eConnection Rocky Mountain Synod

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

July 15, 2008

Building Community

High School Retreat Event 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 28.

Prayers and Celebrations

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Steadfast God, teach us your way and your truth. Root us in you alone, help us to grow in grace and love, that we may fulfill our role and our work in the reign of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Cruciform landscape north of Pinedale, WY
Photo by Rev. Jeff Louden

Prayer from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers,

Consultation on English Texts, 2002

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Ordination & Installation of Lloyd Luedeman

Lloyd Leo Luedeman, a former member of King of Kings Lutheran Church, Pueblo, CO, and candidate in the Rocky Mountain Synod, has been called to serve Bethany Lutheran Church of the Keweenaw located in Mohawk, MI, in the Northern Great Lakes Synod. His ordination and installation will occur on August 16 at 11:00 a.m. by Bishop Tom Skrenes.
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Celebrating 50 Years of Ordained Ministry
Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Collins, Colorado, is observing a special celebration of ministry to give thanks for the 50 years of ordained ministry of retired Pastor Eric Biedermann. On July 27 at 10 a.m. all are invited to wear red and honor him at worship and fellowship.
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Synod Prayer Cycle: North New Mexico Conference
You are encouraged to include these leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. The prayer lists for July and August are available. Please consider including the leaders on these prayer lists 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 07/20

Messiah Albuquerque, NM
      Tim Orlowski
St. Luke Albuquerque, NM
     Elizabeth Purdum, Chuck Exley
St. Paul Albuquerque, NM
     Patricia Holman, Jason Korthauer
St. Paul's/Peace Las Vegas, NM
     Richard Reed, Patricia Halverson

2009 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly

Registration Underway!
Miracle of the Border

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

Details and information are posted online with a link to online registration. Please be familiar with the information posted on that page before beginning the registration process, especially regarding travel arrangements.

2008 Assembly DVD's Available

ORDER DEADLINE IS FRIDAY!

RMS 2008 Assembly DVD's Available

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)

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 since there are just three DVD's instead of four individual ones.

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).

Lutheran Leadership Addresses Two Presidential Candidates

Recently, I joined with three leaders of Lutheran organizations in writing a letter to the two major party candidates for U.S. President, U.S. Sen. John McCain and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama. The letter, which highlights policy priorities on a number of topics, was signed by Ralston H. Deffenbaugh, Jr., president, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service; the Rev. John A. Nunes, president, Lutheran World Relief; Jill A. Schumann, president and chief executive officer, Lutheran Services in America; and me.

The text of that letter is now available for your use on the ELCA Web site at http://archive.elca.org/bishop/messages/candidatesletter.html

In addition, I recommend that you read "Called to be a Public Church: 2008 ELCA Voting and Civic Participation Guide," which offers a helpful examination of important matters related to the role of the church in the upcoming election. It can be found on the web at http://archive.elca.org/advocacy/publicchurch/publicchurch08.pdf

Blessings to you in your ministry!

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
ELCA Presiding Bishop

RMS High School Youth Gathering News

High School Youth Gathering

FEAR NOT! is a command from our Lord and the theme of both the 2008 Rocky Mountain Synod Senior High Youth Gathering and also for the 2009 Middle/Junior High School Youth Gathering.

The High School Gathering will once again be at the YMCA Camp of the Rockies and will take place from November 21 - 23. The Planning Team expects that registration will begin September 15 and close on or around October 16. Be sure to begin the process of obtaining background checks for adults who are attending. Information is online.

To better assist congregations and youth leaders of the Rocky Mountain Synod, the Planning Team has decided to send out "PIZZA" boxes containing youth gathering information. The Pizza box is the Teams attempt to organize and consolidate the mailings of the information on youth activities of the synod and to provide a convenient place to store all the information for future reference. Look for the information to arrive at each congregation before the end of July.

Middle/Jr. High School
Youth Gathering News

Middle/Junior High School
Youth Gathering

FEAR NOT! is a command from our Lord and the theme of the 2008 Rocky Mountain Synod Senior High Youth Gathering and the 2009 Middle/Junior High School Youth Gathering.

The Middle School/ Junior High School Youth Gathering will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Colorado Springs January 16 - 18, 2009. "Eyewitness" will be returning to provide the music and Mike Carlson, an ELCA pastor and member of the Youth and Family Institute (remember the Passing on Faith Conference?), will be the speaker. In addition, the Planning Team is adding Saturday classes for the Rocky Mountain Synod adults.

Online early registration is expected to begin October 15 and end November 1 at $95 per person. Final registration deadline will be December 15 at $105 per person. Registration can be done either online or printed and sent by "snail mail". It is imperative that the email of the "primary leader" attending the event from a congregation be used since the registrar will be sending confirmations within 48 hours of receiving the registration information.

Change from previous years: Event registration will be limited to just 1300 participants due to safety and hotel requirements, and spaces will be filled according to the date the registrations are received. Remember that the adult (21 years or older) to youth ratio is one adult for every four youth of the same gender. Background check information is posted online.

To better assist congregations and youth leaders of the Rocky Mountain Synod, the Planning Team has decided to send out "PIZZA" boxes containing youth gathering information. The Pizza box is the Teams attempt to organize and consolidate the mailings of the information on youth activities of the synod and to provide a convenient place to store all the information for future reference.

"Visiting Together
with One Another"

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 has been posted on the Rocky Mountain Synod website and links below are for registration details.

An OPEN HOUSE RECEPTION for all seven of our guests will take place at the synod office on Wednesday, August 6 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Please stop in to welcome them!

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

St. Timothy Lutheran - El Paso, TX
Pastor Georges Ramampiaro
Director Betela Lutheran Regional Seminary

RMS Hearings on the Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality

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

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.)

Human Sexuality Study image

Making Hunger History

Mark Your Calendars

RMS
2008 Ending Hunger Summit

view .pdf flyer for information

Saturday, October 11

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!

RMS Position Announcement

Director for Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Colorado

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 .

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 . Please note: Rostered leaders must also submit their mobility papers along with their resume. The deadline for applications is September 1, 2008. (303-777 6700 / 800-525-0462)

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

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

In This Issue

Preview of RMS Assembly 2009

Order Assembly DVD's This WEek

RMS Middle/Jr. High Youth Gathering

Social Statement Hearings

Featured Article

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 Meeting with the congregation of St. Mark Lutheran Church, Roswell, NM; Meeting with the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church, Hobbs, NM.

Madelyn Busse

Companion Synod meeting, Denver, CO.

Pastor Dan Bollman

Meeting with the congregation of St. Mark Lutheran Church, Roswell, NM; Meeting with the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church, Hobbs, NM.

Pastor Jim Hytjan

In the office this week.

Green Is for GO!

Rocky Mountain Synod Invitation for Green Grants

We are ready to help as many congregations as we can with their care of creation and their ministry for the benefit of God's good earth. At the 2008 RMS Assembly in Denver, $2,137 was received through an offering for the Rocky Mountain Synod Green Grants.

It is now our great joy to give this money away to congregations who wish to become better stewards, advocates and examples of discipleship for the care of the world.

For more information on such things as the application process, amount of grants available to a congregation and how the grants should be used, etc., please go to the Creation Care web page.

Green Grants and Eco-Audit for Congregations

RMS Green Grants and
COIPL Eco-Audits Go
Hand-in-Hand

The Rocky Mountain Synod is partnering with Colorado Interfaith Power and Light to provide interested congregations with a low-cost, quantitative analysis of their energy use and costs, plus options for reducing energy consumption and estimates of reduced energy costs.

For information on how the Eco Audit Program works regarding congregations (and individuals), please click here.

For more information about Colorado Interfaith Power & Light and other programs that they offer, you may go to their website: www.coipl.org .

Sunday Bulletin Insert

August Landscape is
Available Online

The Rocky Mountain Synod Landscape newsletter is now published six times a year (every other month) and the August issue may be viewed as a .pdf document:
www.rmselca.org/LandscapeAug08.pdf .
Landscape is designed to be reproduced in your congregation's newsletter or Sunday bulletin either as a flat sheet or folded. One hard copy was sent to each congregation last week.

Mark Your Calendar for
"Lost and Found"

Download the Poster

Musical Group "Lost and Found" - in Concert
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What's better than watching and listening to THE LUTHERAN SONG by Lost and Found on
You Tube?

Watching and listening to THE LUTHERAN SONG by Lost and Found in PERSON at Bethany Lutheran Church on Saturday, September 13 (7:00 p.m.)!
__________________________

Bethany Lutheran Church presents "Lost and Found" with a special guest appearance by the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The congregation at Bethany, located at 4500 East Hampden Avenue in Cherry Hills Village (80113) is celebrating its centennial with a bang!

You are invited to join them for the concert on Saturday, September 13 at 7:00 p.m. when the concert kicks off. Tickets are available for $10 and may be purchased online by going to www.bethany-denver.org . Youth leaders/directors may contact the church office regarding getting a "bunch" of tickets on consignment. Prior to the concert, pizza and soda will be sold beginning at 6:00 p.m,. so it's O.K. to come early and hungry. What a great way to kick off your fall season!

ELCA Hunger
Leadership Gathering

ELCA Hunger Leadership Gathering in
Lakewood, CO
(one-day option on
August 2)

On behalf of ELCA World Hunger and the Rocky Mountain Synod Hunger Network, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal would like to thank you for the gifts and leadership you offer in your congregation for the ministry of ELCA World Hunger. Your commitment makes a difference in the lives of people who face some of life's toughest struggles.

This summer, ELCA World Hunger is holding its annual churchwide leadership gathering at Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lakewood, CO (July 30 to August 3). A special Saturday-only registration option (August 2) is available for pastors, lay leaders, and congregation members in the area. You are invite to join the activities! For more information about what the Saturday event will entail, please click on this link.

You may also download the .pdf flyer to post on your bulletin board.

Bethany Lutheran Church:
Event of Their Century

Celebrating 100 Years

Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson will be in Denver on Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14 in honor of Bethany Lutheran Church's centennial celebration. On Saturday, rostered leaders will be invited to a "Town Hall" question and answer (Q&A) session with the Presiding Bishop (invitations will be sent out via email in July).

Following the Q&A, there will be a reception to which rostered leaders and Bethany Lutheran Church congregational members are invited. After the reception, the scene changes to a light snack time for the youth of the Rocky Mountain Synod - just before the concert featuring the music group "Lost and Found". Bishop Hanson will make a special appearance at the concert. Check out the Bethany website for information on tickets and food. On Sunday morning, Bishop Hanson will preach at all three services at Bethany and also attend the annual church picnic.

www.bethany-denver.org

Navigating the College Process

College - the second largest consumer purchase for the most important people in your life.

To High School students: Navigating the college process can be stressful, confusing and exciting all at the same time. Students worry about getting into the right school and parents worry about paying for the right school.

Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit is pleased to present the workshop: "Going to College, Now What?" This educational workshop covers critical information including:

Learning how to take the stress out of planning and paying for college.
Viewing college as a large consumer purchase and preparing, searching, and paying for the right college at the right price for each student.
Exploring financial formulas and financial packages.

This workshop is tailored for high school juniors, seniors and their parents.

The event will take place Sunday, August 3 at 11:00 a.m.
Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit is located at 6400 South University Blvd, Centennial, CO 80122. Please R.S.V.P. by calling (303) 794-3451 (option 2 if no one answers).

A light lunch will be provided by the Stewardship Team

Presented by: