Report of the Vice President

VICE PRESIDENT REPORT TO 2021 SYNOD ASSEMBLY

Throughout the pandemic, the WV/WMD Synod Council (SC) has carried on the synod’s business. Our last in-person meeting was in January of 2020, and all meetings since then have been on zoom.

The SC is currently working on a topic with the Synod Mutual Ministry Committee. The SMMC brought its concept of purpose to the SC in January 2021. This concept considers the word “mutual” as between two parties, with the two parties being the synod (as represented by the SC) and the bishop. The idea is that mutually, these two parties agree on the primary tasks that the synod and the bishop work to carry out.

The SC first has the responsibility to identify and clarify these primary tasks. The SMMC then has the responsibility to see how well these tasks are being carried out. In so doing, the SMMC considers what the synod and what the bishop may need to do their jobs. Furthermore, the SMMC considers how well the synod and bishop communicate with each other and how well they work together. It is important to keep in mind that the WV/WMD Synod has elected and entrusted the SC to carry out the business of the synod from Synod Assembly to Synod Assembly.

The task facing the SC currently is to identify and clarify the primary responsibilities for the synod. This task is one that will be done when the SC can next meet face to face in a retreat setting. Until that time, the SC is operating with the primary tasks it determined in a September, 2019 retreat.

These seven tasks are: 1. Educate congregations; 2. Educate pastors; 3. Call process facilitator; 4. Consultation and adjudication; 5. Discipline; 6. Intermediary in interdependence; 7. Vacancy supervision.

Finally, I would like to thank all our SC members for their service over these past two years. Attendance at our zoom meetings has been excellent, so that is one benefit for meeting online. And I thank you, the WV/WMD Synod for the opportunity to serve as your Vice President.

Paul Wangerin