Fund for Ministerial Assistance
Fund for Ministerial Assistance
Support for the ministers and diaconal workers of the PCC
The purpose of the Fund for Ministerial Assistance is to provide financial support for ministers and diaconal workers of the Presbyterian Church in Canada who are at or near minimum stipend as set by the General Assembly.
The Fund was first established through a generous donation of one million dollars from The Honourable Norman M. Paterson on February 8, 1951. Articles discussing the contributions of The Hon. Norman M. Paterson to the P.C.C. as well as a picture gallery showing his life through pictures can be found here.
This page also provides information on who may be eligible for assistance, how ministers and diaconal workers of the Presbyterian Church in Canada may apply and further historical information regarding the Fund.
History
The Fund for Ministerial Assistance was established by an anonymous gift of one million dollars under an original indenture dated February 8, 1951. In 1983, following the death of the donor one week after his 100th birthday, as an expression of the church’s appreciation for the gift, the fund was renamed The Honourable Norman M. Paterson Fund for Ministerial Assistance. Senator Paterson and his beloved wife, Eleanor, maintained a life-long interest in the ministers of the church and their families and they hoped that their generosity might encourage the beneficence of others.
The fund is administered by eleven appointors: three are appointed by the Assembly Council, three by the Life and Mission Agency, and five are ex-officio members: the Principal Clerk of the General Assembly, the Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer, the Associate Secretary of Ministry and Church Vocations, the Associate Secretary of Canada Ministries; and the Minister of St. Andrew’s Church, Ottawa. They are not constituted as a regular board or committee of the General Assembly, but annual reports are submitted to the General Assembly for information. The decisions of the appointors are governed by the strict terms of the original indenture; it has the similar authority over their decisions as would the provisions of a will. Any changes which may seem desirable because of changes within the church and its ministry require careful legal steps to be taken to ensure that such changes are within the authority of the indenture and, where necessary, within applicable legislation.
Hon. Norman Paterson
Since the inception of the Fund for Ministerial Assistance three articles have been published in the Record in honour of the life and generosity of the Hon. Norman Paterson. These articles are as follows:
- A Magnificent Example in Christian Liberality by Rev. Arthur W. Currie (October 1990)
- Remarkable Man - Remarkable Generosity by Rev. Dr. Alan M. McPherson (February 2008)
- A Fund to Assist Ministers by Rev. Vicki Homes (January 2011 Presbyterian Record)
The Fund for Ministerial Assistance has endeavoured to capture some of the highlights of the life of the Hon. Norman Paterson through picture in the following picture gallery:
If you are interested in learning more about the life of Norman Paterson or the Foundation established in his name, visit the Paterson Foundation website ».
Eligibility
Requirements
The Hon. Norman M. Paterson was especially concerned with the plight of ministers and their families; as such the original indenture stated that gifts were to be made to eligible married ministers. Since then, the spirit of the original indenture has been maintained and eligibility has been extended to include ministers who are divorced and have custody of, or financial responsibility for children. To be eligible for benefits from the fund, family income must be less than $10,000 above minimum stipend (including applicable increments). These terms are subject to review and revision as the Appointors deem necessary.
Gift Cycle
Gifts awarded to successful applications are mailed on a quarterly basis beginning with a new cycle on or about the middle of June each year. Applications received after that initial period will be considered during the quarter that follows the date the application was received.
All applications are kept in strictest confidence.
How to apply
Ministers or Diaconal workers within the Presbyterian Church in Canada may secure an application from Canada Ministries (who administers the Fund). Canada Ministries also sends a small supply to each presbytery clerk on an annual basis as another confidential source.
All applications will be returned to Canada Ministries at the following address:
Ian McDonald
50 Wynford Drive
Toronto, ON
M3C 1J7
(416) 441-1111
(800) 619-7301
Email: imcdonald@presbyterian.ca