T H E C H U R C H O F S C O T L A N D MINISTRIES COUNCIL Study Leave Scheme INTRODUCTION Following the decision of the General Assembly in 1997, the then Board of Ministry was charged with introducing a Study Leave Scheme to be operational from 1 January 1998. The following pages contain the terms and conditions of the Scheme as approved, but the following points were noted by the Assembly and are of particular importance: * Study Leave should rigorously uphold the ideals of continuing education and personal development; * the concept of Sabbatical Leave was not appropriate, but that well-constructed times of Study Leave would be of great use to the Church; * Study Leave should not be used as a means of rehabilitating ministers who require time off for other reasons; * Presbyteries are required to appoint an appropriate Committee to oversee the local working of the Scheme ensuring that such periods of Leave are taken in accordance with an appropriate rota, that adequate cover is available and that agreement has been reached with the Support and Development Committee on the suitability of the proposed course of study; * the Presbytery Committee will liaise with the Support and Development Committee to ensure that the aims and purposes of the Scheme are being properly and consistently implemented throughout the Church and the Support and Development Committee will have the final say on whether a proposal meets the criteria of the scheme. The Support and Development Committee will be responsible for ensuring that the fundamental aims of the Scheme are being satisfied in any new study proposals being put forward by ministers. Staff of the Ministries Council are: * available to Presbyteries to promote understanding of the Scheme; * available to assist ministers in choosing the right options which will meet their individual needs at any particular stage in ministry; * responsible to the Support and Development Committee for the development of In-Service courses made-to-measure for ministers of the Church. Ministers should note that by contacting the Ministries Council, they will at all times be given access to the best advice and guidance on what courses would be most appropriate to meet their needs. Please Note: From 1 January 1998 ministers with 5 years’ service in the Church will be entitled to Study Leave in accordance with the terms of the Scheme. Entitlement begins with two weeks at five years’ service, four weeks at six years, and so on, increasing to a maximum entitlement of 14 weeks for those with twelve years of service in the Church. For ministers with the full period of qualifying service who have not drawn down any entitlement, the entitlement in 2009 is £1,000 and 14 weeks. T H E C H U R C H O F S C O T L A N D MINISTRIES COUNCIL Study Leave Scheme AIM: To provide ministers with the opportunity for a period of focused study and/or training for the sake of continuing growth in knowledge/skills for the benefit of ministry and for the greater benefit of the Church. 1. ELIGIBILITY Parish Ministers or Associate, Community and Assistant Ministers holding full-time or part-time parish appointments, having 5 years’ continuous qualifying service and having completed any compulsory courses as required by the Church. 2. LENGTH OF LEAVE (a) After meeting the requirement as set out in 1 above, a minister will be eligible for two weeks’ study leave per year. (b) Study leave may be taken annually or saved up to a maximum of 7 years and taken in blocks up to a maximum of 14 weeks. (c) Ministers do not need to take the maximum period of leave to be entitled to the maximum financial allowance. 3. CONDITIONS (a) Submission of a course of study or an activity to provide for the needs and circumstances of the minister concerned, to be approved by the Support and Development Committee, or its successor. (b) In cases of leave being granted for more than six weeks, an appropriate element of time for recreation should be included along with a substantial opportunity for further education. (c) Satisfactory supervisory provision to be arranged with the appropriate General Assembly Committee for any Probationer or Student in cases of leave being granted for more than four weeks. (d) Final arrangements to be agreed with an appropriate Presbytery Committee at as early a date as possible prior to and at least three months in advance of the period of leave. Where a period of leave lasts for longer than four weeks, applications should be submitted at least six months in advance, or approval cannot be guaranteed. (e) After approval, an Agreement setting out the terms for leave, prepared by the relevant Presbytery Committee, to be signed by the Minister, Session Clerk, Congregational Treasurer and Presbytery Clerk. (f) Submission of a written report to the Support and Development Committee and to the Presbytery within 3 months of return from leave. Failure to submit a report will endanger any future applications for study leave. 4. PASTORAL COVER To be agreed with Kirk Session and Presbytery. 5. INTERIM MODERATOR Normally where study leave lasts for four weeks or more, an Interim Moderator shall be appointed by the Presbytery. 6. ADMINISTRATION OF Each Presbytery will be responsible for appointing an appropriate SCHEME committee to administer the Scheme and to liaise with the Support and Development Committee. 7. REMIT OF PRESBYTERY (a) To administer the Scheme within the financial limits of the COMMITTEE Scheme. (b) To ensure that study leave entitlements are taken in accordance with a reasonable rota within Presbytery. (c) To advise on the suitability of the proposed course of study or activity. (d) To consult with the Kirk Session where the proposed period of leave is to extend beyond 2 weeks. (e) To report on the proposed arrangements for pastoral cover and pulpit supply during the minister’s absence. (f) To approve the appointment of a locum if Presbytery deems such an appointment necessary, and to issue an extract minute naming the locum. (g) To ensure that the agreement is signed by the appropriate parties and forwarded as required. (h) To ensure that the minister’s report on leave is submitted timeously to the Presbytery and the Ministries Council. 8. FINANCING OF LEAVE (a) The minister shall receive stipend in full during the period of leave. (b) The Council will meet the expenses of Pulpit Supply during the period of leave. 9. OTHER INFORMATION (a) Entitlement to Study Leave commences on January 1st of the year of the fifth anniversary of a minister’s ordination. -ends- T H E C H U R C H O F S C O T L A N D MINISTRIES COUNCIL Study Leave Application Form Please complete in typescript or black ink two copies and return to the Ministries Council as soon as your proposals for leave have reached the stage of an outline plan. NAME …………………………………………….. ADDRESS …………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… EMAIL………………………………………………………………………………………………… TELEPHONE NUMBER……………………………………………. CHARGE …………………………………….. PRESBYTERY ……………………………… Date of Birth …………………. Year of Ordination ………….... No. of Years of full-time service in the Church ………. Date of Induction to Present Charge …………………………. Record of Attendance at Ministries Development Conferences: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. PROPOSALS FOR STUDY LEAVE 1. When is it proposed that your Study Leave will be taken? (Specify dates) From …………………………………. To ………………………………….. 2. What type of study/activity is proposed? …………………………………………………………... ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3. Please list three objectives or outcomes for your Study Leave. These three points should indicate how the proposed Study Leave will contribute to the development of qualities necessary for service and collaborative leadership in ministry. They should also indicate how you believe the proposed Study Leave will help you to discern and learn how to participate in God’s mission to the world. Please note that the reporting form will ask how successful your Study Leave was in fulfilling these points. a) b) c) 4. What is the proposed principal location for 2 above? ……………………………………………….. 5. What is the duration of the course of study/activity? From …………………. To …….………….. ESTIMATED STUDY COSTS 6. What is the likely cost? (please try to enclose copies of estimated costs of courses, travel, materials, etc) (a) Course fees £…………….. (b) Accommodation £…………….. (c) Travel £…………….. (d) Other (please specify) £…………….. TOTAL Study Leave Costs £……………… How many weeks’ Study Leave are you applying for in support of this application? …………… How much Study Leave allowance are you applying for in support of this application? £……… (N.B. only unused accumulated allowances can be used) You do not need to take the maximum period of leave to be entitled to the maximum financial allowance ACCOMMODATION 7. Will you reside outwith your manse for all or part of the period? (please delete as appropriate) ALL OF THE PERIOD / PART OF THE PERIOD / NOT AT ALL 8. If you intend remaining in the manse, will you require a temporary change of telephone number? YES / NO 9. If you do not intend remaining in the manse, please give details of your temporary address and the duration of your stay. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES 10. During the period of your proposed Leave, will your congregation have a Probationer or a Student on placement? YES/NO If YES, please indicate which. ………………………………………… If YES, has approval been given for alternative supervision? YES/NO 11.What arrangements are being made for ministerial cover? INTERIM MODERATOR (where appropriate) ………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………. WHICH OF THE NEIGHBOURING MINISTERS OR INTERIM MODERATORS HAVE YOU CONSULTED WITH ABOUT COVER (please specify, using the reverse of this page if needed) ………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………. PULPIT SUPPLY …………………………………………………………….. Estimated costs …………………………………………………………….. £…………….. Total Cost of Pulpit Supply £…………….. Total estimated Study Leave Costs £…………….. Grand Total £…………….. Signature ………………………………………………………. Date ……………..