Calvin Synod Herald, 1981 (81. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
1981-01-01 / 1-2. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD UCC MINISTERS' RAISES ARE NEAR NATIONAL RATE Median salaries of UCC ministers rose 7.1% in 1980 over 1979 ($14,690 to $15,726), well within the mainstream of secular increases, but women ministers fared far worse than did men. Wage raises for all U.S. employees between 1979 and 1980 averaged at 9.3%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest Employment Cost Index. The 3,779 male ministers who responded to the UCC Pension Board’s annual inquiry on salaries had median salary increases of 7.9%, from $14,820 in 1979 to $16,000 in 1980. The 193 female respondents received only 5.3% in median increases, from $11,488 to $12,100. The figures report cash salary, plus parsonage allowances. The 11% recommended payments into the pension funds are being made for 98% of the respondents, up 1% over 1979. For the second year, the highest average salary ($18,497, up 7%) was paid to ministers in Florida. The Illinois Conference ranked second ($18,- 390, up 8.6%), Southwest was third ($18,067, up 8.4%) and Michigan was fourth ($18,018, up 6.3%). The lowest average salary was paid by churches in Puerto Rico ($10,530, up 4%), but all ministers there receive full pension allowances. Twenty men, as against 13 in 1979, reported they received salaries of $35,- 000 and over. Twelve men had salaries between $4,000 and $4.999, four fewer than in 1979. Six women reported receiving salaries of $18,000 or more, and four, salaries from $17,000 to $17,999. In 1979. women’s salaries topped out at $16,000 - $16,999, with only four persons in that range. Three women reported their salaries were $4,000-$4,999, one fewer than last year, but only one of them receives full pension benefits. Of the 4,882 active pastors in the Annuity Fund for Ministers, 3,972 responded to the 1980 survey, 64 more than in 1979. Women respondents were up by 48 over 1979. KYP 10-15-80 "ETHNO-HETEROGENEITY" One of the strengths of the United Church of Christ has been its “ethnoheterogeneity.” We are a peole of diverse origins; we are a fellowship of diverse races. Some of us are from Germany, or Switzerland, or France. Some are from England, or Scotland, or Wales. Some are from Poland, or Hungary, or Italy. Some are from China, or India, or Japan. And from many other lands as well. Some of us are white, some Black, some yellow, some brown, some red. And we are of all shades in-between as well. Even a superficial look at the demographic shifts that are changing the social landscape of our nation reveals that now, perhaps more than ever before, such diversity in the church is essential to its growth. But is it likely that the United Church of Christ will be able to attract new members from the ethnic groups that are currently increasing in number? Now, as we enter upon our national New Initiatives in Church Development program, we need to ask the question. The answer, of course, is: “Yes. We already have attracted them!” The new church starts made by the United Church of Christ over the past year and a half reveal: 15 predominantly Anglo, 7 Hispanic, 3 Black, 3 Filipino, 1 Cuban, 1 Native American, 1 Korean, 1 Samoan — and in addition 3 renewed congregations in the inner city. What diversity! What “ethno-heterogeneity”! Ed’s. Cl. Oct. ’80 PENNSYLVANIA SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE URGES GOVERNOR TO KEEP MENTAL HOSPITAL CHAPLAINS Stressing “the need to treat the whole person,” the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference recently launched a campaign in opposition to a proposal to halt funding of chaplains to PA state mental hospitals. Termination of the program would remove the chaplain from the health team and revert “to healing the body and mind and not the spirit,” says a letter from conference minister John C. Shetler to Gov. Richard Thornburgh. Dr. Shetler reports that the many letters sent by pastors and laypersons regarding the proposed cut have led to negotiation with the governor and secretary of public welfare. “It is expected that a large percentage of full-time chaplains will be retained and part-time chaplains placed on a contract basis,” he says. KYP 5/1/80 “THE BAKERY RESTAURANT COOK BOOK" by Louis Szathmary, the proprietor of the world famous Bakery Restaurant: 2218 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60614. Hardbound is $12.95. If this is attached to order, the price for Hungarians is $10.00 including postage. A MODERN PARABLE FROM AN IRS MAN The other day, I checked a queer return. Some guy with an income under $5,000 claimed he gave $624 to his Church. He was within the 20% limit, but it looked mighty suspicious to me, so I dropped in on the guy and asked him about his return. I thought he’d be nervous like most people, but not this fellow. “Have you a receipt from the Church?” I asked, figuring that would make him squirm. ‘Sure,” he replied. And off he went to get his receipts. Well, he had me. One look and I knew he was on the level. I apologized for bothering him, explaining that I had to check on deductions that seemed unusually high. As I was leaving, he invited me to visit the Church. I thanked him and explained that I already belonged to a Church. “Excuse me,” he replied, “that possibility never occurred to me.” As I drove home I kept wondering what he meant by that. It wasn’t until Sunday morning when I put my usual dollar in the offering plate that it came to me. Hb “Do you say prayers before eating?” the minister asked a little boy. “Oh, no, sir, I don’t need to,” he replied innocently. “My mother’s a good cook!” Newsletter, First Presb. Church Calif. PA Oct. ’80 TWO COOK BOOKS Two Hungarian-born Americans, Tom Margittai and Paul Kovi, the co-owners of one of the world’s finest restaurants, The Four Seasons, just had their marvelous book published by Simon and Schuster. “The Four Seasons” is claimed to be “the ultimate book of food, wine and elegant dining. Its 544 pages contain 250 original recipes, and can be ordered from the American Hungarian Foundation, (177 Somerset Street, P. 0 Box 1084, New Brunswick, NJ 08903) at a special price of $25.95. Mr. Paul Kovi is the author of another cook book, published for Christmas. It is entitled “Erdélyi Lakoma” (Transylvanian Feast) as it deals with the culinary art of Erdély. The research work, the literary contributions of contemporary Transylvanian authors, and the exceptional recipes make this book a cultural event.
