Nominee Information
Position: 1-1 Synod Council Mon Valley Mountain Conference Clergy
Candidate: Mary Sanders
Congregation: St. John’s, Redhouse
Residence: Redhouse, MD
Deacon Mary has served on Synod Council as a lay member in the past for several terms. She is familiar with the council and the workings of the council. Deacon Mary does supply preaching most Sundays, so she is familiar with most of the synod’s congregations and needs.
Candidate: Tony Setley
Congregation: St. Paul’s, Morgantown
Residence: Morgantown, WV
Pastor Tony has run for Synod Council in the past. He is the pastor at St. Paul’s in Morgantown. Previously, Tony served in Campus Ministry as the Lutheran Chaplain at WVU. He would be an asset to the Synod Council.
Position: 2-1 Synod Council – Ohio-Kanawha Conference – Laity
Candidate: Vivian Grate (Vicky)
Congregation: Tinity, Charleston
Residence: Charleston, WV
The Holy Spirit led me to acceptance of Christ and Baptism at the age of 21. My spiritual journey is guided by God, through prayers and letting go for God to lead.
I prayed about this position and for the Spirit to lead me to apply or to step away, or apply and be content if another is chosen. From the first prayer, I feel the Spirit moving. God will guide the Assembly in the selection of Synod Council members and the direction He wants for this Synod.
What I bring to the table is experience in Lutheran Churches and Healthcare Leadership.
I have served the church as Parish Council member, church representative at prior synod assembly, and various roles in church (manage a food pantry, committee chairperson, Sunday school teacher, youth leader, social ministry, facilitator for congregation input for building plans, Shepherd Group, Women’s Bible Study Lead, and Altar Guild. Willing to be behind the scene person to bake, clean up, and serve in any capacity.
I have a Master’s Degree in Nursing with 46 years’ experience in various roles (staff nurse, head nurse, educator, and administrator.) I have worked the past 26 years in quality and performance improvement with executive leadership in a healthcare system. I have extensive training in facilitation and tools to move groups to consensus for problem solving and improving processes.
I am willing to serve as led by the Spirit. Peace in Christ.
Candidate: Ernie Miller
Congregation: First, Parkersburg
Residence: Vienna, WV
I am currently on the Council at First Lutheran, as well as Usher, and community garden director. Additional I serve as a lay delegate to the Synod annual meeting. I am a family Physician retired. I have served on Boy Scout Council including the roll of Council commissioner. Additional Scouting experience included; representative to the National council, District committee chair, BSA troop committee chair, and as a scout obtained the rank of Eagle Scout. I served 25 yrs. on the medical licensing board of Osteopathic Medicine most of which as president of the board, medical governance in the hospital as credentials committee member and chair, medical staff president.
Position: 1-3 Synod Council – Potomac Conference – Laity
Candidate: Patricia Anzalone
Congregation: St. Thomas, Charles Town
Residence: Charles Town, WV
Patricia is the council president of St. Thomas, Charles Town, where she helped set up the congregational mutual ministry committee. She enjoys studying God’s Word and pondering the many possibilities of ministry in her congregation and the synod.
Candidate: Rick Losh
Congregation: St. John’s, Martinsburg
Residence: Martinsburg, WV
I have been an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Martinsburg, WV for over 42 years. During that time, I have served on the church council for several terms. I am currently on the Board of Trustees. I served on the Board of Directors for the Mustard Seed. I have served on several standing committees. I have also served on several temporary committees such as the Constitution Revision, Transition team, and Call committee.
I have served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Lutheran Campus Ministry at West Virginia University and have been involved in several pastoral calls.
On the professional level, I was a licensed Pharmacist for 40 years. I worked as a community pharmacist and a hospital pharmacist. For the last 25 years of my career, I had the honor to work with our country’s veterans at the Veterans Administration hospital at the Martinsburg WV VA. Ten of those years were working as an Oncology Pharmacist.
I have been married for 45 wonderful years to Cheryl Agee Losh. We have three children and three grandchildren.
During my life time, I was associated with the Boy Scouts of America an both a scout and later as a leader for over 20 years.
Position: 1-4 Synod Council – Upper Ohio Valley Conference – Laity
Candidate: Marilyn Jacobs
Congregation: Trinity, Wheeling
Residence: Wheeling, WV
Marilyn is a voting member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Wheeling, WV. She is active and serves on church council, and is currently serving on synod council.
Candidate: Alice Tribett
Congregation: Trinity, Wheeling
Residence: Wheeling, WV
Alice is a voting member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Wheeling, WV. She is active and serves as the church secretary. In the past she has served on church council and served as council secretary.
Position: 1-5 Synod Council – At-Large – Laity
Candidate: Bruce Dalton
Congregation: St. John’s, Davis
Residence: Davis, WV
Currently in my third term on Synod Council. At the Synod level, I am currently serving on the Audit and Finance Committees. Trained as a Lay Leader through the old Bishop’s Lay Leader Training Program. Member of St, John’s Lutheran for 20 years. Have served as Worship Assistant for almost that long. Serve as Lay Leader and conduct service when pastor is absent. Have served on the building committee previously. Served as a delegate the Churchwide Assembly in 2022.
Candidate: Doug Hovatter
Congregation: St. Thomas, Charles Town
Residence: Charles Town, WV
Doug is a longtime member of Trinity, Arden, where he has served in various capacities as a council and call committee member. He helped set up his congregational mutual ministry committee, which he currently chairs. Outside the church, he is well-known for his past work with 4H at WVU and throughout Berkeley County.
Position: 1-6 Synod Council – Young Adult
Candidate: Mackenzie Rice
Congregation: First, Parkersburg
Residence: Marietta, OH
Mackenzie is a young adult in our Synod, who wants to become more involved in the workings of the church. She is a lifelong Lutheran and Camp Luther camper/volunteer. She is very active in Camp Luther, working for the past several years as a beloved camp counselor in Intermediate Camp. Mackenzie is a natural leader, who leads with grace and compassion. She takes her call to the priesthood of all believers seriously. She would be a great member to the Synod Council.
Position: 1-7 Synod Council – Youth
Candidate: Evan Holbert
Congregation: Grace, Fairmont
Residence: Fairmont, WV
Evan is a sophomore at Fairmont Senior High, currently is working to complete the rank of Eagle in scouting, and is employed at Wolfpack Armory as a shop boy. Evan serves on the worship assistant teams a a lector, communion assistant, and acolyte at Grace Fairmont.
Position: 2-1 Consultation Committee – Clergy
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 two years. 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: Sherry Miller
Congregation: St. John’s, Martinsburg
Residence: Chambersburg, PA
Pastor Sherry Miller is new to our synod. She has served in the Lower Susquehanna Synod of PA for many years. Pastor Sherry has chaplaincy experience, as well and parish ministry experience. She would like to be involved in this synod. Being on the Consultation Committee would be a good way to get her feet wet.
Position: 2-2 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: Nancy Weeks
Congregation: Grace, Wheeling
Residence: Wheeling, WV
Nancy is our Synod Vice President. She has served in this capacity for almost a year. She is a strong leader and gets the job done. Nancy is very down to earth and is a great problem-solver. She would be an asset to the Consultation Committee.
Position: 3-1 Discipline Committee – Clergy
Candidate: Daniel Collins
Congregation: Trinity, Arden
Residence: Charles Town, WV
Daniel is eager to serve where he is needed. He wants to learn more about this synod. Daniel has a level head and is a calm presence.
Candidate: Paul Shaffer
Congregation: Mountain Lutheran Parish, Franklin
Residence: Franklin, WV
Pastor Paul is a veteran pastor. He has served in this synod for most of his ministry. Pastor Paul was born and raised in Wheeling. He just recently left his church in Wheeling to begin a new journey co-pastoring five congregations in the Franklin area. Pastor Paul has a laid-back style and a good sense of humor. He would bring wisdom and whit to this committee.
Position: 3-2 Discipline Committee – Laity (Female)
Candidate: Sue Hoffman
Congregation: Messiah, Moundsville
Residence: Wheeling, WV
Retired Registered Nurse, volunteer taking clients to appointments etc. for our agency in Ohio. Previously served on church council and was treasurer for St Matthews before joining Messiah. Active in WELCA. I feel she would do very well on this committee with her background.
Candidate: Cindy Murphy
Congregation: St Paul’s, Aurora
Residence: Aurora, WV
Cindy is very active in her congregation at St. Paul’s. She has served as council president. She is an active lay worship leader, serving in the capacity of a certified lay reader. Cindy has a background working as a professional firefighter and EMS.
Position: 3-3 Discipline Committee – Laity (Male)
Candidate: Richard Niehaus
Congregation: Trinity, Wheeling
Residence: Cameron, WV
Master of Art in Communication, BS in Biological Science. Taught in various schools, college, Manager of a grassland farm, Church Council President, member on board of Cooperative Lutheran Ministries, lifelong member of Trinity. US Army Vet., developed strong leadership skills in a high stakes environment. Skills, Conflict Resolution, Ethical Decision Making, Leadership, Communication. A dedicated individual with a strong commitment to upholding standards of conflict resolution, ethical decision making and fairness within the church community.
Candidate: Richard D. Strickler
Congregation: St. Mark’s, 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.
Position: 4-1 Churchwide Assembly – Clergy
Candidate: Ruth Bullwinkle
Congregation: St. John’s, Davis
Residence: Davis, WV
I have served two consecutive terms on Synod Council, serving on the Executive Committee for much of my time. I am a member of the Candidacy Committee and dean of my conference. I am the chair of the local ministerial association. Being a lifelong Lutheran and very active within the church over the course of my life, I am very familiar with the workings of the Larger Church.
Candidate: Daniel Collins
Congregation: Trinity, Arden
Residence: Charles Town, WV
Daniel wants to be more active within the church. This is an opportunity for him to learn more about the workings of the larger church.
Position: 4-2 Churchwide Assembly – Laity (Male)
Candidate: A.J. Beckett
Congregation: Grace, Wheeling
Residence: Wheeling, WV
A.J. has served on Synod Council for two years, first as the youth and now as an at-large position. He is a valuable member of the council and is very interested in the workings of the church. A.J. would love to go to the Churchwide Assembly to experience the larger church body.
Candidate: Bruce Dalton
Congregation: St. John’s, Davis
Residence: Davis, WV
Serving my third term on Synod Council. Served as worship assistant since 2004. Served as one of four Lay Leaders for more than a year when there was a pastoral vacancy at St Johns. Continue to serve in that role in when the pastor is absent. Attended the immediate past Church Wide Assembly.
Worked in education field for 30 years. I was a college professor twice, a principal twice, and an assistant superintendent of schools.
Position: 4-3 Churchwide Assembly – Youth/Young Adult
Candidate: A.J. Beckett
Congregation: Grace, Wheeling
Residence: Wheeling, WV
A.J. has served on Synod Council for two years, first as the youth and now as an at-large position. He is a valuable member of the council and is very interested in the workings of the church. A.J. would love to go to the Churchwide Assembly to experience the larger church body.
Candidate: Laurel Muhly-Alexander
Congregation: St. Mark’s, Clarksburg
Residence: Bridgeport, WV
As a faithful member of our church community, I have been blessed to witness the transformative power of God’s love and grace in my home congregation, Lutheran Campus Ministries, Camp Luther, and Synod Council. These experiences have deepened my understanding of my faith and equipped me with valuable skills for serving in leadership roles within the Church. Attending the Churchwide Assembly would be an honor and a privilege for me. I believe that my experiences, insights, and dedication to our Church make me well-suited to represent our Synod effectively. I am also eager to collaborate with others in attendance and learn from their perspectives while contributing to meaningful discussions and decisions. I am particularly eager to attend this the 2025 Churchwide Assembly as the work of the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC) will be presented. I am enthusiastic about seeing the work I have done for two years come to fruition and believe that my participation would allow me to engage with and support these efforts more effectively. I am committed to serving with integrity, humility, and a spirit of unity, seeking always to discern God’s will for our Church and to be a faithful steward of the responsibilities entrusted to me.
Position: 4-4 Churchwide Assembly – Person of Color/Language Other Than English
Candidate: Amelia Collins
Congregation: St. Thomas, Charles Town
Residence: Charles Town, WV
Amelia is of Polynesian descent. Her father lives on Easter Island. Amelia is an asset to this synod and would be a great representative.
Position: 5-1 Church Council of ELCA – Clergy (Female)
Candidate: Ruth Bullwinkle
Congregation: St. John’s, Davis
Residence: Davis, WV
I have served two consecutive terms on Synod Council, serving on the Executive Committee for much of my time. I am a member of the Candidacy Committee and dean of my conference. I am the chair of the local ministerial association. Being a lifelong Lutheran and very active within the church over the course of my life, I am very familiar with the workings of the Larger Church.
Candidate: Mary Sanders
Congregation: St. John’s, Redhouse
Residence: Redhouse, MD
Deacon Mary has served on Synod Council as a lay member in the past for several terms. She is familiar with the council and the workings of the council. Deacon Mary does supply preaching most Sundays, so she is familiar with most of the synod’s congregations and needs. As the Executive Director of Community Lutheran Partners, Deacon Mary has had much contact and communication with the main ELCA offices.
Position: 5-2 Church Council of ELCA – Clergy (Male)
Candidate: Daniel Collins
Congregation: Trinity, Arden
Residence: Charles Town, WV
Daniel wants to be more active within the church. This is an opportunity for him to learn more about the workings of the larger church.
Candidate: Rick Egtvedt
Congregation: Shepherd of the Hills, McHenry
Residence: Oakland, MD
I am a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church in America and ELCA. As a former council member in Berlin, Germany and Dayton, Ohio, I later received a master’s in divinity with honors (in reformation studies) from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg (current United Lutheran Seminary, Gettysburg). I received a master’s in public administration from the University of West Florida as the “Outstanding Graduate Student” from the College of Arts and Social Sciences. A graduate of Georgetown University’s Government Affairs Institute’s “Congressional Operations Program,” I had previously received a Bachelor of Arts in Geography with a concentration in cultural and social studies from Michigan State University. This focus on “cultural and social studies” is what served as my foundation throughout my USAF career, and subsequently throughout seminary, to this day.
In addition to my pastoral duties with Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (which meets in the Roman Catholic, St. Peter at the Lake Center in McHenry, MD) I also serve as the, Chief Chaplain for the National Lutheran Association on Scouting (NLAS). NLAS is one of three pan-Lutheran organizations (ELCA and LCMS) which specifically plans and supports national and world-level Lutheran worship, religious awards, and duty to God instruction for Lutheran youth and recognition for Lutheran adults involved in the following youth organizations: Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, American Heritage Girls, 4-H, and Camp Fire USA.
I serve as President for the not-for-profit, “Accident Community Housing Corporation,” in Accident, Maryland. “Town View Village” is a subsidized, but locally run, housing facility for independent elderly or disabled people. I’ve also raised funds, found a contractor, and funded two studies defining market-rate senior housing needs in Garrett County, Maryland. I have been called upon by county officials to address these needs to potential builders.
As a disabled veteran, I served my mother who suffered from Alzheimer’s, as her sole caregiver.
These skills and orientations reflect only some of what I place in your service if you select me as your clergy representative. Will you allow me to serve as your: observer, analyst, innovative thinker, problem solver, planner, visionary, advocate, bridgebuilder, and theologian on the ELCA Church Council?
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