West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Twenty-Sixth Annual Assembly
Friday, 31 May 2013—Saturday, 01 June 2013 Morgantown Event Center at Waterfront Place Two Waterfront Place, Morgantown West Virginia 26501
The Atrium Suite 200, 503 Morgantown Avenue, Fairmont, West Virginia 26554 Voice: (304) 363-4030 Facsimile: (304) 363-4042
E-Mail: wvwmdsynod@wv-wmd.com
Web Site: www.wv-wmd.org
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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Synod Conferences MVMC = Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference OKVC = Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference PC = Potomac Conference UOVC = Upper Ohio Valley Conference
Office of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, ELCA The Atrium Suite 200, 503 Morgantown Avenue Fairmont, West Virginia 26554 Telephone: (304) 363-4030 Facsimile: (304) 363-4042 E-Mail: wvwmdsynod@wv-wmd.com Web Site: www.wv-wmd.org Hours of Operation: 8:30 am—4:30 pm, Monday through Friday The synod office is closed on the following holidays: New Year‘s Day Good Friday Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Day After Thanksgiving Christmas Eve Christmas Day Day After Christmas Note: If a holiday is observed on Saturday, the synod office will be closed on Friday; if a holiday is observed on Sunday, the synod office will be closed on Monday.
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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Table of Contents
WV-WMD Synod Office Information
2
WV-WMD Synodical Directory
6
Officers
7
Region 8 Information
8
Members of Boards and Committees
9
Rostered Leaders
16
Associates in Ministry
28
Lay Worship Leaders
29
Congregations
32
Shared Ministries
45
WV-WMD Synod Assembly Proceedings
48
Message from Bishop Hanson
49
Rules of Procedure
51
Assembly Committees
55
Map of Morgantown Event Center/Waterfront Place Hotel
57
Assembly Agenda
58
Synod Council Recommendations
63
Meet our Guests
65
Reverend Barson Lahivelo Mahafaly
65
Reverend Walter Wangerin Jr
66
Reverend Mary Frances
67
Vitae of Nominees
68
Secretary (Synod Council) - Clergy or Laity - Four Year Term
69
Member (Synod Council) - OKVC - Clergy - Three Year Term
72
Member (Synod Council) - PC - Clergy - Three Year Term
74
Member (Synod Council) - UOVC - Clergy - Three Year Term
76
Member (Synod Council) - MVMC - Laity - Three Year Term
77
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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Table of Contents
Member (Synod Council) - OC - Laity - Three Year Term
79
Adult Member at Large (Synod Council) - Laity - Two Year Term 81 Youth Member at Large (Synod Council) - Two Year Term Resolutions
84 85
Episcopal Resolution
85
Health Insurance Resolution
86
Synod Support Resolution
87
Financials
88
Auditor‘s Report for Fiscal Year 2011 (2011.02.01-2012.01.31)
88
FY2014 Recommended Budget
101
Understanding the Synod Budget
103
Notes of Thanks
109
Attendees
110
Voting Members
110
Visitors
113
Exhibitors
114
WV-WMD Synod Annual Reports Bishop Dunkin
115 116
Report of the Bishop
116
Fund for Leaders Report
120
Professional Candidacy Committee Report
121
Rostered Leader Changes, Anniversaries, and Commissionings
123
Rostered Leaders Debt Reduction Fund Report
126
Warwood Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund Report
127
West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Guidelines Relative to 2014 Health Care Reform Assistant to the Bishop
128 130
A Seed Planted Report
130
Report of the Assistant to the Bishop
131
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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Table of Contents
Synod Council
132
Report of the Synod Council Vice President
132
Report of the Synod Council (April 2012-April 2013)
133
Synod Committees
137
Report of the Bishop‘s Lay Worship Leaders Committee
137
Report of the Committee for Church in Society
138
Report of the Committee for Congregational Ministries and Appalachian Concerns
139
Report of the Global Missions Committee and Companion Synods
140
Report of the Youth Committee
141
Other Reports
143
Camp Luther
143
Eastern Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries
145
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
146
Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia (ELCMA)
148
Gettysburg College
151
Intersynodical Committee for Campus Ministries
153
Lutheran Campus Ministries at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania
155
Lutheran Campus Ministries at West Virginia University
156
Mission Investment Fund
159
Partners in Care Task Force
160
Report of Region 8 of the ELCA
162
Tri-Synod Archives
164
West Virginia-Western Maryland Women of the ELCA
165
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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
Synodical
Directory
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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
2013 Synodical Directory West Virginia-West Virginia Synod, ELCA Officers of the Synod
Bishop Reverend Doctor Ralph W Dunkin Term 09/01/2009 - 08/31/2015 The Atrium Suite 200, 503 Morgantown Avenue Fairmont, West Virginia 26554 Office: (304) 363-4030 Mobile: (304) 280-0710 E-Mail: bishop.dunkin@wv-wmd.com Vice-President Term Paul Wangerin 09/01/2011 - 08/31/2015 39 Holland Drive Martinsburg, West Virginia 25403 Home: (304) 262-4231 E-Mail: pula1945@frontier.com
Secretary Term Marjorie A Wolf 09/01/2009 - 08/31/2013 34 Pleasant Drive Wheeling,, West Virginia 26003 Home(304) 243-9002 E-Mail: ewolf11@stratuswave.net Treasurer Reverend Matthew L Riegel Term 09/01/2011 - 08/31/2015 1497 University Avenue Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 Office: (304) 296-5388 Mobile: (304) 680-5388 E-Mail: treasurer@wv-wmd.org
Bishop Emeritus - The Reverend Doctor L Alexander Black Director for Evangelical Mission,/Assistant to the Bishop Coaching and NCD Coordinator - CSM/ELCA Helen Harms 2 Laurel Ave Wheeling WV 26003 Wheeling Office: (304) 243-1114 Mobile: (304) 281-3217 E-Mail: helen.harms@elca.org Office Administrator - Barbara Higgins Office: (304) 363-4030 E-Mail: barbara.higgins@wv-wmd.com
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Mid-Atlantic Region for Mission, ELCA (Region 8) Lutheran Theological Seminary 61 Seminary Ridge Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325-1795 Office: (717) 338-3033 Facsimile: (717) 334-7998
ELCA Staff Persons Serving Region 8 Diaconal Minister, Region 8 Coordinator Nancy E. Gable Schmucker House, Second Floor Seminary Ridge Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325 Office: (717) 338-3033 E-Mail: nancy.gable@elca.org Portico Benefit Services Regional Representative Barbara Debski 800 Marquette Avenue Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 Office: (814) 977-6189 E-Mail: bdebski@porticobenefits.org Mission Investment Fund Church Building Consultant Jeffrey R Spann 78 Crestwood Road Rockaway, New Jersey 07866 Office: (973) 625-2568
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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
Members of Boards and Committees Synod Council Officers Bishop Reverend Doctor Ralph W Dunkin Term 09/01/2009 - 08/31/2015 The Atrium Suite 200, 503 Morgantown Avenue Fairmont, West Virginia 26554 Office: (304) 363-4030 Mobile: (304) 280-0710 E-Mail: bishop.dunkin@wv-wmd.com Vice-President Term Paul Wangerin 09/01/2011 - 08/31/2015 39 Holland Drive Martinsburg, West Virginia 25403 Home: (304) 262-4231 E-Mail: pula1945@frontier.com
Secretary Term Marjorie A Wolf 09/01/2009 - 08/31/2013 34 Pleasant Drive Wheeling,, West Virginia 26003 Home(304) 243-9002 E-Mail: ewolf11@stratuswave.net Treasurer Reverend Matthew L Riegel Term 09/01/2011 - 08/31/2015 1497 University Avenue Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 Office: (304) 296-5388 Mobile: (304) 680-5388 E-Mail: treasurer@wv-wmd.org
Members Clergy
Lay Persons Term Expires 2013
Childs, Reverend Wanda (1) - OKVC Olson, Reverend Christine (0) - PC Prather, Reverend Mary (1) - UOVC
Ellis, Nathaniel (1) - Youth at Large Humbertson, Leroy (1) - MVMC Keller, Patricia (2) - PC Lee, Karalee (1) - At Large
Term Expires 2014 Gustafson, Sarah Marie (1) - Youth at Large
Term Expires 2015 Muhly, Reverend Linda (1) - MVMC
Felici, Brian (1) - UOVC Lauffer, Barbara (1) - OKVC Scott, Amy (1) - PC (Numbers indicate number of terms)
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
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Synod Operational Committees Elected Committees Consultation Committee (Six Year Terms) Clergy
Lay Persons Term Expires 2015
Cantu, Reverend Larry Childs, Reverend Wanda
Friedline, George
Term Expires 2016 Soltow, Reverend Frederick Jr Twedt, Reverend David
Blatt, Peggy Humbertson, Leroy
Term Expires 2018 Holbert, Reverend Matthew Schafer, Reverend R Paul
Friedline, Dorcas Soltow, Sarah
Discipline (Six Year Terms) Clergy
Lay Persons Term Expires 2015
Muhly, Reverend Linda Ridenhour, Reverend William Harms, Helen (AIM)
Klingensmith, Kathy
Term Expires 2017 Childs, Reverend Wanda Robinson, Reverend C Scott
Ellis, David Friedline, George
Term Expires 2018 Bartling, Reverend Sally Richardson, Reverend Randolf
Heare, Donald Riegel, Tamara
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
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Appointed Committees Bishop’s Lay Worship Leaders Committee Clergy
Lay Persons Bannister, Melissa Hazer, Jane Humbertson, Leroy Pemberton, Clem Sr - Chairperson
Church in Society Committee Bowyer, Norma - Chairperson Dillon, Edna Woodruff, Steve
Congregation Ministries and Appalachian Concerns Campbell, Reverend Jacqueline Schafer, Reverend Paul
Friedline, Dorcas - Chairperson Henrich, Robert Packard, Peter
Evangelism and Mission Brumback, Reverend P Lee Harms, Helen (Synod Staff) Holbert, Reverend Matthew
Humbertson, Leroy Lawson-Schrock, Jennifer Skinner, Ann
Global Missions Reid, Reverend Ian Unger, Reverend John
Blatt, Peggy - Chairperson Broyles, Lois Perry, John Weirick, Evelyn
Pastoral Support Cadle, Reverend Neil Prather, Reverend Mary
Roe, Leo
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Stewardship Clergy
Lay Persons
Harms, Helen (Synod Staff)
Bohn, Phil Friedline, George - Chairperson Keller, Patricia Schafer, Sherri Snyder, James
Worship and Spiritual Life Hodges, Henry Hoffman, Susan Holbert, H Chap Kettler, Harry Jr McKinney, George Pemberton, Marilyn
Kliner, Reverend Gerald - Chairperson Soltow, Reverend Fred
Youth Ministry Childs, Reverend Wanda Erskine-Valentine, Reverend Karen Smith, Reverend Sean
Borelli, Debbie Davis, Kate Elliott, Patricia Ellis, Zachary Muhly-Alexander, Dillon Woloshan, Marcie - Chairperson
Chairpersons of Operational Committees Bishop‘s Lay Worship Leaders Church in Society Congregational Ministries and Appalachian Concerns Consultation Discipline Evangelism and Mission Global Missions Pastoral Support Stewardship Worship and Spiritual Life Youth Ministry
Pemberton, Clem Sr Bowyer, Norma Friedline, Dorcas Dunkin, Bishop Ralph Dunkin, Bishop Ralph TBD Blatt, Peggy TBD Friedline, George Kliner, Reverend Gerald Woloshan, Marcie
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Other Teams, Committees, Boards, and Organizations Other Teams and Committees Planning, Coordinating, and Evaluating Clergy
Lay Persons
Dunkin, Bishop Ralph
Wangerin, Paul—Chairperson
Professional Candidacy Franklin, Patricia Friedline, George Propst, David Riegel, Tamara
Dunkin, Bishop Ralph—Chairperson Felici, Reverend Jessica Smith, Reverend Sean
2013 Churchwide Assembly Representatives Bishop Clergy Lay Female Lay Male Person of Color or 1st Language Is Not English
Dunkin, Reverend Doctor Ralph Riegel, Reverend Matthew Schafer, Sherri Wangerin, Paul Arthur, Subha
Conference Deans Monongahela Valley-Mountain Ohio-Kanawha Valley Potomac (East) Potomac (West) Upper Ohio Valley
Muhly, Reverend Linda Childs, Reverend Wanda Soltow, Reverend Doctor Fred Cantu, Reverend Larry Schafer, Reverend R Paul
Ecumenical Officer Kliner, Reverend Gerald
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
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Boards and Organizations Camp Luther Rural Route 1 Box 210 Clarksburg, West Virginia 26301 E-Mail: info@camplutherwv.com Web: www.camplutherwv.com
Director
Propst, Michael
Community Lutheran Partners (CLP) Incorporated Post Office Box 3054 Wheeling, West Virginia 26003-3054 Telephone: 304.312.4222 E-Mail: clp@clp-online.org Web: www.clp-online.org Officers: Executive Director President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Bishop‘s Designee
Schafer, Sherri Borrelli, Debbie Richardson, Cindy Felici, Brian Propst, Kim Beard, Reverend Regina
Board of Directors: Ames, Reverend Carl Childs, Reverend Wanda Courrier, James Franklin, Brenda Fricke, Sandy Keller, Patricia Richter, Reverend Joel
Mission: To enable and support congregations of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod and others in service to their neighborhoods
Lutheran Campus Foundation at West Virginia University 1497 University Avenue Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 Telephone: 304.296.5388 E-Mail: chaplain@lutheranmountaineer.org Web: www.lutheranmountaineer.org Officers: Chairperson Treasurer Secretary
Propst, Michael Henry, Carol Carl, Reverend Bernie
Board of Directors: Bowman, Carl Losh, Richard Reid, Reverend Ian Sampson, Matthew E Smith, Reverend Sean
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
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West Virginia-Western Maryland Women of the ELCA 31 Meathouse Fork Road New Milton, West Virginia 26411 Telephone: 304.873.1112 E-Mail: normabowyer@aol.com Officers: President Vice President Treasurer Secretary
Board of Directors: Craig, Ruth Hazer, Jane McDonald, Beverly Pemberton, Marilyn Prytz, Andrea Schillings, Pat Wolf, Marjorie
Bowyer, Norma Roland, Linda Smith, Janis Broyles, Lois
Cluster Coordinators: Monongahela Valley-Mountain Ohio-Kanawha Valley Potomac Upper Ohio Valley
Porter, Denise Roland, Linda Prytz, Andrea Smith, Janis
Mission: Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Virginia-Western Maryland strive to be a caring community sharing their faith and banning together in mission.
Boards of Directors/Trustees 06/2009-06/2015
Neal, Richard Soltow, Reverend Doctor Fred
Glade Run Lutheran Services
09/2013-09/2016
Schafer, Reverend Alvin
Lutheran Senior Life
06/2011-06/2014
Friedline, George
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
06/2011-06/2015 06/2011-06/2015
Ridenhour, Reverend William Wangerin, Paul
Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp
Mid-Atlantic Region 8 Steering Committee The Lutheran Service Society of Western Pennsylvania Thiel College Board of Trustees Tri-Synod Archives Board
Bishop‘s Designee 06/2012-06/2015
Wangerin, Paul Friedline, George Holbert, Chap Snowden, Susan Blatt, Peggy Wolf, Marjorie
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
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Rostered Leaders of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, ELCA Ames, Reverend Carl W 5700 Route 60 East Huntington, West Virginia 25705 Office: (304) 634-1937 E-Mail: pastoramesctk@frontier.com Ordained: 1992 Spouse: Kathryn
Serving: Christ the King Lutheran Church 5700 Route 60 East Huntington, West Virginia 25705 (304) 634-1937 Web: www.ctkhuntington.org Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference
Aurand, Reverend Charles W
Retired
1075 Old Harrisburg Road Unit 101 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325 Home: (717) 334-3654 Ordained: 1946 Spouse: Elinor
Bartling, Reverend Sally L 310 Valley View Avenue Keyser, West Virginia 26726 Home: (304) 788-8113 Office: (304) 788-3200 Mobile: (304) 813-0889 E-Mail: slbartling@yahoo.com Ordained: 2001
Serving: Keyser-Westernport Shared Ministry Mount Calvary Westernport, Maryland Trinity 76 North Davis Street Keyser, West Virginia 26726 (304) 788-3200 Potomac Conference
Beard, Reverend Regina 3301 Garrett Highway Oakland, Maryland 21550 Home: (301) 667-1386 Office: (301) 616-6521 E-Mail: reginabeard@msn.com Ordained: 2011 Spouse: Ed
Serving: Aurora-Red House Parish Saint John Red House, Maryland (301) 334-4778 Saint Paul Aurora, West Virginia 26726 (304) 735-3565 Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Black, Reverend L Alexander
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Retired
101 Braddock Street Fairmont, West Virginia 26554 Home: (304) 366-0316 Ordained: 1955 Spouse: Eleanor
Blank, Reverend Paul
Retired
Post Office Box 3094 Swanton, Maryland 21561 Home: (301) 387-8026 E-Mail: plblank@comcast.net Ordained: 1995 Spouse: Paula
Brumback, Reverend P Lee 111 South Seminary Street Charles Town, West Virginia 25414 Office: (304) 725-5284 Mobile: (540) 335-1710 E-Mail: plbrumback@gmail.com Ordained: 1999 Spouse: Victoria
Bullwinkle, Reverend Ruth D Post Office Box 21 Davis, West Virginia 26260-0021 Office: (304) 259-5635 E-Mail: ruthbullwinkle@gmail.com Ordained: 2012
Serving: Saint Thomas Lutheran Church 111 South Seminary Street Charles Town, West Virginia 25414 (304) 725-5284 Web: www.stthomaswv.org Potomac Conference Serving: Saint John Davis, West Virginia 26260 (304) 259-5635 Web: www.frontiernet.net/~stjohnsdavis/ Potomac Conference
Cadle, Reverend Neil P 131 Ripley Landing Road Millwood, West Virginia 25262 Office: (304) 532-8331 E-Mail: neil.cadle@gmail.com Ordained: 2011
Serving: Mason Jackson Lutheran Shared Ministry Post Office Box 854 New Haven, West Virginia 25265-0854 Our Saviour Lutheran Church Ravenswood, West Virginia 26164 Saint Mark Letart, West Virginia 25253 Saint Peter Point Pleasant, West Virginia 25550 Saint Paul New Haven, West Virginia 25265 Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Campbell, Reverend Jacqueline L Rural Route 3 Box 376 Grafton, West Virginia 26354 Office: (304) 365-0164 E-Mail: prjacq@frontier.com Ordained: 2007
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Serving: Church of the Covenant Post Office Box 26 16 East Washington Street Grafton, West Virginia 26354-0026 (304) 265-1422 Web: www.churchofcovenant.faithweb.com/ Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference
Cantu, Reverend Larry M
Retired
Post Office Box 1260 201 Jefferson Avenue Petersburg, West Virginia 268471561 Home: (304) 257-4219 E-Mail: cantu.lm@gmail.com Ordained: 1962 Spouse: Gail
Childs, Reverend Wanda 36 Pisgah Lane Princeton, West Virginia 24739 Home: (304) 425-4873 Office: (304) 252-4865 Mobile: (304) 920-5965 E-Mail: childsellis@suddenlink.net Ordained: 1999 Spouse: David Ellis
Crozier, Reverend Fred
Serving: Saint Luke Lutheran Church 700 Maxwell Hill Road Beckley, West Virginia 25801 (304) 252-4865 Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference
Retired
1568 Valiant Drive Lakeland, Florida 33810 Home: (901) 476-8884 Ordained: 1965
Dunkin, Most Reverend Doctor Ralph W 27 Finch Avenue Wheeling, West Virginia 26003-4587 Office: (304) 363-4030 Mobile: (304) 280-0710 E-Mail: rwd300@yahoo.com Ordained: 1976 Spouse: Terry
Serving: Bishop of West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, ELCA 503 Morgantown Avenue The Atrium Suite 200 Fairmont, West Virginia 26554 (304) 363-4030 Web: www.wv-wmd.org
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Erskine-Valentine, Reverend Karen R 1828 Tomahawk Run Road Hedgesville, West Virginia 25427 Home: (304) 754-6239 Mobile: (304) 676-9974 E-Mail: reversk@gmail.com Ordained: 1998 Spouse: Eric
Serving: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 201 East Main Street Sharpsburg, Maryland 21782 Web: www.holytrinitysharpsburg.org
Potomac Conference
Felici, Reverend Jason N Post Office Box 893 Franklin, West Virginia 26807-0893 Home: (304) 258-2438 Mobile: (304) 280-0648 E-Mail: jasonfelici@gmail.com Ordained: 2012 Spouse: Jessica
Serving: Mountain Lutheran Parish Post Office Box 893 Franklin, West Virginia 26807-0893 Calvary Brandywine, West Virginia Faith Franklin, West Virginia Mount Hope Upper Tract, West Virginia New Hope Minnehaha Springs, West Virginia Saint John Moyers, West Virginia
Felici, Reverend Jessica L Post Office Box 893 Franklin, West Virginia 26807-0893 Home: (304) 258-2438 Mobile: (304) 280-0648 E-Mail: jasonfelici@gmail.com Ordained: 2012 Spouse: Jessica
Serving: Mountain Lutheran Parish Post Office Box 893 Franklin, West Virginia 26807-0893 Calvary Brandywine, West Virginia Faith Franklin, West Virginia Mount Hope Upper Tract, West Virginia New Hope Minnehaha Springs, West Virginia Saint John Moyers, West Virginia
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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Fondrliak, Reverend John G
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Retired
921 Bryant Road Charleston, West Virginia 25314 Home: (304) 345-1338 Ordained: 1970
Gable, Reverend Deborah L 130 North Sixteenth Street Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 Home: (304) 280-3762 Office: (304) 232-6511 E-Mail: kronos4prayer@yahoo.com Ordained: 2004
Serving: Saint James Lutheran Church 1409-1413 Chapline Street Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 (304) 232-6511 Web: www.stjameswheeling.com Upper Ohio Valley Conference
Harms, Reverend Roger 61 Ainswood Avenue Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 Home: (304) 243-3808 Ordained: 1975 Spouse: Helen
Serving: Saint Matthew-Trinity Shared Ministry 620 Boggs Run Road Benwood, West Virginia 26031 Saint Matthew Lutheran Church Benwood, West Virginia Trinity Lutheran Church Wheeling, West Virginia
Heckathorn, Reverend Michael L
Retired
2981 Eldersville Road Follansbee, West Virginia 24739 Home: (717) 386-4080 Ordained: 1980 Spouse: Martha
Henson, Reverend Janet L
On Leave From Call
Post Office Box 1095 Clover, South Carolina 29710 Mobile: (304) 433-1844 E-Mail: pastorjanwv@gmail.com Ordained: 2006
Holbert, Reverend Matthew C 10 Tiger Trail Fairmont, West Virginia 26554 Office: (304) 366-4667 Mobile: (304) 841-8451 E-Mail: pastorholbert@gmail.com Ordained: 2004 Spouse: Kim
Serving: Grace Lutheran Church 300 Gaston Avenue Fairmont, West Virginia 26554 (304) 366-4667 Web: sites.google.com/site/gracelutheranchurchfairmont/ www.wv-wmd.org Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Kliner, Reverend Gerald R 1236 VanVoorhis Road Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 Office: (304) 599-0620 Mobile: (304) 926-4752 E-Mail: pastor@stpaulmorgantown.org Ordained: 2001
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Serving: Saint Paul Lutheran Church 309 Baldwin Street Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 (304) 599-0620 Web: www.stpaulmorgantown.org Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference
Knotts, Reverend Louise A
Retired
1809 North Pleasants Highway Room 7 Saint Marys, West Virginia 26170 Mobile: (717) 994-0799 Ordained: 1985
Knupp, Reverend Douglas 146 Picnic Lane Martinsburg, West Virginia 25405 Home: (304) 694-9512 Office: (304) 264-0406 Mobile: (304) 268-2809 E-Mail: dknupp@hospiceotp.org Ordained: 2000 Spouse: Sharon
Lauver, Reverend Marjorie E 1205 Youghiogheny Drive Oakland, Maryland 21550 Home: (301) 334-4624 E-Mail: ladymarge77@hotmail.com Ordained: 2007 Spouse: Phil
Muhly, Reverend Linda M Rural Route 2 Box 310 West Union, West Virginia 26456 Home: (304) 873-9873 Office: (304) 624-6138 E-Mail: lm.muhly@gmail.com Ordained: 1992 Spouse: Matthew Alexander
Nairn, Reverend Roland E III 127 Main Street Grantsville, Maryland 21536 Home: (301) 895-5351 E-Mail: revnairn@verizon.net Ordained: 1994 Spouse: Ellen
Serving: Hospice of the Panhandle Incorporated 122 Waverly Court Martinsburg, West Virginia 25403 (304) 264-0406 Web: www.hospiceotp.org
Serving: Ruby Memorial Hospital Morgantown, West Virginia
Serving: Saint Mark Lutheran Church Rural Route 1 Box 210 Clarksburg, West Virginia 26301 (304) 624-6138 Web: www.stmarkswv.org Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Serving: Emmanuel Episcopal Church 301 South Mineral Street Keyser, West Virginia 26726
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Nascembeni, Reverend Daniel
Retired
Post Office Box 12 Petersburg, West Virginia 26847 Home: (304) 257-2802 Ordained: 1987
Neal, Reverend Richard E
Retired
211 Carib Street Martinsburg, West Virginia 25405 Home: (304) 263-7783 Ordained: 1957 Spouse: Carroll
Nielsen, Reverend Erik L 3505 Tenth Avenue Vienna, West Virginia 26105 Mobile: (304) 615-0043 E-Mail: enielsen22@hotmail.com Ordained: 1985 Spouse: Mary
Obermueller, Reverend Jennifer F 721 Twelfth Avenue Huntington, West Virginia 25701 Office: (304) 525-9630 E-Mail: jennifer.obermueller@gmail.com Ordained: 1989 Spouse: Andrew
Serving: Saint Johannes Lutheran Church
Serving: Saint Paul Lutheran Church 721 Twelfth Avenue Huntington, West Virginia 25701 (304) 525-9630 Web: www.stpaulhuntington.org Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference
Olson, Reverend Christine L 1646 Pitzers Chapel Road Martinsburg, West Virginia 25403 Home: (304) 995-1491 Office: (304) 263-1752 E-Mail: avcomen@msn.com Ordained: 2001
Serving: Trinity Lutheran Church 1643 Pitzers Chapel Road Martinsburg, West Virginia 25403 (304) 263-1752
Potomac Conference
Prather, Reverend Mary A 53 Hummingbird Lane Falling Waters, West Virginia 25419 E-Mail: prathmar@earthlink.net Ordained: 2005 Spouse: Thomas
Retired
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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Quickel, Reverend Thomas L 105 Red Deer Drive Hurricane, West Virginia 25526 Office: (304) 562-0616 Mobile: (423) 217-7854 E-Mail: quickelt@embarqmail.com Ordained: 1974
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Serving: Cross of Grace Lutheran Church Post Office Box 1025 30 Grace Drive Hurricane, West Virginia 25526-1025 (304) 562-0616 Web: www.coglutheran.com Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference
Reid, Reverend Ian B 1701A Nineteenth Street Parkersburg, West Virginia 26101 Home: (304) 966-6431 Office: (304) 428-6174 E-Mail: pastorianreid@gmail.com Ordained: 2007 Spouse: Rebecca
Richardson, Reverend Randolf E 1600 Kanawha Boulevard East Charleston, West Virginia 25311 Mobile: (304) 280-9392 Office: (304) 345-5212 E-Mail: revdolfesq@gmail.com Ordained: 2006 Spouse: Cindy
Richter, Reverend Joel 11 Richmond Avenue Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 Home: (304) 218-9080 Office: (304) 232-5751 E-Mail: pastorjoel78@gmail.com Ordained: 2012
Serving: First Lutheran Church 1701 Nineteenth Street Parkersburg, West Virginia 26101 (304) 428-6174 Web: www.firstlutheranweb.com Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference Serving: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 1600 Kanawha Boulevard East Charleston, West Virginia 25311 (304) 345-5212 Web: www.trinitywv.org Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference Serving: Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church 2 Richmond Avenue Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 (304) 232-5751 Web: www.christlutheranmozart.org Upper Ohio Valley Conference
Ridenhour, Reverend William C 107 Maple Avenue Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 Office: (304) 233-2951 Mobile: (304) 780-0008 E-Mail: felcpastor@comcast.net Ordained: 1997
Serving: First English Lutheran Church 36 Sixteenth Street Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 (304) 233-2951
Upper Ohio Valley Conference
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Riegel, Reverend Matthew L 829 Ridgeway Avenue Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 Home: (304) 296-1915 Office: (304) 296-5388 Mobile: (304) 680-5388 E-Mail: chaplain@lutheranmountaineer.org Ordained: 1994 Spouse: Tamara
Riethmiller, Reverend R Russell
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Serving: Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU 1497 University Avenue Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 (304) 296-5388 Web: www.lutheranmounatineer.org
Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Retired
901 Hankey Drive Zelienople, Pennsylvania 16063 Home: (724) 452-3632 E-Mail: rrieth@yahoo.com Ordained: 1948
Riley, Reverend James D Jr 101 West Martin Street Martinsburg, West Virginia 25401 Office: (304) 263-9291 E-Mail: showfaith@aol.com Ordained: 1970 Spouse: Linda
Serving: Saint John Lutheran Church 101 West Martin Street Martinsburg, West Virginia 25401 (304) 263-9291 Web: www.lutherans-showfaith.net Potomac Conference
Robbins, Reverend Jerry K
Retired
312 Laurel Street Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 Home: (304) 599-6450 E-Mail: jrobbins@earthlink.net Ordained: 1961 Spouse: Alice
Robinson, Reverend C Scott 6 South Second Street Oakland, Maryland 21550 Home: (301) 387-6915 Office: (301) 334-2668 E-Mail: pastorsrobinson@verizon.net Ordained: 2005 Spouse: Laura
Serving: Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church 6 South Second Street Oakland, Maryland 21550 (301) 334-2668 Web: www.stmarksoakland.com Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Schafer, Reverend R Paul 27 Crispen Court Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 Home: (304) 242-5012 Office: (304) 242-3466 E-Mail: rpaulschafer@aol.com Ordained: 1990 Spouse: Sherri
Schafer, Reverend Roy Alvin
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Serving: Saint Mark Lutheran Church 141 Kruger Street Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 (304) 242-3466 Web: www.stmarkwheeling.org Upper Ohio Valley Conference
Retired
3 Big Wheeling Creek Road Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 Home: (304) 243-9387 E-Mail: cms48@aol.com Ordained: 1973 Spouse: Carolyn
Smith, Reverend Sean P 241 Ash Avenue Moundsville, West Virginia 26041 Office: (304) 810-0614 E-Mail: sean_28027@yahoo.com Ordained: 2009 Spouse: Janice
Serving: Moundsville-New Martinsville Shared Ministry Good Shepherd Lutheran Church State Route 2 New Martinsville, West Virginia 26155 Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church 503 LaFayette Avenue Moundsville, West Virginia 26041 Upper Ohio Valley Conference
Soltow, Reverend Frederick A Jr Post Office Box 3623 Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-3623 Mobile: (304) 582-5464 Office: (304) 876-6771 E-Mail: fsoltow@citlink.net Ordained: 1975 Spouse: Sarah
Serving: Shepherdstown Lutheran Parish Post Office Box 2008 110 North King Street Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-2008 (304) 876-6771 Web: www.shepherdstownlutheranparish.org Saint James Lutheran Church 4328 Shepherdstown Pike Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia 25425 Saint Peters Lutheran Church Corner of High and King Streets Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443 Potomac Conference
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Theobald-Rowlands, Reverend Emilie 4505 Grand Central Avenue Vienna, West Virginia 26105 Office: (304) 295-9241 E-Mail: emilie_theobald2001@yahoo.com Ordained: 2008 Spouse: Matt
Thomas, Reverend Donald R 1006 Polk Hill Road Addison, Pennsylvania 15411 Home: (814) 395-3845 Mobile: (724) 622-6834 Office: (301) 387-0400 E-Mail: pastordon@qcol.net Ordained: 1972 Spouse: Judith
Torrence, Reverend John F Jr
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Serving: Christ Lutheran Church 4513 Grand Central Avenue Vienna, West Virginia 26105 (304) 295-9241 Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference Serving: Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 17869 Garrett Highway, Unit D Oakland, Maryland 21550 (301) 387-0400 Web: www.shepherdofthehillslutheran.org
Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference
Retired
445 Eastland Drive Charles Town, West Virginia 25414 Home: (304) 724-0197 Ordained: 1952 Spouse: Margaret
Twedt, Reverend David A Post Office Box 141 Wardensville, West Virginia 26851-141 Home: (304) 874-3605 Mobile: (304) 490-9281 Office: (304) 874-3860 E-Mail: twedter@frontiernet.net Ordained: 1992 Spouse: Connie
Serving: Capon-North River Parish Post Office Box 87 Wardensville, West Virginia 26851-0087 (304) 874-3860 Ebenezer Lutheran Church Rio, West Virginia Fairview Lutheran Church Gore, West Virginia Hebron Lutheran Church Yellow Spring, West Virginia Saint Peter Lutheran Church Wardensville, West Virginia Potomac Conference
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Unger, Reverend John 1022 Williamsport Pike New Martinsville, West Virginia 25404 Home: (304) 263-5488 Mobile: (304) 389-1866 Office: (304) 357-7933 E-Mail: senatorunger@frontier.com Ordained: 2012 Spouse: Cara
Van Dam, Reverend Sharon 1491 Cove Road Weirton, West Virginia 26062 Home: (740) 633-2201 E-Mail: pastorsharonvandam@yahoo.com Ordained: 2000 Spouse: Reverend Phillip
Serving: Saint John Lutheran Church Post Office Box 668 950 Washington Street Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425 (304) 535-3105 Web: www.stjohnlutheranwv.org Potomac Conference Retired
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Associates in Ministry Harms, Helen 2 Laurel Avenue Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 Wheeling Office: (304) 243-1114 Mobile: (304) 281-3217 E-Mail: helen.harms@elca.org
Director for Evangelical Mission,/Assistant to the Bishop Coaching and NCD Coordinator - CSM/ELCA
Commissioned: 1984 Spouse: Roger
Messick, Margaret A 3840 Harmony Lane Zanesville, Ohio 43701 Home: (740) 450-0111 Commissioned: 1987
Retired
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Lay Worship Leaders Bannister, Melisa
Cooper, John
1902 Market Street Parkersburg, West Virginia 26101 Home: (304) 428-8865 E-Mail: banister_m@yahoo.com
Davis, West Virginia 26260 Office: (304) 866-4475 E-Mail: johncooper@mountain.net
Dalton, Bruce Bohn, Phil 18 Renaissance Way Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 Home: (304) 232-4631 E-Mail: phil.d.bohn@wv.gov
Post Office Box 21 Davis, West Virginia 26260-0021 Home: (304) 866-7037 E-Mail: adalton2000@yahoo.com
Friedline, George Brown, Melissa 202 Pendleton Run Road Post Office Box 784 Davis, West Virginia 26260 Home: (304) 259-5777 E-Mail: baycorner@yahoo.com
Brown, Phillip 202 Pendleton Run Road Post Office Box 784 Davis, West Virginia 26260 Home: (304) 259-5777 E-Mail: leaunoir@frontiernet.net
Broyles, Lois 6607 Clark Drive Barboursville, West Virginia 25504 Home: (304) 962-2541 E-Mail: loisinwv@hotmail.com
Campbell, Richard Elkins, West Virginia 26241 E-Mail: rcampbell@cebridge.net
411 Susan Street New Martinsville, West Virginia 26155 Home: (304) 455-2798 E-Mail: gfried@suddenlink.net
Graham, Lola Post Office Box 8 Upper Tract, West Virginia 26866 Home: (304) 358-7733
Harman, Jerry 25 South Second Street Parkersburg, West Virginia 26101 Home: (304) 863-9368 E-Mail: jerryharman@yahoo.com
Hawk, William 3039 Glen Dale Heights Road Glen Dale, West Virginia 26038 Home: (304) 232-7260 E-Mail: bk-hawk@comcast.net
Hawk, Kitty 3039 Glen Dale Heights Road Glen Dale, West Virginia 26038 Home: (304) 232-7260
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
Hazer, Jane
McKinney, George
178 Midway Drive New Haven, West Virginia 25265 Home: (304) 882-2539
14 Edgewood Drive Hurricane, West Virginia 25526 Home: (681) 220-8474 E-Mail: gmckinney@lagates.com
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Hodges, Henry Post Office Box 208 Wardensville, West Virginia 26851-0208 Home: (304) 874-4491 E-Mail: hhodges@access.k12.wv.us
Nilsen, Dolly 12712 Upper South Branch Road Franklin, West Virginia 26807 Home: (304) 358-7678 E-Mail: dollynilsen@yahoo.com
Hoffman, Sylvia 1755 Boggs Run Road Benwood, West Virginia 26031 Home: (304) 232-7012 E-Mail: densuehoff@comcast.net
Humbertson, Leroy 1061 Southwind Drive Apartment 302 Fairmont, West Virginia 26554 Home: (304) 366-3434
Pemberton, Clem 117 Woodland Forest Circle Winfield, West Virginia 25213-9606 Home: (304) 586-4646 E-Mail: marcleent@aol.com
Sandvik, Jodi 312 Ninth Street Moundsville, West Virginia 26041 E-Mail: jodirodie@comcast.net
Keller, Patricia HC 82 Box 170 Marlinton, West Virginia 24954 Home: (304) 799-4675 E-Mail: bpkeller@frontiernet.net
Schafer, Sherri 27 Crispen Court Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 Home: (304) 242-5012 E-Mail: sherri@clp-online.org
Klingensmith, Kathy 770 Woodland Drive Millwood, West Virginia 25262 Home: (304) 273-5091 E-Mail: kathycamp@mail.casinternet.net
Sheatsley, James
McDowell, Barbara
Snyder, James
702 Oak Tree Lane Belpre, Ohio 45714 Home: (304) 483-1010 E-Mail: bam3042@yahoo.com
807 Teel Road Beckley, West Virginia 25801 Home: (304) 252-5321 E-Mail: jsheatsley@suddenlinkmail.com
1626 Quarrier Street Charleston, West Virginia 25311 Home: (304) 343-8023 E-Mail: jfsnyder1@frontier.com
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
Spang, Kelsey 2903 Parish Avenue Point Pleasant, West Virginia 25550 Home: (304) 675-3275 E-Mail: kdspang@gmail.com
Tomich, Vicki 515 Tenth Street Moundsville, West Virginia 26041 Home: (304) 843-1858 E-Mail: nana321@comcast.net
Wolford, Richard 1557 Bridge Road Charleston, West Virginia 25314 Office: (304) 344-1854 E-Mail: rwolford@hilliard.com
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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ Congregations of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, ELCA
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Calvary Lutheran Church Brandywine, West Virginia Mountain Parish Potomac Conference Reverend Jason Felici Reverend Jessica Felici Christ the King Lutheran Church 5700 Route 60 East Huntington, West Virginia 25705 (304) 736-1402 Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference Reverend Carl Ames Christ Lutheran Church 4513 Grand Central Avenue Vienna, West Virginia 26105 (304) 295-9241 Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference Reverend Emilie Theobald-Rowlands Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church 2 Richmond Avenue Wheeling, West Virginia 26003-4587 (304) 232-5751 E-Mail: christlc@comcast.net www.christlutheranmozart.org Upper Ohio Valley Conference Reverend Joel Richter Church of the Covenant Post Office Box 26 16 East Washington Street Grafton, West Virginia 26354-0026 (304) 265-1422 E-Mail: prjacq@frontier.com www.churchofcovenant.faithweb.com Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Reverend Jacqueline Campbell
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Cross of Grace Lutheran Church Post Office Box 1025 30 Grace Drive Hurricane, West Virginia 25526-1025 (304) 562-0616 E-Mail: quickelt@embarqmail.com www.coglutheran.com Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference Reverend Thomas Quickel Ebenezer Lutheran Church 6365 Needmore Road Rio, West Virginia 26755 (304) 897-6533 Capon-North River Parish Potomac Conference Reverend David Twedt Edgwood Evangelical Lutheran Church 1154 National Road Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 (304) 242-3290 www.edgwoodlutheran.org Upper Ohio Valley Conference Reverend Alvin Schafer, Interim Emmanuel Lutheran Church 22 Maynardier Ridge Road Bittinger, Maryland 26354-0026 (301) 245-4202 www.bittingerlutherans.org Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Reverend Doctor C Scott Robinson, Interim Fairview Lutheran Church 464 Fairview Road Gore, Virginia 22637 (540) 858-2643 Capon-North River Parish Potomac Conference Reverend David Twedt
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Faith Lutheran Church 893 Main Street Franklin, West Virginia 26807 (304) 358-2575 Mountain Lutheran Parish Potomac Conference Reverends Jason and Jessica Felici First English Lutheran Church 36 Sixteenth Street Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 (304) 233-2951 Upper Ohio Valley Conference Reverend William C Ridenhour First Lutheran Church 1701 Nineteenth Street Parkersburg, West Virginia 26101 (304) 428-6174 E-Mail: flsec@yahoo.com www.firstlutheranweb.com Ohio-Kanawha Valley Reverend Ian Reid Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 196 North State Route 2 New Martinsville, West Virginia 26155 (304) 455-3443 Moundsville-New Martinsville Shared Ministry Upper Ohio Valley Conference Reverend Sean Smith Grace Lutheran Church 300 Gaston Avenue Fairmont, West Virginia 26554 (304) 366-4667 E-Mail: grace@wvdsl.net www.sites.google.com/site/gracelutheranfairmont/ Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Reverend Matthew Holbert
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Grace Lutheran Church Maple Street and Second Avenue Friendsville, Maryland 21520 (301) 746-8235 Accident Parish Monongahela Valley Mountain Conference Reverend Paul Blank, Interim Grace Lutheran Church 5 Pine Street Post Office Box 385 Petersburg, West Virginia 26847 (304) 257-1265 Potomac Conference Reverend Larry Cantu Hebron Lutheran Church West Virginia Route 259 Intermont, West Virginia 26865 Capon-North River Parish Potomac Conference Reverend David Twedt
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 302 First Street Elkins, West Virginia 26241 (304) 636-3019 Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 201 East Main Street Sharpsburg, Maryland 21782 (301) 432-5447 E-Mail: sharpsburglutheran@gmail.com www.holytrinitysharpsburg.org Potomac Conference Reverend Karen Erskine-Valentine
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Messiah Lutheran Church 503 Lafayette Avenue Moundsville, West Virginia 26041 (304) 845-8764 E-Mail: messiahlutheran63@juno.net www.messiahlutheranwv.org Moundsville-New Martinsville Shared Ministry Upper Ohio Valley Conference Reverend Sean Smith Mount Calvary Lutheran Church 1 Fusner Street Westernport, Maryland 21562 (301) 359-3504 Keyser-Westernport Shared Ministry Potomac Conference Reverend Sally Bartling Mount Hope Lutheran Church HC 32 Box 12A Upper Tract, West Virginia 26866 Mountain Lutheran Parish Potomac Conference Reverends Jason and Jessica Felici
Mount Olive Lutheran Church S Fork Road (Peru) Moorefield, West Virginia 26836 (304) 434-2351 Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference
New Hope Lutheran Church Frost Road Minnehaha Springs, West Virginia 24954 (304) 799-9954 Mountain Lutheran Parish Potomac Conference Reverend Jason and Jessica Felici
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Our Saviour Lutheran Church Walnut and Henry Streets Ravenswood, West Virginia 26164 (304) 273-2340 Mason-Jackson Lutheran Shared Ministry Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference Reverend Neil Cadle Resurrection Lutheran Church 1491 Cove Road Weirton, West Virginia 21562 (304) 721-2588 Upper Ohio Valley Conference Reverend Michael Heckathorn, Interim Saint James Lutheran Church 4328 Shepherdstown Pike Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia 25425 (304) 876-6771 E-Mail: lutheran@citlink.net www.shepherdstownlutheranparish.org Shepherdstown Lutheran Parish Potomac Conference Reverend Doctor Fred Soltow Saint James Evangelical Lutheran Church 1409 Chapline Street Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 (304) 232-6511 E-Mail: stjames@stratuswave.net www.stjameswheeling.com Upper Ohio Valley Conference Reverend Deborah Gable
Saint Johannes Lutheran Church Rural Route 1 Box 157 New Milton, West Virginia 26411 (304) 873-2964 Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Reverend Erik Nielson
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Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 1019 Cove Road Accident, Maryland 21520 (301) 746-8466 Accident Parish Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Reverend Paul Blank, Interim Saint John Lutheran Church Third Avenue Davis, West Virginia 26260 (304) 259-5635 E-Mail: stjohnsdavis@frontiernet.net Www.frontiernet.net/~stjohnsdavis/ Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Reverend Ruth Bullwinkle Saint John Lutheran Church 950 Washington Street, Post Office Box 688 Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425 (304) 535-3105 E-Mail: info@stjohnlutheranwv.org www.stjohnlutheranwv.org Potomac Conference Reverend John Unger Saint John Lutheran Church 101 West Martin Street Martinsburg, West Virginia 25401 (304) 263-9291 E-Mail: showfaith@aol.com www.lutherans-showfaith.net Potomac Conference Reverend James D Riley Jr Saint John Lutheran Church 26 Black Thorn Road Moyers, West Virginia 26815 (304) 358-2458 Mountain Lutheran Parish Potomac Conference Reverends Jason and Jessica Felici
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
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Saint John Lutheran Church 3301 Garrett Highway Red House, Maryland 21520 (301) 334-3778 Aurora-Red House Parish Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Reverend Regina Beard Saint Johns of Meadow Mountain Lutheran Church 5214 Bittinger Road Swanton, Maryland 21561 (301) 245-4202 Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Marjorie Lauver, Interim Saint Luke Lutheran Church 700 Maxwell Hill Road Beckley, West Virginia 25801 (304) 252-4865 E-Mail: churchnews@excite.com www.stlukeofbeckley.net Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference Reverend Wanda Childs Saint Mark Lutheran Church Rural Route 1 Box 210 Clarksburg, West Virginia 26301 (304) 624-6138 Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Reverend Linda Muhly
Saint Mark Lutheran Church 37 Elias Road Letart, West Virginia 25253 (304) 882-3111 Mason Jackson Lutheran Shared Ministry Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference Reverend Neil Cadle
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Saint Mark Lutheran Church 6 South Second Street Oakland, Maryland 21520 (301) 334-2668 E-Mail: stmarksoakland@verizon.net www.stmarksoakland.com Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Reverend C Scott Robinson Saint Mark Lutheran Church 141 Kruger Street Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 (304) 242-3466 www.stmarkwheeling.org Upper Ohio Valley Conference Reverend R Paul Schafer Saint Matthew Lutheran Church 1057 Boggs Run Road Benwood, West Virginia 26031 (304) 233-2292 Saint Matthew-Trinity Shared Ministry Upper Ohio Valley Conference Reverend Roger Harms Saint Paul Lutheran Church 102 North Main Street Accident, Maryland 21520 (301) 746-8235 Accident Parish Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Reverend Paul Blank, Interim Saint Paul Lutheran Church 46 German Settlement Way Aurora, West Virginia 26705 (304) 735-3565 www.stpaulslutheranaurora.com Aurora-Red House Parish Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Reverend Regina Beard
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Saint Paul Lutheran Church 309 Baldwin Street Morgantown, West Virginia 26508 (304) 599-0620 E-Mail: office@stpaulmorgantown.org www.stpaulmorgantown.org Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Reverend Gerald Kliner Saint Peter Lutheran Church High and King Streets Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443 (304) 876-6771 E-Mail: lutheran@citlink.net www.shepherdstownlutheranparish.org Shepherdstown Lutheran Parish Potomac Conference Reverend Doctor Fred Soltow Saint Peter Lutheran Church 60 West Main Street Wardensville, West Virginia 26851 (304) 874-3860 Capon-North River Parish Potomac Conference Reverend David Twedt Saint Thomas Lutheran Church 111 South Seminary Street Charles Town, West Virginia 25414 (304) 725-5284 E-Mail: office@stthomaswv.org www.stthomaswv.org Potomac Conference Reverend P Lee Brumback Salem Lutheran Church 17626 Bakersville Road Post Office Box 31 Fairplay, Maryland 21733 (301) 432-2155 Potomac Conference Reverend Fred Soltow, Interim Dennis Probst, TEEM Candidate
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Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 17869 Garrett Highway - Unit D Oakland, Maryland 21550 (301) 387-0400 www.shepherdofthehillslutheran.org Post Office Box 374 McHenry, Maryland 21541-0374 Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Reverend Donald Thomas Trinity Lutheran Church 1600 Kanawha Boulevard East Charleston, West Virginia 25311 (304) 342-5212 E-Mail: office@trinityhwv.org www.trinitywv.org Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference Reverend Randolf Richardson Trinity Lutheran Church 76 North Davis Street Keyser, West Virginia 26726 (304) 788-3200 Keyser-Westernport Shared Ministry Potomac Conference Reverend Sally Bartling
Trinity Lutheran Church 1643 Pitzers Chapel Road Martinsburg, West Virginia 25403 (304) 263-1752 www.trinitylutheranarden.com Potomac Conference Reverend Christine Olson Trinity Lutheran Church 3432 West Street Weirton, West Virginia 21733 (301) 748-2940 Upper Ohio Valley Conference Reverend Michael Heckathorn, Interim
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Trinity Lutheran Church 3536 Eoff Street Wheeling, West Virginia 26330 (301) 232-4344 Saint Matthew-Trinity Shared Ministry Upper Ohio Valley Conference Reverend Roger Harms
Zion Lutheran Church 351 Arkansaw Road Post Office Box 225 Baker, West Virginia 26801 (304) 897-6574 Potomac Conference Reverend Gary Koontz, Interim Zion Lutheran Church 301 Jennings Road Grantsville, Maryland 21536 (301) 245-4202 Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference Reverend Steve Yelovich, Interim Zion Lutheran Church 16 Ridgecrest Road Wheeling, West Virginia 26003 (304) 242-5830 www.zionlutheranwheeling.org Upper Ohio Valley Conference Reverend Alvin Schafer, Interim
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
Shared Ministries Accident Parish Post Office Box 256 Accident, Maryland 21520-0256 (301) 746-8235 Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference
Includes: Grace Lutheran Church Friendsville, Maryland Saint John Lutheran Church Accident, Maryland Saint Paul Lutheran Church Accident, Maryland
Aurora-Red House Parish 3301 Garrett Highway Oakland, Maryland 21550 (301) 616-6521 Reverend Regina Beard
Includes: Saint John Lutheran Church Red House, Maryland Saint Paul Lutheran Church Aurora, West Virginia
Monongahela Valley-Mountain Conference
Capon-North River Parish Post Office Box 87 Wardensville, West Virginia 26851-0087 (304) 874-3860 Reverend David Twedt Potomac Conference
Includes: Ebenezer Lutheran Church Rio, West Virginia Fairview Lutheran Church Gore, West Virginia Hebron Lutheran Church Yellow Spring, West Virginia Saint Peter Lutheran Church Wardensville, West Virginia
Keyser-Westernport Shared Ministry Post Office Box 278 Keyser, West Virginia 26726-0278 (304) 788-3200 Reverend Sally Bartling Potomac Conference
Includes: Mount Calvary Lutheran Church Westernport, Maryland Trinity Lutheran Church Keyser, West Virginia
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Mason-Jackson Shared Ministry Post Office Box 854 New Haven, West Virginia 25265-0854 (304) 532-8331 Reverend Neil Cadle Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference
Includes: Our Saviour Lutheran Church Ravenswood, West Virginia Saint Mark Lutheran Church Letart, West Virginia Saint Paul Lutheran Church New Haven, West Virginia Saint Peter Lutheran Church Point Pleasant, West Virginia
Moundsville-New Martinsville Shared Ministry 503 Lafayette Avenue Moundsville, West Virginia 26041 (304) 845-8764
Includes: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church New Martinsville, West Virginia Messiah Lutheran Church Moundsville, West Virginia
Reverend Sean Smith Upper Ohio Valley Conference
Mountain Parish Post Office Box 893 Franklin, West Virginia 26807-0893 (304) 358-2438 Reverend Jason Felici Reverend Jessica Felici Potomac Conference
Includes: Calvary Lutheran Church Brandywine, West Virginia Faith Lutheran Church Franklin, West Virginia Mount Hope Lutheran Church Upper Tract, West Virginia New Hope Lutheran Church Minnehaha Springs, West Virginia Saint John Lutheran Church Moyers, West Virginia
Saint Matthew-Trinity Shared Ministry 620 Boggs Run Road Benwood, West Virginia 26031 (304) 233-2292 Reverend Roger Harms Upper Ohio Valley Conference
Includes: Saint Matthew Lutheran Church Benwood, West Virginia Trinity Lutheran Church Wheeling, West Virginia
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Shepherdstown Parish Post Office Box 2008 Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-2008 Reverend Doctor Fred Soltow Potomac Conference
Includes: Saint James Lutheran Church Uvilla, West Virginia Saint Peter Lutheran Church Shepherdstown, West Virginia
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The Assembly
Proceedings
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Message from Bishop Hanson for the West VirginiaWestern Maryland Twenty-Sixth Assembly (May 31, 2013-June 1, 2013) Morgantown Event Center Two Waterfront Place, Morgantown West Virginia
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Rules of Procedure for the Twenty-Sixth West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Assembly (May 31, 2013-June 1, 2013) Morgantown Event Center Two Waterfront Place, Morgantown West Virginia The following are rules of procedure for the Synod Assembly that were established in the constitution and bylaws of this synod. They do not need to be adopted. The assembly cannot amend or rescind them, except as provided in the constitution and bylaws. They cannot be suspended. 1. One-half of members of the Synod Assembly shall constitute a quorum. S7.14 2. Proxy and absentee voting shall not be permitted in the transaction of any business of this synod. S7.31 3. Robert's Rules of Order, latest edition, shall govern parliamentary procedure of the Synod Assembly. S7.32 4. The bishop of the synod shall appoint the following assembly committees:
Committee on the Bishop's Report Committee on Elections Committee on Minutes Committee on Reference and Counsel Committee on Registration and Attendance Committee on Resolutions Committee on Worship B7.03
5. Every congregation shall have the right to petition the assembly of this synod on subjects affecting its own welfare and legitimate interests. B7.05 6. There shall be a division between the voting members and the others on the assembly floor, which shall be indicated by a marker(s). Voting members and those persons accorded privilege of seat and voice shall seat themselves in the section in front of the marker(s). All others shall be seated behind the marker(s). B7.06
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7.
When a voting member is unable to serve, the alternate voting member shall be seated when the Committee on Registration and Attendance has been provided with the necessary information and the alternate has been given a voting member's card. B7.07
8.
Each voting member, or those persons accorded the privilege of seat and voice, when recognized by the chair, shall state his or her name, congregation or the institution or group he or she represents. Persons speaking from the floor shall use the floor microphones (if they are provided) and shall address and speak to the chair. Speeches by a voting member, or a person with the privilege of voice, shall be limited to five (5) minutes on each assembly issue. Speakers may speak a second time on the same issue, but only after all others desiring to speak have been given opportunity to do so. Those speaking a second time shall be limited to three (3) minutes of rebuttal. B7.09
9.
Voting members shall not absent themselves from any meeting of the assembly without valid excuse. B7.18
10. Voting members of the Synod Assembly who desire to make nominations from the floor shall have prepared beforehand and be ready to distribute copies of vita information sheets, similar to those provided by the Nominating Committee, for those nominees. B9.09 11. Duly elected voting members of the Synod Council who are not otherwise voting members of the Synod Assembly shall be granted the privilege of both voice and vote as members of the assembly. S7.27 12. All retired ordained ministers on the roster of the synod in attendance at the Synod Assembly shall be voting members provided that the voting membership of the Assembly is still 60% laypersons. B7.08 13. An ordained minister on leave from call on the roster of this synod shall be granted voting membership in the Synod Assembly upon consent of the Synod Council; such consent shall be applicable to the Synod Assembly in question; such consent may be renewed. (Continuing Resolution, CR 1.02, Adopted 4.29.00 by Synod Council) 14. All motions, resolutions, amendments and nominations shall be submitted in writing and on proper forms available from the secretary of synod or the assembly pages. B7.10 15. The Committee on Reference and Counsel shall grant or deny permission for the distribution of printed material that is not issued by the office of the secretary of this synod. B.7.16 16. Except for items introduced by the Committee on Reference and Counsel or items previously tabled, items of business which are not on the agenda may be introduced at the final session of the assembly only by a two-thirds vote. B7.11
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17. A resolution of a general character which is not germane to the pending question or report shall be given by the proposer to the Committee on Reference and Counsel, which shall report thereon to the assembly with its recommendations. The cut off time for receiving new resolutions at the Synod Assembly will be 2:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon in order to allow time for their distribution on Saturday morning and for debate and discussion. Other duties of the committee shall be: (a) to recommend special orders for the hearing of representatives, (b) to grant or deny permission to distribute printed matter not issuing from the office of the secretary, and (c) to give such assistance to the bishop as may be desired in the course of the assembly. B7.16 18. All reports published in the bulletin of reports shall be received by the assembly by virtue of that fact without vote. B7.17 19. In all elections by the Synod Assembly, other than for the bishop, additional nominations may be made from the floor. B9.08 For the consideration of the Synod Assembly: The following are the proposed rules of the assembly. In order to have force, the assembly must adopt them. The assembly may amend them prior to adoption. The assembly is free to not adopt any or all of them. The assembly may suspend, rescind or amend them once adopted. 1. With the consent of the assembly, the chair shall have the authority to call items of business before the Synod Assembly in whatever order the chair considers most expedient for the conduct of the assembly‘s business. 2. Committee and Commission members who are not voting members shall be given seat and voice, but not vote. 3. Amendments to the Proposed Budget for 2014 which create a budget deficit shall require a 2/3 vote for passage. 4. Officers, Committees, and others, having provided published reports, shall be limited to three (3) minute speeches when presenting their respective reports; such speeches shall be limited to necessary clarifications, corrections or additional information that could not be provided in the published report as of press time; the chair may permit time for questions (from the floor) and answers at the time of reporting. 5. Officers, Committees, and others, having failed to provide written reports, shall not be permitted to report orally to the Assembly unless called upon to do so by the Assembly or the chair; such oral reports shall be limited to three (3) minutes; the chair may permit time for questions (from the floor) and answers at the time of reporting.
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6. The Committee on Resolutions shall review all published reports and oral reports submitted to this Assembly, offering such resolutions as seem appropriate in response to said reports. 7. The cut-off time for receiving new resolutions at the Synod Assembly will be 2:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon in order to allow time for their distribution on Saturday morning and for debate and discussion.
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2013 Synod Assembly Committees Nominations Committee Clergy
Lay Persons
Reverend Larry Cantu, Dean PC
David Hardee
Reverend Wanda Childs, Dean OKVC
Patricia Keller
Reverend Linda Muhly, Dean MVMC
David Lavis
The Reverend Paul Schafer
David Mayor
Reverend Fred Soltow, Dean PC Lay Persons Patricia Keller
Lynn Beatty
Katherine Thomas Reference and Counsel Clergy
Barbara Lauffer
Reverend Sally Bartling
Marjorie Wolf, Committee Chair
Reverend Jessica Felici
Registration and Attendance
Reverend Jennifer Obermueller
Leroy Humbertson, Committee Chair
Reverend Doctor C Scott Robinson
Volunteers from Grace, Fairmont
Lay Persons
The Assembly Office
John Cooper
Barbara Higgins
Colleen Daily
Elections Committee Clergy
Reverend Randolf Richardson, Committee Chair (revdolfesq@gmail.com)
Reverend Carl Ames
Resolutions
Reverend Jacqueline Campbell, Committee Chair (prjacq@frontier.com)
Clergy
Reverend Christine Olson
Reverend Karen Erskine-Valentine, Chair (reversk@gmail.com)
Reverend Joel Richter
Reverend Roger Harms Reverend Emilie Theobald-Rowlands (Continued on page 56)
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Lay Persons
Clem Pemberton
Chap Holbert
Marilyn Pemberton
Daniel Lauffer
James Snyder
Connie Twedt
Robin Snyder
Minutes
Assembly Parliamentarian
Clergy
Reverend Gerald Kliner, Junior
Reverend Ruth Bullwinkle
Assembly Chaplain
Reverend Thomas Quickel
Reverend Matthew Holbert
Lay Persons
Coordinators for Worship
Bonnie Bland Phillip Bohn
Reverend Matthew Holbert, Grace Lutheran Church, Fairmont, West Virginia
Lois Broyles, Committee Chair (loisinwv@hotmail.com)
Reverend Gerald Kliner, Jr, Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Morgantown, West Virginia
Beverly McDonald
Assembly Planning Team
Robin Snyder
Reverend Ralph Dunkin, Bishop
Alice Tribett
Helen Harms, Associate in Ministry
Bishop’s Report Clergy
Reverend Matthew Holbert Paul Wangerin Child Care
Reverend Wanda Childs, Committee Chair (childsellis@suddenlink.net)
(Room to be Named)
Reverend Christine Olson
Nurse
Lay Persons
Cindy Richardson
Nathaniel Ellis
Amy Scott
Paul Wangerin
Technical Video Team
Ushers/Pages for Business Sessions
Helen Harms, Associate in Ministry
Robert Blatt, Committee Chair (grnysqs@comcast.net)
Reverend Matthew Holbert
Debbie Delauney Thomas Delauney Leroy Humbertson
Photographer Terry Dunkin Many thanks to all assembly committee members for their hard work!
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Agenda of the Twenty-Sixth Assembly (May 31, 2013-June 1, 2013) Morgantown Event Center Two Waterfront Place, Morgantown West Virginia
General Information:
Displays will be located in the Platinum Foyer outside of the Assembly Office.
There will be NO Augsburg Fortress Store; they made this decision several years ago.
The Assembly Office will be located in the Puskar Board Room.
Assembly business sessions will be held in Salon E-H.
Voting Members are to use the chairs and tables in the front of the Assembly room.
Visitors are to use the chairs and tables in the back of the Assembly room.
Friday, 31 May 2013 10:00 am
Registration begins in the Martini Foyer of the Waterfront Place Hotel
11:30 am-12:30 pm
Lunch will be served in Salon A-D in the Waterfront Place Hotel.
12:25 pm-12:45 pm
Orientation for first time Voting Members will be held in the Salon EH where the Assembly will be held. Reverend Matthew Riegel and his Passionate Parliamentarians will conduct this training. All business sessions of the assembly will be held in this conference room.
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Friday, 31 May 2013 Afternoon Session: 1:00 pm
Opening Devotions – Assembly Chaplain – Reverend Matthew Holbert Pianist – The Order for the Opening of the Assembly – Bishop Ralph Dunkin
1:10 pm
Organizing of the Assembly Report of the Registration Committee Assembly Committee Appointments and Announcements Recommendation # 1 of the Synod Council – Rules Recommendation # 2 of the Synod Council – Agenda Welcome from Reverend Jerry Kliner, Pastor of Saint Paul Lutheran Church Introduction of Special Presenters and Guests
1:30 pm
Report of the Secretary – Marjorie Wolf A listing of actions of the Synod Council, Report of the Tri-Synod Archives Board and Referrals from previous Assemblies. Recommendation # 4 of the Synod Council – Shepherd of the Hills Greetings from Sherri Schafer, Community Lutheran Partners, Inc.
1:45 pm
Report of the Nomination Committee – Secretary Marjorie Wolf Additional Nominations Introductions of individual nominees Recommendation # 7 of the Synod Council – Constitutional Changes
2:00 pm
Special Guest – Reverend Barson Lahivelo Mahafaly, a pastor from Madagascar and a doctoral student from Luther Seminary
2:15 pm
Camp Luther Report and Video – Director Michael Propst
2:30 pm
Report of the Registration Committee Distribution of ballot for first general ballot First Ballot
2:40 pm
Report from Portico – Barbara Debski – Health
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3:00 pm
Break – outside of Salon E-H
3:40 pm
Resolutions- Memorials (Discussion)
4:00 pm
Keynote Address – Reverend Walter Wangerin
5:00 pm
Report of the Treasurer – Reverend Matthew Riegel Recommendation # 3 of the Synod Council - Offering Distribution Recommendation # 5 of the Synod Council - FY2011 Auditor’s Report Recommendation # 6 of the Synod Council – FY2013 Budget Revision Recommendation # 8 of the Synod Council – Mission Support Formula Recommendation # 9 of the Synod Council – FY2014 Budget Recommendation # 10 of the Synod Council - FY2012 Auditor’s Delay Resolutions – Memorials (Discussion)
5:20 pm
Closing Devotions
5:30 pm 6:45pm
Dinner in Salon A-D
7:15 pm
The Assembly’s Celebration of Holy Communion Saint Paul Lutheran Church 309 Baldwin Street Morgantown, West Virginia 26554 (304) 599-0620 www.stpaulmorgantown.org The Celebrant is the Assembly Chaplain, Reverend Matthew Holbert The Assisting Minister is Reverend Gerald Kliner, Jr. The Preacher is Reverend Doctor Ralph W. Dunkin, Bishop
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Saturday, 1 June 2013 Morning Session: 7:00 am
Breakfast in Salon A-D You may check out of your hotel room following breakfast. Please do not forget to return your room key(s).
8:30 am
Opening Devotions – Reverend Matthew Holbert
8:45 am
Report of the Registration Committee Report of the Committee on Minutes Report of the Committee on Reference and Counsel Report of the Elections Committee Distribution of additional resolutions Second General Ballot Report of the Vice President – Paul Wangerin. Report of the Assistant to the Bishop – Helen Harms, Associate in Ministry
9:00 am
Keynote Address – Reverend Walter Wangerin
10:00 am
Resolutions and Memorials (Continued)
10:15 am
Break in Foyer E (outside of meeting room)
10:45 am
Churchwide Representative: Reverend Mary Fances
11:30 am
Report of Gettysburg Seminary Report of the West Virginia Council of Churches
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Saturday, 1 June 2013 Afternoon Session: 12:00 pm
The Synod’s Futures Task Force and recommendation(s)- The Executive Committee of Synod Council
12:15 pm
The Report of the Bishop Introductions of new pastors and seminarians Recognition of Anniversaries, Fund for Leaders Scholarship(s) Presentation Report of the Committee on the Bishop‘s Report
12:40 pm
Devotions – Reverend Matthew Holbert
12:45 pm
Lunch in Salon A-D
1:45 pm
Devotions – Reverend Matthew Holbert Consideration of Resolutions or unfinished business
2:30 pm
Final Reports Report of the Registration Committee Report of the Committee on Reference and Counsel Report of the Committee on Minutes Report of the Committee on Elections Report of the Committee on Resolutions
3:00 pm
Closing Devotions – The order for the closing of the assembly and adjournment
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Recommendations From Synod Council To The Twenty-Sixth Assembly (May 31, 2013-June 1, 2013)
Recommendation # 1 That the Rules of Procedures for the Twenty-Sixth Assembly of the West VirginiaWestern Maryland Synod be adopted as presented. Recommendation # 2 That the proposed agenda for the 2013 Synod Assembly be approved. Recommendation # 3 That the 2013 Synod Assembly offering be divided equally between the Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU and Community Lutheran Partners, Inc. Recommendation # 4 That Shepherd of the Hills, Deep Creek Lake, MD, a mission Congregation, be granted Congregational status of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; that Shepherd of the Hills be officially received during the Friday night worship service of the 2013 Synod Assembly. Recommendation # 5 That the Auditor‘s Report for fiscal year 2011, as appears on the Synod web site, be received. Recommendation # 6 That the 2013 Budget be amended such that Lutheran Campus ministry support reflect the May 1, 2013 dissolution of the Intersynodical Committee for Campus Ministry funding compact; specifically, that support for the Lutheran Campus Ministry at IUP be reduced by $4,995 to $1,665, that support for the Lutheran Campus Ministry of Greater Pittsburgh be reduced by $6,110 to $2,037, and that support for the Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU be increased by to $11,105 to $17,651. Recommendation # 7 That the proposed Constitutional provisions be adopted. Resolved that the following serve as a standing rule (continuing resolution) of the West (Continued on page 64)
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Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Council and clarification and interpretation of the Constitution of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod as amended by the 2012 Synod Assembly and the 2011 Churchwide Assembly until the conclusion of the 2013 Synod Assembly or at the conclusion of the first intervening special synod assembly should one be called: On †S8.51.c, the elected option shall stand as the process of the synod, and the term shall be four (4) years. On S8.52, the blank shall be filled with ―third‖ such that the term for an officer of the synod shall begin on the first day of the third month following election (i.e., September). Information (when we adopted the above during Synod Assembly 2012 we did so without the number of years inserted; these are underlined and need to be adopted by SA 2013. †S8.51. The terms of office of the officers of this synod shall be: The bishop of this synod shall be elected to a term of six years and may be reelected. The vice president, and secretary, and treasurer of this synod shall be elected to a term of four (4) years and may be reelected. The treasurer of this synod shall be elected to a four (4) year term and may be reelected. S8.52. The terms of the officers shall begin on the first day of the third (3rd) month following election or, in special circumstances, at a time designated by Synod Council. Recommendation # 8 That the Synod Council be authorized to develop and adopt the Mission Support Formula for 2014, following the 2001 Synod Assembly action that ―the suggested goals exceed the budget by 2%.‖ Recommendation: # 9 That the Proposed Budget for 2014 be adopted. Recommendation: # 10 That the 2012 Audit be delayed to the fall of 2013 for the convenience of the auditors, and once completed be posted on the Synod Web Site.
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Reverend Barson Lahivelo Mahafaly Reverend Mahafahly is an ordained Lutheran pastor in the Malagasy Lutheran Church (FLM), and is from the South-Betioky Synod/FLM in Madagascar. He is a second year PhD student in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Luther Seminary in St Paul, Minnesota.
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Reverend Walter Wangerin, Junior With fans numbering in the millions, Walter Wangerin, Jr. is widely recognized as one of today‘s most gifted writers on issues of faith and spirituality. Beginning with the renowned Book of the Dun Cow, Wangerin‘s writing career has encompassed almost every genre: fiction, essay, spirituality, children‘s stories, and biblical exposition. Wangerin has won the National Book Award, the New York Times Best Children‘s Book of the Year Award, and several Gold Medallion Awards, including best fiction awards for both The Book of God and Paul: A Novel. Wangerin‘s most recent work, Naomi and Her Daughters, released in September, 2010, is an historically accurate telling of the ancient narrative filled with rich description and gritty realism cast in new light. Wangerin was speaker for the Lutheran Vespers radio program from 1994 through January 2005, and prior to joining Valparaiso‘s faculty he served as an inner-city pastor in Evansville, Indiana for 16 years. The author of more than forty books, Wangerin lives in Valparaiso, Indiana where he is Senior Research Professor at Valparaiso University.
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Reverend Mary Frances Frances, an ELCA pastor, is Assistant Director for the Development of New Congregations in Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission. A native of the Chicago area, she lives in Naperville, Illinois with her husband, Kent Christianson. She served three congregations in the Chicago area prior to her work at the churchwide offices. Mary is an avid yogi, teaching and practicing yoga several times a week.
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2013 Vitae of Nominees
Positions Available for 2013 Synod Council: Secretary – Clergy or Laity – Four Year Term o Marjorie Wolf‘s Position. Member – Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference – Clergy – Three Year Term o Reverend Wanda Childs Eligible for Second Term. Member – Potomac Conference – Clergy – Three Year Term o Reverend Christine Olson Eligible for Her Own Term. Member – Upper Ohio Valley Conference – Clergy – Three Year Term o Reverend Mary Prather‘s Term Ended. Member – Monongalia Valley-Mountain Conference – Laity – Three Year Term o Leroy Humbertson Eligible for Second Term. Member – Potomac Conference – Laity – Three Year Term o Patricia Keller‘s Term Ended. Adult Member at Large – Laity – Two Year Term o Karalee Lee‘s Term Ended. Youth Member at Large – Two Year Term o Nathaniel Ellis‘ Term Ended.
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Synod Council: Secretary – Clergy or Laity – Four Year Term o Marjorie Wolf‘s Position. Nominees: Gensler, Norma Wolf, Marjorie
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Synod Council: Member – Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference – Clergy – Three Year Term o Reverend Wanda Childs Eligible for Second Term. Nominees: Wanda Childs
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Synod Council: Member – Potomac Conference – Clergy – Three Year Term o Reverend Christine Olson Eligible for Her Own Term. Nominees: Reverend Christine Olson
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Synod Council: Member – Upper Ohio Valley Conference – Clergy – Three Year Term o Reverend Mary Prather‘s Term Ended. Nominees:
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Synod Council: Member – Monongalia Valley-Mountain Conference – Laity – Three Year Term o Leroy Humbertson Eligible for Second Term. Nominees: Bruce Dalton
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Synod Council: Member – Potomac Conference – Laity – Three Year Term o Patricia Keller‘s Term Ended. Nominees: Starr Hedrick
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Synod Council: Adult Member at Large – Laity – Two Year Term o Karalee Lee‘s Term Ended. Nominees: Phil Bohn Robin Snyder
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Synod Council: Youth Member at Large – Two Year Term o Nathaniel Ellis‘ Term Ended. Nominees:
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Episcopal Resolution
Whereas the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia and the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod have participated in several events together, such as the Episcopal Chrism Mass, shared education events, and now movement toward the use of our full communion agreement with The Rev. Roland Nairn serving as a "Priest in Charge" of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Keyser, WV and Whereas our mutual discussions have moved to include the possibility of shared ministry in Princeton, WV and Whereas our respective bishops meet at least quarterly to discuss shared ministry that may come to fruition in the future, and Whereas our director of evangelical mission and diocesan staff meet to discuss shared opportunities for ministry Be it Resolved, that this 26th Synod Assembly of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America sends greetings of Christian love and fellowship to the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia, their Bishop, The Right Reverend W. Michie Klusmeyer, and to their clergy and people on this the twelfth anniversary of the adoption of the "Call to Common Mission" and full communion between our two churches. Be it further Resolved, that the Secretary of this Synod convey to the above Resolved to the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia. Submitted by The Reverend Ralph W. Dunkin Bishop of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod
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A Memorial Addressing Seminarian Debt Incurred Through Inadequate Health Insurance WHEREAS, full-time seminarians are required to have health insurance to attend classes. This can be obtained either through private insurance, parental insurance, spousal insurance, or school supplied insurance. WHEREAS, the seminaries require a certain amount of health insurance coverage in the policy to limit a student's liability in the event of a major medical event. WHEREAS, the ELCA and its seminaries have been looking into ways to reduce debt incurred by seminarians through offering financial coaching and subsidized tuition. WHEREAS, the current seminarian insurance plans are inadequate and often do not cover basic and necessary medical expenses. WHEREAS, many students fear going to the doctor or the emergency room because of the likelihood of incurring more student debt. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the 2013 West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Assembly memorializes the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to direct the Congregational and Synodical Mission Unit to consult with the eight ELCA Seminaries and Portico Benefit Services to offer adequate and affordable health insurance coverage for ELCA seminarians. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the ELCA seminaries be encouraged to ensure that no seminarian ever incur medical expenses totaling more than $1500 dollars a year. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Congregational and Synodical Mission Unit encourage Portico Benefit Services to offer health advocates to students, free of charge, to assist students facing major medical expenses. Submitted by, The Reverend Jess Felici Pastor Mountain Lutheran Parish Franklin, WV
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A Resolution Expressing Support for the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod WHEREAS: The West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod has experienced a shortfall of mission support dollars, and WHEREAS: This shortfall of giving has occasioned discussions about the future and the viability of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, and WHEREAS: The ministries of our synod have been limited by the shortfall of funds from doing God‘s Work, work we have asked of these ministries and expect from these ministries, and WHEREAS: The Leadership Team of Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, located in Hurricane, West Virginia, as well as other congregations express our support for our Bishop and for his leadership among us, and WHEREAS: The Leadership Team of Cross of Grace Lutheran Church as well as other congregations commit ourselves to praying for our Bishop, for the synod staff, for the synod council, for the ministries of our synod and for the congregations and pastors of our synod, and WHEREAS: The Leadership Team of Cross of Grace Lutheran Church as well as other congregations pledge our support to growing in our giving to mission support, THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That this Synod Assembly encourages all the congregations of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod to express support for, to pray for and to commit to growth in giving to mission support for the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod. (The Leadership Team of Cross of Grace Lutheran Church adopted this Resolution on Sunday, May 26, 2013. The vote was unanimous.)
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Auditor’s Report for Fiscal Year 2011 (2011.02.01-2012.01.31) for the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, ELCA
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FY 2014 Recommended Budget of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, ELCA
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Understanding the Synod Budget To assist you in making sense of our synod’s budget, we provide this paper, which tracks nearly every line item with a brief description. Page numbers to the left refer to additional information in the (white) pages in this year’s Synod Assembly Bulletin of Reports. -- Synod Finance Committee Income Congregational Mission Support: Total congregational support within the synod for the larger church (i.e., our synodical and ELCA-wide ministry and programs). This line does not include special offerings transmitted through the synod to various organs of the church (e.g.: Disaster Response, Hunger Appeal, Missionary Support Sunday, etc.) or synodical appeals. For ELCA: This is the level of support that this synod pledges to remit to the ELCA Churchwide Expression. As in recent years, our commitment is to share our congregational mission support. Actually, this line is an outflow, but its placement in this section of the Budget underscores the relationship between congregational mission support remitted to this synod and this synod's support of the Churchwide Expression's ministry. Just as congregations are asked to make commitments to this synod, so too does this synod make a commitment to the Churchwide Expression. Interest: The synod has a small investment portfolio of restricted and unrestricted accounts. For details on the portfolio, ask the Synod Treasurer. Unrestricted Savings: Unrestricted savings include those fiscal resources which our synod may use for whatever purposes are consistent with the mission of the synod. This is different from restricted savings which may only be used in prescribed manners (e.g., a bequest which specifies how the gift may be used). Savings generally increase when giving exceeds expenses as happens in some years. In other years, expenses exceed giving, thus requiring the release of savings to cover the shortfall. When an amount appears in this line on the budget income page, it indicates an anticipated release of unrestricted savings to cover a shortfall in expected revenues vis-à-vis expected expenses. Total for Synod: The estimated income available for synod use, i.e., congregational mission support,
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minus that portion forwarded for use through the ELCA Churchwide Expression, plus interest income. This is the line that must at least equal our expenses to avoid a budget deficit. Total Income: The estimated income of the synod, including what has been committed to the Churchwide Expression. For constitutional provisions related to mission support, see Synodical Constitution S15.11 and S15.12. Expenses Many items seem as if they could be combined under one heading. In some cases, the recipient has requested separate lines. In other cases, separate lines are for our bookkeeping advantage. Even after establishment of the ELCA and this synod, a close working relationship with SW Penn and NW Penn has continued. Consequently, you will find several intersynodical programs that trace their history to the days of the LCA W Penn-WV Synod or that have grown out of continued cooperation. Grants to Agencies & Institutions All grants are voluntary. Some, but not all, of the agencies listed below present a formal request to the synod asking for financial support and sometimes quoting an exact amount.
Gettysburg Seminary: The synods of Region 8 (which includes WV-WMD) support Gettysburg.
Thiel College: Thiel is the only Lutheran College, which this synod supports directly.
Campus Ministry – Indiana University of Pennsylvania:
Campus Ministry – in Greater Pittsburgh:
Campus Ministry – West Virginia University: The Intersynodical Committee for Campus Ministry calculates the level of support needed by each campus ministry in this list. The share for each synod is based upon baptized membership.
Campus Ministry Grants to West Virginia: In addition to supporting the campus ministries named above, our synod provides grants to other campus ministries on the territory of the WV-WMD Synod. From time to time congregations and pastors working with Marshall and
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Potomac State received grants. Grant requests should be submitted to the synod office.
Lutheran Affiliated Services:
Lutheran Service Society:
Glade Run Lutheran Services: These three Lutheran agencies provide social services to our synod. We have representation on these agencies‘ boards.
Community Lutheran Partners, Inc.: CLP is the social ministry organization of our synod.
West Virginia Council of Churches: This grant supports the work of the WVCC, including payroll and program (e.g., advocacy & legislative review, Faith & Order, Recreational Ministries, Disaster Relief). WVCC makes an annual request for support from each participating denomination. The amount of the request is based upon the baptized membership of the denomination.
Synodical Program Expense Operational Committees: Rather than giving each Synodical Operational Committee its own line item, the synod has found it expedient to "bloc" fund this entire section of the synod's work. The Team for Planning, Coordinating and Evaluating (comprised of the Bishop, Synod Vice President and the chairs of each Operational Committee) cooperatively apportions funding. Candidacy Committee: Covers expenses related to meetings (i.e., mileage, meals, lodging) incurred by WVWMD candidates for ministry and the WV-WMD members serving on the bi-synodical (WV-WMD & SW Penn) Candidacy Committee. Also covers reimbursement to SW Penn for the processing of paperwork related to WV-WMD candidates. Seminarian Aid: Used to assist WV-WMD seminarians. This aid is remitted directly to the seminaries and credited to the students' accounts. Rostered Leaders Debt Reduction: This line item was created in response to action taken at the 2002 Synod Assembly. Recently rostered leaders may apply to the synod office for assistance in reducing educational debt. Approved grants are remitted directly to the appropriate financial institution.
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Grants for Congregations with Special Needs or Ministries: Used to assist congregations requiring financial support. Grant requests should be submitted to Synod Council for consideration. Camp Luther: This item subsidizes Camp Luther‘s basic program. It is not used to subsidize capital improvements. Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp: Prior to ELCA merger, those of our congregations which were part of the LCA VA Synod related to this camp. Camp Caroline Furnace provides year-round facilities and programming. Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute: Mandatory psychological testing of candidates for ministry (required by the ELCA) and for pastors in vocational crisis is contracted to professional centers. ELCMA: The Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia is a coalition of the ELCA synods, Churchwide units, seminaries and agencies which minister in Appalachia. Its purpose is to strengthen and support the ministry of Appalachian congregations as they reach out to their communities. Pastoral Care: This item provides for emergency assistance to clergy and others within the synod in times of crisis. Bishop's Lay Worship Leaders: This item is applied to the costs incurred in training the Lay Worship Leaders. The Lay Worship Leaders serve the whole Synod by providing supply preaching and worship leadership during times of pastoral vacancy, vacations, etc. 3 Synod Planned Giving Officer: The Planned Giving Officer assists congregations and individuals to develop strategies for stewardship (e.g., wills & bequests, charitable trust annuities, endowments, etc.). Tri-Synod Archives: Synod Constitution S8.32.c. requires that all important documents and papers be deposited in the archives of the synod. We cooperate with our tri-synodical partners to provide for the archives that are housed at Thiel. The Archives not only stores these documents, it also engages in preservation, supports research and assists congregations.
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Regional Center for Mission: This line represents our direct support of the cooperative efforts of the ELCA synods of Region 8. We also reimburse a portion of the travel expenses of this synod's members on the Regional Council. "The regional center for mission shall provide a forum where the synods and the Churchwide units can study, plan, and share together as they develop the common program unique to the region."(ELCA CBCR 18.10.12) Synod Publications: This funds the ―Synod Supplement‖ in the Lutheran and other publications which the synod might (re)produce from time to time. Synod Council: This item covers expenses incurred in Synod Council functions. Synod Assembly: This item subsidizes Synod Assembly. Synod Operations and Staff Bishop: Includes Salary, Housing, Social Security and Benefits. Office Administrator: Includes Salary, Benefits (Pension, Medical, etc.), and Social Security. WV Workers Compensation: WV Workers Compensation is required by law. Personnel: This item covers part time clerical assistance in the Synod Office. Professional Services: This item reflects the cost of the independent annual audit of synod books and records. Office Operations: These are the costs of doing business. Operational expenses increase with inflation. Included are rent and utilities, telephone and internet services, service contracts, supplies, equipment, postage and insurance.
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Staff Travel: This line covers the Bishop‘s mileage and other travel expenses. Should the need arise for the Synod Office Administrator to travel on synod business, it would be covered from this account. Other Expenses: This line is rarely used because nearly everything is applied to one of the aforementioned accounts.
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Notes of Thanks
The West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America wishes to express its thanks to the following individuals and organizations for their support of our 2013 Synod Assembly:
Grace Lutheran Church, Fairmont
Mission Investment Fund, Kent Peterson
Morgantown Event Center at Waterfront Place and the Waterfront Place Hotel
Portico Benefit Services, Barbara Debski
Rostered Leaders, Lay Voting Members, Guests, and Exhibitors of the 2013 WVWMD Synod Assembly
Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Morgantown
Synod Assembly Committee Members
The Reverend Barson Lahivelo Mahafaly
The Reverend Mary Frances
The Reverend Walter Wangerin, Jr.
Thrivent Financial
Valley Business Systems, Elkins West Virginia
Thank you for your support and participation!
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Voting Members of the Twenty-Sixth West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Assembly Synod Council Synod: West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod
Synod City:
Synod State: Last Name:
First Name:
Home City:
Home State:
Fairmont
WV
Scott
Amy
Dunmore
WV
Fairmont
WV
Wolf
Marjorie
Wheeling
WV
Fairmont
WV
Humberston Leroy
Fairmont
WV
Fairmont
WV
Keller
Pat
WV
Fairmont
WV
Felici
Brian
Marlinton New Martinsville
WV
Lay Voting Members Congregation:
Congregation City:
Calvary Lutheran Church Christ Lutheran Church
Sugar Grove Vienna
Christ Lutheran Church
Vienna
Christ Lutheran Church
Wheeling
Christ Lutheran Church
Wheeling
Christ the King Lutheran Church
Huntington
Christ the King Lutheran Church
Huntington
Church of the Covenant Cross of Grace Lutheran Church
Grafton Hurricane
Cross of Grace Lutheran Church
Hurricane
Edgwood Lutheran Church
Wheeling
Edgwood Lutheran Church
Wheeling
Emmanuel Lutheran Church Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Bittinger Bittinger
Fairview Lutheran Church Fairview Lutheran Church Faith Luthern Church
Gore Winchester Franklin
Faith Luthern Church
Franklin
CongregaFirst Last Name: tion State: Name:
HomeCity:
HomeState:
WV WV West Virginia WV West Virginia WV West Virginia WV WV West Virginia
Bland Bandy
Bonnie Candice
Franklin Williamstown
WV WV
Bandy
Craig
Williamstown
WV
Bohn
Sharon
Wheeling
WV
McDonald
Paula
Wheeling
WV
Broyles
Lois
Barboursville
WV
Perry
John
Huntington
WV
Solberg Lauffer
Joseph Barb
Grafton Hurricane
WV WV
Lauffer
Dan
Hurricane
WV
WV West Virginia MD Maryland
Blatt
Robert
Wheeling
WV
Weeks
Nancy
Wheeling
WV
Buckel Roby
Linda Lana
Bittinger McHenry
MD MD
VA Virginia WV West Virginia
Whitacre Whitacre Hardee
David Marie Diana
Winchester Winchester Franklin
VA VA WV
Hardee
R. David
Franklin
WV
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
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First Lutheran Church
Congregation City: Parkersburg
First Lutheran Church
Parkersburg
Congregation:
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church New Martinsville Good Shepherd Lutheran Church New Martinsville Grace Lutheran Church
Fairmont
Grace Lutheran Church
Fairmont
Grace Lutheran Church Grace Lutheran Church Grace Lutheran Church Hebron Lutheran Church Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Messiah Lutheran Church
Friendsville Friendsville Petersburg Wardensville Elkins Moundsville
Messiah Lutheran Church
Moundsville
Mount Hope Lutheran Church
Upper Tract
Mount Hope Lutheran Church
Upper Tract
Our Saviour Lutheran Church
Minnehaha Springs Minnehaha Springs Ravenswood
Saint James Lutheran Church Saint Johannes Lutheran Church
Wheeling New Milton
Saint Johannes Lutheran Church
New Milton
Saint John Lutheran Church Saint John Lutheran Church Saint John Lutheran Church
Accident Accident Davis
Saint John Lutheran Church
Davis
Saint John Lutheran Church Saint John Lutheran Church
Martinsburg Moyers
Saint John Lutheran Church
Moyers
Saint John Lutheran Church Saint John of Meadow Mountain
Red House Swanton
Saint Luke Lutheran Church
Beckley
Saint Luke Lutheran Church
Beckley
Saint Mark Lutheran Church
Clarksburg
Saint Mark Lutheran Church
Clarksburg
New Hope Lutheran Church New Hope Lutheran Church
CongregaLast Name: tion State: WV Brock West VirMcDowell ginia WV West Virginia WV West Virginia MD Maryland WV WV WV WV West Virginia WV West Virginia WV
First Name: Andrea Barbara
HomeCity:
HomeState:
Parkersburg
WV
Belpre
OH
Friedline
Dorcas
Friedline
George
Nichols
Jim
New Martinsville New Martinsville Fairmont
Smith
Sue
Fairmont
WV
Faucett Lininger Beck Twedt Hazer Blake
Pauline James Charles Connie Jane Darlene
Friendsville Friendsville Petersburg Wardensville Elkins Glen Dale
MD MD WV WV WV WV
Blake
William
Glen Dale
WV
Beatty
Lynn
Upper Tract
WV
Hedrick
Starr
Upper Tract
WV
Pritt
Pamela
Hillsboro
WV
Claude
Dunmore
WV
Connie Evelyn Sandy Eppa
Ravenswood Ravenswood Wheeling West Union
WV WV WV WV
John
West Union
WV
Joanne Grace John
Accident Accident Davis
MD MD WV
Kathy
Davis
WV
Paul Jonie
Moorefield Franklin
WV WV
Marsha
Franklin
WV
Mary Carole
Parsons Swanton
WV MD
Joseph
Beckley
WV
Karly
Beckley
WV
Mary
Bridgeport
WV
Ann
Salem
WV
West VirScott ginia WV Cadle Weirick WV Nickerson WV Michels West VirMichels ginia MD Durst Maryland Glass WV Cooper West VirThomas ginia WV Wangerin WV Nelson West VirNelson ginia MD Sanders MD Peck MorganWV Smith West Vir- Morganginia Smith WV Carmichael West VirSkinner ginia
WV WV WV
Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
Page 112
Saint Mark Lutheran Church
Congregation City: Oakland
Saint Mark Lutheran Church
Oakland
Maryland
Walters
Daryl
Oakland
MD
Saint Mark Lutheran Church
Wheeling
WV
Braden
Fran
Wheeling
WV
Saint Mark Lutheran Church
Wheeling
Jackie
Wheeling
WV
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
Accident
MD
Coddington
R. Marie
Accident
MD
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
Accident
Maryland
Johnson
Christine L. Accident
MD
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
Aurora
Mayor
David
Aurora
WV
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
Aurora
Frances
Aurora
WV
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
Charleston
Snyder
James
Charleston
WV
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
Charleston
West Virginia Snyder
Robin
Charleston
WV
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
Huntington
Charles
Huntington
WV
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
Huntington
Mary Lou
Huntington
WV
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
Morgantown
Sampson
Elaine
Morgantown
WV
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
Morgantown
West Virginia Woodruff
Steven
Morgantown
WV
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
New Haven
Phyllis
New Haven
WV
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
New Haven
William
New Haven
WV
Saint Peter Lutheran Church
Wardensville
WV
Beury
Jack
Wardensville
WV
Saint Thomas Lutheran Church
Charles Town
WV
Lavis
David
Charles Town
WV
Saint Thomas Lutheran Church
Charles Town
West Virginia Lavis
Linda
Charles Town
WV
Salem Lutheran Church
Fairplay
MD
Giffin
Luther
Hagerstown
MD
Salem Lutheran Church
fairplay
Maryland
Giffin
Vickie
Hagerstown
MD
Congregation:
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
Congregation Last Name: First Name: HomeCity: State: MD Andreas Dorothy Oakland
West Virginia Shay
WV
West Virginia Mayor WV
WV
Fricke
West Virginia Fricke WV
WV
Arthur
West Virginia Arthur
HomeState: MD
McHenry
MD
Huebner
Bob
Swanton
MD
McHenry
Maryland
Huebner
Marcene
Swanton
MD
Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston
WV
Franklin
Brenda
Charleston
WV
Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston
Cindy
Charleston
WV
Trinity Lutheran Church
Keyser
WV
Currier
Dina
Keyser
WV
Trinity Lutheran Church
Martinsburg
WV
McDonald
Beverly
Inwood
WV
Trinity Lutheran Church
Weirton
WV
Dailey
Coleen
East Liverpool
OH
Trinity Lutheran Church
Weirton
Kay
Weirton
WV
Trinity Lutheran Church
Wheeling
Marilyn
Wheeling
WV
Trinity Lutheran Church
Wheeling
Alice
Wheeling
WV
Zion Lutheran Church
Wheeling
Kettler
Harry
Wheeling
WV
Zion Lutheran Church
Wheeling
West Virginia Schafer
Alvin
Wheeling
WV
Zion Lutheran Church
Bethlehem
Chap
Wheeling
WV
West Virginia Richardson
West Virginia Nixon WV
Jacobs
West Virginia Tribett WV
WV
Holbert
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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
Visitors to the Twenty-Sixth West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Assembly Synod Committee Chairs Synod:
Synod City: Synod State: Last Name: First Name: Home City: Home State:
West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod
Fairmont
West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod
Fairmont
West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Synod Guests
Fairmont
Affiliation:
City:
Betioky Atsimo Synod, Madagascar
Madagascar
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Chicago
WV
Peggy
Wheeling
WV
West Virginia Bowyer
Norma
New Milton
WV
West Virginia Pemberton
Clem
Winfield
WV
State:
Blatt
Last Name: First Name: Home City: Home State: Mahafaly
Barson
Saint Paul
IL
Frances
Mary
Chicago
MN IL
IN
Wangerin
Walter Jr
Valparioso
IN
Synod Staff Synod:
Synod City: Synod State: Last Name: First Name: Home City: Home State:
West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod
Fairmont
WV
Higgins
Barbara
Fairmont
WV
Synod Assembly Visitors Affiliation:
City:
State:
Last Name: First Name: Home City: Home State:
Christ Lutheran Church
Wheeling
WV
Bohn
Phil
Wheeling
WV
CLP
Wheeling
WV
Schafer
Sherri
Wheeling
WV
Cross of Grace Lutheran Church
Hurricane
WV
Pemberton
Marilyn
Winfield
WV
Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU
Morgantown
WV
Blakely
Margrit
Morgantown
WV
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
Gettysburg
PA
Spangler
Marta
Washington
DC
Lutheran Theological Seminary South
Columbia
SC
Hoffman
Greggory
Columbia
SC
Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA
Abingdon
VA
Peterson
Kent
Abingdon
VA
New Hope Lutheran Church
Hillsboro
WV
White
Rene
Marlinton
WV
Portico Benefit Services
Minneapolis
MN
Debski
Barbara
Minneapolis
MN
Region 8, ELCA
Gettysburg
PA
Gable
Nancy
Gettysburg
PA
Saint John of Meadow Mountain
Swanton
MD
Robinson
Eleanor
Swanton
MD
Saint Mark Lutheran Church
Oakland
MD
Robinson
Laura
Oakland
MD
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
Aurora
WV
Flohr
Samuel
Grafton
WV
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
Morgantown
WV
Borelli
Debra
Morgantown
WV
West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod
Fairmont
WV
Dunkin
Teresa
Wheeling
WV
West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod
Fairmont
WV
Black
Eleanor
Fairmont
WV
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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
Displays at the Twenty-Sixth West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Assembly
State:
Zip Code:
Wheeling
WV
26003
103 North Gilpin Street
Punxsutawney
PA
15767
Evangelism and Mission
2 Laurel Avenue
Wheeling
WV
26003
Eva's Temptations
Post Office Box 382
Thurmont
MD
21788
Wheeling
WV
26003
61 Seminary Ridge
Gettysburg
PA
17325
8765 West Higgins Road
Chicago
IL
60631
MN
55402
Committee/Agency/Institution:
Address:
City:
CLP
Post Office Box 3054
ELCMA
Global Mission/Mosquito Net Program 3 Hunter Avenue
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
Mission Investment Fund
800 Marquette Avenue Portico Benefit Services
Minneapolis Suite 1050
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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
Annual
Reports
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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
Report of the Bishop
In some ways this report is a view from the rear view mirror as I reflect upon the year past and a view for the future as we move ahead. 2012 will be remembered as the last year of the first twenty-five (25) of our existence as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. By now you have seen the theme of this year‘s Synod Assembly and that of the Churchwide Assembly as ―Always being made new.‖ These words come from II Corinthians 5:17. Bishop Hanson is fond of saying in a similar vein, that we are ―deeply rooted, yet ever changing.‖ 2012 will long be known in this synod as a year of transition. Last year‘s transition witnessed ten (10) of our pastoral leaders move to new calls or to retirement. To this number we can add six (6) more that moved in late 2011. When all of our calls are full we can have as many as 40 full time pastors serving in this synod. To replace 16 leaders meant that in 2012 we were looking to replace 40 percent of our leadership! We have replaced ten (10) of these leaders with six (6) pastors who are new to us; three (3) of whom were first call pastors, two (2) who were serving in calls in this synod and changed calls, plus five (5) interim pastors. One of the reasons that we did not fill all of these calls has to do with our second major event of 2012. This Synod‘s Futures Committee invited me to write a pastoral letter to this synod to be used in every congregation in the way that our congregation‘s leadership saw fit. Some have said this letter was a call to arms when it comes to evangelism. Others have recognized it as the voice of a prophet alerting us to what is or is not going on in the congregation(s) they love. Whether it was this letter or the Holy Spirit sparking people to action, new directions are being pursued. In the Eastern Panhandle, the area Lutheran Pastors are studying the book ―Unbinding the Gospel.‖ They are planning ways in which they can do youth ministry together. Trinity, Martinsburg has already had two adult classes study and discuss the above named book as a means to grow deeper in faith. The Eastern Panhandle Lutheran Pastors also met with Helen Harms, my assistant and an expert in evangelism, to discuss ways to reach the nearly one thousand new employees at the new Homeland Securities facility that is being built near Harpers Ferry. Saint John, Harpers Ferry extended a Call to this Synod‘s first TEEM pastor. TEEM stands for, Theological Education for Emerging Ministry. John Unger will not only be our first TEEM pastor but probably our shortest termed TEEM pastor as he will receive his M.Div. degree from Wesley Seminary in May, 2013. The Reverend John Unger is the first pastor to be ordained in Saint John, Harpers Ferry, and may well be their first called pastor. Saint James, Uvilla and Grace, Petersburg have experienced enough growth that they have added to and or have
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Celebrating Twenty-Five Years Together In Christ
have added to and or have replaced insufficient fellowship areas/buildings. In Garrett County, the two three-point congregations have had separate conversations about growth to the point that the Bittinger Parish is no longer and is now three separate congregations. Of the three, Zion, Saint John‘s and Emmanuel, Emmanuel is the only one seeking to call a pastor. Within the Accident Parish a Call Process has begun to call a leader to lead worship in two of the three congregations with discussions that center on merging Saint Paul‘s and Saint John‘s. If all of Shepherd of the Hills‘ work is completed this spring, they will become our newest congregation in this synod with their constitutional meeting taking place on Sunday, April 7. Shepherd of the Hills will be received as a new congregation during our 2013 Synod Assembly. In the Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference, Saint Paul and Trinity have begun discussions of merging. In the Mason-Jackson Lutheran Shared Ministry discussions have taken place to realign the shared minister to provide Pastor Cadle more time for Saint Paul, New Haven, and to have a part-time assistant with the rest of the parish. Saint Luke‘s, Beckley, has quadrupled the size of their kitchen and added classrooms and showers as they continue to grow. In Wheeling, an invitation was presented to all of the Lutheran congregations noting the possibility of creating something new as these eight (8) congregations have an abundance of gifts but a lack of people to fill all eight (8) congregations. Six (6) of these congregations have voted to enter into discussions concerning the future of the Lutheran witness in Wheeling and are sending representatives to monthly meetings. A portion of the catalyst for change was the move of a clergy couple and the retirement of another pastor. This left four (4) full-time pastors and two (2) interim pastors serving the eight (8) Wheeling churches. The above transitions may become transformative and can be seen as normal, scary, and at times exciting. It is transitional events like these that reflect our Assembly theme of ―always being made new.‖ This is the hope that we have as we hear the Word of God and receive the gift of God‘s sacraments. Our sincere hope is that we will be transformed by God‘s gift of grace. In the fifth (5th) Chapter of II Corinthians the emphasis is upon ―God in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not holding our faults against us, and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled. So we are ambassadors for Christ.‖ There are three other events that are of the transition/transformative nature. The first that I want to comment upon took place over the weekend of March 15-16, 2013. During the Team Meeting on Friday night, March 15th, I invited all of the current synod committee chairs to resign effective August 30, 2013. This cadre of faithful servants has in most cases served since the ELCA was created in the position of chair in one or more committees. The constitution of the Synod states that no one is to serve more than three three-year terms on any one committee. I also indicated that our other responsibility is to raise up new leaders and using the same folks as chairs does not achieve this purpose. I thanked the following for their lengthy and faithful service: Peggy Blatt (Global Missions), Marcie Woloshan (Youth Ministry), Norma Bowyer (Church and Society), Dorcas and George Friedline (Small Congregations and Appalachian Ministry and Stewardship), and Clem Pemberton (Bishop’s Lay Worship Leaders). On Saturday, March 16th, I stated that this would be the last All Committee Day as well.
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For the last three years the Futures Task Force and now Synod Council have examined and will continue to examine what is working and what is not working in this synod. If you ask our former chairs and committee members, they will tell you that our committee structure created in 1987 worked in 1987 and for many years thereafter. Today it does not work. As we think of this structure let‘s keep in mind the issue of travel as we attempt to climb mountains and valleys driving to meetings. Over the summer months I will be selecting new committee chairs for the committees that Synod Council and I feel are absolutely needed. These new committees will decide what technology they want to use so that they can meet with or without traveling to Fairmont. Meetings by conference calls or Skype or other technology will save hours of driving time. Then there are the transitions that are distressing, especially if they continue. Ever since 2009 we have been in a downward spiral when it comes to Mission Support. In 2008 we had crested at a level of growth in Mission Support dollars to $725,000. We were well on the way to meeting our pledges of nearly $750,000 for the year 2009. Last year, 2012, we received gifts of roughly $483,000. For every dollar of Mission Support gifts that you share with your synod, we maintained sixty cents ($0.60) for the ministry of this synod. In 2013 this will increase to sixtythree cents ($0.63). It grieves my heart to hear congregations state that because the ELCA does this or backs that, said congregation will then decrease its giving or pledge to Mission Support. With a church this large and diverse, it is extremely difficult for us to agree on everything that we do or say. We routinely say within the Conference of Bishop‘s that ―we agree that we disagree.‖ My suggestion is for us to see the ELCA as family. Families disagree, yet continue to love each other and support each other. I pray that we can do the same for Christ‘s Church. A second trend with Mission Support gifts is that of congregations reducing what they give to this synod in the way of Mission Support and increasing their gifts to Community Lutheran Partner‘s, Inc. and to the Campus Ministry at WVU. For every dollar that you reduce your giving to Mission Support, your Synod then must find one dollar and fifty-six cents ($1.56) to replace it. No, that is not fuzzy math. If we retain sixty-three cents out of every dollar in Mission Support to make up for each lost dollar requires us to raise a dollar and fifty-six cents to replace that one dollar for Synodical use. Unless we let go of our anger concerning the ELCA and Mission Support, our reduced giving to Mission Support will mean that we are no longer viable as a Synod. Another way to say this is, that when you think your decreased giving to Mission Support will help your Synod, you are truly hurting this Synod and not helping us to do the ministry that we are called to do. A second disturbing trend in the realm of Mission Support is the reduction of giving to Mission Support that occurs in some congregations making the transition from one pastoral leader to another. During those transition times I spend lots of hours working for your congregation. I will make one or two visits with your church council to discuss the call process; one or two visits to lead worship, as well as time educating the Call Committee. Then when you complete your Ministry Site Profile I can spend up to 20 hours searching for the ―right‖ candidates for your call. In some situations Helen Harms, my assistant, will make a visit to assist you with your Ministry Site Profile. In other words, when you need your synod office the most,
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some reduce their giving to Mission Support. Mission Support dollars are the engine that makes your Synod and the entire ELCA function. I also want to share some thoughts about Life Long Learning. In 1997 the ELCA Churchwide Assembly adopted the recommendation that professional leaders in this church make it a priority to receive fifty (50) hours of annual education. This year I have made it a priority for myself. Portico offered to the Conference of Bishops‘ the opportunity to participate in their ―Journey of Renewal.‖ This spiritual journey is offered to all professional church leaders. This journey began at Care Free, Arizona with two days in January that will be followed up by a monthly coaching session, the request to work with a Spiritual Director, and each month make use of a new prayer form. On a weekly basis we work with a new chapter from the book, ―The Spiritual Leader‘s Guide to Self-Care.‖ It is written by Rochelle Melander and Harold Eppley and published by Alban Institute. This is the first time that I have worked with a Spiritual Director, a coach, and a book like this as a guide. I encourage you to stretch yourself in ways of education so that you grow beyond your present safe place. It is too easy to say that we read on our own or that we are too busy to take a class. We always have the time for what we make time for. Synod Council will be spending time during our April 12-13 retreat discussing the future viability of this Synod and the position of our own bishop. The Futures Task Force started this work more than two years ago. We are continuing this work as we move to the future. In many ways our viability depends upon you and your response to your Synod‘s needs through Mission Support gifts. It is our goal that once Synod Council comes to some decisions that we will take this show on the road to each conference. What else would the bishop of this synod do, but go on the road! Originally we had hoped to bring a report to this Assembly. Vice President Paul Wangerin will no doubt share within his report some of this work. For us to visit each conference after April 13th and prior to May 31st would be very pressing. More than likely we will be spreading this out from September – April of next year, with a report coming to the 2014 Assembly. The Executive Committee of Synod Council and Helen Harms are the ones addressing the viability of our own bishop. This group has had one conference call and several email ―meetings.‖ It is too early for this group to come to a decision. My personal goals have been that of keeping this synod together. Transitions, transformations, and thoughts of always being made new created all sorts of feelings within. There is the grief of those who have met in Fairmont at least twice a year on All Committee Day; there is the look of joy in the eyes of those who feel they have called the right leader for the future; there is the happiness of small congregations building and paying down loans at remarkable rates; there is the sense of fear as we start something new. There are the thoughts of leaders as to what have I gotten myself into as they embark on a new call. Transitions, transformations, and thoughts of always being made new fill scripture. The people of God are always in transition, in times of transformation and being made new. We do not do these things by ourselves. As we approach the Easter season we recall that our Lord and savior Jesus the Christ has gone before us in life and into new life. He will not let us alone nor on our own to make these transitions. Respectfully submitted, + The Rev. Ralph W. Dunkin, Bishop March 2013
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Fund for Leaders Report
Issues of debt could be heard from every Seminary Campus within the ELCA as ATS, the standard maker of seminary education ruled that 75 credits would now be the standard for a Masters of Divinity degree. Most ELCA Seminaries require closer to 120 credit hours that include internship and Clinical Pastoral Education. This synod has been a leader at attempting to address debt issues both when candidates for ministry enter seminary and for rostered leaders who serve in this synod. During the summer of 2008 at the July Synod Council meeting, your Synod Council voted to move $50,000 from the Warwood Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund to the ELCA Fund for Leaders. This fund is open to contributions from congregations and individuals from across this synod and church so that this fund may grow and so that we would have one more avenue to assist members of this synod with seminary expenses. Last year half of the Assembly offering went to this fund. Within 2012, $1,802 was added to this account. The first distribution of this fund came during the 2009 Synod Assembly when Grace LauverSimmons and Kara Propst were presented mock checks in the amount of $1,300. This meant that our account with the ELCA Foundation had earned $2,600. The second of $4,000 was shared equally between Beth Chapman of St. John‘s, Martinsburg and Peter Suwak of Resurrection Lutheran, Weirton, WV. The third distribution came last summer during Synod Assembly 2011 when Timothy Crummitt and Jared Lee shared tuition support of $5,000, or $2,500 each. This year we do not have anyone who will be entering Seminary as a first year student. Synod Council will meet in April to determine the expenditure of the interest on this account. At the start of 2012 the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Fund for Leaders Scholarship Fund endowment had a market value of $77,256.04. This fund grew by the addition of $1,802 in gifts and $7,529.24 in positive market changes for a total value of $86,587.28 at the end of 2012. As of March 21, 2013 we have not heard what the distribution of this fund will be in 2013. Respectfully submitted, + Bishop Ralph W. Dunkin
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Professional Candidacy Committee Report
The Professional Candidacy Committee of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod is a shared committee with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod. The Reverend Edward Sheehan, an assistant to Bishop Kusserow, serves as the committee liaison to our candidates. The charge to this committee is that of assisting our candidates for ministry to discern their call. This shared committee met twice in 2012 at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod Office; first in mid-October over the dates of October 12th -13th and again December 7th and 8th. This committee will met in Wheeling, April 19-20, 2013 at St. Mark Lutheran Church. Last October‘s retreat centered upon second year students to discuss seminary life, Clinical Pastoral care, Greek, and the ongoing process of discerning one‘s call. Peter Suwak was approved at this October meeting for ordination. Peter is a member of Resurrection Lutheran, Weirton, West Virginia and has been assigned to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod for a potential call. The December event is a time for senior seminarians to defend four written essays that are related to the Lutheran Confessions, Scripture and practical parish situations. A sermon and its analysis are also provided and defended. Kara Propst, Faith Lutheran, Franklin, West Virginia received approval for ordination once a call is received. She was assigned to the West VirginiaWestern Maryland Synod. John Unger received approval for ordination as a TEEM Candidate. TEEM stands for Theological Education for Emerging Ministries. John Unger, Saint Peter‘s, Shepherdstown Lutheran, was approved for ordination, assigned to the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, and ordained in February. John will complete his Masters of Divinity Degree from Wesley Seminary in May. Currently, the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod has six of her members who have been accepted in the ELCA Candidacy process:
Rebecca Grate, a member of Trinity, Charleston, will come before the committee in April to defend her senior essays; she is to graduate from Southern Seminary in May. Dennis Probst, a member of Saint Peter‘s, Shepherdstown, is a part-time student at Gettysburg Seminary, who is in the TEEM Candidacy Process. Beth Chapman, a member of Saint John, Martinsburg, is in her second year as a Diaconal candidate. Timothy Crummitt, a member of First English, Wheeling, will complete his senior year at Southern Seminary next fall and seek a fourth year internship following his senior year.
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Jared Lee, a member of Saint Mark‘s, Clarksburg, will begin his intern year in the fall. Jared is attending southern Seminary, Columbia, South Carolina. Gregory Hofmann, also attending Southern Seminary, will complete his Clinical Pastoral Education during the summer of 2013. Greg is a member of Saint Mark, Wheeling.
My encouragement to you is for all of us to be inviting of leaders who are mission minded, who love Jesus and his people, to consider the possibility of serving this church as a pastor. Bishop Dunkin appoints the Professional Candidacy Committee to represent this synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Serving you and our candidates are:
Patricia Franklin (Edgwood, Wheeling) George Friedline (Good Shepherd, New Martinsville) Tamara Riegel (Saint Paul, Morgantown) David Propst (Saint Mark, Clarksburg) Nancy Gable (Diaconal Minister and Region 8 Coordinator representing the ELCA) Doctor Brook Schramm (appointed by Gettysburg Seminary) The Reverend Sean Smith (Messiah, Moundsville and Good Shepherd, New Martinsville) The Reverend Jessica Felici (The Mountain Lutheran Parish) Bishop Ralph Dunkin
Respectfully submitted, + Bishop Ralph W. Dunkin
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Rostered Leader Changes, Anniversaries, and Commissionings 21 March 2012—20 March 2013
The Reverend Dana L. Holter resigned as Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, effective April 15, 2012 in order to accept the call to serve the Bethany Lutheran Parish, Rugby, North Dakota, effective May 1, 2012; transferred from the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod to the Eastern North Dakota Synod. The Reverend Erik L. Nielsen resigned as Pastor of Christ, Vienna, West Virginia on May 31, 2012 in order to begin as a Hospice Chaplain. The Reverend Allen M. Schwarz resigned as Pastor of St. John, Davis, West Virginia effective June 17, 2012 in order to accept the call of Canadochly Lutheran Church, Canadochly Pennsylvania, effective July 1, 2012; transferred from the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod to the Lower Susquehanna Synod. The Reverend Joel E. Richter graduated by the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; called by Christ Lutheran, Wheeling, West Virginia, effective June 24, 2012; ordained May 19, 2012 and installed July 1, 2012. The Reverend Craig D. Richter resigned as Pastor of the Mountain Lutheran Parish, effective July 31, 2012 in order to accept the call of All Shepherds Lutheran Church, Lewis Center, Ohio effective August 1, 2012; transferred from the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod to the Southern Ohio Synod. The Reverend Wendy K. Richter resigned as Pastor of the Mountain Lutheran Parish, effective July 31, 2012 in order to accept the call of All Shepherds Lutheran Church, Lewis Center, Ohio effective August 1, 2012; transferred to the Southern Ohio Synod. The Reverend Doctor Susan K. Hedahl resigned as faculty of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania effective August 31, 2012, in order to retire; transferred from the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod to the Lower Susquehanna Synod. The Reverend Jessica L. Felici graduated by the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; called by the Mountain Lutheran Parish on July 22, 2012; was ordained August 19, 2012 and installed September 5, 2012. The Reverend Jason N. Felici graduated by the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; called by the Mountain Lutheran Parish on July 22, 2012; was ordained August 25, 2012 and installed September 5, 2012.
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The Reverend Emilie E. Theobald-Rowlands resigned as Pastor of Resurrection Lutheran in order to accept the call of Christ, Vienna, West Virginia effective July 22, 2012; call started September 1, 2012; installed September 30, 2012; transferred from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod to the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod. The Reverend David H. Westphal resigned as Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church on August 6, 2012, in order to accept the call to David Lutheran, Canal Winchester, Ohio, with a start date of September 23, 2012; transferred from the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod to the Southern Ohio Synod. The Reverend Elizabeth A. Westphal resigned as Pastor of Edgwood Lutheran Church, Wheeling, West Virginia on August 6, 2012, in order to accept the call of David Lutheran, Canal Winchester, Ohio, with a start date of September 23, 2012; transferred from the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod to the Southern Ohio Synod. The Reverend Gerald R. Kliner, Jr., resigned as Pastor of Cross of Grace, Hurricane, West Virginia in order to accept the call of Saint Paul Lutheran, Morgantown, WV, effective October 27, 2012; installed November 4, 2012. The Reverend Randolf E. Richardson resigned the Bittinger Lutheran Parish, Bittinger Maryland, in order to accept the call of Trinity Lutheran, Charleston, WV, effective November 27, 2012; installed December 1, 2012. The Reverend Ruth D. Bullwinkle graduated by the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA; called by Saint John Lutheran Church, Davis, WV effective February 1, 2013; ordained January 20, 2013 and installed February 17, 2013. The Reverend John R. Unger, II will graduate from Wesley Seminary, Washington, DC in May of 2013; was called by Saint John, Harpers Ferry, as a TEEM Pastor effective February 1, 2013; ordained and installed on February 9, 2013. The Reverend Thomas L. Quickel, Jr., resigned from Christ Lutheran, Bristol, TN in order to accept the call of Cross of Grace for a two year term call that is renewable; installed February 24, 2013; transferred from the Southeastern Synod to the West Virginia – Western Maryland Synod. Anniversaries and Commissioning 65 years R. Russell Riethmiller 40 years R. Alvin Schafer
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Significant Anniversaries Among Our Congregations 245 years – Holy Trinity Memorial, Sharpsburg, MD 170 years – Fairview, Gore, Virginia 165 years – Saint Peter, Wardensville, West Virginia 135 years – Saint John, Swanton, Maryland 120 years – First, Parkersburg, West Virginia Saint John, Davis, West Virginia 115 years – Grace, Friendsville, Maryland 100 years – Edgwood, Wheeling, West Virginia 55 years – Good Shepherd, New Martinsville, West Virginia 50 years – Messiah, Moundsville, West Virginia Synod automobile miles driven in synod ministry by Bishop Dunkin from September 1, 1997 – March 21, 2013 = 508,167 miles
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Rostered Leaders Debt Reduction Fund Report
In 2001 the Rostered Leader‘s Debt Reduction Fund was instituted with a gift from First English Lutheran Church. Annually we have invited congregations to receive one offering a year to assist and to walk with our Rostered Leaders so that they will not need to worry about this debt. In 2012, you assisted ten (10) of our pastors with gifts of $2,292.80 paid against each of their debts. Their debt ranges from $70,000 to a low of $9,000. From 2001 – 2012 you have contributed $184,112.36 to this fund. Annually we divide your gifts equally with our pastors who carry debt from Seminary. We have been blessed by congregations‘ ordinations and installations where the offering has gone to this important cause. This year gifts also came from the request of the families of The Reverend William Kurz and Mr. Ralph N. Dunkin in lieu of flowers for their funerals. We are blessed to have congregations that annually take up this cause with offerings. In a thank you note sent to the Synod Office one of our pastors writes: ―Please accept my most humble thanks for the generous gift from the Rostered Leaders Debt Reduction Fund. The burden of Seminary Debt was of great concern amongst my classmates at seminary as we approached graduation. We knew that our first calls were not going to provide salary levels high enough to bring this debt down quickly. I am blessed in so many ways to be part of a Synod that recognizes those burdens and makes every effort to assist its rostered leaders in eliminating debt. Please continue this initiative in the years to come for future first call leaders.‖ Once again it is my privilege to thank you for your gifts to our pastors in need. In 2012 you contributed $22,928.19 so that you could walk with our pastors who are in debt. Respectfully submitted, + Bishop Ralph W. Dunkin
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Warwood Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund Report
This scholarship fund was established in February of 1999. It was funded by an initial gift from the closing assets from the former Warwood Lutheran Church, Warwood, West Virginia. The same is true of Newburg Lutheran and a long lost building of Trinity Lutheran near Franklin, West Virginia. The proceeds from Newburg were $4,000 and $1,000 from the sale of Trinity‘s building. The purpose of this fund is to provide gifts to Lutheran seminarians from this synod beyond what the synod budget is able to do. For the last number of years gifts are provided for senior seminarians in November as an extra gift. In 2012 two senior seminarians benefited from additional gifts of $800 each. These gifts often pay for tuition in the year provided. As of December 31, 2012 this fund had a balance of 3,141.557 shares or a total value of the Vanguard Balanced Fund of $74,643.39. This is $1,607.03 higher than when 2012 began. With the addition of the money market account this account holds $78,187.64 on Dec. 31, 2012. It is our hope that interest rates will go up and that the dividends declared by this fund will increase. Should this happen then we can be of greater assistance to our seminarians. Respectfully submitted, + Bishop Ralph W. Dunkin
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West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Guidelines Relative to 2014 Health Care Reform Beginning January 1, 2014, the most significant changes brought about by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as health care reform, will take effect. This will have implications for many employers, including congregations. It is difficult to predict the full implications of the ACA; however, we want to be aware and well-prepared. Our ministry partners at Portico Benefit Services will help us through this change. This document will help you understand what health care reform means for you. You can also continue to check the Portico website (PorticoBenefits.org) for updates. Mrs. Barbara Debski, a representative from Portico, will be present at our synod assembly. We have given Mrs. Debski Assembly time to address some of these issues. Please feel free to ask all your questions related to health care reform. 1. Each state will have a health insurance exchange, also called a marketplace, where individuals can buy health insurance. In states that choose not to provide an exchange, the federal government will manage one on the state‘s behalf, or the exchange may be operated by the state and federal government jointly. The plans offered in the exchanges will be in four categories, and Portico intends to offer four plan options that correspond to these categories:
Bronze Silver Gold (closest to current ELCA-Primary health coverage) Platinum
1. Currently, ELCA Primary health contribution rates are based on geographic region and salary. To offer competitive pricing relative to the exchanges, Portico intends 2014 ELCA Primary health contribution rates to also reflect plan member age. 2. For 2014, each ELCA employer will need to select one ELCA health plan option for all employees (rostered leaders and lay church workers) that they will pay for. 3. Once the employer makes a selection, the employee will confirm that choice or choose to buy up to another plan option, and will be responsible for the cost difference. For example, if the employer selects the option similar to the gold plan and the employee opts to buy up to the option similar to the platinum plan, the employee would pay the difference in cost. Some generalities about the health insurance exchanges: 1. Younger employees, generally speaking, will be less expensive to insure than older employees on the exchanges.
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2. Individuals may be eligible for federal subsidies that will help pay for health insurance purchased on an exchange if his or her employer doesn‘t offer a minimum value, affordable plan. Affordable means that an individual spends less than 9.5% of his or her income on premiums for single coverage. 3. Depending on family income, employees who do not qualify for federal subsidies may pay higher premiums for plans purchased on an exchange. Other considerations: 1. It may be tempting to offer the least expensive health plan option. Collectively over the years, this church has sought to provide benefits that support our shared ministry and overall well-being to all rostered leaders and lay church workers. The ELCA Church Council at its April 6, 2013 meeting acted to endorse as a benchmark the proposed plan option that approximates the current level of benefits provided by ELCA Primary health coverage, and to encourage congregations, synods, the churchwide organization, other ELCA related organizations, and other interested persons to advocate for selection of this plan option. 2. Relative to the ELCA health plan, Portico is planning to have a final proposal and recommendations on health care plan options and pricing considered by the Conference of Bishops and acted upon by the ELCA Church Council at their respective August meetings. 3. Given these changes, it may be tempting to come to call or employment decisions based upon youth or marital status, and to avoid older, more experienced persons with families. However, this church has always valued calling a rostered person and hiring a lay church worker based upon his or her gifts for ministry and the needs of the congregation, and we believe this practice should continue. 4. Rostered leaders or lay church workers may have occasion to make a decision between two calls or opportunities for employment based upon the plan options that are being offered, which has never been a factor before. Recommendation: To maintain the current level of health benefits for our rostered leaders and lay church workers, we recommend that all of the congregations and parishes of the WV-WMD Synod offer to pay for the new ELCA health plan option that most closely resembles current ELCA Primary health coverage for their rostered leaders and lay church workers. This is the plan option that will be comparable to gold plans offered on the exchanges. This will both continue to care for the health of all who serve under call or terms of employment and eliminate many of the variables facing congregations and paid servants in the midst of change.
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A Seed Planted
A Seed Planted is the Synod‘s mission fund, available to congregations with unique evangelism projects. Some of the projects that have been funded are revivals, drums for a community drumming program, and promotional materials for an ―Invite a Friend‖ Sunday; this past year, Salem Lutheran Church in Bakersville, Maryland received a grant for an invitational event. Congregations requesting grants can apply through Helen Harms, Assistant to the Bishop. Application forms are available on the synod‘s website. During the past four years, we have seen growth in the fund from $30,207.43 to $32,692.62. This will allow us to assist more congregations and will be used for special Synod mission projects. The growth has come from fund raising efforts at Synod Assembly and also from gifts received from congregations receiving a grant. Submitted by Helen Harms, Assistant to the Bishop/Director for Evangelical Mission
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Report of the Assistant to the Bishop The ministry of the Assistant to the Bishop/Director of Evangelical Mission is to encourage and support the work of this Synod as it shares the Gospel through evangelism and stewardship. One of my colleagues has put it this way: Why in Jesus name do you exist at this time and in this place? We are engaged in some exciting work together to strengthen congregations and expand our resources for mission. God calls us to share the love of Jesus in our local communities, in our Synod, throughout the ELCA, and across the globe as we join together. Here are some of the things we are doing together: Road to Renewal The Road to Renewal is a two year process of congregational renewal led by leaders in your congregation. Our Synod team works to equip your leaders to engage the whole congregation in a process designed to energize your congregation for evangelism and mission. Gratitude in the Heart of Appalachia Our Synod has received a generous grant of $10,000 from the ELCA to develop leadership for stewardship, equip congregations to grow in their understanding of God‘s generosity, and to learn how mission support (the gifts sent to the Synod and ELCA) support the sharing of the Gospel at home and around the world. Festival of Faith The Festival of Faith is an annual event for lay people throughout the Synod. The focus of the event is to assist people in growing in their faith. This year‘s event will focus on prayer. The leaders will be Brenda Smith, Director for Discipleship, ELCA/CSM and Doug Haugen, Lutheran Men in Mission. The event will be repeated twice on September 21st and 22nd. Locations will be announced at a later date. Synod Futures Discussion The Executive Committee of the Synod is in the process of developing a plan for our future together as a Synod. I have been working with the Committee along with Vice President Paul Wangerin to guide the process. Work with Congregations In addition to the above, I am also available to congregations, especially as they face significant decisions regarding how they will share the Gospel in the future. During the past year, I have worked with both individual congregations and groups of congregations as they seek to answer the questions: ―What is God calling us to be and do in the next chapter of our life together? How can we best answer God‘s call to share the Gospel in our community?
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Report of the Synod Council Vice President Our Synod Council is very carefully considering the future of our West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod. The significant question we are facing asks, given the parameters and constraints of our resources, where should we place our focus? As a Synod Council, we ask, what is our most important task? Unquestionably, we all agree that it is to strengthen our congregations. The follow up question to this is how can and how should this be done? Addressing this question, then, links into our Synod‘s future. As we look at how we can most effectively support and strengthen our congregations, we felt we needed to narrow our attention to two or three key initiatives. Road to Renewal and Gratitude in the Heart of Appalachia are two specific programs that will be given our strong attention. Investing in our youth is the third area we feel needs strong support. We encourage all congregations to take advantage of these programs as the opportunity presents itself. Our Synod Council is also carefully studying how best to position ourselves over the next few years to effectively carry out God‘s mission in West Virginia-Western Maryland. Our current financial picture is forcing us to ask whether we can support a full time bishop when Bishop Dunkin‘s term ends in 2015. Will this position need to be a shared position with the role Helen Harms plays as our Director of Evangelical Mission? If the role of these two people is decreased to one person, we will cut in half the professional support our synod offers to our congregations. If this is the direction we need to take, we need to consider the implications of and how we would adjust to such a change. Over the next twelve months, we will be working with our conferences and congregations to communicate, share, and listen. We need to help congregations understand our synod‘s situation. We need to communicate the challenges and opportunities facing us. We need to share the possible future steps we would need to take and the implications of the various choices before us. But most importantly, we need to listen to the thoughts, concerns, and needs of our Synod‘s members. We must involve our congregations, pastors, and laypeople in the process of looking to our future. We need to hear how the Synod and the Synod Council can best help and support each congregation to carry out the mission God has for them. Over the next year, we will be meeting with our conferences and congregations to communicate our concerns and to listen to the thoughts and needs of each congregation. We will be asking how the Synod and the Synod Council can best support our congregations in carrying out God‘s mission. There are challenges before us, but God‘s power, help, and blessings will give us the guidance and strength to understand and fulfill the mission He has for us in West Virginia and Western Maryland. Paul Wangerin
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Report of the Synod Council April 2012—April 2013 By e-mail April 20, 2012, the Executive Committee approved that when the treasurer presents the proposed 2013 budget to the Synod Assembly, he does so asking the assembly to approve the budget provisionally until we can consult with our ELCA partners. That The Rev. Craig Settlage be invited to the July 28, 2012 Synod Council meeting to consult with Synod Council members then instead of in October. By e-mail May 11, 2012, the Executive Committee approved the same gender voting members to the 2012 Synod Assembly from St. Paul Lutheran Church, Accident, Maryland. By e-mail May 24, 2012, the Executive Committee approved having two female voting members to the 2012 Synod Assembly from Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Ravenswood, West Virginia. At its meeting of July 28, 2012, the Synod Council heard from The Rev. Craig Settlage, ELCA Mission Support. He commented on the synod‘s portion of 37.50% for the ELCA. While the synod has done well in the past, Pastor Settlage encouraged the Budget and Finance Committee to strive to increase the percentage of Mission Support to the ELCA. Synod Council voted to approve Bishop Dunkin‘s recommendation that Chap Holbert, Wheeling, be the bishop‘s designee to the Lutheran Service of Pittsburgh, PA, effective September 11, 2012. Matthew Sampson will not be entering seminary this fall so Synod Council authorized Bishop Dunkin to give the designated amount for Matthew to a senior seminarian. Synod Council voted to ask The Rev. Christine Olson to replace The Rev. Craig Richter on Synod Council since Pastor Richter moved from the synod. An election will take place at the 2013 Synod Assembly. Approved the mission support formula for congregations for 2013. By common consent following Helen Harms‘s request that a Mission Support Task Force be appointed for the synod. The Rev. Linda Muhly, The Rev. David Twedt, The Rev. Matthew Riegel, Treasurer, Paul Wangerin, The Rev. Lee Brumbeck. and George Friedline, chair of the Stewardship Committee were appointed to the Task Force. There were blanks in the proposed amendments to the constitution that were approved at the 2012 Synod Assembly. To correct the error, it was approved that a continuing resolution correct the error until a vote can be taken at the 2013 Synod Assembly.
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At its meeting of October 26-27, 2012, the Synod Council voted to: Adopt the auditor‘s report for 2011. Approve the confirmation of On Leave From Call status for a second year for The Rev. Randy Nairn. Approve that Bishop Dunkin participate in ―Journey to Renewal,‖ a year-long ELCA wellness experience for bishops. The synod will assist with finances to attend. Approve change recommended for the Rostered Leaders Debt Reduction Fund. Approved Bishop Dunkin‘s request to remove $1,600 from the money market account for the Warwood Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund to assist two of our senior seminarians with an extra gift of $800 each. Salem Lutheran Church, Boonsboro, Maryland, requested a $2,000 grant from ―A Seed Planted Fund‖ to assist with their expenses for their ―Come Grow with Us‖ evangelism campaign. It was moved and seconded. An amendment was offered that requested Salem Lutheran Church take an offering at least once a year for the next five years for ―A Seed Planted Fund.‖ The original motion with the amendment was approved. Approve the response from the Committee for Church and Society, the Committee for Congregational and Appalachian Concerns, and the Committee for Evangelism and Outreach regarding the resolutions on fracking from the 2012 Synod Assembly that were referred back to the three committees for a joint response. To accept Synod Council committee assignments as printed. At its teleconference meeting on December 11, 2012, the Executive Committee voted to: Affirm that $5,000 be withheld from the Mission Support to the ELCA for November and December with the possibility of sending more at the end of the fiscal year in January. Since approval of the recommended proposed bylaw changes for Lutheran Senior Life was overlooked during the conference call, all Executive Committee members voted affirmatively by e-mail to approve the proposed changes. By e-mail on December 24, 2012, the Executive Committee voted to: At the request of the congregation of Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, Hurricane, West Virginia, the Executive Committee on behalf of Synod Council issued a two-year term call to The Rev. Thomas Quickle. At the end of two years the congregation would be able to call Pastor Quickle on their own, if so desired. At its meeting of January 26, 2013, the Synod Council voted to: Accept the 2013 Assembly costs. The two day package for double occupancy, four meals, and breaks would be $171.50 plus $65 required registration fee and $12 parking fee.
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Approve assisting the bishop with cell phone service at $65 per month as we have done in the past. Encourage congregations to send a congregational council officer or member as a voting member to the Synod Assembly. Authorize Bishop Dunkin to seek in the spring the cost of a new synod vehicle with a trade-in, and bring his findings to the April Synod Council meeting for approval. Issue a call to The Rev. Roger Harms to be the intentional interim pastor at Trinity, Wheeling and St. Matthew‘s, Benwood beginning April 1, 2013. Approve The Rev. Janet Henson for a third year On Leave From Call. Create a small Task Force to discuss the topics of the Office of the Bishop and the future of this synod. The Rev. Matthew Riegel, The Rev. Wanda Childs, Paul Wangerin, and Marjorie Wolf were appointed to the Task Force. Approve the revised resolution on fracking which Synod Council adopted at its October 27, 2012 meeting since the resolution originally adopted did not include the state of Maryland. At its meeting of April 12-13, 2013, the Synod Council voted to: Rescind all synod committees by adopting a continuing resolution. Authorized Bishop Dunkin to form committees that would be more flexible in carrying out the work of the synod. Approve The Rev. Roland Nairn‘s one-year term call at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Keyser, West Virginia. He will remain on the roster of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod. Approve receiving Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Deep Creek, Maryland, as a new congregation of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod. Approve the recommendation that the Intersynodical Committee for Campus Ministry be dissolved. Amend the FY2013 budget for Lutheran Campus Ministry. Approve having the same gender voting members from Trinity, Weirton; Zion, Wheeling; Christ, Wheeling; and St. John, Mountain Parish to the 2013 Synod Assembly. Establish a committee composed of the Secretary of the Synod, the Chair of the Synod Assembly Registration Committee, the Synod Assembly Parliamentarian, and the Bishop (or the Bishop‘s designee), to have the authority to review and act upon all requests for dispensation from gender representation requirements connected to voting membership for the Synod Assembly. Approve the pastoral compensation/expenses/benefit package for 2014.
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Approve that Bishop Dunkin proceed with the purchase of a new synod vehicle. There is enough money in the reserved vehicle fund to purchase the new car. Recommend that the 2013 Synod Assembly adopt the agenda as printed. Amend Rules of Procedure, item 4, that would give officers, committees, and others, a time limit of three minutes to speak. (Now speeches are limited to one minute.) Then recommended the 2013 Synod Assembly adopt the Rules of Procedure. Authorize the Synod Council Executive Committee to approve any more recommendations for the 2013 Synod Assembly that may be necessary to carry out the work of the synod. Amend the proposed 2014 budget by removing $3,000 from the line item, Operational Committees and Commissions, and placing that amount in the line item, Campus Ministry – West Virginia University. To recommend the amended proposed 2014 budget to the 2013 Synod Assembly for adoption. Marjorie Wolf Secretary of the Synod
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Report of the Bishop’s Lay Worship Leaders Committee The Bishop‘s Lay Worship Leaders Committee met on March 24 in 2012. We planned our semi-annual training events one year in advance, reducing the need to conduct committee meetings more frequently. Also the committee‘s primary responsibilities to maintain the roster of authorized Bishop‘s Lay Worship Leaders (BLWL) through approval of applications and the removal of worship leaders, if necessary, and to oversee the planning, through the Office of the Bishop of the Synod, of training sessions for lay worship leaders, held on the territory of the synod can be managed with an annual meeting The committee sponsored two opportunities for BLWL training during the past year. The first event, ―Preaching the Gospel of John‖, was held at St. Paul‘s Lutheran Church in Morgantown, WV with the Rev. Sally Bartling of Trinity Lutheran Church in Keyser, WV and Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Westernport, MD as our trainer. The second event, also held at St. Paul‘s Lutheran Church in Morgantown, was on the topics of Luther and the 95 Theses and American Lutheran Church History presented by Rev. Matthew Riegel, Chaplain at WVU. Fifteen BLWL attended the training session for the spring of 2011 and sixteen attended the fall event. Our spring 2013 training will be a study of the Communion led by Pastor Gerald Kliner. As we use the lectionary three-year cycle that focuses on each of the first three Gospels, the committee recommends that some of the training sessions focus on the Gospel for the upcoming year, to give BLWL practical help in preparing sermons on the appropriate gospel. Other topics are suggested by the BLWL attending training through their completion of a survey of class topics for future training sessions. The committee received no applications from candidates during 2012. The committee reminds all authorized BLWL that, in order to remain on the synod‘s lay worship leader roster, each person must attend at least one of the training sessions offered by the synod each year. Any BLWL who cannot attend at least one of those sessions is asked to attend another similar training offered through the ELCA, such as the Lay School of Theology at Gettysburg Seminary, and provide documentation of attendance at that session to the Synod Office. The committee will review attendance at each meeting. Committee members who attend the Lay School of Theology continue to share very positive reports of their experiences there. The Application Form and Guidelines for BLWL can be downloaded from the Synod web site: www.wv-wmd.org under the tab ―Resources.‖ This committee plans to meet yearly, in Spring, on the dates and at the time assigned for other synodical committee meetings. Respectfully submitted, Lt. Col. (Ret) Clem J. Pemberton, Sr., Chairperson Committee Members: Rev. Allan Schwarz, Mr. Leroy Humberston, Ms. Melissa Bannister, & Mrs. Jane Hazer, Secretary
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Report of the Committee for Church in Society
As a standing committee of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the ELCA, the Committee for Church in Society has been committed to mercy and justice issues affecting the people of the territory of the synod as well as the world at large. As people of these beautiful mountains in which we live and worship, we are committed to stewardship of the beauty and resources of this place as well as mercy ministries for the poor and disenfranchised. For the past few years, we have grappled with issues regarding the care of creation – specifically mountain top removal and Marcellus Shale drilling. Both of these issues are multi-faceted. Each deals with out of state companies who have traditionally reaped much of the financial benefits, but are employers of large numbers of our people. Both provide energy resources and each, when implemented without regard to regulations, can impact the health and safety of the community at large. In the past we worked with the Bishop‘s Task Force in birthing Community Lutheran Partners, Inc., sponsored the first ―Just Neighbors‖ event, produced a hunger resource, ―The Extra Row‖, and participated in many other projects. With the change in the synod structure, the official work of this committee has ended. It has been an honor to have participated in the work on social issues within the territory of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod. ―Let justice flow on like a river.‖ Amos 5:24 In Christ‘s Service, Norma Bowyer, Chair Committee for Church in Society
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Report of the Committee for Congregational Ministries and Appalachian Concerns
The committee participated in re-imagining the Future of the Synod. The committee met with the Committee for Church and Society and Evangelism & Mission to prepare a response for the resolution from synod assembly concerning fracking and its effect on the area. The committee is an apple seed for ELCM. Our synod will be represented at the ELCMA Assembly in Pickens, SC. Thanks to members of the committee for their service. Submitted by, Dorcas Friedline, Chairperson
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Report of the Global Missions Committee and Companion Synods
A couple of times this past year, the synods that are companions with synods in Madagascar talked with each other over a web cam. A consultation with these synods was held in Chicago with Pastor Ian Reid representing this Synod. Pastor Ian Reid requested that a Malagasy pastor visit our synod. Bishop Dunkin has been in touch with a pastor at Lutheran Seminary and he will visit during the Synod Assembly. Region 8 representatives from each synod met in Gettysburg to discuss what each would be doing as far as Global Mission and Companion Synod relationships would be planning. The malaria campaign program was well received in this synod. Everyone needs to be aware that this is an ongoing campaign and nets can be purchased at any time. If anyone has any questions as to these programs, please see me. Peggy Blatt, Chair
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Report of the Youth Committee Current Members: Debby Borrelli; Pr. Wanda Childs-Ellis; Katie Davis*; Patsy Elliott; Zach Ellis*; Pr. Karen Erskine-Valentine; Dillon Muhly-Alexander*; Joe Smith; Pr. Sean Smith; Marcie Woloshan, Chair Members leaving during the year: David Alfred, Tami Corbin, Kyle Lee**, Lisa O‘Connell, Joey Zavilla** Due to the 2012 New Orleans Youth Gathering there was no 2012 summer convention, which resulted in no youth member elections. The current youth have been on the committee for 2 years. Elections are scheduled for the summer 2013 convention. November 1 – 4th: The Event: Zach Ellis & David Alfred attended the ELCA Youth Leadership Event in Omaha, Nebraska. Zach had an outstanding time, meeting many young people from across the country. Zach learned new things about leadership, enjoyed meeting other Lutheran youth, and was grateful he was given the opportunity to be our synod representative at this exciting program. November 9-11, 2012: ―Who is my neighbor?‖ Luke 10:25-37: The Fall 2012 LYO Weekend was hosted by St. Paul Lutheran Church in Morgantown. In attendance were 12 male youth, 2 female youth and 4 adult chaperones. Pastor Jerry Kliner, chaplain for the convention, led Final 15 with Compline each evening. Chaplain Matthew Riegel of the WVU Lutheran Campus Chapel led Saturday morning devotions before hosting a tour of the Chapel complex and organizing a service project. Attendees collated, folded, stuffed, addressed and stamped the annual Chapel newsletter, reducing a large endeavor for the Chaplain down to a 90 minute project. The LYO attendees and chaperones then traveled to the Islamic Center of Morgantown (ICM) for a tour of the mosque and explanation of their services. During lunch at St. Paul, Imam Sohail Chaudhry, Chaplain Matthew Riegel, and Pr. Jerry Kliner, plus others from the ICM congregation, engaged the group in discussion of Muslim and Christian teachings on theme ―Who is my neighbor?‖ Late afternoon on Saturday, LYO alumni (and Camp Luther counselor) Patrick Cushing led a tour of the WVU campuses including rides on the WVU-PRT (Personal Rapid Transit). The day concluded with swimming, basketball, and ping pong activities (and showers!) at the WVU Student Recreation Center. Following breakfast and Sunday Church School, the Convention joined the congregation of St. Paul for Sunday morning worship. A special Thank You goes to the St. Paul Youth Group parents, Church Council and Parking Committee for providing meals. February 8-10, 2013: Youth from across our synod of West Virginia & Western Maryland arrived at St. Luke, Beckley on Friday, February 8th and left after worship and a cook-out on Sunday, February 10th. There were 21 youth, and 2 teachers, a musician and 6 other chaperones. Upon arrival, Joe Smith led the youth in icebreakers followed by devotions. On Saturday, there were three more devotions led by Joe. The group headed to Winterplace Ski Resort on
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Saturday morning, where they skied, snowboarded and tubed all day. After returning to St. Luke, everyone showered, ate pizza & vegetables and relaxed. That evening the group went to the Wooton farm where they had hot chocolate around a fire. Pastor Wanda Childs presided over the Eucharist around the fire that evening. On Sunday morning, the group participated in a morning class and attended the worship service. They sang several songs during the service. It was a blessed weekend with fun had by all. LYO Convention July 12-14, 2013: The LYO will be holding its Summer Convention at Cedar Ridge in Clear Springs, MD. Participants will enjoy the Challenge Course complete with high and low ropes courses and a zipline. Elections for youth officers will be part of the weekend. The theme is ―Doing Justice: LYO Taking on the Challenge‖. *Indicates a youth member ** indicates youth member who graduated high school Respectfully submitted – Marcie Woloshan, Wanda Childs-Ellis, Zach Ellis, Debby Borelli
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Camp Luther Report
2012 proved to be yet another great camp experience for all. We‘ve continued the recent trend of increased number of campers with 288 campers and 85 staff members for Camp Luther. Attached you‘ll find the financial report for 2012. You‘ll see that some of the line items have been changed to show where financial support originates as well as where are our key expenses. There is now a separate line item to show donations that come in from Camp Staff and Churches as well as synod support. Staff and past campers continue to provide support for scholarships as well as costs for supplies, all of the craft supplies, nursing cabin items, and the curriculum. Note that synod support is provided incrementally throughout the year. Because we have to pay for camp at the end of the week, and not all checks from scholarships cleared the bank, funds are moved from savings, in order to cover expenses. This results in a large balance at year end, which will be put back in savings. We‘ve tried to curb expenses as much as possible. Other than the camp fee, our next largest cost is camp insurance, then packets and mailings. Applications and packets cost around $400 in postage, and mailings per year – and that doesn‘t include the paper. During the past two years, we‘ve received our paper for all of camp through donations from World Vision. That‘s 7 boxes of paper – at least $175 - $200 in savings. In the future years, we will continue to look at ways to decrease this cost and increase our use of the Camp Luther website. Respectfully submitted, Mike Propst, Director Camp Luther
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Camper Census- 288, Staff 85 Beginning Balance 2/28/2012 Income Registration includes: Pre-camp Camp Luther Scholarships Camp Luther Gifts Campers Registration Camper Banks {994.00} Thrivent Donations Donations- from staff and churches Grant from Synod Sportswear Sales {$902.00} Craft Sales {$167.55} Joyce Propst Memorial {150.00} Interest Income Transfer from other CL account to cover unusual expenditures
$5,978.67
$61,659.12 $194.00
$1,416.00 $9,525.00
$6.57 $10,000.00 $82,800.69
Total Income Expenses: Camp Caesar Tips Change Sportswear Staff Shirts Nursing expense (Donated) Craft materials (Donated) Office expense Curriculum (Donated) Camp Programs Camp insurance Web site expense Postage Music Expense Bulk Mailing Camper Refunds Total expenses Ending Balance 2/28/2013* Ending date changed due to deposits and charges coming in after 12-31-2012 for FY 2012 Church Camp
$88,779.36
$60,762.75 $1,500.00 $500.00 $888.75 $177.35 $0.00 $0.00 $300.00 $0.00 $283.50 $2,902.88 $100.00 $200.00 $0.00 $300.00 $194.00 ($68,109.23) $20,670.19
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Eastern Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries Since its founding in 1995, the Eastern Cluster of Lutheran Seminaries (ECLS) has fostered strong collaboration between the three eastern schools and other partners, enhancing our common task of theological education for a broad spectrum of students and lifelong learners. In these challenging times when all seminaries seek new approaches to forming leaders for the Church, we are also engaged with the other ELCA seminary clusters, our regional synods and additional partners in the search for financial sustainability. Efficiencies are being realized by working together and sharing strategies. A separately incorporated entity, the Cluster is governed by a Board of Directors made up of board chairs and other officers from each of the three schools. One of the three seminary presidents serves in rotation as Cluster executive director. With only modest core funding from the seminaries, the Cluster has been blessed to receive over $6 million in grants from foundations to support common projects and subsidize seminary budgets. Current Collaborative Programs
The Cluster‘s One Library Under Three Roofs links the collections at Gettysburg, Philadelphia and Columbia, providing students, faculty and other borrowers with access to a vast array of books, periodicals and e-resources.
Through the Cluster-sponsored Project Connect, hundreds of young persons have been invited to ―consider their callings‖ over the past half-dozen years. The project has fostered multiple vocational discernment arenas, and developed a broad network of ―discernment advocates‖ equipped to support those in their late teens and early twenties as they seek to follow God‘s call and claim on their lives. With the ending of large-scale funding by the Lilly Endowment this past year, full-time director Don Johnson has concluded his work. A more modest Lilly grant helps sustain key components of Project Connect, now under the direction of the three seminaries‘ Admissions officers.
Given the geographical proximity of the two Pennsylvania seminaries, Gettysburg and Philadelphia have joined forces in field education, combining placement and supervision of CPE and internship under the direction of Profs. Rick Carlson and Leonard Hummel. Other faculty sharing opportunities continue to be explored. Future Cluster Directions: Following the merger of LTSS with Lenoir Rhyne University, the Cluster is exploring new directions for the coming years. A generous planned gift by the late Dr. Dorothy Marple offers financial resources to the Cluster and member schools for expanded courses and other offerings in the area of ecumenics.
With Appreciation: The Cluster is grateful for support to theological education and our seminaries from our partner synods and churchwide organization. Special appreciation is expressed to AIM Donald Johnson for his seven years of service with Project Connect. Rev. John Richter, Cluster Board Chair Rev. Michael Cooper-White, Ex. Director
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Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg Bearing witness at the crossroads of history and hope, Gettysburg Seminary proclaims Jesus Christ to a restless world by preparing our students for faithful discipleship. Reporting to our constituent synods in this 187th year, Gettysburg Seminary seeks to exercise the highest stewardship of the faith and resources entrusted to us. Gettysburg stewards its mission with particular care for those students the church sends our way, through an extraordinary faculty and other leaders who lend their time and wisdom, and by means of public witness centered around our unique history on Seminary Ridge. We remain thankful that Region 8 leads the ELCA in seminary financial support; and that so many members and congregations respond with generosity to undergird theological education and ministerial formation. History: Schmucker Hall Readied for Seminary Ridge Museum: For over a half century, Seminary leaders hoped to rehabilitate the Seminary‘s venerable ―Old Dorm.‖ In 2012-13, the dream has been realized in partnership with the Adams County Historical Society. Seminary and Museum staff and volunteers now prepare for its Grand Opening to the public July 1st. Offering a unique focus on religious convictions that fueled the battle over slavery, the building‘s role as a field hospital and as strategic lookout, the Seminary Ridge Museum‘s dedication by Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson and others is viewed as the capstone event of the 150th anniversary of the great Civil War battle. Extraordinary Teachers: Faculty members teach, receive accolades, publish and invent new ways of offering theological education to the whole church. Every member of the LTSG faculty is noteworthy. In 2012, two colleagues – Dean Robin Steinke and Dr. Kristin Johnston Largen – were recognized by their alma maters, respectively, with distinguished alumna awards. Multiple books authored by faculty were published during the year, including a biography by newly retired Dr. Nelson Strobert of Daniel Alexander Payne, one of the Seminary‘s most illustrious students in the 19th century. Several additional very significant faculty publications were issued this past year. Expanding Access: The Gettysburg Spring Academy: The faculty created a newly expanded experience around Spring Convocation that offers a stimulating week long experience for students, seekers, interested lay persons, rostered leaders and prospective students. First offering this spring was Proclaiming Liberty: The Unfinished Work of Freedom, Faith, and Living in a Fallen World. Care for God’s Creation: ―Campus greening‖ efforts were recognized nationally when Gettysburg was one of only 12 seminaries invited to become a charter member of ―Blessed Earth,‖ an emerging coalition dedicated to environmental stewardship grounded in the Christian faith. Campus greening efforts stepped forward in classrooms and in the Schmucker Hall rehabilitation featuring geothermal heating and cooling and seeking LEED certification.
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Stewarding Generosity in the Crossroads Campaign: Originally slated to raise $12 million for scholarships, endowment, special programmatic efforts and campus development, the campaign exceeded $23 million in gifts, annual giving, pledges, and planned gifts. With the larger share of commitments and receipts dedicated to endowment or deferred until ―planned gifts‖ come to fruition, and with declining support from churchwide and synodical sources, the Seminary remains challenged to meet its current year budget. Even stronger stewardship, through such measures as expanded strategic partnerships, expanded donor support and pedagogical creativity will be required of seminaries in the 21st Century, and Gettysburg will strive to meet every challenge placed before us. In One Word: Thanks – For all who have responded generously, and for all who continue supporting the Seminary‘s mission with your prayers, advice, encouragement of prospective students, and in all other ways, we shout out a heartfelt ―thanks be to God‖! The Rev. Michael L. Cooper-White, President The Rev. Glenn Ludwig, Chairman of the Board
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Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia
Greetings from your sisters and brothers throughout the Appalachian region and from ELCMA, the Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia. ―Connecting and Equipping God’s People for Christ’s Mission in Appalachia‖ has been our purpose since organizing in 1990. This has been a momentous year for ELCMA. Our long time director resigned after 16 years of ministry. We had our periodic Ministry Review with the ELCA. We‘ve begun a time of reflection as an organization, focusing on what we need to be about in the coming years. As we work to discern our path for the future there are some distinct themes we have identified: 1. The Appalachian region continues to need a voice in the ELCA. ELCMA is committed to advocating for the poor, the overshadowed, the powerless, and those who fall victim to natural disasters. Part of our efforts in connecting and equipping God‘s people involves raising awareness of needs throughout the region via our Facebook page and the ELCMANews list-serve. Prayer and help can be summoned quickly and well through this network. 2. Our brothers and sisters throughout Appalachia often feel isolated, especially in the rural areas. By connecting and equipping, we can reach through that isolation to bring Jesus‘ presence to them, and to offer opportunities for all to minister. 3. ELCMA needs to be self-sufficient in the very near future. As financial support from the ELCA and synods has been reduced due to tighter budgets, it is critical to find new ways to support the work we do. ELCMA has a long history of ―doing more with less,‖ relying on gifts of time and talents as well as dollars. It is important we strive to live out our mission even while we watch our expenses and look to develop new ways to fund our work. 4. ELCMA needs to foster our relationships with Bishops, synod staff, church agencies and congregational leaders. By combining the resources and innovative ministries we learn about, with tools we have developed, and the network of people willing to serve, ELCMA will connect and equip congregations and individuals to fulfill the mission given to us all through Jesus. ELCMA clearly can‘t do it all, but we don‘t need to. There are many exciting and effective ministries we can learn from our sisters and brothers and share them region-wide.
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You‘ll hear more about Appalachian ministry in the coming months. The ELCA is calling an Appalachian Consultation inviting many of the leaders and workers in the region to discern the needs for ministry in this region. Your prayers are sought for this process and for ELCMA as we move into the future that Christ may be proclaimed and his gifts be shared and multiplied. Look for an insert in The Lutheran about Appalachia, and know that in over 1000 congregations in 13 states and 16 synods you have sisters and brothers serving Jesus. Blessings on your day and on your ministries! Pastor Dan May, Interim Coordinator, ELCMA Website: www.elcma.net
Email: office@elcma.org
Phone: 814-618-5158
New Address: ELCMA, 103 N Gilpin Street Suite 312, Punxsutawney, PA 15767
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Gettysburg College Grace, mercy and peace! Gettysburg College and the ELCA supporting synods to Gettysburg College share common values. One value that stands out amongst our shared values has to do with education and formation of maturing young adults. We educate and support maturing young adults in the development of habits of mind and heart that will aid them in making this a more peaceable and just planet. At Gettysburg, we often talk about our graduates becoming citizens of the world, engaged in their professional and personal lives in such ways as to make their communities stronger. The vocation of learning is also a call to wisdom, to the sort of disciplined life that makes humanity and wholeness not disparate realities, but, a very present actuality. Born in the context of a University, the Lutheran Christian community has placed, since its inception, a high premium on education. As a highly selective, national liberal arts college, Gettysburg College remains faithful to those values that are in keeping with the heart of this tradition. Today, Gettysburg College is working on increasing diversity and internationalization amongst students, faculty and staff. Among the core values that Gettysburg College seeks to instill are:
The worth and dignity of all people
Critical thinking, communication skills, sensitivity to the human condition, and a global perspective
A free and open marketplace of ideas and the exploration of the ethical and spiritual dimensions of life
A commitment to service
The residential college as a model community
Gettysburg College also encourages students to be self-reflective and to recognize the interconnectedness of learning and core life values. Gettysburg College prides itself on the distinctiveness that may be found here both through location and dedication. One of the hallmarks of a Gettysburg education is the relationship that develops between students and faculty both in and outside of the classroom. At Gettysburg, students may find themselves alongside faculty retracing the roots of the Civil Rights movement, researching the benefits of fish oil with their professor, promoting grassroots development in Nicaragua, or videotaping Viking ruins in the British Isles. Or they may find themselves discussing class work (and other weightier matters of life) over dinner at a faculty member‘s house.
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The charter of Gettysburg College states its purpose: to serve the cause of liberal education in changing times, by providing a community of learning both inside and outside the classroom committed to the discovery, exploration, and evaluation of the ideas and actions of humankind, and to the creative extension of that developing heritage, and the promotion of music, the arts, theater, leadership and volunteerism within the local, regional and global communities. As we look to the future we witness increasing attention being given to globalization and internationalization by current and future generations of students. These students expect and, quite frankly, need to be at the forefront of cultural and political shifts across the globe. In a world where the challenges of the present may seem daunting, Gettysburg College understands that the best way to protect the future is by preserving integrity and maintaining the highest quality in teaching, learning, research and service. We hope that you will continue to share our common mission by encouraging young people to matriculate here! Here they will find a home away from as in a community that welcomes and supports them as they become global citizens. Blessings and peace!
The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Donnella II Chaplain of the College Adj Prof - Religious Studies Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA 17325 phone:717-337-6280 donnella@gettysburg.edu
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Intersynodical Committee for Campus Ministries The Inter-synodical Committee for Campus Ministry (ICCM) has recommended to the three parent synods (Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod, Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, and the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod) that the ICCM be dissolved. The ICCM now awaits action by the synods. Realignment of the ALC districts and LCA synods, occasioned by the formation of the ELCA, changed the ecclesiastical context of the campus ministries on our territory. It was quickly recognized by the judicatories involved that the ability of two of those synods (NWPA and WVWMD) to maintain adequate financial support for the center-based campus ministries on their respective territories was doubtful if not impossible. Continuation of the synodical financial support that had existed prior to realignment provided the driving impetus for the chartering of the ICCM. Beyond that, advancement and promotion of campus ministry on the territories of the synods added a more expansive vision. Those were heady days, but the politico-economic synergy promised in the formation of the ELCA never materialized. The more expansive vision for campus ministry articulated in the chartering documents of the ICCM has not been realized to any great extent, and financial support, originally conceptualized as an interdependent effort of the Churchwide expression and the synods, cannot be maintained. The tri-synod funding compact is scheduled for termination at the conclusion of the first fiscal quarter of 2013, leaving each synod to support its territorial center-based campus ministry and leaving two of the center-based campus ministries to seek out alternative revenue streams and/or make significant cuts in expenditures to compensate for loss of major income sources. Were there benefits to having the ICCM? Yes. The mutual consultation of the leadership of the campus ministries among themselves and with synodical representatives provided a context for the sharing of ideas, critique of programming, and cooperation. While this benefit is particularly obvious when a rookie campus minister is moving into place, its on-going value in the protean university context should not be lost on readers. Were there costs to having the ICCM? Yes. Travel and time are quantifiable expenses. Furthermore, the ICCM was also chartered as a large representative body because of its original financial responsibility and authority. Consequently, there was always a human cost in organizational energy. It is the opinion of the ICCM that, absent the tri-synod funding compact, the economies (tangible and intangible) of the ICCM do not outweigh the diseconomies. The chief benefit, mutual consultation, does not require a model as institutionally bulky as the ICCM. The ICCM, therefore, has recommended that, following the dissolution of the ICCM, the leadership of the three center-based campus ministries continue to consult with each other and that they invite
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others to join them, but the specifics of that consultation are left to the discretion of that leadership. For further information, including the ICCM governing documents, the recommendation for dissolution, and an analysis of the termination of the tri-synod funding compact, visit LutheranMountaineer.org/iccm. You may also contact me directly. The Rev. Matthew Lynn Riegel, S.T.M. ICCM Chair
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Lutheran Campus Ministries at Indiana University of Pennsylvania College life is exciting! So many opportunities, amid a newly- unleashed freedom, wrapped in academic and relationship challenges! Looking back we may see those years in a rosy glow of fond memories – looking in from the outside we might be tempted to see them as times of unfettered responsibility. But facing them head on we see the stressors, the self-questioning, and the pain that often accompany collegiate reality. The Lutheran Campus Ministry at Indiana University of Pennsylvania is present in the midst of college life. It extends the grace of God in the context of students‘ lives and companions them through these years of opportunity and challenge. The Lutheran Campus Center, located adjacent to the IUP campus at 875 School Street, is the place where we gather for weekly worship and hospitality. Throughout the academic year, the Center provides a welcoming space … a space that feels more like home, not an institutional setting. The Center allows students to take a deep breath, enjoy a good meal provided each week by one of nine congregations from Indiana and Jefferson counties, and hear the Good News proclaimed by local pastors and supported by the Center‘s student-composed praise band. Our thanks to all those who by their presence among us have enhanced this ministry! This year we were also blessed by the presence of Father Bill Geiger of Christ Episcopal Church, Indiana, and Pastor Jennifer Fair from St. Peter‘s UCC congregation, Punxsutawney. Our students come from a variety of faith traditions, and some from no identified religious preference. All are welcomed! Our students also engage in outreach to the campus community through participation in IUP Day; they prepare Christmas stockings for the patients at Torrance State Hospital, and support the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. The Lutheran Campus Center affords a space to relax and share honest and thoughtful conversation in its refurbished lounge area, to share laughter and stories as cookies bake in the kitchen, and a space to encounter brothers and sisters in Christ from a spectrum of generations: Trudy Taylor, our office administrator, is often considered the resident grandmother, a compliment to her wisdom and compassion! Guiding the ministry are members of the Directing Committee: Pr. Steve Bond, Andrea Caylor, Randy Crowe, Pr. Tedd Cogar, Karen Gresh, Kim Esslinger ‗13, Bishop Ralph Jones and Pr. Arlene Schweitzer. I am most grateful for their commitment to campus ministry, their good humor, and their faithful witness to Christ our Lord. Respectfully submitted, Pastor Arlene Schweitzer
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Lutheran Campus Ministries at West Virginia University Video Yes, we made a ―Harlem Shake‖ video – well, sorta. If you search Youtube.com for ―Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU‖ or visit our website (LutheranMountaineer.org), you will find our second foray into the world of Youtube videos, but, rather than posting a typical Harlem Shake video, we tried to say something about the nature of campus ministry at WVU and about the place of the church on the college campus. Inspired by 1 Cor. 14:33a (―For God is not a God of confusion but of peace‖), we sought to present the countercultural dimension of Godly order in the midst of campus chaos. Check it out, and share it with others. Interns Summer 2012 was a summer of internships (one completed, one never materialized). Seminarian Greg Hoffman did a Project Connect internship with St. Paul Lutheran Church under Chap. Riegel‘s supervision. Hoffman is now enrolled at LTSS. The other internship for the summer was supposed to be with a grad student from the WVU public administration master‘s program. The intern withdrew at the last minute, citing family commitments. At present, Margrit Blakely, also a grad student in public administration is interning throughout the second semester and summer of 2013. Her primary focus is development. Already, we are enjoying Blakely‘s input and energy. Property We continue structural renovations to the Luther House (our student residence). In November 2012, a property committee was formed as a result of a generous offer by some of the men at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Morgantown. Since then, this dedicated, experienced, and highly motivated team has already replaced the HVAC in the Chapel – air conditioning for the first time in nearly eleven years, high efficiency furnaces, and a commercial dehumidifier. Bids are being reviewed for the repair of the Chapel roof; legal counsel is being sought to recoup some of the expense of the last roofing job which was badly botched by the contractor. Conceptual work is underway for renovation of the Chapel kitchen and restrooms to take place this summer. The donation of a used kitchen (cabinetry and major appliances) and a used office suite is propelling some of the improvements. The office suite now serves as a work station and vastly improved storage arrangement in the common area of the Chapel undercroft; the accompanying bookshelves will improve our library facilities. Although everything is very cluttered while these renovations are underway, the end product will be a much more useful and pleasant space
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for students, faculty, and staff. This work on the Chapel constitutes the first phase of the major renovation of the facilities envisioned a few years ago. The early successes of the capital campaign have made it possible to fund this work, but moving forward also required the right people to spearhead the decision making and oversight of the project. Finance 2013 will see a 45% drop in synodical financial support as the tri-synod funding compact phases out of existence, representing more than a 20% drop in total baseline revenue (based upon 2010). The projected decrease in synodical funding from 2012 levels in 2014 will be 60%, roughly 31% of total baseline revenue. No further decrease in Churchwide support is expected in 2013, and insufficient data exists for a sound estimate for 2014. Donations from congregations and individuals increased dramatically in 2012. For this, we are truly grateful and encouraged in the midst of otherwise bleak predictions. These donations need to repeatable and the donation base expanded if operations are to be continued along the present staffing, programmatic, and physical resources (facilities) model. As we continue to ramp up our ―development‖ activities, the Lutheran Campus Foundation Board of Directors does not fail to investigate changes to the current operations model. Fortunately, St. Paul (our mother congregation) has not only increased financial support but has also offered increased administrative support. The synods should note the increase in congregational and individual support. In 1973, combined synodical/district and NLCM (equivalent to Churchwide support) represented 90% of revenue. Individual and congregational support represented 2%. The relationship inverted in 2012 when congregational and individual gifts exceeded aggregate synodical and Churchwide support by more than $15,000. If individual and congregational support remains at 2012 levels, the gap will widen to more than $47,000 by in 2014. This represents a new reality for campus ministry. We anticipate that support from larger denominational expressions (synods and Churchwide) will continue to degrade as a result of their own politico-economic challenges. This challenges campus ministry to broaden and strengthen the individual donor base. Program Lutheran Campus Ministry is still teaching, preaching, administering the sacraments, counseling, guiding, listening, and walking with students, faculty, and staff in their daily life. We invite you to take a peek: visiting our website (LutheranMountaineer.org) and/or signing up for any one of our communication formats (to be found through the website) is a great way to keep a tab on us. We were pleased to have one of our alumni, Jason Felici, ordained this year, and even happier to have him serving in the WV-WMD Synod alongside his talented (and more popular) copastor, Jess Felici. We were also pleased to send Jono Adams off to start his studies at Gettysburg Seminary. Meanwhile, we are keeping tabs on our three other Lutheran seminarians,
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Rebecca Grate (Southern), Jared Lee (Southern), and Stephanie Zinn (Gettysburg). A Christmas recess Project Connect ―Monastic Retreat & Research Seminar‖ with young adults, including two WVU students, is something we would like to replicate on at least a biennial basis. The two ―Pilgrimages to Pitt‖ were, once again, well received. The Lenten pilgrimage was particularly interesting as it included a tour of the second largest relic collection in the world (St. Anthony‘s Chapel, Troy Hill). Reformation Daze witnessed the decimation of France at the hands of the Hapsburgs; admittedly, Francis, responding to an assault from Henry, had been drawn to the north, exposing his southern border. ―Sanctuary Days‖ have been held each week of Lent, offering an opportunity to rise for vigils at 6:10 AM and join in the minor prayer offices throughout the day. Use of twitter has made it possible to hold spontaneous ―sext & soups,‖ something worth continuing. Lemonade Stand set a new record, serving 1800 cups of ―welcome to campus,‖ and the men of First Lutheran, Parkersburg, returned for the second annual ―Hot Dog Day.‖ Feel free to contact us should you have any questions. We love visits! So, arrange a visit with the campus ministry for your church group by giving us a call. The Rev. Matthew Lynn Riegel, S.T.M Chaplain
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Mission Investment Fund Mission Investment Fund Evangelical Lutheran Church in America God‘s work.Our hands. About the Mission Investment Fund The Mission Investment Fund (MIF) is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Through MIF, congregations, their members, synods and ELCA-related ministries may purchase a variety of investments that offer adjustable or fixed-rate terms and earn interest at competitive rates. MIF uses these investments to make low-interest loans to established ELCA congregations, new -start congregations and ELCA-related ministries. Established congregations use MIF loans to renovate, expand or relocate. New-start congregations rely on MIF loans to buy land and construct their first church buildings. ELCA-related ministries use MIF loans for a variety of capital projects. The Mission Investment Fund is financially strong and stable, with a record of steady, controlled growth:
With total assets of $663 million and net assets of $184 million at year-end 2012, MIF maintained a capital ratio of 27.9 percent – a ratio significantly greater than the capital required by bank regulators and the level maintained by most financial institutions. At year-end 2012, investments by congregations, their members, and ELCA-related ministries totaled $473 million, and loans for capital projects to more than 760 ELCA ministries totaled $452 million. Throughout its nearly 100-year history, MIF and its predecessors have always returned full principal and interest to its investors. Investments and Loans in the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod
As of December 31, 2012: Investments in the Mission Investment Fund by 34 individuals and 21 congregations and ministries, including the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, totaled $1,276,656. One congregation or ministry was supported by $65,684 in Mission Investment Fund loans. MIF Representative for the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod: The Rev. Kent Peterson; Telephone (276) 698-7970; Email: kent.peterson@elca.org Mission Investment Fund ~ 8765 West Higgins Road ~ Chicago, IL 60631 Tel: 877-886-3522 ~ Web: mif.elca.org
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Partners in Care Task Force
At the October 28, 2011 Synod Council meeting Pastor Carl Ames of Christ the King Lutheran in Huntington and Colonel Bruce Reed, State Chaplain of the West Virginia National Guard, presented a plan developed by the Guard called Partners in Care, PIC, that coordinates support for West Virginia National Guard service members and their families through local faith communities. The Council approved the participation of the churches of the Synod in this program and at Bishop Dunkin‘s request, Colonel Reed agreed to include the churches that are in the Western Maryland part of our Synod in the plan. The Council set up a Task Force to coordinate this work with the Guard and its members are: Chair – Rev. Carl W. Ames, Rev. Wanda Childs-Ellis, Rev. Dana Holter, Clem Pemberton of Cross of Grace and Charlie Smoot of Christ the King. Clem, Charlie and Carl are also veterans themselves. The Task Force has met several times, some of those with Colonel Reed. A brochure has been developed by the Guard to advertise the program; the Guard has agreed to add all veterans and their families in the Synod to the program and the Guard presented the program at the 2012 Synod Assembly. Pastors Dana Holter, Wanda Childs-Ellis and Carl Ames were also later invited thru Colonel Reed, who is on the Steering Committee of the Coalition, to attend the National Military Child Education Coalition workshop in Charleston that focuses on the needs of military children. The Synod Task Force will represent the Synod in the ongoing work of the Faith group section of the Coalition, which includes Colonel Reed and seeks to draw in many other faith groups also. Pastor Ames was involved with Michigan National Guard while serving a congregation there and was introduced to Colonel Reed by his counterpart in the Michigan National Guard. Once Colonel Reed shared the Guard‘s plan here, Pastor Ames asked Bishop Dunkin‘s permission to present it along with Colonel Reed to the Council and thus the Oct. 28 Council meeting. Since our organization Rev. Holter has accepted a Call in another Synod and Col. Reed has met with several denominations. We now have 175 churches from various denominations signed up with PIC and cover all but one county in WV. Col. Reed has retired and has moved over to State Family Programs Director position for the Guard and LTC Gary Coffey is the new WV National Guard State Chaplain. Both Gary and Bruce will be working with PIC. The first year was spent informing denominations about the program and getting their approval to share it with their congregations. The second year was contacting those congregations where denominational approval was required and also those that do not have a denominational approval process and getting individual congregations to sign up. This year is on training representatives' from those congregations and beginning to refer those in need to them. There is a multidenominational team that works with the Guard in their process and this Task Force serves on that team.
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The Guard will continue reaching out to various denominations and our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters to have them become part of PIC. There are several training events for houses of worship to send representatives to being set up and the Guard will notify all of those who have signed up of those events. In addition the Guard has agreed to include all active duty military living in WV and their families in the PIC program. Vets and active duty military will go through the Guard for referral to houses of worship as will the Guard members. Our WV Guard not only developed the PIC program but has made it a high priority from the Generals down through the Chaplains and has really carried the work of doing this effort. Those of you at the Synod Assembly last year heard the passion of Major General Hoyer for his people. I thank all of you who have signed up for this partnership for those serving us in uniform and their families as we reach out to them in what I hope can be a model for other reaching out by our congregations beyond their walls in ministry. Submitted by Rev. Carl W. Ames
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Report of Region 8 of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America While no one particularly enjoys reading constitutions and by-laws, it is important for churchwide, synodical and congregational leaders to ground their understandings of regions using Chapter 18 of the ELCA Constitution which defines regions ―as a partnership between groups of synods and the churchwide organization for the purpose of exercising mutual responsibilities,‖ (August 2009 ELCA Constitution, 18.01, p. 141), going on to state that the function of the ―regions shall be a means for coordinated responses by synods and the churchwide organization to mission and program opportunities within the region,‖ (18.11.11, p. 141). Keeping all of that in mind – along with the Region 8 bishops perspective that it is not the region that creates program, but, that the region works with programs that others recognize as valuable to fulfill the Constitution‘s description of the Region‘s role – what follows is a brief description of several activities here in Region 8. While not all regions operate in this manner, Region 8 finds value in cooperating on some key aspects of the First Call Theological Education (FCTE) program. Primarily this means the planning and implementing of a Region 8 FCTE Annual Conference; the office works with a Region-wide advisory council in planning. I also take primary responsibility for the details to arrange this event – from publicity to contracts to registration to evaluation to hospitality. In addition to the conference, each synod also provides more synod context opportunity. In addition to my service at every synod‘s candidacy committee meeting, I serve as the ‗go to‘ person for all things candidacy. This varies from month to month, but, includes arranging Theological Review Panels and Candidate Assessment Panels (as well as the follow-up report writing) and responding to the particular questions that often stymie synod staff people. Each year we hold a Region-wide candidacy gathering for each synod‘s candidacy staff and committee chair person; also invited are any number of colleagues in ministry from across the region. In 2012 we utilized the expertise of Sr. Sylvia Countess to more deeply understand the deaconess community‘s candidacy process as well as the skill of several LTSG colleagues to discussthe implications for candidacy of the changed Association of Theological Schools‘ guidelines for Masters of Divinity degrees. This resulted in the agreement to work cooperatively on a Region 8 project in the areas of candidacy and theological education. Region 8 bishops totally support this ongoing work and we anticipate having a plan in place by early 2013. The Region hosted two Region-wide consultations or think-tanks during this past year. The focus of the first was the determination of areas where we might think in new ways about the church and its structures, identify interesting ways for synods in Region 8 to relate with one another and to do their work, and consider concerns related to finances and partners. The second focused on the particular area of how the Region‘s congregations are served by Word and Sacrament ministry; during this conversation participants also discussed various partnerships across
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synod lines and region-wide where work could continue. I also hosted several other meetings, such as a Region 8 Bishops meeting for discussion of first call assignments, Region 8 Bishops visit to the LTSG campus, the ELCA Bishops visit to the LTSG campus, a Region 8 CSM Unit gathering, the Region 8 Global Mission/World Hunger/ Companion Synod/Malaria Campaign gathering, and the Region 8 DEM‘s meetings with LTSG faculty. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Gable, Diaconal Minister
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Tri-Synod Archives
The Tri-Synod Archives is a cooperative ministry of the Northwestern Pennsylvania, the Southwestern Pennsylvania, and the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synods. The archives are governed by a board consisting of representatives of all three synods. Peggy Blatt and Marjorie Wolf are the representatives of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod on the board. This board oversees the work of the archivist, seeks historical records to be preserved in the archives, and works with congregations to maintain accurate historical records. The board usually meets twice a year, once in September at the archives which is housed at Thiel College, and again in April or May at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod Office. The officers of the Tri-Synod Archives Board were elected in September 2010 to serve for a two-year period, and were reelected in September 2012. They are: President – David Laakso, Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod Vice President – Marjorie Wolf, West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Secretary/Treasurer – Frank Podolinski, Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod A budget of $3,110 for 2013 was approved. The archives for the three synods are housed in a room in Passavant Center at Thiel College. Sarah F. Roth was hired July 1, 1995 to serve as the part-time archivist/curator. She is available in the archives each Tuesday and Thursday morning. It is best to call the curator at 724-5892131 to make an appointment rather than just appearing at the archives. You may also contact Ms. Roth by sending mail to: Tri-Synod Archives, Ms. Sarah Roth, Passavant Center, Thiel College, Greenville, Pennsylvania 16125. Ms. Roth is available for assistance with congregational histories, the preservation of records, and genealogies. If your congregation is not sure whether or not an item should be saved, please contact Sarah Roth. You don‘t want to toss out something of value! The Tri-Synod Archives Endowment Fund was established in 1998 to honor the ministries and the archival work of The Rev. Dr. B.B. Maurer and of The Rev. Dr. Donald Anderson. Gifts to the Endowment Fund continue to be greatly appreciated. Space is limited in the present location of the archives, and the Tri-Synod Archives Board is working with Thiel College to find a more suitable space. The Tri-Synod Archives Committee invites your congregation to mail Ms. Roth records of historical value that can be best preserved in the proper climate-controlled atmosphere of archives. Marjorie Wolf Synod Representative
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West Virginia-Western Maryland Women of the ELCA Last year the women of our synod celebrated their twenty-fifth synodical convention. The 2012 convention theme was ―Joy with a Silver Lining‖. All but one of our past presidents were in attendance and shared stories of their time as president. The convention was held at Blessed John XXIII Center for Pastoral Care in Charleston, WV. Much has happened these past twenty-five years. Though the initial excitement seems long ago, we are still evolving – keeping some of our cherished heritage while changing to meet the needs of a different generation. Twenty-five years ago, we relied on the US mail, telephone conversations, and meetings which often required hours and hours of travel over the mountain roads of our synod. Now we turn to e-mail and occasional conference calls to keep us connected. The Synodical Board continues to meet in a planning retreat in the fall, following up with two other board meetings prior to the August Synodical Convention. Realizing the impact of social media and the internet, we have a Facebook account. The prayer initiative for last year‘s Synod Assembly was planned largely through this media. We also enjoy keeping in touch with our synod family in this way. The synodical newsletter, Lutheran Lines, is also offered in two formats: our traditional paper version and an internet version. In the beginning almost all of the units of the organization followed a traditional format. Now there are many different ways to organize. The idea is to do what works best within the place you are and with the age and inclination of the participants. Some congregations have several different groups. Each is unique and each meets the needs of that particular group. If a congregation is large enough, this can be ideal. Accomplishments in the past year have included support for Lutheran Campus Ministry at West Virginia University, organizing our finances (again we are joining the technology generation) into an electronic bookkeeping format and supporting ministries that focus on families in the Eastern Panhandle. We continued to support Seminarian Kara Propst as our scholarship recipient. The Synodical Women‘s Organization is looking at new ways of organizing our Synodical Conventions. Will a central location work better? Would people who do not enjoy the business session come to a day which focused more on spiritual growth? My favorite line of the Women of the ELCA‘s purpose statement is the one where we pledge our commitment to support one another in our calling. Support for individual talents and ministries, and support for each other in our joys and struggles are a strength of the women‘s organization. Women of the ELCA provides a place where women can strengthen their faith and put it in action. It is this commitment to one another and our love of Christ that will bring us into the next twenty-five years as a vibrant, relevant organization. Respectfully submitted, Norma Bowyer, President
West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America The Atrium Suite 200 503 Morgantown Avenue Fairmont, West Virginia 26554 Phone: (304) 363-4030 Fax: (304) 363-4042 E-mail: wvwmdsynod@wv-wmd.com