WV-WMD :: Synod Assembly

Synod Assembly
of the
West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod

Election Results

2018 proved to be one of the heaviest years for the an elections committee. Sixteen people were elected out of a field of fifty-five nominees. Multiple runoffs were required, one seat going four ballots.

Synod Council

Per our governing documents,

†S10.02. The Synod Council shall be the board of directors of this synod and shall serve as its interim legislative authority between meetings of the Synod Assembly. It may make decisions that are not in conflict with actions taken by the Synod Assembly or that are not precluded by provisions of this constitution or the constitution and bylaws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

S10.03. The functions of the Synod Council shall be to:

a. Exercise trusteeship responsibilities on behalf of this synod.

b. Recommend program goals and budgets to the regular meetings of the Synod Assembly.

c. Carry out the resolutions of the Synod Assembly.

d. Provide for an annual review of the roster of Ministers of Word and Sacrament and the roster of Ministers of Word and Service, receive and act upon appropriate recommendations regarding those persons whose status is subject to reconsideration and action under the constitution and bylaws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and make a report to the Synod Assembly of the Synod Council’s actions in this regard.

e. Issue letters of call to rostered ministers as authorized by Chapter 7 of the constitution and bylaws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

f. Fill vacancies until the next regular meeting of the Synod Assembly, except as may otherwise be provided in the constitution or bylaws of this synod, and determine the fact of the incapacity of an officer of this synod.

g. Report its actions to the regular meeting of the Synod Assembly.
h. Perform such other functions as are set forth in the bylaws of this synod, or as may be delegated to it by the Synod Assembly.

In practice, Synod Council meets face-to-face four times a year and, as needed, meets by teleconference. The face-to-face meetings are typically held on Saturdays and usually in the Fairmont, WV, but we have been known to hold the periodic Friday-Saturday retreat and meet in other places. It is incumbent upon Synod Council members to study materials prepared for the meetings and to be in attendance unless good cause may shown for the absence. It is helpful to have access to email.

***Synod Council Positions***
Title	Geography	Clergy/Laity	Term	Limit	Special	Elected
Clergy, MVMC	Mon Valley-Mountain Conference	Clergy	3 Years	2 Terms		Ruth Bullwinkle
Lay, OKVC	Ohio-Kanawha Valley Conference	Laity	3 Years	2 Terms		Andrea Brock
Lay, UOVC	Upper Ohio Valley Conference	Laity	3 Years	2 Terms		Nancy Weeks
Lay At-Large	At-Large	Laity	3 Years	2 Terms		Mary Sanders
Youth	At-Large	Laity	2 Years	1 Term	Senior, Junior, or Sophomore in high school at time of election.	Laurel Muhly-Alexander

Consultation Committee

The Consultation Committee plays a role in both conflict resolution and discipline. Though rarely activated---some have served their entire term without being activated---when it is, the work is challenging, demanding good listening and observational skills, analytic ability, a commitment to justice and equity, prudence, the ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality, and an understanding of human nature.

***Consultation Committee Positions***
Number to be elected	Clergy/Laity	Term	Limit	Special	Elected
2	Clergy	6 Years	1 Terms	Ineligible: Pr. R. Paul Schafer, Pr. Matt Holbert, Pr. Emilie Theobald-Rowlands, and Pr. Sally Bartling.	Diane Day, Linda Muhly
1	Laity	6 Years	1 Terms	Ineligible: Mrs. Dorcas Freidline, Mrs. Pam Pritt, Mr. Steve Gnegy, Mrs. Dinah Courrier, Ms. Jeannie LeMasters, and Mrs. Jane Hazer.	John Harney

Discipline Committee

The Discipline Committee plays a roll in the discipline of ministers and members of the synod and its congregations. It is a twelve member committee, and, in the event of discipline hearing, a specified number of the committee members are selected for service. A discipline hearing involves the hearing of testimony, rendering judgment, and imposing discipline in cases of guilt. This committee has never met in this synod, but, should it be called upon, those serving will find it challenging work, demanding good listening and observational skills, analytic ability, a commitment to justice and equity, prudence, the ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality, and an understanding of human nature.

***Discipline Committee Positions***
Number to be elected	Clergy/Laity	Term	Limit	Special	Elected
2	Clergy	6 Years	1 Terms	Ineligible: Pr. Randy Richardson, Pr. Sally Bartling, Pr. Jason Felici, Pr. Carl Ames, Pr. Ian Ried, and Pr. Paul Schafer. APPENDIX D	Anthony Setley, Matt Day
2	Laity	6 Years	1 Terms	Ineligible: Mrs. Tamara Riegel, Mr. Don L. Heare, Mr. Paul Wangerin, Mr. Joseph Solberg, Mrs. Norma Gensler, and APPENDIX D Mr. Jim Nichols.	Brandon Mitchell, Nancy Weeks

Churchwide Assembly 2019

Voting members of the Churchwide Assembly participate in the highest legislative authority in the ELCA. Roughly 900 voting members from across the 65 synods of the ELCA. Service requires commitment to participate in the week-long event to be held in August 5-10, 2019, in Milwaukee. The cost of transportation and lodging is covered by the ELCA.

***Churchwide Assembly Positions***
Title	Clergy/Laity	Sex	Color/Language	Age	Elected
Clergy	Clergy	Either	Any	Any	Jessica Felici
Lay Female	Laity	Female	Any	Any	Pamela Pritt
Person of Color or Primary Language other than English	Either	Either	Person of Color (includes all non-anglo and mixed race persons) or Primary Language other than English	Any	Olga Bondiskey
Youth or Young Adult	Either	Either	Any	Under the age of 31 at time of election	Devin Ames

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