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| May 29,
2007 |
eConnection
eNewsletter of
the Rocky Mountain Synod |
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Prayers | |
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Trinity Sunday
God of heaven and earth, before
the foundation of the universe and the beginning of time you are the
triune God: the Author of creation, the eternal Word of salvation, and the
life-giving Spirit of wisdom. Guide us to all truth by your Spirit, that
we may proclaim all that Christ revealed and rejoice in the glory he
shared with us. Glory and praise to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now
and forever.
Amen
Prayer from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers,
Consultation on English Texts, 2002.
Photo of synod cross by
Dale Ladd-Horkey.
Congratulations to
Laurie Jeddeloh
Each year, HealthONE healthcare system recognizes
individuals who demonstrate excellence in clinical ethics by awarding the
Stephanie Allen Trusted Care Award. Nominees are acknowledged for
outstanding service in one of the following areas: employee and community
leadership; conflict resolution; and staff and patient education. The 2006
winners include Pastor Laurie Jeddeloh, chair of the Clinical Ethics
Committee at Sky Ridge Medical Center.
Synod Prayer
Cycle: Southeast Colorado Conference
During the month of June we
give thanks for the ministry of our congregations and rostered leaders in
the Southeast Colorado Conference. You are encouraged to include these
congregations and leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. The prayer
list for June is available
as a Word document.
to remember in prayer at worship on 6/3
Ascension Colorado Springs, CO
.....Keith Hedstrom, Dan
Holt
.....Wini Klein
Bethany Colorado Springs,
CO
.....Wayne Pouppirt
Bethel Colorado Springs,
CO
.....John Witkop, Wayne Theurer
Black Forest Colorado
Springs, CO
.....Ken Hohag
Christ the King Colorado Springs,
CO
.....Phil Erlander, Ralph Anderson
Faith Security,
CO
.....Erwin Spruth
Two Installations on Sunday
Our Savior's Casper, WY,
installation of Pastor Bob McNamara at 3 p.m.
Zion, Montrose,
CO, installation of Pastor Michael Rime at 3 p.m.
"For the living of these days..."
prayers for ministries
& meetings this week:
- Allan Bjornberg - Shepherd of the Valley, El Paso, church council;
Our Savior's Casper, WY, installation of Pastor Bob McNamara
- Dan Bollman - Shepherd of the Valley, El Paso, church council; Peace
Lutheran Church, Sterling, CO, church council
- Madelyn Busse - Campus Ministry Committee
- Jim Hytjan - ELCA Brand Campaign workshops; Zion, Montrose, CO,
installation of Pastor Michael Rime
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Rocky Mountain Synod | |
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Synod Assembly Review
The assembly Connection
newsletter may be downloaded and viewed, including photos and a
summary of assembly actions. The full text of all of the resolutions as
amended is posted
online.
Assembly: generous people
The generosity of
the congregations and people in the Rocky Mountain Synod is again evident
in the offerings received at assembly, totaling $22,873. Thanks be to
God!
World Hunger - $7,668
Disaster Relief - $4,413
Lutheran
Youth Organization - $2,984
Campus Ministry - $2,620
Betela Seminary
- $2,594
Seminary Scholarship Fund - $2,594
Assembly
evaluation may be completed online
If you did not complete a
hand-written evaluation form at the assembly, you
may still submit one online.
Assembly gratitude
It is
certainly not possible to thank everyone who contributed to this year's
assembly, but a few special thanks are in order:
...Janice Hoffman and
Dennis Busse for the assembly environment, including the construction of
the large cross (which is now displayed in the cafeteria/worship room of
our new mission start in Falcon, CO)
...The worship team consisting of
Tim Snyder, Deb Enquist, and Julie McNitt, along with the extraordinary
musicians, especially Michael Mastronicola
...The volunteers from Fort
Collins who stuffed the registration packets
...The small group
break-out leaders and their coordinators, including Sarah Moening, Matt
Bersagel, and Linda Bobbitt
...The excellent tech crew from J&S
audio/visual
...The childcare team coordinated by Michael
Stadtmueller
...The helpful synod office administrative staff: Cheryl
Almquist, Janice Ladd-Horkey, and Willie Hobbs, for their tireless work in
preparing for and carrying out all of the behind-the-scenes
work
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!
RMS 3rd Annual Bishop's Scramble for World
Hunger
Get ready to hit the links June 7th at 7:30 a.m. while at
the same time benefitting 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.
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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The Tenth Biennial Churchwide
Assembly | |
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"Living in God's amazing grace : Thanks be to
God!"
The Tenth Biennial Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of America will be held at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois,
August 6-11, 2007. Are you planning to attend? Have you checked out the
website? There is valuable information on the website for everyone,
including visitors, who want to participate in this year's Churchwide
Assembly. Our Presiding Bishop, Rev. Mark Hanson welcomes you and invites
you to visit
the website!
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Announcements | |
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HeartLight Center Offers Programs, Classes and Special
Events
HeartLight Center, Inc. is a non-profit center in Denver,
open to all in the community, where people can learn about the process of
grief and be supported though that process.
Education and support
are provided for individuals of all ages: families, clergy, hospital and
hospice personnel, counselors, therapists, funeral service professionals,
and other caregivers in our community.
HeartLight Center seeks to
serve the community, both the general public as well as the community of
caregivers who deal with those who are dying and their
families.
The aim at HeartLight is not to duplicate existing
programs that already serve our community, but to listen well enough to
create what the public and professionals alike might need.
Here are
a few programs/classes going on during the month of June:
June 3
Meditation and Grief - Learn the basics of meditation and how it
can help you in the process of grief. Held on the 1s Sunday of each
month.
June 4 HeartLight Center Book Group - This is a new
group that folks have been asking us to start. Come with your ideas as we
decide what books we going to read and discuss.
June 6 Growing
Through Grief - A "first group" for newly bereaved people or folks new
to HeartLight Center. Spend an evening learning about the process of grief
and connecting with others. Meets on the first Wednesday of each
month.
June 13 Baby Boomers Widow(er) Support Group - Meets
monthly the 2nd Wednesday of each month at HeartLight Center.
June
20 Loss of a Parent Support Group - Meets monthly the 3rd Wednesday
of each month at the HeartLight Center.
These are just a few of the
programs that the HeartLight Center has on their schedule for the month of
June. Please go to the website, www.heartlightcenter.org
to find out about other programs through July.
Female Roommate Needed for the Worship
Jubilee
If you are a woman who is planning to attend the Worship
Jubilee August 3-6 in Chicago and you want to share the cost of a hotel
room, you are in luck. Valerie Hess, Coordinator of Music Ministries at
Trinity Lutheran Church in Boulder, has reserved a room with two beds and
is seeking a roommate to help with the cost of the room. If you are
interested, please contact Valerie at 303-442-2300 x110.
Another
First for LSS of Utah
Lutheran Social Service of Utah is hosting
its first annual gala fundraiser at the Franklin Covey Stadium Bees
Baseball game on Monday, August 13th.
A center field tent, catered
food, silent auction, autographs with the famous 'Net Man' and Bee mascot,
plus seeing your friends are great reasons to come out! All King's Men
quartet from Our Savior's in Roy will sing the national anthem. A
mysterious, yet famous, Utah Lutheran will throw in the first pitch!
Adult tickets are $25 and youth tickets are $15 and cover the
fundraiser, food and the game. Please contact Janet or Dave Pratt at
307-776-2189 or oaktree_24@hotmail.com; or your Pastor (should they agree
to be a contact through Net Man!) The congregation or group with the
highest attendance receives the coveted 'Net Man' award.
Thrivent
matching funds are available in support of the LSS of Utah ministries:
International Adoption, First Generation Adult & Child Literacy
programs (which include: More Blue Sky Center and Worlds of Art Shoppe @
LSS of Utah), in-home senior assistance program and local Lutheran
Disaster Response initiatives.
A Sabbath Invitation
Come to a Called Back to the Well
Clergy Day Apart June 18. All ministers are invited to a monthly day apart
at the Norbertine Center in Albuquerque. The retreat contines the 3rd
Monday of each month. We will begin at 9:30 am and end by 4:00 pm. Cost
for the day is $25 and includes lunch. You may choose to attend one day or
all of the days. There will be some time for us to gather as a group and
time for you to spend in silence. Bring your journal. An RSVP would be
appreciated. Contact Sue Joiner for more information:
mailto:sjoiner@samaritancc.com or call 505.332.8020
Two Healthy
Congregations Workshops Scheduled
If you and/or your congregation
missed out on the previous workshops in the Rocky Mountain Synod, now is
the time to plan to attend one of the next two workshops that have been
scheduled:
Leadership in Anxious Times will take place on
Saturday, August 25, at All Saints Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, New
Mexico. To get more information about the event, you may contact Pastor
Philip Wangberg at the church (505-897-0047) or send him an email message
at phil_aslc@comcast.net.
On Saturday, September 15, Pastor
Nathan Doerr will be facilitating a workshop titled Creating a
Healthier Congregation at St. Philip Lutheran Church in Littleton,
Colorado. To contact Pastor Doerr, call him at
303-979-4491 or send
him an email: stphilipchurch@stphilip-co.org
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Upcoming Events | |
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AfterCare Workshop Saturday,
June 2
Learn how your congregation can minister to a woman released
from prison who lives in your own church neighborhood. The workshop is
from 8:00 a.m. to 12:0 pm. at Lutheran Church of the Master. This event
supports the work of Pastor Emily Cardin with New Beginnings Church.
Questions or RSVP to Sandra Templeton, AIM, at 303-988-6400 or
sandra@lcmonline.org.
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.
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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Men Wanted!
Lutheran Men in Mission
- Is church just for "preppy nice guys" or is it also for guys who sit
shirtless in the stands of a NASCAR race, struggling with addictions,
relationships and work?
- Why does the percentage of men-to-women in worship continue to slip?
- What is the message for a man who visits your congregation for the
first time?
- Does the setting make him feel that men are welcome?
- What would happen if your congregation grew by just 10 men deeply
committed to Jesus Christ?
- What would happen if your congregation's ministry could reach the
husbands of the women who attend services without their spouses?
Answers to these questions and more will be addressed at the
Men's Ministry Summit August 3-5, 2007 prior to the ELCA Churchwide
Assembly in Chicago.
The declining number of men in church and its
negative effect on congregations and families has been a national topic of
conversation for the past several years, and Lutheran Men in Mission has
been at the center of it. With the theme "Building for the Future", men
will gather to reflect in their relationship with God and how to build a
men's ministry in their congregations and throughout the
church.
The Summit will take place at the Hyatt Hotel in Chicago.
Featured speakers will include Roland Martinson, Paul Hill and David
Anderson, authors of Coming of Age: Exploring the Spirituality and
Identity of Younger Men; Dick Hardel, executive director of the Youth and
Family Institute; and David Murrow, author of Why Men Hate Going to
Church. Dakota Road will provide the music for the worship throughout the
weekend and Peter Mayer, lead guitarist for Jimmy Buffet will perform a
special concert.
For more information and to register, visit www.elca.org/lmm.
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Resources | |
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New Devotional Available
Last year the Discovering
Hope Affinity Team of the Small Town and Rural Alliance (STAR) joined
forces with the Evangelizing Leaders and Spiritual Renewal/Revivals
Network of the ELCA to create a new devotional guide for congregational
leaders. Catch the Spirit, Grow the Church by Nancy Nyland, pastor of two
small-town Nebraska congregations, is an easy-to-use devotional based on
the best practices and principles of Discovering Hope.
This 28-page
booklet will stimulate discussion about the key approaches to
congregational renewal and health and can be used during congregation
council and committee meetings, Bible studies and long range planning
sessions. It is a sequel to Discovering Hope: Building Vitality in Rural
Congregations, by David Poling-Goldenne and L. Shannon Jung. Catch the
Spirit, Grow the Church as well as the Discovering Hope resources listed
below, may be purchased from Augsburg
Fortress:
·Discovering Hope: Building Vitality in Rural
Congregations
·Discovering Hope, Video (VHS)
·Building Hope, Video
(DVD & VHS)
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Kent Mueller
phone: 303-777-6700
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