On
Friday, the largest synod-wide gathering of the year
takes place! Over 1000 youth and adults will participate
in the Junior High/Middle School Gathering in Colorado
Springs. Our thanks to the planning team and to
the many adult volunteers and
chaperones!
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Prayers and Celebrations
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Baptism of our
Lord
Creator God,
our soul's
delight, your voice thunders over the waters, liberating
the future from the past. In the Spirit's power and the
waters of rebirth, Jesus was declared your blessed and
beloved Son; may we recall our baptism, and be
disciples of the Anointed one. Amen
Prayer from Revised
Common Lectionary Prayers,
Consultation on English
Texts,
2002
Installation of the Rev. Lettow at
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
You are cordially invited to the installation of
the Rev. Martin Lettow as pastor at Shepherd of the
Hills Lutheran Church, 7077 Harvest Road (Lookout Road
at North 71 Street), Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday,
January 20 at 2 p.m. Bishop Allan Bjornberg will
preach and preside. Clergy are invited to vest and join
the procession. Liturgical color of the day is
green.
Synod Prayer
Cycle: Metro
West Conference
You are encouraged to include these
leaders
in your Sunday prayers of the people. Click here
for the prayer list for
January. Please consider including these prayer
lists in your newsletters and bulletins as a means of
connecting your congregations with others in the Rocky
Mountain Synod.
to remember in prayer at worship on
01/13
Advent
Westminster, CO
Michael Mordtvedt
All Saints
Austin, CO
Janice Johnson
American
Grand Junction, CO
Brian Bergum,
First
Gypsum, CO
Doris Nolan
Glory of
God Wheat Ridge,
CO
Paul Olsen
Good
Shepherd Glenwood Springs,
CO
Jeffrey Carlson
Highlands
Denver, CO
Paul Carlson
Holy
Cross Wheat Ridge,
CO
Arlyn Tolzmann
King of
Glory Arvada,
CO
Dena Williams
Lord of the
Mountains Dillon,
CO
Kari
Reiquam |
| Synod News and Events |
 RMS Theological
Conference
This year's conference
takes place January 28-31 at the
Embassy Suites Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO. Information is posted on the web.
Rostered leaders, as well as youth directors, education
directors, and other lay leaders are encouraged to
attend. Those who select a double, triple, or quad room
must submit mutual roommates on the online registration
form.
Theological Conference Needs
For
Theological Conference, we are in need of a good
quality, portable sound system. If your church has one
and we can use it, please contact Kent Mueller at the
synod office (hit "return" to this email). We are also
in need of two large screens for projection. We'd rather
not rent this items from the hotel if we don't have
to!
2008 RMS Intents Due Jan.
25
The Rocky Mountain Synod's fiscal year ends on
January 31, so we are looking ahead to the new year
which begins on February 1. It is imperative that we
receive congregation statements of intent for the new
year by January 25. An online form at
www.rmselca.org/intent makes the process quick
and easy. That link also includes a link to the
ELCA's online report form for 2007 which is to be
completed by February 15.
Hunger Contributions Due by January
31It's time
to make sure ALL the hunger dollars your congregation
collected get to the people who need them! Please remind
your treasurer that all offerings need to be RECEIVED by
the synod office before January 31 in order to be
counted in the 2007 fiscal year. As of January 4, the
World Hunger Appeal and Stand with Africa had received
just under $450,000 from the Rocky Mountain Synod.
While that is slightly ahead of the same point during
the 2006 fiscal year, we have over $100,000 to go before
we reach the total amount contributed in all of
2006. We can easily surpass last year's
amazing giving...but the checks need to pour in
NOW! Candidacy Committee
Announces Two Discernment Retreats in
2008
February 4, 2008 ~ Albuquerque -
St. Luke Lutheran Church, 9100 Menaul Blvd. NE -
Register by January
10.
April 16, 2008 ~ Denver -
Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda - Register by March
25.
For all persons who may be discerning a
call to leadership ministry in the ELCA. Whether you are
ready to commit to the Candidacy process, or just
beginning to ask the questions regarding this vocational
call, you are invited to attend this retreat. During
this retreat we will explore how we do faithful
vocational discernment, discover gifts for ministry,
learn about the variety of opportunities for services
through the three rosters of the ELCA: Ordained pastors,
Consecrated diaconal ministers, Commissioned associates
in ministry, and answer questions about the ELCA
Candidacy process. Anyone planning to begin Entrance
into Candidacy in the next year is required to
attend.
Contact Madelyn Busse, assistant to the
bishop, 303-777 6700 or mbusse@rmselca.org with
questions. To register or to submit names for
invitation, please call Janice Ladd-Horkey at
303-777-6700 or 800-525-0462.
2008 Mexico City Trip
is June 10-18
Consider participating in next
summer's trip to the Lutheran Center in Mexico City.
Download an information and registration
form:
Church in Society
Awards:
Incentives for
Ministry
The Rocky
Mountain Synod Church in Society Board provides annual
awards up to $1000.00 to assist efforts in this Synod
that demonstrate an "inciting to action" of the church
in society. The objective of the award is to provide
incentive and support to assist the church's efforts and
engagement in meeting the needs of society through
projects that involve the members with those being
served through ministry.
These projects
should demonstrate ways of going beyond providing
financial contributions to a charity. For example,
projects might provide services for persons affected by
poverty, homelessness, hunger, domestic or substance
abuse, aging or health related issues. The project may
represent the effort of a single congregation or the
co-operative effort of several congregations, related
agencies, or other entities; e.g. Interfaith Hospitality
Network, Refugee Services, etc. The application may be
downloaded. The deadline for
application is February 15, 2008.
Video Contest:
How to Spot
a Lutheran in the
West
Two minute videos that capture
the spirit of our "Lutheran Identity" in the Rocky
Mountain Synod are to be submitted by April 1, 2008. The
video may be a commercial, skit, story, song, art piece
or any other means and will be judged in the areas of
Lutheran identity, evangelism, diversity, variety of
ages involved, and creativity. Prizes will be announced
at Synod Assembly in May. First place will receive
$1,000, second $600, third $250, fourth $150 (made out
to the sponsoring congregation or ministry group.) The
prize money is provided by a grant from ELCA Synodical
Relations in support of communicating Lutheran identity
within the synod. Download the
details!
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| VPA Gatherings |
VISION PASSION ACTION FALL/WINTER
GATHERINGS ANNOUNCED
A series of gatherings are taking place
for you to gather with others to bring the Vision
Passion Action conversations to your context. Three
gatherings will take place in January. Each congregation
should bring four or five lay leaders, along with
rostered leaders.
Materials have been mailed to
each congregation, but they are also available electronically. Each events
begins at 6 p.m. with a meal (with the exception of the
Casper event which will begin at noon with lunch). The
events will take place as
follows:
JANUARY
22 Grand
Junction - Shepherd of the Valley - call
970-434-3119 to RSVP by January
15
26 Casper - Prince of Peace
- call 307-234-6475 to
RSVP by January
19
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| Announcements |
Faith and Politics: Engaged
Spirituality
On Saturday, January 12, a
workshop on "Engaged Spirituality" will feature the Rev.
George Tinker (ELCA clergy and Iliff School of Theology
Professor), Governor Bill Ritter, the Rev. Leah Daughtry
(chair of the 2008 Democratic Convention), and David
Tricketet (Iliff President). The morning general session
will be a panel discussion titled: "Exploring the
Constitutional Mandates: the Establishment Clause and
Free Exercise Clause". Commenting will be the Rev.
Ron Stief of "Faith in Public Life", Taj Ashaheed,
Executive Director of the Colorado Muslim Council, and
State Representative Morgan Carroll.
There will
be four "break-out" sessions in the afternoon, dealing
with the following topics: Faith and Immigration:
American Hospitality and Economic Necessity; Faith and
the War in Iraq: Superpower for Conquest or Common Good;
Faith and Health Care--Life-Health Issues in a Broader
Context; and Faith and the Environment: Making the
Connections. The event is in the Great Room at Iliff
School of Theology from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost is
$20. More information, as
well as the opportunity to register is posted
online. The event is sponsored by the Faith and
Politics Project of the Colorado Democratic
Party.
Lutheran Chorale Auditions
The Lutheran
Chorale will host auditions for the coming season at
6:30 p.m. on Monday, January 14, at Bethlehem Lutheran
Church, 2100 Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, prior to
rehearsal. A prepared piece is not necessary.
Performing works this season include Faure, Handel and
others. All voices are welcome. For more
information, call 303-526-2607, or email
lthomprn@msn.com . Also check their web
site.
Healing to Holiness Conference
The
Spiritual Direction Colorado January Conference, "From
Healing to Holiness", will be held this year at
Regis University beginning on Friday, January 18 from
6p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and continuing on Saturday, January
19 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Cynthia
Bourgeault and Ken Phillips are the presenters.
The cost is $90. For conference information,
please phone Carolyn McDowell at 720-870-1497 or go to their
website to register. The registration deadline is
January 15.
New Job Posting
There is a new job
listiing posted on the Rocky Mountain Synod's webpage
for a Clerical Position at Joy Lutheran Church in
Parker, Colorado. View all
listings.
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| ELCA |
LENT is
coming soon. Make
justice and eco-friendly
choices!
The
Scripture readings for Sunday worship during Lent are
filled with the themes of hunger and justice
ministry. Check out the suggestions
in Congregation Connections (included in the Winter
Resource Packet)! If you can't find
this booklet, go to http://www.elca.org/hunger/resources
to order or download a copy. Also support fair trade by
ordering Eco-Palms
http://www.lwr.org/palms/ for Passion/Palm Sunday. And if you
celebrate Easter with chocolate, make a Divine
choice! Order fair trade chocolate
online at http://www.lwr.org/chocolate
or call
888-294-9660. | |
The Rev. Kent
Mueller
Director for Administration and
Communication
Rocky Mountain
Synod
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| "For the living of these
days..." |
|
prayers for ministries & meetings this
week: |
|
Bishop Allan
Bjornberg
Conference of
Bishops, Chicago, IL; Council Meeting at Joy Lutheran
Church, Parker, CO
Madelyn
Busse
Region 1 & 2
Assembly Planning Conference, Seattle, WA; Domestic
Hunger Grants Team meeting, RMS office; Candidacy
Training and Candidacy Team meetings, Epiphany Lutheran
Church, Denver, CO
Jim
Hytjan
Natural Church
Development Workshop, Prince of Peace, Denver, CO;
Meeting at Christ the King Lutheran Church, South
Jordan, Utah
Dan
Bollman
Next Step Team
meeting, RMS office; Passing on the Faith Team meeting,
RMS office; Middle/Jr. High School Youth Gathering,
Colorado Springs,
CO
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| Open
House,
Open
Heart |
 |
|
Saint
Luke's Dedicates New Building on
January
13
Saint Luke's Lutheran Church, 5265 N. Union
Blvd., Colorado Springs, Colorado, invites all members
and friends of the Rocky Mountain Synod to the
dedication of their newly expanded building, Sunday,
January 13, 9:30 a.m., between our 8 and 10:30 a.m.
services. The afternoon of Jan. 13,
all are invited to an Open House in the new facility,
and Grand Opening of their expanded Childrenšs Center,
as they will now be offering, in addition to full-time
educational childcare, infant care and part-time
preschool.
The new building adds 12,000+ square feet to
their church facility, with a large multi-purpose
fellowship hall, new classrooms for daycare and Sunday
school, youth room, elevator, and
kitchen!
Info about Saint Lukešs and directions may be
found on their website, www.saintlukes-cs.org.
Pictured is Pastor Wendel at
groundbreaking.
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Growing
in Grace
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Erie Congregation Closes on
Property!
The congregation of Rejoice Lutheran Church,
Erie, CO, closed on their property without a hitch! They
are now the proud owners of 4.75 acres at 3413 Lowell
Lane. May their vision for a church building take shape
in the coming years!
Click on this
link for worship times and news about
Rejoice. |
| Mountain Storm
Ministry |
Lord of the Mountains
Lutheran Church |
|
Rest for
the Weary
During the recent I-70 closure, Teri
Hermsmeyer's son, Myke, and his three 20-year-old
friends were stranded in Summit County after a day of
skiing. When they learned the hotels and shelters were
full, Teri had them call Pastor Kari Reiquam at Lord of
the Mountains in Dillon. She gave them the lock
combination and directions to the church and they had a
restful night there (eventually with about 25 others)
before taking a circuitous route home the next day.
Kari's husband spent the night at the church
providing hospitality, coffee, etc. Myke and his friends
(and the parents!) are very thankful for the
congregation's hospitality!
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From the
Heart |
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LSS of Utah, with the support of Christ the King
Lutheran Church, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church (SLC),
Our Savior's Lutheran Church (Roy) and Zion Lutheran
Church, served over 526 First Generation, Asylee, and
Refugee families with Advent and Holiday Giving
Essentials! The gifts were given at a
variety of events. Already, LSS is
receiving calls, often from an interpreting third party,
thanking "the generous
Lutherans!"
The Gift of Advent
Realized
Janet Williams, from Zion Lutheran
Church, wrote:
Gifts from congregations were
delivered to families at the office of Lutheran Social
Services on Tuesday evening, December 18. It was a
pleasure to meet the many families who have arrived as
refugees or who are in need here in Salt Lake City.
Several families arrived recently from Burma (now known
as Myanmar), Burundi, Somalia, Croatia and other
families who arrived previously from Sudan and El
Salvador. The room was small; there were many, many very
young children; all was chaotic, cacophonous, and
other-worldly. The families are delightful. They are
extremely grateful for the presents and the
support.
It was an Advent gift to participate in
presenting your gifts to these families! The gifts and
our thoughts and prayers will be enjoyed by each of the
families.
Thank
You! |
Lenten
Opportunity
|
| Becoming a Praying
Congregation--with Rev. Jane
Vennard |
A special program will take
place at Atonement Lutheran Church, Boulder, CO,
on Saturday, February 9, 2008 from 8:30 a.m.
to 1:00 p.m. Sponsored by Atonement, Mt.
Calvary and 1st Lutheran in Longmont, the program is for
the benefit of all Rocky Mountain Synod and Boulder
Conference Lutheran church members as we begin the
Lenten season.
This event is FREE to all who
attend. Check future bulletins and posters for
additional information. This event is of even greater
benefit if at least five people are representing a
congregation. Of course, individuals are welcome. Please
phone your reservation (for adequate food and supplies
purposes) to Atonement's church office (303-499-4567)
and leave the following on EXT #8 voice mail: your
name, home congregation (and # coming, if calling
as a group) and contact phone number.
Jane E.
Vennard is ordained to a special ministry of teaching
and spiritual direction in the United Church of Christ.
She is senior adjunct faculty of prayer and spirituality
at the Iliff School of
Theology. |
| Events |
Bethany Lutheran Church,
Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, kicks off its Centennial
Year on Sunday, January 13, Baptism of our Lord
and on Sunday, January 27, with a FOUNDERS DAY liturgy.
For more information, call the church, 303-758-2820 or
consult the website, www.bethany-denver.org
. Academy for
Adaptive Leadership and Spiritual Formation is January
14-17 at Abiding Hope Lutheran Church, Littleton,
CO. This year's theme is: RE-FORMATION. Visit www.abidinghopelutheran.org.
A Winter
Workshop for Resource Development Professionals
is Thursday, January 17, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to
3:00 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, located at 4500
East Hampden Avenue in Denver. For more information,
contact Jane Pope Meehan: by phone: 303-217- 5848; by
fax: 303-922-7335 by email:
jane.pope.meehan@lfsco.org RTLC Youth
Workers'Free
Retreat is January 21-23, 2008. Rainbow Trail is
offering a free retreat for youth workers in the Rocky
Mountain Synod to give them a chance to be renewed and
refreshed. To register, visit www.rainbowtrail.org
. RMS Next Step
Team Plans "Passing on the Faith" Conference at
Bethany Lutheran Church, Denver, Colorado in April 2008
(tentative dates are April 18 & 19). If you have
questions, please contact Sarah Bjornebo at 303-797-0369
or Julie Miller at 303-841-3739. Denver Servant
Eventis an opportunity to come together with
other Lutherans and demonstrate your faith in action.
Put May 3, 2008, (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) on your
congregation calendar. Contact Pamela McClune at (303)
623-7558. Mission Trip to Nicaragua is
July 25-August 5. Trinity Lutheran Church in
Loveland, Colorado invites you to join them on a work
trip to Somoto, Nicaragua, this summer. Please contact
Pastor Ed and Cheryl Smith for more information:
970-663-0458 or csmit@frii.com. Pilgrimage to the Holy Land -
September 6-19, 2008. Denver Lutheran Pastor
Arnie Voight and St. Paul Parish Associate Jan Miller
are leading a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Contact Jan
Miller at jan@stpauldenver.org for a brochure and more
information. More
events...
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