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| May 1,
2007 |
eConnection
eNewsletter of
the Rocky Mountain Synod |
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Prayers | |
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Fifth Sunday of Easter
Alpha and Omega, First
and Last, glory outshining all the lights in heaven: pour out upon us your
Spirit of faithful love and abundant compassion, so that we may rejoice in
the splendor of your works while we wait in expectation for the new heaven
and new earth you promise when Christ shall come
again.
Amen
Prayer from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers,
Consultation on English Texts, 2002.
Photo taken by Allan Bjornberg
in Madagascar.
Armando Rangel to be Ordained May 12 at 1 p.m.
Armando Rangel
has been serving as the licensed lay minister of Cristo Rey in Denver. He
has completed the TEEM program (Theological Education for Emerging
Ministries) and has been approved for ordination to the ministry of Word
and Sacrament. The ordination celebration will take place at St. Paul
Lutheran Church, 1600 Grant Street, Denver, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 12.
Free parking is available on the street on weekends. You may also use the
Knights of Columbus parking lot at 16th and Grant between noon and 3:30
p.m. that day. Also available is the office building parking across Grant
Street and just north of the church (the entrance gate will be open
between noon and 1 p.m. and the gate will rise automatically upon leaving
the lot). Other pay parking is available near the church requiring payment
of $2 - $6. Be prepared with dollar bills to insert in the slot of the
payment panel. Following the ordination service, a festive reception with
delicious Mexican food will take place at Cristo Rey, 501 Raleigh Street,
Denver, CO. Armando expresses his deep gratitude for your faithful prayers
and encouragement.
Synod Prayer Cycle: Boulder / Broomfield Conference
During
the month of May we give thanks for the ministry of our congregations and
rostered leaders in the Boulder / Broomfield Conference. You are
encouraged to include these congregations and leaders in your Sunday
prayers of the people. The prayer list for May is available
as a Word document.
to remember in prayer at worship on 5/6
Atonement Boulder, CO
.....Debra
Engquist
Bethlehem Longmont, CO
.....Mark Peterson, Matthew
Bolz-Weber
Christ the Servant Louisville, CO
.....Daniel
Hoeger, Paul Fransen
"For the living of these days..."
prayers for ministries
& meetings this week:
- Bishop Bjornberg - Metro West Conference retreat, Snowmass;
meeting at Atonement, Denver, CO; Worship at Grace, Boulder, CO
- Dan Bollman - Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Unit
staff meeting, Chicago, IL
- Madelyn Busse - Continuing Education Residency at the Daylesford
Abbey Spirituality Center near Philadelphia PA
- Jim Hytjan - Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Unit
staff meeting, Chicago, IL
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Rocky Mountain Synod | |
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We Celebrate First Quarter Mission Support!!
report for first quarter (Feb 1 - April
30)
Mission Support from Congregations
First Quarter
2007: $788,621
(First Quarter 2006: $693,997)
World
Hunger
First Quarter 2007: $55,545
(First Quarter 2006:
$42,637)
Thank you for your strong partnership in mission and
ministry in this Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America.
Senior High Gathering Seeks High School
Musicians
The worship planning team for the 2008 gathering at Estes
Park in November would like to put together a worship band for morning and
evening devotions during the event, such as a hand drummer, guitarists,
vocalist, and more. Email Brandon Newton at brandongslc@qwest.net
if you have talent to offer!
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.
Please keep in mind that passports are now required
for travel to Mexico.
There is still time to register for the Rocky Mountain Synod
Assembly.
- although the Early Bird Registration deadline has passed, you may
still register for the Synod Assembly for a slight increase in price.
- you must pay by credit card for online registration (this
is a new CSU requirement and is an update to previously printed
instructions!)
- online registration is most efficient and is encouraged
- to pay by check, fill out the paper form/s and send them to CSU with
one check
- the CSU facility fee is mandatory for each voting member and visitor
who registers
Register
online now.
RMS 3rd Annual Bishop's Scramble for World
Hunger
Get ready to hit the links June 7th while at the same time
benefiting the efforts to end world hunger. A $115 registration fee
(includes golf cart and lunch) will afford the lucky winning team bragging
rights and a trophy. Don't play golf? Well, the congregation that donates
the most money to the "Scramble" will also win a trophy. The event will be
held at Pelican Lakes Golf & Country Club in beautiful Windsor,
Colorado. What a deal! Download
a registration form.
Are you a
Mission Partner?
If so, we would like your help in raising
awareness of Mission Partners at Synod Assembly. Please submit a 15-second
video recording or a digital photograph with accompanying printed text,
thanking your Mission Partner congregation for the opportunity of mission
partnership. If you are a congregation that has received Mission Partner
support, submit a video or photo expressing appreciation for the support
or gift. Use a script like this: "This is (name of person) from (name)
Lutheran Church in (name of community) and we would like to thank (name)
Lutheran Church of (name of community) for the opportunity to be a Mission
Partner with them. Thanks Mission Partners!" Send your video clip on
DV video, on a DVD, or as a video file in Quicktime or Windows Media to
kmueller@rmselca.org by May 15. Send your digital photo and
accompanying printed text to the same address by May 15. Thank you!
Vision, Passion, Action 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.
If you post a comment please include your name and congregation. If you
would like to post an entry, send your entry to kmueller@rmselca.org.
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Announcements | |
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Correction to Grace Matters Article
In the
last issue of the eConnection newsletter, we incorrectly stated the time
for the Grace Matters program in Salt Lake City. For KSL newsradio
AM 1160, the program actually airs at 9:00 pm on Sunday instead of in the
morning as previously printed. We hope you are able to catch the program
at this time.
Bethel, Colorado Springs Celebrates Its 25th
Anniversary
Bethel Lutheran Church will be celebrating its 25th
Anniversary May 5 and 6. On Saturday at 5:30 pm, there will be worship and
celebration followed by an anniversary gathering and dedication of the new
addition at 6:30. Come on Sunday to enjoy more worship opportunities, a
dedication ceremony and the anniversary brunch from 9:15 to 9:45 am. All
are welcome.
Passion for Progressive Religion in Congregations
Join
in creating a new kind of conversation about what it means to be a faith
community, a conversation that engages the experience of lay persons with
the tools of progressive theological reflection. "Rekindling Passion
for Progressive Religion in Congregations" will be held from May
18-20, 2007 at Iliff School of Theology and is co-sponsored by seven
congregations, including St Paul ELCA. Rev. Dr. Kevin Maly is co-leading
the session on proclamation/preaching. Sessions cover fostering spiritual
growth, care of souls, music in worship, the role of preaching, and
inter-faith cooperation. All sessions are co-led by a practitioner and a
scholar and are designed especially for lay persons and pastors. Sessions
are Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Cost, including two
meals, is $75. For more information and to register go to: www.iliff.edu/academics/cont-ed/rekindling-
passion.php
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Upcoming Events | |
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Rally Against Hate
Crimes in the Metroplex May 3
You and the members of your
organization are invited to join the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado,
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and others in a rally against hate crimes
on Thursday, May 3. The rally will be held in front of Denver's City and
County Building beginning at 4:45pm. To get more information about this
event, please go to the Interfaith
Alliance of Colorado website.
National Leadership Gathering
May 3-6
National Leadership Gathering of the Interfaith Alliance,
May 3 - 6 at the Interlocken Hotel and Conference Center located near
Louisville, Colorado. Featured speakers will include Governor Bill
Ritter, Rev. Bob Edgar, Mike Keefe, and several others. For more
information and to register, please visit
the
Interfaith Alliance website.
Denver Lutheran Servant Event May 5th
On Saturday,
May 5th, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Denver will again be the gathering
site and staging area for the Lutheran Servant Event. If you would like to
be a part of this effort, contact the church office (303- 831-7023) to
register. For more information, you may also contact Pam McClune 303-623-
7558.
Health Ministry Conference is
May 5 in Fort Collins, CO
Faith In Action - The Spiritual Health
Partnership and Rocky Mountain Synod Parish Health Ministry are pleased to
announce the 9th Annual Spirit of Caring Conference. The event is at Our
Saviour's Lutheran Church, 2000 S. LeMay Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80524.
For more information, call Melanie at 970- 493-6455 or email:
melhuib@hotmail.com.
The Lutheran Chorale Presents Concerts for
Your Enjoyment
This concert series titled Sacred Melodies - Old,
New, Borrowed, and New will feature traditional masterpieces,
contemporary classics, Irish tunes, and gospel blues - all of which have
enriched worship in many times and places. There will be two concerts
on Sunday May 6: the first at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2300
South Patton Court, Denver, at 3:00 p.m., and the second concert will be
at St. Philip Lutheran Church, 7531 South Kendall Blvd., Littleton, at
7:30 p.m. For more information, please call 303-237-7336 or
303-886-0549.
Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church Presents Two
Lectures The Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes of Harvard University
and Harvard Memorial Church will be presenting at this lecture series with
the first lecture being held Friday, May 11 from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. and the
second for Saturday, May 12 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. For ticket and
childcare information, please call Danean Burke at 303-355-1651.
WomenCook! - Dining for a Difference,
Benefiting Work
Options for Women
Join us for our third annual WomenCook! event to
raise much-needed funds for Work Options for Women. The event is Monday,
May 14, 2007, 6:00 to 8:30 pm, Temple Emanuel, 51 Grape Street, Denver .
For more information, contact Jennifer Koeller at 720-944-1917 or www.workoptions.org
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A Sabbath Invitation
Come to a Called Back to the
Well Clergy Day Apart May 21st. All ministers are invited to a monthly day
apart at the Norbertine Center in Albuquerque. An RSVP would be
appreciated. Contact Sue Joiner for more information:
sjoiner@samaritancc.com or call 505.332.8020.
LutherTrek Build:
In New Orleans
We need you! Come to New Orleans and assist
Bethlehem Lutheran Church (African American Lutheran Congregation) in
rebuilding their homes May 29th to June 6th, 2007. Registration forms
must be filled out by March 31, 2007 and are available by email:
lssutah@yahoo.com.
An Invitation to a Spiritual Renewal
Retreat for Lay Leaders of Congregations
Called Back to the Well is
offering a special retreat for lay members of congregations. Anyone who
holds leadership positions in the church or desires to "go deeper"
spiritually, is encouraged to participate in a retreat June 22-25, 2007.
You may register online at: www.samaritancc.com/affiliated/cbtw.
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Sue
Joiner at sjoiner@samaritancc.com or call 505.332.8020.
North American Association for
the Catechumenate
Gathering This Summer
Connecting Worship,
Experience, and Sacrament is the theme of the 2007 annual gathering of the
North American Association for the Catechumenate, July 19 through July 22,
at the Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
For full details, including the ten workshops being offered, visit
the website.
Rainbow Trail Bridging Borders
Trip Available July 22-28
Rainbow Trail's Bridging Borders Mexico
program travels to Juarez, Mexico with high school youth. The youth and
Rainbow Trail partner with Casas por Cristo and a Mexican family to build
a needed home. For more information contact Assistant Director Audrey
Larson at (719) 942-4220 or by e-mail
audrey@rainbowtrail.org.
Rainbow Trail High Adventure
Trip
Rainbow Trail offers high adventure trips through Compass
Points Guiding Youth in New Directions. Rainbow Trail offers
the opportunity for individual Jr. and Sr. High youth to attend a Compass
Points trip through their "Open Weeks" during the week of July 29 - August
4, 2007. For more information, please contact Assistant Director Greg
Larson at (719) 942- 4220 or by e-mail greg@rainbowtrail.org.
California Lutheran University Presents Two Events for Young
People
On August 2-4, California Lutheran University will be
holding its 16th Annual Invitation to Service event and its
Youth Ministry Training Event. For more information and/or to
register for either of these two events, please contact the Church
Relations Office at 805-493-3936 or email to Linda Leblanc at
leblanc@callutheran.edu. Early bird registration ends June 30.
Rainbow Trail Men's Golf Retreat
September 13 - 16
Faith on the Fairways will offer you the
opportunity to play 45 holes of golf while finding the relationships held
between your life of faith and time spent in the game. Rocky Mountain
Synod Bishop Allan Bjornberg will be our spiritual leader for this weekend
of faith, fellowship and deepening our relationships with Christ. For more
information, click
here.
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ELCA Churchwide | |
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Sowing Seeds: Growing a Movement
June
9-12
American University, Washington, DC
Sponsored by the ELCA, ELCA
World Hunger
and other faith organizations
Join Bread for
the World and thousands of people of faith, who will gather to launch
a renewed movement to end hunger and poverty in the United States and
around the world. Come to develop skills for motivating others and
mobilizing faith communities, strategize ways to best influence
decision-makers, and visit your representative's and senators' offices to
speak out for hungry people.
For more information about the event,
including registering for the pre-conferences, applying for a scholarship
and downloading a bulletin insert, please go to http://www.elca.org/advocacy/sowingseeds.html
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Resources | |
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Sustaining Simplicity: A Journal
by Anne Basye
(Author)
"Live simply so that others can simply live" has been a
guiding maxim for this church's hunger programs since their beginnings 30
years ago. A new hunger education resource can help you make this simple
proverb come to life in your congregation.
In Sustaining
Simplicity: A Journal, readers accompany poet and author Anne Basye
through one year of sustainable simplicity. The book is an honest,
in-depth sharing of the successes and struggles of a single mother facing
down world-consuming materialism as she lives joyfully and justly. Its
compelling entries are full of the honest observations and deep questions
of this resolute follower of Christ, as she brings substance to the ideal
of simple living. The book is a must-read for participants in small
groups, hunger-related teams and individuals seeking justice, greater
meaning or fulfillment in their lives.
This full-color, 212-page
book is available now through Augsburg Fortress Publishers. You can order
a copy by phone (800) 328-4648) or online at the Augsburg
Fortress website. The cost is @12.00 per copy, plus shipping.
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Kent Mueller
phone: 303-777-6700
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