A Reconciling in Christ synod
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Bishop Gonia and Synod Council issue recommendations on reopening
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Beloved in Christ,
As we journey through this Easter season, it’s time to address the question of when and how we might gather in person as church in light of changing restrictions about stay-at-home policies in the five states of our synod...
While there is a great desire on everyone’s part to return to something “normal,” the simple fact is that the reopening of our country, states, and communities will include a progression of steps leading to a new life rhythm for us all.
Many of the protocols implemented during the stay-at-home orders—including remaining home unless necessary, social distancing, and the wearing of masks in public—will need to remain in effect in most places for the foreseeable future.
It’s important for us to recognize that the only reason the rate of infections has begun to plateau or even lessen is because we have adhered to these protocols for the sake of our life together and out of consideration for our most vulnerable neighbors. Now is NOT the time for us to lessen our caution, lest there be a second wave of infection, perhaps worse than the first.
For this reason and based on the information available to us at this time,
we—your bishop and Synod Council—strongly recommend that no in-person gatherings be held by congregations or ministries in our synod through at least the end of May...
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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 orders, 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
[email protected]
!
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RMS & ELCA News and Events
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All are welcome to join our digital assembly worship this Saturday, May 2nd! Worship will begin at 1:00 p.m., with videos from our partners in ministry beginning at 12:45 p.m.
ZOOM link for Assembly Worship is
HERE
Meeting ID: 912 2038 6859
Password: RMSELCA
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Digital Synod Assembly Worship Resources!
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Worship elements from our Synod Assembly will be available after May 3 on
our Vimeo channel
for congregations to use on May 10 or another Sunday of your choosing.
These elements are part of our celebration of the 50/40/10 ordination anniversaries for women, women of color, and LGBTQIA+ leaders.
- Sermon/reflection from three women ministers of Word and Sacrament (Texts: Ruth 1: 1-17; Romans 16:1-4; Matthew 28:1-10)
- Video processional of RMS Word and Sacrament women
- New song from Tangled Blue: One with All in Christ
Other worship resources from assembly that will also be available for use after May 3:
- Church Becoming Litany/Video
- Honoring the Land video
- Rainbow in the Sky Camp songfest
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Campus Ministry "Guest Preacher" on May 24
Connect with our ministry partners in digital worship
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This time of digital worship is a great opportunity to
invite staff from one or more of our synod ministry partners to join your congregation for worship, coffee hour, or other digital hangouts.
We encourage you to invite staff from our mission developers, campus ministries, outdoor ministries, and our social ministry organizations like LFS, Urban Servant, Corps, and Border Servant Corps!
Our ministry partners would love to make digital connections with parts of the synod they don’t usually get to connect with!
To kick things off, invite Pastor Bre Roberts, campus pastor at UNM in Albuquerque, NM to be your guest preacher on May 24!
A video and transcript of her sermon will be posted by May 19
. Pastor Bre will be using the lectionary texts for that Sunday.
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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
!,
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
[email protected]
.
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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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 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.
Wednesday, May 6 and 13, 3:30p.m.
Join us in May to hear from our partners in ministry: our outdoor ministries, campus ministries, and social ministry organizations. They will be with us to share how their ministries have been impacted by the pandemic, changes and challenges, and how we can support them.
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RMS Prayer Cycle
MAY 2020
METRO EAST CONFERENCE
- Week of May 3 -
All Saints - Aurora, CO
Penni Walsh (Interim)
Augustana - Denver, CO
Ann Hultquist
Caitlin Trussell
Shanna VanderWel
Bethel - Aurora, CO
Barbara Lemke
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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, May 3
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Prayer of the Day
O God our shepherd, you know your sheep by name and lead us to safety through the valleys of death. Guide us by your voice, that we may walk in certainty and security to the joyous feast prepared in your house, 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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Compassion Resilience Zoom Meeting
Friday, May 1, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
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Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Broomfield, CO, is hosting an interactive Zoom Workshop for Health Care Workers and other Helpers in the front line of the Covid-19 virus. The presenter,
Tonna Pallas, LCSW, specializes in the effects of trauma and is passionate about supporting front line Helpers through sharing Compassion Resilience skills.
For more information and to register (Zoom invite will be provided when you register),
GO HERE
.
There is no cost to participate in this workshop. All who could benefit from this training are invited to attend. Participants need not be local. Please share this information with healthcare workers or front line helpers that you may know.
The event will be recorded for those who are interested but cannot attend. Please register to have the recording sent to you.
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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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A beautiful Saddle for sale to benefit the ministry of Peace Lutheran, El Paso TX
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Arlen Bowden, owner of
Bowden Leather Co.
and member of Peace Lutheran Church in El Paso, TX has generously offered to donate the full sale price of his nicest saddle to help support the mission and ministry of Peace. If you, or someone you know, would like to purchase
this saddle, please contact Arlen at 915-373-6614 or
[email protected]. Thank you!
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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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Resources to help churches re-open
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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
[email protected]
, 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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