Page Contents Rostered Ministers Gathering 2023 Continuing Ed On Baptism during a Pandemic Clergy Compensation Update Supply Preaching Clergy Transition Processes and Opportunities Guidance: Leaving a Call Mobility Opportunities for Ordained Ministry in WV-WMD Rostered Leader Debt Reduction WV-WMD Pastors' Letter on Racism COVID-19 Reports Rostered Minister's Report Parochial Report

Rostered Ministers Gathering 2023

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

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.