loavesfish
August 11, 2006 eConnection
eNewsletter of the Rocky Mountain Synod

prayers for El Paso and Jaurez after flooding
El Paso and Juarez experienced devastating flooding after more than 15 inches of rain fell--nearly twice the annual average for the desert city. The deluge sent mud and rocks cascading into some parts of the city, destroying as many as 300 homes and causing an estimated $100 million in damage.

Border Interfaith organizes clean up project
This Saturday, August 12, Border Interfaith is organizing a project in Westway (one of the hardest hit areas) of cleaning up some of the trash and debris that was deposited in yards and streets. The participants will gather at 1310 Camelia in Westway, at the Cadena home. Participants should wear heavy shoes and jeans and bring rakes and shovels.

Westway is the first exit on I-10 north of Transmountain. To reach 1310 Camelia, exit from I-10 and take the main road toward the mountains past the truck stops to the first stop sign. At the stop sign, turn right and go two blocks to Camelia (there is no sign), turn left and 1310 is the second house on the right.
Prayers
 
Prayers for Jon Francis and the people of Ascension
Another group from Ascension Lutheran Church will be leaving August 25 for the Sawtooth's to assist in search efforts and will return on August 28. Members of Ascension, Ogden, UT, and family members have continued their search for Jon Francis, youth director at Ascension. He was hiking alone in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho and did not return as expected. He has been missing since Sunday, July 16. We surround the Francis family with our prayers, as well as the people of Ascension Lutheran Church. Additional information (including links to additional websites and articles) may be found at the Ascension Lutheran Church website.

Installation of Pastor Dena Williams is August 13
Pastor Dena Williams will be installed at King of Glory Lutheran Church, NE corner of 58th and Kipling, Arvada, CO, on Sunday, August 13 at 3 p.m.Bishop Bjornberg will be present for the installation. Clergy are invited to vest and gather at 2:45 p.m. for the processional. The color for the day is green. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

Installation of Pastor Jay McDivitt is August 20
The installation for Pastor Jay McDivitt will be at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 770 S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO on Sunday, August 20 at 2:00 p.m. Bishop Bjornberg will be present for the installation. Reception to follow. Clergy are invited to vest (in green) and process.

Installation of Phil Reimers is August 27
Pastor Phil Reimers will be installed at Lutheran Church of the Cross, Evergreen, CO, on Sunday, August 27, at 9 a.m. Bishop Allan Bjornberg will be present for the installation. Clergy are invited to participate. The color of the day is green.

Installation of Paul Olsen is August 27
Pastor Paul Olsen will be installed at Glory of God Lutheran Church, Wheat Ridge, CO, on Sunday, August 27, at 4 p.m. Bishop Allan Bjornberg will be present for the installation. Clergy are invited to participate. The color of the day is green. A reception will follow.

Prayers of thanksgiving for St. Paul, Albuquerque
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1100 Indian School Road NE, Albuquerque NM, invites you to celebrate their 115th Anniversary on Sunday, August 27, 2006. Worship is at 9:00 am, followed by fellowship and a pot luck dinner. If you are in the Albuquerque area, please join us!

Prayers of thanksgiving for Faith, Lander, WY
Faith Lutheran in Lander Wyoming will celebrate its congregation’s 40th Anniversary on Sunday, August 27 at the 9 a.m. worship. During the same worship we will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Pastor Tim Sersen’s ordination. The celebration will continue with a Bar-B-Q at noon. Letters of congratulations for Pastor Tim may be sent to; Faith Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 1101, Lander, WY 82520.

Rocky Mountain Synod
 
Celebrate Campus Ministry Sunday Sept. 17
Christina Vehar, a member of the University of New Mexico campus ministry, along with other synod campus ministry members have produced a DVD presentation celebrating and informing of God's work in our Rocky Mountain Synod campus ministries. This resource is available to all congregations on request. Please contact either Pastor Anne Morawski or Christina Vehar at the University of New Mexico campus ministry known as "Luther House" lcm@unm.edu or 505-242-0607 to obtain a copy. This would be a great way to celebrate our synod campus ministry Sunday this upcoming September 17. Additional resources for this celebration of campus ministries will be on line soon.

Bishop's Scramble for World Hunger is August 17
The Second Annual Bishop's Scramble for World Hunger is Thursday, August 17, at Pelican Lakes Golf & Country Club in Windsor, Colorado. Teams may download a registration form at www.rmselca .org/golf.htm. The winning team will win the traveling bishop's cup trophy. Congregations are also encouraged to begin saving for the world hunger trophy (the congregation bringing the largest dollar amount check to the tournament wins the world hunger traveling trophy). Please register by today!

On August 29 Celebrate Carolyn Thomas' Retirement
Carolyn Thomas will retire the end of August as Administrative Assistant in the Rocky Mountain Synod office. She served in the ALC and ELCA synod office for 24 years. You are invited to stop by and greet her on Tuesday, August 29 between 1 and 3 p.m. at an afternoon reception.

Coaching 101 Workshop
A Coaching 101 Workshop is set for Friday and Saturday, October 20-21, 2006, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Denver. This is an opportunity for lay or clergy to learn about the coaching process for supporting congregational leadership, working with mission developers in the Rocky Mountain Synod, or walking with a congregation through the Natural Church Development process. Cost of the workshop, excluding travel, lodging, and meals outside the workshop is $200.00 Included in the cost is the training, books to be read prior to the workshop, and a one year subscription to CoachNet.org. To register, contact Cheryl Almquist in the synod office prior to September 15. For more information contact Pr. Jim Hytjan at 800-525-0463 or 303-777-6700.

Lutheran Students at Iliff Retreat
September 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Messiah Mountain Retreat Center, 5200 Parmalee Gulch Road, Indian Hills, CO. This retreat is open to all ELCA students attending Iliff, with particular focus on students in or interested in the ELCA candidacy process. The purpose is to reconnect and newly connect Lutheran students at Iliff, reflect together on Lutheran formation for ministry in an ecumenical setting, participate in Bible study and theological reflection on call, and to provide an opportunity for questions and conversation regarding candidacy. RSVP to Madelyn Busse 303-777-6700 or mbusse@rmselca.org.

Celebrate Treasures, Old and New
Exploring and Expanding Worship Resources
Eight events are scheduled throughout the Rocky Mountain Synod in the fall and winter to introduce the new Evangelical Lutheran Worship book that will be available on October 3. Cost for groups of six is $100 Cost for an individual is $20 Cost includes lunch and a copy of the Worship book. Travel costs will be negotiated with the synod office. Please mark these dates on your calendar:

October 21, 2006 Northern Colorado Event
Atonement in Boulder, CO
October 28, 2006 Utah Event
Zion in Salt Lake City, UT
November 4, 2006 Metro Denver Event
Bethany in Cherry Hills Village, CO
November 11, 2006 Western Colorado Event
Good Shepherd, Glenwood Springs, CO
January 20, 2007 Wyoming Event
Prince of Peace, Casper, WY
February 10, 2007 (two events) Texas Event: New Hope , El Paso,TX
Southern Colorado Event: First Lutheran, Colorado Springs, CO
February 17, 2007 New Mexico Event
Cross of Hope, Albuquerque, NM

Haugen/Briehl pre-Lenten Retreat
Marty Haugen and Susan Briehl will present a new musical and pre-Lenten retreat on the Gospel of John. The musical will be presented both Feb 9 and 10. The pre-lenten retreat will be Saturday February 10. Both events will be in Denver.

Clergy Women's Retreat: October 2-3, 2006
Clergy Women's Retreat with Jane Vennard will take place at St. Malo's Retreat Center near Estes Park, CO. Registration forms have been mailed. If you did not receive yours, please call Janice Ladd-Horkey at 303-777-6700 to request a form or download a .pdf file from www.rmselca.org/files/Women'sRetreat06.pdf

Ending Hunger Now Summit
Sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Synod Hunger Network; Global Mission Committee; and Lutheran Advocacy Ministry - Colorado. Saturday, September 23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hosted by Bethany Lutheran Church, Cherry Hills Village, CO. Cost: $15 (Includes lunch) -- Five or more from one congregation: $10 each.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Donald E. Messer, Professor of Practical Theology & President Emeritus, Iliff School of Theology. Co-Author of Ending Hunger Now: A Challenge to Persons of Faith, with George McGovern & Robert Dole. Augsburg Fortress Publishers.

Advocacy Workshops include: Building an Advocacy Network in Colorado; International advocacy: The ONE Campaign; and On the Colorado Ballot: Raising the minimum wage. Global Mission Workshops include: Our Hunger Dollars at Work in Madagascar, our Companion Synod; and on the Border. Hunger Workshops include: The Basics of Hunger; Why Should I Care; and Raising the Bar for World Hunger Appeal Giving.

Announcements
 

LSS of Utah Fundraiser is August 19
The annual LSS of Utah Sugarhouse Barnes and Noble fundraiser is August 19th, Saturday, at 1104 East 2100 South, from 11 am to 8 pm.

Lutheran Disaster Response: November Work Trip
Bethany Lutheran Church, Cherry Hills Village, CO, is gauging interest in sending a work crew down from Denver probably the week of November 12 through the week before Thanksgiving. If you're interested in serving Christ this way, please contact Sarah Hulslander at Shulsland@aol.com or Pastor Ron Glusenkamp at Ron@bethany-denver.org by 8/20.

LFS Zoo Zania needs volunteers
On Aug 18, 6:30-10 p.m. at the Denver Zoo, Lutheran Family Services is hosting a fund-raiser for LFS Foster Care kids and families. Mary Black is seeking buskers: facepainters, clowns, jugglers from the RMS churches who would like to donate that evening to the cause. Send an email to mareblack@msn.com if your congregation can offer any volunteers.

Upcoming Events
 
AFRICAN MARKET, SUNDAY, AUG 27
11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Hosted by Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 East Alameda Ave., Denver. For futher information, contact Anders Snyder, Volunteer and Church Relations Coordinator, at 303- 980-5400, or toll free at 877-372-1264. Visit the Lutheran Family Services website at www.lfsco.org

LIVING GRACEFULLY: PRE-RETIREMENT WEEKEND
"Living Gracefully" pre-retirement weekend will take place at Sky Ranch, Fort Collins, CO, August 25-27, 2006.

FAITH INKUBATORS SMALL GROUP GUIDE TRAINING
Saturday August 26 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Glory of God Lutheran Church, 12200 West 38th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO. To Register: Send an email including your congregation name and the first and last name of each person attending. You will receive a confirmation email in return. Registration deadline is Monday August 21. Registration emails can be sent to: keltygog@qwest.net.

RAINBOW TRAIL FALL LUTHERHOSTEL
September 17-20, 2006 will see the Fall Lutherhostel at Rainbow Trail. Guest speaker for the retreat will be the Reverend Dr. David Miller. For more information visit: http://www.rainbowtrail.org/Lutherhostel.htm

DAY APART AT ILIFF
Sept 9, 2006 is the next Day Apart at Iliff. 8:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Cost of $45 includes lunch and materials. Register by calling David Lavinder at 303 765 3115.

THE SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR AS MYSTIC WITH TOM STELLA
Retreat is September 25–28, 2006 at the Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat House, Sedalia, CO.

WARTBURG YOUTH AND FAMILY CERTIFICATION SCHOOL
October 31-November 17, 2006, at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp

LUTHERAN ENGAGED ENCOUNTER
At Messiah Mountain, just west of Denver, from September 29 -October 1. Info at www.leeionline.org.

NEW BEGINNINGS CELEBRATION
Saturday, Sept. 30 from 5 - 7 p.m.at Messiah Community Church (ELCA), 1750 Colorado Blvd. Women released from prison will share their faith stories. New Beginnings Church is a Congregation of Women Behind the Walls. Call Kathy at 303-831-7023 with any questions.
ELCA Churchwide
 
Domestic Hunger Grant Application Posted for 2007
Granting Hope is the catalog of the Domestic Hunger Grants Program of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Here you can learn about the grants process, read descriptions of recent grant recipients (and search for them by state or synod), and find out how you can support hunger ministries like these. 2007 domestic hunger grant application and criteria is now available and can be obtained online at http://www.elca.org/grantinghope along with how to receive the hunger catalog.
Resources
 
Immigration Issues resources are coming!
In a resolution adopted at our Synod Assembly in April, we resolved:

"That there be a call for congregations in the Rocky Mountain Synod to study and discuss immigration using the 1998 ELCA "A Message on Immigration" as a guide and involving local resource people whenever possible, with particular attention to pending state and federal immigration legislation" It was further resolved that a task force be formed to recommend study materials and resources to congregations.

A new task force is hard at work developing some resources that can be used by congregations in adult education and other venues. Plan now to include this important topic in your fall line up of adult learning opportunities. The task force plans to provide a discussion guide for both the Message on Immigration and the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services publication called "Who Is My Neighbor?" They are also preparing a Bible Study and a brief video featuring interviews with recent immigrants from some of our RMS congregations. Additionally, they will develop a list of resources that will be posted on the RMS website including guidelines and ideas for celebrating Las Posadas in your congregation during Advent.

In preparation, you can download the message at www.elca.org/socialstatements/immigration. There is also a wealth of information on immigration available at www.elca.org/advocacy/issues/immigration and from www.lirs.org.
 

Kent Mueller

phone: 303-777-6700
Join our mailing list!