Prayer from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers,
Consultation on English Texts, 2002.

On the Border: El Paso Caught in the Middle
An MSNBC article explains how the immigration debate has shaken the city of El Paso. As we prepare for the 2009 Synod Assembly to take place in El Paso, we are mindful that the Rocky Mountain Synod's territory includes the largest city along the entire US-Mexico border. You will find the article interesting and relevant to our mission and ministry there.

"Women in Ministry Retreat" Slated for September
All pastors and diaconal ministers rostered in the Rocky Mountain Synod are invited to the "Women in Ministry Retreat" at St. Malo Retreat Center just south of Estes Park, Colorado. The retreat will begin on September 30 at 7:00 p.m. with refreshments and facilitated personal check in and will end in the early afternoon on October 2. Please keep this date on your calendar.

Facilitating the retreat is Vicki Samland, M. Div. who is Programs Coordinator at the Conflict Center in Denver. She will speak to us about conflict, communication and dealing with unhealthy responses to conflict and how to have creative healthy response to conflict. Each participant will bring to the discussion ideas and thoughts about how women leaders in the church approach conflict. if you have questions, please e-mail Pastor Connie Winter- Eulberg at LCMCSU@lamar.colostate.edu.

Coaching 101
A Coaching 101 workshop will be offered noon to noon, Thursday and Friday, October 4 & 5 in Denver (location to be announced). Coaching is defined as walking alongside another for the purpose of assisting them to identify and realize the accomplishment of professional or personal goals. In the congregation, coaching is helpful in assisting staff and lay leadership to be more effective in their work with the setting of clear and realistic goals and expectations. In the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), coaches are paired with each mission developer, and each congregation taking part in the Natural Church Development program.

The cost for the workshop is $200.00 (not including travel or hotel accommodations if needed). The fee covers the cost of the training, two books on coaching from Dr. Robert Logan, a one year subscription to the coachnet.org web site, a look at one's leadership style with a DiSC inventory, and meals during the workshop. The deadline for registration is September 15th. A $100 deposit is due at that time with the balance due on the first day of the workshop.

For more information, please contact Pr. Jim Hytjan at 303-777-6700/800-525-0462 or james_hytjan@rmselca.org .

Senior High Youth Gathering Seeks Faith Encounter Stories
The music and worship committee for the high school youth gathering needs your help! We would like to collect student stories about a time in their life where they felt the presence of God, or somehow had an encounter with God that made them feel connected to God. The stories will be shared at the evening worship on Friday night as a catalyst for others to share their stories. The stories will be shared at the evening worship on Friday night as a catalyst for others to share their stories. Have your youth send their one-paragraph stories (no more than 200 words) to Brandon Newton at brandongslc@qwest.net.

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!

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.

As part of Rainbow Trail's 50th Anniversary Celebration, RTLC is hosting the Grace Race to benefit World Hunger. All proceeds and additional donations will be given to ELCA World Hunger. The race begins at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 14th at Sloan's Lake Park in Denver (the southwest edge of the lake). The bib/t-shirt pick-up begins at 1:30 p.m. on race day.* *Entries will be accepted until 2:45 p.m. on race day.

The Grace Race on is on a 5k Course beginning at the southwest edge of Sloan's Lake and winds around the lake, offering peaceful views and a pleasant atmosphere. The fee is $25 if you register prior to October 3rd. However, after October 3rd (and also on race day) the fee is $30. If registered prior to October 3rd, participants are guaranteed a Grace Race t-shirt which are available in adult sizes small, medium, large and X-large.* *A t-shirt is not guaranteed if you register after October 3rd. Click here to see the t-shirt. Fruit and other refreshments will be provided after the race.

Please return the entry form portion of this brochure, along with cash or check to:
Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp
107 S. 9th Street, Ste. B
Canon City, CO 81212

People of all ages and paces are strongly encouraged to participate! Age groups for awards are divided into both male and female groups as follows: 19 and under; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; and 50+. Medals will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each age group.

Click here for more information and to download the Grace Race brochure. Click here to download the release waiver.

And don't forget the Marathon of Giving that is happening on October 7th. Support Dave as he runs the Chicago Marathon and at the same time support the ministries of Rainbow Trail. For more information and a support form, click here.

Augustana Seeks Section Leader and Professional Quartet Member
Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver, CO is seeking a mezzo-soprano and a tenor to immediately fill two vacant positions in the Augustana Vocal Ensemble (AVE). The candidate must possess excellent sight-reading skills, be amenable to a wide variety of repertoire, exhibit collegiality, be flexible, and willing to perform outside the church for various performances.

Time commitment: Wednesday evening Chancel Choir rehearsals, two Sunday morning worship services and quartet rehearsal. Each position is compensated. If interested, please e-mail a cover letter and resume to: Cindy Lindeen-Martin, Minister of Music and Organist at lindeen- martin@augustanadenver.org.

The deadline to sign up is approaching!
The Governor's Energy Office (GEO) and Colorado Interfaith Power & Light (COIP&L) are pleased to bring you the 2007 Colorado "Change a Light, Change the World" campaign for Congregations to culminate near Oct. 4th, 2007, which has been designated as Change a Light, Change the World Day by the Environmental Protection Agency and also happens to be the Feast of St. Francis, Patron Saint of the Environment. October is also national Energy Awareness Month.

"Change a Light, Change the World" offers a great incentive by providing one high- quality compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) and informational pamphlet with more energy saving tips to each person attending a one-half to one hour class session led by someone in your organization with the help of our Leader's Guide. The program is designed to be implemented at a time and place of your choosing sometime in October.

This FREE campaign (100% funded by GEO), designed to raise awareness about the importance and benefits of more efficient energy use, is an opportunity for faith communities to put their Creation care/social justice spirituality into practice and to exercise a leadership role in the larger community toward enhancing our shared environment and positively impacting global climate change.

Online sign-up for promotional materials and additional information for congregations began July 9 and will continue through August. Here's what to do to sign up your congregation and receive promotional materials:

Register online here or print this PDF and fax it back to us at: 720-384-0655. (The form is on the forth page of the .pdf!)

For more information about Colorado Interfaith Power and Light, please visit their website at www.coipl.org .

We look forward to working with you!

Diane Dandeneau, Executive Director
Rev. Nelson Bock, Program Director
Rev. Bonita Bock, Program Assistant
Dr. Celeste Rossmiller, PhD. Education Associate

Confirmation Workshop Coming August 25
Glory of God Lutheran Church, 12200 West 38th Ave in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, is partnering with Faith Inkubators of Stillwater, Minnesota, to host area churches for a day-long training event on Head to the Heart confirmation system. If you'd like to find out more about the confirmation program at this church or just explore the latest in effective and faithful youth ministry, join us on Saturday, August 25 from 9 am - 3 pm. For more information or to register for this training go online www.faithink.com or contact Jeff Kelty at keltygog@qwest.net or 303-421-2721

Global Market for Global Mission
On Sunday, August 26, from 11 a.m. to 2pm on the Augustana Lutheran Church lawn (5000 East Alameda, Denver), Augustana's Global Mission Committee and Lutheran Family Services of Colorado will host a global market. For more information, please call 303-922-3433.

Lutheran Chorale Auditions Begin in September
The Lutheran Chorale will host auditions for the coming season at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, September 10 and 17, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2100 Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, prior to regular rehearsal. A prepared piece is not necessary. All voices are welcome. For more information, call 303-526-2607, or email lthomprn@msn.com. Also, check out the web site: www.thelutheranchorale.org

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.

Sleepy Owl Ranch Fly Fishing
Join in on all the fun with Fly Fishing on the Cache la Poudre: September 15 - 17. Contact the office 970-493-5258, Info@LdoubleR.org or www.LdoubleR.org for more information.

"God's People Show and Tell" Workshop Scheduled
The Lutheran Association of Christian Educators (LACE) is pleased to announce its 2007 Workshop Series "God's People Show and Tell". In Region 2, there are two workshops planned but just one in the Rocky Mountain Synod. On September 15, "Heavenly Hoops" will be held at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, Colorado. Please contact Patty Stroup at patty@sojoyfc.org for details. To register for the Fort Collins workshop, please go to: Lace Workshop.

Coyote Howl Confirmation Retreat: September 21- 23 or October 5-7
TWO OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONFIRMATION CLASSES! ( LdoubleR.org )

Log Furniture Building: September 28 - 30
Ladies don't be left out of this opportunity. Men and women are welcome to participate in this retreat at Lutheran Ranches of the Rockies. Call the office (970-493-5258) or go to the website ( LdoubleR.org ) to get more information.

Stirring Up the Spirit of the City
Metro Denver Lutherans are invited to join together for an informational and visionary gathering on Saturday, September 29, from 9:30a-11am, at Cristo Rey Lutheran Church (501 Raleigh St; Denver) to talk about forming a coalition of congregations committed to multicultural and anti-racist ministries in the Denver area. The dream is to create a network of congregations and leaders (lay and rostered) who share a commitment and vision for growing into a more diverse body of Lutheran Christians in and of the city. Refreshments will be served. Please call Pastor Jay McDivitt (303.936.4859) with any questions.

Holy Cross, Wheat Ridge Announces Art and Craft Fair
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Wheat Ridge, Colorado will be hosting a Youth Benefit Art and Craft Fair on October 19th and 20th. We are looking for vendors. If you would like to rent a booth at the fair, please contact Scott Moore at Scott_E_Moore@msn.com for more information. The registration deadline is September 23rd.

Called Back to the Well Retreat for Pastoral Leaders
All pastoral leaders are invited to participate in a retreat at the beautiful Norbertine Center in Albuquerque October 22-25. We begin at three pm on Monday and end with lunch on Thursday. For more information, contact Sue Joiner at sjoiner@samaritancc.com or 505.332.8020 or check out our website: http://www.samaritancc.com/affiliated/cbtw/retreats. html .

Rainbow Trail Confirmation Retreat
November 2-4, 2007 , Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp will be hosting a Confirmation Retreat. The theme for this year's retreat is "Expanding Grace: Broader than Sin, Deeper than Forgiveness," and the large group sessions will be led by Pastor Jeff Carlson of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. For more information, visit the Rainbow Trail website at www.rainbowtrail.org.

Called Back to the Well Offers a Retreat for Lay Leaders
Called Back to the Well will offer a retreat for lay persons November 9-12 at the Norbertine Center in Albuquerque. Cost for the retreat is $150. This is a wonderful way for congregations to deepen their commitment to spiritual growth and renewal. For more information, contact Sue Joiner or visit our website: www.samaritancc.com/affiliated/cbtw.

Rainbow Trail Confirmation Retreat
January 4-6, 2008 , Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp will be hosting a Confirmation Retreat. The theme for this year's retreat is "Expanding Grace: Broader than Sin, Deeper than Forgiveness," and the large group sessions will be led by Pastor Jeff Carlson of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. For more information, visit the Rainbow Trail website at www.rainbowtrail.org.

The Tenth Biennial Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was held Aug. 6-11, 2007, at Navy Pier, Chicago. About 2,000 people participated, including 1,069 voting members. The theme was "Living in God's Amazing Grace: Thanks Be to God!"

A brief summary of the Assembly actions.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson Re-Elected
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, 60, was elected to serve a second six-year term as presiding bishop. Hanson was re-elected on the second ballot with 888 votes of the 1,029 cast. Seventy-five percent of the ballots cast are required for election on the second ballot.

David D. Swartling Elected Secretary
David D. Swartling, 60, a Seattle attorney, was elected to a six-year term as ELCA secretary. Swartling was elected on the fifth ballot, 611 to 366, over the Rev. Paul A. Schreck, executive for constitution and rostering interpretation and oversight, ELCA Office of the Secretary.

Assembly Encourages Restraint in Discipline of Congregations, Leaders
The Churchwide Assembly made no changes to ELCA standards for professional leaders, declining proposals that suggested specific policy changes. By a vote of 538 to 431, the assembly asked its synods and bishops to "refrain from or demonstrate restraint in disciplining" people and congregations that call otherwise-qualified candidates in mutual, chaste and faithful committed same-gender relationships, and it called for restraint in disciplining rostered leaders in committed same-gender relationships. The proposal was adopted as a substitute for a recommendation of the Memorials Committee.

"Book of Faith" Initiative Affirmed
The assembly endorsed "Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible," a five-year initiative to promote study of the Bible. The initiative grew out of a proposal the North Carolina Synod made to the 2005 Churchwide Assembly. It was adopted by a vote of 1,000 to 19. A companion recommendation, adopted 956 to 68, gave specific suggestions for ways to "invite and encourage all members, expressions, institutions and partners of this church to commit themselves regularly and increasingly to hearing, reading, studying, sharing and being formed by God's Word."

Education Social Statement Adopted
With a 949 to 35 vote, the assembly adopted a social statement, "Our Calling in Education," which addresses issues of children's faith formation, equitable access to education, quality of U.S. public schools, and support for Lutheran schools, colleges and campus ministries. The assembly also adopted the statement's accompanying implementation actions.

Assembly Strengthens ELCA's Financial Future
Striving to strengthen the future financial resources of the ELCA, voting members accepted a report with recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Committee on Mission Funding, appointed to study the ELCA's funding policies and practices. By a 623 to 52 vote, the assembly received "with gratitude" the committee's report, commended the content of the report for study and reflection throughout this church, and fostered a renewed commitment to "vigorous mission-support efforts."

Assembly Asks for Social Statement on Criminal Justice by 2013
By a vote of 957 to 68, the assembly directed the ELCA Church in Society program unit to develop a social statement on criminal justice for consideration by the 2013 Churchwide Assembly. Requests for the statement grew out of memorials from three synods.

ELCA Assembly Extends Full Communion Relationship with Moravian Church
Voting members extended the ELCA's full communion relationship with the Moravian Church in America to the East West Indies and the Alaska Provinces of the Moravian Church in America by a vote of 999 to 23. The 1999 Churchwide Assembly adopted a proposal for full communion with the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church in America.

The assembly adopted several other proposals:
+ Evangelical Lutheran Worship was "received with thanksgiving" as this church's primary worship resource. Released in 2006, about 725,000 volumes of the book have been distributed.

+ It called for a churchwide strategy for responding to HIV and AIDS to build on and deepen current denominational engagement with the pandemic in the United States and around the world.

+ The assembly said Lutherans should study the situation in Darfur, Sudan, and advocate to federal officials on behalf of Darfur, a place where the U.S. government has called the mass killing "genocide." The action praised the presiding bishop for the efforts he and the LWF have made to address the situation in Darfur.

+ Voting members declared their opposition to "any escalation of the war" in Iraq and asked this church to call on the U.S. government to "take immediate and comprehensive steps to end the violence and establish a peaceful, stable, and just society in that country."

+ ELCA congregations and other Lutheran agencies should provide a "welcoming and supporting environment for returning military veterans," according to an assembly resolution.

+ The assembly called on the ELCA to recommit to this church's strategy for engagement in Israel and Palestine, including a call for economic initiatives.

+ With a 318 to 309 vote, the assembly asked synod bishops to discuss their accountability "to the adopted policies, practices and procedures of the ELCA" and requested that a report be brought to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.

+ Budgets for the ELCA churchwide organization for 2008 and 2009 were adopted.

+ The assembly acted on several other memorials by pointing out previous actions on the specified subject, declining to act or referring them to the Church Council and churchwide units.

The ELCA website has details about the above actions taken by the Churchwide Assembly as well as information on the "voting results". (See items under "news" and "preliminary minutes", too.) While on the website, check out the videos and photos.

A summary of the assembly actions may be downloaded and printed as a tri-fold brochure, bulletin insert, or document.

LtQ2 is the completely revised and expanded version of Living the Questions, the popular video and internet-based small group exploration of progressive Christianity featuring premier religious voices of our day.

Living the Questions 2.0 features all the contributors from the original Living the Questions: Nancy Ammerman, John Bell, Marcus Borg, Minerva Carcano, John B. Cobb, Jr., John Dominic Crossan, Lloyd Geering, Culver "Bill" Nelson, Siyoung park, Stephen patterson, tex Sample, John Shelby Spong, and Emilie Townes.

In addition, LtQ2 also features: Rita Nakashima Brock, Walter Brueggemann, Ron Buford, Yvette Flunder, James Forbes, mattew Fox, Hans Kung, Amy- Jill Levine, Meagan McKenna, Rebecca Ann Parker, Helen Prejean, Barbara Rossing, Elizabeth Schussler Fiorenza, Bernard Brandon Scott, Rick Uford-Chase, Winnie Varghese, and Mel White.

LtQ2 is comprised of 21 sessions that may be offered in sequence or as three independent flights of seven units each: Invitation to Journey, Reclaiming the World and Call to Covenant. (Each flight may also be purchased separately.) Like its prequel, LtQ2 includes downloadable and printable leader and participant guides with weekly readings and discussion questions. Each session may be conducted in one hour or expanded to include a meal and personal sharing. The 20-minute video segments include conversations with leading voices of faith, sermon and lecture clips, digital stories illustrating aspects of an evolving faith, and concrete spiritual practices and disciplines.

To begin or even continue using this series which strives to create an environment where participants can interact with one another in exploring what's next for Christianity, please go to the website: www.livingthequestions.com .