Part of A Guide to Transitional Ministry
Once the compensation (salary+housing) is settled, it is time to finalize the Ministerial Agreement (based on the draft agreement in your search materials).
Benefits
For guidance and support about all of the benefits to include in your ministerial agreement, see:
UUA Benefit Recommendations
This page provides benefits process guidance as well as recommended benefit levels. When providing benefits for your employees, both “how” (process) and “how much” (levels) are key to putting Unitarian Universalist values into action. Includes important reminders specific to UUA benefits.
Relocation
- The recommended reimbursement for relocation expenses is 10% of salary+housing, up to $10,000.
- Relocation expenses are considered taxable income by the US government, so the congregation is encouraged to consider ways offset the additional tax burden.
- A congregation located in the United States that considers hiring or calling a minister who is not a U.S. citizen should make sure their congregation has its own 501c3 status. Please contact the UUA Transitions Team for more information.
- (For ministers who are U.S. citizens and are considering moving to and serving in a Canadian congregation, a document with considerations for religious professionals moving to Canada exists. Please ask the UUA Transitions Team for more information.)
Interim Minister Sabbatical Fund
The standard UUA/UUMA recommended agreement for interim ministries states: “In recognition and appreciation of the unique work of interim ministry, the Congregation will contribute $1,000 to the UUA Interim Ministry Sabbatical Fund. Such payment will be made to the Office of Church Staff Finances.”