Facebook Group

The WV-WMD Global Missions Group has been created on Facebook. Please consider yourself invited to join the group.

Malagasy Companion Synod Visit

The presidents of the Betioky Synod and Betroka Synod, our global companian synod, accompanied by the president of the Toliara Synod, visited the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod Friday and Saturday, 4-5 October 2024. Pr. Ian Reid, our lead for global missions, Bishop Riegel led a whirlwind tour:

• After breakfast at Gettsyburg Seminary, the party headed southwest, with a quick stop in Hagerstown, MD, to allow our visitors to connect with their fellow countryman, Pr. Hoda Zavandro, who is serving as pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, Hagerstown.
• At Hebron Lutheran Church, Yellow Spring, WV, the party met with Pr. Doug Knupp and learn about ministry in the Ridge-and-Valley Province.
• Next, the party visited Capon Springs Resort and enjoyed a tour by Jonathan Bellingham that covered topics as wide-ranging as economics, Native American history in the region, early settlement, development of the resort and bottled water industry from ante-bellum to modern times, and hydrogeology. Capon Springs also graciously provided lunch.
• After traversing the Ridge-and-Valley Povince via Corridor H, the party ascended the Allegheny Front to the Appalachian Plateua.
  
• Stopping at the Mt. Storm Power Plant, Bishop Riegel talked about extraction industries, the economics of power production and export, environmental concerns, and related ecclesiastical and civil politics. From this vantage it was possible to talk about energy transition to natural gas and wind (with the windmills very much in plain sight) and attendent controversies. Being on Mt. Storm Lake also allowed conversation about recreation and gentrification.
• Continuing west on Corridor H, the party arrived at Blackwater Falls Lodge where Pr. Ruth Bullwinkle talked about state park ministry, the timber industry and related migration patterns that led to the founding of St. John's Lutheran Church, Davis, WV.
• Next, the party headed north to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Aurora, WV, to meet with parishioners Cindy Murphy and Darla Stemple who talked about the founding of the congregation and transition to the modern day. They also talked about the decision-making process that has led the congregation to opt for not calling a pastor and who the current staffing model has changed the engagement of parishioners. While in trasnsit to St. Paul, Reid stopped at the Thomas Sunoco to acquire the #1 pepperoni rolls in WV. All enjoyed them as an afternoon snack at St. Paul.
  
• Evening lodging was secured at Alpine Lake Resort, and dinner was had at El Cenelo in Oakland, MD.
• Saturday morning, the party headed to the Synod HQ for conversation before our visitors departed for Uniontown, PA, and a meeting with the SWPA Synod Council.
  

Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM)

Applications for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 service years are open now on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of January 15, and a final deadline of February 1 of the prospective year. Those who apply before the priority deadline will have their placements considered first.

Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) is a one-year, international service-learning and faith-formation opportunity in churches and social service ministries for young adults, ages 21-35.

Young adults serve alongside Lutheran companion church bodies and organizations in one of four country programs around the world, being shaped by the witness of our global neighbors in a cross-cultural journey of faith. Current country programs are projected to be: Argentina & Uruguay, Central Europe, Mexico, Senegal, the United Kingdom, and Cambodia.

Areas of service include, but are not limited to, health and human rights, congregational ministry, education, environmental justice, and professional support & communications. All site placements provide opportunities for young adults to confront issues of wealth and poverty, racial privilege, gender privilege, economic disparity, and globalization, all through the lens of faith.

 Learn more about the program at at https://elca.org/YAGM.

Madagascar Appeal