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Dear Friends:
The 21st Synod Assembly was held over the dates of May 30-31, 2008 at the Waterfront Place Hotel, Morgantown, WV. The Assembly theme and emphasis was “God’s Work. Our Hands.” We lifted up specifically the Lutheran Campus Center at West Virginia University in making use of current students who led us in devotions. Throughout the Assembly, Campus Ministry Moments were offered by an administrator, a student, an alumni and a parent. They all spoke of the meaning of our campus ministry and of our chaplain’s outreach. The major reason to be in Morgantown was for the groundbreaking at the Chapel.
Within the Assembly itself, an attempt was made to change the rules to include a new rule in which those nominated to attend the 2009 Churchwide Assembly would need to mention in their speech whether or not they were a “traditionalist” or a “revisionist” in regards to the sexuality question. After some discussion this motion was defeated.
The Synod Council of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod brought nine recommendations to this Assembly. All nine were adopted. These included items such as the rules for this Assembly; the agenda; the 2009 Assembly to be held at the Wisp in McHenry, MD, June 5-6, 2009 with the theme of “The Church in Appalachia;” a change to the Synod’s Bylaws ( basically strengthening the language around synod committees); that the offering from the Assembly would go to the Campus Ministry at WVU for their building campaign; that the auditor’s report and the 2009 budget of $673,316 be adopted; that Synod Council will create a formula for congregational Mission Support; and that this Synod would declare itself as a “Book of Faith Synod.”
This years Keynote Speaker was the Rev. Dr. David Daubert. Dave had served the ELCA as a leader in the Division for Outreach as a teacher of transformational ministry. He served a congregation with his wife as a contract worker where he applied his theories. Dave is now called to a congregation along with his wife and does consulting as a sidelight. His address taught of the Augsburg Confession and describes how he became a Christian through campus ministry.
One of Friday’s highlights included The Rev. Paul Poerschke’s presentation of the Evangelical Lutheran Coalition for Mission in Appalachia and its awarding the Glen Heasley Award to the Rev. Louise Knotts.
Elections were held for Synod Council with the following being elected to serve a three year term: The Rev. Jeff Wick, the Rev. Sally Bartling, Mrs. Sherri Schafer, Mrs. Lynda Grymala and Mr. Adam Hoke (youth member). Synod Council will next meet on Saturday, July 19 at the Synod Office at 10 a.m. This will be the last meeting for the current Synod Council members and those newly elected are invited so as to witness Synod Council in action.
Elections were also held for the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. Elected were The Rev. Wendy Richter, Mrs. Connie Twedt, Dr. James Hansen and The Rev. Richard Mahan.
Friday evening’s worship service at St. Paul’s was magnificent. To hear nearly 200 loud voices bouncing sound off the walls of St. Paul’s was a joy to behold. The music and service alone were worth participating. Bishop Dunkin challenged this synod to be a church of Pentecost and Dream new Dreams. This service was followed by the groundbreaking rite at the Chapel. This nearly 50 year-old building is in need of major renovations such as air conditioning and windows to allow the world of WVU to see into this ministry. Chaplain Riegel is visiting congregations and is seeking support. He announced that two of our congregations (St. Paul, Morgantown and First English, Wheeling) have made pledges of $6,250 per year for the next ten years to this important appeal. Construction will begin once the first $100,000 has been raised and is in hand.
Saturday found the Assembly working upon resolutions. A resolution concerning cock and animal fighting was adopted; a resolution on Gambling within the State of Maryland was postponed indefinitely; and a resolution on evangelism was replaced by a substitute motion encouraging the Synod’s Evangelism Committee and the Synod’s Congregations to make evangelism essential to the life of every congregation of this synod. That a task force be created along with a mission strategy for the congregations of this synod.
Pastor Larry Cantu and Vicar Robyn Kistemaker conducted a Bible Study and presented a resolution for us to be a “Book of Faith Synod.” This action was easily adopted. Over the next several years, we will all hear more from Pastor Cantu of being a “Book of Faith Synod” and how congregations can be the same.
As a response to previous assembly’s actions on World Hunger, a white paper was created by two Synod Committees (Church in Society and Worship & Spiritual Life). This document will be placed on the Synod’s website in the coming weeks.
A resolution to thank Gettysburg Seminary and President Cooper-White for presenting the alumni award for a pastor serving in a parish ministry setting was adopted. In early February, President Michael Cooper-White and Em Cole traveled to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Accident, MD for the presentation of this award. Normally, such awards are presented in late April during Seminary Week. This award went to Pastor William Carlson who is in his 90th year. This award ceremony was moved as we did not feel that Pastor Carlson could make the trip to the Seminary.
Within Bishop Dunkin’s Bible Study, he encouraged all of the congregations in this synod to support the ELCA World Hunger Appeal in 2009 as a means of also supporting the Tour de Revs. Pastors Ron Schlak, Fred Soltow and David Twedt will be riding a three-seated bicycle from May – August 2009 to raise money and awareness on ending hunger. Our Bishop also brought to our attention that several of our pastors were having significant ordination anniversaries this year: Russell Riethmiller – 60 years; Rich Mahan and Paul Kane – 40 years; Alvin Schafer – 35 years; Ted Bessey – 25 years; Mark Vitalis-Hoffman – 20 years; Judy Marlow – 10 years; Gail Bauzenberger, Brian Bennett, and Elizabeth Westphal – 5 years.
Now, for additional news for and about the life of this synod, please continue reading.
When it comes to the Bishop’s Road Show, I have already been to Charleston this week for the Governor’s Carenet Program of caring for our veterans when they return home. I am in the Synod Office today and will work at home tomorrow. On Saturday, I will take a week of vacation, and on purpose, I will not have access to my cell phone or my lap top. When I return from vacation I will be driving to Camp Luther for our annual week of church camping. On Sunday evening, June 22, I will celebrate with St. Timothy Lutheran Church and with Pastor Richard Mahan the 40th Anniversary of his Ordination. I will return to the Synod Office on Tuesday, June 24.
Should you need me while I am on vacation or at Camp Luther, please phone the Synod Office and Maureen will know how to reach me.
Within the lives of our congregations we have some changes. We had announced earlier that Ms. Briana Richardson was leaving Calvary, Brandywine and Mt. Olive, Peru. Ms. Kara Propst, daughter of Dolly Nilsen and step daughter to Pastor Norm Nilsen (deceased) will begin a shadow ministry of Pastors Wendy and Craig Richter and with their help serve Calvary and Mt. Olive for a year. Kara is in a discernment process in which she is considering Seminary in the fall of 2009. Her ministry with these two congregations started on June 2.
Pastor Darlene Muschett, Retired, will be moving from Charles Town, WV to Colorado in early July. She has been serving Holy Trinity Memorial, Sharpsburg, MD from last November. She will complete her work there on June 22. Pastor Karen Valentine will move from St. John’s Harpers Ferry to Holy Trinity. A Seminarian, Sean Smith, will begin serving St. John’s on July 6. Sean will be a senior seminarian starting in the fall at Gettysburg Seminary.
We have just learned this morning that the deadline for registering for Scripture Workshop has been delayed. If you are thinking of attending Scripture Workshop, June 16-20, Bishop Hodges Pastoral Retreat Center, Huttonsville, WV, please contact Pastor Jerry Kliner (304-562-0616). This synod supplements the cost of this event with a donation of $80 per participant.
You have my permission to print the above summary of the 21st Synod Assembly or this entire Road Show.
My prayers are with you as you enjoy summer rest and on going ministry during the summer months.
God’s blessings, + Ralph
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