The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas
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Legacy Giving



Welcome to the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas ~ Stewardship Website  
Legacy Giving (also known as Planned Giving)
  • is the way in which we address the matter of disposing of the accumulations of our lifetime.  Who will use your "stuff" when you no longer need it?  It is the opportunity to leave a planned gift that constitutes both a legacy to generations yet unborn and a final witness to those who we hold most dear.
  • is normally a gift given from accumulated assets.  90% of these types of gifts are simple bequests made through one's Last Will and Testament.  Frequently these gifts go to sustain missions and ministries that have blessed the life of the donor or they may be intended to create new mission or ministry.
  • is Ultimate Stewardship.
From Burdens to Gifts

We are born with nothing.

While we live, we obtain stuff.

When we die, we can’t take any stuff with us.

Depressing as the thought of dying is, at least to me, it does make me conscious of how I use my time and my stuff, and of what to do with my stuff when I no longer need it. I consider it a blessing to have been given health, brains, a house to live in, clothes to wear, food to eat, and a wonderful family. But thinking about all these blessings makes me anxious about my responsibilities to tend them.

Recently, I filled out an application for something, and it asked about my occupation. I thought to myself that I spend most of my waking moments fixing things that I own. So I thought of writing, “maintenance man.” I really was spending more time maintaining the things I have instead of caring for the people that I love. It reminded me of a lapel button someone once gave me: “Love People, Use Things.” I was keenly aware of this occupation when, last week, in the brief, few hours I had to spend with my wife before she left for graduate school, we had to deliver two of our cars to two different repair shops.

Is that really what I am? A maintenance man? Am I really so shackled by the stuff of my life, and taking care of it, that I can’t find time to enjoy the beautiful earth God has created? That I can’t find time to love the beautiful people I’m lucky enough to have found?

Yup. I have so much that it’s beginning to feel like a burden. And billions of people on the planet don’t even have access to the basic means for life—food, shelter, clothing. What’s wrong with this picture?

So I decided to be generous while I’m alive. I wrote a will that cares for my family and gives what’s left away. Well, I can’t take it with me, so I might as well accomplish something useful with it after I no longer need it.

In my will, I have a provision for the church. It gives me great pleasure to have a plan that will help others far less fortunate than I am. I can turn all these things that seem to be such a burden at times into useful gifts that will give others access to the means of life.

“No fool he

Who gives away what he cannot keep

To gain what he cannot lose.” —Anonymous

If thinking about your death depresses you, take some action now. Write a will that directs some of your assets to charitable purposes. It’ll feel very good.

—Fred Osborn III

Director of Philanthropic Services

The Episcopal Church Foundation

815 Second Avenue

New York, NY 10017-4564

800.697.2858

Fred@episcopalfoundation.org

The Legacy Giving Consultant Defined

We know:

  • Everything belongs to God, we are the caretakers
  • A planned gift is the ultimate form of Christian witness of our stewardship commitment
  • 50-70% of Americans die without making a will
  • Everyone has a chance to leave his/her own legacy of faith

We believe:

  • This ultimate giving may be the largest gift one makes to the church
  • This ultimate gift is often a once-in-a-lifetime gift
  • Planned gifts are given in response to an affection and concern for the Church, and in support of its work
  • Donors must believe their gift will be safe and used for the intended purpose

We offer:

  • Professionals experienced in presenting seminars and workshops on planned gifts, most importantly the last will and testament
  • Independent unbiased evaluation of readiness to develop a planned giving program in the congregation
  • Assistance in developing a planned giving program

We will be able to:

  • Respond to an initial request for evaluation/consultation
  • Consultant in all facets of creating a planned giving program
  • Present planned giving seminars
  • Assist in planning a "Final Affairs Fair, Wills Clinic" or other awareness programs
  • Advise on the development of a " Legacy Society"

Committee Chair:

Staff Liaison:

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