Synod Council meets regularly three to four times during the year with special meetings held, often by teleconference, as need. The Synod Council is chaired by the vice president. The membership of the Synod Council includes the four officers of the synod and twelve voting members from around the synod, representing a balance of clergy and laity, geographical distribution, and age. Click here for the roster of the Synod Council and its committees.

Synod Council After Action Report

Synod Council met 11 January 2020, taking the following actions...

Synod Assembly Related

Nominating Committee

Four laity and four clergy were appointed to the Synod Nominating Committee. Thus far, seven have accepted, and one declined. The clergy members accepting are The Revs. Ruth Bullwinkle (MVMC), Karen Erskine-Valentine (PC), Joel Richter (UOVC), and Patrice Weirick (OKVC). The laity members accepting are Mary Sanders (MVMC), Lois Broyles (OKVC), and George Friedline (UOVC). Bullwinkle serves as chair. The appointee for Potomac Conference declined. Executive Committee will appoint a replacement. If you have a recommendation, let the bishop know.

Also under Nominating Committee, Synod Council was notified that The Rev. Jason Felici and Joseph Solberg would be voluntarily resigning from Discipline Committee a year early to allow for a better staggering of terms and reduction of complications in the election process. Synod Council has authorized the election of one clergy member and one laity member to serve on the Discipline Committee for full six-year terms (rather than making vacancy appointments).

Plan for SA 2020

Synod Council received a report from the SA 2020 Planning Committee detailing proposed level of amenities and suggestions for agenda. Council approved, in principal, the proposed level of amenities and instructed that contracting work should commence.

Constitutional Amendments

Financial Matters

Synod Council authorized the securing of an auditor for 2019.

Synod Council authorized the relocation of the Synod Office to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Morgantown, WV, the office to be located in the former youth room. This move is to be completed by the end of January. While the Synod Assembly ordered a review of the office location with an eye to cost reduction, this particular move was spurred by termination of the lease by our landlord. Relocation to St. Paul means a significant reduction in square footage with a proportional reduction in rent. We are exploring additional savings.

Other Items

Deans

The Synod Council green lighted implementation of the protocols contained in the Provisional Guidance Related to Deans. This will be a phased implementation over the next two to three months. The document has been forwarded to the Ad Hoc Committee on Governing Documents for review and codification. Until publication of the codified form, you may request of the bishop a copy of the document presented to Synod Council.

Parochial Reports

The Synod Council authorized the bishop to appoint synod statisticians, complying with †S8.12(i)(12) Constitution of the WV-WMD Synod, to encourage the submission of parochial reports.

Commission for Synodical Lay Worship Leadership

Synod Council authorized and appointed The Commission for Synodical Lay Worship Leadership with authority to review the Plan for Synodical Lay Worship Leaders, reporting back to Synod Council with recommendations, and to develop those details necessary for implementation as seem reasonable at this time. Thus far, The Rev. Sean Smith (chair), The Rev. Sally Bartling, and Stephanie Setley have accepted appointment. We are waiting for confirmation from the fourth appointed.

Upper Flats Administration

Following up on action previously taken, Synod Council appointed Mike Lieving, James Elias, and The Rev. Patrice Weirick to serve as trustees of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Upper Flats, WV, under S13.24 of the Constitution of the WV-WMD Synod.