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FINANCE & DEVELOPMENT

The Small Print on Page 445 …
… of our Prayer Book says “and of all persons to make wills, while they are in good health, arranging for the disposal of their temporal goods, not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses.”

It is our Christian duty to take care of our loved ones and to reach out to those less fortunate both during our lifetime and beyond.Tithing in a will is a simple principle, but you must designate to what organization that tithe goes. The law does not allow a Probate Court to imply charitable intent, so if you have supported your parish during your life, consider supporting your parish in your will. If you set up trusts for children or grandchildren, consider setting up a trust for charitable works as well.
If you have an IRA, 401k, or life insurance, you might designate a portion of it to your church, or a ministry of your church or diocese. As you reflect during Lent, include thanksgiving for the legacies of your predecessors in your congregation and think what you want to do to “pass it on.”

Reflect upon the following scripture as you consider support of a ministry within your parish:

Matthew 5:13-16

13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 22:36-40

36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
38This is the first and greatest commandment.
39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Matthew 25: 35-45

35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

How can you embody the lessons in these passages?
How does your estate plan reflect your faith?
How can you, through your estate plan, give support to ministries that make a difference?
Lastly, would you rather give support to a place where you spent four years of your life, 50 years ago, or a place where you have spent every week for the last 50 years? Who knows you better? Who will be there for you and your family at the end? Who is able to help you truly leave a legacy?

For help and information about preparing a planned gift, contact your rector or John C. Kline, Director of Financial Development and Communications at 410.467.1399. [Return to Top of Page]

Lee and Sylvia Marston to be installed as founding members of the Diocesan All Saints Legacy Society

By JOHN KLINE

Perhaps the most popular and flexible of all ways to make a major gift to an Episcopal entity, such as your parish or Diocese, is with a charitable remainder trust (CRT). Your gift is placed in a trust, which then sells and reinvests the assets, and makes regular income payments to you and/or other named beneficiaries. Payments may last either for a specific number of years or for one or two lifetimes. Trusts may be funded with cash, stocks, bonds, land or other assets. Lee and Sylvia Marston are no strangers to the Church. Both are very active with St. Martin’s-in-the-Field, Severna Park. In fact, the parish is built on the Marston family estate, which was donated to the parish the early 1950s. The Marstons have been an integral part of their parish life, active with Habitat for Humanity, music ministry, vestry, Christian formation and outreach programs.Tish de Beer, rector of St. Martin’s, said of the Marstons,“they remind me of a quote attributed to St. Francis, ‘preach the Gospel and if you have to, use words.’Their faith is very transparent in their lives and the good news shines through them.” Both are strong advocates of environmental and justice preservation initiatives and their lives seem nurtured through God’s presence in nature. Lee not only is a strong leader in his parish and community but also is active with the Diocese in a variety of ways as Chairman of the Development Commission, a delegate to the Virginia Theological Seminary, and a long time advisor to the Bishops. In appreciation for the blessings they have received in their lives, Lee and Sylvia included their parish and the Diocese in their estate plans by initiating a charitable remainder trust. “Several financial planners suggested we do this,” said Lee.“A CRT is a good way for effective retirement planning while helping organizations important in your life.” The Diocese welcomes Lee and Sylvia Marston as founding members of the newly created Diocesan All Saints Legacy Society. [Return to Top of Page]

The Diocese of Maryland’s All Saints Legacy Society

The All Saints Legacy Society is an honorary society created to commend and graciously thank those who have made a financial commitment in their estate plans, or to an endowment fund, to further the ministry of their local congregation, the Diocese of Maryland or an Episcopal institution. Additionally, the All Saints Legacy Society provides an opportunity for donors to give witness to their stewardship that, in turn, encourages others to leave a legacy. The name of this legacy society honors all those who make up the communion of saints. In New Testament times, “saints” referred to all the members of the Christian church who most clearly witnessed to Christ. These “friends of God” were heroic examples to all the saints of the meaning of Christian faith, hope and love. With these noble examples in mind, those members of the All Saints Legacy Society offer their gifts to build up the church so that future generations might know or “share” the Body of Christ. The formation of the All Saints Legacy Society will be announced at the Diocesan Convention on May 7, 2004. Prior to the Convention, invitations to join the society will be presented at all key Diocesan committees. To enable others to participate as Founding Members in the All Saints Legacy Society, anyone who shares their intent to make a planned gift before the inaugural reception in the spring of 2005 will be considered a Founding Member. For more information regarding the All Saints Legacy Society or how to leave a legacy, please contact John C. Kline, Director of Financial Development and Communications, at 410.467.1399.

THE ALL SAINTS LEGACY SOCIETY

Enrollment Form

I (we) accept the invitation to join fellow supporters of their local congregation, the Diocese of Maryland, or an Episcopal institution in becoming a member(s) of the All Saints Legacy Society. Name(s):______________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________

Phone & Email: _________________________________________________________________
On the roll of the All Saints Legacy Society, I (we) wish my (our) name(s) to appear as:

_____________________________________________________________________________

Signed: __________________________________________________Date: ________________

[ ] I consent for my (our) name(s) to appear with others on the public roster of the Society.
[ ] I don’t wish my (our) name(s) to appear with others on the public roster of the Society.

CONFIDENTIAL

1. ______I (we) have included my (our) local congregation, the Diocese of Maryland, or an Episcopal Institution in my (our) estate plan by means of:
[ ] _____________________________________

2. The current value of this gift is approximately: Optional $_______________________
[ ] I do not know the value. [ ] I do not wish to disclose the value.

3. ____I (we) have made lifetime gifts to an Endowment Fund of my local congregation, the Diocese of Maryland or an Episcopal institution.
Please return this form to the
Episcopal Diocese of Maryland in an envelope marked “PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL.