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| December 19,
2006 |
eConnection
eNewsletter of
the Rocky Mountain Synod |
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Advent
4
Shine your future on this place,
Enlighten every
guest,
That through us stream your holiness,
Bright and blest,
bright and blest;
Come dawn, O Sun of grace.
Susan Palo
Cherwien, ELW 261 | |
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Prayers | |
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Synod Prayer Cycle: Utah Conference
During the month of
December we give thanks for the ministry of our congregations and rostered
leaders in the UTAH Conference. You are encouraged to include the
congregations and leaders in your Sunday prayers of the people. The prayer
list for December and January is available
as a Word document.
to remember in prayer at worship on
12/24
Shepherd of the Mountain Park City, UT
....Jeffrey
Louden
St. Matthew’s Salt Lake City, UT
....Gordon
Young
Tree of Life Provo, UT
Zion Salt Lake City,
UT
....Steve Klemz
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Rocky Mountain Synod | |
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Do You Know Someone Thinking of Entering
Seminary in
the Fall of 2007?
Now is the time to begin the Candidacy process
without delay for anyone seeking Entrance into Candidacy at the April
10-11 meeting of the Candidacy Committee. It takes a minimum of 3 month to
complete the application, psychological assessment, interview and
background checks required for Entrance. In order to be admitted to an
ELCA seminary for rostered ministry in the ELCA, one must have received a
positive Entrance decision from the synodical Candidacy Committee. Please
refer any prospective candidates to Madelyn Busse at
mbusse@rmselca.org or 303-777-6700. Anyone who is at any phase of
discernment regarding a call to ministry is invited to attend the annual
discernment retreat on April 10. More information will be coming. Refer
names to Janice Ladd-Horkey for invitation to this
retreat.
Invitation from the Hunger Network: RMS Goal of Half
Million!
Through October, Rocky Mountain Synod contributions to the
World Hunger Appeal and Stand with Africa were running a little ahead of
the same period in 2005. However, we have a long ways to go from the
$237,924 collected through October 31 of this year to the $466,688
contributed during the 2005 fiscal year! Since Disaster Response
contributions are down (no major tsunamis or hurricanes this year!), can
we redirect some of those dollars contributed in the past to push our
hunger appeal giving beyond last year’s pace? Half a million dollars is
only a slight stretch from the 2005 giving - easily within our reach! All
contributions need to be sent to the synod office no later than the end of
January 2007 to be counted in the 2006 fiscal year giving figures.
Remember that every day the silent tsunami of grinding poverty and hunger
goes on, and your dollars do save lives and bring hope!
Middle School Youth Gathering: Jan 12-14
The 2007
Gathering will once again be held at the Sheraton in Colorado Springs! Eye
Witness will be our musical guest this year, helping us explore the theme
“GOD’S OWN/GOD’S ZONE.” The event takes place January 12-14. 2007. For
information visit www.rmsmsyg07.homestead.com/
.
Theological Conference Registration Deadline is Dec.
20
Information about the 2007 Theological Conference is posted
on the web. The online registration feature is now working.
However, if you get an error message, consider printing out the online
form (with your information typed in) and send it in with your check.
Deadline for registration is December 20.
Immigration Issues Study Guide Now Available
A resolution
calling for congregations in the Rocky Mountain Synod to study and discuss
immigration issues was adopted at assembly. A
resource has been compiled and is available for download.
Celebrate Treasures, Old and New
Exploring and
Expanding Worship Resources
Events are scheduled this winter
beginning again in January to introduce the new Evangelical Lutheran
Worship book. Cost for groups of six is $100 Cost for an individual is
$20 Cost includes lunch and a copy of the Worship book. A registration
form is available
to be downloaded. (Photo of Salt Lake City event provided by Pastor
Jeffrey Louden.)
Please register at least one week prior to the
event you will be attending so that appropriate arrangements may be made
for lunch.
January 20, 2007 Wyoming Event
Prince of
Peace, Casper, WY
Check-In 8:30-9:30 a.m. - Event 9:30 a.m. - 4
p.m.
February 10, 2007 (two events)
Texas Event: New Hope ,
El Paso,TX
Check-In 8:30-9:30 a.m. - Event 9:30 a.m. - 4
p.m.
Southern Colorado Event: First Lutheran, Colorado Springs,
CO
Check-In8-9 a.m. - Event 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
February 17, 2007
New Mexico Event
Cross of Hope, Albuquerque, NM
Check-In 8-9
a.m. - Event 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
RMS Immigration DVD/Study Guide Available In December
Hear
stories from two ELCA congregations in Denver: Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey
and HKBP Indonesian congregation. A DVD, created by the Rocky Mountain
Synod Task Force on Immigration, will be available in December for use in
your January Bible Study or discussion forum. A study guide will accompany
the DVD. Request
a copy to use and return. If the online form is not working for you,
send an email to kmueller@rmselca.org or call 303-777-6700.
Vision, Passion, Action Blog
Read and comment on the
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
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Synod Snippets | |
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The following was gleaned from congregational
newsletters received in the Synod office.
Labels for Education
There are at least nine
congregations in the Rocky Mountain Synod collecting Campbell’s labels for
education: First Lutheran in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Holy Cross in
Wheat Ridge, Colorado; Faith Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, Colorado;
Trinity Lutheran Church in Boulder, Colorado; Bethlehem Lutheran Church in
Longmont, Colorado; Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Broomfield,
Colorado; Lord of the Valley Lutheran Church, Granby, Colorado; Shepherd
of the Hills Lutheran Church, Canon City, Colorado; and Bethlehem Lutheran
Church in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
Holy Cross, Bethlehem in Los
Alamos, Cross of Christ, Faith, and Trinity are collecting their labels
(UPC for certain products and lids from others) and sending them to the
Navajo Mission School in Rock Point in New Mexico. To date and through the
efforts of many, the Navajo Mission School has been able to accept
delivery of a new mini-van.
Bethlehem in Longmont is saving their
labels for Columbine Elementary School which help the school obtain books
and educational equipment that are greatly needed.
Shepherd of the
Hills in Canon City is donating their labels to Lincoln Elementary School
to purchase school supplies.
First Lutheran in Colorado Springs has
been generous enough to share their labels with Palestinian Christian
families living in Bethlehem, Israel. The labels help to support these
families who are suffering in the struggling Bethlehem economy since
tourism has fallen so drastically.
Lord of the Valley uses the
points collected from their labels to get supplies for their nursery
school and Sunday school programs.
If your congregation would like
to find out how it can get involved with the Campbell’s Labels for
Education program to help your church, school or other organization,
please visit the Campbell’s website at www.labelsforeducation.com
A
Church Anniversary Addition
Forgotten for last week was the
announcement that Cross of Hope Lutheran Church, Albuquerque will be
celebrating its 25th Anniversary in May 2007. Congratulations!
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Announcements | |
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Grants Available to
Lutheran Congregations for Service to
Immigrants and
Refugees
Wheat Ridge Ministries, in partnership with Lutheran
Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), is offering financial assistance
to Lutheran churches to encourage the development of new programs and
services for immigrants and refugees. In 2006, the Good Samaritan Fund
awarded grants totaling $75,000 to 20 churches across the country to help
implement a variety of innovative programs including citizenship classes,
literacy projects, children’s summer and after-school programs, driver’s
education, employment and entrepreneur training. Applicant congregations
will be expected to contribute at least 25 percent of the project cost,
either through cash or in-kind support. Funding priority will be given to
projects that demonstrate at least one of the following services to
immigrant communities: social ministry projects, joint projects between
community members and new residents, public education or advocacy, and
leadership development within the ethnic groups served. Interested
applicants may download the application packet or review grant guidelines
at www.lirs.org.
For more information on the Good Samaritan grant program, please contact
Pam Bloom, LIRS Senior Consultant for Organizational Capacity Building, at
410-230-2875 or pbloom@lirs.org
No Room at the Inn: Las Posadas Reflects a Painful
Reality for Many 'Strangers'
Article by Peggy Fletcher Stack in
the Salt Lake Tribune features Zion Lutheran Church, Salt Lake
City
Mary was freezing in the drizzling rain and snow. Her limbs
were shaking and her toes were numb. Joseph was wrapped up tighter, so he
was more stoic. But Noodles, the donkey, brayed his complaints to the Salt
Lake City neighborhood loud and clear: It's cold. Get me outta here.
Discomfort is a central part of Las Posadas, a long-standing Mexican
tradition that re-enacts the biblical couple's search for shelter in
Bethlehem. Read the entire story at www.sltrib.com/faith/ci_4848554?
source=email
Winter Men’s Log Furniture Retreat ~ January 18- 21,
2007
There’s just something about building something with your own
two hands, creating something incredible from raw materials. During the
Rainbow Trail Faith for All Season’s Winter Log Furniture Building Retreat
you will do just this. Spend time with fellow men of faith to create
pieces of log furniture that will go home with you at the end of the
retreat. Retreat cost is $175 which includes all material costs for your
project. Fellowship, Bible Study and hard work are all integral parts of
this weekend! Retreat dates are January 18-21, 2007.
To register
online for this retreat click
here.
For more information on the Faith for All Seasons Men’s
Retreats click
here.
Visit the Rainbow
Trail Lutheran Camp online.
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Upcoming Events | |
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Adviento: West
Denver Bilingual Advent Services
On Wednesday, December 20, at
7:00pm, Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey Rey (501 Raleigh St.) will be
preparing hearts and minds for Christmas in both Spanish and English. For
questions, please contact Pastor Armando Rangel
(303.934.6948).
St. Luke Welcomes Oboist on Christmas
Eve
The members of St. Luke Lutheran Church and the Albuquerque
community welcome Joseph Robinson, recently retired principal oboist with
the New York Philharmonic. Mr. Robinson will perform as part of the 7:30
p.m. worship service at St. Luke, accompanied by his wife, violinist Mary
Kay Robinson and organist Frederick Frahm. St. Luke is at 9100 Menaul
Boulevard NE in Albuquerque.
Day Apart at Iliff
This
spiritual retreat entitled Listening to Your Life is scheduled for
Saturday, January 6. Speakers are Brad and Rita Berglund. For more
information, contact Dave Lavinder at dlavinder@iliff.edu or call
303-765-3115 or Cathie Kelsey at ckelsey@iliff.edu or call her on
303-765-3103. To register for the event, contact Dave. Please register by
January 2.
Clergy Day Apart at Norbertine
Come to a
Called Back to the Well Clergy Day Apart January 15, 2007. All ministers
are invited to a monthly day apart at the Norbertine Center in
Albuquerque, continuing the 3rd Monday of each month. An RSVP would be
appreciated. Contact Sue Joiner for more information:
mailto:sjoiner@samaritancc.com or call 505.332.8020.
Abiding Hope Adaptive Leadership
Academy
January 15-18, 2007, in Littleton, CO: A Story for the
Questions: Forging Disciples in an Age of No Easy Answers. Info at www.abidinghopelutheran.org.
Spirituality
Conference With Thomas Troeger
The conference is January 19–20,
2007 in Denver, CO, Friday from 6:30–8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. –
4 p.m.
2007 Ministry Incentive Awards
Apply before
February 15 for a Church
in Society Incentive Award of up to $1000.
Global Mission
Fiesta In Phoenix
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in
Phoenix, AZ, will host the ELCA’s Global Mission Fiesta, February 2-3,
2007. For information or registration visit
the web.
Healthy Congregations Facilitator Training
Denver Area on February 18-20, 2007. Contact Bill Behrens at
brbehrens@comcast.net or 303-424-6111.
Festival Of
Homiletics
One of the best preaching conferences in the country is
May 21-25, 2007. More information can be found at festivalofhomiletics.com/
or contact Pastor Garrett Struessel at 303-922-0596.
Mexico City
Trip is June of 2007
Information about the RMS trip to Mexico City
is now posted on the RMS
website. There is an information sheet and a registration form. If you
have any questions, please contact Madelyn Busse at the synod
office.
Rocky Boy Indian Reservation
Servant Learning Trip 3rd Week In Sept.2007
Native American Week at
Rocky Boy Indian Reservation co-sponsored by Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church
on the reservation and Lutheran Social Service of Utah. Email:
lssutah@yahoo.com for more information.
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ELCA Churchwide | |
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Free in Christ to Serve the Neighbor: Lutherans Talk
about Human Sexuality
The purpose of the study Free in
Christ to Serve the Neighbor: Lutheran Talk About Human Sexuality is
to invite the wider church “to the table” with the task force as they
reflect on human sexuality in light of both the wisdom of our faith
tradition and the complexities of sexuality in our culture.
The
core of the study is found in eight sessions devoted specifically to human
sexuality and related topics. Participants are invited to engage in moral
deliberations on these topics from the perspectives of Paul’s letter to
the Galatians and Martin Luther’s essay “On the Freedom of a Christian”.
Two resources in the booklet are provided to help interested readers
understand the theological framework provided by Galatians and Luther’s
essay. The eight sessions of the study invite participants to think about
and discuss a range of topics such as marriage, the commercialization of
sexuality, sexuality and power, widespread cohabitation, and human
trafficking.
It is recommended that participants plan to use the
study in an educational setting such as a weekend retreat or a six to
eight session format. This study can be particularly effective for:
- An adult education series;
- Youth group discussions;
- Congregational Bible study and retreats;
- Synod assemblies and breakout sessions;
- Bible studies for rostered leaders;
- Any gathering of church leaders;
By engaging in the study
and giving feedback to the task force through the response forms, ELCA
members and congregations help the task force shape the social statement
on human sexuality that comes before the Churchwide Assembly in
2009.
Timeline for the social statement process:
Dec 4,
2006: Study available
Nov 1, 2007: Deadline for responses to
the study
March 2008: Distribution of first draft of social
statement for discussion throughout the ELCA and response to the task
force.
May 2009: Distribution of proposed social
statement.
August 2009: Churchwide Assembly considers a social
statement on human sexuality.
For more information or to download a
copy of the study, visit the website www.elca.org/faithfuljourney
To order multiple copies call 800-328-4648
Or write to:
Task Force
for the ELCA
Studies on Sexuality, Church in Society
8765 West
Higgins Road
Chicago, Illinois 60631
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Resources | |
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What’s New at the World Hunger Website?
Visit a useful
addition to the ELCA World Hunger Website at www.elca.org/hunger/resources/multimedia.
html Featured is a growing set of resources that take advantage of
multimedia methods. This web page contains video and photo blogs,
PowerPoint presentations, radio programs, and congregational learning
experience based on a National Public Radio series on Africa.You’ll find
useful material for temple talks, small groups, study and discussion
times, committee devotions, and at-home briefings. Check out Multimedia
Clips today!
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Kent Mueller
phone: 303-777-6700
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