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A Reconciling in Christ synod
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NATIONAL HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS AWARENESS WEEK: November 12-20
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Statement from Bishop Gonia and Colorado Faith Leaders
Each year, “National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week” is held the week before our nation’s Thanksgiving holiday. It serves as an important reminder that many children, youth, families, seniors, veterans and others in our state lack a safe, stable place to call home and don’t have enough food to eat, preventing them from reaching their full potential. As faith leaders, we see the magnitude of this social problem as we minister to those in need and worship with people in our congregations who are experiencing hunger and homelessness.
The Gospel consistently points us to the importance of loving our neighbor, inviting us to marshal our resources so that persistent problems such as homelessness and hunger might be ended in our community. We are emphatically called to feed the hungry and shelter the stranger (Matthew 25: 34).
Read Full Statement
Close to Home Colorado
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
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Statement from ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton on Standing Rock
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When we come together for worship, we often begin with confession and forgiveness using these words: "We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves." Lutherans acknowledge that this is a broken world and, as part of it, even our best wisdom and efforts fall short. Very often we face issues of extraordinary complexity in which all sides make reasoned arguments for their reality. The current situation at Standing Rock in North Dakota is just such a case.
The route of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) runs through contested land, which the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe sees as their homeland and sacred places, including burial grounds. Proponents of the DAPL sees it as a combination of public and private property. The pipeline will run under Lake Oahe, the primary water source for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. What we see is the tension between two peoples trying to share one land. We can also see the tension between our dependence on fossil fuels and the commitment this church has made to care for creation...
...We will lend our presence when invited, our advocacy when requested, the resources of our people when asked, and our prayers, friendship and repentance at all times.
Read full statement
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Educate, Equip, Enact (3E) Project Director Needed
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Educate, Equip, Enact
(3E) is the Rocky Mountain Synod’s response to the Lilly Endowment’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders. The Synod Council anticipates receiving a three-year grant award to implement their proposal.
To support this work, they are accepting applications for a
part-time project director. The project director will work with the Synod Council, Office of the Bishop and three task forces to implement the 3E Program. 3E is a critical part of the Rocky Mountain Synod Strategic Plan that has just been completed.
To apply: submit cover letter and resume, or Rostered Leader Profile, to
Bishop Jim Gonia by November 30, 2017. Please put 3E Project Director in the subject line.
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Worship Resources from RMS Global Mission Committee
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World AIDS Day: December 1
World AIDS Day is held on December first each year. This is a time when we remember people who have died from AIDS-related illnesses and people who are living with HIV; a time to give thanks for the progress that has been made and to reflect on what still needs to be done. It is an opportunity for people around the world to unite to eradicate AIDS and show support for people living with HIV. It is a time to commit anew to ensuring that no one is left behind.
The Global Mission Committee encourages all rostered ministers to dust off the HIV/AIDS Social Message and read it together with their congregations or ministries.
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2017 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: January 18-25, 2017
The 2017 theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has been selected. On the occasion of the 500th anniversary year of the beginnings of the Reformation, the theme: "Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us" (2 Corinthians 5:14-20) has been chosen. The materials for the 2017 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has two accents: reflection upon the main concerns of the churches marked by Martin Luther's Reformation and secondly recognizing the pain of the subsequent deep divisions which afflicted the unity of the Church. In selecting this theme, it is viewed as an opportunity to take steps toward reconciliation.
Week of Prayer Resources
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Advent Devotion Resources
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The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and leaders from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada, and The Episcopal Church have prepared a series of Advent devotions for members of the four denominations.
"Over fifteen years ago, our churches' respective full communion agreements inaugurated new relationships in which we fully recognized each other 'as churches in which the gospel is truly preached and the holy sacraments duly administered,'" the bishops wrote in a joint cover letter.
"May our prayers united be a modest but hopeful sign of what our churches can do together as we bear witness to the One who first reconciled himself to us."
Ecumenical Advent Devotions
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Installations
Pastor Bruce Kolasch
Saturday, December 3
Elim Lutheran
575 23rd St
Ogden UT 84401
Color of the day: Blue
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RMS Prayer Cycle
ELCA MINISTRIES and
ECUMENICAL ORGANIZATIONS
11/20
ELCA Global Missions
Chicago, Illinois
Missionaries
Erik Roth, Japan
Region 2
Margy Schmitt Ajer, Deacon
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, California
Christopher Kimball
Iliff School of Theology
Denver, Colorado
Rev. Tink Tinker
Pacific Lutheran Theological
Seminary
Berkeley, California
Rev. Shauna Hanna
Wartburg College West
Denver, Colorado
Rev. Bonita Bock
Colorado Council of Churches
Denver, Colorado
Adrian Miller
New Mexico Conference of Churches
Kay Huggins, interim Director
Wyoming Association of Churches
Sheridan, Wyoming
Chesie Lee
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Holy God, our refuge and strength,
you have redeemed your scattered children,
gathering them from all the corners of the earth
through your firstborn, the Christ,
in whom all things are held together.
Make of us a just and righteous people,
worthy by grace to inherit with him
the kingdom of light and peace
where he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen
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500th Year of The Reformation!
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The Footsteps of Martin Luther, Celebrating
Germany, April 19-28, 2017
Augustana Lutheran Church invites one-and-all on this post-Easter pilgrimage through Germany and Luther's world, inspiring the traveler to live courageously by faith. On Saturday evening, the group will attend English worship service at City Church where Martin Luther preached, was married, and baptized his six children.
Early registration by November 21 saves $100. Registration is due by December 23. Check out the trip itinerary, cost, and registration online: Trip number 17043 at Faith Journeys.
Email Julie at the church office for more information or call 303-388-4678.
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Boy Scout Troop for scouts with special needs
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No Scout Left Behind
Saint Peter Lutheran Church
9300 E. Belleview Ave
Greenwood Village CO 80111
The 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Boys with special needs are welcome to join Boy Scout Troop 5280. Our program is individualized to each Scout’s abilities. We meet at St. Peter Lutheran Church. Please Contact:
Or Kathy Duran our Scoutmaster with any questions 303-570-0126 .
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Solar Panel Installation Celebration and Burning of the Mortgage!
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Trinity Lutheran-Fort Collins
Sunday, November 20
8:00 a.m & 10:00 a.m.
It is time for two more celebratory moments to our ongoing list at Trinity! First, we have completely paid off our mortgage! We will be doing a mortgage burning after the 10:00 am service. Second, the Trinity Lutheran Church solar system was approved for operation by Fort Collins Utilities and activated on October 10th. This achievement is the result of over 1 1/2 years of research, planning, fundraising and, finally, installation by Namaste Solar. During the weekend services a brief overview and blessing will be provided. We invite all to come ‘solar’brate and give thanks to God!
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The Gospel and Theater: Theology on a Growing Edge
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The Gospel on stage
Immanuel Presbyterian Saturday
114 Carlisle SE Abq, NM
November 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Scholar, Actor, Director, Teacher, Author, Member at St. Timothy's in Albuquerque, and Drama Critic for the Albuquerque Journal, Matthew Yde invites you to join him for THEOLOGY ON A GROWING EDGE: THE GOSPEL ON STAGE Sponsored by Luther House at UNM & CNM, the Ecumenical Institute for Ministry and the New Mexico Conference of Churches. Dr. Matthew Yde— author of the forthcoming book, The Theater of Stephen Adly Guirgis: Drama as Gospel in the Post-Christian Age— hosts a lively discussion of the ways the Gospel is dramatized for a mostly secular audience in new and refreshing ways by some of America’s most prominent playwrights. Dr. Yde will discuss contemporary plays with a Gospel centered theme in works by Cormac McCarthy, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Lucas Hnath and others. Phyllis Tickle claims that every 500 years Christianity experiences a revolution, and we are experiencing one of those periodic upheavals right now.
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Border Conference- Christ's Church, Better Together
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The Border Conference hosted a Missional Gathering
Saturday, November 12
Mount Hope in El Paso.
There were 57 people of all ages participating from 11 of our 12 congregations! “It was good to be together,” remarked a member from Peace in Las Cruces. Others participants said “It’s great to hear other stories, hopes, and challenges.” The event was planned and led by the Rostered Ministers in the Conference with the intent to include worship, fellowship, and practical workshops. The whole event was framed as a worship service, using a jazz liturgy written by the interim at Trinity in Las Cruces, Pastor Carlson. We began with worship in the sanctuary, continued with the Word through a variety of workshop options (advocacy, education, council, churchwide assembly, youth, and Reformation topics). We gathered around tables for lunch, fellowship, and communion. We then participated in more workshops and came together for our blessing and sending. The excess of donations for our lunch and materials raised $339 for the Rainbow Room, an emergency resource room for children in protective custody.
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Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church-Salt Lake City.
We have 43 emerald green choir robes, 41 gold & white stoles that are no longer being used.
We’d like to find a good home for them! If someone wants them, call
Connie Degn, at : 801-278-1412.
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Pre-schedule Your Gift to Support Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp Through Colorado Gives Day
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Colorado Gives Day
December 6, 2016
Support the ministries of RAINBOW TRAIL LUTHERAN CAMP through the Community First Foundation on Colorado Gives Day, December 6, 2016. You can make a huge difference in this ministry by providing funds for camperships, summer staff salaries, site improvements, and much, much more.
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Middle School Youth Gathering
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North Colorado Middle School Youth Gathering
January 13-15, 2017
Embassy Suites, Loveland CO
ReFormed! is the theme of the North Colorado Middle School Gathering. All RMS congregations are invited to join in this weekend with keynote speaker Dan Scharnhorst, service projects and all the usual fun! Registration includes all meals and programming.
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Resource Corner
check back each week for a new or featured resource for your congregation
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Bulletin and Newsletter Inserts
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Download the most recent RMS newsletters!
These should be included in as a bulletin insert or an addition to your congregation newsletter. For information or help merging these into your electronic newsletter, contact
Erin Power.
NEW! Daily Bread World Hunger Insert
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Non-rostered positions available
Children Youth and Family Ministry Director
All Saints, Albuquerque NM
Seeking a Director of Faith Formation
Christ the Servant Lutheran in Louisville CO
Music Director and Choir Director
St. Luke, Albuquerque NM
Part-time Director
The New Mexico Conference of Churches
3E Project Director
Office of the Bishop, Denver CO
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Office of the Bishop This Week
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Bishop Gonia
- LWF Consultation on Mission-
Geneva, Switzerland
Pastor Kent Mueller
- Lutheran Center Administration
- Trinity, Fort Collins CO
Ruth Hoffman, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM
- Region 2 Global Mission & Hunger Gathering
Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-CO
- ELCA Global Mission & Hunger Gathering
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Pastor Judith VanOsdol
- New Beginnings Board
- Rejoice, Erie CO
- Aurora Ministry Strategy
Erin Power, Diaconal Minister
- Region 2 Global Mission & World Hunger Gathering
- Peace, Las Cruces NM
Pastor Sarah Moening
- Prince of Peace, Denver CO
Andy Sprain
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Maria Sutton
, Communication Assistant
Rocky Mountain Synod
800-525-0462 / 303-777-6700 / fax 303-339-4744
Announcements for eConnection are due before noon on Monday for the issue the following Wednesday. Event announcements are included for about two weeks and should be submitted via the eConnection Submision link above.
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