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|
Prayers and Celebrations
|
|
Third Sunday
after the Epiphany
God of
blazing light,
through the power of the cross you shattered our
darkness, scattering the fears that bind us and setting
us free to live as your children. Give us courage and
conviction that we may joyfully turn and follow you into
new adventures of faithful service, led by the light
that shines through Jesus Christ our
Savior. Amen
Prayer from Revised Common Lectionary
Prayers,
Consultation on English
Texts,
2002
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. The prayer lists for February and March
are also available. 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
01/27
St. John's Thornton,
CO
Penni Walsh
St. Stephen Northglenn,
CO
David Denzer
United Ridgway,
CO
Dick Engdahl
Valley Denver,
CO
Daniel Hays
Zion Montrose,
CO
Michael Rime
Zion Idaho Springs,
CO
Don
Marxhausen
|
| 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.
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 Jan. 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 -
(registration deadline
has passed--call if interested)
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!
|
| 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
26 Casper -
Prince of Peace - call 307-234-6475 to RSVP
by January
19
|
| Youth Ministry Network: Urgent
Message! |
Please pass
this message from Kristen Baltrum on to the Youth and
Household Ministry folks in your
congregation... The ELCA Youth
Ministry Network is a community of youth ministry
volunteers and professionals across the nation. The
people in this network have helped me define my gifts,
explore growth areas, connect with other people who
share this passion for teens, figure out logistics for
my trips and missions, etc. These people are not only a
Network, they are a community. This Network needs your
participation, or the participation of the people in
your congregation who do youth ministry. Those doing
youth ministry need this Network. Each year
the Network does an annual Extravaganza - a Christ
centered, high energy, top-notch, professional,
grounded, spectacular event for those who are doing
youth ministry throughout the ELCA. This year's event is
in Anaheim, CA, Feb
8-11. The theme is "FRESH," focusing on renewal.
I am on the planning team for this event. I know the
speakers, musicians, workshop leaders, party hosts, and
other leaders. It is going to be an AWESOME event. I
just got this email from our team leader:
We want to encourage 'NEW' participants at
the Extravaganza. Therefore, we are running a special for
this last week of registration. If you come, as
someone new to the Extravaganza, we'd be willing to WAVE
the registration fee. You will still be responsible for
housing, transportation, expenses, etc. BUT YOUR REGISTRATION FOR THE
EVENT IS FREE. How do we do
this? 1. Go to
the website www.elcaymnet.org
and find the Extravaganza near the bottom of the page
(FRESH logo), and register for the event. In the 'amount
owed' cell type in the word F R E S H. This will trigger
your fresh attendance with our registrar. 2. Jump to the Hotel
web site and register for the Hyatt Hotel. 3. Feed all this info
to registrar@elcaymnet.org We have one more
week to reserve our rooms with the Hyatt before the
close of the registration system. Free registration is
contingent on making your hotel reservation by January
28. I want you to come because I
believe in this ministry, this network, and this event.
However, this is not about me. It is about being
Christ's body in the world, doing God's ministry through
the Holy Spirit. This Network is too big for me - I need
to share it with my old friends, new friends, and
friends yet-to-be. I hope you come. If you
have any questions about this DO NOT HESITATE to call me
(cell 303-817-5482 home 303-774-1178) or email me
(baltrum@comcast.net). I LOVE to talk about this. If you
register, let me know! I want to greet you personally
and connect with you. In shared
ministry, Deaconess Kristen
Baltrum |
ELCA: Churches Starting Churches
Event
|
Desert Cross Lutheran Church in
Tempe, Arizona is pleased to host this year's ELCA
"Churches Starting Churches" Conference April 13-15,
2008. The conference is intended for congregations
interested in, or actively involved in, mission
expansion ministry. One of the major objectives of
the conference is to facilitate "nuts and bolts"
discussions related to churches starting churches.
Therefore, we are encouraging congregations to bring
clergy, staff and lay persons who are or will be
actively involved in their mission outreach efforts.
| |
The Rev. Kent
Mueller
Director for Administration and
Communication
Rocky Mountain
Synod
| | |
| "For the living of these
days..." |
|
prayers for ministries & meetings this
week: |
|
Bishop Allan
Bjornberg
VPA Gathering,
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Casper, WY; Meeting
with Lord of the Mountains Lutheran Church, Dillon, CO;
RMS Theological Conference, Colorado Springs, CO.
Madelyn
Busse
RMS Theological
Conference, Colorado Springs, CO.
Jim
Hytjan
Meeting with Zion
Lutheran Church, Loveland, CO; RMS Theological
Conference, Colorado Springs, CO.
Dan
Bollman
Preach at St. Paul
Lutheran Church, Denver, CO; RMS Theological Conference,
Colorado Springs,
CO. |
| 2008
Faith Advocacy Day |
 |
Faith Seeking
Justice
Our annual Lutheran Day at the
Legislature is growing! We are partnering with
Hunger for Justice: Interfaith Voices Against Poverty
this year to host an advocacy event for people of all
faith traditions.
Tuesday, March 4
9:00
a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Scottish Rite
Building
1370 Grant
Street,
Denver
ELCA
Pre-event
Bishop's Breakfast
8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Plenary
Speakers:
Bishop Allan Bjornberg,
Rocky
Mountain Synod, ELCA
Bishop
Warner H. Brown, Jr.,
Rocky
Mountain Conference,
United
Methodist Church
Dr.
Steven E. Foster,
Senior
Rabbi,
Congregation Emanuel, Denver
Imam
Ibrahim Kazerooni,
Imam
for the Denver Muslim Community
Workshops:
Access to Health Care,
Advocacy
101,
Affordable
Housing,
Colorado's
Economy after Referendum C, and
Payday
Lending
Register
by phone at the synod office: 303-777-6700 or by e-mail
at whobbs@rmselca.org |
| Come to the
Waters |
 |
|
Women of the ELCA invites you to "Come
to the Waters" and be refreshed, inspired and connected
at our seventh Triennial Gathering, July 10-13, 2008, in
Salt Lake City. This weekend will
teach, encourage and challenge you to come to a greater
understanding of your faith, and what it means to live
it out as together we are called to act boldly on our
faith in Jesus Christ.
Workshops will explore such topics as how
Lutherans read the Bible, what discipleship means, how
to revitalize your women's group, and how our faith
compels us to advocacy. An inspiring
array of speakers such as Sister Joan Chittister, the
Reverend Karen Bockelman and the Reverend Heidi Neumark
will help us understand baptismal living and our
covenant relationship with
God.
Please visit the website
or
phone 1-800-638-3522, ext.2730 to register for this
exciting
event. |
| Candidates Approved for Ministry
in the ELCA |
 |
|
Congratulations
to the following seminarians who were approved by our
Candidacy Committee for ministry in the
ELCA:
Beth Rietz, approved for
consecrated ministry, LSTC/Iliff, Holy Trinity,
Littleton
Gretchen Enoch, approved for
ordained ministry, LSTC, Good Shepherd, Glenwood
Springs
Dirk van der Duim, approved for
ordained ministry, LSTC, Our Saviors, Denver
Julie McNitt, approved for
ordained ministry, PLTS/Iliff, Atonement, Denver
Dan Ruth, approved for ordained
ministry, Luther, Shepherd of the Mountains,
Park City, UT
Dan Smith, approved for ordained
ministry, Luther, Ascension, Colorado Springs
Anda Wilhelm, approved for
ordained ministry, Gettysburg, Covenant, Wheatland,
WY
Lloyd Luedeman, approved for
ordained ministry, Trinity, King of Kings, Pueblo
Kate Murray, approved for
ordained ministry, Trinity, Holy Cross,
Albuquerque
Thanks to the congregations who
assisted these candidates in discerning their call to
ministry and supported them during their formation and
study for
ministry. |
| Pilgrimage to the Holy
Land |
 |
|
Pilgrimage to the Holy
Land
September 6-19,
2008
The season of Lent invites us to
examine and reorder our lives. Denver Lutheran Pastor
Arnie Voigt and St. Paul Parish Associate Jan Miller are
leading a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land - we travel
to far away places to learn about our world and
ourselves, becoming transformed in the process. Visit
the holy sites, stay at the guesthouse at the Lutheran
Christmas Church in Bethlehem, travel to Galilee, the
Golan Heights, Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean,
Masada, the Dead Sea and Jerusalem, as well as visit the
ancient ruins of Petra in Jordan. Worship with members
of the Lutheran Christmas Church and hear stories of
life in this conflicted part of the world; enjoy evening
reflection time and Bible readings connected with the
sites we visit. Cost: $2950 from Denver. Contact Jan
Miller, jan@stpauldenver.org for a brochure and more
information. |
|
Events |
|
Does
Spirituality Enhance Health?
Join
the Center for Spirituality on Friday, January 25, 12 to
1 pm at Exempla St. Joseph Hospital, 1835 Franklin St.,
Sterne Elder Room. For information, call 303-383-1610,
email info@cfsaw.org or visit www.cfsaw.org.
This workshop is free. |
|
Bethany Lutheran Church, Cherry
Hills Village, Colorado, continues its Centennial
Year celebration 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 .
Augustana
presents:
Caring for Creation
Discussion
Augustana
Presents! Caring for Creation on Sunday, January
27th, 3p.m. Pastor Peter Sawtell will be the
presenter. No pre-registration is necessary for
this free workshop. For more information, please
call Sheryl Stenseth, Parish Nurse at 303-388-4678, ext.
106.
Lenten
Opportunity: Becoming a Praying Congregation with Jane
Vennard
A special
FREE 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.
Information and
online registration is on the
web.
The Bible and the ELCA
Today
A Presentation by Bishop Paul Spring, retired
bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the
ELCA, will take place Sunday, February 24, 3:00 p.m. at
Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church, 21755 E. Smoky Hill
Road, Centennial, CO.
A simple soup and bread supper will be served at
5:00 p.m.
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 Event
is 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.
| | |
