Global Church Network Nominees

The Global Church Network within the synod that builds connections to global missions, missionaries, companion synods (e.g. in Madagascar), coordinates global engagement opportunities, and interprets global church work for the synod.

Mary Graves

Retired Registered Nurse

Sense of Call: I am thrilled to see the international involvement of the Rocky Mountain Synod. I believe God is urgently calling the church to move out into the world in new ways. We don't know what and how this will occur but Spirit will lead. and I would like to be a participant and spread the excitement to others in my community and congregation.

Skills/Experiences: I have skills in making group decisions through service on two different hospital boards, various committees in church and community and am presently a board member and leader for NewMexico IAF in community organizing. I have been trained in listening skills as an Integrative Nurse Health Coach. I tend to look at the big picture and question what outcomes may result from decisions that are under consideration.

International Experience:

Peace Corps training in Puerto Rico. Accompanied an ELCA youth group in intercultural awareness training in Bogota, Colombia. Visited El Salvador with Augsburg Global Education Center. Accompanied Bishop Medardo Gomez at his 4th Anniversary in El Salvador. My husband and I volunteered in the EPES organization in Santiago, Chile under the DGM of the ELCA. Short term health care in Honduras.

Service Activities: ABQ Asylum Seekers Welcome Group. Member of VIDA group writing letters and/or visiting people in detention. RMS Immigrant Accompaniment Group. Safe Detention Release Team.

New Mexico IAF community organizing. Outreach team in congregation. Choir member.

Maggie Nieberger

Youth Director

Sense of God's Call: Even before serving as a YAGM in Argentina, I felt a call to explore and participate in the Lutheran church, not just in my congregation, but in the broadest sense of the word. I remember participating in a fundraiser called Motorcycles for Madagascar, which opened up my eyes to the ways in which we are called to help our neighbors regardless of how far away. The seed of global service and accompaniment was planted in me at a young age, and now, after returning from my YAGM year last July, I have been seeking ways to continue living out this call to accompany our global companions. I'm excited to explore this avenue of fulfilling my call through my participation in the Global Church Network Committee.

Skills/Experiences: I served as a Young Adult in Global Mission from 2024-25 in Argentina and learned so much about how the Lutheran church functions in Argentina & Uruguay and in other countries who host YAGMs through communication with my cohort during and after our year of service. I also made connections with ELCA Global Mission staff throughout the YAGM experience and, while in Argentina, helped welcome and accompany a visit from the ELCA companion synods to the IELU in Argentina and Uruguay.

Service Activities: - ELCA Youth Core Leadership Team 2017-2018 - RMS Synod Council Youth Representative 2017-2019 - Chapel Coordinator at Pacific Lutheran University 2020-2022 - Summer Staff at Sky Ranch (counselor and offsite Coordinator -- including coordinating Denver Immersion trip with Urban Servant Corps) - 2020-2023 - YAGM Volunteer in Argentina 2024-2025 (worked specifically within congregations in La Plata and Jose C. Paz, in English classes at a private Lutheran school (IEA), and at an addiction support shelter for women and queer folks)