Both laity and clergy will find educational offerings here. Some are for laity only. Some are for clergy only. Some are for both. That said, there is denominational encouragement for clergy (and even requirements for certain classes of clergy) to participate in continuing education. If you are clergy (or a congregational mutual ministry committee member), please review the general introduction for clergy continuing education.

The education event matrix below is a quick way to skim our offerings. Click on the linked text to learn about each. Check beck periodically to find out what new thing is being offered.

Some educational events are recorded and available for viewing at a later date. Beneath the education event matrix, you find the archives matrix.

We've had a lot of events that are now behind us and have begun work on the next series. Check back again and do be sure to take a look at the offerings from our colleagues across Region 8. Those are posted separately on Facebook (click here for more info).

Matrices

Upcoming Events	Date	Venue	Audience	Judicatories
Lutheran Historical Conference: "Lutherans Uniting and Dividing"	10-12 Oct 2024	Baltimore & Gettysburg Seminary	All	All
Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid-Atlantic: "Lutherans Uniting and Dividing"	12 Oct 2024	Gettysburg Seminary	All	All
Aging Grace-Fully Author Series	22 Oct 2024	Hybrid: Gettysburg Seminary & Zoom	All	All
ULS Social Statement Review: Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and and Culture	22 Oct 2024	Zoom	All	All
Synod Clergy Cont. Event: "Preaching in the Wake of Mass Trauma" with Dr. Kimberly Wager	22-24 Oct 2024	Priestfield	Clergy, Seminarians, BLWL/SLWL, congregationally authorized preachers.	All
WVCC 143rd Annual Assembly: "Christ or Caesar — An Exploration of Church and State"	28 Oct 2024	John XXIII	All	All
Luther Colloquy: Celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the Achtliderbuch	28 Oct 2024	Hybrid: Gettysburg Seminary & Zoom	All	All
Sixteenth Century Society Conference	31 Oct-2 Nov 2024	Toronto	All	All
Friend of Foe? Exploring the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Impact of Technology and Social Media	4, 11, 18 Nov 2024	Online	All	All
Faith & Community in Appalachia Conference	7-9 Nov 2024	Wheeling, WV	All	All
Aging Grace-Fully Author Series	12 Nov 2024	Hybrid: Gettysburg Seminary & Zoom	All	All
National Workshop on Christian Unity	18-20 Nov 2024	Chicago	Ecumenical Officers	All
FCTE Region 8 Plenary	20-22 Nov 2024	Gettysburg Seminary	FCTE Cohort	Region 8
Clergy Pitfalls In Tax Preparation and Retirement Planning	2 Dec 2025	Online	Clergy	ELCA
SCALD IV	20 Feb 2025	Morgantown	All	All
Aging Grace-Fully Author Series	25 Feb 2025	Hybrid: Gettysburg Seminary & Zoom	All	All
Aging Grace-Fully Author Series	27 March 2025	Hybrid: Gettysburg Seminary & Zoom	All	All
Sacred Places Transitions Seminar	April 2025 (TBD)	Gettysburg Seminary	All	All
Aging Grace-Fully Author Series	22 Apr 2025	Hybrid: Gettysburg Seminary & Zoom	All	All
LARCUM: Nicæa at 1700	12-14 May 2025	John XXIII	All	All
Aging Grace-Fully Author Series	22 May 2025	Hybrid: Gettysburg Seminary & Zoom	All	All
Aging Grace-Fully Author Series	15 July 2025	Hybrid: Gettysburg Seminary & Zoom	All	All
Aging Grace-Fully Author Series	11 Sept 2025	Hybrid: Gettysburg Seminary & Zoom	All	All
Aging Grace-Fully Author Series	22 Oct 2025	Hybrid: Gettysburg Seminary & Zoom	All	All

Don't forget to check out the offerings from the other synods of Region 8

Clergy Continuing Ed

Page Map Intro Matrices Cont. Ed Offering Matrix Archives Matrix Clergy Continuing Ed In General Sabbatical Region 8 Cont. Ed Sharing First Call Theological Education Plenary 2024 Biannual Synod Clergy Continuing Ed Event The Team Fall 2024: Preaching in the Wake of Mass Trauma Fall 2023: Mark on Mark Past Events Boundaries Training etc. LARCUM SCALD SCALD IV Bishop's Book Studies Civic Life and Faith Other Opportunities LDR Leadership Training Camp Lutheran Historical Conference Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid-Atlantic WVCC143rd Annual Assembly Sixteenth Century Society Conference Faith & Community in Appalachia National Workshop on Christian Unity Standing Resources Lutheran Basics: What's in the Catechisms? Polity for Councils ULS: Kindling Faith Living the Resurrection Select Learning Archives Talking about Economics in Uncertain Times Dementia-Friendly Worshiping Communities Anger Webinar

In General

WV-WMD typically holds two main clergy cont. ed events each year, one in fall, the other in winter. More about that below.

It is worth noting that CA97.2.7(a)(1)(a), an action of the Churchwide Assembly, encourages "a minimum of 50 contact hours per year of intentional continuing education, or 150 contact hours each three-year period." N.B., a contact hour is defined (as found on the rostered leader's annual report to bishop) as 50 minutes of class time or the equivalent. Time in worship, at meals, etc. does not count as contact hours. You may review the Report on Life-Long Learning and Development for Faithful Leaders (1997), the recommendation of the Church Council, the ensuing debate, and the final action in the Minutes of the Churchwide Assembly 1997 (excerpted).

Who would go to a doctor or a lawyer who did not engage in continuing education? Arguably, the stakes are higher when it comes the the clergy. Congregations should, therefore, not think of continuing education as a reward or a benefit but as an investment. Mutual ministry committees should discuss continuing education plans with their clergy and support education that will advance the professional development of their clergy and, in turn, advance the ministry.

Sabbatical

Region 8 Continuing Ed Sharing

There has been lots of new postings on the Region 8 Facebook page. It's good to see this much activity, and it is especially good to see us all moving beyond our synodical silos.

Synods across Region 8 hold continuing education events, and, on occasion, the Region sponsors an event jointly. It is often, though not always, possible to join another synod for its event. Be sure to check with the appropriate sponsor. If, however, the event is listed on the Region 8 Facebook Page, you may assume that it is open to clergy from across the Region. Check it out.

First Call Theological Education

CA95.6.55 ...To require, by the fall of 1997, that all newly rostered pastors and lay leaders participate, throughout their first three years of ministry under call, in structured programs of theological education, designed and supervised by their synods, according to churchwide standards;....

FCTE Region 8 Plenary

The Biannual Synod Clergy Continuing Ed Event

The Planning Team

At the Winter 2018 Synod Clergy Cont. Education Event, the presbyteral college elected to establish a committee for the design, planning, and management of synod sponsored clergy continuing education with one representative from each of the four conferences. Synod Clergy Cont. Ed, as we currently have it configured, provides approximately 12-17 CEUs per year, assuming attendance at both events.

Serving on the the Continuing Ed Committee we have The Revs. Sherri Schafer (UOVC), Ben Erzkus (MVMC), Daniel Collins (PC) and Patrice Weirick (OKVC), with Bp. Riegel as an advisory member. Synod clergy should feel free to talk to their conference's team about ideas and concerns related to continuing ed.

Thanks are owed to The Revs. Christine Olson (past chair), Paul Schafer, Casey Linemann, Ryan Heycock, Ruth Bullwinkle, Kevin Mackey, Randy Richardson, Sally Bartling, and Darick Biondi for their now concluded service on the team.

Fall 2024: Preaching in the Wake of Mass Trauma

Dr. Kimberly Wagner will be our presenter for the Fall Synod Clergy Continuing Education Event. The event will be held Tuesday, 22-24 October 2024, at Priestfield, Kearneysville, WV. We have a start time of 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday. There is also a Facebook event.

Topic

The title of the event is "Preaching in the Wake of Mass Trauma." Whether due to violence, natural disasters, or public health crises, preachers and ministers are called to respond to and care for communities experiencing mass trauma. In our time together we will explore the impacts of trauma on individuals and communities, the work of worship and proclamation to faithfully respond in traumatic times, and the role of the faith leader. We will look to biblical and theological models as well as the gifts given us by our traditions and ancestors in the faith as we seek to respond faithfully and well to the ongoing impact of trauma on our communities.

Presenter

Our presenter, The Rev. Dr. Kimberly Wagner, serves as the Assistant Professor of Preaching at Princeton Theological Seminary. Though she has served among the Lutherans and was educated among United Methodists, Dr. Wagner is ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Her current writing and work focus on preaching and ministry in the midst and wake of trauma, particularly thinking about collective trauma, the role of the preacher, and the resources of our Scriptures and faith to respond to these moments.

Venue

Priestfield is a Roman Catholic retreat center situated on forty acres of wooded property along the Opequon Creek, in West Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Well-maintained walking trails through the woods and along the creek, water gardens, outdoor decks and patios providing many choice places for quiet reflection.

Lodging

• Single room — $85 per night for a total of $170
• Double room (with roommate) — $70 per night per person for a total of $140 per person.
  

Of course, it is possible to commute or secure off-campus housing on your own.

Boarding

Participants can select which meals they will take. Dietary restrictions are asked in the registration form.

• Breakfast — $12
• Lunch — $15
• Dinner — $20

N.B., the schedule has free time from late morning to late afternoon on Wednesday. You will be free to leave campus and find a local eatery. For those who prefer to stay on the campus, lunch, if a minimum of ten reserving, will provided.

Registration

A base registration fee of $100 applies to all participants. This registration fee covers the cost of the presenter and cost for meeting spaces and facility use. For those board and/or lodging, those costs will be added to the total.

Credit card payment is accepted through PayPal. You do not have to have a PayPal account. If you do not have a credit card or need to pay by check to satisfy your congregation's/employer's requirements, you can do so. After you have registered, a PayPal invoice will be emailed to you within 7-10 days. Be sure to check your spam folder. You can use this emailed invoice to pay through PayPal, and you may use it as an invoice for you or your congregation's/employer's records. A small processing fee is added to online payments.

AAR: Fall 2023

The Rev. Dr. Mark Vitalis Hoffman lectured on the Gospel of Mark, sharing some of his new work on that gospel as well as some other texts. The event was held at Blackwater Falls State Park. In addition to synod clergy, one synodical lay preacher, and five clergy (representing four different synods) joined us for the three-day gathering.

Past Events

Peruse our past events and get a sense of what we do.

• "Walking with God Today: What's Next?" with The Rev. Jarold "Jake" Jacobson
• "My Burden Is Light: Making Room for Jesus in Preaching" with The Rev. Dr. Craig Satterlee
• "Grief" with Sr. Carol Riley
• "St. Paul and early Christianity" with The Rev. Dr. Mark Vitalis-Hoffman
• Hybrid Church with The Rev. Dave Daubert
• Best Practices for Live Streaming with The Rev. Matt Day
• Best Practices for Pandemical Worship with The Revs. Susan Claytor, Linday Muhly, Ian Reid, and Micahel Wright
• Racial Sensitivity raining with Ron Scott
• Creative Christian Education and Empowering Families in Times of Covid with The Rev. Jess Felici

Boundaries Training etc.

The Churchwide Assembly has periodically ordered (or encouraged) synods to offer training on a variety of topics: boundaries, anti-racism, diversity, etc. Clergy in the synod are free to secure such training where the wish. The synod may, under some rules, be required to offer, but there is no rule that the clergy must take training under the synod's programming. At the same time, nothing prevents the synod from identifying sources for training outside the synod. United Lutheran Seminary offers a variety of training sessions. For more informatin and access to an à la carte menu on the registration site, click here. Clergy of full-communion partners should follow whatever norms are required by their respective denominations, but they are most welcome to partake of offerings provided by Lutheran entities.

LARCUM

LARCUM 2025 will gather 12-14 May 2025 at the St. John XXIII Pastoral Center, the focus of conversation being the Council of Nicæa at 1700 years. Details are yet to be worked out. In the meantime, you can visit the LARCUM page for what we do know.

LARCUM 2024 gathered under the theme, "Holy Communion: Contemporary Questions," 20-22 May 2024, at the St. John XXIII Pastoral Center in Charleston.

LARCUM is the Lutheran-Anglican-Roman Catholic-United Methodist Conference of West Virginia. It meets annually, bringing together people from the four traditions (and beyond) who are interested in ecumenical conversation. Learn more from our LARCUM page.

SCALD

The Symposium for Central Appalachian Lutheran Dogmatics (SCALD) is designed as a day of theological discussion, employing the symposium model. Presenters give papers with discussion of those papers open to all participants. It is about providing an intellectually engaging and profitable opportunity for rank and file clergy and lay theologians (amateur and professional) to test their all too often private ruminations among those capable of being critical and convivial at the same time. For more information visit our SCALD page.

SCALD IV

SCALD IV will be held 20 February 2025 in Morgantown, WV. Paper proposals are now being accepted and registration is open. Visit our SCALD page to submit your paper proposal and/or register. Deadline for paper proposals is 7 October 2024.

Bishop's Book Studies

Civic Life and Faith

The Task Force on Government and Civic Engagement has released Draft of a Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith. Deadline for feedback is 30 September 2024.

To access a copy of the draft as well as supporting resources, click here.

Other Opportunities

Lutheran Historical Conference 2024

The Lutheran Historical Conference is held biennially, and the next LHC will be held 10-12 October 2024 in Baltimore, easy striking distance for many folks from WV-WMD. The LHC is a traditional academic conference with papers being delivered along the line of the theme for the specific conference. As this is pretty far out, the LHC has not yet posted details, but we want you to at least know when and where it will be held so that you can save the date. In the meantime, you can visit the LHC homepage: https://www.luthhistcon.org/. The last day of the LHC will be held in Gettysburg, PA.

Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid-Atlantic

LHSMA will hold its annual program (and annual meeting) in conjunction with the last day of the Lutheran Historical Conference on the Gettysburg Seminary campus in Gettysburg, PA. The LHC is meeting under the theme "Lutherans Uniting and Dividing". Morning lectures sponsored by the Lutheran Historical Conference at Gettysburg include:

• Jonathan M. Wilson: “Federkrieg: A German Lutheran’s War of the Pen, Waged on American Soil”
• Richard B. Baumann: “Decline, Demise and Fragmentation of Lutheranism in Eastern Pennsylvania: What Does this Mean?"
• Stephen R. Herr: “Milton Valentine: The General Synod’s General Theologian”

Lunch will follow. After lunch there will be a variety of offerings. The annual meeting of the society will take place as well. Click here to learn more about the LHSMA.

WVCC 143^rd Annual Assembly: "Christ or Caesar? — An Exploration of Church and State"

Sixteenth Century Society Conference 2024

Admittedly, we don't have any details on this yet except that it will be in Toronto, 31 October through 2 November 2024. The Sixteenth Century Society Conference is the largest academic conference on early modern history in the world. You can learn more and keep track of developments at sixteenthcentury.org.

National Workshop for Christian Unity 2024

This year’s National Workshop on Christian Unity will be themed “Hear what the Spirit is Saying to the Churches” and will be held at the Lutheran Center in Chicago from the evening of Monday, November 18 to the evening of Wednesday, November 20, 2024.  Networks will schedule their own meetings around this, most likely on Monday, November 18^th or Thursday, November 21^st.  The program will be concentrated on networking and practical ecumenism. More details to come.

Faith & Community in Appalachia

Standing Resources

Lutheran Basics: What's in the Catechisms?

Choice! That's one of things that makes religion in America so fascinating and challenging. Choice means that no one has to be Lutheran. Choice also means that no congregation has to be Lutheran. So, why be Lutheran when there are other options? Among all the possible criteria by which a person might choose a religious community—location, time, social class, familial relations, programming, etc.—is doctrine. What does a particular religious community teach and believe? Truth is: It is much more common that a person will not know the official teachings of a particular religious community than one might expect. Doctrine is rarely taught in detail from either pulpit or podium. Many also don't consider doctrine all that important.

To dig into Lutheran doctrine, Bishop Riegel offers an introduction to the catechisms of Martin Luther. Luther wrote the Small Catechism as the basic instruction in the faith for the laity. The Large Catechism was written as something of a teacher's edition for the pastors. If you would like this for your congregation, contact +Riegel. If you would like to get a head start with the catechisms, you can find the Small Catechism in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (the nu-cranberry hymnal). You can find an app for your smartphone at your phone's app source. You can also find both the Small Catechism and the Large Catechism at BookofConcord.org.

Polity for Councils

Not sure what the congregation council is supposed to do or how it is supposed to operate? Maybe we can answer your questions with our "Polity for Councils" workshop. First offered at in the Eastern Pandhandle on 16 April 2023, we are happy to reprise this in any conference or cluster of the synod. The course page has been uploaded under the title, "Polity for Councils: A Crash Course for Congregational Councilors." If you would like to see this offered in your area, contact +Riegel.

ULS: Kindling Faith

Review of Social Statements

Aging Grace-fully

Thriving Ministries: Congregational Vitality Training

Sacred Places Transition Seminar

Luther Colloquy: Celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the Achtliderbuch

Friend of Foe? Exploring the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Impact of Technology and Social Media

Fall Training Events for Rostered Leaders (Professional Boundaries, Cultureal Comptency, Racial Justice)

Clergy Pitfalls In Tax Preparation and Retirement Planning

United Lutheran Seminary holds several educational events each year for clergy and for laity, many of them under the "Kindling Faith" umbrella of the Center for Sabbath Rest and Formation. There is way more than can be posted on this page, so we refer you to the seminary's website. Some of these events are held in person, some by Zoom. Some events are for just an hour or two while others run multiple days.

Review of Social Statements

United Lutheran Seminary is running a series reviewing the ELCA's Social Statements on

• Faith, Sexism and Justice,
• Earth's Climate Crisis Study Guide, and
• Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity and Culture.

These began on 27 Aug 2024 and will continue through 22 October 2024. The sessions are held via Zoom. Registration is required. There is a nominal cost. For more details, click here.

Aging Grace-Fully

United Lutheran Seminary will offer an eight-part author series examining "how to age with grace and live fully, with the physical, mental and social challenges that are often difficult to navigate and accept. These events will be offered in-person and by Zoom. Registration is required, and there is a registration fee. For details, click here.

Sacred Places Transition Seminar — Postponed until April 2025

Partners for Sacred Places is the only national non-sectarian, non-profit organization devoted to helping congregations and their communities sustain and actively use older and historic sacred places. Partners helps congregations and others with a stake in older religious properties make the most of them as civic assets in ways that benefit people of all faiths.

Luther Colloquy: Celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the Achtliederbuch

Martin Luther's first hymnbook was called "Achtliederbuch" in German, which translates to "Book of Eight Songs." It was published in 1524 and contained eight hymns, four of which were written by Luther himself. The 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's first hymnbook marks a significant milestone in the history of Protestantism and church music. This hymnbook played a crucial role in spreading Reformation ideas through congregational singing, making theological concepts more accessible to the general populace. The celebration of this anniversary not only honors Luther's contribution to church music but also highlights the enduring influence of his work on worship practices and Christian liturgy over the past five centuries. The occasion is being marked at our Fall Colloquy with musical performances and scholarly reflections on the cultural and spiritual impact of Luther's hymns.

Offered as a hybrid, one can attend at Gettysburg Seminary (obviously preferred just to get the full impact of the music) or by Zoom. Registration fee is $15. Lunch, if desired, is another $15. For more information and registration link, click here.

Friend of Foe? Exploring the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Impact of Technology and Social Media

Technology and social media are shaping human development and interpersonal relationships in new and unprecedented ways. How might the Church navigate this technological revolution in a way that deepens and supports personal development, mental health, spirituality, and relationships (including a relationship with the Divine)? This three-part workshop (meeting online, 7:00-8:30 p.m., November 4, 11, and 18) is geared toward young folks, parents, and the people who care for them. It aims to highlight the current landscape of technology and social media in society and offer practical strategies for understanding, using and engaging technology and social media in the context of our communities of faith. Particular attention will be given to the impact that social media has in the lives of adolescents and young adults.

For more information and registration link, click here. Cost is $75.

Fall Training Events for Rostered Leaders (Professional Boundaries, Cultureal Comptency, Racial Justice)

In collaboration with the Lower Susquehanna Synod, United Lutheran Seminary offers training for those rostered leaders who wish to learn more about racial justice, professional boundaries, and cultural competency. Register here for both in-person and online opportunities.

Clergy Pitfalls In Tax Preparation and Retirement Planning

For Rostered Leaders who need advice, a 90-minute workshop is designed to help you avoid some of the common mistakes that church leaders make when they are filing taxes or working to build a sustainable retirement lifestyle. You will receive a PDF of the Powerpoint used in the presentation for your files or to share with whomever does your taxes. Online Monday, December 2nd at 7pm.  Presenter: Jim A. Dunlop of Advent Partners. Register here.

Living the Resurrection

Living the Resurrection offers a variety of resources (free and for purchase) and consultation services to congregations considering their future and interested in change. Their website states,

LtR workshops are for congregations that know they need to change, but don’t know how. We help people walk through their fears, and into new life. The philosophy of  Appreciative Inquiry (AI)  provides the foundational theory that encourages people to change. The four phases of the AI strategy (Initiate—Inquire—Imagine—Innovate) structure the process.

To learn more an explore LtR offerings, click here.

Beyond the Bulletin: A Communications Strategy for Congregations

Living the Resurrection is offering a workbook for the development of a communications strategy for the congregation. Here's the lead on their promo material:

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” George Bernard Shaw said that a long time ago, and it’s still true. Congregational leaders communicate with members through newsletters and bulletins, but they still hear folks say: “How come I didn’t hear about that?” Bet you've heard that too.

Communication is about so much more than advertising, however. Abraham Maslow, motivational psychologist and pioneer in understanding human needs, established that people have a strong need to belong. Part of that need is the desire to contribute to the life of the group. When someone feels excluded, it threatens their need for belonging.

Beyond the Bulletin is a workbook that will help you guide your congregational leaders to communicate with their members in a way that demonstrates they are a valued part of the congregation.

The workbook is set up in three 90-minute sessions. Total cost is $95. For more information including sample pages, click here.

Select

Select Learning provides access to quality theological learning experiences for personal, congregational and professional learning. Using outstanding seminary and college instructors and ministry practitioners, Select Learning combines high quality DVD-based video courses, customized study materials, proven textbooks,and online learning to create effective and flexible theological exploration opportunities. Select Learning is a member of the Lay School for Ministry Network of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Archives

We started posting AARs (After Action Reports) during the pandemic as a way to let folks know what we have been doing. Well, that started cluttering up the Education for Laity & Clergy page, suggesting that those AARs needed a page of their own. Explore our Past Cont. Ed Events page to get a taste of what we've done for education offerings in WV-WMD.

There are, however, some items we want to continue to hold on this page because they have continuing relevance and can be accessed in recorded form.

Talking about Economics in Uncertain Times

A webinar was recently hosted by the ELCA Stewardship Team under the title, "Talking about Economics in Uncertain Times". It featured a speaker from the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving.  It may be viewed at this link:  https://vimeo.com/857657315/e2ad1f5a4c.

Dementia-Friendly Worshiping Communities

The West Virginia Council of Churches held a webinar on Dementia-Friendly Worshiping communities on 8 December 2021 with The Rev. Kathy Fogg Berry. Berry wrote the book When Words Fail: Practical Ministry to People with Dementia and Their Caregivers and co-authored, Dementia Friendly Worship: A Multifaith Handbook for Chaplains, Clergy, and Faith Communities.

The Rev. Kathy Fogg Berry received a Masters of Religious Education from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and a Masters in Patient Counseling and a postgraduate certificate in aging studies from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. During Kathy’s tenure at Westminster Canterbury Richmond, she provided spiritual care for residents with dementia diagnoses, their families, and the staff who care for them. For the last five years, Rev. Berry has offered the “When Words Fail” seminar for clergy and lay leaders throughout Virginia and she speaks regionally and nationally about spirituality and dementia.

A recording of the webinar can be watched on the WVCC Facebook page.

Anger Webinar

Barb Keller offered a webinar for clergy on anger for ELCA clergy, via Zoom, on 30 November 2021. A recording is available. Contact the bishop or the D.E.M. for access.