INTERIM RECTOR LETTER OF AGREEMENT

who has been appointed Interim Rector with the understanding that this tenure shall continue at least 12 months until shortly before the arrival of the new Rector, unless earlier dissolved by mutual consent or upon sixty days' notice of either party.

Preamble

The Rector shall lead (name) Church as pastor, priest and teacher, sharing in the councils of this congregation and of the whole Church, in communion with our Bishop. By word and action, informed at all times by the Holy Scriptures, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Constitution and Canons of the General Convention and our Diocese, the Rector shall proclaim the Gospel, love and serve Christ's people, nourish Them, and strengthen them to glorify God in this life and in the life to come.

Developmental Tasks of the Interim Period

The present interim in settled pastoral leadership is seen as prime time for renewal, re-energizing the parish in its life and mission. Beyond maintaining effective ministry during this period, the Vestry and Interim Rector shall work together, (and with the Profile Committee, the Search Committee and the Search Consultant,) to prepare for healthy transition to the next rectorship. Specific tasks to be addressed include:

• Coming to terms with the history of this congregation and its relationships with previous clergy.
• Discovering the congregation's special identity, what it dreams of being and doing apart from previous clergy leadership.
• Dealing with shifts in leadership roles that naturally evolve in times of transition, allowing new leaders to come to the fore constructively, and integrating these potential new leaders of the Church with those who have previously borne this responsibility.
• Renewing and reworking relationships with the diocese, so that each may be a more effective resource and support to the other.
• Building and developing commitment to the leadership of the new rector in order to be prepared to move into the future with openness to new possibilities of joint mission and ministry.

In working to ensure the orderly progression of the interim process, it is understood that the search process will begin when the Vestry, the Interim Rector, and the Rector (or his/her Vocational Ministries Officer) have together determined that the congregation is ready.

Vestry Responsibilities

All ministries other than those reserved to ordained leadership (such as administering the sacraments) are understood as mutual ministries of the laity of the parish and the Interim Rector. The Vestry shall lead the laity to support and cooperate with the Interim Rector in pursuit of parish goals and in the performance of the developmental tasks of the interim period.

The Vestry is legal agent for the parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and in its relationship with the Interim Rector. The Vestry will see that the Interim Rector is properly supported, personally and organizationally as well as in the Vestry's financial obligations to the Interim Rector.

Interim Rector Responsibilities

The Interim Rector represents and extends the ministry which is the Bishop's pastoral and canonical responsibility for congregations in leadership transition. The Interim Rector shall lead (name) Church as pastor, priest and teacher, sharing in the councils of this congregation and of the whole church, in communion with our Bishop. The Interim Rector shall:

• Work with the Vestry and other lay leaders to maintain the regular schedule of worship services and preaching, education, pastoral care and pastoral offices (weddings, funerals, baptisms), calling upon the sick and shut-in, visiting newcomers, and ongoing administration of the parish.
• Supervise all parish staff in the exercise of their responsibilities and ministries, for which they shall be accountable to the Interim Rector.
• Function as Chair of the Vestry, and support the Vestry in its responsibilities.

The major goal of the Interim Rector's ministry is to prepare the congregation for the coming of the next rector. To this end, the Interim Rector shall:

• Help the congregation deal with its grief and any other unresolved issues arising from the rector's departure.
• Deal with internal conflicts and help heal any divisions within the congregation.
• Help the Vestry, lay leaders and staff make such changes as may be needed to align parish life and administration with generally accepted standards in the diocese.

The Interim Rector shall communicate regularly with any consultant in the calling process, but shall not work with the Calling Committee as they develop the parish profile, and solicit and screen candidates. The Interim Rector shall not be eligible to be a candidate for Rector.

[Possible Additional Wording]
This ministry is further described in the Interim Rector Position Description approved by the Wardens and Vestry on (date), which is hereby acknowledged and made part of this Letter.

Section A- Times of Work and Leave

The Rector's work includes not only activities directed to the parish and its well being, but also labors on behalf of the Diocese and community. Clergy are considered to be “professionals” and are expected to manage their schedules to reflect the demands of the ministry while maintaining their own physical and spiritual health, as described in the Compensation & Benefits Manual and in the Inerim Rector Position Description. The Interim Rector is expected to preserve at least one continuous twenty-four hour period each week solely for personal and family use.

The Interim Rector will have the following periods of leave at full compensation:

1. National Holidays, to be taken so as not to interfere with worship for major occasions.
2. Annual Vacation, at the rate of one month per year, consisting of twenty-three workdays, which shall include five Sundays.
3. Vacation and holidays may be postponed and accumulate until the conclusion of this appointment. The Vestry shall be regularly informed of the amount of time due.
4. Professional Development Leave, at the rate of two weeks per year.

Section B- Compensation

1. The Interim Rector's cash salary will be (amount) annually, paid twice monthly on or before the 15th and 30th day of the month, to be reviewed and adjusted in light of changes in the Diocesan minimum clergy salary standard. It is understood that, upon the Interim Rector's request, the Vestry will designate a portion of the total amount as "Housing Allowance" under the Federal Internal Revenue Code.
2. The Interim Rector shall receive SECA Reimbursement payments, quarterly before the 15th of April, June, September, and December, according to the following formula: ______
3. The Vestry shall provide the following benefits:
4. • Church Pension Fund Assessment on the Interim Rector's annual cash salary (including Housing Allowance), plus the Interim Rector's SECA Reimbursement.
   • Health and Hospital Insurance, equivalent to or better than the group plan provided through the Diocese.
   • Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, equivalent to or better than the group plan provided through the Diocese, for the Rector and his/her dependants, according to Section 3 of the Compensation & Benefits Manual.
   • Workers' Compensation Insurance, as provided by State Law.

Alternate Wording For Church-Provided Housing

1. (Alternate) The Interim Rector's cash salary will be (amount) annually, paid twice monthly on or before the 15th and 30th day of the month. It is understood that, upon the Interim Rector's request, the Vestry will designate a portion of the total amount as “Housing Allowance” under the Federal Internal Revenue Code.

The Interim Rector shall have full use of the Rectory at (address) as personal residence. No parish activities will be planned at the Rectory without the invitation of the Interim Rector's household. Expenses connected with the Rectory shall be handled as follows:

• Utilities shall be contracted for and paid directly by the parish.
• Use and maintenance of Rectory grounds are at the Interim Rector's discretion and personal expense, with the exception of major alterations to the basic landscaping plan.

3. (Alternate) The Vestry shall pay the following benefits:

• Church Pension Fund Assessment on the sum of the Interim Rector's annual cash salary (including Housing Allowance), the actual cost of Rectory utilities, and the value of the use of the Rectory according to the Church Pension Fund formula, plus the Interim Rector's SECA Reimbursement.

Section C- Expenses

The Vestry shall pay the following expenses incurred by the Interim Rector in fulfilling the duties of office:

1. Travel expenses, at the rate of (amount) per mile, plus out-of-pocket costs of parking fees, tolls, bus fares, etc.
2. The normal expenses of the Church's office operation, such as telephone, postage, office equipment, supplies, secretarial services, etc.
3. An expense allowance (up to amount annually) for reimbursement of expenses incurred in the course of professional activities on behalf of (name) Church.
4. The cost of telephones in the Interim Rector's residence(s), including the cost of calls to his personal toll-free (800) number. Telephone number(s) shall be published to insure the Interim Rector's ready accessibility in case of emergencies. The Interim Rector shall pay the cost of all personal long distance calls.
5. A Professional Development Allowance of $(amount). Unexpended funds may be carried over to the next year. Funds may be used to pay for events scheduled up to six months after departure from (name) Church.
6. In lieu of Sabbatical Leave, the parish shall pay a severance package as specified below.

Section D- Discretionary Fund

In accordance with the canons of the General Convention, a Discretionary Fund is to be maintained under the Rector's control, from the following sources: (1) (amount), and (2) gifts given the Interim Rector for the purposes of the Discretionary Fund. The Senior Warden shall be appointed Parish Almoner, and, together with the Interim Rector and Junior Warden, shall have access to this fund for the aid of the poor and those in need, and for any other reasonable expense normally attributed to such a canonical Alms/Discretionary Fund.

Section E- Supplementary Compensation

The Interim Rector shall not charge fees for performing any rites of the Church (for example: Baptisms, marriage, funerals) for members of (name) Church. The Interim Rector may, however, receive income from other sources, such as: Sacramental services on behalf of persons not in any way related to Church, Fees and honoraria for professional services performed on personal time for groups unrelated to (name) Church, or for sermons, books or articles published outside the parish.

Section F- Use Of Building

In addition to use and control of the Church and Parish buildings for the discharge of duties of the Rector's office, as provided by canon law, the Rector shall have the right to grant use of the buildings to individuals or groups from outside the parish, following guidelines approved by both Rector and Vestry.

Section G- Mutual Ministry Review

There shall be a quarterly discussion and mutual review of the total ministry of the parish, in order to:

• Provide the Interim Rector, Wardens and Vestry opportunity to assess how well they are fulfilling their responsibilities to each other and to the ministries they share.
• Evaluate progress on the developmental tasks, and establish and adjust goals for the work of the parish during the interim.
• Plan healthy closure for the interim ministry and prepare for the coming of the next Rector.
• Isolate areas of conflict or disappointment which have not received adequate attention and may be adversely affecting mutual ministry.
• Clarify expectations of all parties to help put any future conflicts in manageable form.

A mutually agreed upon third party shall be engaged to facilitate the mutual ministry review process.

Section H. Other Agreements

1. All moving and travel expenses incurred in making the move from (old address) to (new address) shall be paid by (name) Church. Moving expenses shall include travel, transporting household goods, reasonable temporary accommodations during the move, and an Incidental Expenses Allowance of up to two week's compensation ($amount). (name) Church shall also reimburse the Interim Rector for all additional Federal and State Income Taxes which may result from such expense reimbursement.
2. The moving date shall be in the week of (date). The Interim Rector shall begin duties in the parish not later than (date), unless delayed by adverse circumstances.
3. All pay and benefits shall become effective on (date).
4. This Letter of Agreement [and its related Position Description] shall be made part of the minutes of the next Vestry meeting following its signing, and copies shall be given to each new Vestry member thereafter.
5. (Choose the option which applies)
6. • (Single Clergy Living Alone, With Housing Allowance) In the event of the Interim Rector's death, the Vestry agrees to continue payment of the Interim Rector's Housing Allowance to the Interim Rector's executor or surviving direct descendants for a period of 3 months.
   • (Single Clergy Living Alone, With Supplied Housing) In the event of the Interim Rector's death, the Vestry agrees to maintain utilities to the Rectory and to provide access to the Rectory for the Interim Rector's executor or surviving direct descendants for a period of 3 months.
   • (Married Clergy or Clergy with Family in their Home, With Housing Allowance) In the event of the Interim Rector's death, the Vestry agrees to continue payment of the Interim Rector's Cash Salary, and appropriate Health and Hospital Insurance to the Interim Rector's surviving direct dependents for a period of 3 months.
   • (Married Clergy or Clergy with Family in their Home, With Supplied Housing) In the event of the Interim Rector's death, the Vestry agrees to continue to provide the Interim Rector's surviving direct dependents with the compensation items agreed to in Section B (1) and (2), and appropriate Health and Hospital Insurance for a period of 3 months. Continued use of the Rectory beyond this term shall be subject to agreements entered into during the term.
7. This letter may be revised only by mutual agreement, except that compensation and expenses revisions shall be mutually agreed upon in a separate budget process.
8. If the Interim Rector and Vestry are in disagreement concerning interpretation of this Letter of Agreement, either party may appeal for mediation to _________ , or another mutually agreed upon third party, the Bishop remaining the final arbiter.
9. When the Interim Rector's ministry at __________ Church ends, the Vestry will compensate him/her for any earned but unrealized vacation and leave time. For purposes of calculating this time, it is understood that vacation time accumulates at the rate of one week per quarter (or 3 month period). This compensation is to be paid by the Vestry in a lump sum check and includes all aspects of the normal compensation paid to the clergy person.
10. Should it be necessary to dissolve this agreement, unless otherwise spelled out herein, severance will be paid at the rate set by the Standing Committee.

Date ______________ (signed) _________________________________ Interim Rector

Date ______________ (signed) _________________________________ Senior Warden

Reviewed:

Date ______________ (signed) _________________________________ Vocational Ministries Officer

Approved:

Date ______________ (signed) _________________________________ Bishop