Synod Council Actions

Report of the Secretary to Synod Assembly 2023 (Part I)
Synod Council 2022 — 2023 Actions
(Since last report to Synod Assembly)

VOTED SC 22.5.21
Council approved the motion to present the proposed budget for FY 2023-24 as presented to the Synod Assembly 2022.

VOTED SC 22.5.22
Council approved the motion to hire Grace Riegel to serve as a Synod office assistant @ $15.00 per hour on the “purchase to serve” basis. Vote was unanimous with Bishop Riegel abstaining due to a conflict of interest.

VOTED SC 22.5.23
Council approved the motion to amend Bishop Riegel’s housing allowance for FY 2022 to $32,000, an increase of $18,000 being added to the budgeted amount of $14,000; motion includes a subsequent decrease of $18,000 in the previous budgeted salary amount. Vote was unanimous with Bishop Riegel abstaining due to a conflict of interest.

VOTED SC 22.5.24
Council approved the motion to set the compensation level for licensed readers at $75 for the first service and $25 for each additional service plus IRS mileage compensation.

VOTED SC 22.5.25
Council approved the motion to recommend adoption of the changes to the Synod Bylaws to Synod Assembly 2022.

VOTED SC 22.08.26
The Council approved the bishop as chair in Wangerin’s absence.

VOTED SC 22.08.27
The Council approved absences for Rick Losh, Laurel Muhly-Alexander, and VP Paul Wangerin.

VOTED SC 22.08.28
The Council voted in favor of the bishop’s recommendations 1 & 2 en bloc. Recommendation #1: To invoke S13.24, taking charge of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Peru, WV, finding that criteria (a), ©, and (d) of the provision are satisfied. Recommendation #2: To appoint as trustees of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Peru, WV, Phyllis B. Cook, Scott T. Cook, and Linda S. Burgess.

VOTED SC 22.08.29
The Council approved bishop’s recommendation #3: To appoint contingently The Rev. William “Bill’ Ridenhour as acting bishop in the event of The Rt. Rev. Matthew Riegel, bishop, falling ill during Churchwide Assembly, testing positive for COVID, or otherwise becoming unable to fulfill his duties, said appointment expiring close of the 2022 Churchwide Assembly.

VOTED SC 22.08.30
The Council approved bishop’s recommendation #4: To appoint The Rev. Nancy Knol interim pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Bittinger, with possibility of regularization of call.

VOTED SC 22.08.31
The Council approved to amend the motion to the Finance Committee’s recommendation that Synod Council increase the recommended base salary for pastors by 8.25% to $39,760 in 2023. All other recommendations regarding pastoral compensation remain the same with the exception that, while Portico Gold Plus remains the standard recommendation for health coverage, the Portico Silver Plus plan with an HSA contribution from the congregation may be considered as an option when a comparable level of service is provided.

VOTED SC 22.08.32
The Council approved the amended motion for Finance Committee’s recommendation that Synod Council increase the recommended base salary for pastors by 8.25% to $39,760 in 2023. All other recommendations regarding pastoral compensation remain the same with the exception that, while Portico Gold Plus remains the standard recommendation for health coverage, the Portico Silver plan with an HSA contribution from the congregation may be considered as an option when a comparable level of service is provided.

VOTED SC 22.08.33
The Council approved the motion to refer the Mutual Ministry’s recommendation to the Finance Committee and to report at the next Synod Council meeting.

Bullwinkle moved to accept the Finance Committee recommendation that the Synod Council ask congregations that 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 that are at or exceeding this level to not decrease the greater of their proportional share or nominal contribution.

VOTED SC 22.08.34
Council approved Rev. Felici’s amendment to 9.39% to 10%.

VOTED SC 22.08.35
Council approved the amended motion that the Synod Council ask congregations that are not yet giving 10% of their total unrestricted congregational giving to the Synod to increase their giving to this level, while asking congregations that are at or exceeding this level to not decrease the greater of their proportional share or nominal contribution.

VOTED SC 22.08.36
Synod Council approved the motion to reset compensation standards for SLWL’s licensed readers, such that the licensed reader shall receive $75 for the first service, $35 for each additional service, and IRS mileage.

VOTED SC 22.08.37
The Council approved the Felici amendment to substitute the weekend of June 3, 2023 for the two-day dates.

VOTED SC 22.08.38
Council approved the amended motion to set the 2023 Synod Assembly to be held the weekend of June 3, 2023.

VOTED SC 22.11.39
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to appoint Cammie Chaumont Menendez, Elizabeth Martin, and Laurel Muhly-Alexander to the WVU Lutheran Campus Foundation Board of Directors. Muhly-Alexander abstained.

VOTED SC 22.11.40
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to renew on leave from call status for The Rev. Andrea Earnest and The Rev. Jim Wicker.

VOTED SC 22.11.41
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to renew on leave from call status for The Rev. Michael Wright.

VOTED SC 22.11.42
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to renew the annual dispensation for local altar and pulpit fellowship for The Rev. Jack Jackson (NALC) at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Pt. Pleasant, WV.

VOTED SC 22.11.43
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to authorize the trustees of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Peru, WV, to take all actions necessary for the sale of the church property for an estimated $15,000.

VOTED SC 22.11.44
The Council approved to present to Synod Assembly 2023 the Finance Committee’s recommendation of a mid-year salary adjustment to the FY 2023-2024 budget such that there be an 8.25% increase to the bishop’s salary for the FY 2023-24 commensurate with the suggested clergy base salary increase in 2023. The Finance Committee further recommends that the increase begin with regular payments at that rate August 1, 2023 and continue through the end of the fiscal year. The salary increase percentage, which heretofore has not been paid out, February 1 to July 31, 2023, will be made by paying out in one lump sum the amount owed in retro during the first portion of the fiscal year.

The bishop recused himself from the vote.

VOTED SC 22.11.45
The Council approved the Finance Committee motion to authorize permission for investing up to the whole of special gifts received over the last five years.

VOTED SC 22.11.46
The Council approved the CLP recommendation to add Beverly McDonald and Dianne Coughlin to the CLP Board of Directors.

VOTED SC 22.11.47
The Council approved the CLP recommendation to be the Hunger Lead for the Synod.

VOTED SC 22.11.48
The Council approved the motion to hold a one-day Synod Assembly for 2023. There was one dissenting vote.

VOTED SC 22.11.49
The Council agreed to have the 2023 Synod Assembly in Morgantown on 3 June 2023.

VOTED SC 22.11.50
The Council approved the motion to hold the Synod Assembly 2023 on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the Mon County 4-H Center.

VOTED SC 23.01.01
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to renew extended ecumenical service for The Rev. Darick Biondi (UMC) to serve Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, Hurricane, WV, under CBCR/ELCA 8.63.02, effective 9 April 2023.

VOTED SC 23.01.02
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to renew authorization for local altar and pulpit fellowship for The Rev. Dr. Roger Dalman, under CBCR/ELCA 8.64, effective 9 April 2023.

VOTED SC 23.01.03
The Council voted in favor of the bishop’s recommendation to authorize up to $750 to support the intracampus move of Tri-Synod Archives at Thiel, with the funds to be taken from synod reserves.

VOTED SC 23.01.04
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to set the registration fee for Synod Assembly 2023 at $0.00 (free).

VOTED SC 23.01.05
The Council voted to receive the DEM’s report.

VOTED SC 23.01.06
The Council voted to receive Rev. Karen Erskine-Valentine’s Camp Luther report.

VOTED SC 23.01.07
The Council voted to appoint Ruth Bullwinkle (MVMC-C), Mary Sanders (MVMC-L), Karen Erskine-Valentine (PC-C), Sean Smith (UOVC-C), Ian Reid (OKVC-C), Lois Gray (UOVC-L), John Perry (OKVC-L), and Rick Losh (PC-L) to the Nominating Committee.

VOTED SC 23.01.08
The Council approved the motion to authorize the Executive Council to fill any vacancies on the Nominating Committee.

VOTED SC 23.01.09
The Council voted to direct the bishop to provide appropriate background resources and hold a town hall on matters related to the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church.

VOTED SC 23.04.10
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to amend SC23.01.03, which pertains to funding the intracampus move of the Tri-Synod Archives, by substitution of $750 with $2750.

VOTED SC 23.04.11
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to reappoint The Revs. Tim Spence and Nancy Knol to the Tri-Synod Archives Board.

VOTED SC 23.04.12
The Council voted to empower a search committee to fill the office of Synod Treasurer with Bishop Riegel, Mike Propst, and Rev. Tony Setley serving on the committee.

VOTED SC 23.04.13
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to fill the vacancy on Synod Council for clergy from the Potomac Conference with the person elected by Synod Assembly 2023 to the Potomac Council clergy seat on Synod Council effective upon election.

VOTED SC 23.04.14
The Council voted to table the bishop’s recommendation to fill the vacancy on Synod Council for at-large laity that will be created upon the ordination of Mary Sanders by the person elected by Synod Assembly 2023 to the At-Large Laity seat on Synod Council effective upon Sander’s ordination.

VOTED SC 23.04.15
The Synod Council of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WV-WMD, ELCA) hereby resolves that Brian Crawford, as Treasurer of the Synod, shall have the authority to communicate with such entities as may be necessary to gather information and/or make updates to any account related to the Synod’s shares of Adams Express Stock, Adams Diversified Equity Fund, or other related investments.

VOTED SC 23.04.16
The Council accepted the SMMC guideline that “Illness and family emergencies do arise. Our Synod Pastoral Compensation Guidelines address such situations with the strong recommendation that sick leave and family emergencies be granted without docking pay and within a reasonable time period that does not take time away from the granted vacation time.”

VOTED SC 23.04.17
The Council approved Bishop Riegel’s recommendation to issue a synodical call as a minister of Word & Service (deacon) to specialized ministry to serve as the Executive Director of Community Lutheran Partners, Inc., to Mary Jo Sanders.

VOTED SC 23.04.18
The Council approved to take from the table the bishop’s recommendation concerning Mary Sander’s Synod Council seat.

VOTED SC 23.04.19
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to fill the vacancy on Synod Council for at-large laity that will be created upon the ordination of Mary Sanders by the person elected by Synod Assembly 2023 to the At-Large Laity seat on Synod Council effective upon Sander’s ordination.

VOTED SC 23.05.20

Synod Council, employing preferential voting by mail ballot, closing 7 March 2023, nominated The Revs. Jason Felici and Ben Erzkus for the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church.

VOTED SC 23.05.21

The Council approved the recommendation from the Finance Committee to present the proposed budget for FY2024-2025 to the Synod Assembly 2023 for adoption.

VOTED SC 23.05.22

The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to consider the first sentence of SC 22.11.44 for approval by the Synod Assembly 2023 and the remaining sentences an order to the Treasurer contingent upon adoption of the recommendation in the first sentence by the Synod Assembly.

VOTED SC 23.05.23

The Council recommends the nomination of Jim Nichols (of Grace, Fairmont) for Synod Treasurer.

VOTED SC 23.05.24

The Council approves to acknowledge that requests for dispensation for same gender lay representation are not so numerous as to violate the gender diversity requirement of †S7.21(b) and to order the registrar to credential lay voting members regardless of gender for Synod Assembly 2023.

VOTED SC 23.05.25

The Council approved the recommendation to enfranchise The Rev. Darick Biondi (UMC at Cross of Grace, Hurricane), The Rev. Susan Claytor (TEC at St. Luke’s, Beckley), and the The Rev. Peter Vial (PCUSA at Holy Trinity, Elklins) per S7.27 and CR2.02.

VOTED SC 23.05.26

The Council approved the recommendation to enfranchise The Rev. Jim Wicker, The Rev. Andrea Ernest, and The Rev. Michael Wright per S7.22.

VOTED SC 23.05.27

The Council approved the recommendation to seat with voice but without vote The Rev. Gary Koontz (Zion, Baker) and The Rev. Tom Omholt (St. Mark’s, Oakland) per CR2.03.

VOTED SC 23.05.28

The Council voted unanimously to recommend to Synod Assembly 2023 adoption of the amendment of the Constitution of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod to conform with the following provisions of the Constitution for Synods: S7.22., S7.26., S7.27., S8.42., S11.10., S14.13., S14.15., and S14.34. per †S18.12.

VOTED SC 23.05.29

The Council approved to recommend to Synod Assembly 2023 amendment of the Bylaws of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod as follows per †S18.21:

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~~ RedhouseMD, 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 SC 23.05.30

The Council approved to recommend to Synod Assembly 2023 adoption of the following as the Standing Rules of Convention for Synod Assembly 2023:

Each voting member, or those persons accorded the privilege of seat and voice, when recognized by the chair, shall state his or her name, congregation or the institution or group he or she represents. Persons speaking from the floor shall use the floor microphones (if they are provided) and shall address and speak to the chair.
In debate, a speaker shall be limited to five (5) minutes for each question. A speaker may speak to the same question a second time on the same day with a time limit of three (3) minutes provided no one who has not yet spoken wishes to do so. (Cf. RONR (12th ed.) 43:12 and 43:8)
When three speakers have spoken in a row on one side of a question and no speaker rises on the other side, debate shall be closed.
When balloting for elections: a) Registration shall be temporarily closed ten minutes before the appointed time for the election and reopened when the balloting is completed; b) The assembly chamber shall be sealed during balloting unless a ballot box has been ordered with a window for balloting.
All amendments to bylaws shall take effect at the end of this session unless specified otherwise.
Amendments to the Current Budget for FY2022-2023 or Proposed Budget for FY2023-2024, which create or increase a budget deficit, shall require a ⅔ vote for passage.
For all committees appointed under B7.03, the bishop of the synod may declare the seat vacant for resignation, absenteeism, or refusal to serve.
During new business, an original main motion shall be considered germane if offered in connection to any report published in the Bulletin of Reports that has not already come before the assembly as a matter of business in the course of the session.

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