WEST VIRGINIA-WESTERN MARYLAND SYNOD
OF
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

MINUTES
Thirty-fifth Annual Assembly

20 may 2023

Monongalia County Extension Services & 4-H Center
Mylan Park
270 Mylan Park Lane
Morgantown, WV 26501

MEETING I: 20 May 2023, 10:00 – 11: 45 AM

RITE FOR THE OPENING OF THE ASSEMBLY – The Rt. Rev. Matthew Riegel, bishop, declared the assembly in session at 10:05 AM.

VOTED SA23.05.01
The Assembly voted to accept the Rules of the Assembly as printed in the 2023 Pre-Assembly Bulletin of Reports (Section 4.2).

VOTED SA23.05.02
The Assembly voted to amend the proposed agenda by adding special orders at 11:00 AM to hear a report no more than five minutes each for the following six ministry affiliates: Lutheran Campus Ministry, Community Lutheran Partners, Camp Luther, ELCA Foundation, National Lutheran Association on Scouting, and Portico.

VOTED SA23.05.03
The Assembly adopted the agenda as printed and in the 2023 Pre-Assembly Bulletin of Reports (Section 4.1) and amended in SA23.05.02.

REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE –
Rev. Ruth Bullwinkle reports per B9.04 of the Synod Bylaws, the Nominating Committee submits the following nominations:
• for Synod Vice President, Bruce Dalton and Nancy Weeks
• for Synod Council — Potomac Conference — Clergy, Sally Bartling and Daniel Collins
• for Synod Council — At-Large — Laity, A.J. Beckett and Richard Ridder;
• for Synod Council — Youth, Evan Ack;
• for Consultation Committee — Clergy, Curtis Black and Nancy Knol;
• for Consultation Committee — Clergy (OKVC), Tom Darr and Kevin Mackey;
• for Consultation Committee — Laity, Darla Stemple and Eric Valentine;
• for Discipline Committee — Clergy (newer clergy to synod), Daniel Collins and Courtney Erzkus;
• for Discipline Committee — Clergy (senior clergy in synod), Kevin Mackey and Randy Richardson; and
• for Discipline Committee — Laity, D. Lynn Newman and Richard Strickler.

Synod Council nominates James Nichols for Synod treasurer.

The bishop called for floor nominations, and when there were none, he closed the nominations.

REPORT OF THE REGISTRATION COMMITTEE
The Assembly agreed by unanimous consent to accept the committee’s report from chairman, Rick Losh as follows: as of 10:04 AM
86 voting members
2 advisory members
10 visitors
3 staff members
101 TOTAL

REPORT OF THE BISHOP
The bishop gave his report honoring church anniversaries as well as pastoral anniversaries.

Church Anniversaries
175 Years (Quartoseptcentennial)	St Peter Lutheran Church, Wardensville, WV
125 Years (Quasquicentennial)	Grace Lutheran Church, Accident, MD

Pastor Anniversaries
5 years	Michael R Wright
10 years	John R Unger II
	Peter M Suwak
	Ruth D Bullwinkle
20 years	L Keith Pittsnogle
25 years	Karen R Erskine-Valentine
35 years	Andrea J Ernest
50 years	Alvin Schafer

REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Vice-President Paul Wangerin directed the assembly to his written report in the bulletin as well as spoke on Synod sustainability.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY
The bishop directed the assembly to the secretary’s written report in the bulletin.

REPORT OF THE TREASURER
Treasurer Brian Crawford addressed the fact of the Synod’s income exceeding expenses.

Synod Council recommends the adoption of the budget for FY 2024-2025 as submitted by the Finance Committee.

Pr. Linda Muhly asked a procedural question related to the consideration of the budget proposal for FY 2024-2025 in relationship with the anticipated proposal to amend FY 2023-2024. The chair ordered the assembly to stand at ease at 10:45 AM to allow a sidebar conversation with Pr. Muhly and Parliamentarian Jason Felici on budget consideration procedures. The chair recalled the assembly to order at 10:48 AM.

Pr. Muhly spoke against adoption of the proposed budget for FY 2024-2025. Vice President Wangerin spoke in favor, concluding with a request for clarification from the Parliamentarian. The chair (Bishop Riegel) intervened, suggesting that it was problematic for the assembly to address matters related to the Bishop’s compensation with the Bishop chairing. Explaining also that he could not recuse the chair in favor of the Vice President chairing because the Vice President had spoken on the topic, the chair explained that it was permissible under the parliamentary authority for him to appoint a chair pro tem with the consent of the assembly. He further indicated that he would appoint Pr. Jason Felici, noting that Felici is no longer a pastor of the synod and has no direct interest in the question.

VOTED SA23.05.04
Bishop Riegel appointed Pr. Jason Felici chair pro tem for consideration of the proposed budget for FY 2024-2025 and proposed amendment of budget for FY 2023-2024. Without object, ordered.

Pr. Felici assumed the chair.

SPECIAL ORDERS CALLED AT 11 AM for reports

Bishop Riegel resumed the chair.

Report from Lutheran Campus Ministry – Chaplain Courtney Erzkus

Vice President Wangerin assumed the chair.

Report from Community Lutheran Partners – Mary Sanders
Report from Camp Luther – Rev. Director Karen Erskine-Valentine
Report from ELCA Foundation – Ryan Ebner
Report from National Association of Scouting – Wayne Stuckey
Report from Portico – Tara Lynn

Bishop Riegel resumed the chair.

SPECIAL ORDERS CALLED AT 11:30 AM FOR ELECTIONS

REPORT OF THE REGISTRATION COMMITTEE
Rick Losh, Registration Committee Chair, reported the following numbers as of 10:20 AM: 87 voting, 2 advisory, 12 visitors, and 3 staff.

After the first ballot was distributed and collected, the meeting adjourned for lunch at 11:40 AM.

MEETING II: 20 May 2023, 1:15 – 3:00 PM

Bishop Riegel called the meeting in session at 1:18 PM.

Rev. Jason Felici reassigned as chair pro tem to continue discussion on the budget for FY 2024-2025.

It was moved to postpone discussion on Synod Council recommendation #3 which states “that the proposed budget for FY2024-2025, as reported by the synod treasurer, be adopted” until after action on Synod Council recommendation #4 which states “that a mid-year salary adjustment to the FY2023-2024 budget such that there be an 8.25% increase to the bishop’s salary for the FY2023-24 commensurate with the suggested clergy base salary increase in 2023 be adopted.”

VOTED SA23.05.05
The assembly voted to end debate on the motion to postpone with a call to question.

REPORT OF THE REGISTRATION COMMITTEE
Rick Losh, chair, reported that there are 87 voting members, 2 Advisory members, 10 visitors, and 3 staff present as of 1:25 PM.

VOTED SA23.05.06
The assembly approved the motion to postpone discussion on Synod Council recommendation #3 which states “that the proposed budget for FY2024-2025, as reported by the synod treasurer, be adopted” until after action on Synod Council recommendation #4 which states “that a mid-year salary adjustment to the FY2023-2024 budget such that there be an 8.25% increase to the bishop’s salary for the FY2023-24 commensurate with the suggested clergy base salary increase in 2023 be adopted”. The vote was 56 for the motion and 26 opposed.

VOTED SA23.05.07
The assembly did NOT approve the motion to appoint an ad hoc committee directed to make recommendations regarding Synod Council recommendations #3 and #4 with a report to be made to this assembly when it is ready to report before adjournment. Committee members shall be voting members Rev. Ruth Bullwinkle, Rev. Linda Muhly, Brian Crawford (treasurer), and Rev. William Ridenhour.

VOTED SA23.05.08
The assembly approved the Synod Council recommendation that a mid-year salary adjustment to the FY2023-2024 budget such that there be an 8.25% increase to the bishop’s salary for the FY2023-24 commensurate with the suggested clergy base salary increase in 2023.

Bishop Riegel resumed the chair of the assembly.

CHURCHWIDE REPRESENTATIVE – The Rev. Christopher Otten, Assistant to the Presiding Bishop for Federal Chaplaincies of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, addressed the assembly.

REPORT OF THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
Rev. Susan Claytor, committee chair, reported the following election results:

Synod Vice President – 86 legal votes cast with 44 votes needed for election – Nancy Weeks 48, Bruce Dalton 39. The bishop declared Nancy Weeks elected. NOTED ** The number of legal votes cast was incorrectly reported on the official tally sheet. There were 87 legal votes cast. This error causes no difference in the outcome of the election.

Synod Treasurer – 83 legal votes cast with 42 needed for election – James Nichols 83. The bishop declared James Nichols elected.

Synod Council, Potomac Conference Clergy – 85 legal votes cast with 43 needed for election – Rev. Sally Bartling 53, Rev. Daniel Collins 32. The bishop declared Rev. Sally Bartling elected.

Synod Council at Large Laity – 81 legal votes cast with 41 needed for election – A.J. Beckett 49 and Richard Ridder 32. The bishop declared A.J. Beckett elected.

Synod Council Youth – 83 legal votes cast with 42 needed for election – Evan Ack 83. The bishop declared Evan Ack elected.

Consultation Committee/Clergy – 84 legal votes cast with 43 needed for election – Rev. Nancy Knol 48 and Rev. Curtis Black 36. The bishop declared Rev. Nancy Knol as elected.

Consultation Committee/ Clergy/OKVC – 84 legal votes cast with 43 needed for election – Rev. Kevin Mackey 45 and Rev.Tom Darr 39. The bishop declared Rev. Kevin Mackey elected.

Consultation Committee/Laity – 85 legal votes cast with 43 needed for election – Eric Valentine 49 and Darla Stemple 36. The bishop declared Eric Valentine elected.

Discipline Committee/Clergy/Newer to the Synod – 85 legal votes cast with 43 needed for election – Rev. Courtney Erzkus 62 and Rev. Daniel Collins 23. The bishop declared Rev. Courtney Erzkus elected.

Discipline Committee/Clergy/ Senior in the Synod – 85 legal votes cast with 43 needed for election — Rev. Randy Richardson 55 and Rev. Kevin Mackey 30. The bishop declared Rev. Randy Richardson elected.

Discipline Committee/Laity – 84 legal votes cast with 43 needed for election – D. Lynn Newman 56 and Richard Stickler 28. The bishop declared D. Lynn Newman elected.

Rev. Jason Felici resumed the chair in order to discuss the proposed budget for FY 2024-2025.

VOTED SA23.05.09
The assembly approved an amendment to the proposed FY 2024-2025 budget with a 15% increase for Lutheran Campus Ministry at West Virginia University, Community Lutheran Partners, and Camp Luther adding $5,250 to the total budget.

A short break was called at 2:20 PM to allow the treasurer time to adjust the budget to include SA23.05.09.

VOTED SA23.05.10
The assembly voted to adopt the budget for FY 2024-2025 as amended. A 2/3 majority vote was necessary because of a deficit budget proposed.

Bishop Riegel resumed the chair.

VOTED SA23.05.11
The assembly approved the motion to give today’s offering to Lutheran Campus Ministry.

REPORT of the DIRECTOR OF EVANGELICAL MISSION
The Rev. Sherri Schafer spoke in reflection of her printed report in the Bulletin of Reports.

The chair called a 15-minute recess at 2:48 PM.

MEETING III: 20 May 2023, 3:04 PM

Bishop Riegel called Meeting III to order at 3:04 PM.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS – The chair, Rev. Sally Bartley announced there were no resolutions to consider.

REPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE FOR REFERENCE AND COUNCIL – Andrea Brock, chair, announced there was no report.

Vice President Wangerin assumed the chair.

REPORT OF BYLAWS COMMITTEE – Bishop Riegel reported that the 2022 Churchwide Assembly made changes to the model Synod constitutions. The changes to the required provisions are already adopted upon the Churchwide’s passage. The assembly must vote on the recommended provisions.

VOTED SA23.05.12
The Assembly approved the Synod Council recommendation to adopt the Bylaw’s Committee recommendation concerning proposed amendments to the Constitution of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod as follows:

S7.22. This synod may establish processes that permit retired rostered ministers, or those granted disability status, or on leave from call, on the roster of the synod to serve as voting members of the Synod Assembly, provided that such processes not result in fewer than 60% of the voting members of the Synod Assembly being laypersons in contravention of 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.

S7.26. This synod may establish processes through the Synod Council that permit lay representatives of authorized worshiping communities of the synod, which have been authorized under ELCA bylaw 10.01.04., to serve as voting members of the Synod Assembly, consistent with †S7.21.

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.

S8.42. The treasurer shall provide and be accountable for: […] c. Receipt and acknowledgment of offerings, contributions, and bequests made to this synod, collecting interest and income from its invested funds, and paying regular appropriations and orders on the several accounts as approved and directed by the Synod Council. The treasurer shall transmit each month to the treasurer of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America the funds received by this synod for the general work of this church as well as any funds to support restricted programs of this church. […] f. Obtaining a fidelity bond in the amount determined by the Synod Council for persons handling synod funds, which bond shall be in the custody of the secretary. The premium for the bond shall be paid by this synod. Fidelity coverage provided by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America shall be deemed a fulfillment of this requirement.

S11.10. General Provisions

S14.13. The pastor a) shall keep accurate parochial records of all baptisms, confirmations, marriages, burials, communicants, members received, members dismissed, or members excluded from the congregation, b) shall submit a summary of such statistics annually to this synod, and c) shall become a member of the congregation upon receipt and acceptance of the letter of call. In a parish of multiple congregations, the pastor shall hold membership in one of the congregations.

S14.15. Each minister of Word and Sacrament 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.

S14.34. 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.

Secretary Gensler moved, on behalf of Synod Council, adoption of the proposed amendments to the synod bylaws as recommended by the Bylaws Committee, those amendments reading as follows:

S7.21.01. Voting members shall begin serving with the opening of upon their registration for a
regular Synod Assembly and shall continue serving until voting members are seated at the next
regular Synod Assembly.

B9.03. The Nominating Committee shall nominate a minimum of two persons for each office and position under its purview to be filled by election by the Synod Assembly, with the exception of the vice president and those positions assigned to young adults, youth, or persons of color and/or primary language other than English, for which the Nominating Committee shall nominate at least one person.

B9.09. All terms of office, except as otherwise provided in the constitution and bylaws of the Synod, shall begin the first day of the second month following election.

B11.14. The synodical women’s organizational president or her appointee will serve as the representative of the synodical women’s organization to the Synod Council and will report to the Synod Council and the Synod Assembly.

B11.15. The synod bishop or the bishop’s appointee, if requested by the synodical women’s organization, will serve as the representative of the synod to the synodical women’s organization and will provide reports to the board meetings and conventions of the synodical women’s organization.

B12.01(a)17. [There shall be four conferences designated as follows: Monongahela Valley – Mountain Conference] Red House Redhouse MD, St. John’s.

B12.01(b)6. [There shall be four conferences designated as follows: Ohio – Kanawha Valley
Conference] Letart WV, St Mark (Upper Flats).

VOTED SA23.05.13
The assembly approved the motion to remove S7.21.01 from an en bloc vote concerning the proposed amendments to the Bylaws of the West Virginia – Western Maryland Synod.

Consideration proceeded with the amendment proposed by the Bylaws Committee as the pending question.

Bishop Riegel moved to amend the proposed amendment of Bylaw S7.21.01 by striking the concluding phrase beginning at “and shall continue serving…” through the end of the sentence.

VOTED SA23.05.14
The motion to amend by striking the concluding clause carried.

VOTED SA23.05.15
The assembly approved the amended Bylaw S7.21.01 as follows:

S7.21.01. Voting members shall begin serving with the opening of upon their registration for a regular Synod Assembly and shall continue serving until voting members are seated at the next regular Synod Assembly.

VOTED SA23.05.16
The assembly approved Synod Council’s recommendation concerning the remaining proposed amendments to the Bylaws of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, as found in the Report of the Bylaws Committee as amended.

B9.03. The Nominating Committee shall nominate a minimum of two persons for each office and position under its purview to be filled by election by the Synod Assembly, with the exception of the vice president and those positions assigned to young adults, youth, or persons of color and/or primary language other than English, for which the Nominating Committee shall nominate at least one person.

B9.09. All terms of office, except as otherwise provided in the constitution and bylaws of the Synod, shall begin the first day of the second month following election.

B11.14. The synodical women’s organizational president or her appointee will serve as the representative of the synodical women’s organization to the Synod Council and will report to the Synod Council and the Synod Assembly.

B11.15. The synod bishop or the bishop’s appointee, if requested by the synodical women’s organization, will serve as the representative of the synod to the synodical women’s organization and will provide reports to the board meetings and conventions of the synodical women’s
organization.

B12.01(a)17. [There shall be four conferences designated as follows: Monongahela Valley – Mountain Conference] Red House Redhouse MD, St. John’s.

B12.01(b)6. [There shall be four conferences designated as follows: Ohio – Kanawha Valley
Conference] Letart WV, St Mark (Upper Flats).

Bishop Riegel gave thanks for the service of Vice President Paul Wangerin, Treasurer Brian Crawford, and for all those who came forward to propose actions for the assembly.

Bishop Riegel declared the assembly adjourned sine die at 3:33 PM.

A mass was held after adjournment.

Recorded by
Norma Gensler, secretary WV-WMd Synod of the ELCA

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