Prayers and Celebrations 

2009 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly

 

Welcome to El Paso 2009
--A Different Kind of Synod Assembly--
Thursday, April 30 - Saturday, May 2 2009
 

If you attended the 2008 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly in May, then you know how powerful all the speakers were. In order to share that experience with congregations and individuals, three DVD's may be ordered.

DVD 1 is Mark Powell (both presentations) and Bishop Bjornberg (address I and II)

DVD 2 is Bishop Bjornberg (address III) and the Hymn Festival

DVD 3 is Diana Butler Bass (both presentations)
 
Each DVD is $10, which includes postage. You may place your order online for any one, two or three by clicking on this link. Payment must be received in the synod office before DVD's will be shipped in late July. Deadline for ordering is July 18. If you wish to order more than one of a specific DVD or have questions about ordering, please call Willie at the synod office (303-777-6700 / 800-525-0462).
 
Please note: Pre-order forms received at the Synod Assembly 2008 were used to gauge interest for the presentations. Please place an order now, even if you completed the pre-order form. 

Rocky Mountain Synodical Hearings on the Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality are scheduled for:
Sept 6, 2008 - Bethany Lutheran Church, Cherry Hills Village, CO (Denver area), 9:30 - 11:30
Sept 13, 2008 - All Saints Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, NM, 9:30 - 11:30

In addition, Women of the ELCA will be hosting a hearing on the ELCA Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality at 2 p.m., Thursday, July 10, 2008 in the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Members of Utah congregations are invited to participate in this hearing.

The ELCA Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality addresses a wide range of topics that affect members of the ELCA in their daily lives. It is not too early to download the draft document for review. 
 
Sample one page publicity pieces for newsletters, bulletins, etc., may be found at www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/publicity/ .

Everyone is encouraged to download a copy of the statement at the ELCA website and come prepared to share their thoughts at the hearings. Congregations are encouraged to have study group conversations prior to the hearings.

(The Proposed Social Statement on Human Sexuality is expected to be released in early February of 2009.)

The Rocky Mountain Synod of the ELCA is seeking a Director for Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Colorado as the current director retires in December 2008. A complete position description is available at www.rmselca.org/advocacy .
 
The deadline for applications is September 1, 2008.  Inquiries and resumes may be sent to Madelyn Herman Busse, assistant to the bishop, 455 Sherman St., Ste 160, Denver, CO 80203 or electronically to mbusse@rmselca.org .  (303-777 6700)
 

Fifamangiana: A faith experience with our Companion Synods is
August 8-10

Fifamangiana is a Malagasy word that means "visiting together with one another." In order to continue deepening our Companion Synod Relationship with the northern Synods of the Malagasy Lutheran Church, we have invited seven guests to come for a visit, and you're invited, too!
 
These visits will take place in seven parts of the Rocky Mountain Synod over the weekend of August 8-10.  Specific information about the event in your area will be posted on the Rocky Mountain Synod website as available: www.rmselca.org .

Host Sites and Visitors

Zion Lutheran - Salt Lake City, UT
Pastor Ramaro
President of the Boeny-Mahajanga Synod

Our Saviour's - Casper, WY
Prince of Peace - Casper, WY
Pastor Jean de Dieu Razafimahatratra
President of the Avaratra-Atsinanana Synod

Lutheran Ranches of Rockies  (Youth Event)
Mme.  Holiharifetra Rakotondramiadana
Professor of New Testament,
Betela Lutheran Regional Seminary
 
Atonement Lutheran - Lakewood, CO
Pastor Daniel Rakotoarijaona
Assistant Director of Project Shalom

King of Kings - Pueblo, CO
Mme. Noeline Lucie Rasoanandrasana
Director of Women's Studies,
Betela Lutheran Regional Seminary
 
St. Paul Lutheran - Albuquerque, NM
Pastor Joseph Ralaivao
President of the Antsiranana Synod
 
Peace Lutheran - El Paso, TX
Pastor Georges Ramampiaro
Director Betela Lutheran Regional Seminary
 

Come Together for an exciting high school retreat with guests from Madagascar
 
Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp
August 8 - 10, 2008
 
Partners from our companion sister synod in Madagascar will be visiting the Rocky Mountain Synod in August and we have planned a special retreat just for high school youth and their leaders. This will be a fun and educational weekend centered on community building and learning about our Malagasy brothers and sisters and their amazing faith.
 
Leaders will include our special guest Mme Holiharifetra Rakotondramiadana - we call her "Holi"!  (pronouced hoo-li), Malagasy exchange counselors, Sky Ranch staff with Madagascar experiences, and Northern Colorado Youth Ministry leaders.
 
We will focus not only on building community locally, but also on understanding our role and place in our global community as we "accompany" one another in our shared faith and ministry.
 
Cost for meals and camping Friday evening through Sunday breakfast and worship is a bargain at $38 per person! To register contact Julie at info@LdoubleR.org or call 970-493-5258. Please register by July 20.
 

RMS
 2008 Ending Hunger Summit

 

8:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church
Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113

 

More information will be published as we get closer to the event. Stay tuned!

Lutheran Social Service of Utah has planned trips to a number of destinations that are sure to raise awareness and provide personal enjoyment in the midst of cultural diversity. These inter-faith trips are amazing experiences for increasing faith and service for each unique person and faith background. Everyone is welcome to participate.

 

There is much preparation that goes into bringing about a successful Youth Gathering: Raising money, filling out the forms on time, answering parents' questions and concerns, booking travel arrangements. As a congregation prepares for a Gathering experience, the most critical work will be in recruiting, preparing, and supporting the adult counselors who will be part of the journey and experience with the young people.

Congregations should consider:
Depending on the size of your group and the number of counselors you need, consider putting together a diverse team of adults who will relate to youth in a variety of ways. There is no one perfect adult counselor. You want every young person to connect with at least one and hopefully several adults during the experience.

Before any firm commitments are made or asked for, be sure to talk to your youth and get their ideas of which adults they might respect and relate to well, and would be interested in having along.

Part of the search for caring, competent, faithful adults may involve performing individual background checks. The safety, health, and wellbeing of the young people we are entrusted with are worth the extra work and every penny of the cost.

Adults considering this Gathering experience should:
Set realistic and honest expectations.
Adults need to know up-front that this is no vacation, no matter how much fun the trip will be. It's a working trip with the powerful, positive possibility of changing the adult's life as much or more than the youth they work with. There is less sleep than in a normal night, but there is also much more fulfillment than there is in a normal day.

Take the pre-event training sessions seriously.
The time spent for training and for adult counselors to be together before the trip is very important. The time spent in community building and training is a great example to set for the youth of your congregation.

Great adult counselors for the Gathering experience could mean the difference between success and disaster. Regardless of the size of your group, being intentional about selecting adults is key. Adults are positive mentors and guides. They empower and encourage youth in opportunities of leadership and relationships. They are connectors for youth and the Gathering experience, and for youth and their relationships with peers and other adults.
 
Much more can be found on the roles that adult counselors play in the success of such a gathering and what each counselor will need in preparation, support and affirmation to maintain their energy, positive attitude and enthusiasm. Check out the "2009 Youth Gathering" website to get more information.
 
Questions about this or any aspect of the Gathering? Please be in touch with Pastor Kristi Beebe at 303-288-1212 or nlchurch1004@qwestoffice.net .

Download the Poster