vaumf-blog

[vaumf-blog]

Endowments Help Extend Mission!

Churches and other ministries are blessed to receive and benefit from bequests and other gifts that create an Endowment.  A donor instructs The Foundation that the interest or earnings be used to benefit a purpose, but the principal or corpus of the fund remain intact.  By law this describes what the state determines to be an Endowment.  In Virginia, the state legislature has adopted the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA) to help guide the proper investment of such funds as well as assist with guidance in distributing from endowments.

The Foundation helps many churches and ministries invest their endowments properly.  We suggest they diversify - and not put all their eggs in one basket.  Our Balanced Fund offers a low cost, diversified way to reduce risk and provide returns. While investing an endowment properly is important, we have found that proper distributions from an endowment is just as crucial. UPMIFA requires awareness of inflation and suggests the use of a rolling 3-year market value average in making distributions. In other words the spending power of the fund must rise over time to keep up with inflation.

The Foundation manages many Endowments with the purpose of expanding ministry … and we recently received the following note about one such ministry.

Dear Rev. Clark, In this land of plenty, it is shocking that more than 900,000 of our brothers and sisters in Virginia didn’t always know where their next meal is coming from. We are so grateful for the VAUMF’s long-standing commitment to alleviating hunger in the Commonwealth through the Hunger Trust. Thank you for again selecting The Society of St. Andrew as one of the agencies through which that commitment is lived out. Through the 2015 disbursement of $895.94, The Virginia United Methodist Foundation and its donors will share 44,794 servings of nourishing food with those who need it most. Thank you for partnering with The Society of St. Andrew to serve health and hope in Christ’s name. Photo: Everyone helps bag sweet potatoes for hungry neighbors at an April 2015 SoSA crop drop, made possible by gifts like yours. Every blessing, Lynette Johnson Director of Church Relations

[vaumf-blog]

We all desire significance—to lead happy and fulfilled lives surrounded by family and friends.

For many of us, there is a compelling need to make a difference – to leave a lasting impact on the people most dear to us and the world in which we live.  The seeds we plant today through effective planning can produce a growing legacy for the future. The search for significance and desire to plan for the future leads many to ponder their legacy. What kind of legacy will you leave? A bequest is perhaps the easiest and most tangible way to have a lasting impact on the ministries of your local church that mean the most to you. A bequest may also be an effective way to lessen the burden of taxes on your family and estate. The Foundation staff is available for private consultation with persons who are interested in planning their legacy.  Our consultation is confidential and without expense.  While our staff may assist with will and bequest planning, we do not prepare the legal documents and would point you to a qualified professional advisor.  The Foundation can provide individualized donor information to assure one’s charitable interests are carried out when the time comes for your estate design to be executed. The Foundation can also provide a template for standard language in revising or updating one’s will to include a benefit to their local church. We travel throughout the Conference meeting with individuals in planning their estate as well as with church leadership who steward assets and promote legacy giving in their church.  Please contact our office if you need additional information or would like to schedule a private consultation.

[vaumf-blog]

MOTIVATED BY A MENTOR’S EXAMPLE

Why a Donor Chose a Charitable Gift Annuity

For many years, Ron and Brenda Robey have served Overlook Retreat and Camp Ministries in a leadership role. Their spirits seek to provide a place “set apart to meet with God - a place where lives may be impacted for years to come”. Their engagement with overseeing a year-round ministry facility was impacted by many pastors and leaders whom they watched around the Virginia Conference. One example mentor showed them the art of generous giving that deeply motivated Ron and Brenda to look and pray for an opportunity to create a lasting legacy. He challenged them to consider how their generosity would continue giving beyond their lifetime - both for Overlook Retreat and Camp Ministries and for their local church, Mountain Valley UMC, in the Harrisonburg District.

Ron and Brenda learned of their gracious mentor’s plans to include camp ministry in his personal charitable gift planning. It was a plan that included a lifetime income stream to himself as well as eventual distribution to the camp and other ministries. Ron and Brenda wished they had the financial resources to create a similar plan. While serving the Lord, funds needed to create such a plan did not seem readily available, until they received a considerable bequest from a family member. It seemed God gave them the resources they desired to make a lasting gift while receiving an income for their lifetimes. Ron and Brenda prayerfully considered how they would use those funds and where they could make an impact.

When planned well, charitable giving can be powerful and effective when it takes into account today’s needs and future goals! The remainder of the funds in the annuity would return to the charity when both pass away. They were excited to create a stable income stream for their lifetimes AND receive a modest charitable deduction, knowing that one day their current gift would continue giving to support ministry and church.

Would you like to continue your legacy of giving to your favorite UMC charitable cause? You may be interested in ways to continue giving into the future or wish to see the benefits of your giving today to meet current income needs and long-term giving plans. We can help you find the mixture that is right for you. Call or email us and we will help you develop a personal solution to meet your goals.

[vaumf-blog]

When a social services worker calls to say a child needs a home, Holly Coates would love to offer up Lynchburg and its surrounding counties as the destination.

But more foster families are needed, she said, and a recently launched center in the Hill City is working to make more homes available.

United Family Methodist Services is a nonprofit organization based in Richmond that has helped Virginia children and families for more than a century.  Now it has opened a regional center in Lynchburg - located at Park View Community Mission.  This United Methodist ministry center offers foster care, therapeutic mentoring and a “Work2Succeed” job internship program for teenagers and young adults.

Coates said all branches of UMFS in Virginia actively recruit foster families and the number of children needing homes is increasing but there are only so many residences available. The primary need is for families to provide foster care for children 8 years old and older. The state does not allow anyone to be in foster care past 21 years old.

“There’s a life there we want kids to stay connected to,” she said.

The new center was made possible by a bequest from the late Lawrence A. Trent Jr., who died in 2011. His will stipulated that the undisclosed amount of the gift be used for serving children and families. Coates said their future plans are funded solely through this donation.

Trent was a World War II veteran who lived in Campbell County, died at age 90, and a member at Southview United Methodist Church. Pastor Phil Showers said Trent was “a wonderful man, as kind a heart and soul as you’d ever meet.”  Showers said Trent wanted to make sure he left a lasting legacy that would touch lives ... and he is doing that many times over.

Greg Peters, president and CEO of UMFS, said in a statement the organization was honored to take part in Trent’s “transformational” donation.

“Mr. Trent’s gift, along with UMFS’ desire to be unwavering champions for high-risk children and families will ensure that the Lynchburg community will have access to the critical resources we offer,” Peters said. “Mr. Trent had a vision for his community and it’s a vision we share. I believe that’s a combination that generates impactful programs that change lives.

Coates said UMFS staff so far have reached out to local churches and will share its mission with any group that is willing to listen. The nonprofit distributed school supplies at a Back to School night last month and hosted a Saturday community family day with free lunch and activities.

“We are trying to make sure the community as a whole knows there is an absolute need for people to open their hearts and homes,” Coates said. “I think a lot of times people just don’t know that.”

To read the full article from The News and Advance, Click here.

[vaumf-blog]

Over the last three years, the Foundation’s assets have grown about 40% in value as we have engaged with 40 new churches.

In my book there are more than 55 million reasons to be grateful!  2014 is history. Despite its gloom and doom headlines (Ebola, terrorist threats, Ukraine, airplane crashes, etc.), the Virginia United Methodist Foundation enjoyed a wonderful year of growth adding 49 new accounts, began a new entity as a church extension loan fund and ended the year with a new record high of assets under management.  

Foundation = $53,065,878 Development Company = $1,525,871

These results did not come about by themselves.  Relationships have been built all across the Conference with key lay leaders and churches.  Ministries and seminars at the District level have opened new doors. A dedicated staff have traveled the lengths of the Conference to engage the trust and generosity of many donors, churches, and ministries.  A supportive board of directors have encouraged us to keep going with an aggressive ministry/marketing plan!

Investment offerings and excellent performance, especially over the long-term, drive our reputation and opportunities for new accounts each year. Our Balanced Fund was up 6.97%, while the Stock Fund was up 9.23%, and the Bond Fund up 3.18% in 2014 (net of fees). This track record helps explain why these options are popular considerations for endowments and other long-term oriented funds. While record low rates still exist in CD’s and other similar investments, we certainly offer attractive options for churches and other ministries to consider.  In addition, for those churches who desire to see fixed returns or who have short-term cash, the Development Fund offers excellent returns as an alternate strategy.

About 66% of all funds in the Foundation belong to local churches, 16% to districts, agencies and related entities of the conference, and 16% are trusts/endowments/legacies created by donors that benefit the churches and ministries selected by the donors.  The balance of the funds are owned and/controlled by the Foundation. Several of these various accounts offer grants and  scholarships each year.

We all look forward to the challenges and opportunities to build on our past success. God has blessed us to be a blessing to others. Call on us if we can help you examine the possibilities!

Like us on Facebook.

Click here to learn more about the services The Foundation offers.

Click here to learn more about investment returns in our portfolios.

Click here to learn more about how you may invest in the Development Company.

Contact us to inquire about meeting with your church leadership on how we may serve your church in creating lasting ministries into the future!

[vaumf-blog]

HIGHER LIVING WITH BALANCED GIVING

How a Charitable Gift Annuity Benefits the Donor

Think of everything we balance - work schedule, tires, checkbooks, meals and so much more.  Yet, for all we so carefully keep in tune, few of us consider balancing our charitable giving.  But just like everything else that runs better when aligned, our charitable giving can be more powerful and effective when it takes into account both today’s needs and the future goals!

Last spring I received a telephone call from a church leader who was assisting one of his local church members. Mary had long been involved in teaching younger children in Sunday School.  She had a heart for making sure her church would be able to continue ministry long after she was gone.  Mary was also concerned about how she could receive a better income now - and continue her giving to her local church after she passed away.  Her goals were balancing her current income needs and continuing her support for her church’s future ministry long term.

Her local United Methodist Church or favorite UM charitable cause

Mary was pleased to discover that she could receive a fixed income for her lifetime, based on her age. She was 75 years old - and her income rate would be 5.8% for her lifetime.  AND the remainder of the funds in the annuity would return to the church when she passed away.  She was excited to create a stable income stream AND receive a modest charitable deduction.

If you make annual gifts to your favorite UMC charitable cause, you may be interested in ways to continue your giving into the future. If you have already included your charitable cause in your will or created another planned gift, you may wish to see the benefits of your giving today.  We can help you find the mixture that is right for you. Call or email us and we will help you develop a personal solution to meet your goals.

Like us on Facebook.

Click here to learn more about gift annuities.

Contact the Foundation to receive a personal illustration or to receive an application for your own gift annuity.

[vaumf-blog]

THE FOUNDATION AS A STEWARD OF ONE MAN’S LEGACY!

How a Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT) Benefits the Foundation

Dr. William J. Hanna: 1913 - 2015

More than 20 years ago, the Foundation was asked to establish and steward a CRUT (Charitable Remainder Unitrust) for Dr. William J. Hanna to provide income for his lifetime and named the Foundation as the remainder beneficiary.  In other words, the Foundation would receive, the remaining funds in the trust as a charitable gift, when he passed away.  Both my predecessors and I have seen this as God’s provision for the Foundation - though we could not have known when the term of the trust would conclude.

Dr. William J. Hanna was 101 when he claimed the promise of resurrection on January 8, 2015 in, Virginia Beach, VA and joined his wife of 60 years (the former Frances Shelton of Princess Anne) and his parents, Charles and Eleanor Hanna. Dr. Hanna was born on September 14,1913 in Chesterfield, SC and was the oldest of seven children.

Dr. Hanna was an active member of The United Methodist Church all his life and served in many leadership positions.

Dr. Hanna graduated Clemson Agricultural and Military College (now Clemson University) with a BS degree in Chemistry and Geology in 1934. He served on active duty in the US Navy from 1942-1946 and was assigned to duty in Palermo, Italy, during World War II. Before volunteering in the Navy, Dr. Hanna was employed in the Agricultural Experiment Stations in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.

While he remained in the Navy Reserve until he retired as a Lieutenant Commander in 1962, he received his M.S. in Soils Chemistry from North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. in 1947 and a Ph.D. in Soils Chemistry from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, in 1951. From 1947-1967, Dr. Hanna was a professor of Soils at Rutgers and later taught at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, from 1967-1976.  Click here for the full obituary.

His family expresses sincere thanks to special friends, Thomas and Carolyn Akers, for their loving care of "Mr. Bill" for over 8 years.

“Our Precious Mr. Bill will always and forever be in our hearts. He was a sweet, kind, brilliant man with a great sense of humor. It was a joy and privilege to care for him. He was "Family" to us and we loved him dearly! We will miss him greatly but we have God's promise that we will be with him in Heaven one day. Until then, Rest In Peace Bill, WE LOVE YOU!” - Thomas and Carolyn Akers

Upon his passing, the remainder of the CRUT accrues to the Foundation for its use.  As we embark on our new venture, The Virginia United Methodist Development Company, LLC, the completion of the term of trust and the distribution of assets to the charitable beneficiary has come at an appropriate time.  Now the Foundation’s stewardship responsibilities change.  The Foundation has begun thinking and praying about our strategic plan for these funds! This is a similar discussion to what we would have with a local church about a bequest or memorial gift they received.  Stay tuned to learn how the Foundation will continue to steward the Hanna Legacy; to continue its charitable work and extend God’s kingdom!

[vaumf-blog]

Lives that Made an Impact …

Memorial Gifts Will Continue That Impact!

In the last month, two long-time United Methodist friends of the Virginia Conference passed away.  Both left enduring legacies of service to the church and made an impact on others.  In each case, funds have been created to memorialize their service and endow ministries that were close to their hearts.

Patti Booher Russell passed away at 87 at The Hermitage in Richmond. Patti spent most of her adult life serving in various positions in The United Methodist Church and around the Virginia Conference. Her main areas of interests were in worship and church history, serving on worship committees and commissions at every level of The United Methodist Church, and with the World Methodist Council. She started the Virginia United Methodist Church Conference Archives and served 31 years as its Archivist. She was also the editor of its historical publication, Heritage, for 18 years. In June 2014, the Historical Society of The United Methodist Church recognized Patti's contribution and service to preserving the history of Virginia Methodism, presenting her with the Ministry of Memory Award. She was also active in social programs, serving as Director of the Stuart Circle Meal Ministry and assisting at the Virginia Interfaith Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested contributions be made to the Patti B. Russell Archives Endowment, which is managed by the Foundation for the benefit of the Virginia United Methodist Archives.  More than $12,000 in gifts have been received from family and friends to continue supporting her charitable mission.

Another beloved Methodist layman was Robert E. Spencer, Jr., who passed away at his home in Chesapeake from complications related to Parkinson's Disease. He was 73. Bob enjoyed a rewarding career as a U.S. Navy flight officer as part of the crew of an E-2A Hawkeye. He served on active duty for 7 years and spent another 16 years in the U.S. Navy Reserves, retiring with the rank of Commander. Following his active duty, he began a second career in banking and worked throughout the Hampton Roads area, retiring in 2007. He was active in many civic groups and was an integral part of the leadership of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, especially in his Sunday School class.  He served on the Board of Directors for the Virginia United Methodist Foundation - most recently as its Treasurer - though he retired in 2014 due to health limitations.

In lieu of flowers, donations were requested to be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Chesapeake, whose general endowment fund was recently renamed the Robert E. Spencer, Jr. General Endowment Fund.  

In both cases, ministry continues to enrich lives through these memorial endowments.  The primary donor responsibility is to plan in advance the causes and concerns which are close to their heart - and allow friends to engage in expanding that interest through their memorial gifts.

[vaumf-blog]

CHANGES BRING CHOICES … Neither are easy!

“God moves me.

He moved my Grandfather. He moved my Father.

My grandfather, Roy Duvall, as well as some of my uncles, helped rebuild the current church building in the 1920s. For all I know, he might have laid the 1926 cornerstone. Grandfather literally “sold the farm” to make time to help build the Burnt Factory United Methodist Church (east of Winchester VA).

My father, Jack Duvall, was in the middle of every mission pursued by our beloved church. But my forefathers’ passion wasn’t about Burnt Factory, the building, or even the “church”. Their passion was about sharing the love of Christ with others by providing a place of worship and reaching out to help others find that love.

Today, Burnt Factory UMC is at a critical point—bursting at the seams, if you will. The mission begun by saints who had the vision and an absolute drive to serve their families, community, and above all, God, continues. The handiwork of my Dad and Grandfather is carved into Burnt Factory. Admittedly, it’s sad to think that some of their works may be written over by this new chapter in our church’s life. But I’ve prepared myself by realizing my Dad and Grandfather would prefer to be remembered first as God’s servants and as craftsmen.. That’s a heritage I hold dear!”       -testimony of Mark Duvall, church member, Burnt Factory UMC,        Winchester District

Today the Burnt Factory UMC stands at a crossroads.  Do they simply embrace the heritage of their past?  Or press into the changes needed to create a new legacy for coming generations?

Every local church faces that issue between a focus on their past ministry or building for their future.  For Burnt Factory UMC, a burgeoning attendance in limited space led them to consider all options for a “transformational” decision.  Within the last 7 years, morning worship has grown to two services averaging more than 220 in attendance.  

The Foundation was contacted last summer to consult with their finance and building committees to think and pray through their options in funding a significant expansion to their aging facility.  Pastor Steve Melester was concerned about how much could be expected to be raised in a major capital campaign.  A strategic plan was carefully planned with a major kick-off for the first phase of their “EGI” Campaign - “Estimated Giving Initiative” - set for November 2nd.  Leaders were challenged to pray about what God would impress upon them to give;  families were recruited to consider their investment in future ministry.  A commitment card was distributed throughout the congregation!

It was my privilege to participate in their celebration on a special Legacy Sunday in October.  My role was to challenge the congregation to consider their commitment to creating a lasting legacy into the future for continuing ministry in this growing area of northern Virginia.  A special gift planning seminar was shared with the congregation as they weighed what God was calling them to do in their personal commitment.  Numerous meetings by church committees and periods of personal and corporate prayer led to an exciting announcement for the results of the first phase of the EGI campaign.  More than what had been hoped for was committed in cash and pledges over the next three years to make the planned expansion possible.   

Additional strategic consultation with the church leadership on creating a construction bridge loan for the improvements is being discussed with our new entity - the Virginia United Methodist Development Company, LLC.  Finding ways for people to become involved in the investment/deposit side to underwrite the bridge loan have been an ongoing discussion.  

To learn more about the purpose and ministry of the Virginia United Methodist Development Company, LLC, click here.

[vaumf-blog]

Community Mission Possible Because of Bequest

“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4)

In a poorer area of Lynchburg, Virginia, Park View Community Mission provides many services for the local community from hot meals and worship every Wednesday evening to assisting over 700 families per month with a shopping cart full of eggs, meat, vegetables and canned goods from food banks, churches, grocery stores, and restaurants to providing WiFi for children to complete their school work. Park View Community Mission is a vital part of the 89 United Methodist churches within the Lynchburg District and has transformed into a community ministry that includes other churches, civic organizations, and colleges.

Park View Community Mission started as the Park View United Methodist Church having a weekly church covered-dish supper. One evening, two strangers asked if they could eat and were welcomed by the church family. The next week they showed up with a friend and asked to join in again. Soon the mission of Park View United Methodist Church changed from eating and socializing to caring for the needy and eventually became Park View Community Mission. Rev. Larry Davies, Lynchburg District Superintendent, wrote: “In the midst of helping so many, there were problems.  Maintenance costs were staggering.  Providing tons of food each week required hundreds of volunteers. Conditions certainly weren’t perfect … we needed to do more to help families break the cycle of poverty - not less.”

The Mission continuously depends on regular resources, volunteers and organizational expertise in order to continue their much needed ministry.  United Methodist Family Services was able to open a branch office on the third floor of the Mission building and share in the cost of maintaining the building as well as open a valuable service through their foster care program. Students with special needs and autism find help and success. CentraHealth now provides a Mobile Medical Unit every Thursday for assistance to the uninsured and under insured.  One of the volunteers began leading Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups as an outreach to the Park View neighborhood.   A church has been re-planted at Park View with a focus on community outreach. Through such programs, children overcome trauma and families begin to heal. And there’s more ...

All this became possible through the visionary bequest of a long-time United Methodist Church member who was a resident of the Lynchburg area and the son of a Methodist pastor. His planned gift was created to help UMFS collaborate with the Lynchburg District office to develop specialized program services for residents living in the neighborhood.

To  learn more about Park View Community Mission click here.

Through generous bequests and donations, this small ministry is doing amazing things for the community. To learn how you can also set up a bequest, click here.

_______________________________________________________

For the full story click here.

[vaumf-blog]

A Sprouting Office for a Greater Future

The United Methodist Foundation of the Virginia Conference, Inc., office is growing rapidly. We have reached an all time high of $50.5 Million in assets that The Foundation now manages for various United Methodist churches and organizations throughout Virginia. The Foundation closed the month of August at $50,519,134 to be exact.

We have also hired two new part time staff.  They are here to help with the growth of the Foundation and it’s new subsidiary, Virginia United Methodist Development Company, LLC.  Both are new positions. One is a Marketing/Communications Coordinator and the other is a Lending Relationships/Operations Manager. Virginia United Methodist Development Company, LLC will be a new investment opportunity for Virginia United Methodist members and a place for Virginia United Methodist churches can borrow to funds to support the church’s expansion in ministry.

Katey McCarney - our Marketing and Communications Manager.  She serves on the Conference Board on Communications, Laity for the Richmond District, and is active member at Chester UMC. She is in the Chancel Choir and the Treasurer for the UMW.  She is also a member of UMAC, (United Methodist Associations of Communicators) and has been asked to lead a workshop at their Annual Conference, in Savannah, GA in October 2014.  Her responsibilities are to oversee and manage the marketing efforts for both the Foundation and the Development Company, LLC as well as facilitate our communications with various publics via website, social media and print.  She brings unique experience having created her own business, PetreyDish.Com.

Brett Sheffield, PMP - our Lending Relationships/Operations Manager.  Brett comes with a varied background of banking, government and business experience as an consultant, analyst and catalyst for start-ups.  He is active in the Westover Hills UMC, where he is deeply involved with their current capital improvement program.  His responsibilities with this new role will be to build effective relationships to assist local church leadership in project planning, loan processing and strategic business analysis.  He has already been up to his elbows in finalizing the logistics and legal details for the Development Company, LLC – and has been on field visits at local church meetings.  He brings unique experience as an independent contractor for the last several years in project management after serving as a small business and commercial lending officer.

[vaumf-blog]

Bequest Half of “Gone With the Wind” Royalties to Atlanta Archdiocese

Because of a generous bequest from Joseph Mitchell, the late nephew of the author, Margaret Mitchell, the Atlanta Archdiocese now owns 50 percent of the literary rights to her Pulitzer prize-winning novel, "Gone With the Wind."

That means the Archdiocese will continue to receive a continuous revenue from the sales of books, merchandise and as well as participating in protecting the copyright of Margaret Mitchell's legacy.

"Gone With the Wind” was first published in 1936 by Macmillan and sold 176,000 copies at its original release. According to Publishers Weekly, more than one million copies were sold by the end of 1938. That number doubled after the movie release in 1939. Now, Simon and Schuster publish the book which sells about 75,000 copies every year in all platforms. The book has been translated more than 30 times and new editions continue to be published throughout Europe and Asia.

Margaret died in 1949, 3 years later her husband also passed away. Their estate and literary rights went to her brother who in turn left the rights in trusts split between his sons, Eugene and Joseph.

In the 1960s, family attorneys sought to protect the copyright against copyright, including those who wanted to make sequels, dramas, musicals and so on, based on "Gone With the Wind."

The ownership of the trust now includes the Atlanta Archdiocese who are entitled to "fairly significant" royalties from proceeds of book sales of the original novel, two authorized sequels, merchandise, plus about $100,000 a year from movie rights.

To read the full story, click here.

You may not be a famous author with movie rights, but you can still leave a lasting legacy for your church or church’s ministries and programs. To read more about leaving a Legacy for your church in your will, click here.

[vaumf-blog]

A Surprising Legacy Creates an Enduring Impact!

Elderly widow who lived humble life shocks villagers by leaving everything to parish church in her will.

Hazel Jones-Olszewsk was an elderly widow who left everything in her will to her local church, St David's Parish Church 20 years after she left the village. She was the seventh of eight children who outlived all of her siblings. When she was widowed for the second time in 1991, Mrs Jones-Olszewsk moved away from her small village and church to live with her only son in Chelsea. Just after she moved to a nursing home in Kensington in 2009, her son suddenly passed away.

She grew up in the small village near Ammanford and was thought to be an average woman who was careful with her money. She attended St David's Parish Church as a child up until she left the village and it always held a place in her heart. The value of her estate was more than $4.4-million.

Villagers were surprised that Mrs Jones-Olszewsk had such a large fortune hidden away and donated it to the church so many years after leaving. A Church In Wales spokeswoman said, 'She was an ordinary woman who did an extraordinary deed in wanting people in the diocese of St David’s to benefit after her death.'

“According to her will, the two conditions were that the money should stand as a lasting memorial and that the money should be spread across the St David’s Diocese.” reads the article. In gratitude for Mrs Jones-Olszewsks’s generosity, a plaque commemorating her bequest will be placed at St David’s Church. The gift will be used to invest in ministry to the children and young people of the parish and in training for clergy and lay ministers.

What will be the impact of your legacy?  How have you provided for your local church and the ministries close to your heart?

To read the full article, click here.

To read more about leaving a Legacy for your church in your will, click here.

[vaumf-blog]

There are so many things we want to do for ourselves and for others and we aren’t sure how to go about it. We want to help with church ministries, go on vacation, donate to the church, save up for our children’s tuition, give to the local food pantry, have enough for retirement… The list goes on and we used to be able to count on our money working for us. Interest income was actually income.  Today, interest earnings on CD’s, Money Markets, Savings Accounts are not what they used to be and one is lucky if you can buy a piece of gum at a convenience store.

The Virginia United Methodist Development Company, LLC will be offering Savings Certificates and Loan Certificates to Churches, agencies, and individuals 18 years of age or older, who reside in Virginia and are affiliated with The United Methodist Church as a way to revive the olden days and make interests more interesting.

On top of earning a better interest rate, the money that is being invested will be borrowed by Virginia based United Methodist Churches and organizations  here in Virginia. Since the interest they pay funds the interest you earn, it truly is “united Methodists investing to impact Virginia.

To learn more about Investing in The Virginia United Methodist Development Company, LLC, Please contact us at: 804-521-1150.

[vaumf-blog]

WHAT LEGACY WILL YOU LEAVE?

“Wealth is regarded as a good thing by most people. But that is not entirely true: it depends how you use it. If wealth were a good thing in itself and on its own account, then everyone who possesses it would be good. Yet not all rich people are virtuous; only those who manage their money in a responsible way. Therefore wealth is not a good thing in itself, it is only an instrument for doing good.” - St. John Chrysostom,  The Quotable Saint by R. E. Guiley, New York, 2002, p.179.

I appreciate where Chrysostom goes with this idea. It syncs with biblical teaching. What does our Lord say to those with wealth? “Share it with the needy!” (Mark 10:21-22) What does the Apostle Paul echo?  “Enjoy and share it!” (1 Tim 6:17-19)

When wealthy people do this, wealth serves as an instrument of good.  Wealth becomes a legacy of generosity ... for generations to model!

A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make in creating a legacy.  Recently one church in the Virginia United Methodist Conference received a considerable legacy gift, bequested to the church.  The leadership of the congregation worked together to craft a strategic plan as conscientious stewards to discern how best to manage the funds and use them to expand ministry to their community. They recognize the gift is not to be squandered.  They determined to use some to make much needed repairs to their aging church building, set aside a portion to enhance current ministry opportunities in the community,  and invested part in The Foundation to endow future ministry!

We must remember that God gave us the ability to produce wealth and the instructions on what to do with it (Deut 8:18).  All of us will one day give it all away in creating a legacy.  Making wise choices in advance about where to give it and how it can be used as an instrument for doing good is a critical stewardship decision!

Sadly, God’s people in the Old Testament failed to obey His instructions for the use of wealth.  My prayer is that we today, don’t forget that our actions show whether we are truly His disciples or not.

__________________________________

Is now the time to put fear aside and look into different ways to steward funds other than burying your talents in a no-yield or low-yield account?  To learn more and talk with one of our staff about your options, call 804-521-1121 or visit our website, www.vaumfgifts.org.  We will be glad to listen and help you explore your investment options to meet your ministry goals!

[vaumf-blog]

Elizabeth Crary leaves bequest for St. Andrews Episcopal Church

Born, raised, and educated in Ann Arbor, Elizabeth Crary maintained strong ties to our community even after she moved east to Massachusetts. Elizabeth passed away in January in Pittsfield, MA. She was the daughter of Margaret and Douglas Crary, a professor of geology at the University of Michigan. While the Crary children did not attend St. Andrew's as children, Elizabeth had fond memories of attending midnight services at Christmas with her father when she returned home for the holidays.

Elizabeth's bequest to the Community Foundation to create the Elizabeth A. Crary Fund for St. Andrew’s Church is one example of her enduring connection to the Ann Arbor community.

As a designated fund, the Elizabeth A. Crary Fund for St. Andrew’s Church will support the church’s many outreach efforts in Washtenaw County - For good.  For ever.

Founded in 1827,  St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is the oldest church in Ann Arbor and has been an important part of our community’s history.

Over the years, St. Andrew’s has earned a reputation for community outreach and advocacy -  especially their commitment and care for the homeless.

Since 1982, St. Andrew's Breakfast Program has opened its doors 7 days a week, 365 days a year to feed those in need of a warm breakfast and companionship.  The program is entirely volunteer driven and serves as many as 150 people on any given day. The Church also helped organize Ann Arbor’s Shelter Association.

For the full story, go here.