Covenanter Witness Vol. 54 - Rparchives.org

Ministers starting their ministry will
find Social Security offering a very sat
isfactory protection for the family. In
the event of a minister's death, his
widow and children have large benefits
until the children are 18 years of age. It
would require an unusually large sum of
invested capital to assure such benefits.
The minister, upon retirement at 65,
will with the normal life expectancy, re
ceive in benefits as much as he has paid
into Social Security. In some cases, the
return will be much more.
SOME THINGS TO DO
Every minister who desires to par
ticipate in Social Security
once secure from the local Social Se
should at
curity board an application blank (form
SS5) for an account number. If you have
had a Social Security number there is no
need to secure another. If your Social
Security
number card has been lost
make a request and your old number
will be given you again. No one should
have two numbers.
Sometime near the end of this year,
or soon after the first of January, there
will be available certificates for all min
isters to fill out and sign if they wish
coverage. These certificates will have a
number and will probably be called
"certificates of intent or desire." Evi
dently they
will not be called certifi
cates of waiver, as at first indicated.
These certificates should be sent to the
local Social Security board during 1955,
or not after April 15, 1956, if coverage
for the year is desired.
The first payment of the 3r/r tax for
Social Security purposes is due when in
come tax return is filed on April 15,
1956. The amount to be paid in one sum,
unless during the quarterly payments in
1955, overpayment has been made of
regular income tax then the refund due
can be used to help pay the Social Se
curity tax.
SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER
All ministers who are 65 years of age,
or older, should remember that if they
desire to retire and receive benefits af
ter six quarters of coverage (l1 years)
and their income has been more than
S400 a year, it would be better for them
to work two years. The average month
ly wage, upon which benefits are based.
is calculated by dividing the gross in
come for (I1 years) by 24 months in
stead of 18 months. If, however, the min
ister is only earning $400 a year for 112
years or six quarters, he will receive the
minimum benefit regardless of the 24
months division factor. Example :
if Mr.
A is earning as a self employed minister
(from salary or supply preaching) $1,000
a year, and is 65 years of age or over,
and wishes to retire within lx2 years
128
(six quarters), his gross income for six
quarters would be $1,500. This would be
divided by 24 months, instead of 18
months, giving an average monthly wage
for benefits, of $62.50. If he works two
years, his gross salary would be $2,000
divided by 24, giving a monthly wage of
$83.33, thus assuring Mr. A and his wife
of larger benefits. If Mr. A is only earn
ing $400 a year, it is not necessary to
participate beyond the 18 months period
for minimum benefits.
All ministers should remember that
Social Security participation does not
take the place of the Church's pension
plan. There are benefits offered by the
Church's plan which are not offered by
Social Security. There is to be no change
in the pension premiums, and of course
no reduction of benefits. Ministers need
both Social Security
and the church
pension for adequate income in retire
ment
Glen Sandfield, Ontario,
January 18, 1955.
To The Covenanter Witness:
The paper, "Commemoration of the
Birth of
Christ,"
which was adopted
by the Pittsburgh Presbytery and print
ed in the December 15 issue of the
Covenanter Witness is one that we all
should ponder. It deals with
a practice
which is very common among Chris
tian people, a practice which tends to
lead us away from Christ rather than
to confirm us in the faith. Study the
paper and your own experiences in the
light of the Bible and see if this state
ment is not true. Do we glorify God
when we glorify Santa Claus Care
ful and prayerful meditation on
this
should make a difference next Decem
ber.
R. H. McKelvy
EDWIN L. DODDS
The Covenanter Church lost one of
its strong laymen in the passing of Ed
win L. Dodds of the Los Angeles Congre
gation, who was called to his reward
January 8, 1955. His was a rich heritage
reaching back to the Dodds family of
the Old Brookland Congregation in
Pittsburgh Presbytery. Edwin was the
son of Archie and Melissa Dodds who
with the family were pioneers in setting
up the La Junta congregation in Colo
rado. Here Edwin and three brothers be
came faithful members. Edwin's life was
marked in this, that he took his Chris
tianity with him wherever he went. His
activities in the early days of the Chica
go church were an inspiration to both
Pastor and members.
After his marriage to Ora Robb of the
Sharon Manse they cast in their lot with
the growing congregation of Los Ange
les, California. Here another
Family
Altar was set up and around it the Chil
dren grew into the riches of the Chris
tian life. He lived to see his son Donald
ordained as a member of Session and in
humility and joy, welcomed him into
the high office. The other children like
wise are a real asset in the Master's
service. As a member of session Mr.
Dodds ever took a deep interest in all
the work of the congregation. The Sab
bath School and Midweek meeting were
ever on his heart and the growth and
spiritual development of every depart
ment.
As many readers will recall he was the
able and enthusiastic precentor of the
congregation for many years. He loved
the Praise Service of the church and as
a leader was an inspiration in this
spiritual service. He kept a keen inter
est in the missions and missionaries and
was ready with a warm welcome as they
returned to declare the doings of the
Lord in their fields.
At the farewell service different pas
tors with whom he had worked paid
glowing tribute to his Christian life in
the home and the community; his loy
alty as a presbyter and devotion to the
work of the congregation. He loved to
see the activities of the youth and most
happy as they came forward to make
their profession of faith before the ses
sion. His departure takes away the last
of this Godly family and again the Mas
ter's welcome to the Eternal Home say
ing, "Well done good and faithful ser
vant, enter thou into the joy of thy
Lord."
The warm sympathy and
Christian
love of the whole congregation and a
wide circle of friends, both within and
without the church are given to Mrs.
Dodds and the family, not sorrowing,
February 24, 7:30 p.m. is the time set
for the installation of Dr. G. M. Robb as
pastor of the Kansas City congregation.
The Commission will meet at 7:00 p.m.
WMS Column
A Thought for you :
How Crown Up Are You
Some months ago we had this chal
lenge in our column from our
rather rejoicing in the triumphant homegoing
of a devoted husband and father.
vicepres.,
Mrs. A. D. Robb. It is a helpful
thought and in summing it up, she says,
"Measuring not in years but in obedi
ence to God's revealed will HOW
GROWN UP ARE YOU"
COVENANTER WITNESS