As noted in the Annual Meeting, six months ago, the vestry formed a committee to explore and make recommendations on a bequest and planned giving program. Committee members include Co-Chairs John Snow and Warren McFarlan; the Reverend Nick Myers, Kim Erskine, Bruce Glabe, Marie Johnson, James Wagner, and Jane White. Over a series of meetings, the committee identified bequests as an appropriate first step in installing a planned giving program at Epiphany and establishing a Legacy Society (hereafter called the Cornerstone Society). In last week’s 3 Crowns, Nick Myers talked about the importance of creating and sustaining legacy.
The committee noted that roughly 80% of church planned gifts across the USA come as bequests. Consequently, the committee’s initial focus was on starting a bequest program and establishing the Cornerstone Society at Epiphany whose members are those who have made a bequest to Epiphany. No sustained efforts have been made to secure bequests for Epiphany in the last twenty years. Such bequests, over time in other churches, have contributed substantially to their financial strength. The committee believes the same can be true for Epiphany. Accordingly, we are asking you to consider making a bequest to the Parish of the Epiphany in your will and estate plans. Just as we benefit today from the gifts of those that came before us at Epiphany, so also will those who come after us benefit from our generosity. The church can hopefully serve its community forever. All members of the bequest and planned giving committee have included, or are in the process of including, Epiphany in their wills and estate plans.
A planned giving section is being added to the Epiphany website in the next month or two to facilitate parishioner planned giving. The committee will run a 45-minute education session on planned giving this spring to introduce the topic to those who are unfamiliar with it. If interest warrants, a more extensive education program on planned giving will be offered this fall, using professional resources.
When you make a bequest or some other form of planned gift to Epiphany, we ask that you notify the church office of that fact so we can note it in our records and add you to Epiphany’s Cornerstone Society. All aspects of the gift will be completely confidential.
Warren McFarlan
