How to Request Paternity Leave as a Pastor in the UMC
The Book of Discipline provides for both paternity and maternity leave for pastors. To initiate the leave a letter from to the Staff Parish Committee is necessary. I have included the text of my letter, in case any one out there is looking to take some time away for the birth of your child. You can find all that you need in ¶356.
MMMM, DD, YYYY
Staff Parish Relations Committee c/o FNAME LNAME, Chair The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection 13720 Roe Avenue Leawood, KS 66224
Dear Staff Parish Relations Committee,
My wife, FNAME, and I are expecting the birth of our first child in January. The current due date is MMMM DD, YYYY. I would like to would like to request Paternity Leave according to the provisions found in ¶356 of the 2008 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church.
I would like to take full time leave beginning MMMM DD and continuing until MMMM DD, YYYY. I will make arrangements with my supervisor, FNAME LNAME, for complete coverage during these # weeks. I would like to take part time leave beginning MMMM DD and continuing until MMMM DD, YYYY. I will be available for weekend worship responsibilities, important scheduled meetings and will be available by and responsive to email communication during these # weeks. I would like to return to full time responsibility beginning on MMMM DD, YYYY.
I will continue to be in conversation with FNAME LNAME (Supervisor) to address any particular considerations for coverage or other issues regarding this leave request. Will you please let me know what, if any, additional next steps need to be taken to receive this leave? Thank you for your time and consideration!
Grace and Peace,
Andrew Conard
andrew.conard@rezonline.org
My Supervisor
Director of Human Resources