LETTER OF AGREEMENT
AMONG
(name of church), (town)
and
(name of missional priest)
and
The Episcopate of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut
The Rev. _____________has been called to be a Missional Priest, effective ___________. It is
understood that this tenure is for one year from the effective date.
A Missional Priest is an ordained presbyter who will assist a gathered local Eucharistic community
in its desire to find new life and vitality in service to God’s mission of restoration and
reconciliation. The Missional Priest is an active and engaged leader that helps a parish to reimagine and re-engage its vocation in new and life-giving ways. Because of the time limitations
of the Missional Priest, generally serving a parish at less than half-time, the Missional Priest must be
a strong motivator of the gifts of others. Missional priests are thus called to empower,
encourage, and extend the efforts of all the baptized as the local Eucharistic community looks
beyond itself in service to God’s mission. The Missional Priest is not a “caretaker” or a
“maintainer.” Rather, the Missional Priest is a prophetic and challenging leader who calls the
faithful to new possibilities and bold ventures in the risen Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This agreement shall be automatically renewed on its anniversary date unless one of the parties
requests in writing that it be dissolved. The bishop may dissolve the relationship at any time, and
shall review the mutual mission and ministry of the priest and parish every three years.
The Missional Priest shall exercise all the duties and responsibilities of a Rector set forth in Title III,
Canon 9, Section 5 of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church. In addition, the
respective roles and responsibilities of the Missional Priest and of the congregation are as follows:
[Insert relevant understandings and expectations].
TIMES OF WORK AND LEAVE
1. This agreement anticipates that the Missional Priest will serve 8-12 hours per week on
average; including Sundays.
2. The Missional Priest will have the following periods of leave. It is understood that given the
fluidity of this part-time Missional Priest position, the following items are listed as a
reminder that the responsibility of the Missional Priest, for the sake of the health, holiness
and spiritual formation of him/herself and the congregation at which s/he serves, is to set
aside time for participate in continuing education and spiritual renewal. It is the
responsibility of the congregation to be of support and encouragement to her/him in
doing so.

Five MP weeks of annual vacation which may include up to five (5) Sundays (at the
discretion of the clergy). A week is commensurate to the call as delineated in the LOA
(hours per week) listed above. Vacation is not cumulative and may not be carried
forward except for extenuating circumstances pre-arranged with the wardens.
COMPENSATION *
The Missional Priest’s total annual cash stipend will be _____. This amount may be adjusted
upwardly at the end of a contract year without executing a new agreement. Any downward
revision must be incorporated into a new agreement.
If applicable, the total compensation is allocated as follows: ___________________________
Housing:
If not living in church housing: When the Missional Priest does not live in parish-provided housing,
the cash stipend (in total or a portion thereof) may be stipulated as a housing allowance.
(Upon the Missional Priest’s request, the vestry will designate annually a portion of the total
compensation as a "parsonage allowance" under the Sec. 107 of the federal Internal Revenue
Code. This designation must be in accordance with Sec. 107, and need not match the “housing
allowance” component of compensation.)
Social Security Allowance (SSA):
Although the Missional Priest is considered an employee for federal income tax purposes, he or
she is considered an independent contractor for Social Security Tax purposes and is thus
obligated to pay a self-employment tax. The parish shall pay the priest a Social Security
Allowance to partially offset this obligation. The Social Security Allowance is computed as
follows:
 If paying housing allowance: (Cash + Housing + Utilities) x .1011 = ________
If the Missional Priest is not retired, Pension (18% of (salary plus SSA)) must also be paid.
EXPENSES
The vestry shall pay the following documented expenses incurred by the Missional Priest in
fulfilling the duties of office:

A stipend of $250 to be used for Continuing Education, at the Missional Priest’s discretion.

The normal expenses of the church office operations such as telephone, postage, office
equipment, supplies, secretarial services, etc.

A professional expense allowance of up to _______annually for reimbursement of
documented expenses according to a vestry approved accountable plan. Expenses
incurred in the course of professional activities on behalf of the parish include travel/car
expense allowance at the rate determined by the diocese. Professional expenses
include books, professional journals, conferences, meetings, professional lunches and
professional memberships.

Reasonable cell phone and computer expenses will be negotiated and documented
according to rector and parish need.
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DISCRETIONARY FUND
In accordance with the Canons of the General Convention a parish account, known as the
Discretionary Fund, is to be established under the Missional Priest’s control. The fund must be
audited annually by a professional auditor.
SUPPLEMENTARY COMPENSATION
The Missional Priest shall not charge fees for performing any rites of the church (for example,
baptisms, marriages, funerals) for members of the parish. The Missional Priest may, however,
receive income from other sources, such as:

Sacramental services on behalf of persons not in any way related to the parish.

Fees and honoraria for professional services performed on personal time for groups
unrelated to the parish or for sermons, books or articles published outside the parish.
USE OF BUILDINGS
It is understood that the general pattern of building use followed during the last priest’s tenure
shall be maintained, unless there has been a vestry resolution to the contrary. The Missional Priest
shall have the right to grant use of buildings to individuals or groups from outside the parish
pursuant to the guidelines approved by the vestry.
REVISION
Except for upward revisions in compensation (including adjustments occasioned by changes in
the minimum salary scale and revisions in benefits to reflect changes in GLMD premiums or
contribution rates), any modifications to the terms and conditions of employment set forth herein
must be incorporated in a new agreement approved by the Canon for Mission Leadership and
signed by the bishop.
OTHER AGREEMENTS

This letter of agreement shall be made part of the minutes of the vestry, and copies shall
be given to each current and new vestry member.

The Missional Priest shall participate (or have participated) in CT Basic Safe Church
Training. All clergy must be recertified at Mandatory Clergy Professional Development
every three years.
STAFF POLICY
The parish staff (if any) works at the discretion and under the supervision of the Missional Priest.
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__________________________________________
Missional Priest
__________________________________________
Senior Warden
__________________________________________
Junior Warden
__________________________________________
Bishop
__________________________________________
Approved-Canon for Mission Leadership
_________________
Date
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