Nominee information is presented in two main sections: 1) For Nominations by the Nominating Committee and 2) For Nominations by the Synod Council.
For Nominations by the Nominating Committee
Position: 1-1 Vice President
Candidate: Bruce Dalton
Congregation: St. John’s Lutheran, Davis
Residence: Davis, WV
Experience with the WV-WMD Synod: Member Synod Council: 2014-2020, 2021-present; Synod Representative to ELCA Churchwide Assembly, 2022; Member of the Synod Finance Committee; Worship Assistant at St. John’s Lutheran, Davis 2005 to present
Education: Chowan College, AS. Education, 1973; Atlantic Christian College, BS, Education of the Deaf, 1975; Virginia State University, MS, Educational Administration and Supervision, 1977; Georgia State University, Ph.D, Special Education Administration, 1986
Work Experience: Prince George, Va. Public Schools, 1975-1978 Hearing Specialist; Atlantic Christian College, 1978-1980 Professor; Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, 1980-1982 Principal; Georgia State University, 1983-1987 Part time Professor; Walton County Public Schools,1982-2004 Principal, Assistant to the Superintendent, Retired since 2004
I have worked with Bruce for nearly ten years on Synod Council where I find his pleasant demeanor, Christian attitude, forward vision, strategic thinking as well as ethical and civic mindedness make him the perfect candidate for the Synod Vice President.
Candidate: Pamela Pritt
Congregation: New Hope, Minnehaha Springs
Residence: Hillsboro, WV
Pam Pritt is exceptionally gifted, both within and outside of the church context, at encouraging faithful dialogue from a Lutheran lens. She leads from a place of Christ-like love for humanity and desires to approach conversations and decision-making in a way that promotes unity as the body of Christ during a time in which our world is growing increasingly polarized. Pam asks good questions, seeks to understand, and has an immense amount of professional and personal experience that would be a gift to the office of Vice President of Synod Council. She understands the workings of the institutional church, with ample experience serving in leadership roles on the Churchwide, Synodical, and congregational levels. She also brings needed skills related to communications, stemming from her professional accomplishments in local and governmental reporting as well her current position as executive director of WVU Magazine, the major communication arm of WVU.
Candidate: Nancy Weeks
Congregation: Grace Lutheran, Bethlehem
Residence: Wheeling, WV
Nancy has served on Synod Council for many terms. She knows how things work and she is a strong leader. She lead a team in planning the Synod Assembly that took place in Wheeling. She is very resourceful and has many connections in her community and within the synod.
Position: 2-1 Synod Council – Potomac Conference – Clergy
Candidate: Sally Bartling
Congregation: Tinity, Keyser
Residence: Keyser, WV
Sally has been serving at Trinity in Keyser for almost twenty years. She has served on Synod Council in the past.
Candidate: Daniel Collins
Congregation: Trinity, Arden
Residence: Charles Town, WV
Daniel is new to the Synod. He is in his first call. He wants to get involved in the synod and to learn more about it and its workings. Daniel volunteered to run for this position.
Position: 2-2 Synod Council – At-Large – Laity
Candidate: A.J. Beckett
Congregation: Grace, Bethlehem
Residence: Wheeling, WV
A.J. is an active young adult in his church. He recently served commendably on their call committee helping to craft the Ministry Site Profile and interview candidates. He is completing a term as the youth member on Synod Council, but has aged out for reelection to the youth seat.
Candidate: Richard Ridder
Congregation: Trinity, Keyser
Residence: New Creek, WV
Richard has served multiple times on Trinity’s Church Council, and has learned that listening to what is being discussed is paramount. Next to listening would be asking questions to better understand what is being discussed. Lastly, willing to work towards the goals of the council. His ability to do these three things is what he would bring to the Synod Council. Over the years, Richard has attended Synod Assembly. He has watched all of the amazing people who have given their time and talents to make the WV-WMD Synod work. He would like to have a chance to add his “gifts” to this effort.
Position: 2-3 Synod Council – Youth
Candidate: Evan Ack
Congregation: Trinity, Keyser
Residence: Keyser, WV
The gift Evan could bring to this position is getting youth more involved in church. His whole childhood was spent in church every Sunday and it helped him grow into the person he is. He feels like he could connect with youth well by telling them the benefits that being involved in church has brought to him, like his friendships, church camp, youth group retreats, and a strong relationship with God.
Position: 3-1 Consultation Committee – Clergy
Candidate: Curtis Black
Congregation: Grace, Bethlehem
Residence: Wheeling, WV
Curtis is new to the Synod. He is in his first call at Grace in Wheeling. He has experience in doing ministry with people with special needs.
Candidate: Nancy Knol
Congregation: Immanuel, Bittinger
Residence: Oakland, MD
Nancy is new to our synod. She retired to Deep Creek Lake, MD from the Harrisburg, PA, area. Nancy has held many leadership positions in the Lower Susquehanna Synod. She is currently the pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bittinger, MD.
Position: 3-2 Consultation Committee – Clergy (OKVC)
Candidate: Tom Darr
Congregation: Christ, Vienna
Residence: Vienna, WV
Tom is serving on Synod Council. He has been in this Synod for a little over a year. He comes to our Synod with lots of experience in the Lower Susquehanna Synod. He would be a valuable addition to the Consultation Committee.
Candidate: Kevin Mackey
Congregation: St. Paul’s, Huntington
Residence: Huntington, WV
Kevin has served on Synod Council. He does lots of work with his local EMS as a chaplain. He teaches at Camp Luther every year. Kevin enjoys serving the church and being involved in the Synod.
Position: 3-3 Consultation Committee – Laity
Candidate: Darla Stemple
Congregation: St. Paul’s, Aurora
Residence: Aurora, WV
Darla is an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aurora. She is a member of the church council. She has been elemental is keeping things running at St. Paul’s during their pastoral vacancy.
Candidate: Eric Valentine
Congregation: St. Peter’s, Shepherdstown
Residence: Tomahawk, WV
Eric would be an asset to the consultation committee because he has a gift for listening, observation and analysis of situations. He is very good at mediating conflict, facilitating discussion, and is trustworthy with confidential information.
Position: 4-1 Discipline Committee – Clergy (newe clergy to synod)
Candidate: Daniel Collins
Congregation: Trinity, Arden
Residence: Charles Town, WV
Daniel is new to the synod and eager to serve where he is needed. He wants to learn more about this synod.
Candidate: Courtney Erzkus
Congregation: Lutheran Campus Ministry, Morgantown
Residence: Morgantown, WV
Courtney is a campus minister at WVU. She works with many people from many walks of life. She is a good listener and problem-solver. She would be an asset to the Discipline Committee.
Position: 4-2 Discipline Committee – Clergy (senior clergy in synod)
Candidate: Kevin Mackey
Congregation: St. Paul, Huntington
Residence: Huntington, WV
Ordained pastor for 36 years currently serving at St Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church. Former Dean is SW Penn Synod of ELCA and Ohio Kanawah Valley Conference of WV-WMD Synod.
Candidate: Randy Richardson
Congregation: Trinity, Charleston
Residence: Charleston, WV
Randy has served in this synod for many years. He has served on the Discipline Committee in the past. He is a former lawyer.
Position: 4-3 Discipline Committee – Laity
Candidate: D. Lynn Newman
Congregation: Emmanuel, Bittinger
Residence: Grantsville, MD
Lynn has been a faithful member of Emmanuel, Bittinger and has served on congregational council. Professionally he is a funeral director and is accustomed to interacting with a wide variety of people in difficult circumstances.
Candidate: Richard D. Strickler
Congregation: St Marks, Wheeling
Residence: Wheeling, WV
Dick graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He retired as Manager of Engineering for the Wheeling Corrugating Company, a division of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation. He has been active for many years at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Wheeling serving as an Elder, Trustee, Financial Secretary and Council President. He is also a choir member. He was on the OH, WV, PA Tri-State Chapter Board of Thrivent Financial serving in several positions. He has been married for sixty-one (61) years to his wife, Mary Anna. They have two (2) children, a daughter, Robin (deceased) and a son, Rick. Two (2) grandsons, Ryan & Evan, complete the family. He is a huge sports fan, his favorite teams being the Nittany Lions, Pittsburgh Pirates & Pittsburgh Steelers. He and Mary Anna also enjoy traveling.
For Nominations by the Synod Council
Position 1-4: Synod Treasurer
Candidate: James “Jim” Nichols
Congregation: Grace, Fairmont
Residence: Fairmont, WV
Retired professional fire fighter. Retired general contractor. Sexton. Has served as Council President, communion assistant, usher, Sunday School Superintendent, and as call committee chair.
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