Changes to Supply Preacher/Presider Compensation Guidelines

Synod Council, meeting 6 September 2025, adopted new guidelines for compensation of supply preachers and presiders effective 1 October 2025. Worship planners and congregational treasurers should review the schedule. Click here for the Supply Preaching & Presiding page.

Portico's New Health Plans for 2026 — Revised Pastoral Compensation Package for 2026

The Synod Council, reacting to Portico's upcoming discontinuance the metallic plans, has revised the Pastoral Compensation Package for 2026. Clergy and congregational leadership should download the the latest Pastoral Compensation Kit from our Clergy Compensation page (where you also gain access to additional resources).

Update to Synod Continuing Resolutions

Synod Council, meeting 6 September 2025, adopted four new continuing resolutions. The first two relate to background checks for candidates for bishop. The second two relate procedures related to the conduct of remote (email/mail/digital) balloting for bishop while the Synod Assembly is not in session. You may access the amended Continuing Resolutions of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod from our Synod Polity page.

Notice of Proposed Amendments to Synod Constitution and Bylaws

In anticipation of Synod Assembly 2026 (scheduled for the first weekend of June), Synod Council has posted proposed amendments to the Synod Constitution & Bylaws (accessible from our Synod Polity page). Among them are

• changes conforming to the non-required provisions of the Constitution for Synods promulgated by Churchwide Assembly 2025,
• a change in the term and process for selecting the synod treasurer,
• replacement of the provision for a Mutual Ministry Committee with a provision for a Mutual Ministry Advisory Board, involving both manner of appointment and duties, and
  
• the creation of bylaws providing an option for a part-time bishop.
  

Official notice is not required until 5 December 2025. Additional proposed amendments may be drafted by that date.

New Sermon Service

Dr. Craig Satterlee has launched a new sermon service. Learn more at our Readers Library.

Help! I Have To Plan Worship (without a Pastor)

With new congregations entering pastoral vacancy, it is a good time to remind everyone that the synod provides several resources for worship planning. Visit our Worship page to get started.

Updated Synod Constitution

Amendments to the required provisions of the Constitution for Synods, as adopted by Churchwide Assembly 2025, have been integrated with the Constitution of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod. Visit our Synod Polity page to review.

Congregation Constitution Amendments Posted

The amendments to the Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America effected by Churchwide Assembly 2025 have been posted. Visit our Governing Documents for Congregations page to review.

Clergy Compensation Guideline for 2026

Guidelines for clergy compensation in 2026 are now available on the Clergy Compensation page.

Mission Support Formula for 2026

The Mission Support Formula for 2026 has been set by Synod Council and is now available on the Mission Support page.

Spirits, Angels, and Demons in the Bible

Only six rooms remain at John XXIII. When they are gone, they are gone, but there are plenty of hotels in the area. If you want the convenience of lodging on-site, register sooner rather than later.

Detailed information for the Fall 2025 Synod Clergy Continuing Education Event has been posted on the Education for Clergy page. While intended primarily for clergy, laity are welcome. Participants from other judicatories are welcome as well (i.e., you don't have to be from WV-WMD).

New Officers, Council, and Committees

Church Property Resource Hub

A project of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Church Property Resource Hub is being built in response to requests from synod and local church leaders for support navigating the challenges and opportunities that buildings and land represent for both congregational vitality and the wider mission of the Church. You can check out what is already online at elca.org/CPRH. You can sign up for the Church Property Resource Hub Newsletter to get the latest news and resources (click here), and there will be a town hall webinar in October 27 (more information to come).

Job Postings

Normally, we say call openings, but these are, properly speaking jobs (and one gig) that are open to both laity and clergy (meaning there is potential for a call to specialized ministry). Click on the listing for more information:

• Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp & Retreat Center: Director of Communications, Outreach, and Guest Services
• ELCA: Mission Funding Director (Major Gift Officer) Regions 6 & 8
• West Virginia Council of Churches: Executive Director
• ELCA Youth Ministry: Faith Lens Editor

Youth Gathering Expedition

The Gathering Expedition is a powerful weekend retreat, designed for 8th - 12th grade youth and their adult leaders. Learn more about these autumnal events (especially the one in New Jersey): click here.

Amended Governing Documents Posted

Scouting

Scouting for Children in Foster and Kinship Care — Free

An initiative allowing children in foster and kinship care to join scouting programs for free and paying for associated costs, including uniforms and field trips has been launched in West Virginia because children in foster and kinship care can benefit greatly from structured programs that teach life skills, build confidence, and create a safe, caring environment. Learn more on our Camping & Outdoor Ministry page.

Chaplains Sought for Jambo 2026

Jamboree returns to West Virginia in 2026, and chaplains are being sought. Visit our Camping & Outdoor Ministry page.

If you haven't checked out the members portal...

Don't forget to take a peek of the members portal (click the button at right near the top of this page). It's not password protected. We only call it the "members portal" because it's mostly stuff that deals with the internal workings of the synod. Visitors looking for more general information about the synod, will probably find the "guest portal" more interesting.

Synod Website Updates

The synod website updates frequently (as in often) and irregularly (as in not on a particular schedule). Click here (or on the picture at right) to find out what has been recently updated.