Installation of Matt Converse at First, Ault, CO
The installation of Pastor Matt Converse will take place at First Lutheran Church, Ault, CO, on Sunday, January 21.

Synod Prayer Cycle: Metro West Conference
During the month of January we give thanks for the ministry of our congregations and rostered leaders in the Metro West Conference. You are encouraged to include these congregations and leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. The prayer list for January is available as a Word document.

to remember in prayer at worship on 1/14
Good Shepherd Glenwood Springs, CO
.....Jeffrey Carlson
Highlands Denver, CO
.....Linda Walz
Holy Cross Wheat Ridge, CO
.....Arlyn Tolzmann, Rebecca Boardman
King of Glory Arvada, CO
.....Dena Williams
Lord of the Mountains Dillon, CO
.....Kari Reiquam, Sandy Olson

Prayers for Vision, Passion, Action & Synod Council
The Vision, Passion, Action workgroups are completing their recommendations which will be considered by Synod Council on January 19 and 20. We pray for discernment and wisdom as this visioning process continues.

Middle School Youth Gathering: Jan 12-14
The 2007 Gathering will once again be held at the Sheraton in Colorado Springs! Eye Witness will be our musical guest this year, helping us explore the theme “GOD’S OWN/GOD’S ZONE.” The event takes place January 12-14. 2007. For information visit www.rmsmsyg07.homestead.com/ .

Theological Conference is January 29-31
While the registration deadline has passed, it is still possible to attend the Theological Conference provided the Conference Center has available rooms. Contact Kent Mueller at kmueller@rmselca.org or call him at 303-777-6700 if you would like to inquire about attending. Currently, 180 are attending this important annual event of learning, worship, and fellowship.

RMS Immigration DVD is Now Available
Hear stories from two ELCA congregations in Denver: Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey and HKBP Indonesian congregation. A DVD, created by the Rocky Mountain Synod Task Force on Immigration, is now available. A study guide is nearly completed. Go to to request a copy to use and return. If the online form is not working for you, send an email to kmueller@rmselca.org or call 303-777-6700.

Vision, Passion, Action Blog
Read and comment on the blog!
A "blog" is short for "web log" and it is a way to invite conversation about topics and issues. The new RMS weblog is designed to facilitate conversation about the Vision, Passion, Action process. The address of the RMS blog is www.rmselca.blogspot.com

Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey Seeks Tutors
Cristo Rey, a Latino parish in West Denver, is putting together an after school academic enrichment program for the children in the parish and community. It will feature one-on-one tutoring sessions Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. with elementary aged children who need encouragement and extra help with reading and basic math. Needed are volunteers willing to commit to working with a child on any of these days. The program also needs a good selection of books (especially children’s stories), pencils, notebooks, etc., and welcomes donations of any materials of this kind that your children have outgrown and no longer need. This is an excellent opportunity to do fun and meaningful work with great kids in a personal setting. For more information, please send a message to: email@cristoreydenver.org.

Lutheran Family Services
Please consider donating to the Refugee & Asylee Program at Lutheran Family Services. LFS provides the supplies and basic needs of a family in their first apartment. We are always in need of assistance to furnish the appropriate items for a family. This is a short list of the basic necessities that are always in demand: tables and chairs, blankets, twin sheets sets, glasses, dishes, silverware, pots & pans, toiletries, pillows, cleaning supplies, and towels. To donate, please contact Riad Baylor at 303-980-5400 or refugeedonationscentral@lfsco.org
 

Youth Workers Retreat
There are still spots available for our Youth Workers Retreat this January 22-24, 2007. This free retreat is for full-time paid and volunteer youth workers. The time away at Rainbow Trail offers you the opportunity to relax, rejuvenate and be rewarded for all of your hard work. This time is just what you need as you prepare for the New Year. During this year's youth workers retreat, Dr. Roland Martinson will be giving us some insight about his new study on exemplary youth ministry. He will share his findings and also provide practical ways to use those findings in your congregations. If interested, please send a registration form along with a refundable upon arrival check of $50 Registration forms can be downloaded from the Rainbow Trail website. www.rainbowtrail.org/ youthworkersretreat.htm

What Women Want
A women’s retreat themed What Women Want will be held this spring April 12-15, 2007. Based on three of the most popular chapters in Bergren's upcoming book, What Women Want, this retreat will help you tackle your deepest cravings -- a deeper relationship with God, a stronger faith, a sense of contentment and a true understanding of love in our lives. Our speakers will be Lisa T. Bergren and Missie Bonser. Bring a friend, or a few, and enjoy this weekend of rest, renewal, fun, and relationship building! Registration forms can be downloaded from the Rainbow Trail website. www.rainbowtrail.org/womensretreat.htm

Faith for All Seasons Men’s Retreats
All men are invited to the Faith for All Seasons Men’s Retreats. We will be hosting a fly-fishing retreat this Spring, April 26-29. We will be fly-fishing in the famed Arkansas River and novices to expert fishermen are encouraged to attend. Bible study, worship, and prayer will be woven into the weekend so all can come away renewed spiritually, mentally and physically. Pastor David Risendal will be the speaker and bible study leader for the weekend.

In the Fall, come join us for our Faith on the Fairways retreat, September 13-16. This retreat offers men the opportunity to play 45 holes of golf while finding the relationships held between our lives of faith and time spent in the game. Rocky Mountain Synod Bishop Allan Bjornberg will be our study leader for this weekend of faith, fellowship and deepening our relationships with Christ. Cost of retreat includes green fees.

If interested in these two retreats, registration forms can be downloaded from the Rainbow Trail website. www.rainbowtrail.org/faithforallseasons.htm

Acts/Hechos: Bilingual Bible Study on the Book of Acts
Join members of Good Shepherd and Cristo Rey in an English-Spanish study of the book of Acts on Monday evenings at 7pm beginning February 5. In addition to being an in depth study of a fascinating book of scripture, this is a perfect opportunity for folks with some limited Spanish or English skills to learn more vocabulary and practice reading and conversing in both languages--particularly students. You will quickly realize how appropriate and timely it is to study this book in particular in a multicultural and multilingual setting. All are welcome! Call Pastor Jay McDivitt (303.936.4859) or e-mail jaymcdivitt@gmail.com with questions.

Lutheran Missionary Experiences of China
China Service Ventures, an affiliate organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America -Global Mission, will be hosting a seminar on Saturday, February 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Augustana Lutheran Church located at 5000 East Alameda in Denver. Sponsored by Augustana Global Mission Committee and China Services Ventures, this seminar would be good if you want to learn more about life and the Christian church in China, would consider volunteering for short term mission experiences in China, or have traveled or intend to travel in China.

To register, contact Augustana Lutheran Church (303-388-4768). A $10 suggested donation includes lunch. Optional event: Chinese New Year’s dinner 7pm Sat., Feb 17 at Palace Chinese Restaurant. Reservations required (estimated cost $25) Contact David Weir (303-753-9320) or Duane/Jean Gall (303- 355-8470) or Bonita Bock (303-860-1467)

Healing the Rift Between Religious Groups:
Building Understanding and Allies
Workshop on Monday, February 19, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at University Park United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 2180 S. University Blvd., Denver. Interfaith Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Trainer and Keynote Speaker is Cherie Brown. With conflict regarding religious beliefs impacting our community, our nation and the world, National Coalition Building Institute/International believes that people can better live together with differences when we recognize our shared humanity. Info at www.ncbi.org. Based upon the Award-Winning NCBI Prejudice Reduction Training, The Religious Tolerance Workshop consists of a series of incremental participatory activities that empower individuals of all ages and background to take leadership in building inclusive communities in their workplaces and neighborhoods. For registration information, contact Carla Ficke, Director NCBI-Colorado, 720.937.2145, email, cficke@estreet.com .

Single Parent Family Outreach
Single Parent Family Outreach is an educational ministry whose mission is: to educate church workers, congregants and single parent families so that hurting children can be healed, single parents can have new hope, two parent families can be equipped for strong marriages, and all families will be transformed into agents of God's love. Debbie Carter is the founder and attends Augustana Lutheran, Denver. Learn more about Single Parent Family Outreach at www.spfoutreach.org. The new year is a great time to consider offering the “Single Parenting Skills Class” at your church, and it’s a fresh approach to reach out to the community, while meeting the needs of single parents in your congregation. To schedule a class or receive more information, call Debbie at 729-935-2440.

LMPC Offers Resources for Congregations
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) was conceived as a peace resource center - sharing speakers, audio-visual resources, and literature with churches and the broader public throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and beyond. LMPC has also been called upon to work in the school setting. The organization has offered training to teachers, school social workers, and administrators in conflict transformation skills for the classroom, and in establishing peer mediation programs in schools. Additionally, LMPC has been increasingly called upon to help those caught in difficult conflict to find reconciliation and healing by offering mediation services for individuals, churches, and other organizations.

LMPC has scheduled several events throughout the year as resources for clergy and lay leaders. For more information, please visit the website: www.lmpeacecenter.org/schedule.html.

Abiding Hope Adaptive Leadership Academy
January 15-18, 2007, in Littleton, CO: A Story for the Questions: Forging Disciples in an Age of No Easy Answers. Info at www.abidinghopelutheran.org.

Spirituality Conference With Thomas Troeger
The conference is January 19–20, 2007 in Denver, CO, Friday from 6:30–8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

2007 Ministry Incentive Awards
Apply before February 15 for a Church in Society Incentive Award of up to $1000.

Global Mission Fiesta In Phoenix
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Phoenix, AZ, will host the ELCA’s Global Mission Fiesta, February 2-3, 2007. For information or registration visit the web.

Healthy Congregations Facilitator Training
Denver Area on February 18-20, 2007. Contact Bill Behrens at brbehrens@comcast.net or 303-424-6111.

Festival Of Homiletics
One of the best preaching conferences in the country is May 21-25, 2007. More information can be found at festivalofhomiletics.com/ or contact Pastor Garrett Struessel at 303-922-0596.

Mexico City Trip is June of 2007
Information about the RMS trip to Mexico City is now posted on the RMS website. There is an information sheet and a registration form. If you have any questions, please contact Madelyn Busse at the synod office.