Rostered Ministers Gathering 2023
Gathering 17-20 July 2023, in Phoenix, under the theme,
"Rekindle the Gift within You," the ordained ministers of
the ELCA will enjoy worship, Bible study, speakers, and
more. There will be much more information to come, and you
can track developments by visiting ELCA.org/RMG.
Continuing Ed
Continuing education offerings are varied...very varied.
We can't track them all, but we do try to collect and
advertise all those sponsored by the synod and our major
partners. You can review these at our Education
for Clergy & Laity page.
If you are in need of racial justice training, there are
two coming up in the not so distant future. Again, visit
the Education for Clergy
& Laity page for more information.
On Baptism During a Pandemic
Bishop Riegel's, "On Baptism
during a Pandemic," is now posted on line and also
available as a PDF. It is revised as of 21 January 2022.
Clergy Compensation Update
The clergy compensation guideline for 2022 has been
approved by Synod Council. The final document is still in
drafting. We have posted the actions of Synod Council on
the on the Clergy Compensation page. For
details on the 2021 compensation guideline, including
family leave, sabbatical, and Rostered Leader Debt
Reduction visit the Clergy
Compensation page.
Supply
Preaching
Looking for a supply preacher?
If you need coverage, you will find a list supply
preachers (and ordained presbyters for Eucharistic
services) on our Supply
Preaching & Presiding page.
Are you listed as a supply preacher?
If you are clergy available for supply
preaching/presiding does +Riegel know? With the pandemic
and pandemical conditions changing from week to week,
preachers identifying themselves as available (or not) for
supply work has been a moving target. If your availability
changes, let +Riegel
know. To check and see how you are listed, visit the Supply page.
Clergy Transitions
Processes and Opportunities
Guidance: Process for Leaving a
Call
A new Pastoral Transition
& Vacancy page has been uploaded. You will find
there guidance related to transition (coming and going) as
well as multiple forms that should be completed as part of
a transition process. The "going" (i.e., the pastor is
leaving the call) has been completed in the upload. The
"coming" (i.e., a pastor is moving into a new call) is
still being formatted; the old information is here until
formatting on the new page is complete.
Mobility
Pastors looking to enter mobility (whether intrasynodical
or extrasynodical) should contact the bishop.
The Rostered Ministers Profile (quondam "Roster Leader
Profile" and "mobility form"), other forms, and supporting
instructions are available at ELCA.org's
Rostered Ministers page. Click on the link you will
find there, and it will take you to your login screen. If
for any reason, you need your Rostered Leader Number, contact the bishop.
Opportunities
for Ordained Ministry in WV-WMD
Are you a member of the clergy of the ELCA (or
full-communion partner) interested in learning more about
WV-WMD (or do you know someone who might be? Drop us a
line. You can email the +Riegel at
Bishop@WV-WMD.org or call the office (304-363-4030). There
is plenty to commend service and life in our mountains and
in our valleys. Like Nebraska, it's not for everyone, but,
for those who aren't afraid of an adventure, we have a
great mix of challenge and gift. A list of openings
reviewed by visiting our Pulpit Vacancies
page (or click on the table at right). You will find there
opportunities for congregational ministry and also any
specialized ministries that might be open at the moment.
Rostered Leader Debt Reduction
Over $4000 in debt reduction grants were awarded to
pastors of the WV-WMD synod for the FY 2021-2022 cycle.
The WV-WMD Synod has conducted a rostered leader debt
reduction program since 2002. Through this program,
pastors and deacons with educational debt can be assisted
with payment on the principal. The Rostered Leader Debt
Reduction Fund is supported by voluntary contributions
from individuals, congregations, church-related
auxiliaries, and a line item in the synod budget. The
amount in the fund is expended each fiscal year as direct
payments to lending agencies. Guidelines for the Rostered
Leader Debt Reduction Program can be downloaded
here.
Apply for RLDR Grant
Applications for a debt reduction grant for the
FY2022-2023 cycle will open in December 2022.
Donate to RLDR Fund
Donations to the Rostered Leader Debt Reduction Fund can
be routed through your congregation or sent directly to
the Synod at the following address with a notation on the
memo line indicating "Rostered Leader Debt Reduction
Fund:"
West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod
℅ St. Paul Lutheran Church
309 Baldwin Street
Morgantown, WV 26505
WV-WMD Pastors' Letter on Racism
Thirty-seven pastors of the WV-WMD Synod, joined by two
pastors from other judicatories, subscribed to a letter
published 4 June 2021, addressing racism and stating, "we
call home that racism has no place in our congregations or
communities in which we live." For more information, click here.
COVID-19
A constellation of pages related to COVID-19 are
available on the Synod website. You
can access them all through the lead page by clicking
here. Most importantly, a page dedicated to
reopening recommendations is linked from that page.
Reports
Get them in even if late.
Rostered Minister's Report to Bishop: Due 6 March 2022
The governing documents of our church state the
following:
S14.15. Each minister of Word and Sacrament on the
roster of this synod shall submit a report of his or
her ministry to the bishop of the synod at least 90
days prior to each regular meeting of the Synod
Assembly.
*C9.13. The pastor(s) shall submit a report of his
or her ministry to the bishop of the synod at least 90
days prior to each regular meeting of the Synod
Assembly.
Now that Synod Council has set a date for Synod Assembly,
we can announce the due date for clergy reports to the
bishop. Many WV-WMD clergy have already submitted their
reports. For those that were waiting, 18 July 2021 is the
constitutionally dictated deadline. An
acceptable report form may be downloaded from the ELCA
Office of the Secretary Website, but you may submit a
report of your own devising. The report form is in PDF. Be
sure to save the report before exiting or you will lose
your information. After completing, email to
Bishop@WV-WMD.org with the subject line, "Rostered
Minister Report." If you have questions about how to
complete the report, contact +Riegel. To download the ELCA
form, click
here.
Parochial Report: Interface
Closed May 3
*C9.12(b). The pastor of this congregation: shall
submit a summary of such statistics annually to the
synod.
Parochial Reports were due 1 March 2022, and the
interface closed 3 May 2022. Click here
for more information and be sure to share with key lay
leaders assisting you in completing the report.
|