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The West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod (8-H) includes the 55 counties of West Virginia, 3 counties in Maryland (Allegheny, Garrett, and Washington), and 1 county in Virginia (western Frederick county).
We are one of 5 synods totally within Appalachia.
This has influenced not only our way of life, our heritage, but also our highway system. A favorite expression is
“You can’t get there from here, but it is a beautiful trip.”
We are truly a rural synod in the mountains, and of the mountains.
The West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod is:
- One of the 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
- One of the 8 synods of Region 8.
- Divided into 4 conferences with a Dean.
- Potomac
East - Reverend Dr. Fred Soltow, Dean
West - Reverend Larry Cantu, Dean
- Ohio-Kanawha Valley
Reverend Dana Holter, Dean
- Monongahela Valley - Mountain
The Rev. Linda Muhly, Dean
The Rev. Randy Nairn, Dean
- Upper Ohio Valley
Reverend David Westphal, Dean
Social Ministry
We have 1 Social ministry organization within the synod
Congregations
We have 65 congregations
We have 1 developing mission congregation.
Size of congregations by baptized members:
- 1-175 members 38
- 176-350 members 11
- 351-500 members 7
- 501-700 members 5
- 701-950 members 3
- 951-1500 members 1
Membership
We have 15,722 Baptized members.
We have 11,709 Confirmed members.
Our average weekly worship attendance is 4,112
Ordained Clergy / Lay Leaders
We have 40 Pastors under call.
We have 5 Pastors in specialized ministries.
We have 1 Pastor on leave from call.
We have 14 Retired pastors.
We have 1 Associate in Ministry.
We have 1 retired Associate in Ministry.
We have 21 Bishop’s Lay Worship Leaders.
We have 1 Lay Church Worker.
We have 2 Interns.
We have 11 students attending Seminary.
Partner Synods
Our Companion synod is the Betioky Atsimo Synod, Madagascar
Our Sister synod is the Indiana-Kentucky Synod
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