LARCUM 2027

LARCUM 2027 will explore theological anthropology under the title "Fearfully & Wonderfully Made: Can We Be Human?" 10- 12 May 2027 at at Saint John XXIII Pastoral Center, Charleston, WV. More information will roll out in a few months, but in the meantime, save the date!

As you scroll down this page, you will find

• the preliminary information on LARCUM 2027
• information for the just completed LARCUM 2026, including
• summary of the event
• a list of presenters,
• some general information about LARCUM, including
• our nature,
• our method,
• our attendees,
• our social media presence, and
• our archives.

Preliminary Information for LARCUM 2027

LARCUM 2027 follow its usual format of each tradition bringing its own theologian(s), with each tradition being given three hours in which to present. How each tradition presents is left to the discretion of that tradition. The agenda will be slightly modified, but we will still be beginning in the early afternoon of Monday and wrapping up with lunch on Wednesday. C.E.U. hours will be in the area of 15 (maybe 16, as we work out other instructional details).

Venue

The St. John XXIII Pastoral Center, 100 Hodges Road, Charleston, WV, is only minutes from downtown Charleston (though you would not know it as you walk the grounds). The topography creates an oasis within the city limits. The center is a lovely facility, featuring both a large and a small chapel, library, reading room, spacious and comfortable lobbies, pleasant grounds, and a covered porch with rocking chairs. Click here for Google Maps. The St. John XXIIII Pastoral Center has hosted LARCUM for over fifteen years. Click here to learn more about our venue.

Charleston is served by air, bus, and AMTRAK. For more information about travel, visit the WV-WMD Synod Travel page.

Registration

LARCUM 2026

We gathered for LARCUM 2026 under the title "Deliver Us From the Evil One: LARCUM Takes On the Tempter" at Saint John XXIII Pastoral Center, Charleston, WV, 18-20 May 2026.

Presenters

Lutheran: The Rev. Dr. Sarah Hinlicky Wilson

The Rev. Dr. Sarah Hinlicky Wilson has written, edited, and contributed to numerous books of both theology and fiction and has published hundreds of articles. She hosts the podcast Queen of the Sciences and writes the e-newsletter Theology & a Recipe and the substack Sarah Hinlicky Wilson Stories. She is the Founder of Thornbush Press, launched in 2020, and author of a number of books under its imprint: I Am a Brave Bridge; Sermon on the Mount: A Poetic Paraphrase; Small Catechism: Memorizing Edition; Pearly Gates: Parables from the Final Threshold; To Baptize or Not to Baptize: A Practical Guide for Clergy; A-Tumblin’ Down; Seven Ways of Looking at the Transfiguration; and Forty Facets of the Ascension.

From the summer of 2018 to the spring of 2025 Sarah lived in Mitaka, Japan, on the campus of Japan Lutheran College and Theological Seminary, where her husband Andrew L. Wilson served as Professor of Church History. Sarah served as Associate Pastor at Tokyo Lutheran Church near the Shin-Ōkubo station in central Tokyo. During her time in Tokyo she began and continues on as an Affiliated Faculty Member at the Johannelund School of Theology in Uppsala, Sweden. From 2008 to 2016 the Wilsons lived in Strasbourg, France, where Sarah worked at the Institute for Ecumenical Research, a close affiliate of the Lutheran World Federation, specializing in Eastern Orthodoxy and Pentecostalism. Sarah continued to serve as a Visiting Professor of the Institute and Consultant to the International Lutheran-Pentecostal Dialogue from 2016 to 2024. With her colleague Theodor Dieter from the Institute, Sarah taught a two-week course in Wittenberg, Germany, on Martin Luther’s theology every November for 15 years (2009–2024).

Sarah earned a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology in 2008 and an M.Div. in 2003 at Princeton Theological Seminary. She served as pastor at a Slovak-American church in Trenton, New Jersey, and became the editor of Lutheran Forum, an independent theological quarterly, which she continued to edit until the end of 2018. Before graduate school Sarah spent one year working at First Things, where she first started publishing theological essays. Since her first in October 1998, Sarah has published hundreds of articles in popular venues like Christianity Today, The Christian Century, and Books & Culture, as well as scholarly journals like Pro Ecclesia, Pneuma, Lutheran Quarterly, and Concordia Journal. Sarah earned a B.A. in Theology and Philosophy from Lenoir-Rhyne College.

Anglican: The Rev. Dr. Robert Flanagan

As an Episcopal priest since 2003, The Rev. Dr. Robert "Bob" Flanagan has worked in various ministry areas, engaging in unique experiences. He helped two churches rebuild after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005. Bob was an on-call chaplain at an acute care psychiatric facility for several years. He has led big and small churches through leadership transitions. He also has overseen several schools, one with more than 250 children.

In 2018, Bob began a new journey, teaching seminary students at General Theological Seminary in New York City. This vocation has led to other positions, the spring 2021 Dean's Scholar and a Dean's Teaching Fellowship at Virginia Theological Seminary. Bob is also the Dean's Advisor for Partnership at VTS, and in 2022, he became the Chaplain at General. Starting August 2024, Bob will be the Acting Associate Dean of the Chapel at VTS through January 2025.

Bob was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut. At the age of 13, he left home for a life-changing experience and education at Cardigan Mountain School in New Hampshire. Next, he attended Brooks School, graduating with high honors in Classics and honors in Music. At Trinity College, he majored in English with a focus on writing poetry. He also rowed for the Trinity Crew team for four years and was a captain twice. While an insurance and financial representative, he earned his Charter Life Underwriter and Charter Financial Consultant designations.

At 37, Bob began his Master in Divinity degree at Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2018, he completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at VTS, specializing in Christian spirituality.

Anglican: The Rev. Gregory Pennington

The Rev. Greg Pennington serves as rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Huntington, WV. Greg earned a Master of Divinity, specialzing in pastoral counseling and addiction, from the Seminary of the Southwest's Iona Program. He was ordained to the diaconate in December 2021 and the priesthood in July 2022.  He currently serves the Diocese as a member of the Standing Committee, Peterkin Board, and as Ecumenical Officer.  He is passionate about the Bible, theology, spiritual formation and the reconciliation and renewal of the world through God’s unconditional love in Jesus Christ.

Roman Catholic: Adam Blai, J.C.L.

Adam Blai is a canon lawyer, judge, and peritus of religious demonology and exorcism for the Pittsburgh diocese. He is also an auxiliary member of the International Association of Exorcists based in Rome. He also has a professional background in psychology and brain research. He has worked for twenty years helping to train exorcists, nationally and internationally. This has included teaching workshops at seminaries, clergy days, convocations, at the Pope Leo XIII institute in Chicago (the exorcism school in the USA), and trainings in Singapore, the Philippines, and Trinidad. He has written a number of books for the public, educating on angels and demons, and what spiritual dangers the public should avoid.

Adam has worked in the chancery of the diocese of Pittsburgh since 2014 as the Director of Institutional Ministries; he also serves on the committee overseeing all demonic cases there. Much of his professional life has been spent working in the Pennsylvania State prison system as a Psychological Services Specialist, where he did hundreds of psychological evaluations for the parole process and worked with the full range of mental illness and human evil, including serial killers.

Adam holds a Masters of Science in Adult Clinical Psychology from Penn State University and also a Licentiate of Canon Law.

United Methodist: The Rev. Dr. Timothy L. Bias

The Rev. Dr. Timothy "Tim" Bias is the Lead Pastor of Christ Church United Methodist in Charleston, West Virginia. He came to Christ Church after serving 50 years under appointment as a United Methodist pastor, preacher, teacher, and administrator. He is serving Christ Church as a retired pastor under appointment.

As a pastor and preacher, he has led churches in Clarksburg, Elkins, Tornado, and Buffalo, West Virginia, Peoria, Illinois, and Cincinnati, Ohio. As a teacher he was part of the Appalachian Local Pastors School teaching courses on preaching, pastoral care, and evangelism. As an administrator he has served as a district superintendent in Ohio and has served the United Methodist denomination as the Director of Proclamation of Evangelism as well as the General Secretary of the General Board of Discipleship.

A graduate of Marshall University, Tim received his Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University (1980) and his Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary (1991).

Tim and his wife Kim (Raynes) have been married 50 years and have two children, Evan and Emily, and three granddaughters, Alexis, Aubry, and Amya.

What Is LARCUM WV?

LARCUM WV is a four-partner conference held annually in WV (except when there is a pandemic):

• Lutheran — The West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, ELCA;
• Anglican — The Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia;
• Roman Catholic — The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston; and
• United Methodist — The West Virginia Conference.

LARCUM WV began as ARC (Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue) more than forty years ago. After several years, the Lutherans were invited to join, and the dialogue was renamed LARC. LARC WV. meeting for three decades, was the longest running LARC in the USA. A little over ten years ago, the United Methodist were invited to join, and we changed our name to LARCUM.

LARCUM planning is a joint activity of the four traditions. Each tradition has a member on the planning team, the planning team member being appointed by the tradition's judicatory head. The planning team members meet periodically throughout the year to plan the event around the selected theme This planning includes the securing of presenters, setting of the agenda, planning meals, setting fees, organizing the venue, arranging for lodging, organizing worship, and more.

The topic for each LARCUM Conference is selected by the participants of the preceding LARCUM Conference.

Method

Most of the time—well, almost always—each tradition brings its own presenter, and each presenter is then given two-three hours in formal session. Outside of formal sessions, there are meals, social hours, and free time, providing plenty of opportunity for informal conversation among participants. One can also use free time for private prayer, refreshment, study, etc.). There is also worship, with each tradition taking its turn leading services, allowing participants to enjoy what each tradition has to offer.

Who Can Attend LARCUM?

One does not need to be a member of the participating judicatories to attend. If you are interested in the topic or want to enjoy conversation with folk from different traditions, you are most welcome. LARCUM is open to laity and clergy. LARCUM is also open to folks from beyond the borders of WV.

LARCUM and Social Media

Yes, we do have a social media presence. Check out "WV LARCUM" Facebook page—follow and/or like us while you are there. Lutherans can even join Team Wittenberg, a subgoup attached to the page—if you are jealous, convince your tradition's planner to set up a tradition-specific group. We also create Facebook events for specific conferences, e.g., "LARCUM 2025: Nicaea at 1700." Since we have a social media presence, don't be shy about sharing.

LARCUM Archives

Check our our LARCUM Archives to learn about past LARCUM topics and presenters.

Questions?

If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone about LARCUM, call West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod HQ at 304-363-4030 or email Bishop@WV-WMD.org.