Executive, Office of the Secretary Administration

Applications are being accepted for Executive, Office of the Secretary Administration, a position on the churchwide staff. This is full-time, Chicago-based, and open to both clergy & laity. Click here to learn more.

Notice of Proposed Amendments to Synod Constitution

Synod Council, at its 1 December 2025 meeting, took action to recommend three more amendments to the Constitution of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod. This brings to a total of four amendments requiring six-month notice under †S18.13(b) of the constitution. Click here to review all proposed amendments.

Synod Council Synopsis

The Synod Council Synopsis of its 1 December 2025 meeting is posted here. Four actions related to polity and two actions related to finance were taken.

Collins Concludes Service to Trinity, Martinsburg

Campus Ministry Roof Blessing & Celebration

The Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU will celebrate to the completion of its roofing project 6 December 2025, 1:00 p.m., with a roof blessing.

The chaplains write, "God is faithful and the roof of your Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU has been replaced! This project is not only an investment in the future of your ministry here in Morgantown, but also a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness through our Lutheran Mountaineer family.

That means…it’s time to celebrate! We hope you can join us at the Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU on Saturday, December 6th at 1:00pm, as we worship God and enjoy a time of fellowship + food afterwards. You can find more information about this project + parking for the celebration at: https://lutheranmountaineer.org/iconic-chapel-roof.html

We thank God for you! The Holy Spirit’s work through your support, prayers, and encouragement has made this milestone possible, and are what keep this ministry not just surviving, but thriving. As we gather to give thanks for a safe roof over our heads, we are also celebrating the ways this renewed space will continue to shelter worship, community, and ministry for generations of Lutheran Mountaineers to come.

Please email your RSVP to chaplain@lutheranmountaineer.org by December 3rd, so we can prepare all the seating and delicious food! We will also offer a live-stream, available on replay, for those who will not be able to attend in person.

We can’t wait to worship with you, bless this roof, and celebrate what God is doing at your Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU!"

SCALD V: Call for Papers

The Fifth Symposium for Central Appalachian Lutheran Dogmatics will be held 16 March 2026 in Morgantown, WV. The call for papers has been issued, and those interested in submitting a paper proposal should visit the SCALD page for guidelines and more information. Registration is also open.

Lessons & Carols in Cumberland

Mountainside Baroque's annual Festival of Lessons & Carols will be held Sunday, 21 December 2025, 5:00 p.m., at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 16 Washington St., Cumberland, MD.Featuring the Scholars of St. Cecilia, Mountainside Baroque’s resident chamber choir, the service will include music of the season, traditional carols, and readings by local clergy and officials. The event is free and open to the public, though a free-will offering will be received. A reception will follow in the church Parish Hall.

Have You Checked Out the Education for Clergy & Laity Page?

We regularly add new education offerings for both clergy and laity to the listings on the Education for Clergy & Laity page. The offerings cover a wide range of topics. Check it out.

Advent Is Here

We've made some updates to the resources for Advent, one of those updates being the addition of the responsories for use in vespers and matins in Advent. Worship planners can download these responsories to enrich their midweek prayer services. Tips are provided on how to include and use them.

You'll also find information on the use of Advent wreaths, holding a Lessons & Carols service, and recovery of the introits.

Visit our Worship page to access.

Gail Cantu, Requiescat in Pace

The Exchange

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.

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.

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.