November 17, 2005
John White, the Diocese’s Missioner for Legacy Stewardship, reports that to date 32 couples and/or individuals from all areas of the diocese have followed the model of Bishop Scruton and his wife Rebecca in making a legacy gift to ensure the future of the Episcopal Church here in Western Massachusetts. You may recall that the Bishop in a September communication to the entire Diocese asked parishioners to consider making provisions in either their will or estate plan by giving to the future work of either their parish or the diocese.
Legacy Stewardship comes out of planning for life’s end and usually takes the form of a gift to support the mission of the church. Many people out of gratitude for all of the gifts that God has given to us want to give back to support the church’s future mission. The easiest way to make such a gift is to leave a bequest in your will. It is suggested that you obtain the assistance of a lawyer in writing or revising your will. The diocesan website www.diocesewma.org has sample forms that parishioners might use in making a bequest. There are other ways to make gifts: Pooled Income Funds, Charitable Gift Annuities, Life Insurance, and Real Estate. In addition, The Episcopal Church Foundation, a private independent foundation located in New York City is available to assist givers in selecting life income vehicles for planned giving. They can be contacted by telephone toll free at (800) 697-2858 or via email at all@episcopalfoundation.org . Their website is www.ecf.gift-planning.org. John White, our Diocesan Legacy Missioner, is also available to assist parishioners. He can be reached by phone at (860) 928-3705 or email at ejwhite@diocesewma.org.
Parishioners who make a Planned Legacy Gift to either Epiphany or the diocese (no matter the size of the gift) are eligible to enroll in the Bishop’s Legacy Fellowship. On Tuesday, April 25, 2006, the Bishop will host an Appreciation Concert and Dinner at the Cathedral for members of the Bishop’s Legacy Fellowship. Fellowship enrollment forms were included in the brochure that you received in the mail in September or they may be downloaded via the diocese’s website www.diocesewma.org .