FALL CONFERENCE GATHERINGS - PLEASE select a Gathering to attend and mark your calendars - we need your participation and input!

Discerning and Electing a New Bishop in 2024

The Rocky Mountain Synod will meet in Assembly April 25-27, 2024. At the Assembly, voting members will elect a new Bishop to serve a six-year term.

You are invited (laypeople and rostered leaders) to a time of prayerful discussion and discernment this fall with your synod conference. The questions "Who are we?" and "Whom do we seek?" will guide our conversation. Speak with your pastor or deacon for more information about your conference's gathering.

Be part of this Spirit-led process as we continue to live out the Rocky Mountain Synod Mission Statement:

Together we proclaim and embody God's unconditional love for the life of the world.

Most conference meetings have been scheduled. Contact your Conference Dean(s) listed below, or your local clergy for more information:

Border Conference

Correction - date is Oct 21 not Oct 28!

October 21, 10:00 am, Peace, Las Cruces, NM

Pastor Catherine Lemons (revlemons@gmail.com)   

Metro East Conference

October 23, 6:00 pm, Augustana, Denver, CO

Pastor Chelsea Achterberg (cacherberg17@gmail.com)

Pastor Nic Leither (woh.elca@gmail.com)

Metro South Conference

October 19, 6:00 pm, St. Philip, Littleton, CO

Pastor Gordon Sandquist (pastorgordy@lchscentennial.org)

Pastor Brad Doty (bdoty@stphilip-co.org)

Metro West Conference

Mountain West

TBD

Pastor Jeffery Carlson (pastorjeff@goodsheplutheran.org)

Metro West

October 21, 9:00 am Glory of God, Wheat Ridge, CO

Pastor Will Johnson (pastor@nativity-lutheran-church.org)

North Colorado Conference

October 21, 10:00am - 2:00pm, Our Savior's, 1800 21st. Ave, Greeley, CO

Pastor Deb Abbott (pastordeb@greeleylutheran.org)

Pastor Kaari Nieuwlandt (pastorkaari@trinityloveland.org)

North New Mexico Conference

October 28, 9:30 am, All Saints, Albuquerque, NM

Pastor Joene Herr (pastor.joene@christlutheransantafe.org)

Utah Conference

October 21, 9:30 am, Mt. Tabor Lutheran, Salt Lake City, UT

Pastor David Nichols (pastor@mttaborslc.org)

Wyoming Conference

TBD

Pastor Paul Rosin (pastor@ascensioncheyenne.org)

Please visit the Rocky Mountain Synod website for more general information about the Bishop Election (here)

Presiding Bishop Eaton issues statement on Israel-Hamas war

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?" —Psalm 22:1

Dear church,

As Lutherans, we are accustomed to holding tension between two truths. Thus the ELCA denounces the egregious acts of Hamas, acts that have led to unspeakable loss of life and hope. At the same time the ELCA denounces the indiscriminate retaliation of Israel against the Palestinian people, both Christian and Muslim.

Read the full statement from Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop

From Rev. Gabi Aelabouni, who is rosterd in the Rocky Mountain Synod:

Greetings from Jerusalem, and I hope you are well.

We were so pleased that almost 100 people could join us for Saturday’s webinar. It was truly heartening and uplifting to be with you all: to share updates from the ground, to spend time discussing the results of our Peace Not Walls review, and to introduce SUMUD: for Justice in Palestine and Israel. Thank you for taking the time to be with us.

Here is the link to the webinar recording: https://vimeo.com/874495748?share=copy.

Here is the link to the online question form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=ZXoOHfqAD0yJTmzA98teQ1-yQEZ2af1Ht2K-Qp9PR7VUN1RWTktJV1dVNDJDRDBDRzMzN0VLRFY0Ni4u.

Please feel free to submit any and all unanswered questions. After enough time has elapsed for participants to share their questions, we will prepare a collective response so that the questions and answers are shared with all who are interested.

Again, thank you for your time and your dedication to justice in the Holy Land.

In Christ,

Rev. Gabi Aelabouni

The Rev. Gabi Aelabouni

Director for the Middle East & North Africa Desk

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

8765 W Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631-4101

Phone: +1 773-380-2926

gabi.aelabouni@elca.org

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Education Event

January 7-12, 2024

RMS clergy and congregation or social ministry program staff are invited to participate in an Immersion Trip to the Alabama Civil Rights Historic Trail.

The group gathers in Montgomery where they will visit the Memorial for Justice and Peace, the Legacy Museum, Rosa Parks Museum, and Freedom Rides Museum. There will be travel to Birmingham as well as traveling from Selma to Montgomery. We hope this pilgrimage will help you to experience a deepening of your faith as you continue the commitment to racial justice that you may take back to your congregation.

It is our expectation that by participating in this pilgrimage, you will return to coordinate this or a similar experience with your community. 

Participants will need make their own flights to Montgomery Regional Airport Dannelly Field (Airport code: MGM)

The days will have scheduled activities, along with some flexibility. Each evening we will share dinner together for devotions and to debrief the day. Included in your costs are housing, breakfasts and dinners, transportation in Alabama, and admission to all sites. Cost is $850 for double occupancy and $1250 for single occupancy.

The deadline to sign-up is October 31 or until the 20 spots are filled - only 7 spots left - don't miss this opportunity - register TODAY!

This trip will include a substantial amount of walking and standing. ADA accessible public transportation is limited in the city of Montgomery. 

Tentative Itinerary 

Sunday: Gathering meal and preparation for the week.

Monday: Freedom Rides Museum, Rosa Parks Museum, Dexter Ave Baptist Church

Tuesday: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute,16th street Baptist church, Kelly Ingram Park

Wednesday: The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and The Legacy Museum

Thursday: Selma to Montgomery, stop at the three sites

Friday Morning: Tuskegee Airmen Historic Site Museum (depending on departing flight times)

This event is sponsored by the Racial Justice Tithe of the RMS Next Faithful Steps Campaign. For more information email Deacon Shanna VanderWell HERE or Pastor Barbara Berry-Bailey HERE

Thriving Leadership Formation (TLF) is a program that brings ELCA leaders together with the intent of creating nurturing and empowering times, spaces, and relationships. Cohorts are intended to foster spiritual and contemplative practices to enrich life and ministry and help the church and its leaders thrive. Cohorts meet virtually for 12 sessions using a curriculum of spiritual practices. There is no cost for participation in TLF, as it is funded by a generous grant from the Lilly Foundation. Participants in TLF also have access to 6 sessions of coaching or spiritual direction at no cost. Visit thrivingleadershipformation.org for more information.

The Rocky Mountain Synod has several leaders who will be starting TLF cohorts this Fall. If you would like to participate in a group, please contact the leader directly.

• Pastor Monica Butler is forming a cohort for women-identified leaders in their 20’s and 30’s. This group will meet virtually about twice per month on Monday afternoons 3:00-4:30pm starting in October. If you have questions or would like to sign up to join this cohort, contact Pr. Monica Butler at pastormonicabutler@gmail.com.
• Pastor Chad Kohlmeyer will be leading a cohort centered on gathering folks in their first decade of ministry. He will offer the 12 sessions in three blocks of four weeks: four sessions in Advent, four sessions in Epiphany, and four sessions in Lent on Wednesday or Thursday mornings. Final time TBD once the group forms more fully. If you are interested you can reach out via phone (720-862-7645) or pastorchad@atonementboulder.org.
• Pastor Diana Linden-Johnson is creating a cohort for lay professional ministry leaders. This cohort will meet by Zoom on the 2^nd and 4th Mondays of the month beginning October 23rd. Please contact Diana at dlinden-johnson@rmselca.org or 720-280-0998 for more information.
• Pastor Michael Tekrony will lead a cohort for all Siblings in Christ focused on “Beginning with the Holy.” This cohort will gather on Monday mornings and include those who are eager to start the week in intentional time with the Holy while in holy community. Please contact Pastor Michael at mtekrony@icloud.com for more information.

There are also cohorts lead by leaders from outside the Rocky Mountain Synod who are forming the following groups:

• Amy Cavalleri will be leading a group for rural leaders. Register here.
•  Antoine Cummins will be leading a cohort for black, indigenous, and people of color. Contact Antoine at antoine.cummins.ac@gmail.com
• Darryl Kozak will lead a cohort for LGBTQI+ leaders. Meetings will be Wednesdays 10:30am-12pm Pacific time. Contact Darryl at revkozak@gmail.com

CHECK FRAUD - PLEASE HELP

ENROLL IN RMS ACH DIRECT DEPOSIT

In response to our recent check fraud crisis, the synod has launched an ACH Direct Deposit system. Modeled after the process by which money is transferred to Portico, Clergy Financial, and ELCA Churchwide, congregations may enroll in our ACH Direct Deposit system. Once banking information is received and verified, the congregation will be set-up in our bank's secure ACH system and can start initiating electronic payment for all synod related payments.

Mission Support Remittance forms will be received via email. You will receive a Mission Support Remittance template to be completed according to your billing timeline in order to make a monthly mission support payment. Each congregation will continue to receive monthly contribution statements by email to verify that the correct funds have been withdrawn and distributed. It is extremely important to reconcile your monthly contribution statement to ensure that all transactions are recorded correctly. Discrepancies should be reported immediately.

ENROLL in the ACH Direct Deposit system by clicking the link below. To report missing contributions or if you have any questions, please contact Jon Johnson, Finance Director at finance@rmselca.org or Yvonne Wilken, Administrator at office@rmselca.org.

The Southeastern Synod is hosting a training for congregational Treasurers and Financial Chairs led by ELCA Treasurer Lori Fedyk. She will be going over best practices, what to do and not to do, and important and healthy habits. And it’s free!

2024 ELCA YOUTH GATHERING

Created to Be!

New Orleans, LA

July 13-16, 2024: MYLE & the tAble

July 16-20, 2024: ELCA Youth & Young Adult Gatherings

Get the latest updates, here!

Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp Senior High Retreat

Friday, November 17 to Sunday, November 19

The Senior High Retreat is specifically geared for high school youth. This retreat can be an opportunity to connect on the real struggles that high school presents, explore what life after high school might look like, and how we can live faithfully through it all.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be immersed in community on the mountain, in which we will discover and affirm the gifts that God has given us. November in the mountains can be chilly, but also refreshing both physically and spiritually. Join us and other senior high youth in the Synod for a faith adventure in the mountains!

Sky Ranch High School Retreat

November 10-12

Escape to the mountains this fall to Sky Ranch during one of the most beautiful seasons in the Rockies. Join other high schoolers at camp where the goal is to relax and connect with each other and creation. Students will be presented with opportunities to recharge and relax, while at the same time being encouraged to find ways to be kind and gentle to themselves and their friends when they return to their busy lives down the mountain.

https://www.skyranchcolorado.org/high-school-retreat

Sky Ranch Advent Retreat

December 1-3

Come join us in wonder and anticipation as we celebrate the season of Advent together! Our theme for this year’s retreat will be the Gifts of Advent: Love, Hope, Peace, and Joy. We will spend time in community as we worship, create, eat, and have fun together!

Join us on December 9th as we give thanks for and explore the creativity that lives inside of each of us!

If you have any questions, contact Bekah at bekah@skyranchcolorado.org!

Sky Ranch

2023 Coyote Howl Confirmation Retreat Recap

2024 Dates Coming Soon!

What a wonderful weekend it was as we welcomed nine middle school campers up the mountain for our Coyote Howl retreat. Staff were in solid agreement that the sound of laughter, games, and fun that children bring to this place had surely been missed! We spent time together in community, worshiping, playing, and learning about what it means to be made in the image of God. Made in God’s image, we are creative, unique, loved, and equipped to share God’s love with the world. We talked about the unique gifts that we all bring to the table, and how being in community helps us to see a fuller picture of who God is. Campers challenged themselves as everyone went up on the high ropes course despite our varying comfort levels, and grew in community encouraging one another along the way. They also hopped right in on worship leadership—playing drums, reading verses, and praying! We are so grateful for all those who joined us on the mountain for this awesome experience!

Lutheran Advocacy releases 2023 Colorado Voter Guide

Our 2023 Voter Guide is here! This Voter Guide from Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado offers recommendations on how to think about our two statewide ballot measures. Read more here.

Election Day is November 7, 2023. Your ballot will be arriving in the mail soon. Remember, in Colorado, you can register to vote up to 7:00pm on Election Day!

You also received one or more "Blue Books" in the mail. One describes statewide measures; others would describe local measures on your ballot. Copies of the Blue Book in English and Spanish are available online at leg.colorado.gov.

New Mexico Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Updates for October!

Greetings to you during this beautiful New Mexico Fall! You are invited to add to your calendars the 2023 Fall Advocacy Conference that takes place on Saturday, November 18 from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Again this year, the conference will be hosted by All Saints Lutheran Church in Albuquerque. The format for this year's conference will be very similar to last year's. Our guest speakers will represent several of our key advocacy priorities this coming year. We are hoping to have a guest legislator or two as well. More details will be included in the registration email that will be sent later next week. Please invite all from your congregation or faith community who are interested in public policy advocacy at our state level.

ELCA Statement regarding YAGM Personnel in the Holy Land

Oct. 14, 2023

In consultation with partners on the ground, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) made a very tough but prudent decision to evacuate YAGM personnel, including the 5 Young Adults in Global Mission from the Holy Land and the country coordinators. We are relieved to share that everyone is safe.

The images coming out of the news are heartbreaking and we extend our prayers to the Palestinian and Israeli people who have lost loved ones and are living in fear and uncertainty. We are deeply troubled by the escalating conflict and the impact it has on civilians. 

The ELCA has longstanding relationships with many partners in the region, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and Augusta Victoria Hospital, which is operated by the Lutheran World Federation. For the last 30 years, the ELCA has had a presence of mission personnel, including a Young Adults in Global Mission program in Jerusalem and the West Bank. We did not take lightly the decision to evacuate our staff, and at the same time will always put their safety first.

We pray for peace and justice.

For the latest stories from across the ELCA read the September Mission Support Memo, here, and see previous issues here.

Learn more about ELCA Mission Support

AUGUSTANA ARTS PRESENTS

TUVAYHUN

Colorado Chorale & Augustana Chancel Choir in Concert

7:00pm on Friday, October 27

Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E Alameda Ave

Cost: $25 general, $20 senior, free child/student

“Tuvayhoon” in Aramaic is “blessed.” Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing choral journey as the Colorado Chorale collaborates with the Augustana Lutheran Church Chancel Choir to present Kim André Arnesen’s ethereal masterpiece.

This extraordinary work begins from the biblical Beatitudes and responds with new poetry that sheds light on who among us might be in need of blessing. The texts––ancient and new––are woven into a colorful tapestry of music inspired by a variety of traditions, highlighting the universality of the human experience.

Tuvayhun is more than a concert. It’s a celebration of the human spirit, expressed through the unifying power of music!

FREE !!!

Christian Film Festival

Friday, Nov 3 & Saturday, Nov 4

FREE Admission

Blissfest333 and Glory of God Lutheran Church presents the Colorado Christian Short Film Festival. CCSFF is focused on spotlighting the best Inspirational and Faith-based short films from around the world.

Opening Reception: Friday, November 3, 6:00pm

Glory of God Lutheran Church, 12200 W 38th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO

Full Schedule and more information at GloryOfGodChurch.net

"Poetry as Theology" Slam Poetry Workshop Series at Luther House UNM & CNM

Wednesday, October 11 at 5:00pm to Wednesday, November 8 at 5:00pm

Please join Luther House UNM &CNM and First Congregational United Church of Christ for our

"Poetry as Theology" series -- a FREE series of Slam Poetry workshops designed to develop and express Young Adult Theological Perspectives.

Please join us for the following events!

• Wednesday, October 25 from 5pm-7:30pm

Slam Poetry Writing Workshop featuring local slam poets

Luther House: 1805 Las Lomas Rd. NE

Free parking in back

Free dinner at 5pm!

• Wednesday, November 1 from 5pm-7:30pm

Slam Poetry Writing Workshop and Performance Practice!

Comic-Con themed event for Halloween!

Luther House: 1805 Las Lomas Rd. NE

Free parking in back

Free dinner at 5pm!

• Wednesday, November 8 from 5pm-9pm

Burque Revolt Open Mic and Poetry Slam

Support our folx who want to perform!

Canvas Artistry: 1 Central Ave. NW

Free drinks and snacks!

Please reach out to Pastor Rhonda Newby-Torres with questions at Lcmunmcnm@gmail.com or at (505) 615-2688.

Everyone join in: Holy Communion Class at Bethany!

October 22 at 11:30am

Holy Communion is a place where we are all brought together around the promises of Christ’s death and resurrection. With this in mind, Bethany Lutheran Church is offering a class about Communion and we are inviting everyone to gather together to learn about this important Christian practice. So you are invited on Oct 22 at 11:30am to take part in a multi-faceted class about Holy Communion.

This educational event is perfect for young people and adults.You’ll learn about the Passover meal and the ways it connects to our practice of Holy Communion. And you will learn about the significance of Communion, what promises from God it communicates and much more. There will be bread baking, a beautiful craft project, and lots of time getting to know one another as we learn about The Lord’s Supper, which unites us all. We would love to share this time of learning with others in the synod! Sign up today!

The Cornerstone Chorale & Brass presents a Powerful Message Of Reconciliation and Unity

Friday, November 3

6:00pm

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 6322 South Lakeview Street, Littleton, CO

The program features a unique combination of traditional choral and instrumental

music with narration woven together with newly composed musical themes. The 2023 Tour program offers a unique faith experience reflecting on the pervasive fear that underlies our everyday lives, and focusing on the message that “Perfect love casts out fear.” ( I John 4:18 )

Cornerstone is the creation of its conductor, DR. BRUCE VANTINE, and consists of 30 professional vocalists, instrumentalists, narrator and staff currently on a 3½ week tour including 20 performances in 12 states across the Midwest and Southwest. Members of the ensemble include experienced professional performers from all over the United States. The group has presented more than 480 performances since 1988, offering unique and uplifting programs which often help raise awareness and funds for charities in the local sponsoring community. (Read more here)

Join us at the Stanley Beer Hall (2501 Dallas St. Aurora CO) to celebrate the meaningful values of Urban Servant Corps!

Recently, the USC Board of Directors met with a consultant to help with our big picture visioning for the life of the USC community. We are excited to share about this conversation and would also love to hear your feedback!

No ticket purchase necessary, but please RSVP to krista@servantcorps.org so we can reserve the appropriate number of tables!

Food and beverage will be available for purchase. Bring your creativity of thought and generosity of spirit! We are grateful for your support!

Free Choir Robes and Music Books from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brush, CO!

We are a small congregation in Northeast Colorado and we no longer have a choir. We have three choir robes that we will no longer be using. And we have collected a large box of music books that are still in great shape!

We would love to send them to a good home, so let us know if you are interested. Contact us at lutheranchurchbrush@yahoo.com if you are interested!

"The roots of the Montana Synod can be traced back to 1881 when three Norwegian-American families settled along Sweet Grass Creek near the community of Melville in south central Montana.

The Montana Synod with its 30,700 baptized members in 123 congregations (5 in Wyoming) and other preaching points, is served by 173 pastors in congregational and specialized ministries. In addition, 12 Deacons also serve our ministries. We have 6 persons in the candidacy process preparing for future church leadership and 134 persons in the Lay Pastoral Associates program."

The Rev. Laurie A. Jungling, was elected June 1, 2019 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Montana Synod

See the Montana Synod Data Toolkit 2021, visit montanasynod.org, and on Facebook.

Click here to view a Bishops and Synods map of our 65 ELCA synods and 9 regions.