Caring for Each Other

This week I had to go back to Toronto for some dental surgery. It was literally a flying visit: in Tuesday, surgery Wednesday, checkup Thursday, dinner with the family Friday and back to Corner Brook Saturday.

As I was going through the security line in Deer Lake last Tuesday, there was a woman ahead of me who was blind. She was travelling with a companion - a sister - and they could not both go through the security scan at the same time. The security staff very clearly asked her name, and spoke to her directly. He asked her politely if she would mind moving three inches to the right, so that she would be positioned right in front. Then, again using her name, he asked her to walk directly forward and assured her that his hand was outstretched so that he could guide her through. When he guided her to the other side, he then asked her to move two feet to the left where there was a chair for her to sit on while she waited for her sister. It was a moment of unbelievable grace - pure simple kindness and politeness. I almost had tears in my eyes watching, and commented to him after how beautiful it was. He responded "We have to do what we can for people who go through here, and it isn't hard to do it."

How I wish that had been the only security staff I saw. Leaving Toronto was a different experience altogether. One staff made a point in the line - even before we got into the room with the scanners - of pulling out people of other nationalities, particularly people of colour - so that he could run the little paddle over their hands, check their belt buckles and their shoes. The young black man in front of me had actually *passed by*, when he was called back to be checked. He asked why. He was told it's a random thing, and they were checking for chemical residues on him. He asked why it was only people of colour being checked. He was told they had the right to pull out anyone they wanted. He responded that it still would only be random if people of *every* colour were checked.

He was right. If they are going to check some, then really all should be checked. As I watched, it was clearly a useless exercise and he was clearly targeted because he was black, and for no other reason.

I have to hold up with optimism that moment of extraordinary kindness and grace at the beginning - because that is the way people *should* be treated - even if checking is necessary. It can be done with politeness and kindness, and a simple explanation.

I know that there are lots of clergy out there whose parishioners will ask why does the minister have to go to Conference, and take more "time off", when they already get so much "time off".

So this little blog is to lay it out for anyone who might not understand - that means clergy don't need to read this, 'cause I know you do understand...

Our national office of the United Church of Canada is the body which sets the terms of employment. There are certain standards below which a congregation may NOT go. They are: salary, vacation, study leave, housing allowances, and funding for study leave. Every minister, whether full or part-time, is entitled to "at least one month vacation" and this generally includes five Sundays. Note it says "at least" one month, not "at most". Study leave is three weeks including Sundays - whether you are full-time or part-time. Housing and study allowances are pro-rated, depending on full or part time. Every minister is entitled to a minimum of three-month sabbatical, following five consecutive years in any pastoral charge.

I have to repeat - these are terms of employment set by the national office. These terms cannot be changed either by the minister, or the congregation, or even the Presbytery, without a full needs assessment process leading to a change in the terms of call, and the permission of the District or Presbytery to do so. If a congregation should attempt to change the terms of call or appointment, they are legally liable for violations of employment and contract law.

Some congregations also give extra vacation following the Christmas and Easter weeks, recognising that the minister often puts in closer to 60 or 70 hours, rather than the 40.

Full-time is considered 40 hours per week. Many congregations don't realise that if the minister puts in a 60 hour week, he or she is entitled to take that time somewhere else. If the minister's day off falls on a statutory holiday, the minister is entitled to another day in lieu.

Many congregations don't realise that professional development (aka study leave) is a part of the work. If one is away on a professional development course, that person is NOT on vacation or taking time "off". He or she is still working, - working at improving themselves. That's why it's called "Professional Development".

I recognise that a lot of congregations don't like it. I recognise it from their laments about how ministers just aren't the way they used to be, and don't work any more. They don't recognise that the United Church of Canada still has the highest number of ministers on stress and burnout leave. They don't SEE what the minister is doing, other than Sunday morning.

And above all else, they don't recognise that this is their own grief speaking - grief about the end of one way of being, and the necessity to think about another way of being. And it's easier to aim at the minister than acknowledge one's own fear and grief.....most of us ministers know that. But we also know that you out there really and honestly don't understand what our work and calling is about.

I just throw this out there...because it's something which comes up in every congregation all the time.