Planned giving … response of the faithful
by Ana Watts
We are the Church.
Active, committed and faithful New Brunswick Anglicans give generously of their time, energy, abilities and financial resources to do the work of God in their families, parishes, communities and the world. They would do more if they could — and with the help of the Department of Philanthropy of General Synod, they can.
The Department of Philanthropy works closely with dioceses and parishes throughout the country to ensure the continuation and growth of vitally important ministries. It encourages Anglicans to be generous and faithful stewards of all God’s gifts.
Last spring our diocese, in partnership with the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC), launched a special legacy gifts program, an exciting opportunity to reach out to New Brunswick Anglicans interested in providing financial support through estate planning.
“This legacy gifts program is also an excellent opportunity for the diocese to enter into a deeper relationship with those donors who express an interest in planned giving,” says Archbishop Claude Miller. “We are able to get to know them, talk about their interests, answer their questions and find ways to work together to address immediate needs within their parish and the diocese.”
Parishes are usually the beneficiaries of legacy gifts. A pilot project in the Diocese of Toronto revealed the lion’s share of its more than $3 million in identified gifts was designated to parishes in that diocese. The initiative also had a morale-boosting effect.
“Our partnership with the National Church in the area of planned giving is a really good news story for churches in the Diocese of Fredericton, and will help us to truly celebrate the generosity of our faith community,” says Archbishop Miller.
Anglicans tend to give thoughtful attention to the stewardship of their accumulated assets with valid wills ensuring the well being of their families and ongoing support for the institutions and causes that matter to them. The Department of Philanthropy website http://www.anglican.ca/fm/giftplanning/index.htm outlines many ways to respond to God’s generosity through both present and deferred gifts. Participation in the legacy gifts program is not the prerogative of the wealthy; it is the response of the faithful.
For more information on legacy gifts and other planned giving opportunities contact Archdeacon John M. Robertson, our national gift-planning consultant <jrobertson at national.anglican.ca>.
