eConnection Rocky Mountain Synod

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

April 1, 2008

If you haven't yet submitted a video yet, here's good news: the deadline has been extended until April 22, which will still give us plenty of time for judging the entries!

Two minute videos that capture the spirit of our "Lutheran Identity" in the Rocky Mountain Synod are to be submitted to Kent Mueller by mail or email. 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!

In This Issue

Assembly Deadlines

Synod News and Events

Golden Anniversary for King of Glory Lutheran Church

Benefit Concert to Support RMS Outdoor Ministries

Prayers and Celebrations

Third Sunday of Easter

Elusive God, companion on the way, you walk behind, beside, beyond; you catch us unawares. Break through the disillusionment and despair clouding vision, that, with wide-eyed wonder, we may find our way and journey on as messengers of your good news. Amen

Prayer from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers,

Consultation on English Texts, 2002

Rob Sachs to be Installed April 20 in Evanston, Wyoming
Pastor Rob Sachs has been called to serve Trinity Lutheran Church in Evanston, WY. He will be installed by Bishop Allan Bjornberg on Sunday, April 20, at the 9 a.m. Holy Communion worship with a reception following throughout the afternoon for those unable to attend the morning service.

Julie Britsch to be Installed April 27 in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Pastor Julie Britsch invites you to join her and the congregation of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs on Sunday, April 27, as she is installed as the new pastor. Bishop Allan Bjornberg will officiate. A reception will take place after the 10:15 service. The color of the day is "white" and clergy is invited to vest. For more details, you may call the church office at 719-260-1787. The church is located at 950 Vindicator Drive (80919).

To the Glory of God!

You are invited to join the congregation of Glory of God Lutheran Church as they celebrate Pastor Paul Olsen's 25 years of ordination (May 1983 - May 2008) on Sunday, May 4. The celebration and lunch will immediately follow the 10:30 a.m. service. Please RSVP to helengm@comcast.net or 303-232-8870 by Sunday, April 13. Glory of God Lutheran Church is located at 1220 West 38^th Avenue in Wheat Ridge (80033).

Prayers for Healing
Pastor Pam Gonzales of Greeley requests our continued prayers as she recuperates from her recent surgery. Recovery time is expected to be close to eight weeks.

Synod Prayer Cycle: Wyoming Conference

You are encouraged to include these leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. The prayer lists for April and May are available. Please consider including this prayer list 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 04/06

Ascension Cheyenne, WY

Paul Everett

Christ Cheyenne, WY

Covenant Wheatland, WY

David Wood

Faith Lander, WY

Tim Sersen

Assembly is May 22-24 in Denver

2008 Assembly
List of Deadlines:

The assembly is May 22-24 in Denver. Each congregation has received printed registration materials. All information is also posted on the web for download.

Registration Deadline is April 22
All registration will take place online. The link for registration is on the website.

Hyatt Hotel Reservations must be secured prior to May 4 to receive the $119 rate
Hotel reservations also are placed online. The link for reservations is also on the website.

Strengthening Discipleship Ministries

It's not too late!

"How can I pass on my faith to my children and grandchildren?"

We want everyone to attend! Pay what you are able to contribute but get signed up TODAY!

The Rocky Mountain Synod is pleased to 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 .

Remember, you may call the Synod office if you still have questions: 303-777-6700 (800-525-0462). We are here to help.

"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

It's not too late to register.

Mexico City Trip.

It's a Go!

The synod immersion experience in Mexico City, scheduled for June 10-18, is definitely going forward. We have received deposits and registrations from more than the minimum number to make the trip possible. So, we encourage other lay and clergy to join the fun. All are welcome - high school The trip costs $560 + airfare, which includes all lodging, food, program, and in-country transportation. Check out the website at http://www.rmselca.org/globalmission/trips.htm , or e-mail Jay McDivitt (jaymcdivitt@gmail.com) with questions. There are still two scholarships for $250 available for those who apply. Since we know the trip is on, we are willing to take registrations up to the original deadline of April 15, but we encourage you to sign up as soon as you are able.

Congregational Intents Are Still Being Received

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.

Announcements

Choir Robes Available

St. Paul Lutheran Church Senior Choir of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has 50-60 washable medium blue choir robes of various ages (and a few different dye lots) to donate to a good home. If you or someone you know might be able to use them, please contact the church office at 505-242-5942 or by email at

info@stpaulabq.org .

New Job Posting

COORDINATOR of EDUCATION

Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, Colorado seeks a Coordinator of Education (Part time). Please go to the Synod's website for more details and other listings.

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

Metro West Conference Retreat, Snowmass, CO; Meeting with American Lutheran Church, Grand Junction, CO; Synod staff meeting, Denver, CO

Madelyn Busse

Continuation of the Region ll First Call Theological Education meeting, San Francisco, CA.; Meeting with the Council of Atonement Lutheran Church, Denver, CO; Synod staff meeting, Denver, CO.

Jim Hytjan

Meeting for the Four Winds Project, Denver, CO; NCD Coaches meeting, Denver, CO; Meeting with Korean Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO; EOCM staff meeting, Chicago, IL; Synod staff meeting, Denver, CO.

Dan Bollman

Continuation of the First Call Theological Education Summit, Chicago, IL; EOCM staff meeting, Chicago, IL; Meeting with Korean Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO; Synod staff meeting, Denver, CO.

News from El Paso

Following is a link to an article about one of the driving forces of El Paso's economy and the jobs that draw people from all over Mexico to the border city of Juarez.

Check this out.

A Golden Anniversary

With the theme of "Remembrance and Renewal", King of Glory Lutheran Church will celebrate the 50^th year of its founding on April 12 and 13, 2008.

The Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard, is the venue for the formal commemoration on Saturday, April 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. The public is invited. Cost is $35 per person, with reservations required on or before Monday, April 7, 2008. Contact 50^th Anniversary Celebration Coordinator, Mary Ellen Schrecengost, 303-424-7966 to make a reservation.

Sunday, April 13, will include 10:00 am worship at the church, Kipling and Ralston Road (58^th Avenue), with Bishop Bjornberg presiding and past church leaders in attendance. A Family Barbecue and Potluck Luncheon will follow.

Benefit Concert

Supporting the Synod's

Outdoor Ministries

Come enjoy some great music and support the ministries of Lutheran Ranches of the Rockies & Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp. Acoustic duo "Storyhill" will perform a benefit concert on Wednesday, May 14 at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, located at 12099 Lowell Blvd Broomfield (80020).

Tickets are $20 and available at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for general admission seating and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds will be supplemented by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. For information: on the music check out www.storyhill.com ; on concert details contact roberta.wentworth@thrivent.com

Resource

Our Saviour's Lutheran Church

Jesus Christ, Elder & Wisdom

Wooden and Cloth sculpture, Vernon the Boy

Want to know more about mission with integrity when crossing borders?

Want to enjoy colorful, meaningful, cultural art describing the Emmaus disciple journey?

Want to enjoy hearing the wisdom and faith of elders?

With great pleasure and delight Lutheran Social Service of Utah announces the publication of: "Wisdom's Footsteps: Mission in a Native American Context"

by Leslie Whited Vance, Diaconal Minister, Dr. of Ministry in Mission and Leadership (5/2008)

All printing proceeds benefit ministries at:

LSS of Utah for the Annual Rocky Boy Cross-culture Education and Immersion Project, 3^rd Week in September

Our Saviour's Lutheran Church at Rocky Boy Indian Reservation

Rocky Boy Indian Reservation Ministries for the Chippewa-Cree Tribes

To order, please send your tax deductible donation check, payable to LSS of Utah along with your email address (if available) to:

LSS of Utah

1800 South West Temple

Suite 305

Salt Lake City, Utah 84115

$25 donation requested. Please also add $10 for shipping & handling.

Photograph above taken by
Leslie Whited Vance

Diaconal Minister, ELCA

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 .

Habitat for Humanity Clergy Build Day
Clergy is invited to join together on Thursday, April 17, to forward Habitat's tangible ministry - not one of solely building homes, but also one of transforming lives. The build site will be 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

16^th Annual Prayer Walk

Please join the Urban Servant Corps on Sunday, April 20 from 12-4 p.m. at 1660 Ogden Street, Denver (80218) for their 16th Annual Prayer Walk and fundraiser. Call 303-894-0076 or email them at servantcorps@earthlink.net for more information.

Men's Retreat

Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp is hosting their Spring Men's Fly Fishing retreat April 24-27. For more details on this retreat, go to: 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.

"Depression and Bipolar Disorder: A Faith Based Approach"

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. All local churches and the general public are invited. Please contact Vicky Simpson at 303-221-2094 for more information.

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!

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.
Senior high and young adults. There is only ONE more week open from July 27-August 2.!! Please contact Anne Bliss, 719.942.4220 or email her at anne@rainbowtrail.org .