Nominee Information
Position: Secretary
Candidate: Abigail Spray
Congregation: St. Johannes, New Milton
Residence: Jane Lew, WV
As part of Crawford Indian Trail 4-H Club, I served as secretary for 8 years. I have held multiple secretary positions of local clubs and associations, including 4 years of Rotary-Interact Club, 4 years of Youth Leadership Association, 2 years of National Honor Society, 2 years of National Technical Honor Society, and 1 year of SkillsUSA. I was a former youth member of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Council, representing St. Johannes Lutheran Church in New Milton, West Virginia.
Position: Synod Council – Clergy – Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference
Candidate: Tom Darr
Congregation: Christ, Vienna
Residence: Vienna, WV
Darr is completing his first year of service on Synod Council. He has been diligent in attendance and active in his engagement in deliberations. He is currently heading the select committee on finance with energy.
Candidate: Patrice Weirick
Congregation: St. Paul’s, New Haven
Residence: New Haven, WV
Patrice was recommended to the Nominations Committee by Norma Gensler. Norma asked Patrice to run for this position, and Patrice agreed. Patrice would serve the Synod Council well. She has many years of ministry experience. Patrice has much wisdom, which she can share with the council. She serves on the Synod Mutual Ministry Committee and on the staff of Camp Luther.
Position: Synod Council – Clergy – Potomac Conference
Candidate: Daniel Collins
Congregation: Trinity, Arden
Residence: Charles Town, WV
Collins is a pastor in first call in the Eastern Panhandle Cluster. He has been in a vacancy fill of this seat, following the resignation of the previous occupant. During this brief time on Synod Council thus far he has been energetic and conscientious in the performance of his duties. He brings a fresh eye to the work but also a rootedness in the theological tradition and an understanding of polity. He demonstrates sober judgment.
Candidate: John Unger
Congregation: St. John’s, Harper’s Ferry
Residence: Martinsburg, WV
Rooted in the Gospel’s call to love and serve, John Unger’s life has been a testament to the ELCA’s mission: building bridges of justice, healing, and hope. Since the beginning of WV- WMD Synod with Bishop Black, John has served the Synod in leading the intersection of faith and action—from serving as the first ELCA missionary with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India to pioneering a tri-denominational ministry in Harpers Ferry, WV to advising the White House on interfaith solutions for addiction and trauma. As a pastor, chaplain, and humanitarian, John champions strategic collaboration, inclusive community engagement, and Christ-centered pastoral care for seniors, children, and the marginalized. Now, he has been nominated and seeks your support to bring this same vision and pastoral care ministry to the Synod Council, partnering with you to deepen our impact across West Virginia and Maryland. Together, we will listen with love and live boldly into the mission: a church ‘always being made new.’
Position: Synod Council – Clergy – Upper Ohio Valley Conference
Candidate: Devin Ames
Congregation: First English, Wheeling
Residence: Moundsville, WV
Currently a pastor of Cooperative Lutheran Ministries. Devin has previously served as a youth member on synod council, as well as at two Churchwide assemblies for the WV-WMD Synod.
Candidate: Timothy M. Crummitt
Congregation: St. Mark, Wheeling
Residence: Wheeling, WV
After encouragement from my local conference, I have felt it appropriate to run for Synod Council. I offer a unique perspective to the role, if elected. I am a child of the West Virginia Western Maryland Synod, but have spent the previous nine years serving a call in the Virginia Synod. This helps me to have a perceptive that can balance the unique challenges of ministry in Appalachia as well as experience from the larger church of which we are a part. In terms of experience, I have served on the Gathering of the Ministerium team in Virginia, as well as the Mission Table which sought out ways to foster and grow new ministries in the Synod.
Position: Synod Council – Laity – Mon Valley-Mountain Conference
Candidate: Dave Finney
Congregation: Grace – Fairmont
Residence: Fairmont, WV
Served as Secretary of the Allegheny Synod in 2012 – 2024. Worked extensively with the governing documents of the Synod & Congregations during this time. Authorized as a Lay Worship Leader in the Allegheny Synod 2013 – 2024. My education – BS Business/Economics – Robert Morris Univ. 1975, MBA – West Virginia Univ. 2004, Master of Public Policy & Management – Univ. of Pittsburgh 2022. I am a preacher’s kid, son of the Rev. Dr. David N. Finney, Jr. (Gettysburg). I recently “retired” & moved back to Fairmont, West Virginia… currently teaching at Salem Univ (Business/Economics) & working summers in golf course management @ the Pete Dye Golf Club – Bridgeport, WV.
Candidate: John Knoll
Congregation: St. Mark’s, Clarksburg
Residence: Clarksburg, WV
John is a retired Data Processing Manager for Petrol Developers. He is active in his church and is currently serving as the representative from the Mon Valley Mountain Conference lay person on Synod Council. He has served at St. Mark’s on council, on the endowment committee, and as the congregation’s treasurer. He enjoys traveling and hiking. He has a daughter and son- in-law who are Lutheran ministers in Ohio. He is well qualified for this position and will serve you well with conscientiousness and dedication.
Position: Synod Council – Youth
Candidate: Gavin Bell
Congregation: St. Mark Lutheran Church, Wheeling
Residence: Wheeling, WV
Gavin Bell is a lifelong member of St. Mark. He is always happy to help when asked. He acolytes regularly and is a mentor to the younger youth with acolyting. He has participated in Youth Sundays, where the children help with the service. He has helped with Donut Sundays (our social hour after services). He has participated in the Elm Grove Business Association’s fests with our other St. Mark youth and families. He is finishing his year as a freshman at Wheeling Park High School, where he is a member of the track team and baseball team, as well as the band.
Position: Consultation Committee – Clergy
Candidate: Devin Ames
Congregation: First English, Wheeling
Residence: Moundsville, WV
Currently a pastor of Cooperative Lutheran Ministries. Devin has previously served as a youth member on synod council, as well as at two Churchwide assemblies for the WV-WMD Synod.
Candidate: Timothy Crummitt
Congregation: St. Mark Lutheran Church, Wheeling
Residence: Wheeling, WV, WV
I am “new” to the Synod, but have been in public ministry for nine years. My previous call was in the Virginia Synod where I served in a variety of different synodical support teams. I think that I would be a good fit for the Consultation Committee because I think I can bring a non-anxious presence to what is most likely a high anxiety situation.
Position: Consultation Committee – Laity
Candidate: Mary Antonik
Congregation: First English, Wheeling
Residence: Bellaire, OH
Longtime member of First English, current council member and secretary.
Candidate: Patricia Anzalone
Congregation: St Thomas, Charles Town
Residence: Charles Town, WV
Patricia is a devout believer in God’s Word and earnestly desires to spread the Good News in her life. She has served as Council President of her home congregation, as well as on the Mutual Ministry Committee. If elected to the Consultation Committee, she will bring a faithful lay perspective always in search of the truth, for the love of God and neighbor.
Position: Discipline Committee – Clergy
Candidate: Ralph Dunkin
Congregation: Trinity Lutheran, Wheeling
Residence: Wheeling, WV
Bishop Emeritus of the synod, pastor of this synod for many years.
Candidate: Carrie Hoff
Congregation: St. Mark’s, Oakland
Residence: Oakland, MD
Hoff is a first call pastor in the synod. Everyone has to start somewhere in synodical service. This is as good a place as any.
Position: Discipline Committee – Laity
Candidate: Richard Crummitt
Congregation: St. Mark, Wheeling, WV
Residence: Wheeling, WV
Rick would be a perfect fit for the discipline committee. He has served the West Virginia Western Maryland Synod faithfully in a variety of ways throughout the years, including council vice president of his home congregation and as dean of the functional staff at Camp Luther. He is familiar with the Lutheran church in our Synod and has built relationships with both laity and clergy. As the owner of a family business he is especially well suited for roles of leadership, which can often mean having tough conversations. As a father he would be able to approach a situation with both discipline and grace.
Candidate: Nancy Weeks
Congregation: Grace Lutheran, Wheeling, WV
Residence: Wheeling, WV
Nancy has been a member of Synod Council and currently serves as Vice President of the WV-WMD Synod. She has also served as a member of the Grace Lutheran Council where she currently is Council President. She has a working understanding of the expectations for the discipline committee.
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