Synod Council Actions

Synod Council Report for Synod Assembly 2021
Actions since report to Synod Assembly 2019 through 31 July 2021

SEPTEMBER 2019

VOTED SC 19.9.1
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation #1— The 2020 Synod Assembly will take place in Flatwoods, WV on 5-6 June 2020, utilizing the Days Inn Conference Center.

VOTED SC 19.9.2
Council approved the following recommendations en bloc.

• #2 — The 50th anniversary of the ordination of women by the predecessor bodies of the ELCA be set as a celebratory observance for the 2020 Synod Assembly, affirming the bishop’s intent to feature the women presbyters of the synod in worship leadership.
• #3 — The bishop invite Camp Luther to present at the 2020 Synod Assembly in observance of Camp Luther’s 75th anniversary.
• #8 — Rick Losh, Cammie Menendez, and Emmi Martin be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Campus Foundation at WVU.
• #9 — An ad hoc committee on governing documents of Jason Felici, Sally Bartling, and Matthew Riegel be appointed with instructions to review this synod’s continuing resolutions and the 2019 Churchwide Assembly’s recommended amendments to the Constitution for Synods and make report to Synod Council its recommendations prior to any required deadlines for amendments of this synod’s governing documents.
• #10 — The following be adopted as a continuing resolution: Synod Council and all other committees may, at the discretion of the chair, employ absentee voting so long as all members have been notified of the call for vote and have acknowledged that call for vote, a unit veto striking down the question.
• #12 — It be entered in the minutes that the extended service of The Revs. Susan Claytor, Roland Nairn, Philip Van Dam, Wm. “Bill” Ridenhour, and John Unger have been reviewed by the Synod Council as required by the policies of the ELCA.
• #13 — The Rev. David Twedt be granted retired status on the roster of the ELCA, retroactively effective 1 July 2019.
• #14 — The Synod Council assent to the appointment of The Rev. Karen Erskine-Valentine as the next director of Camp Luther.
  

VOTED SC 19.9.3
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation #4 — An ad hoc committee of Paul Wangerin, Rev. Christine Olson, and Rev. Linda Muhly be appointed to assist in matters related to the planning of the 2020 Synod Assembly. Council added the names by unanimous consent.

VOTED SC 19.9.4
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation #5 — An ad hoc committee of Rev. Matt Day, Nancy Weeks, and Pam Pritt be appointed to identify sites for future synod assemblies consistent with the directives and counsel of SA19.06.10. Council added the names by unanimous consent.

VOTED SC 19.9.5
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation #7 — That Pr. Ruth Bullwinkle and Ms. Pam Pritt be appointed to the ExComm. Council added the names by unanimous consent.

VOTED SC 19.9.6
The Council approved a motion from the bishop concerning the auditor to move the matter to the Executive Committee granting the committee the authority to act.

VOTED SC 19.9.7
The Council approved the treasurer’s recommendation #4: That Synod Council set the Synod minimum base salary for CY2020 at $35, 651.

VOTED SC 19.9.8
A motion on the floor to accept the treasurer’s recommendation #3 — That Synod Council recommends its congregations to set their proportional share at 10.83% in CY2020 – is amended to read That Synod Council recommends its congregations to set their proportional share at 10.83% to maintain current giving in CY2020. Amendment carried.

VOTED SC 19.9.9
Council voted to accept the treasurer’s recommendation #3 as amended.

VOTED SC 19.9.10
Council voted to accept the treasurer’s recommendation #2: That Synod Council approves maintaining the Gold+ Portico plan for its employees in CY2020.

VOTED SC 19.9.11
Council passed by unanimous consent the treasurer’s recommendation #1: That an ad hoc committee of Joe Solberg, Debbie Borelli, and Jim Nichols be appointed to make a decision regarding the future of the physical location of the Synod office, and to take the necessary actions to execute that decision. That his committee be empowered to enter the Synod into a contract not exceeding a length of twelve months or an annual cost of $13,200. That the committee be restricted from authorizing moving expenses greater than $1000. The names were added by unanimous consent.

VOTED SC 19.9.12
Council voted to amend the motion In reference to reconfigure staffing of the Synod office, the Executive Committee be empowered to act on staffing design of the Synod. recommend staffing needs to Synod Council.

VOTED SC 19.9.13
The amended motion carried: In reference to reconfigure staffing of the Synod office, the Executive Committee be empowered to recommend staffing needs to the Synod Council.

VOTED SC 19.9.14
Council approved the treasurer’s recommendation of the following folks for the Finance Committee: Paul Wangerin, Rev. Bill Ridenhour, Bruce Dalton. The committee includes the bishop and treasurer. The names were added by unanimous consent.

VOTED SC 19.9.15
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation #6: That Rev. Michael Wright be appointed to fill the unexpired term of Laurel Muhly-Alexander on Synod Council, pending confirmation of resignation. Rev. Wright’s name was added by unanimous consent.

In consideration of the bishop’s recommendation #11: That Synod Council, finding the membership of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Upper Flats (Letart), WV, to be “so diminished in numbers as to make it impractical for such a congregation to fulfill the purposes for which it was organized” and “that it is necessary for this synod to protect the congregation’s property from waste and deterioration,” invoke S13.24 and “take charge and control of the property of the congregation to hold, manage, and convey as seems appropriate to synod, the Executive Committee being empowered to appoint trustees for such purposes”.

Rev. Ridenhour moved the following amendment

• The Bishop shall assume role of point person in executing recommendation #11.
• The Bishop shall be empowered to seek assistance of any other synod member (or non-Synod member) with expertise helpful to resolving the matter.
• Synod Council shall be empowered to seek legal counsel as necessary.
• Said property shall be disposed of a quickly as possible by way of auction.
  

VOTED SC 19.9.16
Riegel moved to amend the third bullet of the Ridenhour amendment to read
Synod Council Synod Executive Committee shall be empowered to seek legal counsel as necessary. Amendment carried.

VOTED SC 19.9.17
Solberg moved to amend the fourth bullet to read
Said property shall be disposed of a quickly as possible by way of auction.
Council approved the amendment.

VOTED SC 19.9.18
Rev. Ridenhour’s amendment carried as amended. The bishop shall assume role of point person in executing recommendation #11.

• The bishop shall assume role of point person in executing recommendation #11.
• The bishop shall be empowered to seek assistance of any other synod member (or non-Synod member) with expertise helpful to resolving the matter.
• Synod Council Executive Committee shall be empowered to seek legal counsel as necessary.
• Said property shall be disposed of a quickly as possible by way of auction.
  

VOTED SC 19.9.19
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation #11 as amended.

VOTED SC 19.9.20
The council passed the motion for the bishop to develop curriculum for congregational councils as to their constitutional duties.

VOTED SC 19.9.21
The Council agreed by general consent that the bishop will develop a mailing list of lay council leadership for use of the Council vice-president.

VOTED SC 19.9.22
Council voted to add Rev. Jason Felici as a member to the Finance Committee.

VOTED SC 19.9.23
Council voted to add Elizabeth (Emmi) Martin to the Finance Committee.

JANUARY 2020

VOTED SC 20.1.1
Council approved the excused absences for Pastor Felici, Pam Pritt, and Nancy Weeks.

VOTED SC 20.1.2
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to authorize the election by Synod Assembly 2020 of one clergy and one laity to the Discipline Committee each for a full six-year term instead of making vacancy appointments.

VOTED SC 20.1.3
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to authorize the bishop to implement the Provisional Guidance for Deans.

VOTED SC 20.1.4
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation that Synod Council refer the Provisional Guidance for Deans to the Ad Hoc Bylaws Committee for review with power to recommend any needful amendments to the Bylaws and Continuing Resolutions to the either the Synod Council or the Synod Assembly.

VOTED SC 20.1.5
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation that the Council may authorize the Ad Hoc Bylaws Committee to report its recommendations related to nonrequired provisions in the Model Constitution to Synods, as found in its progress report for this meeting, directly to Synod Assembly 2020.

VOTED SC 20.1.6
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation, as amended by general consent, that it appoint Pr. Sean Smith, Pr. Sally Bartling, Stephanie Setly, and Melissa Bannister to the commission outlined in the Plan for Synodical Lay Worship Leaders to review the Plan for Synodical Lay Worship Leaders, reporting back with recommendations to the Synod Council and to develop those details necessary for implementation as seem reasonable at this time.

VOTED SC 20.1.7
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation that Mike Lieving (New Haven), Jim Elias (Upper Flats), and Patrice Weirick with the Executive Committee being empowered to make changes to this appointment in the interim.

VOTED SC 20.1.8
The Council approved the motion to authorize the bishop to appoint statisticians with power to “badger” pastors and congregations to submit their parochial reports for 2019.

VOTED SC 20.1.9
Council approved the treasurer’s recommendation to forgive Salem Lutheran of the $481.44 debt and to remove the same from the financial books at the end of the fiscal year.

VOTED SC 20.1.10
Council voted to authorize the Audit Committee to engage an auditor to audit the 2018 financial books.

VOTED SC 20.1.11
Council approved the motion to authorize the Executive Committee to appoint an Audit Committee.

VOTED SC 20.1.12
Synod Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to appoint Ruth Bullwinkle (MVMC Clergy), Karen Erskine-Valentine (PC Clergy), Joel Richter (UOVC Clergy), Mary Sanders (MVMC Laity), Patrice Weirick (OKVC Clergy), Joe Bondisky (PC Laity), Lois Broyles (OKVC Laity), and George Friedline (UOVC Laity) to the Nominating Committee.

APRIL 2020

VOTED SC 20.4.1
Council approved by general consent the bishop’s recommendation, as required by the Manual of Policies and Procedures for Management of the Rosters of the ELCA VI.A(a)(2), the extended ecumenical service of the Revs. Casey Leineman (Church of the Covenant, Grafton), Peter Vial (Holy Trinity, Elkins), and Susan Claytor (St. Luke’s, Beckley).

VOTED SC 20.4.2
Council approved by general consent the bishop’s recommendation to accept the resignation from Synod Council by Pete Hinkle.

JULY 2020

VOTED SC 20.7.1
Council approved the absences for Rev. William Ridenhour, Joe Solberg, and Nancy Weeks.

VOTED SC 20.7.2
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation that Paul Wangerin, on behalf of Synod Council, send a letter of thanks to Director Phil Hirsch of ELCA DMU for the extension of DEM Schafer’s contract.

VOTED SC 20.7.3
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation that it be entered into the minutes that Synod Council notes with appreciation and commendation DEM Schafer’s work.

VOTED SC 20.7.4
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation that the Finance Committee be appointed to draft a synod clergy compensation guideline for 2021, reporting back to Synod Council for action.

VOTED SC 20.7.5
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation that the Finance Committee be appointed to draft a synod mission support formula for 2021, reporting back to Synod Council for action.

VOTED SC 20.7.6
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation that the $15,000 gift from the sale of Our Saviour, Ravenswood, be placed in a Synod Council restricted fund to await disbursement at SC’s discretion and that a letter of thanks be sent by Synod Secretary Norma Gensler, on behalf of Synod Council, to Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Ravenswood, c/o Marla Jackson.

VOTED SC 20.7.7
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation that authorization be granted to Pastors John “Jack” Jackson and Michael Giese of the NALC to provide altar and pulpit ministry to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Pt. Pleasant, under CBCR/ELCA 8.64.

VOTED SC 20.7.8
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to appoint Melody Stevens (St. Peter Lutheran Church, Shepherdstown) to the Board of Directors of United Lutheran Seminary.

VOTED SC 20.7.9
Council approved the motion to appoint Elizabeth Rini to fill the remainder term of the Potomac Conference Lay Synod Council position.

AUGUST 2020

VOTED SC 20.8.1
The Council approved the Finance Committee’s recommendation that the Synod Council ask congregations who are not yet giving 9.39% of their total unrestricted congregational giving to the Synod to increase their giving to this level while asking congregations who are at, or exceeding, this level to not decrease their nominal contribution.

VOTED SC 20.8.2
The Council approved the Finance Committee’s recommendation to adopt the “West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Pastoral Compensation/Expenses/Benefits Package Expectations for 2021,” which indicates no change to the minimum base salary for pastors in 2021, but to remind congregations that the tenure modifier ($400 per year of service in ministry) should still be applied.

OCTOBER 2020

VOTED SC 20.10.1
The Council accepted the bishop’s recommendation that The Rev. Emilie Theobald-Rowlands be granted on-leave from call status.

VOTED SC 20.10.2
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation that the WV-WMD Synod relinquish its seat on the Board of Directors of Glade Run Lutheran Services, the bishop notifying Glade Run Lutheran Services of the decision.

VOTED SC 20.10.3
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation that the ecumenical service authorizations for The Rev. Susan Claytor, The Rev. Roland Nairn, The Rev. Philip Van Dam, The Rev. John Unger, The Rev. William Ridenhour, The Rev. Jessica Felici, and The Rev. Jason Felici be entered into the record as reviewed and affirmed.

VOTED SC 20.10.4
The Council approved Pastor Ruth Bullwinkle’s recommendation that the Synod Council
recommend the bishop to appoint Mary Sanders as Synod Hunger Lead.
Upon the Council’s recommendation, the bishop appointed Mary Sanders as the Synod Hunger lead.

VOTED SC 20.10.5
The Council approved the motion to give the treasurer authorization to proceed with a Synod audit for fiscal years 2015-16 and 2016-17.

VOTED SC 20.10.6
The Council approved by consent the Camp Luther Board’s recommendation that Pr. Karen Erskine-Valentine trains under the current director Pr. Jason Felici the next summer that camp can be held safely, and then begins her solo directorship the following year.

VOTED SC 20.10.7
Synod Council approved provisionally to adopt the original SLWL submission until the next meeting, 6 February 2021.

VOTED SC 20.10.8
The Council approved the treasurer’s recommendation for Synod Council to give its office administrator a severance package of $12,614 which is to be paid out on a pay schedule of the executive committee’s preference starting at the end of her employment and concluding once the designated funds are exhausted.

VOTED SC 20.10.9
The Council approved that the Synod put aside $970.31 a week, beginning in November 2020 and ending at the end of the fiscal year, into a fund designated for the office administrator’s severance package. The treasurer has the authority to discontinue these payments into the designated fund if necessary.

NOVEMBER 2020

VOTED SC 20.11.1
With all Councilors responding to the on-line ballot concerning a motion for the Council to appoint Tanya Sell, Delores “Dee” Snyder, Julie Goodnight, members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Sharpsburg, MD, as trustees, per provision S13.24 of the Constitution of the WV-WMD Synod, to take charge of the administration of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Sharpsburg, with instruction to proceed with the disposition of property, chattel, and all other assets of said congregation, in line with the plan set forward by the remaining congregation members in so far as it is consistent with federal and state law, the motion carried 16-0.

DECEMBER 2020

VOTED SC 20.12.1
The Synod Council approved the bishop’s recommendations concerning clergy roster including The Rev. Keith Pittsnogle be granted retired status effective immediately, The Rev. Andrea Ernest be granted on-leave from call status effective immediately, and The Rev. James Wicker be granted on-leave from call status effective 1 January 2021.

VOTED SC 20.12.2
The Synod Council approved the bishop’s recommendation as moved by Rev. William Ridenhour to direct the 2021 Synod Assembly Planning Team to take all necessary steps to plan and prepare for an in-person assembly during the second half of 2021. Synod Council further directs the planning team to constantly assess the status of the pandemic as in regards to the safety of holding an in-person assembly.

FEBRUARY 2021

VOTED SC 21.2.1
The Council approved the contract for the DEM, Rev. Sherri Schafer. Bishop Riegel recommended that the purchase of services agreement with Domestic Mission Unit/ELCA be signed, and The Rev. Sherri Schafer continue as DEM through FY2021-2022.

VOTED SC 21.2.2 by General Consent
Council approved by general consent to dispense with reading the bishop’s nine recommendations.

VOTED SC 21.2.3
Council approved en bloc the bishop’s recommendations two, three, four and seven as follows

• Recommendation #2 — That the matter of Caroline Furnace be referred to the Synod Finance Committee for consideration during the budgeting process for FY2022-2023.
• Recommendation #3 — That the bylaws changes for Community Lutheran Partners, Inc., be ratified.
• Recommendation #4 — That the $5500 gift from Grace Lutheran Church, Wheeling, be acknowledged and transmitted in memory 20 of Marjorie Wolf to the SWPA Synod for deposit in the Tri-Synod Archives Endowment Fund.
• Recommendation #7 — That the Synod Council petition the Secretary of the ELCA and the ELCA Legal and Constitutional Review Committee to amend †S11.04 such that it be a non-required provision of The Constitution for Synods of the ELCA.
  

VOTED SC 21.2.4
Council adopted the bishop’s recommendation #5: that a recommendation be provided to a closing congregation during legacy consultation that a distribution to the Tri-Synod Archives Endowment Fund be included in its plan for final disposition of assets.

VOTED SC 21.2.5
Council adopted the bishop’s recommendation #6: that this synod remit to the Tri-Synod Archives Endowment Fund, subject to approval by the Synod Council, one percent of residual assets from congregations closed by this Synod.

VOTED SC 21.2.6
Council approved by a vote of 8-7 the bishop’s recommendation #8: that the Synod Council petition the Secretary of the ELCA and the ELCA Legal and Constitutional Review Committee to amend †S15.31 such that it be a non-required provision of The Constitution for Synods of the ELCA.

VOTED SC 21.2.7
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation #9: that the proposed fee schedule for supply preaching be adopted concerning remote and hybrid services.

VOTED SC 21.2.8
Council adopted the motion to declare that First English Lutheran Church, Wheeling, did not have access to the Synod’s financial books prior to entering the Synod chart of accounts into their computer system.

VOTED SC 21.2.9
Council approved the appointment of Nancy Weeks as assistant treasurer for the WV-WMD Synod in order to sign checks when necessary, and Matt Samson will be removed from approved check signatures when next executed.

VOTED SC 21.2.10
The Council approved Rev. Ridenhour’s motion that the Executive Committee is directed to appoint and create a Synod Mutual Ministry Committee, based upon the Driesen Model, to promote and foster a collegial atmosphere of accountability to Synod mission priorities. The committee shall make regular reports to Synod Council. This directive explicitly directs that this is a mutual ministry committee focused on the Synod. It may focus on the Office of Bishop as related to Synod ministry.

VOTED SC 21.2.11
Council approved the motion to suspend the rules that interfere with setting aside the original version of the Synodical Lay Worship Leaders (SLWL) and the proposed changes to the same as reported previously by the SLWL Commission and to put before the council the Smith-Riegel compromise SLWL protocol under a main motion for adoption.

VOTED SC 21.2.12
Council adopted the bishop’s motion for the Synodical Lay Worship Leaders protocol (Riegel-Smith Compromise) as synod policy through continuing resolution.

APRIL 2021

VOTED SC 21.4.1
The Council approved to grant The Rev. Carl Ames retired status on the roster of minister of Word & Sacrament effective 15 April 2021.

VOTED SC 21.4.2
The Council acknowledged that the bishop has authorized The Rev. Peter Vial for extended service to Holy Trinity, Elkins, under CBCR/ELCA 8.63.

VOTED SC 21.4.3
Council approved the use of mail ballots to act upon authorization of The Rev. Roger Dallman for altar & pulpit service to congregations on the Mountaintop under CBCR/ELCA 8.64 upon the bishop endorsing the same.

VOTED SC 21.4.4
Council appointed the Rev. Tim Spence and the Rev. Nancy Knol as members of the Tri-Synod Archives Board of Directors.

VOTED SC 21.4.5
Council approved to dismiss the Ad Hoc Commission on Synodical Lay Worship Leaders with appreciation for service rendered.

VOTED SC 21.4.6
Council appointed the Rev. Sean Smith, __________, and _________ to the Commission on Synodical Lay Worship Leaders.

VOTED SC 21.4.7
Council authorized the Executive Committee in consultation with the Rev. Sean Smith to appoint the two vacant positions (SC 21.4.6) on the Commission on Synodical Lay Worship Leaders.

May 2021 absentee vote by signed ballot
VOTED SC 21.5.1
The Council unanimously approved the motion (16-0) to grant retired status on the roster of ministers of Word & Sacrament to The Rev. Timothy Spence. Voting in the affirmative: Bishop Riegel, Norma Gensler, Paul Wangerin, Abigail Spray, Andrea Brock, Rev. William Ridenhour, Debby Borelli, Elizabeth Rini, Emilie Theobald-Rowlands, Rev. Jason Felici, Joseph Solberg, Mary Sanders, Rev. Michael Wright, Nancy Weeks, Pam Pritt, and Rev. Ruth Bullwinkle.

VOTED SC 21.5.2
The Council failed to pass the motion to grant 8.64 authorization for Altar & Pulpit fellowship on the Mountaintop to The Rev. Roger Dallman, 13-1-2. Per CR5.01, a veto strikes down the motion. The following votes are recorded. Voting in the affirmative: Bishop Riegel, Norma Gensler, Paul Wangerin, Abigail Spray, Andrea Brock, Rev. William Ridenhour, Debby Borelli, Elizabeth Rini, Rev. Emilie Theobald-Rowlands, Joseph Solberg, Nancy Weeks, Pam Pritt, and Rev. Ruth Bullwinkle. Voting in the negative: Mary Sanders. Abstaining: Rev. Jason Felici and Rev. Michael Wright

JUNE 2021

VOTED SC 21.6.1
The Council voted unanimously to accept the Synod Assembly 2021 planning Committee’s (SAPComm) recommendation to convene the assembly in regular session at Morgantown, WV, on 16 October 2021 with the following considerations

• 1. That the venue be the Mon County 4H Center at Mylan Park
  • A. that the indoor pavilion be set up as the assembly chamber
  • B. that the outdoor pavilion be set up as a social area (with optional display space)
• 2. That the SAPCOomm continue to work on plans for a second day of SA 2021
  • A. to be held with a least a one-week interval between days
  • B. providing recommendation to SC on venue and date
• 3. That the assembly start no earlier than 1000 and no later than 1100
• 4. That the assembly end no later than 1700
• 5. That with regards to meals
  • A. Lunch will not be provided by the Synod
  • B. That SAPComm consider coffee etc service and provide recommendations to SC
  • C. That a dining guide be produced as part of pre-assembly material
• 6. That with regards to lodging
  • A. Lodging not be provided as part of the SA registration package
  • B. That a lodging guide be produced as part of the pre-assembly material

VOTED SC 21.6.2
The Council voted unanimously to discharge the Synod Assembly 2021 Planning Committee.

VOTED SC 21.6.3
The Council approved the motion to appoint a Synod Assembly 2021 Planning Committee to include Bishop Riegel, Joe Solberg, and Debra Borrelli.

VOTED SC 21.6.4
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to reappointment the following lay and clergy for the 2021 nominating committee: Rev. Ruth Bullwinkle, Mary Sanders, Rev. Karen Erskine-Valentine, Lois Broyles, George Friedline, Rev. Patrice Weirick, and William Ack, and the appointment of Rev. Sean Smith.

VOTED SC 21.6.5
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to issue a letter of call to specialized ministry to the Rev. Sherri Schafer to serve as Director of Evangelical Mission assigned to the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod effective 1 August 2021, the terms of call being outlined in the DEM agreement and position description.

VOTED SC 21.6.6
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation for it to instruct the Synod Global Mission Team to design an appeal for our partners in Madagascar reporting said design to Synod Council for approval by e-mail vote at its earliest convenience.

JULY 2021

VOTED SC 21.7.1
The Council voted unanimously to approve Bishop Riegel’s motion to issue letters of call to specialized ministry to both The Rev. Courtney Erzkus and The Rev. Benjamin Erzkus to serve as chaplains of the Lutheran Campus Ministry at West Virginia University.

VOTED SC 21.7.2
The Council approved Rev. Theobald-Rowlands’s motion to reset the bishop’s housing allowance by an increase of $9500 over the budgeted amount with an equal amount being a reduction in cash salary.
The Council approved by assent to authorize the use of mail ballot for any roster matters that require action prior to next Synod Council meeting.

VOTED 21.7.3
Council approved the bishop’s motion to refer the SMMC’s recommendation to the Bylaws Committee. The recommendation includes an amendment of the WV-WMD Bylaws by striking reference to the Committee on the Bishop’s Report from B7.03 (convention committees appointed by the bishop) and striking B7.15 (the Committee on the Bishop’s report make a response) in its entirety.

VOTED SC 21.7.4
Council approved the bishop’s motion to refer the SMMC’s recommendation to the Bylaws Committee. The recommendation includes an amendment of the WV-WMD Bylaws by striking reference to the Committee on the Bishop’s Report from B7.03 (convention committees appointed by the bishop) and striking B7.15 (the Committee on the Bishop’s report make a response) in its entirety.

VOTED SC 21.7.5
The Council agreed that NOMCOMM has the authority to decide on segmenting the ballot when it is necessary.

VOTED SC 21.7.6
Council approved the bishop’s nomination of Norma Gensler for Synod Secretary.

VOTED SC 21.7.7
Council approved the commission’s recommendation to appoint Revs. Ian Reid and Ruth Bullwinkle as well as Paul Wangerin to the commission.

VOTED SC 21.7.8
Council approved Rev. Jason Felici’s motion to accept the Bylaw’s Committee recommendation to enact the following as a continuing resolution, numbering to be determined by the secretary: “The Committee on Elections shall have power to appoint and dismiss tellers for those elections under its oversight.”

VOTED SC 21.7.9
Council approved Rev. Jason Felici’s motion to accept the Bylaw’s Committee recommendation that Synod Council enact the following as a continuing resolution, numbering to be determined by the secretary: “Memorials and Resolutions not germane to assembly business shall be submitted to the Committee on Reference and Counsel twenty (20) days prior to the assembly.”

VOTED SC 21.7.10
Council approved Rev. Jason Felici’s motion to accept the Bylaw’s Committee recommendation to empower the bylaws committee to report directly to the 2021 Synod Assembly.

VOTED SC 21.7.11
Council approved the SAPComm’s recommendation that the registration fee for Synod Assembly 2021 be set at $0.00 (free).

VOTED SC 21.7.12
Council approved the SAPComm’s recommendation that 13 November 2021 be set as reserved date for an adjourned meeting of the SA.

VOTED SC 21.7.13
Council approved the recommendation that SAPComm be authorized to handle remaining details related to planning, logistics, registration, and information.

VOTED SC 21.7.14
Council approved the recommendation that the Synod Office issue the formal call of the assembly per the CBCR/WV-WD.

VOTED SC 21.7.15
Council accepted the Global Mission report which includes

• An appeal goal of $6000;
• To be split 3 ways (with each recipient deciding how best to use the funds): 1⁄3 for Bezaha; 1⁄3 for Betioky; 1⁄3 for Betroka.
• Synod Assembly 2021 offering be designated for the Madagascar appeal;
• Direct appeal to be made to the congregations and people of the synod through the synod’s communications channels;
• Global Mission (Madagascar) be tasked with execution.
  

Recorded by Norma Gensler, WV-WMD Synod Secretary

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