September 28, 2005

World Wide Communion this Sunday provides the reminder of our connections as part of the body of Christ – around the world and with Christians through the ages.  Our Neighbors in Need offering is a reminder of the hope for a more just and compassionate world and provides an opportunity to work toward that through our contributions.

Hurricane Relief.  NWOA churches have contributed $ 16,896 through the Association Office.  Thank you!

Notice the Clergy Compensation Guidelines at the end of this newsletter

News from Tracy Hughes

Hello Friends,
            This is a note to inform you that my time for speaking in Ohio to UCC and DOC churches has expanded to November and December 2005. I want to do a blitz of
speaking engagements in Ohio on behalf of Common Global Ministries and the Christian Peacemaker Teams. I can touch on the topics of Christian peacemaking in a world of conflict, justice and peace issues in Colombia, South America and Israel-Palestine. I have
ample experience in these areas. I can create a powerpoint if  a congregation has the equipment to show it in their church.
            I am excited about the opportunity to speak with womens and mens fellowship groups, youth groups, mission or social action groups, confirmation classes, groupings of churches that gather for one area presentation, and attend association meetings and
mission/outreach committees. I am very excited to be able to offer the opportunity to speak to local Ohio Conference and DOC churches about our Common Global
Ministries and to update or introduce my justice and peace ministry with the Christian Peacemaker Teams.
            I enjoy traveling so do not be shy to invite me to Canton, Dayton, or anywhere in Ohio even though I will be based out of Tiffin. I would appreciate travel reimbursement for loner trips because of the price of gas and I live on a small stipend.
            Please contact me via e-mail at mch6_8@yahoo.com from Sept. 23 until the end of the year. After October 20 please contact me at 419-448-0104 or leave a message for me at Trinity UCC, Tiffin 419-447-3191.    God's Blessings,      Rev. Tracy Hughes
Long-term Mission Volunter
Common Global Ministries
Full-Time volunteer with Christian Peacemaker Teams

 

This is an invitation to attend the Gymanfa Ganu at Gomer UCC on October 2, 7 pm.  This is an opportunity to either come and sing or come and listen to the wonderful Welsh hymns of the faith.

October Timely Topic: October 12, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm at the Association Office.  Sandy Lueschen, Minister for Personal Stewardship with the national Stewardship Team will lead a discussion to assist pastors and church professionals be comfortable with talking about money and stewardship in the church.

Time of Celebration October 8 at the Great Hall, Heidelberg College, come and celebrate with us the ministry of Char Burch & Barry Bordenkircher.  Gather at 5:30 pm, with dinner at 6 pm, followed by a program at 7 pm.  Dinner reservations must be received by October 3 (there is no flexibility on this date).

RECENT EMAIL & MAIL CHANGES and ADDITIONS

If your personal (or church) email address or mailing address has recently changed, let us know!

New email address for Rev. David Voll

dvjv1979@yahoo.com

Prayer Requests

The Rev. Richard Wierwille has resigned from the Wakeman Congregational Church and will be moving to New Hampshire.  His last Sunday is October 2.  Please keep Richard and his family in prayer for a smooth transition to new opportunities.

Outreach and Missions

Spencerville UCC members passed out 1,400 bottles of water with special labels advertising the church’s two worship services during the village’s Summer Fest parade on June 25.  The bottled water matched the float’s theme “Quench Your Thirst” based on John 4:14.  Parade participants included attendees from both Traditional and Merge (contemporary) services. Rev. Ron Shifley and his wife Deanna are pictured on the left, with other church member who participated in this event.

Grace UCC, Fostoria hosted about 100 people from town for the annual Fostoria fireworks. The church parking lot was wonderful for watching the fireworks, so the members of Grace UCC wore T-shirts with the church name printed on them and handed out free pop, popcorn, toys for kids.  Grace UCC also had a unit in the Glass Festival Parade.  They handed out pencils, printed with the church name and toys for the children.

And as the fall season continues Grace is hosting “Ask the Experts” series.  Ask the Banker, Ask the Vet, and so on.  The community is invited to come and have a question answer session.  Informing, Fun, Outreach is Happening and God is honored!

Deadlines and Meeting Dates

Upcoming

September

29        Faith Formation 10 – 2 pm

October

3          Sandusky Valley Clergy, Pour House Restaurant - Upper Sandusky 11:30 am

4          Church and Ministry

4                    Lay School 7:15 pm

7          Monthly Mailing deadline

8          NWOA Cabinet 1-5 pm

8          Char & Barry Farwell Reception, Heidelberg College 5:30 pm

11                Interim Ministers at Bob Evans, Walbridge 10 am

12        Stewardship & Caring Team 2-4 pm

12        Timely Topics 10:30 am – 1:30 pm

13        Auglaize Valley Region Clergy, Defiance College 11:30 am

13        Auglaize Valley RCT, Defiance College 1:30 pm

16        Lakeshore Event in Castalia

18        Lay School  7:15 pm

20        Church Development Team 10-2 pm

26                Lakeshore Clergy 11– 1 pm, Holiday Inn - Fremont

27        Witness & Proclamation 10-1 pm

30        Small Church Cluster Choir Fest, Fairhaven, Upper Sandusky, 3 pm

30        Sandusky Valley Regional Event, Fairhaven, Upper Sandusky, 3pm

Clergy Compensation Guidelines

2006 Process for Establishing

Compensation for Ordained Ministers within
the Ohio Conference, United Church Of Christ

                                                                A.   CASH SALARY

Fair and just compensation for ministerial leadership should be reviewed by all parties involved, and to this end, Clergy Compensation Guidelines of the Ohio Conference are provided.  The CASH SALARY is the amount of actual dollars paid to the minister.  Cash salary does not include housing, utilities, allowances, benefits, Social Security or reimbursable expenses.

1.      In 2006, a starting cash salary for a full time, newly ordained pastor with ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ is recommended at $26,010. (2% increase over 2005 guidelines).*

The cash salary, cash income, of $26,010 is seen as the minimum for all full-time pastorates.  All churches are urged to strive toward meeting these guidelines by incrementally increasing income over the long term until guidelines are met.  Ministers serving churches that pay less than the minimum Cash Salary, however, are encouraged to negotiate an arrangement with their church which will allow them to acquire supplemental income.

2.   Factor 1: Experience

Because of the value of experience, $800 should be added to the starting salary of $26,010 for each year of ordained ministry up to 15 years, regardless of where the pastor has served. Thus, a church that calls a pastor with 15 years of experience would add $12,000 to the starting salary.  The congregation may elect to consider additional years of experience in its calculation of this factor. Churches who have yet to meet the guidelines are encouraged to be in conversation with the Association to explore possibilities.

      Factor 2: Size of church, history and location

Because of history and location, additional resources and church budget, some churches are able to pay larger salaries.  The following scale may be used for adding to the starting figure:

Average Attendance at worship

Up to 75                       $1,050

75-150, add                   $1,000-2,100

151-250, add                 $2,100-3,150

251-350, add                 $3,150-4,200

Over 351, add               $5,500+

* May be subject to approval by association(s).

B.  HOUSING

PARSONAGE PROVIDED – If  the church provides a parsonage, full utility costs should be provided.  You may also wish to explore tax benefits available in parsonage furnishings plus housing allowance features.

EQUITY ALLOWANCE – If  a parsonage is provided, serious consideration should be given to establishing a pastoral equity fund in lieu of home ownership.

HOUSING ALLOWANCE – If the church provides a housing allowance, the allowance should be the equivalent of the fair rental value of reasonable and appropriately furnished (including utilities) housing in that community.  This is in addition to base salary.

C.  REIMBURSED EXPENSES

PROFESSIONAL EXPENSES – Churches are expected to reimburse all professional expenses of ordained ministers.

AUTOMOBILE – Automobile Expense is a church business expense and should be compensated fully.  Compensation may take one of several forms.

a.   Per mile allowance (40.5 cents per mile as allowed by IRS for 2005)

b.   Provision of an automobile and payment of all expenses for church use.

(Note that annual lump sum payments are now considered taxable income by IRS.  Churches should check current IRS law.)

BUSINESS – Association, Conference, and parish business.  These expenses should be paid by the church in full.

MOVING EXPENSES – Moving expenses should be paid in full by the church calling an ordained  minister.

D.  BENEFITS

SOCIAL SECURITY OFFSET – The Social Security Administration designates ordained ministers as “self employed” persons who contribute at a rate of 15.3% in 2005.  Churches are encouraged to pay the pastor an employer portion of this annual tax  (Salary and housing is to be used as the basis).

GROUP HEALTH AND DENTAL INSURANCE – Churches are expected to pay the premium in full. (Congregations are encouraged to use the UCC Health Insurance plans)

LIFE INSURANCE AND DISABILITY INCOME BENEFIT PLAN – A UCC disability income and life insurance program should be provided at 1.5% of Salary “Basis.”  Salary basis equals the cash base salary plus housing allowance or 30% of cash base if parsonage is provided.

With the support of the Short-term Disability Plan, the church will be responsible only for the first month of full salary and housing and 40% of salary and housing for months two through six.  The remainder of salary and housing will be covered by the short-term disability policy.  Long-term disability coverage begins after six months, and the church has no further financial responsibility.

ANNUITY – Annuity should be paid at 14% of Cash Salary and the Housing amount to the UCC Pension Board.  If a parsonage is provided, 30% of the total cash salary should be added for the basis upon which the annuity is paid.  Additional contributions may be made if desired.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION – Churches are encouraged to provide time and financial assistance for study and continuing education for their pastor, with a minimum of seven to ten days annually (other than vacation) and an annual budget line item of $300 to $600 to assist with the costs of continuing education and resources.

PARENTAL LEAVE – Maternity/single parent leave with pay up to eight weeks and paternity leave with pay for up to two weeks may be taken by arrangement with the church.  An ordained minister who is the parent of a newborn and/or newly adopted child or who is pregnant or a single parent may take, in addition to the paid leave, up to three months total leave, the last month of which is either accrued vacation time or leave without pay.

SICK LEAVE – Sick leave may be granted to ordained staff for personal illness or the illness of a dependent family member as defined by the local church governing board.

SABBATICAL LEAVE – Sabbatical Leave for clergy for the purpose of spiritual and/or intellectual enrichment is possible after three years of full time service within current ministry setting. (One month is earned after three years, two months after four years, to a maximum of three months after five years.)

VACATION – Vacation time should be a minimum of one month per year, including four Sundays.  Service to national, Conference and Association programming C including camping and sabbatical leave C should not be construed as vacation time.

SUMMER CAMP LEADERSHIP – Each local church is encouraged to have its pastor serve as a director or counselor at one week of church camp each summer.  This is not to be considered vacation or continuing education time.

WORKER=S COMPENSATION – Congregations are encouraged to cover their pastoral staff with Workers Compensation Insurance as they are required to do by state law for lay employees.

MULTIPLE STAFF AND SUPPORT STAFF PERSONNEL

All conditions described in this document pertaining to ordained senior ministers pertain equally to ordained associate or assistant ministers.  Appropriate compensation for associate or assistant ministers may vary due to the scope of their responsibilities, ministerial training and experience.  No ordained minister should be expected to serve for less than the minimum Conference-recommended salary.

Program and office support staff should receive fair and equitable salaries and benefits in accordance with their responsibilities, training and experience.

PERSONNEL POLICY

Every church should have a personnel policy for all employees of the congregation.  The Ohio Conference office can supply your church with a sample policy for a congregation if needed.

If you wish to be deleted from this mailing list, please contact joan@nwoa.org

Don’t forget to visit our website at www.nwoa.org