- Toward Equitable Compensation

Book of Discipline (¶): ¶625.2(a), ¶625.3, ¶602

Book of Resolutions paragraph (¶): n/a

Committee/Agency affected if passed: Commission on Equitable Compensation

Whereas it is a mandate of the Upper New York Commission on Equitable Compensation to support clergy serving as pastors in the charges of the Annual Conference by recommending conference standards for 9 pastoral support (¶625.2(a), 2016 Discipline),

Whereas the Commission is charged with annually recommending to the Annual Conference a schedule of minimum base compensation for all full-time pastors or those clergy members of the annual conference appointed less than full-time to a local church, subject to such rules and regulations as the Conference may adopt (¶625.3, 2016 Discipline). Clergy is defined by the 2016 Book of Discipline (¶602) as consisting

“of deacons and elders in full connection, probationary members, associate members, affiliate members, and local pastors,”

Whereas, the Commission seeks to address the financial needs of clergy and recognize the economic difficulties encountered by churches, while including the COLA (Cost of living adjustment) established by the Social Security Administration,

Whereas the estimated Cost of Living adjustment increase according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for

2023 is 8.7%,

Whereas if the yearly change in salary matches the 8.7% Cost of Living increase, there is no actual increase in available dollars for the pastor’s cost of living. Conversely if the yearly change in salary is less than the

Cost-of-Living increase there is an actual reduction in available dollars for the pastor's livelihood,

Whereas financial health is a key indicator identified by the UNY Clergy Wellness Team and clergy’s holistic wellness is notably negatively impacted by low compensation rates. In 2020 the Clergy Wellness Team advocated, “UNYAC can help local churches and clergy develop strategies to promote healthy environments and lifestyles for UNYAC clergy by developing a 5–7-year plan to increase UNYAC

Compensation rates to align UNY with the Denominational Average Compensation rate,”

Whereas at the 2022 Upper New York Annual Conference, the Rev. Weihing, co-chair of the Commission on Equitable Compensation shared, “As of September 20, inflation is at 9 percent, and our minimum base salary for full time pastors has not been increased in our Conference since 2017. Our minimum base salary for pastors is the fourth lowest in the United States,”

Whereas for example the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference approved a 5% increase in minimum 1 compensation for 2023, 2 3

Whereas it is the practice in other Annual Conferences to calculate Minimum Compensation by an 4 established % of the Denominational Average Compensation (DAC) as calculated annually by the General 5 Board of Pension and Health Benefits,

Whereas the minimum wage of full-time work in Upstate New York is currently $29,536 annually

($14.20/hr.) and will increase to $31,200 annually ($15/hr.),

Whereas the Minimum Compensation salaries for the 2022-2023 Appointment year were as follows:

Therefore, be it resolved, that beginning in the 2024-2025 Appointment year, and for future years, the

Minimum Compensation be established by the Upper New York Commission on Equitable Compensation by calculating the following percentages of the most recently available DAC:

Therefore, be it further resolved, that the % used for calculation will increase for each clergy status .5% each year until 60% of DAC is reached for those in Full Connection in approximately 2032/2033.

Submitted by: Rev. Abigail Browka

Mailing address: 8595 Westmoreland Rd, Whitesboro, NY 13492 number: 315-636-0225 address: PastorAbigail1@gmail.com local church/charge membership: Trinity UMC Whitesboro and New Faith Community Everyday

Rev. Penny Brink, member of the Commission on Equitable Compensation

Mailing Address: 20 Maplewood Parkway, South Glens Falls, NY 12803 number: 518-793-1152

Name: Dorothy Jayne Smith, member of the Commission on Equitable Compensation address: 128 Adams Place, Delmar, NY 12504 number: 518-334-0142

Email address: jsmit114@plattsburgh.edu

Name: Rev. Heather Williams, Co-Chair Order of Elders address: 8 Bog Meadow Run, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 number: 315-391-3500

Email address: Pastorheather@saratogaumc.org

Name: Rev. Steven Smith, Co-Chair Order of Elders

Mailing address: 128 Adams Pl., Delmar, NY 12054

Phone number: 518-322-7746

Email address: boston.redsoxfan@hotmail.com

Name: Rev. William A. Mudge address: 8380 Morgan Road, Clay NY 13041 number: 315-292-0850

Dr. John Brueggemann, Department Chair and Professor of Sociology, member Clergy Wellness Team

Mailing address: State St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Phone number: 518-584-7506

Email address: jbruegge@skidmore.edu

UNY local church/charge membership: Saratoga Springs UMC

Name: Rev. Sara E. Baron

Mailing address: 1435 Parkwood Blvd, Schenectady, NY 12308

Phone number: 607-435-2201

Email address: s.baron@gmail.com

UNY local church/charge membership: First UMC Schenectady

Name: Laura LeCours, MD

Mailing address: 21 Hearthstone Dr, Gansevoort NY 12831

Phone number: 518-366-2994

Email address: Alecours1@hotmail.com

UNY local church/charge membership: Lay Leader, Saratoga Springs UMC

Name: Marthalynn Sweet, Certified PA, laity

Mailing address: 239 W Fayette St Apt 302, Syracuse, NY 13202

Phone number: 570-470-6354

Email address: Mmmk.sweet@gmail.com

UNY local church/charge membership: Gouverneur First UMC

Name: Rev. Kristen Roth Allen

Mailing address: 166 Main St., Penn Yan, NY 14527 4

Phone number: 315-536-6711 5

Email address: PastorPYUMC@gmail.com

UNY local church/charge membership: Penn Yan UMC 7