CHECK FRAUD - UPDATE!

RMS ACH Direct Deposit for congregations is available - sign-up Today!

As you may be aware, the Synod Office has experienced very serious issues with mail delivery through the US Post Office. Due to on-going incidents of theft, the Synod has implemented a new payment option through our bank that will allow congregations to send mission support and other benevolence payments electronically and circumvent the use of mail through USPS.

Congregations may now enroll in our "ACH Direct Deposit" system by providing the Synod with bank information through the secure link below. 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 payments. And you will receive by email your "Mission Support Remittance Form" template to be completed when you wish to make a 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will continue to receive monthly contribution statements by email to verify that the correct funds have been withdrawn and distributed as instructed. 

It is our hope that this system will provide a secure and efficient process for congregations to remit mission support payments. These contributions are vital to the ministry and work of the Rocky Mountain Synod as well as our many partners and programs. We are so very grateful for you, our partners in ministry, as we endeavor in this work that God has called us all to do.

Click here to download more information and instructions. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Jon Johnson, Finance Director at finance@rmselca.org with any questions.

Denver PRIDE Parade

“When hate is loud, Love must not be silent”

As a RIC Synod, the RMS joined ecumenical partners, colleagues, and congregations by hosting a booth at Denver PRIDE and by joining Bishop Jim Gonia, Bishop Kym Lucas from The Episcopal Church in Colorado, and Bishop Karen Oliveto from the United Methodist Church in marching together in the Bishops’ United March – we had almost 100 participants in the parade and our booth was fully staffed throughout the weekend.

Thank you volunteers and marchers! If your congregation would like to host a booth for a public event such as Neighborhood Night-out or a community fair, please contact Deacon Sarah Bjornebo for resources and ideas sbjornebo@rmselca.org.

Thank you for your Generosity!

Assembly Offerings (including gift cards, online, and cash donations) totaled over $15,000! These donations primarily benefit Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey - El Paso, Milagro de la Frontera - El Paso/Juarez, and Border Servant Corps - Las Cruces as well as other partner ministries. Thank you for your generosity in supporting these vital ministries of hospitality and care.

GIVE TODAY! select "Border Ministries Offering" in the drop-down menu

Bishop Gonia's call to action!

from Bishop Jim Gonia --

"Our Synod Assembly in El Paso – Cruzando Fronteras, Crossing Borders – was an embodied reminder of the critical need for new ways of thinking and acting in our country with respect to immigration. Those of us who participated in the Assembly immersion experiences heard firsthand the depth of human suffering as well as the resiliency of the human spirit that accompanies those who leave their homeland due to fear, violence and persecution, in hopes of finding peace and a new life. 

As a church called to public witness for the sake of the neighbor, we respond to Christ’s call to serve and to seek justice when we engage our elected legislators on matters of the common good. We advocate for the building of not walls but a fair and humane immigration system. My stated commitment in El Paso was to invite you to join me in reaching out to our elected officials for that precise purpose. In the material below, you will find specific information and an invitation to engage in this advocacy effort as Church, Better Together. Thank you in advance for your commitment to caring for God’s beloved people as we live out our baptismal promises."

Follow this link and learn how to contact your U.S. Senators and Representative by July 15. Follow the easy steps to share your story and ask your congregation members to join you in committing to bipartisan reform!

Telling the stories of the Rocky Mountain Synod

Bishop and Vice President’s Presentation

"Every time we cross a border, we take a risk, leaving behind that which is familiar, stepping into a new landscape where we don't yet know the ways, where we don't yet know how to :ind our way.

Crossing a border is an exercise in vulnerability, an exercise in letting go of assumptions and control, an opportunity to learn and grow, an opportunity to gain new perspective and understanding. For people of faith, crossing borders is an opportunity to trust the God who goes before us, behind us, and by our side every step of the way.

While Crossing Borders is an ideal theme for this assembly and everything we

are experiencing here in El Paso, it is also an apt description of our life as the

church as we step out of once familiar territory and enter a landscape where

we don't yet know the ways, where we don't yet know how to find our way."

Telling the story of

Mission Support in your congregation?

RMS Treasurer, Susan Sharkey's Assembly report is available to share,

click HERE.

And read the May 2023 ELCA Mission Support Memo with its story from the Grand Canyon Synod HERE!

Telling the stories of

Cruzando Fronteras

Pastor Nate Preisinger interviews voting member Matthew Kirsten-Grey regarding his excitement and reflections as part of the Bethany "Together 4Good" podcast

Listen to the podcast HERE



Don't forget the merch!

Cruzando Fronteras t-shirts are an excellent conversation starters.

Order Assembly t-shirts HERE

Assembly Lost & Found

A yellow jump-drive labeled "ELCA Hunger" was found while unpacking from El Paso

Please contact Deacon Sarah Bjornebo HERE

Join Excellence in Leadership!

Registration is now open for 18-month cohorts beginning in September 2023 and a 13-month cohort beginning January 2024!

Excellence in Leadership is an experiential journey for any who wish to become more resilient, healthy, and creative in their lives and in their leadership. It is meant for people of all ages and in all stages of life: lay or rostered, council member or back pew sitter. As we navigate what the future may hold as people of faith, Excellence in Leadership provides opportunities and community to think adaptively and meet that future boldly.

Become the more resilient, courageous, and faithful leader God has made you to be!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!

God's Work. Our Hands.

10 year Anniversary!

This year marks the 10th anniversary of “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday!

On Sunday, Sept. 10, congregations of the ELCA will join together for our annual day of service. “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday began in 2013 in connection with the ELCA’s 25th anniversary. It continues to be an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the ELCA — one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

As you explore opportunities to participate in your community, Go to ELCA.org/DayofService has the resources you need to plan and promote your day. Old Lutheran has T-shirts and other items available for purchase. The deadline for ordering your congregation’s personalized T-shirts is Aug. 18.

Don’t forget to share your congregation’s participation with us! Send stories and photos to LivingLutheran@elca.org so that together we can celebrate what God accomplishes through you. Participate on social media using #GodsWorkOurHands.

“God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday is an extension of the work you do every day to make your community a better place.

Need a GWOH Project?

Growing Home, a Denver Metro Area nonprofit, has a long history with the Rocky Mountain Synod. These projects are intended to meet the basic needs of people anywhere. They start at ~$40 and scale upward. They are designed to work with the Growing Home food pantry which serves individuals and families throughout the Denver Metro Area. Providing food basics is healthy and economical and enables people to cook their own cultural dishes. And these projects can easily be adapted by non-Denver Metro locations. 

Simply buy bulk staples, spices, and/or laundry pods in smaller bags for the Growing Food Pantry -- Basics (rice, dried beans, flour, and sugar), Spices (Garlic, Cumin, Bay Leaves, Basil, Oregano, Tumeric, Chili Powder, Salt), Laundry (laundry pods of any brand). For example, the Rice Project redistributes a 50 lb. bag of rice into one hundred 2 cup plastic bags which will be given out at the Growing Home food pantry. A 2-cup bag of uncooked rice will feed 4 adults for 2 meals. The Growing Home food pantry will go through ~40 rice bags a day. If a congregation has access to a single $250 Thrivent Action Team award, they would be able to bag almost 200 bags of rice. Or for $75, they can make 45 bags of laundry pods. For $40, they can bag 30+ bags of spice, allowing families to cook their favorite comfort foods.

Contact Joy Concepcion (joy@growinghome.org) or Lynn Smith (lrsmith9646@gmail.com) for more information and detailed instructions.

VETERANS SERVANT CORPS PROJECT

Build Day - with Daniel Kuhlman & Friends

Longmont, CO - Saturdays, May 20 and August 5

NO skills necessary. But, some skills are helpful. Details are on the sign up page below. You might be asked to frame, put on sheathing insulation and siding, put on roof decking and roof material, or work on the interior. But, if the weather is nice be prepared to paint. At the end of the day, you'll have helped build a home for someone's future. Please JOIN ME from 8-3. Chick-fil-A has graciously donated lunch.

- Daniel Kuhlman

Volunteers will be helping Veterans Community Project with the construction of tiny homes for homeless Veterans! Check-in begins at 8:00 AM. Please arrive no later than 8:30 AM for our safety presentation. Build days get started at 8:30 AM and go for ~7 hours, with a lunch break.

Prior construction experience is NOT necessary. Bringing your own tool belt or tools is optional (VCP will have tools on-site and cannot reimburse you for damaged or broken tools you bring to the site.) Construction tasks will vary each day.

More info and sign up here>

GLOBAL MISSION NETWORK-SUMMER 2023

Update from Ryan Barnhouse, Young Adult in Global Mission

Here is a Story of Thursday, April 6^th. My favorite day this year and a day know as Maundy Thursday…In my role as a care worker, I’ve washed many feet of those I support this year, but on this day, I was washed. A Core Member [or our community], named here as PH, who I’ve become very close with, knelt in front of me, and lovingly poured the water over my feet. Moved by the connection and love felt from PH and others, I was brought to tears …Listening and learning the stories of others – and especially the stories of those different than myself – has led to…growth. The lessons from Story may be what I appreciate most from time here. Time that is quickly coming to an end.

-Ryan

Ryan served from 2022-23 as a YAGM in the United Kingdom and has now returned to the United States. To ask questions, subscribe to future newsletters, or support his journey through a donation, please email him at ryan.barnhouse@outlook.com.

Memorials - Celebration of Life

Pastor Bill Behrens

Saturday, July 8 at 10:00am - Christ the Servant L.C. 506 Via Appia, Louisville, CO

Click HERE to view the live stream

Click HERE to read the full Obituary

Pastor Paul Blom - father of Pastor Nathan Blom, Parker CO

Saturday, July 8 at 11:00am at Christ Lutheran Church, Georgetown, Texas

Click HERE to view the live stream

Click HERE to read the full Obituary

SAVE THE DATE!

LFSRM 2023 Tee of Hope Golf Tournament

July 31 @ Red Rocks Golf Club

The 2023 LFSRM Tee of for Hope Golf Tournament will be held on July 31, 2023 at the Red Rocks Golf Club. This exclusive venue is stunning and provides a perfect backdrop for a day of golfing with friends all in support of the many programs of LFS. To sign up, visit www.lfsrm.org/golf.

RMS CREATION CARE - ZOOM EVENT

The Great Displacement Book Discussion

Saturday, August 12, 10:00am

The Great Displacement, by Jake Bittle, 2023

Climate change is reshaping the U.S. in another way, "Each passing year brings disasters that disfigure new parts of the United States, and these disasters alter the course of human lives, pushing people from one place to another, destroying old communities and forcing new ones to emerge." His book takes a look at several communities that have been affected by climate change, and how the lives of their residents — the ones who have survived — have been altered by extreme weather. Twenty million Americans have been displaced by extreme events, to date. The Great Displacement is a fascinating look at how America has changed, and will continue to change, as climate change wreaks havoc on the nation and the people who live there.

For information: rmscreationcareteam@gmail.com

"In the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we feed the hungry as we have been fed by Christ. In 2016, our synod became a Reconciling in Christ Synod. We welcome with full participation and inclusion all who are seeking God’s love and grace. We welcome all because God welcomes all, regardless of race or culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship status. We welcome all without regard to addictions, physical or mental health, imprisonment, socio-economic circumstances, or anything that too often divides us. Our unity is in Jesus Christ.

>Read more"

The Rev. James S. Dunlop was re-elected to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod... in June 2019.

Visit www.lss-elca.org and on Facebook.

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