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Lay Compensation Task Force Report
to the 134th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Newark
The Lay Compensation Task Force was appointed by Bishop Croneberger after the 132nd Annual Convention in January,
2006. He stated he believed that the lack of guidelines for lay compensation was a matter of justice for our diocesan
life and can no longer be pushed aside," and charged the study group to report back with guidelines and principles
for justice in the workplace.
The task force members began meeting in April 2006 and started with a review of existing workplace policies and
benefits throughout the congregations in the diocese. The members of the task force sought assistance from church
leadership through the completion of a benefits survey in 2006 and the collection of lay employee job descriptions
during the summer of 2007.
The timely and candid disclosures were critical to the Task Force's assessment of the overall compensation policies
and practices of the Diocese. With this help, the task force could provide information and suggestions to help
the diocese live out the themes of justice that we proclaim. These efforts were not intended to provoke judgments
or be divisive, but to equip the task force to examine the ways in which the diocese and congregations support
their lay ministers.
After prayerful consideration of the information provided in the benefits survey, the Lay Compensation Task Force
recommended resolutions to help churches more fully live out the corporate belief in the value of these ministries.
Resolutions adopted at the Convention of 2007 recommended minimum vacation time for employees, provision of job
descriptions and annual performance evaluations. Our work continued this past year when the collection of job descriptions
was undertaken. We were appreciative of the responses received.
This year two resolutions were recommended and adopted by the deputies to the 134th Annual Convention. The first
is participation in the state unemployment insurance program, and the second would provide group life insurance.
These two programs are low cost to both the employer and the employee.
Members of the Lay Compensation Task Force - Ms. Kai Alston; Ms. Cheryl Brocking, co-chair; Ms. Issie Cherevko;
Ms. Glenda deKruif; Mr. Michael Francaviglia; Ms. Lisa Green; Ms. Kathryn McCormick; Mr. Milton Merts; Ms. Janice
Pedersen; The Rev. Paul Walker, co-chair.
We remember with fondness Mr. Frank Fenwick, an original member who died recently; he brought to the table his
experience in the corporate world, his service as a warden, and his most recent role as a parish administrator.
We give thanks to Ms. Joan Lodge for her leadership and guidance at the inception and during the first year of
the task force.
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution 1: State Unemployment Insurance Program
Participation (adopted)
RESOLVED, That the 134th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark recommends that each employee of the
diocese, congregations, and day care/schools participate in the State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) plan by the
time of the 135th Convention of this Diocese.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
While it is not mandatory for non-profits to be included in the state unemployment insurance program, it is a benefit
that would be useful and appreciated by lay employees. Many employees, in fact, are unaware that they are not participants
in this program until it is needed, at which point it is too late.
A part time employee working at minimum wage ($7.15 per hour) must work a minimum of 20 weeks to be eligible for
SUI. The employer's contribution is $3.84 per week or $199.68 per year. The employee's contribution is $0.55 weekly
or $28.60 per year.
Higher paid employees, those earning above the minimum wage, must work a minimum of 20 weeks. The maximum of an
employer's contribution in any single year is $560.00 (based on an employee's annual $20,875.00 or more).
The new employer rate is the highest rate and, if the employer shows a reasonable rate of turnover, is likely to
be lower rather than higher.
Resolution 2: Group Term Life Insurance Participation (adopted)
RESOLVED, that the 134th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark recommends that each lay employee working
at least 20 hours a week at our congregations and day care/schools participate in the Group Term Life Insurance
Program administered by the Church Life Insurance Corporation by the time of the 135th Convention of this Diocese.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Church Life Insurance Corporation provides employer paid coverage for lay employees working at least 20 hours a
week at the levels of $15,000 or $25,000. The premium for the $15,000 of group life and disability is $7.35 per
month per employee. For coverage of $25,000 the premium of group life and disability is $12.25 per month per employee.
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