The following derives from a review of our governing documents. These proposed changes are part of my report, but it seemed best, for the sake of your study and consideration, to attach it as a separate document.
+Riegel
Related to Seed Planted
No.1. Resolved, That all guidelines and policies related to the Seed Planted Fund be repealed and nullified and that the Synod Council be directed to enact such policies as may best administer the Seed Planted Fund.
Related to the Nominating Committee & Churchwide Assembly
No.2. Resolved, That SA97.6.13, a resolution titled, “Nomination of Voting Members to Churchwide Assembly,” be rescinded, the wording of that resolution being,
Whereas, the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the highest voting body of the ELCA, gathering the whole ELCA together every two years; and
Whereas, The Churchwide Assembly is the one meeting of the ELCA in which the concerns and matters pertaining to the whole church are addressed and voted upon; and
Whereas, each synod of the ELCA is granted proportionate voting representation at the Churchwide Assembly; and
Whereas, the ELCA encourages and strives for proportionate representation among all its divisions, councils, committees, and voting assemblies; therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Nominating Committee of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the ELCA, when seeking voting members from this synod to the Churchwide Assembly make ever effort to nominate candidates consisting of those members of the synod who have not previously served as voting members to an ELCA Churchwide Assembly before nominating members of the synod who have previously served as voting members to the Churchwide Assembly.
Related to Synod Assembly Quorum (action requiring first reading if moved without notice)
No.3. Resolved, That S7.14 of the WV-WMD Synod Constitution, which reads, “One-half of the members of the Synod Assembly shall constitute a quorum,” be amended by substitution so that it shall read, “A majority of those members registered as attending shall constitute a quorum.”
Related to the Synod Constitution (actions that can be taken without a first reading or notice)
Amendments related to S7 that are recommended but not required in the Constitution for Synods
No.4. Resolved, That S7.22 of the WV-WMD Synod Constitution, which reads,
S7.22. This synod may establish processes that permit retired ordained ministers, retired associates in ministry, retired deaconesses and retired diaconal ministers on the roster of this synod and ordained ministers leave from call on the roster of this synod to serve as voting members of this Synod Assembly.
be amended by substitution to read,
S7.22. This synod may establish processes that permit retired rostered ministers, or those designated as disabled, or on leave from call, on the roster of the synod to serve as voting members of the Synod Assembly, consistent with †S7.21.c. If the synod does not establish processes to permit the rostered ministers specified above to serve as voting members, they shall have voice but not vote in the meetings of the Synod Assembly.
No.5. Resolved, That S7.24 of the WV-WMD Synod Constitution, which reads,
S7.24. Ordained ministers under call on the roster of this synod shall remain as members of the Synod Assembly so long as they remain under call and so long as their names appear on the roster of ordained ministers of this synod. Associates in ministry under call on the roster of this synod shall remain as members of the Synod Assembly so long as they remain under call and so long as their names appear on the official lay roster of this synod. Lay members of the Synod Assembly representing congregations shall continue as such until replaced by the election of new members or until they have been disqualified by the termination of membership. Normally, congregations will hold elections prior to each regular meeting of the Synod Assembly.
be amended by substitution to read,
S7.24. Ministers under call on the rosters of this synod shall remain as members of the Synod Assembly so long as they remain under call and so long as their names appear on the rosters of this synod. Lay members of the Synod Assembly representing congregations shall continue as such until replaced by the election of new members or until they have been disqualified by termination of membership. Normally, congregations will hold elections prior to each regular meeting of the Synod Assembly.
No.6. Resolved, That S7.27 be inserted into the synod constitution, with appropriate renumbering of subsequent provisions, to read,
S7.27. This synod may establish processes through the Synod Council to grant a minister of Word and Sacrament from a church body with which a relationship of full communion has been declared and established by the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America the privilege of both voice and vote in the Synod Assembly during the period of that minister’s service in a congregation of this church.
Amendment to S10 that are recommended but not required in the Constitution for Synods
No.7. Resolved, That S10.03(e) of the WV-WMD Synod Constitution, which reads,
S10.03(e) Issue letters of call to ordained ministers and letters of call to associates in ministry, members of the Deaconess Community of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and diaconal ministers as authorized in Chapter 7 of the constitution and bylaws of the ELCA.
be amended by substitution to read,
S10.03(e). Issue letters of call to rostered ministers as authorized by Chapter 7 of the constitution and bylaws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Amendment to S13 that are recommended but not required in the Constitution for Synods
No.8. Resolved, That S13.11 of the WV-WMD Synod Constitution, which reads,
S13.11. When a pastor or an associate in ministry resigns, the Congregation Council shall receive the letter of resignation, report it to the congregation and at once notify the bishop of this synod.
be amended by substitution to read,
S13.11 When a rostered minister resigns, the Congregation Council shall receive the letter of resignation, report it to the congregation, and at once notify the bishop of this synod.
No.9. Resolved, That S13.12 of the WV-WMD Synod Constitution, which reads,
S13.12. A congregation under financial obligation to its former pastor or associate in ministry shall make satisfactory settlement of the obligation before calling a successor.
be amended by substitution to read,
S13.12. A congregation under financial obligation to its former rostered minister shall make satisfactory settlement of the obligation before calling a successor.
No.10. Resolved, That S13.40 and S13.41 be inserted into the synod constitution, to read,
S13.40. Synodically Authorized Worshiping Communities
S13.41. Authorized worshiping communities, acknowledged under criteria, policies, and procedures approved by the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, shall accept and adhere to the Confession of Faith and Statement of Purpose of this church, shall be served by leadership under the criteria of this church, and shall be subject to the discipline of this church.
Amendments to S14 that are recommended but not required in the Constitution for Synods
No.11. Resolved, That S14.33, S14.34, S14.42, and S14.47 be inserted into the synod constitution, to read,
S14.33. The minister of Word and Service shall become a member of the congregation upon receipt and acceptance of the letter of call. In a parish of multiple congregations, the minister of Word and Service shall hold membership in one of the congregations.
S14.34. Each minister of Word and Service on the roster of this synod shall submit a report of his or her ministry to the bishop of the synod at least 90 days prior to each regular meeting of the Synod Assembly.
S14.42. No minister of Word and Service shall accept a call without first conferring with the bishop of this synod. A minister of Word and Service shall respond with an answer of acceptance or declination to a letter of call within 30 days of receipt of such call. In exceptional circumstances with the approval of the bishop of this synod and the chair of the Congregation Council of the congregation issuing the call, an additional 15 days may be granted to respond to a letter of call.
S14.47. All ministers of Word and Service under a call shall attend meetings of the Synod Assembly, and the ministers of Word and Service of congregations shall also attend the meetings of the conference, cluster, coalition, or other area subdivision to which the congregation belongs.
Related to the Synod Bylaws (actions that can be taken without notice)
No.11. Resolved, That B9.01 of the WV-WMD Synod Bylaws be struck, the current provision reading,
B9.01 The Synod Assembly shall elect members to the Synod Council, the Committees on Discipline and Consultation, the boards of Thiel College and the Philadelphia and Gettysburg Seminary and the Churchwide Assembly. These institutions shall indicate how many persons shall be elected, whether they shall be lay or ordained, whether they shall be male or female, and the length of terms.
No.12. Resolved, That B9.06 of the WV-WMD Synod Bylaws, which reads,
B9.06 The Nominating Committee shall suggest to the Synod Council one nominee for each position to be filled by appointment. The Synod Council will make necessary appointments during its meeting held during the Synod Assembly.
be amended by substitute “during” with “after,” to read,
B9.06 The Nominating Committee shall suggest to the Synod Council one nominee for each position to be filled by appointment. The Synod Council will make necessary appointments during its meeting held after the Synod Assembly.
No.13. Resolved, That B8.01 be inserted into the WV-WMD Synod Bylaws to read,
B8.01. If the vice-president is unable to or recuses his/her prerogative to serve as an ex officio voting member of the Churchwide Assembly, an alternate lay person of the same gender, meeting all other requirements, may be credentialed by the authority empowered to do so under the governing documents of the of the Evanglical Lutheran Church in America.
No.14. Resolved, That B10.01 of the WV-WMD Synod Bylaws, which reads,
B10.01. The Synod Council shall consist of the four officers of the synod, four pastors, six lay members, and two youth members.
(a) Four pastors shall be elected, one from each of the four conferences.
(b) Six lay members shall be elected, one from each of the four conferences and two members at large. As far as possible, 50% of the lay members shall be male and 50% shall be female.
© The youth members shall be elected at large. Each youth member shall be a sophomore, junior, or senior in high school at the time of election.
be amended
- by substituting “two youth members” with “as many designated youth and young adult members as are needed to meet the requirements of †S.10.01 and ELCA Constitution 5.01(g),” and
- by substituting “be a sophmore, junior, or senior in high school” with “not have reached the age of 18,” and
- by adding, “d. The young adult members shall be elected at large. Each young adult member shall be between (and inclusive of) the ages of 18 and 30 at the time of election. e. When composition of the Synod Council, following any regular Synod Assembly, does not meet the requirements of †S.10.01, the Synod Council shall create and appoint such other seats as are necessary to comply.”
to read,
B10.01. The Synod Council shall consist of the four officers of the synod, four pastors, six lay members, and as many designated youth and young adult members as are needed to meet the requirements of †S.10.01 and ELCA Constitution 5.01(g).
(a) Four pastors shall be elected, one from each of the four conferences.
(b) Six lay members shall be elected, one from each of the four conferences and two members at large. As far as possible, 50% of the lay members shall be male and 50% shall be female.
© The youth members shall be elected at large. Each youth member not have reached the age of 18 at the time of election.
(d) The young adult members shall be elected at large. Each young adult member shall be between (and inclusive of) the ages of 18 and 30 at the time of election.
(e) When composition of the Synod Council, following any regular Synod Assembly, does not meet the requirements of †S.10.01, the Synod Council shall create and appoint such other seats as are necessary to comply.
No.15. Resolved, That B10.02(b) of the WV-WMD Synod Bylaws, which reads,
(b) Each youth member shall be elected to a two-year term and shall not serve more than one term.
be amended by substituting “two-year” with “one-year” and striking “and shall not serve more than one term,” to read,
(b) Each youth member shall be elected to a one-year term.
No.16. Resolved, That B11.01 of the WV-WMD Synod Bylaws, which reads,
B11.01. There shall be a Consultation Committee consisting of twelve (12) persons, of whom three (6) shall be ordained ministers and three (6) shall be laypersons, who shall be elected by the Synod Assembly for a term of six (6) years without consecutive reelection. The bishop of the synod shall be a member of the Consultation Committee ex-officio except in instances when the bishop brings charges against an ordained minister. The responsibilities and procedures of this committee shall be those outlined in Chapter 20 of the constitution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Synod Council shall fill vacancies on the Consultation Committee for any unexpired term.
be amended by striking the final sentence to read,
B11.01. There shall be a Consultation Committee consisting of six (12) persons, of whom three (6) shall be ordained ministers and three (6) shall be laypersons, who shall be elected by the Synod Assembly for a term of six (6) years without consecutive reelection. The bishop of the synod shall be a member of the Consultation Committee ex-officio except in instances when the bishop brings charges against an ordained minister. The responsibilities and procedures of this committee shall be those outlined in Chapter 20 of the constitution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
No.17. Resolved, That B11.05 of the WV-WMD Synod Bylaws be struck, the current provision reading,
B11.05. There shall be a board to supervise the work of the Lutheran Campus Foundation at West Virginia University and contact ministries on other college and university campuses on the territory of this synod, consisting of six (6) members, four (4) laypersons and two (2) ordained ministers. They shall be appointed by the Synod Council for a term of two (2) years. From its membership, this board shall elect representatives to an inter-synodical Committee on Campus Ministry.
No.18. Resolved, That B11.08 and B11.09 of the WV-WMD Synod Bylaws be struck, the current provisions reading,
B11.08. Normally, two persons from the same congregation shall not serve on the Synod Council or on the same committee or board. However, a person serving as a synodical officer will not preclude another member from that congregation serving on the Synod Council.
B11.09. Normally, one person will not serve on more than one committee or on the Synod Council. However, members of the commissions appointed by the Synod Assembly, board members of agencies and institutions and members of the Consultation and Discipline Committees may also serve on one additional committee or commission.
No.19. Resolved, That B11.13 of the WV-WMD Synod Bylaws be struck, the current provision reading,
B11.13. There shall be a Team for Planning, Coordinating and Evaluating. The team shall consist of the chairpersons of operational committees and commissions, the bishop and a chairperson of the team appointed by the Synod Council. The responsibilities of the team shall be to coordinate the various activities and programs of the synod; to establish a synodical calendar; to promote cooperation among various committees; to plan and carry out the overall direction and specific priorities of synodical life during any given period; to process, prioritize and to set parameters for information and requests going to the Synod Council; to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and activities in meeting the goals and objectives of the synod; to develop and negotiate committee and commission budgets with final acceptance of the budgets happening in each of the committees and commissions.
No.20. Resolved, That B12.01 of the WV-WMD Synod Bylaws be struck, which reads,
B12.01. There shall be four conferences designated as follows:
A. Monongahela Valley – Mountain Conference (17 congregations – 12 pastorates)
Accident Parish (3)
1. Accident MD, St. Paul’s
2. Accident MD, St. John’s (Cove)
3. Friendsville MD, Grace
Aurora-Red House Parish (2)
4. Aurora WV, St. Paul
5. Red House MD, St. John’s
Bittinger Parish (3)
6. Bittinger MD, Emmanuel
7. Jennings MD, Zion
8. Swanton MD, St. John’s (Meadow Mountain)
9. Clarksburg WV, St. Mark
10. Davis WV, St. John
11. Elkins WV, Holy Trinity
12. Fairmont WV, Grace
13. Grafton WV, Church of the Covenant
14. McHenry MD, Shepherd of the Hills
15. Morgantown WV, St. Paul
16. New Milton WV, St. Johannes
17. Oakland MD, St. Mark’s
B. Ohio – Kanawha Valley Conference (13 congregations – 9 pastorates)
1. Beckley WV, St. Luke
2. Charleston WV, St. Paul
3. Charleston WV, Trinity
4. Huntington WV, Christ the King
5. Huntington WV, St. Paul
6. Hurricane, WV, Cross of Grace
Mason-Jackson Shared Ministry (5)
7. Letart WV, Zion (Broad Run)
8. Letart WV, St Mark (Upper Flats)
9. New Haven WV, St. Paul
10. Point Pleasant WV, St. Peter
11. Ravenswood WV, Our Saviour
12. Parkersburg WV, First
13. Vienna WV, Christ
C. Potomac Conference (22 Congregations – 13 Pastorates)
1. Baker WV, Zion
2. Bakersville MD, Salem Evangelical
Capon-North River Parish (4)
3. Gore VA, Fairview
4. Rio WV, Ebenezer
5. Wardensville WV, St. Peter
6. Yellow Spring WV, Hebron
Mountain Lutheran Parish (4)
7. Franklin WV, Faith
8. Minnehaha Springs WV, New Hope
9. Moyers WV, St. John
10. Upper Tract WV, Mt. Hope
11. Charles Town WV, St Thomas
12. Harpers Ferry WV, St John
Keyser-Westernport Shared Ministry (2)
13. Keyser WV, Trinity
14. Westernport MD, Mt. Calvary
15. Martinsburg WV, St. John
16. Martinsburg WV, Trinity
17. Petersburg WV, Grace
18. Sharpsburg MD, Holy Trinity Memorial Evangelical
Shepherdstown Lutheran Parish (2)
19. Shepherdstown WV, St. Peter
20. Uvilla WV, St. James
South Fork Lutheran Ministry (2)
21. Brandywine WV, Calvary
22. Moorefield WV, Mt. Olive (Peru)
D. Upper Ohio Valley Conference (12 Congregations – 10 Pastorates)
Moundsville – New Martinsville Shared Ministry (2)
1. Moundsville WV, Messiah
2. New Martinsville WV, Good Shepherd
3. Weirton WV, Resurrection
4. Weirton WV, Trinity
5. Wheeling WV, Christ (Mozart)
6. Wheeling WV, Edgwood
7. Wheeling WV, St. James
8. Wheeling WV, St. Mark (Elm Grove)
St. Matthew-Trinity Shared Ministry (2)
9. Wheeling WV, St. Matthew (Benwood)
10. Wheeling WV, Trinity
11. Wheeling WV, First English
12. Wheeling WV, Zion
be amended by substitution to read,
B12.01. There shall be four conferences designated as follows:
A. Monongahela Valley – Mountain Conference (17 congregations)
1. Bittinger MD, Emmanuel
2. Jennings MD, Zion
3. Swanton MD, St. John’s (Meadow Mountain)
4. Clarksburg WV, St. Mark
5. Davis WV, St. John
6. Elkins WV, Holy Trinity
7. Fairmont WV, Grace
8. Grafton WV, Church of the Covenant
9. McHenry MD, Shepherd of the Hills
10. Morgantown WV, St. Paul
11. New Milton WV, St. Johannes
12. Oakland MD, St. Mark’s
Accident Parish (the following three congregations)
13. Accident MD, St. Paul’s
14. Accident MD, St. John’s (Cove)
15. Friendsville MD, Grace
Aurora-Red House Parish (the following two congregations)
16. Aurora WV, St. Paul
17. Red House MD, St. John’s
B. Ohio – Kanawha Valley Conference (12 congregations)
1. Beckley WV, St. Luke
2. Charleston WV, St. Paul
3. Huntington WV, Christ the King
4. Huntington WV, St. Paul
5. Hurricane, WV, Cross of Grace
6. Letart WV, St Mark (Upper Flats)
7. New Haven WV, St. Paul
8. Point Pleasant WV, St. Peter
9. Ravenswood WV, Our Saviour
10. Parkersburg WV, First
11. Vienna WV, Christ
C. Potomac Conference (22 Congregations)
1. Martinsburg WV, St. John
2. Martinsburg WV, Trinity
3. Charles Town WV, St Thomas
4. Harpers Ferry WV, St John
5. Sharpsburg MD, Holy Trinity Memorial Evangelical
6. Bakersville MD, Salem Evangelical
7. Petersburg WV, Grace
8. Baker WV, Zion
9. Moorefield WV, Mt. Olive (Peru)
Capon-North River Parish (the following four congregations)
10. Gore VA, Fairview
11. Rio WV, Ebenezer
12. Wardensville WV, St. Peter
13. Yellow Spring WV, Hebron
Mountain Lutheran Parish (the following five congregations)
14. Franklin WV, Faith
15. Minnehaha Springs WV, New Hope
16. Moyers WV, St. John
17. Upper Tract WV, Mt. Hope
18. Brandywine WV, Calvary
Keyser-Westernport Shared Ministry (the following two congregations)
19. Keyser WV, Trinity
20. Westernport MD, Mt. Calvary
Shepherdstown Lutheran Parish (the following two congregations)
21. Shepherdstown WV, St. Peter
22. Uvilla WV, St. James
D. Upper Ohio Valley Conference (12 Congregations – 10 Pastorates)
1. Wheeling WV, First English
2. Wheeling WV, Christ (Mozart)
3. Wheeling WV, Grace
4. Wheeling WV, St. James
5. Wheeling WV, St. Mark (Elm Grove)
6. Weirton WV, Trinity
St. Matthew-Trinity Shared Ministry (the following two congregations)
7. Wheeling WV, St. Matthew (Benwood)
8. Wheeling WV, Trinity
Moundsville – New Martinsville Shared Ministry (the following two congregations)
9. Moundsville WV, Messiah
10. New Martinsville WV, Good Shepherd
No.21. Resolved, That B14.01 and B14.02 of the WV-WMD Synod Bylaws be struck, the current provisions reading,
Ordained Ministers and Associates in Ministry
B14.01. At the time of a pastoral vacancy in a congregation, an interim pastor may be appointed by the bishop of the synod with the consent of the congregation or the Congregational Council.
B14.02. During the period of service, an interim pastor shall have the rights and duties of a regularly called pastor and may delegate the same in part to a supply pastor with the consent of the bishop of the synod and the congregation or Congregational Council. The interim pastor and any ordained pastor providing assistance shall refrain from exerting influence in the selection of a pastor.
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