LARCUM 2026

We gather for for LARCUM 2026 under the title "Deliver Us From the Evil One: LARCUM Takes On the Tempter" at Saint John XXIII Pastoral Center, Charleston, WV, 18-20 May 2026. Write it in your calendar now. More information to come.

• information for LARCUM 2026, including
• the agenda — always subject to change to meet emergent situations,
• a list of presenters,
• cost and registration information (with link to online registration), and
• information about C.E.U. certificates, and
• some general information about LARCUM, including
• our nature,
• our method,
• our attendees,
• our social media presence, and
• our archives.

Agenda

Although subject to change, the general outline is as follows:

• We convene with opening devotions at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, 18 May 2026, at St. John XXIII Pastoral Center, Charleston, WV.
• The registration/welcome desk should be open at 1:00 p.m. (one hour before opening devotions).
• Over the course of our three days together, four presenters (one from each tradition) will each give three one-hour presentations.
• Meals and socials:
• Monday: happy hour, dinner, evening social
• Tuesday: breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner, evening social
• Wednesday: breakfast, lunch
• We wrap up with lunch on Wednesday (served at 12:00 noon).
• An extended break will follow Tuesday's lunch until 2:30 p.m.
• Evening social commences each night at 8:30 p.m., marking the close of the sessions for the day.

• a graphical version of the agenda (pdf)
• a textual version of the agenda (pdf)

Presenters

We're in the process of gathering all the details on our presenters. As the information firms up, we'll post it. Each tradition will bring its own presenter(s), allowing us to hear different voices that speak from their own respective traditions.

Venue

Saint John XXIII Pastoral Center, 100 Hodges Road, Charleston, WV, is a lovely facility with two chapels, library, reading room, expansive and comfortable lobbies, and pleasant grounds. It has hosted LARCUM for nearly fifteen years. The Pastoral Center is only minutes away from downtown Charleston (though you would not know it as you walk the grounds). Click here to learn more about our venue.

Charleston is served by air, bus, and AMTRAK. For more information about travel, visit the WV-WMD Synod Travel page.

Registration

☞	Register Online Here! Registration Deadline: May 3

The online registration interface is now up. Click here to register.

• Lodger Registration (includes meals, socials, and the following lodging Monday and Tuesday nights at St. John XXIII)
• $275 — Regular Room Single Occupancy (two double beds, desk, desk chair, private bathroom)
  
• $250 — Regular Room Double Occupancy (this is per person; and you have to tell us who your roommate is)
• $285 — Studio Single Occupancy (one double bed, desk, desk chair, recliner, minifridge/microwave, and private bathroom)
• $258 — Studio Double Occupancy (this is per person; and you have to tell us who your roommate is)
• $330 — Suite Single Occupancy (one queen bed, sitting room and kitchenette with dining table, and private bathroom)
• $304 — Suite Double Occupancy (this is per person; and you have to tell us who your roommate is)
• $206 — Dorm Bunk (separate men's and women's dormitories, each dorm with its own shower and bath facilities)
• $150 — Commuter Registration (includes meals and socials)
  

You are free to lodge off-site (or commute); in that case, you would pay the commuter registration fee. Charleston, WV, has several hotels at different accommodation levels and price points within a short drive.

The registration deadline is 3 May 2026. We need to have a headcount in for the meals.

Also note: St. John XXIII has 33 single-rooms. If you want to lodge onsite, get your registration in sooner rather than later. If we run out of the accommodation you have selected, we'll be in touch with you about options.

Payment

When you register, you have the choice between paying online and paying by check or cash.

Paying Online

We use PayPal for online payments. You do not need to have or create a PayPal account.

The online registration form does not include a payment interface. You will receive an invoice by email. This may take a few days. Keep your eyes peeled for an email with a subject line that includes "West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod of the ELCA www.paypal.com" and a sender email of "service@paypal.com." If you do not see this, check your spam folder. If there is still not one after a few days, contact our registrar at registrar@wv-wmd.org or call 304-363-4030.

PayPal accepts several major credit cards. Follow the instructions in the invoice. You should receive an email with confirmation of your payment immediately after you have completed it.

Paying by Check/Cash

You do not need to pay online (though it is easier for us). Payment may be made by check (or cash). You will still get an emailed invoice as described above. You may use this for your records (especially if you must submit for payment or reimbursement by your congregation or agency). We do ask that you contact us if wanting to make payment by check so that we can provide you further details. Contact information is on the emailed invoice. Payments must be made in advance unless other arrangements are made with our registrar.

Follow This Event on Facebook

You can follow the latest developments on Facebook through our Deliver Us from the Evil One event. You are also encouraged to spread the word about this event through social media. Share the event! Invite to the event!

What Is LARCUM WV?

LARCUM WV is a four-partner conference held annually (except when there is a pandemic) in WV. The partners are

• Lutheran — West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
• Anglican — The Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia, The Episcopal Church
• Roman Catholic — The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, Roman Catholic Church
• United Methodist — The West Virginia Conference, United Methodist Church

LARCUM WV began as ARC (Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue) more than forty years ago. After several years, the Lutherans were invited to join, and the dialogue was renamed LARC. LARC WV. meeting for three decades, was the longest running LARC in the USA. Roughly ten years ago, the United Methodist were invited to join, and we changed our name to LARCUM.

LARCUM planning is a joint activity of the four traditions. The topic for each LARCUM Conference is selected by the participants of the preceding LARCUM Conference.

Method

Most of the time—well, almost always—each tradition brings its own presenter, and each presenter is then given two-three hours in formal session. Outside of formal sessions, there are meals, social hours, and free time, providing plenty of opportunity for informal conversation among participants. One can also use free time for private prayer, refreshment, study, etc.). There is also worship, with each tradition taking its turn leading services, allowing participants to enjoy what each tradition has to offer.

Who Can Attend LARCUM?

One does not need to be a member of the participating judicatories to attend. If you are interested in the topic or want to enjoy conversation with folk from different traditions, you are most welcome. LARCUM is open to laity and clergy. LARCUM is also open to folks from beyond the borders of WV.

LARCUM and Social Media

Yes, we do have a social media presence. Check out "WV LARCUM" Facebook page—follow and/or like us while you are there. Lutherans can even join Team Wittenberg, a subgoup attached to the page—if you are jealous, convince your tradition's planner to set up a tradition-specific group. We also create Facebook events for specific conferences, e.g., "LARCUM 2025: Nicaea at 1700." Since we have a social media presence, don't be shy about sharing.

LARCUM Archives

Check our our LARCUM Archives to learn about past LARCUM topics and presenters.

Questions?

If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone about LARCUM, call West Virginia-Western Maryland HQ at 304-363-4030 or email Bishop@WV-WMD.org.