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| February 13,
2007 |
eConnection
eNewsletter of
the Rocky Mountain Synod |
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Come to
the Table of Mercy
Evangelical Lutheran Worship
#481
Two additional verses have been written
by
Pastor Jeffrey Louden, Shepherd of the Mountains,
Park
City, UT
2. Come to the pulpit of
justice,
where prophets and martyrs still speak.
Give voice to
the edge and the margin,
give hope to the hidden and
weak.
Come at the Lord's invitation;
receive from his nail
scarred hand.
Eat of the bread of salvation;
drink of the
blood of the Lamb.
3. Come to the font of
forgiveness,
with waters so clean and so still.
Drink deep of
the gift of God's mercy;
live wet in God's wonderful
will.
Come at the Lord's invitation;
receive from his nail
scarred hand.
Eat of the bread of salvation;
drink of the
blood of the Lamb. | |
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Prayers | |
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Synod Prayer Cycle: Border Conference
During the month of
February we give thanks for the ministry of our congregations and rostered
leaders in the Border Conference. You are encouraged to include these
congregations and leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. The prayer
list for February is available
as a Word document.
to remember in prayer at worship on 2/18
Peace Las Cruces, NM
.....Steve Loy, Jeanne
Lutz
Peace El Paso, TX
.....Wayne Kendrick
Shepherd of
the Valley El Paso, TX
.....Sandra Leifeste
St. Mark
Roswell, NM
.....James Kuemmerle
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Rocky Mountain Synod | |
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Celebrate Treasures, Old and New
Exploring and
Expanding Worship Resources
One more event is scheduled 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.
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.
Does HIPAA Prohibit Names Being Included on Prayer
Lists?
The newsletters from several of congregations recently
reported that HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act of 1996) prevents churches from listing hospitalized members in the
bulletin or newsletter. This is NOT true. HIPAA only applies
to health care providers, not to churches. While we certainly want to
respect the privacy of congregational members, there are no legal
restrictions on including people on a prayer list. This confusion may have
started with an article in The Lutheran magazine that reported this
information incorrectly. It was retracted in the following issue. The
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has a helpful article at their
website.
2007 Ministry
Incentive Awards
Apply before February 15 for a Church
in Society Incentive Award of up to $1000 The awards assist efforts in
this Synod that demonstrate an "inciting to action" of the church in
society.
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.
2008 Partnerships Intents Needed in Synod Office
Each congregation is asked to submit an intent of how much it will
share in partnership support with the wider church during 2008. If your
congregation has not yet submitted your intent, please call Cheryl at
303-777-6700 or complete an easy
online form.
Are the Conference Crosses Still Travelling?
The
desire is that the crosses presented and sent out at the conclusion of
last year's synod assembly will visit every congregation in the synod. The
deadline for their travels has been extended until May 1! Please be
attentive to welcoming the cross in your congregation and sending it on
its way!
RMS Immigration DVD and Study Guide are 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 now completed and will be sent along with the
DVD. 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:
Faith & Politics: a Lutheran Perspective
Caring for Creation: Environmental Issues
Issues Impacting Seniors
2007 Advocacy Priorities
Watch for registration materials in early
February.
2007 LOGM-NM Bishop’s Luncheon
The luncheon is
sponsored by the Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry- New Mexico and
will take place Thursday, February 22, in Santa Fe. Bishop Allan Bjornberg
will be the main speaker for the luncheon and will also share a message
during the morning.
The day will begin at Christ Lutheran Church,
1701 Arroyo Chamiso, with fellowship and an opportunity to learn more
about the issues for which LOGM-NM will be advocating throughout 2007. The
luncheon will take place at the La Fonda Hotel at a cost of $25 per
person. If you make reservations and attend as a group from your
congregation, the cost for 5 people is $100 Please contact LOGM-NM
(505-984-8005) or rh@logmnm.org to make reservations or for more
details.
Discerning Vocation and Call to Ministry 2007 Retreat
You are
invited and encouraged to attend this retreat if you are currently
applying for or expecting to apply for Candidacy in the ELCA anytime in
the coming year. We also want to invite all those who may be considering
or are actively in discernment about whether God is calling you to serve
the church as an ordained pastor, consecrated diaconal minister, or
commissioned associate in ministry.
Pastors, rostered lay leaders
and youth ministry leaders are encouraged to extend this invitation to
anyone you think would benefit from this retreat. The retreat is designed
for both first and second career individuals. The retreat will be led by
members of the RMS Candidacy Committee, Madelyn Busse, Assistant to the
Bishop, and Pastor Greg Schaefer, Admissions Director at Pacific Lutheran
Theological Seminary, Berkeley. Held at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000
East Alameda, Denver, the retreat will be April 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Please RSVP by March 15 to Janice at jladd-horkey@rmselca.org
Questions? Call Madelyn Busse at 303-777-6700 or email to
mbusse@rmselca.org
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
Get Ready for RMS Trip to Mexico: June 20- 28
The
Rocky Mountain Synod of the ELCA is home to many immigrants from Mexico.
With the Latino community being the fastest growing minority group in the
USA, ELCA congregations will be challenged more than ever to find
effective ways of serving their Spanish- speaking neighbors. This 2007
trip to the Lutheran Center in Mexico City will increase our understanding
of our neighbors to the south, opening our eyes to the cultural, economic,
and political realities of Mexico.
If you are interested click to
view (Word document) information
and an application or contact Madelyn Busse at 303-777-6700.
Applications are due in the Synod office no later than April 15. Please
keep in mind that passports are now required for travel to Mexico.
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Announcements | |
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Ministries That Are Looking for Lenten Mission
Partners
1. New Beginnings - Denver Women's
Correctional Facility - Pr. Emily Cardin. Friday evening worship
attendance by 60+ women in this correctional facility is often the
highlight of their week. This ministry relies on Mission Partner gifts
from congregations and individuals.
2. Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey
- El Paso, Texas, is in the process of purchasing a storefront to be
used for worship, fellowship, education, an after school program, and
health ministry. Any Lenten Mission Partners gifts to help with the
purchase and building renovation are greatly appreciated. For more
information, contact Pr. Rose Mary Sanchez- Guzman.
3. Risen
Lord - Aspen Park/Conifer, Colorado - Pr. Beth Graham. Would anyone be
able to provide them with accompaniment editions (liturgies & hymns)
of the new Evangelical Lutheran Worship as Lenten Mission Partner
gift?
A very special thank you to all who have contributed Mission
Partner gifts to Christ the King in South Jordan, Utah, as they prepare
for their first worship in March. Christ the King in Durango, Colorado has
gifted them with audio equipment. Bethel in Aurora, Colorado is holding a
pulpit and font for them. Individuals have offered office materials and
more. Thank you to everyone!
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)
Invitation to Saturday Night Worship
in Conifer, CO
Coming home from skiing via highway 285 on a
Saturday evening? Take a break from the drive and join Risen Lord Lutheran
Church for worship at 5:00 pm. It's a short, informal service with Holy
Communion. On the fourth Saturday of the month we have a potluck dinner
after worship. Come, be our guests and join us! Going northbound on 285,
go left on Parker Ave. (first left after Elk Creek Elementary
school...just before you get to Shaffers Crossing). Go north 3/4 of a mile
on Parker. We're a green ranch style building on the right. The address is
actually 12798 Parker Avenue in Pine, Colorado 80470. The church phone
number is 303-816-6864.
Offering of Letters Workshop February
24
This workshop, titled "Seeds of Change: Help Farmers. End
Hunger" will be held at Montview Presbyterian Church, 1980 Dahlia
Street in Denver on Saturday, February 24 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. This
campaign gives us an opportunity to work with Congress to make the Farm
Bill work the way it was intended to work. This piece of legislation
touches everyone in this country—everyone who eats, and especially those
who struggle to have enough to eat. Even people outside the United States
feel its impact. For more information about the workshop, email Julie
White at jtwhite92@msn.com , give her a call at 303-355-1651 or
visit the Bread
for the World website.
Zion of
Loveland 100 Years of History
The newly published book, “A Century
of History”, tells the history of Zion Lutheran Church in Loveland from
its beginning in 1905 through the 100th anniversary of the congregation in
2005. The booklet, compiled by Ed Fisher and Deborah Price, includes
stories, news articles, photographs, and memories from Zion’s first
century.
The book is available through the church office at 815 E.
16th Street for a donation of $5 per copy to help cover printing costs.
Books may also be mailed for an additional $2. For more information, call
(970) 667-1836.
James Hersch Family Concert February 24
James Hersch will
present a family concert on Saturday, February 24, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at
Holy Love Lutheran Church, Aurora, Colorado. James Hersch is well known
and loved in the Rocky Mountain Synod. He has played at family camp at
Rainbow Trail for many years and has recently composed a song for the film
Let It Shine, a documentary on the 50 year history of Rainbow Trail
Lutheran Camp. The music of James Hersch is about life, family, faith, and
love. Some of his songs are silly songs for children about cows and bugs.
His other songs stir the memory and touch a place deep within the soul.
Invite your friends and your neighbors and bring the whole family for a
fun and relaxing evening of storytelling through music!
Evangelism Workshop Scheduled for March
The
Boulder/Broomfield Conference is hosting an Evangelism Workshop, Saturday,
March 3rd, 8:30 - 12 noon at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2200 Broadway (on
Broadway, 1 block north of the Pearl Street Mall) in Boulder, Colorado.
The workshop is titled: Reclaiming the B Word - God Is Speaking: A Call
to Biblically Rooted Faith. Kelly Fryer (M.Div., MTh) who is a
teacher, author and motivational speaker with nearly twenty years of
experience leading organizations into renewal will lead the workshop. The
cost is $10 per person and you may contact Pastor Mark Twietmeyer at
303-442-2300 for more information.
Day Apart at Iliff March
24
Iliff School of Theology, 2201 South University Blvd. in Denver,
will be hosting a retreat on Saturday, March 24 from 8:45 a.m. to 3:00
p.m. The retreat, titled "Wake Up Soul" with Linda Sperber is designed to
awaken memory of soul - the important dimensions of life that get lost in
the "busy-ness" of career and personal lives. The event will be
interactive, reflective and responsive. Attendees will need to bring a
Bible, their daily planner or other calendaring system, and a journal or
paper. Cost for the retreat is $45 and includes a box lunch.
For
more information, email Dave at dlavinder@iliff.edu or Cathie at
ckelsey@iliff.edu. To register for the retreat, contact Dave by
email by Friday, March 16. Payments are due by Tuesday, March 20.
Lutheran Family Services 13th Annual Gala
LFS presents its
13th Annual Gala titled: A Time of Caring; High Tech, High Touch, High
Impact on Friday, March 9 at 6:00 p.m. The event will take place at the
Cable Center at the University of Denver, 2000 Buchtel Blvd. in Denver.
The gala will feature Ronn Lucas who mixes stand-up comedy, improvisation,
audience participation, puppetry, and astonishing vocal gymnastics to
entertain fans with his ingenious and unique talent.
This is LFS
largest event of the year and will include exquisite dining cuisine of
surf n' turf, fantastic silent auction and cash bar. The cost is $150 and
the attire is semi-formal. For more information about the event and/or
sponsorship opportunities, please contact Doyle Lott at
doyle.lott@lfsco.org or call 303- 217-5860.
Two More Healthy Congregations Workshops Scheduled
Here are
two more opportunities to attend workshops to get information about
congregational leadership. The first will be held on April 21 at Our
Saviour's in Fort Collins, Colorado. Please contact Pastor Tim Sadem
(tim@our-saviours.org) for more information. The second workshop
will be held on April 28 at Grace Lutheran Church, Bountiful, Utah. Please
contact Pastor Corinne Thul (pastorcorinne@hotmail.com) for more
information about this event.
Appetite for Justice, Mexico
Style
T.W.O. (Transformational World Opportunities), a program of
the Hunger and Housing Ministry Team of the Pacifica Synod, ELCA, invites
you to cross borders – international ones and personal ones. T.W.O.
arranges one- to six-day “experiencial education” trips which begin in San
Diego, CA, and cross the border into Tijuana and Tecate, Mexico. There we
visit persons, places and projects to put a face of global issues of
hunger, poverty, trade, immigration, and interdependent living. For more
information, visit
the website or contact Rev. Bill Radatz: twobill@cox.net or
619-227-4644.
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Upcoming Events | |
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Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp's
50th Anniversary Gala
Come celebrate in Mile High style when
Rainbow Trail celebrates its anniversary with an evening of dinner,
dancing and reminiscing on Saturday, February 17 at 6:00 p.m. The event
will take place at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado.
Reservation and lodging information is available at rainbowtrail.org.
The deadline for reservations was February 1st.
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. To register, contact Augustana Lutheran Church
(303-388-4768).
Clergy Day Apart
at Norbertine
Come to a Called Back to the Well Clergy Day Apart
February 19, 2007. All ministers are invited to a monthly day apart at the
Norbertine Center in Albuquerque, continuing the 3rd Monday of each month.
An RSVP would be appreciated. Contact Sue Joiner for more information:
mailto:sjoiner@samaritancc.com or call 505.332.8020
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. For registration information, contact Carla Ficke, Director
NCBI-Colorado, 720.937.2145, email,
cficke@estreet.com
Acts of the Apostles / Hechos de los
Apóstoles
All are welcome to join Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and
Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey in an experiment with bilingual Bible study.
The next study will be Monday, February 19, at 7pm, at Good Shepherd (770
South Federal Blvd, Denver. Call Pr. Jay McDivitt (303.936.4859) with
questions.
Conference on Ministry:"Considering Your
Call"
Wartburg Theological Seminary's next “Considering Your Call”
Conference on Ministry is March 10-12, 2007. 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.
Retreat for Lutheran
Foster Families
As part of Mary Black's Diaconal Ministry project,
she will lead a retreat for five Lutheran foster families March 16-18,
2007, from 6 p.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Sunday at Camp Idrahaje near
Bailey, Colorado. Contact Mary at mary@kog-arvada.org or
303-838-7125. for more information.
Leadership in Ministry
Workshop
Leadership in Ministry: Ministering to Congregations as
Family Systems, Franciscan Retreat Center, Colorado Springs, April 30 -
May 2 and October 1 - 3. For more information, go to: www.leadershipinministry.com
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.
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. Please contact Pastor Ed
and Cheryl Smith for more information, 970-663- 0458 or email to:
csmit@frii.com .
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ELCA Churchwide | |
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2007 ELCA Global Mission
There are two ways to
help your congregation learn more about how the ELCA participates in God's
global mission. You may order a free copy of the 2007 Global Mission
Annual or attend the 2007 Summer Global Mission Event in Columbus.
The Global Mission Annual is an overview of how ELCA missionaries
and companion churches engage in ministry outside the United States and
the annual makes a great forum. At the Global Mission Event,
congregations, families, youth, and seniors - along with international
guests and missionaries discover a global community of God’s grace.
Request annuals and GME registration brochures by calling 800-328- 4648.
For more facts and resources about ELCA global mission, please visit
the website.
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Resources | |
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Congregational Leadership In Anxious Times: Conversations &
Reflections
with Dr. Peter Steinke.
In anxious times, people
tend to react more and think less. Their imaginative capacities are
limited. Group pressure is elevated. Hope is deflated.
These are
precisely the times that leaders need to be effective. In this nine-part
DVD, Dr. Steinke addresses leadership in anxious times with congregational
leaders - clergy and laity. This companion DVD and study guide follows his
book, Congregational Leadership In Anxious Times, and makes a rich
resource for leadership development. Explore the need for
mission-mindedness, good boundaries and the courage to
challenge.
To get more information or to purchase the DVD, please
visit
the website.
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Kent Mueller
phone: 303-777-6700
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