Calvin Synod Herald, 1976 (76. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1976-11-01 / 11-12. szám

8

CALVIN SYNOD HERALD

OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS

ELECTION AND ANNIVERSARY: the election of the new president of USA and the 20th anniversary of the latest Hungarian Revolt are mixed together as these lines are written. By providential “mistake’’ the American people became more aware of this problem than we ever expected to be by our own efforts. However, the political dust should not becloud the fact that presently the United States is not a bit better prepared for eventual Russian move than it was in 1956. . .

THE FUNERAL of the Rev. Stephen E. Balogh, pastor of the Magyar Presb. Church of Central Florida, took place on Oct. 13 at Lakeland, Fla. May God comfort the bereaved family and congregation!

THE FOUR CLASSES of our Synod just concluded their fall meetings. The topics included: “Are You Saved? — A Question of Blasphemy or Trust?” (Western) ; “The Truth About Our Sunday Schools and Church Attendance” (Eastern) ; “The Church’s Role in the Community” (Lake Side) ; “You and the Holy Spirit” (Central). It would be helpful to see a brief report of these meetings in this publication or in the Calvin Synod Herald. ..

THE COMMITTEE OF SEVEN met as scheduled on Oct. 11 at Cleveland. Their recommendation in regard to assistance to the Bishop will be submitted to the Synod Meeting in accordance with the Synod decision.

THANKS to Mr. & Mrs. William Köteles for their generous hospitality which brought an informal ministerial meeting together in their home on Oct. 11. Even the cold could not kill the spirit!

THE CONFERENCE COUNCIL will have an official meeting in Bridgeport, Conn, on Dec. 6-7, 1976.

THE YOUTH COMMITTEE of the Synod will meet in the same place, at the same time (Bport., Dec. 6-7) in order to assure cooperation and preparing plans well in advance (mailing invitation in Feb.)

PRIVILEGE OF CALL was granted to the Rev. László Jinda.

ANNIVERSARIES: Our Cleveland West Side church celebrated its 70th anniversary on Oct. 17 and our Calvin UCC of Fairfield, Conn, celebrated its 50th jubilee on Nov. 21. Congratulations!

IN DAYTON, OHIO election of pastor was held on Nov. 7.

IN COLUMBUS, OHIO the pulpit is vacant. The Bishop had consultation with the consistory on Nov. 5. Interested ministers are to call the Bishop’s Office.

THE INSTALLATION of Dr. J. Butosi to the pastorate of our Bridgeport church will take place on Dec. 5.

SYNOD CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS are printed in sufficient quantity. (Also included in the Minutes.) Requests should be addressed to the Bishop’s Office at 963 Laurel Avenue, Bridgeport, Conn. 06604 (Phone: 203-368-3658).

GUIDELINES FOR PASTORAL COMPENSATION were prepared and mailed to our congregations. Due to its importance, a summary seems to be useful and warranted here, too.

Of all the professional groups in the national economy the fulltime ordained ministry poses some of the more difficulty questions. The average salary of Calvin Synod ministers is the second lowest among the 39 UCC conferences.

Cash salary and living arrangements should be reviewed annually, with sensitive concern and Christian perspective among whom vocation, stewardship, justice and covenant seem to be the relevant ideas.

The elements which should be considered in the ministerial compensation are as follows:

1. CASH SALARY Not including housing, allowances or benefits, the pastor’s cash salary should be on the level of school and community services leadership, with similar academic degrees and years of experience. The cost of living increases should be taken seriously each year. Accordingly the minimum cash salary range may be this:

Membership

Length of

years in

ministry

0-5

6-10

11 & up

0-150

$ 8,500

9,000

9,500

150-300

8,500

9,600

11,000

300-500

9,600

10,800

12,500

500-750

10,800

13,000

15,400

750 & up

13,000

16,000

19,100

The minimum base salary (10,000) in our Synod means that churches which are unable to pay it cannot expect FULLTIME ministry.

2. HOUSING is either parsonage with all utilities or allowance large enough to cover utilities, taxes, repairs, insurance and mortgage payments. (Range: $3,800-7,000) Parsonage Equity Plan calls for 7 1/2% of cash salary.

3. ANNUITY: equal to 11% of a base figure determined by calculating 130% of a cash salary if parsonage is provided, or 11% of the combined total of salary & housing. In our Synod $10,000 base is recommended for Annuity even if the church pays less salary (1,430). New Annuity Plan is recommended.

4. FAMILY PROTECTION PLAN: offered with the annuity for additional 1% of the base salary (130). Its use is highly recommended.

5. HEALTH INSURANCE. Church is to pay the premium.

6. BUSINESS EXPENSES include car allowance, professional travel, literature, stationary, hospitality, etc. Car allowance range: $1-2,000; other: $2-800. These are reimbursements, not salaries!

7. OTHER FRINGE BENEFITS include social security tax offset, vacation, sick, study and sabbatical leave, moving expenses.

Bishop stands ready to provide explanation or additional data.

JIMMY CARTER sent to Bishop Butosi the following telegram on Oct. 22: (in part)

“On the 20th anniversary of the heroic struggle of the Hungarian people for freedom, I would like to send my warmest greetings to all Hungarians commemorating this occasion. .. I have repeatedly expressed my concern for the captive nations of Eastern Europe. Eastern Europe will not become an area of stability until the Eastern European countries regain their independence and become part of a larger cooperative European framework, through freer trade and freer communications. When elected president I plan to make it understood that if any nation, whatever its political system, deprives its people of basic human rights, that fact will help shape our people’s attitude toward that nation’s government. If other nations want our friendship and support, they must understand that we want to see basic human rights respected, and this includes the rights of Hungarians wherever they may be. — In this 200th year of our nation’s independence let me pay tribute to the many contributions of talented Hungarian-Americans in labor, religion, culture and science... and to the Freedom Fighters who fought and died in a spontaneous and unforgettable illustration of mankind’s love of liberty.”