2008
Assembly
List of Deadlines:
The assembly is May
22-24 in Denver. Information will be mailed on Thursday.
Online information and links will be posted online
Thursday.
Memorials and Resolutions are
Due March
15
Information for
submission will be mailed this week and information
posted online on Thursday.
Requests for display
tables from agencies and organizations are Due April
1
A link is
available online for these requests.
Registration Deadline
is April
22
All registration
will take place online. Registration
information will be mailed this week and posted online
on Thursday.
Hyatt Hotel Reservations
must be secured prior to May 4 to receive the
$119 rate
Reservations may be
made on a special online link or by telephone. Info will
be mailed and posted on Thursday, February
28.
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Prayers and Celebrations
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|
Fourth
Sunday in Lent
Discerner of hearts,
you look beneath our outward appearance and see
your image in each of us. Banish in us the blindness
that prevents us from recognizing truth, so we may see
the world through your eyes and with the compassion of
Jesus Christ who redeems
us. Amen
Prayer from Revised Common Lectionary
Prayers,
Consultation on English
Texts,
2002
Synod Prayer
Cycle: Metro
East Conference
You are encouraged to include these
leaders in your Sunday prayers of the
people. The prayer list for
March is 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
03/02
All
Saints
Aurora, CO
John Petty, Sue Svanoe
Augustana
Denver, CO
John Pederson
Bethel Aurora, CO
Barbara Lemke
Christ the
Savior Aurora, CO
Paul Ziegler
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Strengthening Discipleship
Ministries |
"How can I pass
on my faith to my children and
grandchildren?"
The Rocky
Mountain Synod will present the "Passing on
Faith" conference April 18-19 at Bethany
Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado which
promises to make a strong impact on raising Christian
disciples of all ages as well as highlighting values
that come out of the Lutheran tradition.
- Come and
LEARN how to equip families to partner home and
congregation so that home is church too.
- Come and
PRACTICE using the Four Keys to pass on faith
and values to loved ones.
- Come and
INTEGRATE your faith talk and faith walk into
all facets of life.
For
maximum impact, bring the whole team: clergy,
volunteers, grandparents, staff, parents, and mentors.
Everyone is welcome! It's all about how to live a
vibrant faith that is authentic, available and
affirming.
For more
information workshops, speakers, the schedule of events,
and to register online, please visit www.rmselca.org/passingonfaith .
The Youth
and Family Institute website can provide more
information about the organization. Please visit www.tyfi.org .
"Passing On Faith"
is a Youth & Family Institute Conference sponsored
by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Rainbow Trail
Lutheran Camp, Lutheran Ranches of the Rockies, the
Rocky Mountain Synod and Joy Lutheran
Church, Parker; Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Ft.
Collins; Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church, Centennial;
Holy Love Lutheran Church, Aurora; First Lutheran
Church, Longmont; and Bethany Lutheran Church, Cherry
Hills Village.
|
| Synod News and Events |
Congregational
Intents Are Due Now
It is crucial that the Synod
office receives congregation statements of intent
for the new year as soon as possible. It is not too
late! An online form at
www.rmselca.org/intent makes the process quick
and easy or you may call the Synod office
to provide you information
verbally. Statements of intent are not only
important for the Rocky Mountain Synod but are also
important for ELCA Churchwide record keeping! Thanks to
everyone who has submited a current
report.
Candidacy Committee
Announces Second Discernment Retreat for
2008
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.
Four Scholarships available for 2008 Mexico City
Trip
Consider participating in next
summer's trip to the Lutheran Center in Mexico City,
June 10-18. Four $250
scholarships are available for the trip with preference
given to high school and college age youth and to those
serving in youth and household ministries.
Information about the trip as well as a
scholarship application form and registration materials
are at http://www.rmselca.org/globalmission/trips.htm
.
One Month Until the
Deadline!
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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| ELCA Headlines |
|
 Presiding
Bishop Mark S. Hanson's
Easter
Message 2008
"For you have died, your life is hidden
with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is
revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in
glory." (Colossians 3:3-4)
"You
have died." The words resonate because this world's
violence and suffering--so pervasive, so needless, so
relentless--haunt every human community and life. Where
death rules, hope lies entombed in endless
grief.
Another death--the crucifixion of
Jesus--changed everything. God is not hidden, but
present through suffering, sorrow, and death. Jesus is
God's resounding "yes!" to the steadfastness of God's
forgiving love, embodied on a cross.
The death of
Jesus shows no partiality. It was for all nations and
all people--for them, for you, for me. Your life is now
with Christ. In baptism you have died. Hidden with
Christ, no longer entombed in grief, your life carries
the promise of glory.
From that first day of
resurrection onward, God has been raising up messengers
of salvation, heralds of peace, and testifiers of the
promised glory. You are a witness of the hope to come.
Quite simply, Christ is your life, my life, our life.
You have no other than this One who lives resurrected in
you.
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
The Rev.
Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical
Lutheran Church in
America |
| Announcements |
Vigilia
Pascual / Easter Vigil
All are
welcome to join Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Iglesia
Luterana Cristo Rey, and Lutheran Church of the
Resurrection for a bilingual and intentionally
kid-friendly Easter Vigil at 6pm on Saturday, March 22
at Good Shepherd (770 South Federal Blvd, Denver). This
is a wonderful opportunity to take part in
cross-cultural and cross-generational worship on the
holiest night of the year. If your community does not
have an Easter Vigil, come on out and experience this
one! A festive reception will follow the service. If you
have questions, please call Pastor Jay McDivitt at
303-936-4859.
Joyful
Sounds in China
The sounds
of hustle and bustle are all around China. Beijing is
readying for the Olympic Games, the wheels of industry
continue to turn and cities are growing at an enormous
rate. There is another sound being heard in China, also,
-- a joyful sound coming from Chinese churches where you
can hear the singing of children in Sunday school, the
ringing of hammers as new churches are built and the
splashing of water at Baptism. All are such joyful
sounds! Join China Service Ventures as they offer 3
travel opportunities in 2008 to hear joyful sounds of
God's people at work. Save these dates: March 25-April
12, October 5-18 and October 19-November
8. Contact
Steven Ray, Director, China Service Ventures at
877-408-7056 if you have questions or visit the website
www.chinaserviceventures.us/
for more
information. | |
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
Continuation of the Region ll
Staff Retreat, Phoenix,
AZ.
Madelyn
Busse
Continuation of the
Region ll Staff Retreat, Phoenix, AZ.
Jim
Hytjan
Continuation of the
Region ll Staff Retreat, Phoenix, AZ.
Dan
Bollman
Continuation of the
Region ll Staff Retreat, Phoenix,
AZ. |
| 2008
Faith Advocacy Day |
 |
Faith Seeking Justice
Tuesday, March
4
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
Early registration ends on February
29. |
| Asian
Lutheran International
Conference |
 |
Asian Lutheran International
Conference (ALIC), 2009
You are invited to the Fifth Asian
Lutheran International Conference (ALIC) scheduled for
February 4-10, 2009, Hong Kong. The theme of the
conference is "Asian Churches in Changing Societies".
The conference is open to all. Continuing Education Plan
(CEP) is available. Several tracks of optional
Asia Study Tours after the conference are also
available. For more information please go to: rmselca.org/AsianConfBrochure. To send in your registration by mail,
you may download and print the form from rmselca.org/AsianConfReg
You may also contact the Rev.
Dr. Pongsak Limthongviratn, ALIC Coordinator at
Pongsak.limthongviratn@elca.org or Phone:
773-380-2834.
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| Gallery of Living Art
2008 |
 |
Gallery of Living
Art
The Story of the Life of Christ in Music, Art and
Scripture
First Lutheran
Church,
1515 North Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO
March 7 at 8:00 pm,
March 8 at
4:00 and 7:00 pm,
March 9 at 3:00
pm
Inspired by a summertime California
event entitled "Pageant of the Masters", the idea was
brought to Colorado Springs by Joan Kuehn, First
Lutheran's Director of Music, in 1994. Kuehn and Judy
Wach, Director of Special Events at First Lutheran, were
looking for a way to make a unique contribution to the
community. Well-known works of religious art are
recreated using costumed actors set against reproduced
backdrops and accompanied by Scriptural text appropriate
to the work, all performed in a musical setting
featuring singers and instrumentalists. Among the best
known works portrayed are Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last
Supper" and Michelangelo's "The
Pieta".
The music is provided by the
80 members of the First Lutheran Choir. Many
instrumentalists also come from the congregation.
Costumes and make-up are all provided on a volunteer
basis and after fourteen years, the skills of the
volunteers are finely honed. No
tickets are issued, so First Lutheran recommends coming
early to be sure of a seat. The Gallery of Living Art is
not only a presentation, but a worshipful experience you
will never forget. For more information, please call
First Lutheran Church at 719-632-8836 or visit their
website: www.flccsc.org |
| Featured
Article |
The One Campaign
|
The ONE Campaign is an effort to rally
Americans, ONE by ONE, to the cause of ending poverty in
our world and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The Eight Millennium
Development Goals:
1) Eradicate Extreme
Poverty and Hunger
2) Achieve Universal Primary
Education
3) Promote Gender Equality and Empower
Women
4) Reduce Child Mortality
5) Improve
Maternal Health 6) Combat HIV and AIDS, Malaria and
other diseases
7) Ensure Environmental
Sustainability
8) Create a Global Partnership for
Development with targets for debt relief, aid and
trade.
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| Garrison Keillor
Revisited |
 |
|
SINGING
WITH THE LUTHERANS
by Garrison Keillor
I have made fun of
Lutherans for years - who wouldn't, if you lived
in Minnesota?
But I have also sung with Lutherans and that is one of
the main joys of life, along with hot baths and fresh
sweet corn.
We make fun of Lutherans for their
blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving
offense, their lack of speed and also for their secret
fondness for macaroni and cheese. But nobody sings like
they do.
If you
ask an audience in New
York City, a relatively Lutheran-less place, to
sing along on the chorus of 'Michael Row the Boat
Ashore', they will look daggers at you as if you had
asked them to strip to their underwear. But if you do
this among Lutherans they'll smile and row that boat
ashore and up on the beach! And down the
road!
Lutherans are bred from childhood to sing
in four-part harmony. It's a talent that comes from
sitting on the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or
bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your
little head against that person's rib cage. It's natural
for Lutherans to sing in harmony. We're too modest to be
soloists, too worldly to sing in unison. When you're
singing in the key of C and you slide into the A7th and
D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it's an emotionally
fulfilling moment.
Read the
full article... |
|
Events |
Film
Series on Faith
and Sexual
Identity
Four films examining issues related to
faith and sexual identity will be shown on Saturdays
during March at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 915 E.
Ninth Avenue (at Emerson) in Denver beginning at 6:30
p.m. Admission is free. The first
film scheduled is on March 1
titled
"In Good Conscience" which chronicles the
true story of Sister Jeannine Gramick.
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|
Collaborative
Worship Planning
Workshop
A workshop on
collaborative planning for worship will be presented at
Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 Hampden Ave, Cherry Hills
Village, CO, on Saturday, April 26,
2008, from 9 a.m. through lunch.
Scheduled presenters include:
Dr. John Ferguson,
St. Olaf;
Pr. Ron Glusenkamp,
Bethany Senior Pastor; and
Dr. Marie
Friedemann, Bethany lay leader. The
workshop is intended for pastors, organists, choir
directors, members of worship and music committees, and
interested lay people. Please visit
www.eventbrite.com/event
to
register.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.
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