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 1/21
Lord of the Valley Granby, CO
.....Joel Martin
Lutheran Church of Grace Craig, CO
.....James Strader
Mount of the Holy Cross Vail, CO
.....Carl Walker
Shepherd of the Valley Grand Junction, CO
.....Ron Powers
St. Andrew Arvada, CO
.....Stephanie Kopsch

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.

Celebrate Treasures, Old and New
Exploring and Expanding Worship Resources
Events are scheduled this winter beginning again in January to introduce the new Evangelical Lutheran Worship book. Cost for groups of six is $100 Cost for an individual is $20 Cost includes lunch and a copy of the Worship book. A registration form is available to be downloaded.

Please register at least one week prior to the event you will be attending so that appropriate arrangements may be made for lunch.

January 20, 2007 Wyoming Event
Prince of Peace, Casper, WY
Check-In 8:30-9:30 a.m. - Event 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
February 10, 2007 (two events)
Texas Event: New Hope , El Paso,TX
Check-In 8:30-9:30 a.m. - Event 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Southern Colorado Event: First Lutheran, Colorado Springs, CO
Check-In8-9 a.m. - Event 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
February 17, 2007 New Mexico Event
Cross of Hope, Albuquerque, NM
Check-In 8-9 a.m. - Event 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Christ the King (South Jordan, Utah) First Worship Service
We will have our first worship in March 2007. In order to start worship, we will need a few items like: Portable professional keyboard, stand, bench, and case; stoneware communion set; communion tray set for 160 small cups; sacramental linens: 2 corporals, 1 pall and 6 purificators; altar cloth; processional cross and stand; wheeled storage containers; laptop computer; projector for computer; folding tables 2-4" and 2-8"; candles and candlesticks (for on altar); candle lighter; and collection plates or baskets.

Contributions toward these items are welcomed, or if you would like to contribute all of the funds for a specific item, please contact Jim Hytjan at james_hytjan@rmselca.org or Pastor Scott Stein at 801-253-6487.

Congregation Constitution Revisions
If your congregation revised its constitution or bylaws recently, remember to send a copy of the complete constitution and bylaws to Katherine Cruson, Secretary of the RMS. A separate list of the changes is also helpful. Mail to: Katherine Cruson, 12906 E. Villanova Dr., Aurora, CO 80014.

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.

Marty Haugen & Susan Briehl Present Concerts and
Workshop Feb. 9 & 10
That You May Have Life is the theme of Haugen's new musical and a pre-Lenten workshop focussing on the Three Days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. An event brochure and registration may be downloaded as a .pdf document.

Two concerts are February 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. at St. Dominic Roman Catholic Parish, 3035 West 29th Avenue in Denver. A free will offering will be received to benefit the music program at St. Dominic. $20 is the suggested donation.

The workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 10 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Cherry Hills Village, CO. Cost is $20 per person or $15 per person for congregational groups of three or more. The cost includes lunch. Please mail the registration form so it is received in the RMS office on or before February 1.

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.

March 19 is Lutheran Day at the Legislature - Colorado
Lutheran Day at the Legislature & Bishop's Luncheon, an annual program of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - Colorado, will take place Monday, March 19, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Colorado History Museum, Denver. Topics will include:

Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Wheat Ridge
Approximately 35 volunteers are returning to Mississippi in January to show them that the ”Lutherans from Colorado” are back. This trip is open to all and seeking new volunteers to help “Sustain the Hope” for the people of the Gulf Coast.

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Ft. Collins
This trip is called Texas Hurricane Recovery and will take place Feb 5-14. The purpose is to do home repair, clean up yards and do food prep for the crew.

New Orleans Disaster Response Servant Education Trip, March
Consider sending yourself and/or someone you love to participate in our Lutheran Disaster Response trip to assist an African American congregation in New Orleans (Bethlehem Lutheran Church – Pastor Keen). Email: lssutah@yahoo.com (Lutheran Social Service of Utah) for more information.

Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church of Lakewood Hurricane to
Hope Project 2007
The Hurricane Disaster Relief efforts continue in Louisiana and Mississippi. The trip dates to Mississippi are: March 23-28 and April 19-24.

Faith Lutheran Church Plans Trip to Mississippi in 2007
Faith Lutheran Church of Castle Rock is planning a trip to the Gulf Coast region from January 25th through the 30th. The trip is being planned in coordination with Holy Cross of Wheat Ridge and Holy Shepherd of Lakewood.

Spiritual Healing for Child Abuse Survivors
The Women’s Crisis and Family Outreach Center (WCFOC) in Castle Rock will host a workshop on healing and recovery from profound childhood abuse. This workshop is designed for victims of abuse and for those professionals and caring individuals that walk the journey with them. The workshop entitled “Spiritual Healing and Recovery, An Introductory Workshop” willl be presented by Mary’s Hope Workshops, a Denver-based ecumenical organization, on Friday, February 9, 2007 at Philip S. Miller Library, 100 South Wilcox Street in Castle Rock.

Advance registration is required and must be made by Monday, January 29th. The normal fee for this workshop is $125 but for this event it will be $65 payable at registration. This includes workshop materials and lunch is on your own. Forms may be obtained by sending an email message to maryshope@maryshope.org, by calling 303- 377-0293 or from the Women’s Crisis & Family Outreach Center at 303-688-1094. Additional information about Mary’s Hope Workshops is available on the website www.maryshope.org

Conference on Ministry:"Considering Your Call"
Wartburg Theological Seminary's next “Considering Your Call” Conference on Ministry is March 10-12, 2007. This event is for individuals and their spouses, or significant others, who are considering vocational choices and a possible call to ordained or lay ministry. Registration is Saturday, March 12, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. and the conference begins at 1:00 p.m. For more information, contact the admissions office at 800-CALL-WTS or admissions@wartburgseminary.edu. You may register online at www.wartburgseminary.edu

Reinventing Leadership: The “Zen” of Rabbi Friedman & His Mentor
A leadership conference drawing on the work of Rabbi Friedman and Dr. Murray Bowen will be held at St. Malo Retreat Center, Allenspark, Colorado, March 12 – 14, 2007. Presenters: Dr. Larry Foster and Pastor Carol Jeunnette. For more information and online registration, go to www.clergyseminarswest.org, or call Carol Jeunnette, (303) 909-3064. $100 deposit due by January 31. Texts: Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix (2007), by Edwin Friedman, and Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times (2007), by Peter Steinke.

Hunger Doesn’t Hibernate
COMPA Food Bank Ministry, serving the Front Range in Colorado, asks that we remember our neighbors this winter, as hunger doesn’t hibernate. With the holidays behind us, sometimes we forget that the hunger needs of our neighbors goes on. COMPA’s year-round food bank ministry is continuing to help feed the thousands of families in need in Jesus’ name, and appreciates the support of the church community. Please pray for COMPA, and consider getting involved by volunteering, organizing a food drive, or inviting COMPA to your Missions Fair this year. Also, don’t forget to add COMPA’s Project Glean to your fall calendar. You can find more information about Project Glean and COMPA at: www.compafoodbankministry.org

Trinity of Loveland Plans Trip to Somoto, Nicaragua
Trinity Lutheran Church in Loveland, Colorado invites you (anyone ages 14-80+) to join them on a work trip to Somoto, Nicaragua this summer for 1, 2 or 3 weeks, beginning July 14. For several years the congregation has participated in building homes, in medical missions, and in the church ministries there. They have made life-long friends with some wonderful people there, and they invite you to get to know them, too! Please contact Pastor Ed and Cheryl Smith for more information, 970-663-0458 or email to: csmit@frii.com .

ELCA Worship Jubilee is August 3-7 in Chicago
A churchwide event celebrating the renewal of worship in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will take place at Navy Pier in Chicago, August 3-7, 2007. The event will include singing & playing, presentations, workshops, service projects, opportunities for children & parents, and, of course, worship! Information at www.elca.org/worship.

Read Through the Bible in One Year
If you have ever wanted to read through the Bible but didn't know where or how to begin, here is a resource that may help you to begin. You may start this program at any time during the year. Starting with week one, though, will allow you to finish one year later. Make it a New Year's resolution to begin today.