Legacy Giving

 

 

“I just don’t feel ready to talk about this type of thing,” said Diane to her friend, Marlene. “Now just isn’t the right time.” 

 

Diane was referring to an insert in the Sunday bulletin about creating a legacy gift to the Church. “First of all, I don’t like talking about death. And second, Don and I already have wills. They were created several years ago when the kids were young.”

 

“But that’s exactly why Darryl and I decided to take a look at ours,” responded Marlene. “A lot of things have changed since our kids were little. For one thing, none of them are living at home—all three are out on their own. They don’t need an inheritance in quite the same way that they would have when they were young.”

 

“So?” said Diane.

 

“Well, Darryl saw a book on estate planning at the bookstore and brought it home. As we worked through it together, we realized that our sense of legacy extends beyond family and we want to give something back to the community—to the Church, specifically.

 

“The Church has helped us in so many ways over the years,” continued Marlene. “We’ve had great ministers; our children have developed strong values for life; and as we’ve matured, it has helped us shape our ideas about what really matters. It has provided the whole family with a great legacy.  So, as good stewards, it feels good to return the favour.”

 

“So what did you do?” asked Diane.

 

“We met with our financial advisor, who agreed that a bequest in our will was the best way to go at this point. We decided that we could treat the Church like one of our children, and split our estate in four ways.”

 

“We also talked to Paul Sales, the United Church Financial Development Officer in our region. He helped us identify how we want to see our gift used. So it will be split between World Development and Relief and the congregation. And he also gave us the correct wording to put in the will.

 

“Well, maybe it is the right time to think about this after all,” said Diane. “I suppose there’s no harm in getting the information. At least I’ll have an idea of what I want to talk about.” 

 

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Making a bequest in your will is the most common method.  This can be a specific amount or a share of the residue of your estate.

 

You should consult with your lawyer about the drafting of your will, or a codicil, in which a gift to St. James United Church is to be included.  Rather than leaving a specific amount in your will, you may wish to leave the whole or a portion of the residue of your estate to the church.

 

 

 

A Gift Annuity enables you to arrange a future gift to St. James United Church and yet receive an income on those funds for as long as you live.  The income you receive is mostly tax-free.  You also receive a one-time charitable tax receipt for a portion of the Gift Annuity.

 

 

You can donate an existing policy and receive a charitable tax receipt for its cash value.  Alternatively, you can purchase a new policy and receive a charitable tax receipt for the premiums you pay.

 

 

 

If you have any questions, please contact the church office to speak with a member of the Board of Stewards.

 

 

The Committee of Stewards is assisted in their work by a Financial Development Officer from the General Council of the United Church of Canada.

If you wish, you may contact him directly:

Keith Stam

Financial Development Officer, Bay of Quinte & Manitou Conferences

The United Church of Canada

63 James St.

Penetanguishene, ON   L9M 2J1

705-355-0124