815
ends missionary stipends, travel reimbursement
by Steve
Waring
Overseas missionaries serving under the sponsorship of the Anglican and Global Relations Office at the Episcopal Church Center will no longer receive stipends or reimbursement of most expenses under a new compensation package. Under the new plan, all missionaries both lay and ordained will receive the same benefits.
"As we transition into this new phase in the missionary program we have to acknowledge the increase in costs," said the Rev. David Copley, mission personnel officer in a letter published on the Anglican and Global Relations section of The Episcopal Church website.
"The provision of lay pension will increase our budget by approximately $130,000 annually, and our health insurance premium increased this year by 13 percent equating to a budget increase of approximately $50,000. We have also had a general reduction in our overall budget of 5 percent in 2008 due to budget constraints within DFMS. Facing these realities we have decided to modify the compensation package offered to missionaries. In addition to looking closely at the budget, we have taken into account the costs of the February discernment retreats and June orientation programs, projected the cost of the proposed regional retreats, and focused on the essential support that we feel must be offered to all missionaries."
During its meeting in Quito, Ecuador Feb. 11-14, Executive Council approved a one-time payment of $450,644 to the pension fund to cover pension payments for lay missionaries from Jan. 1, 2000 through Dec. 31, 2007. Future contributions will be funded from the annual budget. The contribution means that some lay missionaries will receive back contributions plus interest for the seven-year period.
"For some of you, this will mean an increase in benefits with the addition of a lay pension component, but for others this will mean that there will be a reduction in support," Fr. Copley said.
The new mission compensation package will include: health, dental and life insurance; pension premiums; eligibility for educational scholarships for children of missionaries; logistical and pastoral support and all expenses paid to a regional missionary retreat offered once every three years. The annual missionary retreat had been suspended for a number of years due to budget constraints.
"Following conversations with a number of missionaries, we feel that this retreat is an important time for renewal and relaxation which promotes missionary wellness and collegiality within the missionary community," Fr. Copley said.
The elimination of stipends and travel expenses is effective immediately for new missionaries. Current missionaries will begin receiving the new compensation package when it is time to renew their Letters of Understanding.
Missionaries sponsored by other Episcopal organizations will not be affected by this change.
—Steve Waring is News Editor of The Living Church. From that publication's Web site.
