Series
  • Assembly Planning
  • Vacation March 26-28

ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie O'Callaghan
  • 1-1 Appointments
  • Off March 26-28
Quick Links
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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