Supply Clergy Request Form

Are you a clergyperson open to supply work? If so, contact Randy Johnson to request to be added to the list.

Requests for supply clergy can be made by filling out the form at the bottom of this page.

Supply clergy are available in this diocese to lead services and preach for congregations that do not currently have clergy in place or for those occasions when the parish clergy are away. Most of these occasions will be Sunday worship and will be Holy Eucharist, but, from time to time, supply clergy are needed for baptisms, burials, weddings or other services. Most supply clergy are priests, but deacons may supply in certain circumstances, with permission from the Archdeacon or the Bishop. In any case, deacons cannot lead the service of Holy Eucharist, of course, nor administer communion from the Reserved Sacrament without permission from Bishop Hughes.

Please use the request form below to share information about the service for which you need supply clergy. It will generate an email to everyone on our supply list and invite them to respond directly to you, if they are available to fill in.

You may, of course, also directly contact clergy that you know, or that have an existing relationship with your parish. However, remember that any supply clergy absolutely must be Episcopal clergy (or clergy from a Christian tradition in full Communion with the Episcopal church); and either canonically resident in good standing in the Diocese of Newark or currently licensed here (licenses expire annually).

While it often may not be possible to fulfill every request, the Bishop’s Office is here to support you.

Supply clergy compensation, effective January 2025 (these standards are set by Diocesan Convention):

• Sundays – $300 for one service, plus $100 for each additional service
• Weekdays – $150 per service
• IRS-approved mileage to/from the worship site (IRS Mileage Rate Effective 01/01/2025 is 70 cents per mile).
• Remuneration can be eligible for the clergy housing allowance exclusion if the vestry or executive committee so authorizes prior to the performance of services

Other services (these fees are suggested minimums, but may be negotiated directly with the clergyperson):

• $350 for each service of Holy Week Triduum services ($350 for each day’s service on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, including Easter Eve/Great Vigil service; Easter Day services follow regular Sunday rates)
• $500-650 negotiable for a wedding, including marriage preparation sessions and rehearsal
• $400 for a funeral, including consultation and planning

The congregation is expected to pay the clergyperson no later than the conclusion of the final service that day.

The congregation may negotiate with supply clergy for additional pastoral or educational responsibilities with commensurate compensation.

These rates are for consecutive services on the same day, i.e. not Saturday and Sunday morning, or Sunday morning and Sunday evening.

All canonically resident or licensed priests in the Diocese of Newark are welcome to join the supply clergy list by contacting Randy Johnson.