Rostered Minister Forms and Information
Annual Reports | Communications Update | Deacons | Request for Rostered Status Change | Additional Forms and Information
Annual Reports
The Parochial Report (Forms A) is made available in mid January and is expected to be completed on an annual basis by March 1 by visiting elca.org/About/Congregations/Annual-Congregation-Report. The worksheet has been redesigned, including better instructions, explanations, and some informational videos. The Annual Congregation Report is a tool to measure the church’s vitality and resources to understand how to share the Good News of Jesus with neighbors. It gives a clearer picture of the church and helps plan for the future. Everyone’s contribution is appreciated.
If you need assistance with your congregation’s log-in or cannot file electronically, please contact Rebecca Walls (walls@vasynod.org).
The Parochial Report is:
- One way the churchwide organization has of getting the big picture of ministry happening across the ELCA.
- One way to measure congregational health over a long period, using similar measures of health among all ELCA congregations.
- One record of your congregation’s history is publicly accessible to the church at large (through the ELCA website and synodical records).
- You are providing the synodical and churchwide organizations with the necessary information to better meet your congregation’s needs and the needs of other congregations.
The Annual Report to the Synod Bishop is also due on March 1 and is to be completed online.
The Report to the Bishop for Rostered Ministers (Word and Sacrament; Word and Service- – both Under Call and Retired; On Leave From Call and Call from Synod Council). For those under Call, there is also a section to share continuing education of the past year and a financial section that helps track how well congregations match Synod compensation guidelines to actual Call realities. Please complete all relevant sections and contact Bishop Milton if you have any questions.
If you have any questions about the form, please contact Lenae Osmondson at osmondson@vasynod.org.
Deacons
Deacons are theologically educated, called leaders that serve on the roster of “Word and Service”. They serve in congregations and other ministries of the ELCA, including family ministries, youth, administration, volunteer ministry, social services, music or parish nursing. Deacons connect the church with the needs of the world and work to equip others to lead a living, active and caring Christian life. To learn more about Deacons and their role within the church, click on the link below.
Request for Rostered Status Change
Roster status categories can be: Under Call, On Leave from Call, Retired, or Disability. If you plan to change your roster status from one category to another, it is your responsibility to request such a change from the Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop.
If you plan to retire, you must request a roster change to the Retired Roster. If you plan to go on leave from call for one year or to renew your on leave from call status for an additional year, you must request a roster change or renewal to the On Leave from Call Roster. If you have a medical diagnosis which necessitates a change to the Disability Roster, you should request a change to the Disability Roster.
Again, changes in roster status are the responsibility of the rostered ministers and must be requested by the rostered minister from the Office of the Bishop. Such requests are subject to the approval of the Virginia Synod Council. To facilitate this responsibility, letters can be found in the links below.