Synod Council Actions

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE WEST VIRGINIA-WESTERN MARYLAND SYNOD OF THE ELCA
2024-2025

SYNOD COUNCIL ACTIONS

VOTED SC 24.07.22
The Council adopted the agenda as presented.
VOTED SC 24.07.23
The Council approved to grant retired status on the roster of ministers of Word and Sacrament to The Rev. James Wicker, effective 10 September 2024 and contingent upon there being no impediment in the opinion of the bishop.
VOTED SC24.07.24
The Council approved to hold Synod Assembly 2025 on 31 May at the Mon County 4-H Center.
VOTED SC24.07.25
The Council approved to issue an honorarium of $300 to David Scherrick with monies coming from the Gast Fund.
VOTED SC24.07.26
The Council approved the appointment of The Rev. Daniel Collins to the clergy seat from the Potomac Conference to Synod Council to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of The Rev. Sally Bartling.
VOTED SC24.07.27
The Council voted to move to executive session at 12:35 PM.
VOTED SC24.07.28
The Council voted to reconvene the business meeting at 12:50 PM.
VOTED SC24.07.29
The Council approved the bishop’s motion to refer the nominating committee’s report to the by-laws committee.
VOTED SC24.07.30
The Council approved the recommendation from the Synod Mutual Ministry Committee to set the minimum recommended 2025 base salary before seniority adjustment for a first-call pastor in a congregational setting at $42,723.00; to encourage congregations with adequate capacity to employ a base salary before seniority adjustment up to and including $43,606.00; to set the recommendation for continuing education allowance at $1000.00; and to adopt the draft Clergy Compensation Kit for 2025 as submitted in writing.
VOTED SC24.07.31
The Council approved the bishop’s recommendation to refer the question of compensation in regards to the Federal Government’s General Schedule (GS scale) to the Mutual Ministry Committee.
VOTED SC24.07.32
The Council voted to refer the sense of this council and its questions to the Select Committee on Planned Giving as recorded by Nancy Weeks and Rev. Sean Smith.
VOTED SC24.07.33
The Council approved the motion for the bishop to communicate to Camp Luther for its thorough response and progress.
VOTED SC24.07.34
The Council approved a substitute motion concerning an LCM Synod-wide appeal stating that Lutheran Campus Ministry at West Virginia University may make a Synod-wide financial appeal to begin 1 August 2024 and run through the end of the calendar year.
VOTED SC24.07.35
The Council approved to donate $100.00 to the Grace Lutheran Fellowship Committee.
VOTED SC24.07.36
The Council approved Rick Losh’s absence from the meeting.
VOTED SC 24.09.37
The Council approved Bruce Dalton to serve as chair for the meeting in the absence of Nancy Weeks, VP. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.38
The Council voted to accept the agenda.
VOTED SC 24.09.39
The Council considered the bishop’s recommendation to adopt as a special rule of order, overriding RONR (12th ed.) 48:19: An executive officer may move the recommendations in his/her report. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.40
The Council considered the bishop’s recommendation to adopt as a special rule of order: The Synod Council shall operate under the procedure in small boards outlined in RONR (12th ed.) 49:21. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.41
The Council considered the bishop’s recommendation to grant on leave from call status on the roster of ministers of Word & Sacrament to The Rev. Wm. Curtis Black. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.42
The Council voted to postpone to Unfinished Business the Bishop’s recommendation to appoint a clergy to the Executive Committee. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.43
The Council considered the bishop’s recommendation to appoint the bishop and the vice president to the Region 8 Steering Committee. Motion carried.
Andrew Beckett resigned from the laity male representative to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly.
VOTED SC 24.09.44
The Council considered the bishop’s recommendation to appoint Andrew Beckett to the vacant seat for a youth or young adult member of Churchwide Assembly 2025. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.45
The Council voted to appoint Bruce Dalton to the lay male representative to the Churchwide Assembly 2025. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.46
The Council considered the bishop’s recommendation to authorize the use of the Synod Council Handbook dated 9 September 2024 for orientation of Synod Council members, allowing minor edits by the bishop, and delegating to Executive Committee authority to make substantive revisions in the future without further Synod Council action. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.47
The Council voted to defer questions concerning the treasurer’s report to Unfinished Business. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.48
The Council considered to renew the Mission Support Formula for CY2024 as the Mission Support Formula for CY2025: That the congregations not yet remitting as mission support 10.75% of their total unrestricted congregational giving (offering) be asked to increase their mission support 10.75%, while asking congregations that are at or exceeding this level to not decrease the greater of their proportional share or nominal contribution. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.49
The Council considered to communicate to St. James, Uvilla, WV, the Synod Council’s appreciation for the unrestricted gift of $26,268.07. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.50
The Council considered to authorize the Executive Committee, at its discretion, to open one or more 7-month certificates of deposit with the Mission Investment Fund during the interval before the Synod Council’s January 2025 meeting in a cumulative amount not to exceed $150,000, financing such certificates from funds the liquidity of which will not be required prior to maturation. Call to question motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.51
The Council considered to authorize the Executive Committee, at its discretion, to open one or more 7-month certificates of deposit with the Mission Investment Fund during the interval before the Synod Council’s January 2025 meeting in a cumulative amount not to exceed $150,000, financing such certificates from funds the liquidity of which will not be required prior to maturation. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.52
The Council voted to authorize the Executive Committee to apply at its discretion $23,641.07 from the St. James gift of $26,268.07 to emergent evangelistic and ministerial opportunities in the interval before the next regular Synod Council meeting. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.53
The Council considered the committee’s recommendation to petition the Church Council of the ELCA to strike the daggers on †S10.01 and †S6.04.01, the bishop to draft rationale consistent with the Report of the Bylaws Committee to accompany the petition. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.54
The Council considered the committee’s recommendation to recommend adoption by the Synod Assembly of the amendments to the synod constitution (i.e., †S3.01, S7.24, S7.30, S9.11, and S10.09) proposed by the Bylaws Committee, to order the Bylaws Committee to prepare a report for the Synod Assembly enumerating the amendments and their rationale, and to order the Bishop to provide notice per †S18.13(b).

†S3.01. The territory of this synod, as determined by the Churchwide Assembly, shall be: the state of West Virginia; the county of Garrett in the State of Maryland; ~~the congregation Mount Calvary, Allegany County, and the congregations Holy Trinity Memorial and Salem in Washington County in the state of Maryland;~~ and the congregation Fairview, Frederick County, in the state of Virginia.
S7.24. Ministers under call on the rosters of this synod shall remain as members of the Synod Assembly so long as they remain under call and so long as their names appear on the rosters of this synod. Lay voting members elected by their congregations shall continue to serve until their resignation from the Synod Assembly, replacement by their congregation, or disqualification by suspension or termination of voting membership in their congregation. Other lay voting members shall continue to serve until the opening of the next regular synod assembly. Lay members of the Synod Assembly representing congregations shall continue as such until replaced by the election of new members or until they have been disqualified by termination of membership. Normally, congregations will hold elections prior to each regular meeting of the Synod Assembly.
S7.30. This synod may establish processes through the Synod Council to grant an interim pastor not otherwise enfranchised the privilege of voice in the Synod Assembly during the period of that minister’s service as an interim pastor of a congregation of this synod.
S9.11. The Synod Council shall establish a process to elect or appoint representatives to the steering committee of its region.
S10.09. A majority of the members, excluding the youth member, of the Synod Council shall constitute a quorum.
Motion carried.

VOTED SC 24.09.55
The Council considered the bishop’s recommendation to appoint the Rev. Daniel Collins to the Executive Committee. Motion carried.
There was a discussion as to the treasurer’s report with questions to be forwarded to the treasurer and the bookkeeper. Concerns include the presence of two separate lines on the balance sheet related to synod auto, what moneys could be invested in MIF, lack of value change in the balance sheet’s lives for both Vanguard Fund and donated stock; and the rationale for holding stock rather than liquidating.
VOTED SC 24.09.56
The Council voted to appoint Julie Sandolfini of St. Paul, Morgantown, to the Candidacy Committee. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 24.09.57
The Council considered the motion to apply $2,626.81 from the St. James, Uvilla, WV, gift of $26,268.07 to fund the Malagasy companion synod visit to WV-WMD Synod October. Motion carried.
VOTED SC 25.01.01
The Council accepted the agenda as presented.
VOTED SC 25.01.02
The Council set the time to adjourn this morning to ADJ-2, Saturday 18 January, 2025 @ 10 AM.
VOTED SC 25.01.03
The Council agreed by general consent to remove the bishop’s recommendation #1 from Special Orders.

VOTED SC 25.01.04
The Council agreed by general consent to remove from Special Orders the appointment of members of LFC at WVU.
VOTED SC 25.01.05
The Council approved to extend the Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU’s capital campaign for capital improvements, having been previously authorized by Synod Council action SC 24.07.34 for six months, now to conclude on 30 June 2025.
VOTED SC 25.01.06
The Council authorized an expenditure up to $23,641.26 from the funds restricted for Evangelistic and Ministerial Opportunities for purchase of services from The Rev. Jack Palzer (either directly or through St. John Lutheran Church, Redhouse) and offset of related expenses for mission redevelopment and consultation on the Mountaintop under the supervision of the bishop and the DEM.
VOTED SC 25.01.07
The Council approved to appoint the Rev. Daniel Collins as the ad hoc secretary.
VOTED SC 25.01.08
The Council approved the Nominating Committee reappointments of Rev. Ruth Bullwinkle, chair; Cindy Murphy; Rev. Tom Darr; Rev. Daniel Collins; and Rick Losh. The Council approved the appointments of the Rev. Devin Ames, Valerie Severini, and Pat Schillings. The Executive Committee is authorized to appoint replacements as necessary.
VOTED SC 25.01.09
The Council makes note that it has conducted its triennial review of the following retired clergy as required in the Roster Manual: The Revs. Paul Blank, Jacqueline Campbell, Lawrence Cantu, Thomas Omholt, Keith Pittsnogle, Patricia Pittsnogle, Mary Prather, James Riley, Alvin Schafer, Timothy Spence, David Twedt, and the Most Rev. Dr. Ralph Duncan.
VOTED SC 25.01.10
The Council approved to discharge the Finance Committee and to authorize the Executive Committee to prepare a budget for FY 2026-2027 as well as review the current financial position of the Synod, curate the record of special gifts received by the Synod, and advise on an investment policy.
VOTED SC 25.01.11
The Council voted to order the Executive Committee to review all committee appointments within the purview of Synod Council and make recommendations to the Synod Council at its next regular meeting.
VOTED SC 25.01.12
The Council approved the motion to offer the WVU Lutheran Campus Ministry the 2025 Synod Assembly offering in exchange for the ministry services of setting up and tearing down for the assembly.
VOTED SC 25.01.13
The Council approved the bishop’s motion to refer Synod Assembly length (two day vs. one day) questions to the Executive Committee and report to the next regular Council meeting.
VOTED SC 25.01.14
The Council approved the bishop’s motion to refer the Vice President’s report to the director of Community Lutheran Partners to consider matters of disaster relief.
VOTED SC 25.01.15
The Council received the treasurer’s report as submitted.
VOTED SC 25.01.16
The Council received the DEM’s report as submitted.
VOTED SC 25.01.17
The Council approved the bishop’s motion to refer the question if the Synod should solicit donations to the Select Committee on Planned Giving. There was one nay vote.
VOTED SC 25.01.18
The Council accepted the WELCA report as submitted.
VOTED SC 25.01.19
The Council approved the appointments of Jim Nichols, Rev. Patrice Weirick, and Carrie Nesselrodt to the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Campus Foundation at WVU with the terms to end in 2027.
VOTED SC 25.01.20
The Council directs the secretary to compose a letter of thanks to the heirs of the Weirick estate for their Synod gifts.
VOTED SC 25.01.21
The Council approved the motion for the Executive Committee to place the Weirick estate gifts into a short-term, high yield CD.
VOTED SC 25.01.22
The Council approved to hold the next regular meeting as a two-day retreat on 25-26 April 2025 within twenty-five miles of Petersburg, WV, inviting the pastors and (vice) presidents or their alternates of the congregations of the Potomac Highlands Cluster to join in consultation, following the general pattern used heretofore, and granting the Executive Committee authority to make different arrangements for the meeting if necessary.
VOTED SC 25.03.23
The Council voted to direct the bishop to contact the Antero company to inform them that the Council was unable to make a decision concerning the rights to mineral leasing of the Doddridge property. The bishop is also directed to consult with attorney Matthew Alexander for a recommendation to the Council concerning this matter.
VOTED SC 25.04.24
The Council amended the agenda by moving The Rev. Sherri Schaffer first.
VOTED SC 25.04.25
The Council approved the agenda as amended.
VOTED SC 25.04.26
The Council nominated Abigail Spray Hull for secretary of the Synod.
VOTED SC 25.04.27
The Council voted to reappoint The Rev. Tim Spence and The Rev. Nancy Knoll to the Tri-Synod Archives Board.
VOTED SC 25.04.28
The Council voted to issue a call to non-congregational service (specialized ministry) to The Rev. Wm. Curtis Black to serve Valley Hospice contingent upon continued employment.
VOTED SC 25.04.29
The Council voted to direct the Mutual Ministry Committee to review the compensation schedule and guidelines for supply preaching, reporting back to the Synod Council with findings and recommendations.
VOTED SC 25.04.30
By general consent the Council asked the bishop to publish on the Synod website the guidelines for a bishop election.
VOTED SC 25.04.31
The Council voted to refer the Draft Bylaws Amendments for Synod Assembly 2025 to the Bylaws Committee, authorizing the Bylaws Committee to report directly to Synod Assembly 2025.
VOTED SC 25.04.32
The Council approved the motion to provide clerical assistance as an independent contractor (Tamara Riegel) for the bishop for the preparation of Synod Assembly 2025 at the same rate as Lorina Mount. The bishop abstained from the vote due to the conflict of interest.
VOTED SC 25.04.33
The Council voted to direct the Mutual Ministry Committee to address the bishop’s need for administrative assistance in addition to the Synod Assembly preparation.
VOTED SC 25.04.34
The Council voted to authorize the reopening of negotiations with Antero to lease the mineral rights on the parcels named in the 1926 will of Mary Caroline Spray of Doddridge County, seeking at minimum the offer made by Antero 23 March 2025 and more if possible and executing the lease if such terms be secured. The vote was ten for and two against the authorization.
VOTED SC 25.04.35
The Council approved the motion to send condolences to The Rev. Kevin Mackey on the death of his father.
VOTED SC 25.04.36
The Council voted to advance to Synod Assembly 2025 the proposed budget (see Proposed Budget FY2026-2027) as prepared by the Select Committee on Finance and amended by the Executive Committee.
VOTED SC 25.04.37
The Council voted to accept the recommendation of the Executive Committee concerning the Synod finances:
Checking Account — $50,000 (about a 60 day cash requirement)
Savings Account — $50,000 (about a 60 day cash requirement)
The balance of the $338,000 of the checking account will be invested in short-term, high yield CDs with purchases being staggered so as to create an investment ladder over time, and purchases at alternate financial institutions to keep the total under the FDIC limits.
VOTED SC 25.04.38
The Council voted to amend the following motion to remove The Rev. Sean Smith form the Commission for Synodical Lay Worship with the Executive Committee authorized to add no more than two members.

The Executive Committee Recommends the following appointments:

Paul Wangerin be officially removed from the Synod Mutual Ministry Committee and that the seat he occupied be designated for the Synod Vice President ex officio.
Paul Wangerin be removed from the Synod Audit Committee and replaced with The Rev. Tom Darr.
Laurel Muhly-Alexander and Brian Crawford be removed from the Synod Bylaws Committee and replaced with The Rev. Daniel Collins, Michelle Erfurt, and David Finney.

VOTED SC 25.04.39
The Council approved the motion from the Executive Committee recommendations concerning committee appointments as follows
— Paul Wangerin be officially removed from the Synod Mutual Ministry Committee and that the seat he occupied be designated for the Synod Vice President ex officio.
— Paul Wangerin be removed from the Synod Audit Committee and replaced with The Rev. Tom Darr.
— Laurel Muhly-Alexander and Brian Crawford be removed from the Synod Bylaws Committee and replaced with The Rev. Daniel Collins, Michelle Erfurt, and David Finney.
— The Rev. Sean Smith be removed from the Commission for Synodical Lay Worship with the Ex. Comm being authorized to add no more than two members.
VOTED SC 25.04.40
The Council approved the motion to adopt the Executive Committee report of the Select Committee on the Length of the Synod Assembly.
VOTED SC 25.04.41
Amended the motion on the floor to direct the bishop to include time in the Synod Assembly 2025 agenda for small group plenary discussion concerning the format, duration, and bishop election processes to read to direct the bishop in consultation with the members of the Select Committee on the Synod Assembly duration. Amendment passed.
VOTED SC 25.04.42
The Council approved the motion to direct the bishop, in consultation with the members of the Select Committee on the Synod Assembly duration, to include time in the Synod Assembly 2025 agenda for small group plenary discussion concerning the format, duration, and bishop election processes.
VOTED SC 25.04.43
The Council voted to receive the WELCA report as presented.
VOTED SC 25.04.44
The Council voted for the Synod to cover the tuition for AJ Beckett’s participation in the Lay Leadership in the Church program to be held in Germany in May.
VOTED SC 25.04.45
The Council voted for the Synod to cover AJ Beckett’s travel expenses to Germany for the Lay Leadership program in May.

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