Our Mission

As a community, we know that Jesus is Lord, everybody is somebody, and faith is living in God's grace. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we strive to love and to be God's hands on earth.

We welcome everyone to come explore with us what it means to be God's hands on earth.

Worship and gathering update:

December 16, 2021

Dear Siblings in Christ,

First, I am so very grateful for the ways in which you have adapted and continue to adapt to changes in policies regarding Covid-19 precautions and our life together. It has not been easy, yet you all have taken it in great stride. Even when these policies and changes haven’t been pleasant you have observed them willingly.

Second, I also wish to extend a word of gratitude to our Congregational Council members. I am grateful for the ways in which you have asked thoughtful questions and challenges to suggested policies and urged for practices that have provided the greatest level of care and attention to providing space for community to happen safely. Times like these are challenging to leadership and are not easy, and you all continue to show up and lead alongside me all for the sake of this community we love.

We are deep into the season of Advent. A season of waiting and anticipating. This season begins four Sundays before Christmas, but if we are honest, it feels like we have been waiting and anticipating for much longer; since March of 2020. It has been exhausting, and we are tired of waiting. Tired of anticipating changes in the world and the disappointment of canceled plans and ever-changing precautions and mandates. We are tired of wearing masks, trying to remember where we must and where we should wear them, keeping our distance and growing cynical towards others. We are weary from fear; fear that we may carry illness to a loved one or become ill doing the very things that give us hope.

Scientists, doctors, and medical and public health professionals have told us and shown study after study that vaccines are key to our communal health. Masks go a long way to help reduce the spread and keep individuals safer, but nothing will help protect against illness, specifically severe illness, like vaccines. This can be seen in the manner our own county health department issued a mandate with two options: 1) require masks OR 2) require proof of full vaccination (for entry to a building or event. Full vaccination means either two doses of Pfizer or Moderna, or one dose for Jansen/J&J vaccine. Because Tri-County Health Department included these two options, Council was left to decide how we would proceed as a community who gathers in-person for worship.

At the regularly called meeting on Sunday, December 12, 2021, Council looked at both options put forward by Tri-County to determine the best path forward for our community. Council made the decision to require proof of vaccination for in-person worship beginning January 9, 2022. Until then masks will be required for all activities in the building. If you are not fully vaccinated at that point, you are invited to join worship via Zoom.

This decision reflects a commitment to providing in-person worship experiences that are safe for our community, and an acknowledgement that mask wearing is challenging for those within our community. Additionally, it acknowledges that the best way to protect yourself and others around you, and not require major medical is by getting vaccinated.

Additional information regarding ELCA Rocky Mountain communities of faith and the return to our church buildings can be found HERE.