West Virginia - Western Maryland Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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The Education for Clergy
& Laity page serves as one-stop shop for
continuing education offerings. It is extensive.
Clergy Compensation
Clergy compensation guidelines for 2026 have been revised
to reflect changes in Portico's health plan offerings.
Information on the current and past guidelines is
available on the Clergy
Compensation page.
Health Insurance
Changes are coming to the insurance plans offered by
Portico. We know that the metallic plans are being
eliminated. Resources are being made available by Portico
to help clergy and congregations navigate the changes. Our
Pastoral Compensation Guideline for 2026 has been revised,
and links to resources are posted on our Clergy
Wellness page.
Health & Wellness
The Clergy Wellness page is expanding. Check out the latest information about Portico changes for 2026 and take time to review the many benefits and services that are part of your Portico plan.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
Call to
Specialized Ministry Issued: The Rev. Dr. Doug Dyson
On 21 February 2026, the Synod Council, having received a
request from the West Virginia Council of Churches, issued
a call to specialized ministry to serve as the Executive
Director of the WVCC. Dyson comes to WV-WMD from the NWPA
Synod. His employment with the WVCC begins 1 March 2026.
His transfer to the WV-WMD roster of ministers of Word
& Sacrament is effected by the issuance of the letter
of call.
Dyson comes with nearly three decades of experience
serving congregations and communities across rural,
suburban, and urban contexts. He has served as Assistant
to the Bishop for Congregational Revitalization in the
Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod, where he focused on
strengthening small-town and rural congregations through
collaborative leadership and shared ministry models. He
studied psychology at Thomas Edison State College and
earned his Master of Divinity with a specialization in
Church Revitalization and Renewal from United Theological
Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He recently complete a Doctor of
Ministry degree at United Lutheran Seminary, with research
centered on new expressions of Christian community and
contextual ministry in rural and Appalachian settings.
Dyson has served across denominational lines, including
leadership roles within the United Methodist Church, the
Salvation Army, independent Reformed contexts, and the
ELCA.
Processes
Entering Mobility
Pastors looking to enter mobility (whether intrasynodical or extrasynodical) should contact the bishop. The Rostered Minister Profile (quondam "Roster Leader Profile" and "mobility form"), 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.
Rostered Ministers Gathering 2026
We know the date and the place of the 2026 Rostered
Ministers Gathering: 6-9 July 2026 in Indianpolis. This is
the closest the gathering has been to any part of the
WV-WMD Synod. See our Education
for Clergy page for more information.