Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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(20 January 2023)
Synod Website
Updates
We've moved the list of updates to the WV-WMD.org to a
page of its own. Click here
(or on the pic at right) to find out what has been
recently updated.
Synod Assembly 2023
The page for Synod Assembly 2023 is now live and includes
information on nominations, resolutions & memorials,
submitting reports, and exhibiting. Click here
to access.
Nominations
The nominating process is now open. Visit our Synod
Assembly Nominations page to
find out what office and positions are up for election
this year. You may may recommend someone for nomination,
but don't delay. The public input phase closes 19 February
2023.
Free Registration
BTW, Synod Assembly registration fee will be $0.00—that's
right: free!
Synod Council
Synod Council met 14 January. To review the actions taken
at the meeting, click here.
Lutheran Day at the Coliseum
No, Lutherans are not going to be fed to the lions.
Instead, Lutherans can watch WVU take on Texas Tech in
basketball for $40 a ticket. The game is slated for
Saturday, 18 February 2023, 12:00 noon. After the game,
everyone is invited to the Lutheran Campus Chapel for some
of Chap. Ben's Chili and afternoon prayer. RSVP to Pr. Ian
Reid (pastorianreid@gmail.com) ASAP. A portion of the
proceeds from ticket sales supports the Lutheran Campus
Ministry at WVU.
Synod Clergy Continuing Ed Event: Details
We have details on the Synod Clergy Continuing Ed event
scheduled for 15-17 February 2023. The Rev. Jake Jacobson
will be our presenter. Registration deadline is 23 January
2023. For the details, visit our Education for Clergy
& Laity page.
Global Missions
Open Meeting on Zoom, 1/25/23
You are invited to an open meeting (on Zoom) to learn
more about Global Missions in the WV-WMD Synod, especially
our companion synod program with the Betioky and Betroka
Synods in of the Malagasy Lutheran Church in Madagascar.
The meeting will be held on 25 January 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
It is open to all. For Zoom details, visit our new Global Missions page.
WV-WMD Global Mission Facebook Group
A Facebook Group for Global Missions has been created.
Join to get the latest updates about Global Missions and
to contribute to the conversation. visit our new Global Missions page to
find the link.
Global Missions Webpage Uploaded
We've mentioned it twice now. Yes, we now have a Global Missions webpage. As
time goes on, resources and news will be posted on it.
IRS Increases Standard Mileage Rate
The IRS announced on 29 December 2022 that the standard business mileage rate for 2023 is 65.5¢ per mile. This is a 3¢ increase on the 2022 rate.Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church
Churchwide Assembly 2022 adopted a memorial calling for the creation of a commission to work on the restructuring of the ELCA with an eye to a reconstituting convention. This could mean major changes for how the ELCA does its work. Many don't think constitutions are very interesting, but they are the rules by which we "play the game," and the rules can make it easier or harder to play that game. Learn more at our CRLC page.Registration Open: Rostered Ministers Gathering
Clergy, registration is now open for the Rostered
Ministers Gathering scheduled for July 2023 in Phoenix,
AZ. Details about the event are links on our Clergy page.
Congregational Budgeting Time
Mission Support
Numbers for 2023 mission support were posted on 6 August
2022 on our website with notices going out by The
Bishop's Roadshow (several issues in a row) and also
by one round of direct email to clergy. Of course, we know
that it is easy to miss that sort of stuff unless you are
looking for it. So, here are the links to the info you may
be seeking to assist you in your budgeting work.
Clergy Compensation Kit for 2023
The clergy compensation kit for 2023 is now available on
line. Click here to access that and
other clergy compensation items.
Worship Aids for Pulpit Vacancy: Christmastide and
Ordinary Time
The constellation of pages to assist congregations in pulpit
vacancy (and anyone else) with worship planning continues to
evolve. The previous upload included guidance and resources
for the Feast of the Epiphany and the Baptism of Our Lord,
adding to the materials already posted for Dodekaemeron of
Christmas. Today's upload covers Ordinary Time following
Epiphany. You can access all this through our Worship
Aids for Pulpit Vacancy page. Online Reader's Sermon Library: 10th Ed.
The tenth edition of the Readers' Sermon
Library for Synodical Lay Worship Leaders is now
online with a plethora of sermons on the Gospel texts for
Christmas and several Christmas sermons by Leo the Great,
but, sadly, we still have work to do on Ordinary Time
following Epiphany. Three sermons by Martin Luther are
provided to get us through 15 January 2023.
Even those who are not called upon reading a sermon in the corporate worship of the congregation may find reading these sermons a helpful personal devotion. They may even provide fodder for a group study. Help yourself.
To learn more about the SLWL program and how you can apply for the first level license, the "reader," click here.
Query: What Do Congregational Officers Need?
A congregation is more like a small town than a small business. That's not to say that there are no business-like aspects to a congregation. It's just an observation about the decision-making processes involved. With an eye to offering some workshops (and other resources) for [vice] presidents, secretaries, and treasurers, we're asking you what you might find helpful and where you are finding particular challenges. If you are a congregational lay leader, please take this very short survey so that we can offer what's of potential use.
Mutual Ministry Committee and the Driesen Manual
In partial fulfillment of an order from Synod Assembly 2021, information about the Driesen Manual has been uploaded to the website on a new page, Mutual Ministry Committee and the Driesen Manual. You will find there an explanation an a link to the manual.
Call Openings
Three congregations just activated their MSPs. With several clergy vacancies across the territory, there are opportunities for clergy interested in serving in the WV-WMD Synod. Visit the clergy page to find out whats available (or will be available once the MSP is completed).
If you haven't checked out the members portal...
Don't forget to take a peek of the members portal (click the button at right near the top of this page). It's not password protected. We only call it the "members portal" because it's mostly stuff that deals with the internal workings of the synod. Visitors looking for more general information about the synod, will probably find the "guest portal" more interesting.304-363-4030 + Porter@WV-WMD.org