815 Ends Missionary Stipends, Travel Reimbursement
March 12, 2008

Overseas missionaries serving under the sponsorship of the Anglican and Global Relations Office at the Episcopal Church Center will no longer receive stipends or reimbursement of most expenses under a new compensation package. Under the new plan, all missionaries both lay and ordained will receive the same benefits.

“As we transition into this new phase in the missionary program we have to acknowledge the increase in costs,” said the Rev. David Copley, mission personnel officer in a letter published on the Anglican and Global Relations section of The Episcopal Church website.

“The provision of lay pension will increase our budget by approximately $130,000 annually, and our health insurance premium increased this year by 13 percent equating to a budget increase of approximately $50,000. We have also had a general reduction in our overall budget of 5 percent in 2008 due to budget constraints within DFMS. Facing these realities we have decided to modify the compensation package offered to missionaries. In addition to looking closely at the budget, we have taken into account the costs of the February discernment retreats and June orientation programs, projected the cost of the proposed regional retreats, and focused on the essential support that we feel must be offered to all missionaries.” the rest