REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE WEST VIRGINIA-WESTERN MARYLAND SYNOD OF THE ELCA
2023-2024
VOTED SC 23.08.31
Absences for Jim Nichols, Rev. Ruth Bullwinkle, Rev. Tom Darr, Rev. Sally Bartling, AJ Beckett, and Evan Ack are excused by general consent.
VOTED SC 23.08.32
The Council voted to accept the agenda that includes special orders.
VOTED SC 23.08.33
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendations #s 1-5 from his report en bloc.
- To grant retired status on the roster of Ministers of Word & Sacrament to The Rev. Andrea Ernest.
- To grant family leave (on leave from call) status on the roster of Ministers of Word & Sacrament to The Rev. Jim Wicker, also renewing leave for 2024.
- To appoint The Rev. Ruth Bullwinkle, Michael Grimm, and Jerry Bouquot to the Bisynodical Candidacy Committee.
- That $142.65 be remitted to the Tri-Synod Archives from the funds derived from the sale of the Mt. Olive Peru property
- To invite Ryan Ebner (ELCA Foundation) to present at a future Synod Council meeting at our mutual convenience.
VOTED SC 23.08.34
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to appoint Marilyn Jacobs to fill the UOVC-Laity seat on Synod Council until the date of regular seating following election at the next regular Synod Assembly, service to begin upon acceptance of the appointment.
VOTED SC 23.08.35
The Council voted to appoint Rick Losh to the vacant laity seat on Executive Committee.
VOTED SC 23.08.36
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to schedule Synod Assembly 2024 for June 1, 2024 to be held at Mylan Park in Morgantown. Two amendments to change the date to May 11 and May 25 failed due to conflicting high school and college graduations.
VOTED SC 23.08.37
The Council voted to appoint Bryan Crawford to the Bylaws Committee.
VOTED SC 23.08.38
The Council voted to appoint Janis Smith to the Audit Committee.
VOTED SC 23.08.39
The Council voted to appoint Brian Crawford, Rick Losh, and Phil Brown to the Finance Committee, the treasurer being ex officio, all other appointments being terminated with appreciation for service, with instructions to review the investment and savings portfolio of the synod, reporting any recommendations to the Synod Council.
VOTED 23.08.40
The Council approved the motion to allow Community Lutheran Partners to make a Synod-wide financial request in September 2023.
VOTED 23.08.41
The Council voted to refer the motion for an LCM Synod-wide financial appeal to the Campus Ministry Board. They will report to Council on the status of alumni fund raising.
VOTED SC 23.08.42
The Council approved the bishop’s motion to table the motion concerning pastoral salaries.
VOTED SC 23.08.43
The Council voted to take from the table the motion concerning the Mutual Ministry Committee’s recommendation with a change of wording to state
To set the recommended 2024 base salary before seniority adjustment for a first-call pastor in a congregational setting at $41,080.00 (an increase of 3.32% to the 2023 rate, representing the cumulative shortage in recommended compensation compared to the COLAs for 2022 and 2023 without including the projected COLA for 2024); to encourage congregations with adequate capacity to calculate compensation on a base salary before seniority adjustment
ofup to and including $42,273.00 (an increase of 6.32% to the 2023 rate, representing the cumulative shortage in recommended compensation compared to the COLAs for 2022 and 2023 and the projected COLA for 2024); and to adopt the draft Pastoral Compensation Kit (“Pastoral Compensation/Expenses/Benefits Package Expectations For 2024”) for 2024 as submitted in writing.
VOTED SC 23.08.44
The Council approved the motion with a wording change
To set the recommended 2024 base salary before seniority adjustment for a first-call pastor in a congregational setting at $41,080.00 (an increase of 3.32% to the 2023 rate, representing the cumulative shortage in recommended compensation compared to the COLAs for 2022 and 2023 without including the projected COLA for 2024); to encourage congregations with adequate capacity to calculate compensation on a base salary before seniority adjustment up to and including $42,273.00 (an increase of 6.32% to the 2023 rate, representing the cumulative shortage in recommended compensation compared to the COLAs for 2022 and 2023 and the projected COLA for 2024); and to adopt the draft Pastoral Compensation Kit (“Pastoral Compensation/Expenses/Benefits Package Expectations For 2024”) for 2024 as submitted in writing.
VOTED SC 23.08.45
An amendment to reduce the 10.75% to 10% failed to pass.
VOTED SC 23.08.46
The Council approved the motion that congregations not yet remitting as mission support 10.75% of their total unrestricted congregational giving (offering) be asked to increase their mission support to 10.75%, while asking congregations that are at or exceeding this level to not decrease the greater of their proportional chare or nominal contribution. There was one negative vote.
VOTED SC 23.08.47
The Council voted to amend the retreat motion by striking 13-14 October from consideration.
VOTED SC 23.08.48 by general consent to strike in the _______ conference from the motion.
VOTED SC 23.08.49
The Council approved the amended motion that the Synod Council convene in retreat for a regular meeting on 3-4 November 23, inviting the clergy and congregational (vice) presidents of the appropriate Conference to join the Council on Friday night in conversation about ministry on the territory of the Conference, the bishop and vice president being empowered to select the venue, finalize the date, and make all the necessary arrangements.
VOTED SC 23.08.50
The Council approved the motion that they will convene in the vicinity of Morgantown on 24 February 2024 for a regular meeting with the bishop being empowered to select the venue and make all necessary arrangements.
VOTED SC 23.11.51
The Council approved the agenda as presented.
For the next hour and a half, the Council met with the clergy and lead laity of the Potomac Conference to listen to their successes and concerns.
VOTED SC 23.11.52
The Council voted to adjourn at 8:59 PM until 9AM on 4 November 2023.
VOTED SC 23.11.53
Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to renew on leave from call status on the roster of ministers of Word & Sacrament for The Rev. Michael Wright.
VOTED SC 23.11.54
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to appoint to the Nominating Committee The Rev. Ruth Bullwinkle, Chair (MVMC), The Rev. Sean Smith (UOVC), Rick Losh (PC), The Rev. Tom Darr (OKVC), The Rev. Daniel Collins (PC), Cindy Murphy (MVMS), and Rachel Gensler Hall (OKVC), the Executive Committee being empowered to make any vacancy appointments if needed prior to the next regular meeting of the Synod Council.
VOTED SC 23.11.55
The Council approved to reimburse The Rev. Matthew Riegel for payments made to Portico for Gold+ coverage in CY 2024 on a monthly basis by separate check, accounting the reimbursements to health insurance.
VOTED SC 23.11.56
The Council voted to reschedule the next regular Synod Council meeting from 24 February 2024 to 16 March 2024.
VOTED SC 23.11.57
The Council voted to reappoint The Rev. Jonothan “Jono” Adams, The Rev. Jason Felici, and Nancy Weeks to the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Campus Foundation for a term of three years.
VOTED SC 23.11.58
The Council voted to grant extension of the Community Lutheran Partners, Inc., fundraising appeal in the Synod through the end of CY2023.
VOTED SC 23.11.59
The Council voted to direct the bishop to query the congregations of the Eastern Panhandle regarding this Synod’s status as a constituent Synod of Caroline Furnace church camp.
VOTED SC 23.11.60
The Council voted to adjourn sine die.
VOTED SC 24.03.01
The chair, by general consent, appointed A. Brock Secretary Pro Tem.
VOTED SC 24.03.02
Motion by Rev. Sean Smith, second Rick Losh, to approve agenda as presented. The Council approved.
VOTED SC 24.03.03
Smith moved and it was seconded to establish a select committee to look into legacy and planned giving with the ELCA Foundation for the synod and report back to Synod Council with findings and recommendations. Carried.
VOTED SC 24.03.04
The Council approved the Bishop’s recommendation (second by Rev. Sean Smith) to renew extended ecumenical service for The Rev. Darick Biondi (UMC) to serve Cross of Grace Lutheran Church, Hurricane, WV, under CBCR/ELCA 9.63.02, effective 9 April 2024.
VOTED SC 24.03.05
The Council approved the Bishop’s recommendation (second by Rick Losh) to renew extended ecumenical service for The Rev. Susan Claytor (TEC) to serve St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Beckley, WV, under CBCR/ELCA 8.63.01, effective immediately.
VOTED SC 24.03.06
The Council approved the Bishop’s recommendation (second by Rev. Ruth Bullwinkle) to renew annual dispensation for local altar & pulpit fellowship for The Rev. Jack Jackson (NALC) at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Pt. Pleasant, WV, under CBCR/ELCA 8.64, effective immediately.
VOTED SC 24.03.07
The Council approved the Bishop’s recommendation (second by Rick Losh) to re-appoint The Revs. Tim Spence and Nancy Knoll to the Tri-Synod Archives Board.
VOTED SC 24.03.08
The Council approved the Bishop’s recommendation (second by Rev. Ruth Bullwinkle) to approve the revised agreement with Thiel College related to the Tri-Synod Archives.
VOTED SC 24.03.09
Rev. Sean Smith moved that the Bishop contact Caroline Furnace leadership inviting them to come to a Synod Council meeting as soon as possible for the purpose of discussing a possible disaffiliation. Second by Rev. Ruth Bullwinkle. Carried.
VOTED SC 24.03.10
A motion to move the Treasurer’s Report to unfinished business was made by Rev. Sean Smith, second by Rev. Tom Darr. Motion passed.
VOTED SC 24.03.11
Motion to set time to adjourn meeting to April 26, 2024 at 5:00 pm in Morgantown, made by Bishop Riegel, second by Rev. Sean Smith. Motion passed.
VOTED SC 24.03.12
Motion to adjourn March 16, 2024 meeting at 2:00 pm made by Laurel Muhly-Alexander, second by Rev. Ruth Bullwinkle. Motion passed.
VOTED SC 24.03.13
Council voted to authorize under S15.21 a fund-raising appeal to congregations by Camp Luther with an appeal window opening immediately and closing no later than 31 July 2024. Carried.
VOTED SC 24.03.14
Laurel Muhly-Alexander moved to request that Camp Luther, by 31 July 2024, designate a group of people to review financial prospectus and long-range stability of Camp Luther, including a) where it is, b) number of staff, and c) cost for families with the director of Camp Luther to report back responses to these questions to Synod Council. Carried.
VOTED SC 24.04.15
The chair, by general consent, appointed A. Brock Secretary Pro Tem.
VOTED SC 24.04.16
The Council approved Bishop’s recommendation (second by Rev. Sean Smith) to authorize extended ecumenical service for The Rev. Thomas Wesley “Wes” Moore (PCUSA) to serve Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Elkins, WV, under CBCR/ELCA 8.63.01, effective retroactively 1 March 2024.
VOTED SC 24.04.17
The Council approved Bishop’s recommendation (second by Rev. Sean Smith) to grant voting membership in Synod Assembly 2024 to The Rev. Jim Wicker under S7.22 and CR2.01.
VOTED SC 24.04.18
The Council approved Bishop’s recommendation (second by Rev. Sean Smith) to grant voting membership in Synod Assembly 2024 to The Revs. Susan Claytor, Darick Biondi, and Thomas “Wes” Moore under S7.27 and CR2.02.
VOTED SC 24.04.19
The Council approved Bishop’s recommendation (second by Marilyn Jacobs) to grant voice (but not vote) in Synod Assembly 2024 to The Rev. Gary Koontz under CR2.03.
VOTED SC 24.04.20
The Council approved Bishop’s recommendation (second by Rick Losh) to advance to the Synod Assembly with recommendation for adoption the proposed amendments to bylaws of the Synod as found in the report of the Bylaws Committee.
VOTED SC 24.04.21
The Council approved Bishop’s recommendation to advance to the Synod Assembly with recommendation for adoption the Proposed Budget (with revisions) for FY 2025-2026.
Feedback
Post your comment on this topic.