Additional grant funds are newly available! Don't let the cost of the event keep you away. We want everyone to attend! Pay what you are able to contribute!

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 .

Registration deadline is March 31.

"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 submitted a current report.

Candidacy Committee Announces Second Discernment Retreat for 2008

April 16, 2008 ~ Denver - Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda

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 Week 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!

Addressing Mental Healthcare
within the Congregation

Jane's Photo St. Peter Lutheran Church, located at 9300 East Belleview Avenue in Greenwood Village (80111), is sponsoring on April 26 a seminar entitled "Depression and Bipolar Disorder: A Faith Based Approach". Dr. Jane Mountain will be the keynote speaker. The first portion of the seminar will be Dr. Mountain sharing her journey through bipolar disorder, and the second portion will be a brainstorming session with participants looking at the ways congregations may better support people and their families where mental health is the issue.

All local churches and the general public are invited to this event. This seminar could be helpful to pastoral staff, Stephen Ministers, and all charged with providing care within congregations. Any family that struggles with mental health concerns will find this seminar an educational and hopeful experience.

Registration will start at 8:30 a.m. and the cost is $10/person or $25/family at the door. Please contact Vicky Simpson at 303-221-2094 for more information. If a group will be coming from your church or organization, please RSVP to Vicky (303-779-5474 or email her at vicki@stephenbass.net ) with approximate numbers.

Jane Mountain Major book sellers carry Dr. Mountain's book, Beyond Bipolar: 7 Steps to Wellness, which helps families and individuals better understand how depression and mania can affect the lives of everyone in the life of a person with mental health issues.

Understanding

"Fair Trade"

Breakfast & Brainstorming

Saturday, May 3rd
10 am - Noon

King of Glory Lutheran Church
2919 N. Wilson Avenue
Loveland, CO 80538

Topics include:

How to organize a "Fair Trade Fair"
Update on anti-poverty bills in the Colorado legislature
Advocacy ideas for your congregation

Share advocacy ideas from your congregation or come to get ideas! Join us for a free continental breakfast. Invite a friend or two!

To RSVP, please contact Terri McMaster, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - CO, Rocky Mountain Synod. The phone number is 303-777-6700 (800-525-0462) or e-mail Terri at tmcmaster@rmselca.org

Directions: From Interstate 25
1) Take exit 257B to merge onto E Eisenhower Blvd (US 34 West) (5.8 miles)
2) Turn right at N Taft Ave (1 mile)
3) Turn left at W 29th St (1 mile)

This event is hosted by Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - Colorado

Willie E. Hobbs
Assistant to the Director for Administration and Communication
Rocky Mountain Synod, ELCA

whobbs@rmselca.org
303-777-6700 | 800-525-0462

Quick Links

synod website
ELCA website
newsletter archive
congregations seeking leaders

"For the living of these days..."

prayers for ministries & meetings this week:

Bishop Allan Bjornberg

In the office this week.

Madelyn Busse

Global Mission Steering Committee meeting, Denver, CO; Conducting a retreat for the women of Zion Lutheran Church of Loveland, Estes Park, CO; Region ll First Call Theological Education meeting, San Francisco, CA.

Jim Hytjan

EOCM Review Table meeting for new start churches, Chicago, IL.

Dan Bollman

First Call Theological Education Summit, Chicago, IL.

Time for a Break

One of the Church Council members at First Lutheran in International Falls, Minnesota, has several condos that he would like to donate the use of to any ELCA staff or member. This is no charge associated with these offers. You can stay the entire week or just a portion of it. If anyone in your office is interested in using one of these condos, please call Steve at 218-324-0835 or email him at

smshermoen@citlink.net

3-22-2008 to 3-29-2008 Cibola Vista Resort, Peoria, AZ 1 bed

3-22-2008 to 3-29-2008 Valdora Mt. Lodge, Breckenridge, CO 2 beds

3-22-2008 to 3-29-2008 Starr Pass Golf Suites, Tucson, AZ 2 beds

3-23-2008 to 3-30-2008 Marriott Maui Ocean Club, Maui, Hawaii studio

Ecumenism:
Under Construction

Habitat for Humanity

Clergy Build Day

Please encourage your congregation's faith leaders to join us for this special day of building and fellowship. Habitat believes that everyone can use a hammer as an instrument to manifest God's love. Please invite your clergy to be part of the diverse group that will join together on Thursday, April 17, to forward Habitat's tangible ministry - not one of solely building homes, but also one of transforming lives.

Last year, 40 rabbis, ministers and imams put their faith into action by working with Habitat for Humanity. This year, we hope for even more participation at 700 Lowell Blvd where four Habitat homes will be under construction. For more information, please contact Amanda Landon at 303-534-2929 ext.125 or by email: amanda@habitatmetrodenver.org

Promoting Fair Trade

Lutheran World Relief is offering grants promoting Fair Trade.

Do you have a project that celebrates or educates World Fair Trade Day 2008?

Lutheran World Relief is offering 15 grants to promote Fair Trade during the week leading up to World Fair Trade Day on May 10, 2008.Grants of $500, $250, or $100 are available for any Lutheran congregation, women's group, student group, or organization.

Be creative-whether you have been involved in Fair Trade for years or this is your first time, think big! The goal of your celebration could include:

Celebrate World Fair Trade Day 2008
Promote Fair Trade and LWR
Excite and educate people about Fair Trade

Your celebration can be a one time event or a launching pad for a larger program. It can be in your church, workplace, school, or community-wherever you can draw a crowd!

Here is just a short list of ideas to get you started:

Fair Trade "break" with coffee, tea, chocolate, and handcrafts
Fair Trade meal, featuring recipes that use Fair Trade products
Fair Trade fashion show

No idea is too big or small! Download an application and send it in by April 4, 2008. Applications may be sent to Mary Amdahl:

Email: mamdahl@lwr.org
Fax: 410.230.2882 (attn: Mary Amdahl). Awardees will be announced on April 9, 2008. Questions? Email fairtrade@lwr.org or call 410.230.2839

USC 16th Annual
Prayer Walk

Urban Servant Corps

Prayer Walk

Please mark your calendars for Sunday, April 20 from 12-4 p.m. at 1660 Ogden Street, Denver (80218) for the Urban Servant Corps 16th Annual Prayer Walk and fundraiser. Look for more information about how the event has changed and invite friends, family, youth groups, and others to enjoy a day experiencing urban ministry and community in downtown Denver. Please call 303-894-0076 or email them at servantcorps@earthlink.net for more information.

Building a Home and Great Relationships

Rainbow Trail Offers Immersion Trip to Juarez, Mexico

Come join Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp in a week-long experience where you will work along-side a family in Juarez, Mexico, building a home and great relationships. Along with building a house, your group will experience a variety of interactions in the community such as visiting an orphanage, worshiping with a local congregation and serving a community barbecue. This is a week of servant hood in which participants will be physically and spiritually challenged and forever changed as they meet, talk with, listen, and build relationships throughout the Juarez community.

Senior high and young adults. There is only ONE more week open from July 27-August 2. This is an opportunity that shouldn't be missed!! Please contact Anne Bliss, 719.942.4220 or email her at anne@rainbowtrail.org .

Events

Women's Retreat
From April 10-13, Rainbow Trail Lutheran camp will host its annual Women's retreat. Rev. Mary Canniff-Kuhn will lead our study "Wild Women of the Bible". For more details and a registration form, go to www.rainbowtrail.org . Register soon!

Lutheran Family Services

is celebrating their 60^th Anniversary this year. On April 12, the Child Abuse Prevention Benefit will be held at the Hilton Hotel (Fort Collins) beginning at 6:00 p.m. On May 10 beginning at 6:00 p.m., LFS will host their 60^th Anniversary Gala. For more information on these events and others that are coming up soon, please visit www.lfsco.org .

Men's Retreat

Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp is hosting their Spring Men's Fly Fishing retreat April 24-27. For more details on both of these retreats: www.rainbowtrail.org . Register soon!

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.

Lutheran Servant Event 2008
Come to the 11th Annual Lutheran Servant Event 2008 on May 3 to share your time and talents with others in the faith community. To register for the event , please download, print, complete and mail the registration form. Pam McClune at 303-623-7558 can answer any questions.

MEMORIAL DAY WORK WEEKEND
Come and join over 100 people May 23-26 to help make Rainbow Trail's site the best possible. There is no charge for the weekend but a reservation is a must. Contact Dave at the Canon City office at 719-276-5233 to reserve your spot!