In March 2022, the Diocesan Council, upon recommendation of the diocesan Personnel Commission, froze congregation grades at 2022 levels through at least the end of 2023.

Congregational grades for 2024/2025 for parishes and missions. This refers to the congregation grade for churches which helps to determine clergy compensation and assessment values.  The congregational grade is updated every year. Those churches that are in bolded text have changed grades from the previous year.

The diocesan Personnel Commission offers this information to clergy and congregations as general guidelines. It is a lot of information, and we encourage you to read through to see which items pertain to your congregation and work. Highlights:  

•    Personnel Handbook template for congregations
•    What to do when you hire a new lay employee
•    New language for clergy letters of agreement
•    Minimum wage and overtime rules, including the new salary threshold for exempt employees
•    And much more … 

Form to be filled out by employee as proof of childhood immunizations

Form to be filled out by health care provider for proof of childhood immunizations

In February 2020 the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church (TEC) adopted a Model DFMS (Domestic & Foreign Missionary Society) Vaccination Policy for Youth Events, and encouraged dioceses and Episcopal Institutions to adapt it locally. Our Diocesan Council established a task group to adapt this into a diocesan policy, which was approved at the July council meeting.

As part of that action, the Office of the Bishop has been directed to issue written and online communications to all congregations directing them to initiate the five policies; the due date for implementation is June 1, 2021.

Please submit THIS FORM to request to have an Oxford Document Management Company, Inc. background check performed on clergy of your congregation. An updated background check should be conducted every five years.

Please note that only the Rector/Vicar/Priest-in-Charge, Administrator, or Sr. Warden may initiate the request. The Oxford background check for clergy typically cost $155, but this may vary. Your congregation will be responsible for reimbursing the Diocese of Olympia for the full cost of the background check. A copy of the invoice will be forwarded to you.

The Oxford background check may take 2-6 weeks to complete. Upon completion, the congregation/requester will receive a letter from our office verifying the results of the background check. The individual on whom the background check was performed may also provide a copy of the report to the congregation themselves.

Contact exec-asst@ecww.org with questions.

Template created by the diocesan Personnel Commission for use by congregations in creating or updating the Congregation Personnel Handbook. A Word version is available by request.

Background checks are required for paid employees and those who work regularly with youth or children at congregations. An updated background check should be conducted every five years.

A number of providers offer Criminal Background Checks, in addition to optional screenings such as Credit, Driving Records, etc: we recommend First Advantage, GoodHire, and Intellicorp. First Advantage offers one-time background check options without a subscription or setup fee if you do not anticipate needing many checks run: https://fadv.com/solutions/small-business-background-checks/ and Select Small Business > Basic Screening > Applicant Submission.

2022 Mileage Reimbursement Rates

• The IRS reimbursement rate for business miles is 58.5 cents/mile
• The IRS reimbursement rate for volunteer miles remains at 14 cents/mile

This manual is not online. For further information or questions, please contact the Canon to the Ordinary.