Synod Activities

Greetings New Hope Lutherans and Friends 

Comments as a Synod Council Representative. 

 The Synod Staff and Council are reorganizing.  A mission priority is to support the congregations and pastors of our Synod.   This means that we are assessing some properties given to the Synod by generous congregations years ago which we can no longer efficiently manage for ministry.  Including our current RMS Synod Office in downtown Denver.  Keeping with the intent of the benefactor congregations we are seeking ways to change ownership of the properties to owners who can best employ the properties as God’s stewards.   Some properties we shall retain such as high priority camps. 

Big thanks to our Bishop for extensive travel to our congregations,  Utah to Texas!  Yeah Bishop Meghan Aelabouni!   Also intrepid commitment to provide Holy Communion to our congregations, whilst managing the shortage off pastors.  Pastors and Council Chairs can request exceptional situations where lay leaders preside at Holy Communion.  We did this at New Hope recently whereupon Miguel was authorized to preside at Holy Communion on Holy Thursday.  Yeah Miguel!  

Requirements are:

  1. Email or Letter Correspondence to our Bishop and Synod Staff stating the exceptional reason a lay person is required. 
  2. Date.  Time.  Place of each exception to clergy presiding.
  3. Name of the congregation member, who will preside and contact information. 

We are blessed to have Vicar Thania and several retired pastors in Sacramental leadership support of New Hope.  There will also be situations whereupon lay leaders are called upon.  Our beloved Synod Bishop has established an efficient procedure.  

Thus, Thanks be to God. 

Interim Pastor Jeff Swanson

RMS Synod Council Member