News from the Interim Co-Executive PresbytersLetter to Pastors and Clerks of Session about 2025 Benefits Plan
The Board of Pensions (BOP) has announced the 2025 Benefits Plan, effective January 1, 2025. If you haven’t already done so, we urge you to study the information on the website, at https://seasonofrebuilding.pensions.org/ Clark Simmons, our BOP Church Consultant, presented details of the plan to the Committee on Ministry (COM) at our April 4 meeting. The changes are significant. The biggest impact falls on installed pastors at smaller churches, especially pastors with families. Some pastors on social media have expressed surprise, dismay, and anger at the new plan. These are understandable reactions. Many issues must be worked through before enrollment for the 2025 plan year. The changes will affect different churches in different ways, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Your Interim Executive Presbyters and COM want to assure you that your Presbytery Council is aware of the impact on our churches and the COM is actively working on a plan to help, including potential grants for financial support of churches most negatively affected. We will provide more information as it becomes available over the summer, to prepare for your 2025 budget planning this fall. When you read the material on the BOP website, please pay attention to the Transition Plan, which allows churches to stay on the current plan for up to three years (at increasing costs). One year on the transition plan may give a church time to fully explore options, such as finding alternate coverage for spouses and/or families through a spouse’s employer or in the open marketplace. Clark Simmons will be in Florida to meet with pastors June 17-20. COM, Hoover and Olivia will work with him about his schedule and appointments. If you want to directly speak with Clark about your situation, you can also email him at [email protected] or call him directly at (215) 275-3079. This is a change from what has been known as the Presbytery cares for our clergy. As this “unknown” may produce anxiety with you, our clergy, and with our churches, the Presbytery is walking with you in this journey. Hoover and Olivia’s phone numbers are listed below and they are available for a conversation. Peace, Olivia and Hoover Co-Interim Executive Presbyters |
MAY 2024
Rev. Dr. Hoover & Rev. Olivia Haney
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