St. Christopher's Episcopal Church
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A Message on Planned Giving from the Rector, the Rev. Susan R. Sowers
 
Dear Parish Family,
 
St. Christopher’s has been blessed by the generosity of its members since our founding in 1957. Along with annual stewardship giving and capital campaigns, planned gifts have clearly undergirded the ability of our church to thrive for over 60 years.
 
Did you know that through one of our existing Endowment funds we can annually support almost $70,000 toward the maintenance to our facilities without dipping into the monthly operational giving that goes toward our mission of serving Christ in others?  That’s a life-saver, and is necessary to our growth as a parish!  While $70,000 is a substantial amount, it funds only a portion of our needs.
 
I’d like each of us to consider how we might contribute to the Endowment Fund to sustain the life of St. Christopher’s even after we’ve “gone to the Lord.”
 
Planned gifts will be spent each year for the benefit you intend.  The St. Christopher’s Endowment Trust has an independent group of trustees (members) who oversee the funds.  They meet quarterly and confer with a professional investment firm who helps invest our funds.
 
You may choose to establish an endowment for a particular purpose that interests you, or you may add your gift to an already established endowment that targets a purpose you support. If you decide to make a gift to one of the three existing endowment funds, you can choose the fund that best suits your goal for the gift, or allow the Vestry the discretion to put the gift where it is most needed.  The Vestry has set a threshold of a $100,000 gift to start a new endowment fund for a particular purpose of your choosing.
 
Any member of our Parish Planned Giving Committee will be more than happy to help you understand the importance of planned giving and to provide you with information on purposes and methods for making a gift.
 
Please take some time to scroll through the information on this website. I prayerfully hope that it will inspire you to begin this important work of joining others in securing the sustainability of our mission in serving Christ and his world.
 
Gratefully Yours in Christ,
Susan…+
 
What is a Legacy Gift?
  • A commitment to sharing a portion of our bounty and blessings with St. Christopher’s
  • Here are some thoughtful and pray-full ways to consider your gift:
  • Do I make a gift while I am still living, or do I make a gift that is delivered to St. Christopher’s upon my death?
  • There are numerous ways a gift can be conveyed to the Church, ranging from a simple outright donation of cash or liquid securities to something as sophisticated as a charitable remainder trust—what is my best option?
  • What ministry or ministries do I want my gift to support?
 
Example of various purposes for your gift:
  • Outreach
  • Buildings and Grounds
  • Youth Ministry
  • Education
  • Various micro-purposes: Organ, Kitchen, Altar Guild, etc. (These types of gifts, however, should be designated funds to the Church, not to the Endowment Trust.)

A Brief History of Planned Giving at St. Christopher’s
St. Christopher’s first endowed fund was initiated in 1991. Today, St. Christopher’s benefits from three funds with a total endowment value of $2,455,519 generating approximately $85,000 annually to support a broad range of ministries, one of which allows the Vestry the discretion to select a purpose for the gift.  When needed, we benefit from the use of the Maura Street Endowment house, and we have access to low-interest loans when we desire to make large Capital Improvements.  It is the McCabe Fund, which provides for the major maintenance of our facilities and campus.  This fund alone has recently contributed nearly $70,000 annually for structural repairs.  Additionally, our Harrell Scholarships offer assistance to those who previously served as acolytes or as part of the Youth Group and that are seeking advanced degrees.  

Existing named endowments which benefit St. Christopher's  
  • General Endowment Fund - $468,000 - 1991 - Operational Needs
  • Harrell Scholarship - $167,519 - 1997 - Advanced Degree Scholarships
  • McCabe Fund - $1,820,000 - 2002 - Major Maintenance

Why Legacy Giving is Critical to Securing the Future of ST. CHRISTOPHER’S
The annual operating budget is funded primarily by annual stewardship pledges.
  • The Vestry tithes at least 12% of annual pledged income to support outreach.
  • Payroll monies are essential in leading our ministries – enabling our worship and program capability.
  • The balance of the operating budget, essentially, is required to fund programs and operations, compensate clergy and staff, and support parish life activities.
  • There may be those who would like to pledge more during their lifetime than is available to them presently.  A pledge from insurance proceeds, etc. upon their death, may allow them to give to the church those funds that were not available during their lifetime.
  • Giving patterns indicate challenges ahead regarding stewardship giving levels.  It requires a consistent emphasis on teaching the biblical value of offering a portion of our income to God’s work in the world. It is easy in our culture to lose sight of the value traditionally placed in supporting the life of one’s parish.  Additionally, in today’s economic climate, it may be difficult for some parishioners to pledge as much as they may like. 
 
Planned giving ultimately provides an additional and reliable source of funds to sustain St. Christopher’s and its ministries, while also allowing parishioners to make a difference and to enrich themselves spiritually in the act of giving. 
It’s simple: Planned gifts matter if you believe that St. Christopher’s matter.

Click here to see attached article, “Why Churches Should Have a Ministry of Legacy Giving”.
 
The St. Christopher’s Legacy Society
When you make a bequest or contribution of any size to St. Christopher’s, either in your will or via a trust agreement, you will become a member of the St. Christopher’s Legacy Society.  With your permission, the Church will recognize all parishioners who have made a provision for the church as part of their estate plan.  The amount is always confidential.  
 
Resources and Support
A member of our Planned Giving Committee can help you learn more about planned giving.
 
Legacy Giving Committee Members
  • Jim Hall  -  850-572-0787
  • Jim Johnson  -   850-572-2376
  • Scott Remington  -  850-434-9200
  • John Fogg  -  850-384-2222
  • Michael McGurk  -  850-454-6461
  • The Rev. Susan Sowers, Rector  -  910-398-4786
 
You should always consult with your financial advisor and attorney.
 
Your Next Steps
Begin your introspection
  • What do we have?
  • How much do we need to support my spouse and me for the rest of our lives?
  • How much do we want to provide to children and other relatives?
  • With whom do we want to share the balance of our estate?
  • Where does St. Christopher’s place in the hierarchy of our giving?
  • What specific ministries of St Christopher’s do we want to support?
 
While gifts of all amounts are needed and welcome, given the need for long term funding, a minimum amount has been established to endow a named fund.  These named funds should be of an amount adequate to provide for long term or perpetual contributions to the Church’s needs and missions.  To support these long term needs, the Vestry has established a minimum commitment of $100,000, to allow for a separate endowed and named fund. The endower may work with the Church to determine the specified purpose to which the principal and income from the endowment may be applied.  At the direction of the donor, these larger gifts may be added to existing funds or the General Endowment Fund.   We invite anyone considering creating an endowed fund to work with the Church to determine the use of the principal and income. The only guideline that applies is that the fund must be consistent with the Christian mission and values of St. Christopher’s.
 
For a gift of any size, acknowledge your commitment by completing the attached Confidential Letter of Intend, and submit it to the Rector or a member of the Committee. Click here to download the Letter of Intent
 
Just to get your imagination engaged, listed below are just some of the possibilities for the use of funds that the Planned Giving Committee has identified.  Many of these types of donations should be designated gifts handled by the Church.
 
Outreach
  • Local Feeding ministries such as Loaves and Fishes
  • Abroad Ministry: The Incarnation Project with Le Pretre, Haiti
  • Disaster relief with Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD)
 
Youth Ministry
  • Mission Trips
  • Programming
  • Youth Minister salary assistance
 
Special Pastoral Support Programs
  • End-of-Life counseling
  • Hospice
  • Elder support and care (e.g., concierge services)
 
Buildings, Grounds, and Support Services
  • Historical preservation
  • Buildings and equipment maintenance
  • Technology infrastructure
  • Library
  • Parish communications
 
Christian Formation
  • Speaker series
  • Program support
  • ‘Learning Together’ ministries
 
Staff Support
  • Clergy education and development
  • Staff education and development
 
Unrestricted
  • Unrestricted General Bequest
  • Unrestricted Specific Bequest
  • Unrestricted Residuary Bequest
 
Let’s keep it as simple as possible.  Estate planning and provisions for planned giving can be expensive, but providing for a gift is also as simple and inexpensive as completing a simple Codicil to be attached to an existing will.
 
Including a Bequest to the St. Christopher’s Church Legacy Society in your will.  Simple form Codicils will be available at the church for your consideration.
 
Unrestricted General Bequest
I give the sum of $ [amount], unrestricted to the Wardens and Vestry of St. Christopher’s Church, a qualifying 501(c)(3) charitable organization having an address of 3200 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, Fl, 32503.
 
 
Unrestricted Specific Bequest
I give all of my right, title and interest in my [XXXX] Stock, together with the proceeds and reinvestment thereof, unrestricted to the Wardens and Vestry of St. Christopher’s Church, a qualifying 501 (c) (3) charitable organization having an address of 3200 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, Fl, 32503.
 
 
Unrestricted Residuary Bequest
All of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal property, tangible or intangible, and wheresoever situated, I give devise and bequeath X%, unrestricted to the Wardens and Vestry of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, a qualifying 501(c)(3) charitable organization having an address of 3200 North 12th Ave., Pensacola, Fl, 32503; and Y% to John Doe, outright; and Z% to Jane Doe, outright.
Articles & Resources

Wall Street Journal - 12/07/18
The Secret way Seniors can Keep Deducting Gifts to Charities
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St. Christopher's Episcopal Church
3200 N 12th Ave, Pensacola FL 32503
Phone: 850-433-0074
Office hours: 8 am - 4 pm Monday to Thursday​
© Copyright 2017, St Christopher's Episcopal Church. All rights reserved. 
  • Home
  • Visit Us
  • About
    • Contact
    • Clergy
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    • Vestry Members
    • Map & Directions
    • The Episcopal Church
  • News
    • Calendar
    • Emails & Newsletters
    • Facebook
    • Christopher's Concerts
    • Arts-Crafts Vendor Information
  • Children & Youth
    • Nursery Care
    • Children's Sunday School
    • Sweet Studies
    • EYC - Episcopal Youth Community
  • MINISTRIES
  • Life Events
    • Weddings
    • Funerals
    • Baptism
  • Give
    • Regular Giving
    • Legacy Giving
  • Sermons