A Reconciling in Christ synod
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An Earth Day message from Presiding Bishop Eaton
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Bishop Eaton says our call to care for creation is also a call to right the wrongs that bring about climate change and other crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
As I work from home at our dining room table, I look out the front window and see the wildlife at my husband’s feeders. God created such beautiful creatures.
As Christians we are guided by the promise expressed in our social statement that we are empowered “to be loving servants to creation.” It is our duty to care for God’s earth.
Established in 1970, Earth Day launched the modern environmental movement, spurring development of landmark policies for a creation in crisis and defining a path toward a more sustainable planet. In this 50th anniversary year, under the theme “Climate Action,” the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is joining the
Earth Day Network
as a featured faith partner. This partnership expresses our deep love for God’s creation and a Lutheran understanding of our profound responsibility for it. The
social statement
describes our commitment this way:
"Humans, in service to God, have special roles on behalf of the whole of creation. Made in the image of God, we are called to care for the earth as God cares for the earth. God’s command to have dominion and subdue the earth is not a license to dominate and exploit. … [It] should reflect God’s way of ruling as a shepherd king who takes the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7), wearing a crown of thorns (
Caring for Creation
, pp. 2-3)."
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eConnection Spotlight:
RMS in the Neighborhood
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The Sky Ranch Coloring book-- what a great idea!
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In this time of stay at home order, Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp would like to share some fun with you... a Sky Ranch Coloring Book!
This is an easy and fun resource you can share with families in your congregation or anyone who may need a mental break from their computer screen!
We asked our staff members, campers and the community to share their favorite drawing(s) of camp and created our Sky Ranch Coloring Book! This will be an ongoing project throughout the summer where we can bring a little camp to you during these difficult and unknowing times.
If you know of anyone who is interested in adding a page to the coloring book, have them contact Ally Plucheck at
Ally@skyranchcolorado.org
!
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RMS & ELCA News and Events
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Family Sunday School by Sparkhouse
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1517 Media is developing a FREE 8-episode series called
Family Sunday School by Sparkhouse
!
FSS is an at-home Sunday school video that families can enjoy together without parents having to step into the learning facilitator role they may be exhausted by after the week's e-learning.
Each episode runs about 13 minutes and includes a Bible story from the lectionary, songs, and activity ideas. Churches can send families some activity page PDFs. They can also ask families to post photos of their Family Sunday School adventures on their Facebook page.They will post a new episode every Tuesday through the lesson for Trinity Sunday on June 7. From the 1517 team: "We hope this series helps support faith formation ministry during these challenging times."
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Feedback Requested for
“A Draft Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy”
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What does the ELCA teach about the nature and function of government in relation to God’s purposes? What is a faithful Lutheran response regarding citizenship and civic engagement?
To help guide our church on these questions, the 2019 Churchwide Assembly asked for the preparation of a social message. At this time, the message is in draft form. Through May 27, you are invited to provide feedback on how to strengthen the message.
You are invited to click
here
to read
“A Draft Social Message on Government and Civic Engagement: Discipleship in a Democracy.”
To offer feedback, please fill out the
survey
. You may also choose to email comments to
draftsocialmessage@elca.org
.
The comment period ends May 27.
To learn more about this social message and the process of its creation, please visit its
webpage
, which features “
Frequently Asked Questions.
"
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from Lutheran World Relief- Join the 75,000 Face Mask Challenge!
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COVID-19 is threatening vulnerable communities, and Lutheran World Relief urgently needs cloth face masks to send to them.
The cloth mask you sew in your living room will provide love and protection to a neighbor in need halfway around the world.
How many will you make to help stop the spread? Sign up for more info, go to
www.lwr.org/masks!
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Excellence in Leadership - Fall Registration Opens Soon!
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“It’s not easy to be the church today. What worked in the past no longer works. Ministry leaders feel ill-equipped to navigate the ever-changing landscape of being the church.” Almost everything we were doing as ministry leaders has been turned on its head and many of us are leading into the unknown as we “shelter in place”.
Excellence in Leadership is a program for help in these stressful and anxious times, when we, as humans have a tendency to revert to the status quo. We seek stasis and hunker down into what we know and this often can cause more anxiety and stress.
Excellence in Leadership has five foci (Adaptive Leadership, Vulnerability, Systems Theory, TheoryU, and Emotional Intelligence) grounded in spiritual practices that can assist with approaching life and leadership in a more whole-hearted way. Current students have commented on how even the first few sessions have assisted them in facing the challenges of today.
Registration will open soon for the next cohort that begins in September 2020. We hope to see you at one of the sites this fall!
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Weekly Conversation for Ministry Leaders
Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m
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This will be a weekly conversation, with a new topic each week.
Meeting ID: 917 853 401
Phone +1 669 900 6833 US
Wednesday, April 22, 3:30p.m.
Anxiety, Grief, Loneliness, and Sustainable Ministry
Wednesday, April 29, 3:30p.m.
Flattening the Curve: Freeing Yourself from Financial Uncertainty
LSS Financial Counseling and RMS 3E
Stressful times can lead to anxiety, insecurity, and avoidance, especially when it comes to our personal finances. If you, or those you know, are concerned about keeping the bills paid, managing debt, and providing essentials for your household, this webinar will assist you in re-establishing a sense of security and control with trusted tools, resources, and action steps you can take (or encourage others to take) when facing financial uncertainty.
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RMS Prayer Cycle
APRIL 2020
WYOMING CONFERENCE
- Week of April 26 -
Rocky Mountain Synod Council
The Rev. James Gonia - Bishop
Ms. Earline Bohling - Vice President
Susan Mitchell- Secretary
Ms. Julie Reusser - Treasurer
Diana Biggs
Ray Ferry
Terry Cole
Todd Herreid
Bunga Manarung
Wyatt Smith
Jay Voth
Debra Frank Dew
Jeff Fairfax
The Rev. Julie Brooks
The Rev. Sara Wirth
The Rev. Matthew Bolz-Weber
The Rev. Terry Schjang
The Rev. Reba Kiger-Kolasch
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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, April 26
Third Sunday of Easter
Prayer of the Day
O God, your Son makes himself known to all his disciples in the breaking of bread. Open the eyes of our faith, that we may see him in his redeeming work, 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
26 April - 02 May : Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan -
Intercessions and Prayers
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Conversations about Mental Health in the Faith Context
"Rhythms of Renewal"
Thursday, April 23, 7:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
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For many of us, now is among the most stressful time of our lives. How to get back to a sense of normalcy? In this Conversation, Rev David Hay, with speak about the
Rhythms of Renewal. The focus will help us trade stress and anxiety for a life of peace and purpose. The four rhythms of rest, restore, connect and create are more important now than ever to get us back to center, void of anxiety, depression, boredom and loneliness.
Our facilitator is David Hay, Masters of Divinity, MA, pastoral counselor and therapist with Centus Counseling, Consulting and Education which is an interfaith counseling group.
This program is hosted by the Mental Health Ministry Team of the Atonement Lutheran Church, Boulder.
Call-in: 346-248-7799, ID: 7597395846#;
If you are asked for the Password for the video zoom or for the telephone call it is:
930794.
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Discussion of the Caring for Creation Social Statement
Saturday, May 9, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.
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Update and Appeal from Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains
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For our OLDER ADULTS
who are the most susceptible to this virus,
WE ARE THERE
to help keep them safe by providing them with care management services, updated health information, and basic grocery items they are unable get themselves during their isolation.
For our REFUGEES
who may be overwhelmed by these changes or are recently underemployed in the new workplace,
WE ARE THERE
to provide them with emergency assistance, housing support, and employment services.
For our FOSTER CARE FAMILIES
who are at home with children unable to attend school and running low on resources.
WE ARE
offering support through continued case management services and providing resources for needed supplies.
We continue to serve these groups, but only with your help. Stand with us as we stand with our clients. Donate today to the
LFSRM Emergency Client Support Fund
to help us ensure the most vulnerable in our communities have the resources and services they need to get through this trying time. More information is available at
www.lfsrm.org
.
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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 May 2020
"Will COVID-19 help us become better stewards?
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That's the theme of our
May "Stewardship Toolkit,"
a monthly resource for congregations.
It consists of an original newsletter article and Sunday RCL-based "stewardship snippets" that you can cut and paste into your publications. There are also links to resources to you explore the theme. (brought to you by
Rev. Robert C. Blezard
Assistant to the Bishop, Lower Susquehanna Synod, ELCA)
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Organist
All Saints Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM
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All Saints Lutheran Church on Albuquerque’s west side is hiring an organist/choir accompanist. This is an 10-month interim position beginning August 1, 2020, with the possibility of renewing month-by-month or becoming a permanent position in Summer 2021. We are looking for someone with the flexibility to play various kinds of music on organ and piano, including hymns, liturgy, solo pieces, and accompanying the choir anthem. This person will play for one or two services each week, for a total of 6 to 8 services a month, and a weekly choir rehearsal on Wednesday evenings. Familiarity with church music and liturgy is preferred. For a job description contact All Saints at
office@allsaintsabq.org
, or 505-898-3932; more information at our website
AllSaintsAbq.org
.
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Director of Choirs (part-time)
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church - Los Alamos, NM
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Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Los Alamos, NM is seeking a director of choirs. We are a faith community of shared leadership, called to live in love with God, each other, and the whole creation.
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Organist
All Saints Lutheran Church - Albuquerque, NM
Director of Choirs (part-time)
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church - Los Alamos, NM
Facilities Manager
Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church - Lakewood, CO
Organist/Music Coordinator
Trinity Lutheran Church - Fort Collins, CO
Lead Servant for Financial Resources
Abiding Hope Lutheran Church - Littleton, CO
Office Administrator (part-time)
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Centennial, CO
Director of Youth & Family Ministry
Christ Lutheran Church - Highlands Ranch, CO
Minister of Music (full-time)
Augustana Lutheran Church - Denver, CO
Missional Youth MInistry Leader (part-time)
Faith Lutheran Church - Golden, CO
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Office of the Bishop This Week
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Bishop Jim Gonia
ELCA DIRECTOR FOR EVANGELICAL MISSION
Pastor Dana Peterson
(3/4 time)
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY NEW MEXICO
Kurt Rager
LUTHERAN ADVOCACY MINISTRY COLORADO
Peter Severson
ELCA REGIONAL GIFT PLANNER
Tina Kvitek
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ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Pastor Sarah Moening
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
Pastor Kent Mueller
(1/2 time)
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR SYNODICAL LIFE
Deacon Erin Power
ASSISTANT TO THE BISHOP FOR FAITH FORMATION & CANDIDACY
Pastor Leslie O'Callaghan
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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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