Dear Colleagues in Ministry,

We know many of you have been waiting for the Presbytery’s Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) recommendation for 2026. The Commission on Ministry (CoM) recognizes that it has been challenging for our congregations to finalize budgets late in the fall while waiting for the Social Security COLA announcement, which is typically released in early November and has been the index we have used in the past.

To ease that burden and support earlier budget planning, the Commission on Ministry has approved a change in the index we use to determine our annual COLA. Effective immediately, Hudson River Presbytery will base its annual COLA recommendation on the Northeast Regional Consumer Price Index (CPI) rather than the Social Security index. Because the CPI is released monthly, this allows us to provide the COLA recommendation to the Presbytery by our September meeting each year. We will use the CPI’s July figures for this purpose.

For 2026, the CPI figure is 3.2%. Historically, this figure has been very close to the Social Security COLA, with the added benefit of reflecting regional economic conditions.

The 3.2% increase is required for pastors compensated at the Presbytery minimum and recommended for all personnel compensated above minimum. Please refer to the Terms of Call worksheet for assistance in calculating your congregation’s specific figures before submitting the Terms of Call using the official online form.

Link for online Terms of Call form: Commission on Ministry — Hudson River Presbytery

Scroll down to Clergy Compensation to find the online Terms of Call forms.

We hope this change will make your budgeting process smoother and more predictable in the years ahead.

With gratitude for your faithful ministry,

Rev. Martin McGeachy and Rev. Jonathan Hoeldtke

HRP Commission on Ministry Co-chairs