We have been living in pandemic mode since the middle of March. By now we imagined that conditions would be improving or that our concerns would be more focused on a possible second wave of coronavirus in the fall. Instead, we find ourselves more deeply in the midst of what Dr. Michael Osterholm has described as a "forest fire," spreading wherever there is "wood to burn."

Our ability to control what the virus will do is limited. Wishing it away will not change our reality. We are learning the hard way that our only option for helping mitigate the spread of this virus is to adapt our behavior. Behaviors that help prevent the spread of COVID are familiar by now:

Read the updated recommendations with Bishop Gonia's comments here, and at his blog here.

Bishop Gonia will introduce the Updated recommendations for worship in the Rocky Mountain Synod during the time of the pandemic during this Zoom conversation for congregational leaders on August 11 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Congregation Council and other lay leaders are encouraged to attend.

Or visit https://www.zoom.us/join and type in the ID and Passcode

Meeting ID: 932 2999 3181

Passcode: 074250

Phone: 1 669 900 6833

Anchor House will begin construction with a groundbreaking on Wednesday, August 19 at 9:00 a.m. Tune in to the live webcast at www.lchope.org/watch.

The goal of Anchor House is to provide affordable housing and support services, including assistance with job searches and access to food banks, to youth ages 18-21 who have aged out of the foster system. Anchor House is a 501c(3) nonprofit corporation that comprises a partnership with Lutheran Church of Hope, Thrivent Financial, Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains, Flatirons Habitat for Humanity, and the City and County of Broomfield. Despite setbacks from the coronavirus outbreak this year, Anchor House has received enough funding to begin building the eight-apartment complex in Broomfield this summer. Read their press release here.

The anticipated completion date is May 2021. A larger dedication/opening rite is planned when construction is complete.

The women’s empowerment project of the Iglesia Luterana de Nicaragua “Fe y Esperanza” (ILFE), or the Nicaraguan Lutheran Church of Faith and Hope, advocates for gender justice so women can empower themselves to overcome barriers in a patriarchal system. “The Women Empowerment Project aims to initiate a sensitization process with women of ILFE, emphasizing the care of their bodies as living temples of the Holy Spirit,” explains an ILFE video.

On Nov. 25-26, 2019, ILFE held its annual women’s meeting in conjunction with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The event was part of the ILFE women’s empowerment project, which is funded by the ELCA. Watch the video about the gathering here.

Dr. Reggie Williams will be joining as our keynote for our 2020 Theological Conference. Dr. Williams is an Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at McCormick Theological Seminary and the author of Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance.

The $200 registration cost covers all programming, keynote speaker, and event costs. In addition, a significant portion of this will help to cover some of our contractual obligations to the hotel. 

If you are planning to stay at the hotel, please contact Deacon Erin Power for a registration code to unlock a reduced registration fee.

Registration is live and posted on the RMS website.

Beginning a Culture of Generosity (BCG) is a new and timely program presented by 3E and the Rocky Mountain Synod (RMS). It is designed for those congregations that have not yet participated in Stewardship for All Seasons. It will help guide you and provide tools for your fall appeal giving you and your stewardship team confidence right now while everyone is working through a variety of very real financial stressors.

More Information   

Mail-In Registration Form 

If you have questions or if you have been in SAS and want a refresher, contact Deb Elstad, 3E Associate Director, [email protected].

Sky Ranch is excited to announce the campground is open beginning August 9th! Cabin and campground rentals are available for individual family units. More information here. Reservations can be made Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. by calling the office at 970-493-5258 or email Ally at [email protected].

For more information about the 2022 Gathering, please visit elca.org/YouthGathering/COVID19. We will be updating our website and social media as more details become available.

Join other concerned Lutherans as we discuss ways to care for our amazing creation! This will be a short, 1 hour or less meeting. Bring whatever topics you want to share and talk about. Questions, contact Pastor Alena Lamirato at [email protected].

Golfers—St. Philip is hosting its 9th annual golf tournament/FUNdraiser! You, your friends and family have the opportunity to play a spectacular private course, The Club at Ravenna. How can you say no, especially if you are not able to get out and do much of anything else? Play either 18 holes for $150 or 9 holes for $90. It's a scramble format with several contests included. We also have a fun 3-shot putting contest after our meal. Please join us in this wonderful day of fun and fellowship.

Call Linda at the church office 303- 979-4491 to sign up. All proceeds this year will go to our Family Promise ministry. More info here.

ONE month from today, we will welcome the 2020-2021 Urban Servant Corps volunteers to 1660 Ogden St.! As our in-coming team anticipates all of the exciting (and uncertain!) moments that this year will bring, we invite you to accompany them by:

SHARING YOUR WORDS OF WISDOM AND WELCOME: During a time that we could all use an extra boost of encouragement, please consider sending a note of wisdom and welcome to the in-coming team by replying to this email or sending a card to 1660 Ogden St. Denver, CO 80218. These will be offered on a Hospitality Table as volunteers arrive for Orientation Week.

SEND YOUR GIFT: We are intentionally planning a safe and healthy arrival for our volunteers. Your contribution will help to purchase COVID-related safety items (soap, hand sanitizer, face masks, thermometers, etc) as well as other items to create an inviting home (food for a full pantry, new pillows, a book that we will read throughout the year, etc). Please know that the values of intentional community, service, simplicity and faith will be in full effect as you make your contribution. Your gift matters to us!

YOU, as a community of supporters, are a tremendously powerful group of people. We are deeply grateful for your connection to this ministry.

Thursday, August 20, 10:00 am-12:30 p.m., 2:30-5:00 p.m. PDT and Friday, August 21, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 2:30-5:30 p.m.

The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona is hosting the Deacons Conference for Provinces VIII & VI: Our Fragile Island Home: Protecting God's Creation, August 20-21. Registration for the two-day event is only $35.00. The Zoom sessions are in two-hour blocks in the morning and in the afternoon. Registration spaces are limited.

Guest speakers include Marc Handley Andrus, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California and climate change activist; Sheila Moore Andrus, PhD, environmental scientist; Katharine Hayhoe, PhD, climate change researcher; Katharine Jefferts Schori, PhD, former presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church and PhD in oceanography; and Jennifer A. Reddall, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona. Full information and registration at https://www.azdiocese.org/deaconconference.html

The prayers of the church hold a prominent place in our liturgies. Before the ELCA issued the "Evangelical Lutheran Worship" (a.k.a. "cranberry hymnal") in 2006, the prayers of the church began with the words, "Let us now pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.' There are two circles in that little intro, and both of them are large. 'All people according to their needs' is an especially big circle! But now the intro begins this way: 'Gathered together as God's people in Christ Jesus, let us pray for the church, those in need, and all of God's creation.' The addition of that third and still larger circle is a most significant revision... READ MORE >

by Elizabeth McBride 8.3.2020

Sending children back to school has been a hot debate. Data regarding the virus and if children can be brought back to school is ever-changing. However, parents of children in daycare have pondered this decision for a month, at least.

The first Hearts * Hands * Voices online content will be available on ALCM's YouTube channel on Saturday, August 8th. Mark Johanson from Christ Lutheran Church–Christ Providence in Charlotte, North Carolina, and other colleagues will present content that will offer "Worship Solutions that Respond to COVID-19 Challenges." Geared toward small/medium-sized churches, potential topics covered in the various videos may include: the basics of live-streaming, best practices for resuming rehearsals and/or in-person worship, copyright check-up, and amping up your livestream with cameras, lighting, software/hardware, and sound. When the videos are live, the link will be provided on the homepage of the ALCM website.

Atonement Lutheran Church of Boulder, Colorado is seeking a Faith Formation Coordinator to work in our children and family ministry areas. We're a welcoming and inclusive community that fosters connection to God, each other and the community. We’re a vibrant faith community of all ages and walks of life.

A full job description and application form may be found at the church website: www.atonementboulder.org/employment.

A successful candidate, aligned with Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church’s mission statement: Worshiping and Growing Together in Christ, Serving and Reaching Out Joyfully to All“ will be organized, communicative, intrinsically motivated, hold a sincere commitment to artistic value and musical performance and able to integrate their musical knowledge as an organist/accompanist into the community and worship experiences at Holy Shepherd.

A full job description, qualifications, responsibilities, and hiring process is available here.

Atonement Lutheran Church - Boulder, CO