Prayer from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers,
Consultation on English Texts, 2002.
"Baptized We Live" photo by Jeffrey D. Louden.

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

to remember in prayer at worship on 3/11
Elizabeth Elizabeth, CO
.....Steve Hartten
Epiphany Denver, CO
.....Michael Fick
Faith Castle Rock, CO
.....Michael Knauff, Joe Hess
.....Cynthia Buschagen, Lisa Smotherman
HKBP Denver, CO
.....Donald Sipahutar
Holy Love Aurora, CO
.....Dick Schwenkmeyer

"For the living of these days..."
prayers for staff travels & meetings this week:

• Bishop Bjornberg at Conference of Bishops, Chicago; Eben Ezer Care Center, Brush, CO; Border Conference Bishop's Retreat
• Dan Bollman at Community of Joy, Rio Rancho, NM, call committee; Youth planning
• Madelyn Busse, Lutheran Ranches of the Rockies Search Committee; Women's Retreat planning; Assembly Facilities planning, Fort Collins, CO
• Jim Hytjan, leading a Pacifica Synod workshop on Coaching, Yorba Linda, CA
• Kent Mueller, Theological Conference planning team; Assembly Facilities planning, Fort Collins, CO
• Bishop & staff: Vision, Passion, Action Implementation Team

1. New Horizons in Falcon, CO (which started worship in April in 2006) would love to receive copies of the new Evangelical Lutheran Worship book.
2. New Beginnings - Denver Women's Correctional Facility - Pastor 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.
3. 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 Pastor Rose Mary Sanchez- Guzman.

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 April. 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!

2007 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 2007. If your congregation has not yet submitted your intent, please call Cheryl at 303-777-6700 or complete an easy online form.

Lutheran Day at the Legislature & Bishop’s Luncheon:
Monday, March 19; 9 am – 2 pm, Colorado History Museum, Denver
Speakers: Bishop Allan Bjornberg, Opening Devotion; Dr. Craig Nessan, Wartburg Theological Seminary, Faith in Politics—A Lutheran Perspective; Rev. Peter Sawtell, Eco-Justice Ministries, Environment—Voices for the Voiceless: Advocacy for God’s Creation; Terri McMaster, Diaconal Minister & Director, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry, 2007 Advocacy Priorities
Breakout Sessions: Environmental Issues; Senior Issues; Discussion with Dr. Craig Nessan
Optional Afternoon Sessions: Advocacy 202— Engaging your faith community in advocacy ministry; Meet with your Senator or Representative.; Tour the capitol & learn about the legislative process.
Registration Deadline: Thursday, March 15th. Registration Fees: Individual, paid in advance: $20; congregational groups of five or more, paid in advance: $15 each; Registration fees paid on the day of the event: $25. Registration form available online at:
www.lam-co.org/LDAL_2007_Registration.html

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 thechurch as an ordained pastor, consecrated diaconal minister, or commissioned associate in ministry.

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

NEW POSTING: Vision, Passion, Action Blog
Linda Bobbitt has posted the latest VPA summary
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
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.

Peace and Justice Center Plans Mass Actions Event
The Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center has planned mass actions at the offices of Representative Udall and DeGette and Senator Salazar on Thursday, March 8. You are encouraged to take the time to put your beliefs into action, this time collectively and in mass. The plea is to deny funding to stop the war against Iraq and bring the troops home and to enact binding legislation to prevent the Bush administration from attacking Iran . The U.S. House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to pass on the Iraq Supplemental War appropriation bill by March 7 or 8. The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the Supplemental War Funding bill of $93 plus billion by March 14 or 15. Individuals or small teams will stream through the various offices stating their demands to end the Iraq war and stop a war against Iran. The schedule and additional information is posted. For more information contact the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center 303-444- 6981 or visit www.rmpjc.org

"Holy Matrimony Panel Discussion: Marriage and Family from Christian Perspectives"
On Tuesday, March 13, at Regis University's Student Center Faculty Lounge, from 7p-9p, all are welcome to join a Quaker, a Catholic, and a Lutheran in discussing marriage and family values as a part of an interfaith series sponsored by the Forum on Institute on the Common Good.
The panel will include Pr. Jay McDivitt of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Denver, Dr. Paul Alexander (Quaker) and Professor Julia Brumbaugh (Roman Catholic). The next event will be on April 17 and will present marriage and family values from the perpective of the Latter Day Saints (Mormon).

Free Bibles for New or Renewing Men's Ministries
Lutheran Men in Mission is offering free Bibles to congregations who are forming new men's groups or who are renewing the group they have. Gus Brockmann at First Lutheran in Longmont, CO, has 60 Bibles available. Please send an email to him at brockmann@firstluth.org if you would like some free Bibles.

Day Apart at Iliff Retreat 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. 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.

"Celebre' la Buena Vida"
The third annual gala fund-raiser for the Buena Vida Adult Day Centers will be held on March 29 at the El Paso Club in El Paso, Texas. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. For more information, call (915) 598-5403 or visit the website.