EDNC Curacy/Assistant Pilot Program

EDNC Curacy/Assistant Pilot Program
Sponsoring and Partner Church Information and Application

Thank you for your interest in this pilot program. Funded 50% by the EDNC Board of Trustees, the sponsoring congregation will pay 40-45% and the partner congregation 5-10% (for a total of 50%).

By submitting the application, both churches agree to the following information about the aims, structure, and financial requirements of this three-year program.

Aims of the program
- Strengthen larger churches in need of additional clergy
- Furnish stable clergy leadership for a congregation with limited resources and no current long-term priest
- Develop meaningful partnership among nearby congregations
- Provide meaningful work, continuing formation, and excellent mentoring for newly- or recently ordained clergy.
- Attract and retain qualified new clergy to EDNC
Structure of the Program

Regardless of when during the year the Curate (newly ordained)/Assistant (ordained in the last 5 years) begins work, the program will run for three years (36 months).

The Curate/Assistant’s time will be divided thusly:
- ¾ time at the sponsoring congregation, under supervision of the rector
- ¼ time as Priest-in-Charge at the partner congregation
The supervising rector will be available to provide guidance and counsel, as needed, for the Curate/Assistant’s role as Priest-in-Charge.

All parties will participate in regular sharing and feedback, as outlined below:

Weekly: Supervising priest will meet with the Curate/Assistant for supervision

Biweekly: Senior Warden (and Junior Warden, if desired) at partner congregation

will meet at least twice monthly with the Curate/Assistant.

Quarterly:
- All participating supervising priests will meet together with the Canon to the Ordinary; likewise wardens at partner congregations. These meetings may be combined if that is the consensus of the group.
- Curate/Assistant participants will also meet quarterly with the Canon to the Ordinary, in addition to participating in Fresh Start.
Supervising clergy, wardens, and curate/assistants will be provided with ongoing resources for their respective roles.

Financial Commitment – Churches and Diocese

Churches:

The portion contributed by the sponsoring congregation and the partner congregation will be determined on a sliding scale, based on financial reports provided, and on conversation and agreement between the two churches. The sponsoring congregation will pay between 40-45%; the partner congregation will pay between 5-10%. The Diocese will pay 50%. The total cost to be shared will include salary; long-term disability and medical benefits at Employee only for the lowest cost medical and dental plans; pension at 18%. Additionally, the churches will share the costs of other basic clergy expenses (detailed below).

Note: We assume 3% COLA each year, as well as an annual increase in health insurance costs of 6%.

Salary and Benefits

Starting salary will be $80,000. (Year 2: $82,400; Year 3: $84,827)

Pension at 18% will be $14,400. (Year 2: $14,832; Year 3: $15,277)

Medical/Dental, Life, LTD, Workers' Compensation for 2025 is approximately $15,396/yr. (Pro-rate if starting in 2025. Increase to $16,301 in 2026)

Total program cost for first year will be approximately $110,701.

Cost share for first year will be approximately as follows:

Sponsor Church: $44,280 (40%) to $49,815 (45%)

Partner Church: $5,535 (5%) to $11,070 (10%)

Additional Costs

Churches shall also share proportionally (¾ and ¼) the following costs:
- Mileage reimbursement (for church-related meetings and pastoral care visits, not for commute) ($500 suggested)
- Clergy Conference registration (Estimate: $300)
- Attendance at Diocesan Convention (currently $120 - $175, depending on time of registration)
- $600 Continuing Education allowance (increasing by $100 each year)
Summary (estimate) of shared non-salary reimbursements and expenses: $1550

Share: Sponsoring Church (¾) $1162.50 Partner Church (¼) $290.50

Diocese:

Participating churches will receive matching funds (totaling 50% between the two churches) in the form of a diocesan grant and are expected to comply with all federal, state, and local requirements. Diocesan share for the first year will be approximately $55,350. Note: The curacy position will not be charged diocesan apportionment.

Questions? Please contact The Rev. Canon Julie Wakelee (julie@norcalepiscopal.org)

Application date:*

MonthDayYear
Date
Name of sponsor church:*
If "other" please specify below:
Sponsor church's address:

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Sponsor church's phone:
Please enter a valid phone number.

Rector submitting application:*

TitleFirst NameLast Name
Rector’s email:*
example@example.com
Church website:
Date application approved by vestry:*

MonthDayYear
Date
Please attach vestry minutes showing approval:*

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Name of Partner Congregation*
Partner congregation's address:

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Partner congregation's phone:
Please enter a valid phone number.
Senior/Bishop’s Warden name:*

First NameLast Name
Senior/Bishop’s Warden's phone:
Please enter a valid phone number.
Senior/Bishop’s Warden's email:
example@example.com
Date approved by vestry or mission committee of partner congregation:*

MonthDayYear
Date
Please attach vestry/mission committee notes showing approval:*

Cancelof

What is your ideal hire date? (Month/Year) (Must be a month in 2026):*

Financials

Please attach the following required items for both Sponsor and Partner Congregations:
Complete set of recent financials (P&L, Balance sheet):*

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5-year financial projection:*

Cancelof
Annual budget with detail:*

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Job Description

Be sure to include any responsibilities particular to either congregational setting.
Please attach a description of the curate/assistant job that outlines work at both the sponsor and partner congregations:*

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Partnership Description

Please provide a narrative describing your process for creating the church partnership for this project. Include your hopes, any anticipated challenges, and the particular benefits of both receiving a curate/assistant and what the two churches uniquely offer to the cleric chosen for the position.

The Curate/Assistant Clergy will serve ¾ time (3 Sundays, 3 days/week) at the sponsoring congregation, and 1 Sunday (2 if there is a 5th Sunday) and one day per week in the office.

Each congregation shall provide an office space for the Curate/Assistant, they shall share costs as outlined above for the priest to attend clergy conference, diocesan convention, work-related mileage, and continuing education.
Please attach Partnership Description:*

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Program Participation

Applicants agree to the following:
Financial responsibility:*

I agree to the shared financial responsibility, as outlined in the application
Supervisor/mentor meetings:*

I agree to Supervisor/mentor meetings
Warden meetings:*

I agree to Warden meetings (may be combined with supervisor meetings)
Shared church event:*

I agree that at least once per year, the two churches share sponsorship and leadership for an event (service project, fellowship, worship, educational event…). Plans for each year’s project shall be submitted to the Canon to the Ordinary no later than midway through each year (6 months from start date).
Pulpit share:*

I agree that at least once per year, supervising clergy will preach/preside at partner church
Press/promo policy:*

All parties agree to be featured in articles, press releases, and other media about the program.

Signature of Rector of Sponsoring Congregation:*

Clear
Date Rector Signed:*

MonthDayYear
Date
Signature of Senior/Bishop’s Warden at Partner Congregation:*

Clear
Date Senior/Bishop’s Warden Signed:*

MonthDayYear
Date
Should be Empty:

Financials

Job Description

Program Participation