NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO CONSIDER THE CHURCH IN YOUR WILL
As Christians we are called by our faith to look forward to life after death through Jesus Christ. Still, we find it hard to face the fact that someday we will leave our family and friends behind. Because admitting our mortality is difficult, some of us put off that admission as long as we can. We don't call it denial we say we're too busy and so leave estate planning for another year. But the truth is that married or single, young or old, of modest means or well-to-do, we all need to decide what will happen with our estate after we're gone. Many of us have loved ones we need to provide for, friends and family to whom we want to make gifts, and organizations we want to support. With a little planning, all that can be accomplished. Yet many of us still fail to plan, with results we never intended.
Many Presbyterians are discovering ways to extend their stewardship beyond their lifetimes with gifts to the Church of a portion of their accumulated assets. They are taking advantage of various giving plans that produce income for themselves or loved ones and provide a future gift to the church or its mission.
The Diamondhead Community Church Endowment Fund was set up in 1999 when a gift of $14,000 in securities was left to the Church. A year later a $4,000 insurance policy was donated. The Endowment Fund affords a wonderful opportunity for everyone to remember friends or loved ones who have passed away. A gift, no matter how small, when combined with similar gifts will over time grow into a sizeable amount. All bequests and gifts to the fund are invested in trust funds of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Foundation. Since 1799 the foundation has administered the gifts and bequests of faithful Presbyterians, providing a steady stream of income to churches.
There are numerous ways to make gifts to our Endowment Fund. The foundation offers more than professional management of gifts. A foundation development officer is available to lend expertise in designing a gift or bequest or to help you gather the information you need to plan your estate properly. You can seek guidance with the assurance that your wishes will be respected and, if you desire, held in strict confidence. The foundation and your committee are here to help you most effectively accomplish your goals in the light of the mission of the church.
More information will be given out on "Wills Emphasis Sunday" in May.
To contact a member of the Endowment Committee, click HERE.