West Virginia - Western Maryland Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
|
Page
Contents
|
The Education for Clergy
& Laity page serves as one-stop shop for
continuing education offerings. It is extensive. The next
biannual Synod Clergy Cont. Ed Event will be held 9-11
November 2026.
Clergy Compensation
Clergy compensation guidelines for 2027 have been
published. Information on the current and past guidelines
is available on the Clergy
Compensation page.
Mileage Increase
The IRS made a rare mid-year adjustment to the standard mileage rate, increasing the rate to 76¢ per mile, effective 1 July 2026. For details, visit the Clergy Compensation page.
Health Insurance for CY2027
Portico selection by plan members (clergy) is being
phased in over the next several days. For more
information, visit our Clergy Wellness page.
Wellness Page
For a variety of items related to clergy health & wellness, visit our Clergy Wellness page.
Supply Preaching
Looking for a supply preacher?
If you need coverage, you will find a list supply
preachers (and ordained presbyters for Eucharistic
services) on our Supply
Preaching & Presiding page.
Are you listed as a supply preacher?
If you are clergy available for supply
preaching/presiding does +Riegel know? During the
high-water mark of the pandemic, several preachers took
themselves off the supply list. If your status has
changed, contact +Riegel.
Clergy Transition
Bishop Black Lobby Dedicated
The newly remodeled community lobby at St. John's,
Lutheran SeniorLife, Mars, PA, was dedicated to the memory
of The Rt. Rev. L. Alexander Black, the first bishop emeritus
of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, on Tuesday,
20 October 2026. The Rt. Rev. Melissa Stoller, Bishop of
the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod (and bishop loci),
opened the dedication ceremony and introduced The Rt. Rev.
Matthew Riegel who offered remarks and invited The Rt.
Rev. Dr. Ralph Dunkin and Mr. John Harmon, Esq., to also
offer remarks. Riegel then offered the dedicatory prayers.
Pictured at right (left to right): Bishop Emeritus Dunkin,
Bishop Loci Stoller, Bishop Emeritus Black's
portrait, and Bishop Riegel.
Processes
Entering Mobility
Pastors looking to enter mobility (whether intrasynodical or extrasynodical) should contact the bishop.
New RMP Coming
The Rostered Minister Profile (quondam "Roster
Leader Profile" and "mobility form") is being updated by
the Churchwide Organization. The new form is scheduled to
go live 11 January 2027. When that happens, the old form
(and that means anything you have online) goes away.
Clergy are advised, even if not in mobility, to download
their current form and keep it for their own records. The
following is from the Rostered Ministry Profile Project
Team and Secretary of the ELCA Mills.
We have exciting news. Based on
feedback from rostered ministers and synod staff
across our church, we’ve made much-needed
updates to key parts of the call process portal:
the Rostered Ministers Profile (RMP), Office of
the Bishop form and synod portal.
Resources for navigating the new RMP and portal, including training webinars, video recordings and FAQs, are coming soon and will be shared once they’re available. Actions needed before Jan. 11
|
The current RMP, other forms, and supporting instructions are available at ELCA.org's Rostered Ministers page. Click on the link you will find there, and it will take you to your login screen. If for any reason, you need your Rostered Leader Number, contact the bishop.
Guidance: Process for Leaving a
Call
There are things to do when leaving a call. You will find
guidance and documents to facilitate the process on our Pastoral Transition &
Vacancy page.
Opportunities
Opportunities for Ordained Ministry in WV-WMD
Are you a member of the clergy of the ELCA (or
full-communion partner) interested in learning more about
WV-WMD? Do you know someone who might be? Drop us a line.
You can email +Riegel at
Bishop@WV-WMD.org or call the office (304-363-4030). There
is plenty to commend service and life in our mountains and
in our valleys. Like Nebraska, it's not for everyone, but,
for those who aren't afraid of an adventure, we have a
great mix of challenge and gift. A list of openings can be
viewed by visiting our Pulpit Vacancies
page (or click on the table at right). You will find there
opportunities for congregational ministry and also any
specialized ministries that might be open at the moment.
Rites
Ordinations and installations are not the worship
services that a congregation (or clergy) does on a regular
basis. To assist those involved with such things a page of
guidance is under development. Information for
installation is already up. Click here
to review.