FindingPriest

PRIEST-IN-CHARGE: A PART-TIME CURE
Background Papers on the Role of Part-time Clergy

CANONS OF THE DIOCESE OF MARYLAND
Source: http://www.ang-md.org/diocese/canons.html

CANON 4-130 Of Part-Time Cures

Sec. 1. When the financial resources of a Parish, Separate Congregation or
Mission do not permit the calling of a Rector or Vicar on a full-time basis,
it may obtain the services of clergy on less than a full-time basis, upon
approval of the Bishop with the advice of the appropriate committee
responsible for Congregational Development. Such clergy shall be known as
Rectors or Vicars holding part-time cures, as the case may be.

Sec. 2. In every case a one year employment contract setting forth the
duties, responsibilities, hours and compensation shall be executed upon
approval of the Bishop with the advice of the appropriate committee
responsible for Congregational Development.

Sec. 3. The Rector or Vicar holding a part-time cure shall have the
following duties, together with any others mutually agreed upon:

(a) Celebrate the Eucharist and preach the Gospel at least once every
Sunday,

(b) Take the Sacrament to the sick and shut-ins at least for principal feast
days,

(c) Provide for Christian Education and other instruction required by
Canons, including Confirmation, Baptism and Marriage Instruction,

(d) Preside at Vestry or Advisory Board and Congregational meetings,

(e) Provide for active lay leadership in all other necessary parochial and
diocesan functions.

Sec. 4. All Rectors and Vicars holding part-time cures and the congregations
served by them shall report annually to the Bishop in such form as the
Bishop may prescribe.

Sec. 5. This Canon shall not impair the power of the Bishop under Canon
2-140 entitled "of Diocesan Missions and Missionaries." (Adopted 1978)
(Amended 1988)

Sample

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Source: [probably] The Alban Institute

THIS MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT is entered into between The Vestry of St. Paul's, Point of Rocks, (the "Vestry") and The Rev. ____________ (the "Priest-in-Charge"), effective ______ 19__.

Preliminary Statement

This Memorandum of Agreement (Agreement) is predicated on the understanding that the position of Priest-in-Charge of St. Paul's, Point of Rocks, is part-time.

Agreements

1. Call. The Rev. ___________ is called to serve as Priest-in-Charge of St. Paul's, Point of Rocks. The purpose of this Memorandum of Agreement is to specify the mutual expectations and commitments of the Priest-in-Charge and Vestry in undertaking their various ministries. The Priest-in-Charge and Vestry agree to work together in the pursuit of the overall goals of the Parish as established by the Vestry and other terms and conditions set forth below. (In reference to the Parish Bylaws, the title, "Priest-in-Charge," is understood to be equivalent to, "Rector.")

2. Responsibilities of the Priest-in-Charge. In accordance with the canons of this Church and under counsel of the Bishop, the Priest-in-Charge agrees to:
1) Endeavor to give spiritual guidance to all areas of Parish Life;
2) Be the primary leader of worship;
3) Be conscientious in the administration of the sacraments of the Church;
4) Help provide for opportunities for Christian education in the Parish.
5) Assist with parish administration;
6) Oversee lay ministers in the pastoral visitation of the healthy or sick members of the congregation;
7) Be diligent in the pastoral visitation of the sick or the healthy members;
8) Take an active leadership role in stewardship endeavors of the Parish.
9) Encourage and provide leadership for the training of lay ministers.
10) Discharge such other responsibilities as may be agreed from time to time by the Vestry and the Priest-in-Charge.

The Priest-in-Charge's work includes not only activities directed to the Parish and its well-being, but also labors on behalf of the Parish within the Diocese, the larger Church, and the community.

3. Responsibility of the Vestry. In accordance with the canons of the Church, the Vestry will act as legal agents for the Parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and its relationship with the Priest-in-Charge. The Vestry will see that the Priest-in-Charge is properly supported and that the salary and other financial compensations are paid regularly and punctually. The Vestry will support and cooperate with the Priest-in-Charge in pursuit of the goals for the Parish, giving sufficiently of their time and energy to accomplish such goals. It is understood that while some of the Parish's ministries are ordinarily reserved for an ordained minister (such as administering the sacraments), the Vestry remains responsible for the mission and ministry of the Parish as a whole, as well as the overall welfare and governance of the Parish. Within that framework, the work of the Parish involves mutual ministries of the Priest-in-Charge and the laity of the Parish.

4. Mission Statement Implementation. Acceptance of this Agreement includes the understanding that the Vestry and Priest-in-Charge will work together in implementing the Parish Mission Statement, in terms both of the specific goals determined by the Vestry and parish policies such as those governing the rites of baptism, marriage, and burial.

5. Compensation and Expense Reimbursement

a. For all services rendered by the Priest-in-Charge under this agreement, the Vestry will pay:
1) A cash stipend and housing allowance of $______ per annum,
2) payable on the first of each month;
3) An amount equal to one-half of the federal self-employment tax on the above;
4) Clergy pension contribution specified by the Church Pension Fund on the above;
5) Full amount of life and medical insurance premiums for the Priest-in-Charge [and his wife]
6) Continuing education expense up to $____ per annum.

b. The Vestry will reimburse the Priest-in-Charge with respect to the following expenses:
1) Travel expenses, above two day per week trips to Point of Rocks, at the rate of $.__ per mile, not to exceed $___ per annum;
2) Reasonable office expenses, not to exceed $___ per annum;
3) Long-distance telephone calls related to the ministry.

6. Work Schedule

a. The work schedule is two days per week, including Sunday.
b. Periods of leave with full compensation, include:
1) 4 weeks of annual leave per annum (including
Sundays), however this annual leave may not be taken
during major church festivals;
2) 2 days of sick leave.
7. Term and Termination
a. The term of this Agreement shall be from ____, 19__, until ______, 19__. Following the conclusion of this term, and with the prior written approval of the Bishop of Maryland, the parties may renew this Agreement after mutual review.
b. Either the Priest-in-Charge or the Vestry may terminate this agreement upon thirty (30) days written notice, with the written consent of the Bishop.

8. Ministry Review. There shall be an annual review of the total ministry of the Parish, in order to:
1) Determine progress on the overall goals set forth above;
2) Provide the Priest-in-Charge and the Vestry opportunity to assess how well they are fulfilling their responsibilities to each other and to the ministry they share;
3) Isolate areas of conflict or disappointment which have not received adequate attention and may be adversely affecting their mutual ministry;
4) Clarify expectations of all parties to help put any future conflicts in manageable form.

These reviews shall commence _____, 19__.

8. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall become binding on the parties upon execution on behalf of the Vestry and by the Priest-in-Charge and following the written approval of the Bishop of Maryland.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the date set forth above.

PRIEST IN CHARGE VESTRY OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH

_________________________ ______________________

The Rev. _________________ ________________, Senior Warden

Approved:

__________________________
The Rt. Rev. Robert W. Ihloff,
Bishop of Maryland

___________________
Date

Related Canons

CANONS OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Source: http://www.ecusa.anglican.org/governance/canons/

Title III, Canon 17

CANON 17: Of the Calling of a Rector

Sec. 1. When a Parish is without a Rector, the Wardens or other proper officers
shall promptly notify the Bishop. If the authorities of the Parish shall for thirty
days have failed to make provision for services of public worship, it shall be the
duty of the Bishop to take such measures as may be deemed expedient for the
temporary conduct of public worship.

Sec. 2. No election of a Rector shall be held until the name of the Priest whom
it is proposed to elect has been made known to the Bishop, if there be one, and
sufficient time, not exceeding thirty days, has been given to the Bishop to
communicate with the Vestry thereon, nor until such communication, if made
within that period has been considered by the Parish or Vestry at a meeting
duly called and held for that purpose.

Sec. 3. Written notice of the election, signed by the Wardens, shall be sent
to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese. If the Ecclesiastical Authority
be satisfied that the person so chosen is a duly qualified Priest and that the
Priest has accepted the office, the notice shall be sent to the Secretary of the
Convention, who shall record it. Sex shall not be a factor in the Ecclesiastical
Authority’s determination of whether such person is a duly qualified priest.
The record shall be sufficient evidence of the relation between the Priest and
the Parish.

Additional CANONS OF THE DIOCESE OF MARYLAND
Source: http://www.ang-md.org/diocese/canons.html

CANON 2-120 Of Aided Parishes and Separate Congregations Under
Missionary Administration

Sec. 1. The Diocesan Council shall be authorized to make payments from
Diocesan Missionary Funds to any Parish or Separate Congregation if such
Parish or Separate Congregation shall have submitted, through the Rector and
Vestry, an application therefor on a form required by the appropriate
Committee responsible for Congregational Development; provided, however,
any Parish or Separate Congregation (a) whose Rector or other clergy is not in
receipt of the minimum compensation required by Resolution of the
Convention, or (b) which is unable or fails to maintain adequately its
property or to support the other functions and services normally expected of
a place of worship, shall, by such fact, be held to have become an Aided
Parish or Separate Congregation and to have subjected itself to the
provisions as set forth in this Canon. Such Parish or Separate Congregation
shall thereupon be entitled to receive aid from any Diocesan source,
missionary or otherwise. The appropriate Committee responsible for
Congregational Development shall be responsible for determining when the
facts listed under (a) and (b) actually exist in any Congregation, and shall
so certify to the Bishop, subject to appeal to the next annual Convention.

Sec. 2. Upon becoming an Aided Parish or Separate Congregation, and while
the congregation is functioning as such, the Vestry shall not have the right
to elect a Rector, and, during that period, the Bishop may call upon the
Rector, if there be one, or upon the Minister-in-Charge, if the Bishop
appoint one, to render such service within and/or without the Aided Parish
or Separate Congregation as the Bishop may from time to time direct.

Sec. 3. The clergy in charge of the Aided Parish or Separate Congregation
shall be appointed thereto by the Bishop and may at any time be removed by
the Bishop and may be appointed to other work.

Sec. 4. Except as expressly provided in this Canon, an Aided Parish or
Separate Congregation shall continue to possess and exercise all of its
powers under its Charter or Articles of Incorporation. As a condition of its
receipt of Diocesan aid, any such Aided Parish or Separate Congregation
shall make such amendments to its Charter or Articles of Incorporation as
the Bishop, on the advice of the Chancellor, may deem necessary to insure
compliance with this Canon.

Sec. 5. Expenditures of any Capital Fund or the alienation of any property
belonging to an Aided Parish or Separate Congregation shall only be made
with the approval and consent of the Bishop and the Standing Committee.

Sec. 6. Subject to the approval of the Bishop, the Minister-in-Charge may
appoint the Sexton, Organist, Choir Master, Church School Superintendent,
and any other helpers the Minister-in-Charge may find necessary.

Sec. 7. The Minister-in-Charge and/or officers of the Aided Parish or
Separate Congregation shall make such reports of their work as shall be
called for by the Bishop.

Sec. 8. No Minister-in-Charge, or any other person or persons connected with
an Aided Parish or Separate Congregation, shall sign any Promissory Notes,
or Contracts, or in any other way obligate the Aided Parish or Separate
Congregation for a total of more than $500.00, without the consent of the
Bishop.

Sec. 9. All provisions of the Constitution and Canons relating to Parishes
and Separate Congregations shall apply with equal force to Aided Parishes or
Separate Congregations, except where the context clearly otherwise requires.

Sec. 10. If, after a period of two years, an Aided Parish or Separate
Congregation has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Bishop and the
appropriate Committee responsible for Congregational Development its ability
to pay the minimum compensation, or, as the case may be, its ability
adequately to maintain its property, and support all other functions and
services normally expected of a place of worship, full parochial or
congregational status shall be regained, and if the Minister-in-Charge is
one who was Rector when the congregation became an Aided Parish or Separate
Congregation, such Minister-in-Charge shall resume tenure as Rector, subject
to the approval of the Bishop.

Sec. 11. If, after a period of two years, the Parish or Separate
Congregation is not able to regain parochial status, then, if recommended by
the appropriate Committee responsible for Congregational Development and
approved by action of Convention, it shall become an Organized Mission under
the provision of Canon 2-140, "Of Diocesan Missions and Missionaries," and
the title to all real estate shall be conveyed to and vested in the Diocese,
and all of the endowments and trust funds held by the congregation at the
time of the application to become an Aided Parish or Separate Congregation
or acquired while the congregation was functioning as such, shall be
deposited with the Diocesan Investment Committee and administered by it,
provided that such conveyance or deposits are not prohibited by law.
Promptly after the action of the Convention, the Parish or Separate
Congregation shall complete and return to the Bishop the form appended
hereto, together with such other information as the appropriate Committee
responsible for Congregational Development shall require.

Sec. 12. The Diocesan Council may authorize payments from Diocesan
missionary funds to any Parish or Separate Congregation for any parochial
mission, but in no case shall such payment exceed fifty percent of the
contribution made annually by the Parish or Separate Congregation to the
Diocese. (Adopted 1966) (Amended 1973, 1982, 1988)

CANON 2-130 Of Vacant Parishes or Separate Congregations

Sec. 1. When a Parish or Separate Congregation becomes vacant, it shall be
the duty of the Vestry forthwith to give notice thereof to the Bishop or, if
there is no Bishop, to the President of the Standing Committee.

Sec. 2. It shall also be the duty of the Vestry to make suitable provision
for the due and regular performance of Divine Services and for such
ministerial acts as may be required during the vacancy. Should the Vestry
fail through neglect or inability, for the space of one calendar month, to
make such provision, it shall then be the duty of the Bishop or, if there be
no Bishop, of the President of the Standing Committee, to take such order
for the temporary supply as in each case may be practicable; and it shall be
the duty of the Vestry of the Parish or Separate Congregation thus supplied
to defray the reasonable expenses thus incurred.

CANON 2-140 Of Diocesan Missions and Missionaries

Sec. 1. All the missionary work of the Diocese of any nature shall be under
the control and supervision of the Bishop, assisted by the Diocesan Council
and the designated Committees responsible for Congregational Development.

Sec. 2. The clergy in charge of congregations designated as Missions shall
be appointed thereto by the Bishop and may, at any time, be removed by the
Bishop, or appointed to other work. The title of a member of the clergy so
appointed shall be "The Vicar at Church, ."

Sec. 3. Each Vicar shall receive at least the minimum salary fixed by the
Convention for members of the clergy of the Vicar's Order and years of
service. In determining the compensation received by any Vicar, account
shall be taken of payments by the congregation and by any Diocesan body or
organization, and of payments from any other source for the use of the
Vicar's time.

Sec. 4. Any financial supplement to the congregations from the Diocese shall
be paid directly to the Mission Treasurer, who shall be responsible for the
payment of all operating expenses, including salary and pension of the
Vicar. The congregations shall keep all property used by them in good
repair.

Sec. 5. In all congregations designated as Missions, the Bishop shall
appoint annually an advisory board from the members of the congregation or
elsewhere. The advisory board shall fulfill such duties and responsibilities
as the Bishop shall prescribe.

Sec. 6. A Mission shall be recognized as an Organized Mission, when, in the
judgment of the Bishop and the appropriate Committee, such recognition is
warranted.

Sec. 7. The title to all real estate hereinafter acquired to be used for any
purpose by Mission congregations receiving aid from Diocesan missionary
funds shall be vested in and held by the Diocese except when permission to
the contrary is granted by the Bishop and the Diocesan Council. Any
endowments or trust funds designated for the support of such congregations
shall be deposited with the Fiscal Agent of the Diocese and administered by
the Investment Committee thereof.

Sec. 8. The Committee to which such responsibility is assigned shall make a
continuing evaluative study of the life and work of all congregations
receiving aid from Diocesan missionary funds and report its findings to the
Bishop and the Diocesan Council. On the basis of this report, the Bishop may
continue, redirect, or discontinue the work of any of these congregations.

Sec. 9. Where the Diocese has expended, or shall hereafter expend, monies
from Diocesan funds for the acquisition and/or improvements of real estate
to be used by a Mission congregation for any of its Church purposes, such
Mission congregation shall pay the Diocese an annual rent in such reasonable
amount as the Bishop may prescribe. In the event that such congregation
shall apply for union with the Convention as a Parish or Separate
Congregation, if there be an existing balance on the investment of Diocesan
funds, it shall, if the Bishop shall so direct, as a condition of such
union, agree to purchase said real estate and the improvements thereon for
which Diocesan monies have been expended, from the Convention on such
terms as the Bishop, with the advice of the Committee on Property, may
determine. In no event shall the purchase price for such property exceed
the lesser of (i) its fair market value for Church purposes at the time of such
application for union as determined by independent appraisal, less the
aggregate amount of all rents paid by such Mission congregation to the
Convention and less the aggregate amounts of all other capital funds, if
any, invested in said property other than from Diocesan sources, or (ii) the
existing balance, if any, on the investment of Diocesan funds less the
aggregate amount of all said rents. (Amended 1999)

Sec. 10. The provisions of this Canon shall not apply to parochial missions
established by any Parish or Separate Congregation. (Adopted 1966) (Amended
1973, 1988, 1993)

CANON 2-150 Of the Committees Responsible for Congregational Development

Sec. 1. There shall be appointed by the Bishop at each Annual Convention
such Committee or Committees as may be appropriate responsible for
congregational development. The Bishop shall determine the number of
clerical and lay members of each Committee and designate its Chair.
Sec. 2. The Committee or Committees responsible for congregational
development shall, with the Bishop and Diocesan Council, participate in the
formulation of Diocesan Mission Strategy. Such Committee or Committees,
pursuant to assignments of responsibilities of each, shall review petitions
from missions to organize as Parishes or Separate Congregations and make
recommendations thereon to the annual Convention, and make recommendations
to Diocesan Council with regard to aid to Congregations. In addition, each
such Committee shall perform the functions required elsewhere in these
canons as assigned to it, and shall have such additional responsibilities as
the Bishop may assign to it from time to time. (Adopted 1973) (Rewritten
1988) (Amended 1997)

CANON 2-140 Of Diocesan Missions and Missionaries

Sec. 6. A Mission shall be recognized as an Organized Mission, when, in the
judgment of the Bishop and the appropriate Committee, such recognition is
warranted.

Sec. 9. Where the Diocese has expended, or shall hereafter expend, monies
from Diocesan funds for the acquisition and/or improvements of real estate
to be used by a Mission congregation for any of its Church purposes, such
Mission congregation shall pay the Diocese an annual rent in such reasonable
amount as the Bishop may prescribe. In the event that such congregation
shall apply for union with the Convention as a Parish or Separate
Congregation, if there be an existing balance on the investment of Diocesan
funds, it shall, if the Bishop shall so direct, as a condition of such
union, agree to purchase said real estate and the improvements thereon for
which Diocesan monies have been expended, from the Convention on such terms
as the Bishop, with the advice of the Committee on Property, may determine.
In no event shall the purchase price for such property exceed the lesser of
(i) its fair market value for Church purposes at the time of such
application for union as determined by independent appraisal, less the
aggregate amount of all rents paid by such Mission congregation to the
Convention and less the aggregate amounts of all other capital funds, if
any, invested in said property other than from Diocesan sources, or (ii) the
existing balance, if any, on the investment of Diocesan funds less the
aggregate amount of all said rents. (Amended 1999)

Sec. 10. The provisions of this Canon shall not apply to parochial missions
established by any Parish or Separate Congregation. (Adopted 1966) (Amended
1973, 1988, 1993)

THE VESTRY HANDBOOK
Christopher L. Webber
Revised Edition
Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg PA 2000

Chapter 9
The Search Process -- And Afterwards

[Introduction, pages 82-83]

The search for a new rector---or vicar or curate or other staff member--has evolved rapidly in recent years from an ad hoc process, dependent largely on the bishop's advice and the vestry members' personal contacts, into a carefully designed discernment process employing computers and consultants and involving the whole parish to some degree. It can be a difficult, lengthy, time-consuming process, but it has its own very real rewards. Those involved in it will be given a liberal education and an often exhilarating, even inspiring, exposure to the breadth and variety and strength of the church and its ordained ministry. They will be given also a new and deeper understanding of the unique character of their own parish. The final, most significant reward will be the celebration of a new ministry well chosen to lead the parish to new strength and new achievement.

Informing the Bishop

When a vacancy occurs, the bishop must be informed immediately and kept informed throughout. There are two reasons for this. First, the bishop is the "chief priest and pastor of a diocese" (Book of Common Prayer p. 855) and in that capacity is responsible for seeing that the ministry is properly carried out in each parish. Normally, the bishop or a deputy will consult with the vestry about providing ministry in the interim between rectors. Second, a priest is called not only to minister in a parish but also to take part in the corporate life of the diocese. The rector will probably serve on diocesan committees and work with the bishop and other clergy in a shared ministry. Thus the bishop has a vital interest in each parish's choice of clergy and must be given opportunity to "advise and consent."

The Interim

Although each bishop and diocese will have a somewhat different process that the vestry must follow, there is a generally agreed pattern. In the first place, most dioceses see value in an interim period of several months. This is not simply to allow time to search for a new rector--in many cases that could have been done before the former rector left--but, more importantly, to allow the new rector to come in after a breathing space and following an interim rector rather than a long-term predecessor. The relationship between priest and parish is very deep and the ending of that relationship is not unlike a death or divorce. The parish needs time to absorb the separation so that the new rector does not come into a parish still mourning its loss.
An interim rector can absorb some of the emotional burden and move on when the parish is ready to look forward again. The new rector can thus begin with less of the burden of comparison with the past. There are priests, many of them recently retired from parish ministry, who have become specialists in interim ministry and who can be extremely helpful in guiding a parish through a difficult transition .

The Search Process

The bishop and diocesan staff will ordinarily provide guidance in organizing and carrying out the search process. Published materials are available from the Church Deployment Office and other sources (see Appendix 6). The following notes are not intended to be complete, and the recommended process will vary from one diocese to another.

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