I have been the music director of my church for 2.5 years. It is a job with high expectations and extraordinarily low pay, but also one which I have enjoyed and viewed as a ministry more than a job. About a year ago there were some personnel changes in leadership that resulted in a lot of difficulties for the music program and for me as I worked there; primarily budget issues and lack of support for our work. On May 11th I sent a letter addressing these concerns to the vestry (like a board of directors) of our church. I had every expectation of that letter opening a conversation regarding how to address those concerns as we moved forward. Instead, on May 26th I and the entire church congregation received a letter from the vestry informing of my resignation. I was shocked. Nothing in my letter says that I resigned. On the contrary, my final paragraph talked about "going forward" and "serving the church together".
I replied to the vestry that I had absolutely not resigned, and had no intention of resigning. I said that if they wanted to end my employment, they needed to do so formally with a termination letter, not a notice of my non-existent "resignation".
Their response said "we must accept your stated intention to terminate your role of Music Director."
Again, I have NEVER said that, in writing or verbally.
Of course at this point I don't think it would really be possible to continue in the position! But I do want them to be honest and aboveboard and follow the law. Do I have recourse? Can they really just *say* that I resigned, even though I didn't? Am I still legally employed since I have not resigned, nor received a formal termination letter? Is this a situation where a letter from an attorney would get results since they aren't listening to me at all?
Thank you for any assistance.
I replied to the vestry that I had absolutely not resigned, and had no intention of resigning. I said that if they wanted to end my employment, they needed to do so formally with a termination letter, not a notice of my non-existent "resignation".
Their response said "we must accept your stated intention to terminate your role of Music Director."
Again, I have NEVER said that, in writing or verbally.
Of course at this point I don't think it would really be possible to continue in the position! But I do want them to be honest and aboveboard and follow the law. Do I have recourse? Can they really just *say* that I resigned, even though I didn't? Am I still legally employed since I have not resigned, nor received a formal termination letter? Is this a situation where a letter from an attorney would get results since they aren't listening to me at all?
Thank you for any assistance.
