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| September 18,
2007 |
eConnection
eNewsletter of
the Rocky Mountain Synod |
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This weekly
eConnection newsletter is our primary means of communication, and
you are encouraged to forward it to others with an invitation to
subscribe (scroll to the bottom and click on "forward
email")
Recently a reader recalled that many years ago, new
items were highlighted in color, while repeated items were in black.
In the announcements sections, we're bringing back that
feature.
We've also moved the small print events listing to
the end, since you may be likely to glance at that less
often.
Do you have other ideas or suggestions? Send an email
with your comments to communications@rmselca.org
And
to give credit where credit is due, special thanks to Willie Hobbs,
one of the RMS administrative staff, who prepares the eConnection
each week. | |
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Prayers | |
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Pastor Dana
Lee Simon, Elim Lutheran Church, Ogden, UT, works on a Habitat for
Humanity house in West Salt Lake City on Friday, Sept. 14, Holy Cross Day,
as part of the Lutheran/Thrivent project. (Photo by Jeffrey
Louden)
Seventeenth Sunday
after Pentecost
O God,
when joy is gone and hearts are sick,
you give us Christ as our healing balm. He came in human flesh that he
might give himself as a ransom for our salvation and anoint us with the
Spirit of consolation and joy. Hear the cry of your people, that we may
rejoice in the richness of your love and be faithful stewards of your many
gifts.
Amen
Prayer from Revised Common
Lectionary Prayers,
Consultation on English Texts,
2002.
Installation of Pastor Sarah Moening is September
23
All are invited to the installation of Pastor Sarah Moening as
Campus and Young Adult pastor, Our Savior's Lutheran and Lutheran Campus
Ministry, Greeley, CO. Assistant to the Bishop Madelyn Busse will
represent the Rocky Mountain Synod. The installation will take place on
Saturday, September 23rd at 8:15 a.m. and 10:40 a.m. at Our Savior's
Lutheran Church, 1800 21st Ave., (directions at www.greeleylutheran.org
-- click on "Find OSLC" at top right) and at 1:30 p.m. at the
Garden Theater at the University of Northern Colorado (parking along 10th
Avenue between 16th St. and Cranford, Garden Theater is between Carter and
Gunter Halls). A reception will follow each worship.
Synod Prayer
Cycle: Metro South Conference
During the month September, we give
thanks for the ministry of our congregations and rostered leaders in the
Metro South Conference. You are encouraged to include these congregations
and leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. Click here for the
prayer list for September
. Please consider including the October
prayer list in your October newsletter.
to remember in
prayer at worship on 9/23
Lutheran Church of the
Cross
Evergreen, CO
..... Phillip Reimers
Lutheran Church
of the Holy Spirit
Centennial, CO
.....Scott Beebe, Geri
Cunningham
Lutheran Church of the Master
Lakewood,
CO
.....Robert Moss, Sandra Templeton
Lutheran Church of the
Resurrection
Lakewood, CO
.....Garrett Struessel
"For the
living of these days..."
prayers for ministries & meetings
this week:
- Bishop Allan Bjornberg - Continuation of the North New Mexico
Conference Retreat; Synod Council meeting, Bethany Lutheran, Cherry
Hills Village, CO; Metro South Conference Retreat; Mount Calvary's 25th
Anniversary, Colorado Springs, CO
- Madelyn Busse - Emergent Church meeting at Iliff Theological
Seminary; Companion Synod meeting; Contemplary Retreat, Sacred Heart;
Installation of Sarah Moening, Our Savior's Lutheran, Greeley, CO;
Environmental Task Force meeting
- Dan Bollman - Meeting at Trinity Lutheran, Evanston, WY; Jr.
High/Middle School Youth Gathering Team meeting; Next Step Team meeting;
- Jim Hytjan - Meeting at Grace Lutheran, Boulder, CO; meeting
with HKBP Lutheran, Seatte, WA
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Rocky Mountain Synod | |
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in this section new
items are printed in blue 
Download Daily
Bread Newsletter Now!
In the past, each
congregation received one hard copy of Daily Bread by snail mail. To save
printing and postage, please download the most recent issue now as a .pdf
file. Copy it and see that it reaches your hunger contact, outreach
committee, and others interested.
Ending Hunger: Mission Possible
The Rocky Mountain
Synod Hunger Network, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado and the Global
Mission Committee are co-sponsoring a second Ending Hunger Summit.
This year's event will take place on Saturday, October 27, at
Bethany Lutheran Church (Cherry Hills Village) and will focus on the GOOD
NEWS that ending hunger is really possible if we each take concrete steps
to change ourselves, our communities and our world!
The planning
committee is exploring the possibility of organizing a "youth track"
designed for middle and high school students (featuring hands-on service
opportunities). If you are interested in bringing youth to the Ending
Hunger summit, please contact Kayla Aspeslagh (kayla@lordofthehills.org
or 303.726.7944).
Registration packets have now been mailed to
all Colorado congregations but if you or your congregation did not receive
the information , please contact Willie Hobbs to request a packet. You can
reach Willie by email at whobbs@rmselca.org or by phone at
303-777-6700 (800-525-0462). The registration brochure is also available
online.
At the Rocky Mountain Synod's website, not only will
you will find information as a flyer
or bulletin
insert but you may also register online. Just go to the Synod's
home page.
Domestic Hunger Grants Bring Hope!
In
2007, $34,500 of World Hunger Appeal contributions came back to the Rocky
Mountain Synod through domestic hunger grants awarded to twelve agencies
and one congregation! These dollars are hard at work throughout the
territory of the synod providing immediate relief, sustainable
development, and advocacy for programs that improve the lives of people
living in poverty.
If you know of congregations or agencies that
might want to apply for a Domestic Hunger Grant, NOW is the time to refer
them to the following website: www.elca.org/grantinghope
. This site gives lots of information about the process and application
criteria.
The application is available online or you may contact
Ms. Johnnie Thompson at 800.638.3522 ext. 2693 or
Johnnie.Thompson@elca.org to receive a paper copy and get answers to any
questions.
Applications must be postmarked by October 1 and
mailed to the domestic hunger office (no faxes or
emails) . Following an extensive selection process, recipients
will be notified and checks mailed out next May. There are many needs in
our synod. Don't overlook this possibility for getting funds to help meet
those needs!
Landscape reproducible newsletter ready
A one page, two
sided newsletter called the Rocky Mountain Synod Landscape is ready
for you to reproduce in your October newsletter or insert in a Sunday
bulletin. It is designed to use either flat or folded, depending on the
size of your bulletin or newsletter. It highlights coming events and
synod-wide news. You are encouraged to use it in your congregation! Download
a .pdf copy.
Coaching 101
A Coaching 101 workshop will be offered noon to
noon, Thursday and Friday, October 4 & 5 at Prince of Peace
Lutheran Church, 2400 South Colorado Blvd., in Denver.
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
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"Natural Church Development"
Natural Church Development (NCD)
is a process of looking at a congregation by evaluating the quality of
eight essential areas of ministry: leadership, small groups, worship,
evangelism, spirituality, relationships in the congregation,
congregational structures (i.e. organizational, future planning), and
gift-oriented ministry. In evaluating each of these areas with a survey
given to 30 members of the congregation and pastor(s), one or two areas
become the focus of conversation, study and prayer in the congregation
with goals established to be worked on over the next 8-12 months. In the
ELCA, coaches from outside the congregation guide the NCD process in each
congregation. (See Coaching 101 workshop above for the October
training.)
For more information, go the ELCA web site ( www.elca.org
), click the Churchwide Units on the left hand side of the front page,
find and click on Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission. On the
right side of this page, click on Renewal of Congregations which will
allow you to then click Natural Church Development on the left side of the
page. You may also contact Pr. Jim Hytjan @ 800-525-0462/303-777-6700 or
james_hytjan@rmelca.org for more information.
Update Your Congregation's Constitution
Check the RMS website
for the five required Constitutional Amendments for Congregations as
approved at the 2007 Churchwide Assembly. Go to the Leadership tab,
then find the list of Constitution Resources to locate the 2007 file.
Contact your Synod Secretary, Katherine Cruson (303- 696-7430) if you
have questions.
Lay Male Nominee Needed for Candidacy Committee
Nominees are
welcome for a lay male Candidacy Committee opening. Qualities needed:
Ability to listen, discern and engage in theological reflection with
candidates for ordained, consecrated and commissioned ministry.
Familiarity with Lutheran theological tradition and congregational life.
An understanding of and ability to recognize the qualities needed for
public ministry and leadership. Ability to attend four, two-day meetings
per year which are typically held on week-days. (Jan, Apr, Aug, and Nov.)
The upcoming vacancy is from the front range of Colorado, but
nominees from all conferences may be considered. Please send the name and
contact information on nominees, along with a brief descriptive paragraph,
to Bishop Allan Bjornberg, allan_bjornberg@rmselca.org, or Madelyn
Busse, mbusse@rmselca.org by November 1st. Please call
Madelyn Busse at 303 777 6700 (800-525-0462) with any questions or to
discuss possible nominees.
"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. If you have
questions, please e-mail Pastor Connie Winter-Eulberg at
LCMCSU@lamar.colostate.edu. Also, follow
this link to browse the brochure and get more details about the
retreat.
RMSWO Announces Its Fall 2007 Gathering
Titled "Healthy Spirits:
Body & Soul"
LADIES! Take a journey to increase your spiritual,
emotional and physical wellness with keynote speaker Beth Walker,
certified life coach, and your synod sisters at the Rocky Mountain
Synodical Women's Organization's 2007 Fall Gathering, "Healthy Spirits:
Body & Soul". The event will take place October 5 & 6
at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. All
women and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more
information, please visit
the website.
The Rocky Mountain Women's Organization is an
expression of the Women of the ELCA and is constituted of a board, cluster
groupings and congregational/ inter-congregational units of Women's
Ministry teams in individual churches throughout the synod.
RMS Next Step Team Plans "Passing on the Faith"
Conference
Before you submit your budget for next year, please
include the "Passing on the Faith" Conference in your numbers. The
conference will take place at Bethany Lutheran Church, Denver, Colorado in
April 2008 (tentative dates are April 18 & 19). This will be a
unique opportunity to participate in an amazing conference closer to home.
Just for the sake of planning, please include $300 per individual.
If you are unable to set aside this amount, please budget as much as
possible. We are going to do our best to get this number under three
hundred dollars and scholarships will be available. If your congregation
has the ability to sponsor this event, please budget $2000. Sponsoring
congregations will be allowed to send an unlimited number of participants
and you will be helping other workers attend who might otherwise be
unable. If you have questions, please contact Sarah Bjornebo at 303-797-
0369 or Julie Miller at 303-841-3739. The Next Step Team thanks
you!
2008 Mexico City Trip is June 10-18
Note the dates and think
about participating in next summer's trip to the Lutheran Center in Mexico
City June 10 - 18. Cost is $560 plus airfare. This trip is open to
rostered and lay participants. Consider forming a group from your
congregation so that action steps can follow the learning opportunity.
This trip is one of the best ways we know to gain depth of understanding
into the historical and socio-economic realities that are part of the
immigration story, as well as a wonderful opportunity for theological
reflection and prayer on this important issue facing our communities and
country." Sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Synod
Global Mission Committee.
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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What is a U2charist? | |
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U2charist Worship is Saturday, September 22
The U2charist
initially began in an Episcopal church but has been adapted by several
other denominations. It is a liturgical service (including communion --
Eucharist) that features the music of the rock band U2 and a message about
God's call to rally around the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
The U2charist is a great opportunity to reach out to people,
especially young people, with U2's messages of global reconciliation,
justice for the poor and oppressed and the importance of caring for your
neighbor. Bono, U2's lead singer, has been a particularly vocal proponent
of the Millennium Development Goals, and has been proclaimed as a global
MDG ambassador. The U2charist seeks to raise awareness of the MDGs and
call people worldwide to a deeper faith and engagement with God's mission.
The themes correspond with the ONE Campaign.
The U2charist will
take place at Atonement Lutheran Church (6281 W Yale Ave, Lakewood, CO
80227) on Saturday, September 22 at 6:00 p.m.
A U2charist
worship will also engage everyone at the Mission Possible: Ending Hunger
Now Summit on October 27 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4500 East
Hampden Avenue, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado.
If you or your
congregation did not receive a registration packet for the Hunger Summit
with several copies of the registration brochure, please contact Willie
Hobbs to request a packet. You can reach Willie by email at
whobbs@rmselca.org or by phone at 303-777-6700 (800-525-0462).
The registration brochure is also available
online.
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Announcements | |
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in this section, new
items are printed in blue 
Our Savior's Lutheran, Denver, Featured in the ELCA
Brand Campaign
Have you viewed the ELCA brand campaign at www.elca.org/love
? Have you noticed this picture with a band-aid on a person's arm in the
symbol of a cross? In the fine print, it says Denver, Colorado! The full
story depicted on the ad linked through the national website is about Our
Savior's Lutheran Church in Denver and its St. Luke's Ministry program,
which is a Certified Nursing Aide (C.N.A.) training program. Our
Savior's/St. Luke's Ministry is one of just 6 churches/programs selected
to be highlighted in the brand campaign. For details about the St. Luke's
Ministry, please refer to our website ( www.stlukesministry.org
) and read about this program funded by the ELCA "In the City for Good"
grant in 2004. There is also information about classes, successes and the
need for volunteers.
St. Luke's fall class, beginning October 8,
needs volunteers. The four week class is scheduled from 9 a.m. until 2:30
p. m., Monday through Friday with additional hours for the clinical lab at
a health care facility. If you are a person with a medical background,
please consider volunteering for a few hours, days or longer. The goal is
to find several assistants for clinical time, lab time and/or for teaching
classes. A few positions may require certification as a
trainer.
Please contact Roger Swier, M.A. Director, and he will be
delighted to speak with you about volunteering. Additionally, visits to
the program may be scheduled by appointment.
If you have
questions, please contact:
Roger's Swier - St. Luke's
Ministry
720.937.7023 - info@stlukesministry.org
Or
Our
Savior's Lutheran Church
Rev. John Backe or Rev. Tina
Yankee
303.831.7023
pastorjohn@oslcdenver.org
pastortina@oslcdenver.org
The "On Sacred Ground"
Conference Approaches
We are now counting down the days to the
beginning of a new, groundbreaking, collaborative effort to unite the
faith community and conservationists with "On Sacred Ground: Faith and
the Environment". The Wyoming Association of Churches (WAC), along
with the Wyoming Conservation Voters Education Fund, are jointly
sponsoring this statewide conference to be held in Lander, September
27-29. It is designed to bring together members of the faith community
and the conservation community to inspire, educate and activate their
members to better care for our natural environment.
The WAC again
especially invites churches and members of the faith community to send a
team of people to this event. It will feature keynote speakers, workshops,
panels and field trips (to Red Canyon Ranch in Lander and to the Winder
River Indian Reservation). Our keynoters will be Peter Illyn of Restoring
Eden and The Rev. Peter Sawtell of Eco- Justice Ministries. Workshops will
address diverse topics such as global warming, how to make church
buildings "green", Wyoming's wildlife, healthy foods and how to develop a
spiritual life centered on the natural creation.
All information,
including the registration form for this event, can be found at www.wcvedfund.org
Please consider being a part of a team from your congregation to attend
this event. This is one small, but useful action we can take to save our
state and our planet from future environmental decline. While the "On
Sacred Ground" conference is especially directed toward the faith
community, anyone and everyone is invited to attend.
A Celebration of Music and Art in Colorado Springs
First
Lutheran Church, 1515 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, invites you to a
festival of hymns celebrating the new Evangelical Lutheran Worship
hymnal on Sunday, September 30 at 4 p.m. The festival titled,
"Sing the Faith", will feature choirs, organ and instrumentalists.
A fine arts show titled "Celebrating God's Gift of Creativity" will
take place the same day from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. It will feature painting,
sculpture, photography, and ceramics. Both events are free and open to the
public.
Augustana Presents! Events for the Community to Delight
and Inspire
On September 30 at 3 p.m., a concert titled
"Now Thank We All Our God" will be presented by the Augustana
Lutheran Church Chamber Choir at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E.
Alameda Ave., Denver. Under the direction of Dick Larson, the choir brings
new vitality to choral music ranging from early classics to contemporary
settings of folk songs. A free- will offering will benefit the purchase of
necessary items for Warren Village Thanksgiving Baskets.
New Youth Program from Habitat is Called "Youth United"
This
fall, Habitat is starting a new program called "Youth United". The goal of
"Youth United" is to engage youth ages 5-25 with Habitat's mission. Youth
from across the metro area will be working together to raise the funds
necessary to sponsor a Habitat home and then those who are ages 16-25 will
serve as the volunteers who will build the house. Although the younger
children will not be able to volunteer on the construction site there will
be a wide variety of ways for them to be involved in the project. Habitat
is holding two "Youth United" informational sessions on Oct. 1st
and Oct. 3rd at 7 p.m. Both informational sessions are taking
place at the Daniel's Fund Building, 101 Monroe St., Denver, CO 80206. It
would be wonderful to have you or several of your youth leaders attend one
of the meetings. Please check
out the flyer which provided additional information about Youth United
and the info sessions.
Doing Justice: Congregations & Community Organizing
An
introductory workshop on congregation based community organizing will be
held on Friday, October 5 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Our Savior's
Lutheran Church, 915 E. Ninth Avenue in Denver. Pr. Dennis Jacobsen,
author of Doing Justice: Congregations & Community Organizing
will provide an overview and lead a discussion on how congregations can be
involved in this process. Please contact 303-831-7023 for more
information.
Beyond Divorce: Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends
The
ending of a love relationship can be one of the most stressful and
difficult experiences of a person's life. Learn the skills necessary to
adjust to your losses and receive encouragement to rebuild your life!
Each Tuesday from October 2 through December 11 (no
class on October 30) from 6:60 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., Paul and Beth Walker
will be facilitating a Divorce Recovery Workshop designed to provide
education and support to individuals experiencing the end of a
relationship. The workshops will help you move through the grief and
adjustment periods in a healthy way.
Paul Walker, LCSW, is a
Therapist in private practice who has worked with individuals, couples and
families for over 35 years. Beth Walker, MBA, CPCC, has more than 25 years
of experience in Mental Health and Non Profit Administration. Beth and
Paul have been married for 15 years. Both have been previously married and
have personally transcended the trauma of divorce.
All of the
classes will be held at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, located at
3350 East White Bay Drive in Highlands Ranch, Colorado (303-794-2683). The
cost is $150 per participant for the 10 week course. The required texts,
which will be available at the first class, are:
Rebuilding:
When Your Relationship Ends (3rd edition)
By Bruce Fisher, Ed.D and
Robert E. Alberti, Ph.D. ($14.00)
Rebuilding Workbook (2nd
Edition)
By Bruce Fisher, Ed.D. and Jere Bierhaus ($12.00)
The
class is open to all but is designed especially for individuals, of all
ages and situations, who are experiencing the end of a relationship. Some
want the relationship to end while others may not. Some may have been in
the relationship for a long time while others may have only been in a
short-term relationship.
Please call St. Andrew to reserve your
place in the class. For more information about the class, please call
Jenny Ricklefs, 303-794-2683, ext 106. Childcare is available with your
reservation confirmed with the Child Care Coordinator at 303- 794-2683
ext.126 no later than Monday, September
24.
Common Mission Amidst Diversity: Utah Conference Event
The Utah
conference is hosting a day of reflection for the Utah Conference
entitled "Common Mission Amidst Diversity" featuring Dr. Phyllis
Anderson, President of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley,
California. The event will be held on Saturday, October 20 from 10
a.m. to 3 p.m. at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1070 Foothill
Boulevard, Salt Lake City. All members of Utah Conference congregations
are invited and should make reservations through their
congregation.
Seminary Sampler: A Taste of LSTC
You are invited to visit the
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, sit in on classes, explore the
various rosters of ministry, talk about your sense of call, and visit with
current students, faculty and staff. There are two opportunities to visit
the campus. The Fall Sampler is from October 27 to October 29,
2007. The Spring Sampler is from March 1 to March 3, 2008. For more
information, please go to the LTSC website: www.lstc.edu
Youth Director Retreat at Sky Ranch
The retreat is Monday,
Nov. 5 through Wednesday, Nov. 7. It's a free retreat for
professional youth workers and adult volunteers. Gather to relax, network,
hike, worship and meet our new Executive Director. Details at www.LdoubleR.org
. A $50 deposit will reserve your place, refundable after attending the
retreat.
Choir Robes Available
Abiding Hope Lutheran Church has 60 (like
new) choir robes of varying sizes to be given to a church in need. The
brand is Shenandoah and the style is Abingdon/Wonder Crepe. They are
burgundy in color, the stolls are reversible with burgundy and cream on
one side, and cream on the other. Please contact Janet Cronin, Ministry
Events Coach at Abiding, by email janetc@abidinghopelutheran.org or
by phone at 303.972.1283, if you are interested.
Room dividers available for free
Lutheran Church of the Holy
Spirit, Centennial, CO, has ceiling mounting wooden room dividers 14 feet
long and 8 feet high available to anyone who is willing to pick them up.
If you are interested, please contact Kathy Schreiber at 303-794-3451 or
kschreiberlchs@qwest.net.
New job listings posted
on our website
DATABASE & RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
COORDINATOR
Lutheran Family Services of Colorado, Denver,
CO
PART-TIME PARISH NURSE
Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church,
Lakewood, CO
CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH CHORAL
DIRECTOR/S
Augustana Lutheran Church, Denver, CO
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ELCA Churchwide | |
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Labyrinths:
Ancient, Mysterious and Transformative
Reprinted from Seeds for
the Parish, September - October 2007
What's the scoop on
labyrinths? They seem really popular now but I've also heard that they are
pagan or anti-Christian. Is this your knowledge or experience with
labyrinths? Well, if you are curious and want to learn more about the
labyrinth and how it can be used in contemplative prayer and meditation,
please read the comments and check out the resources listed
below.
Labyrinths first popped up in Christian settings. as early
as the 4th century. The first known Christian labyrinth is at the Basilica
of Reparatus in Orleansville, Algeria and contains the words "Sancta
Eclesia," which indicates its use for religious purposes. The Christian
labyrinth became popular during the Middle Ages as a means for folks to go
on "pilgrimages" without incurring the cost of trekking off to faraway
places. For these ancient pilgrims, contemplatively and prayerfully
walking the labyrinth was considered a holy experience. With today's
renewed interest in the labyrinth we must keep in mind that it can still
be used effectively as a tool for Christian devotion.
Jan Rizzo,
editor
Seeds for the Parish
My spiritual director, a
psychologist, an ordained clergywoman and certified pastoral counselor,
regularly uses the labyrinth for retreats. At first I was skeptical, as it
did not fit into my LCMS childhood experiences and view of the world. But
I found it very meaningful, especially the connection to my Christian
roots. My own experience with the labyrinth is that it is a meaningful
form of prayer, especially for those who are kinesthetic learners or
"brain-wired" to move. They are the same ones who usually go crazy when
told to sit still and fold hands while we pray!
Linda Staats,
director
Milestones Ministry
The Youth & Family
Institute
I personally love labyrinths and use the one by my
house that the Presentation Sisters have made. It helps keep me centered
in my prayers.
Linnae Grabner-Hegg, director
NW Minnesota Synod
Resource Library
We have a finger labyrinth that is available
from the Health Ministries Association (www.hmassoc.org). It's a useful
tool for meditation as you "walk" the labyrinth path with your
finger.
Carol Hughes, director
Chambersburg Resource
Center
Lower Susquehanna Synod
We have a canvas floor
labyrinth in our resource center that can be borrowed. It was designed by
Lisa Moriarity of Paths of Peace. Our labyrinth is called Circle of Peace
and is based on the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in Paris. Lisa designs
other labyrinths as well. Her Web site, www.pathsofpeace.com
contains a wealth of information and resources.
Irene Flynn,
director
Florida-Bahamas Synod Resource
Center,
Tampa
Some helpful books are: Praying the
Labyrinth (Geoffrion, Pilgrim Press), Labyrinths from the Outside
In: Walking to Spiritual Insight-A Beginner's Guide (Schaper and Camp,
Skylight Paths), A Labyrinth Year: Walking the Seasons of the Church
(Kautz, Morehouse), The Way of the Labyrinth: A Powerful Meditation
for Everyday Life (Curry, Penguin) and 108 Ways to use Labyrinths
in Schools by Gael Hancock. This is a drop in the bucket on this topic
but these things are borrowed a lot and seem to be helpful to
congregations and individuals.
Julie Aageson, director
Eastern
North Dakota Resource Center
Fargo, N.D.
In every issue of
Seeds for the Parish, ELCA resource center staff pulls together a "Q &
A" on topics that they discuss in their meeting on LutherLink. To find the
resource center near you, go to www.elca.org/communication/resourcecenters.html
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Resources | |
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How A Simple Meal Became the Lord's Supper
"Given for You; Reflections on the Meaning of the Lord's Supper"
by Rev. Dr. Louis Accola is now available in the Lutheran Voices series
from Augsburg Fortress. Rev. Dr. Accola is a former director of Parish
Development for the American Lutheran Church (ALC) and now serves
part-time as Pastor for Spiritual Formation and Pastoral Care at Prince of
Peace Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Arizona.
"Given for You" provides
an eleven-point summary of key teachings and understandings of the Lord's
Supper. An inspiring, uplifting, and transforming book, "Given for You" is
an eloquent call for true communion among all Christians around this
simple meal given by Jesus for the Church and for the sake of the world.
Included are a glossary of key terms, a list of additional resources, and
questions for reflection and discussion.
To order "Given for You",
please call Fortress Press at 1-800-328-4648 or visit
the website . To request review copies (for media) or to discuss
speaking engagements or interviews, please call 1-800-426-0115 ext. 234 or
e- mail Todd at toddb@augsburgfortress.org . To request exam copies
for classroom use (professors) go to www.fortresspress.com/examcopy
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Upcoming Events | |
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Wrestling with Faith and Spirituality as Survivors of
Trauma
and Maltreatment
Each Sunday at 9:15 a.m. from September 9 to
November 4. Also spiritual direction groups for survivors and those
who care for survivors on Saturday, October 6 and 20 from 1:00 p.m.
to 3:00 p.m. Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 6400 South University
Blvd in Centennial, CO. For more information, please call Beth Rietz at
(303)794-3451.
Coyote Howl Confirmation Retreat: September 21- 23 or October
5-7
TWO OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONFIRMATION CLASSES! ( LdoubleR.org
)
Join the U2charist Worship on September 22
Atonement
Lutheran Church (6281 W Yale Ave, Lakewood, CO ), Saturday, September
22 at 6:00 PM. . For more information see the website: www.atonement-denver.org
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Wheat Ridge Ministries and Exempla Lutheran Medical
Center
Celebrate Their Partnership
September 23 from 3 -
5 p.m. at the Exempla Lutheran Hospice at Collier Hospice Center, 3210
Lutheran parkway, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. RSVP to Karen Schlechte at
303-233-7870 or Ann Brandt at 800-762-6748 or by email at
ann@wheatridge.org
Second Wind Walk-Run-Ride is Sept.
23
The Second Wind Fund event is at Green Mountain Presbyterian
Church (West Alameda at Mississippi in Lakewood). Additional information,
including registration materials, is posted at http://www.thesecondwindfund.org.
You may also contact Kenneth Wiig at kwiig@tiaa-cref.org or Jeff
Lamontagne at 303-988-2645.
Faith Dialogues: Call to
Conversation About Iraq
Bethany Lutheran Church, Cherry Hills
Village, will hold a Faith Dialogue event on Friday, September 28
from 6:00 - 9:00 PM and Saturday, September 29 from 9:00 a.m. -
12:00 p.m. For more information or to register, call 303-639-4349 or email
rit@bethany-denver.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)
Please call Pastor Jay McDivitt (303.936.4859) with any
questions.
RTLC Wearever Contest
Do you have a great
photo of yourself wearing Rainbow Trail gear somewhere unique and cool?
Enter it into the RTLC Wearever Contest. Send to dave@rainbowtrail.org by
September 30, 2007. For more contest details, click
here.
You Are Invited to Walk Wisdom's Path!
The
Lutheran Social Service of Utah 7th annual education trip to Rocky Boy
Indian Reservation is September 21-29. To confirm your reservation
call 801-588-0138 or send an email message to
lssutah@yahoo.com.
Marathon of Giving!
Support the great ministries of
Rainbow Trail while you support Dave Jarvis (camp director) during his
latest marathon this October 7th in the Chicago Marathon. (Click
here to download the form.)
The Grace Race
RTLC is
hosting the Grace Race to benefit 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). Click
here for more information and to download the Grace Race brochure. Click
here to download the release waiver.
Welcoming and
Affirming Ecumenical Leadership Training Set for October 18
Christ
Lutheran Church, Santa Fe is hosting the Reconciling in Christ (RIC)
Ecumenical Leadership Training sponsored by Lutherans Concerned /North
America (LC/NA) from October 18 - 21. More information can be found
on the LC/NA website: www.lcna.org
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Holy Cross, Wheat Ridge Announces Art and Craft
Fair
October 19th and 20th. Please contact Scott Moore at
Scott_E_Moore@msn.com for more information.
Rainbow Trail Confirmation Retreat
November 2-4, 2007
, For more information, visit the Rainbow Trail website at www.rainbowtrail.org.
Rainbow Trail Confirmation Retreat
January 4-6, 2008
, For more information, visit the Rainbow Trail website at www.rainbowtrail.org.
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Kent Mueller
phone: 303-777-6700
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