Lasting Legacy
FROM THE RECTOR
In what ways do you benefit from the hard work, dedication, and generosity of those who came before you? What risks did your forebears take to lay a foundation upon which your life is built? Were some of your ancestors brought to this country against their will or forcibly removed from their land—horrors that helped establish a culture of determination which you have inherited? Whether by choice or under threat, how much did your parents, grandparents, and other ancestors give up so that you could have a better life?
Like our families, our church is built upon the generous and faithful sacrifices of those who came before us. Last year, we celebrated our 175th anniversary and took some time to remember and give thanks for our history. When it comes to exploring our history, there is still more work for us to do. Some of our church’s prosperity is derived from the material and financial fruit of enslaved labor, and, as Christians who are committed to the work of repentance and reconciliation, we must more fully address those sins of the past if we want to enjoy the fullness of God’s love and mercy in the present and in the future.
Although some of our past is painful to remember, most of the stories we tell are full of hope and joy. Think of the people whose generosity has helped build and maintain our physical structures. Think of the leaders who have inspired us to explore God’s infinite grace, acceptance, and love throughout the generations. Think of the musicians who have helped our children, youth, and adults sing God’s praise year after year.
This week, mindful of the legacy Charlie Rigsby left at St. Paul’s, the vestry adopted a resolution establishing a music endowment fund in his name. Last year, Elizabeth Howick, a faithful member of our church community and choir, died. She loved our music program and the outreach and community justice ministries we provide. Through her estate, she left a monetary gift to the church, and the vestry voted to use those funds to establish the Rigsby Endowment.
Under the management of our Endowment Committee, that fund will be used to support music ministries at St. Paul’s in perpetuity. Our music program has a history of excellence. Back in 1872, when the cornerstone of our current church was laid, the newspaper detailed the music that made it “a most delightful and most impressive ceremony.” We believe that Liz’s gift is only the first, and we expect many others will want to support music at St. Paul’s through similar legacy gifts.
When you remember St. Paul’s in your will or through other planned giving, there are currently five different endowment funds to which you can make your gift: McMichael for unrestricted support; Gregg-Shively for outreach; Reynolds-Murphy for historic properties and music; Eggleston for youth; and now Rigsby for music. If you want to make a gift but do not see a fund that fits your vision for that gift, please contact the church so that we can discuss options with you.
As you make your estate plans and take steps to care for your loved ones, think also of ways that you can care for St. Paul’s. One approach is to endow your annual contribution by leaving an estate gift to the church of twenty times your annual commitment. At that level, the Endowment Committee will be able to withdraw five percent—the amount of your current annual giving—every year to support the ministries of the church in perpetuity without eroding the principal of your gift. Of course, gifts of any amount to the endowment are gratefully accepted.
There are several ways to make a legacy gift to St. Paul’s. You can use your will to leave a particular amount or a residual percentage of your estate to the church. You can also make St. Paul’s the beneficiary of your retirement or investment account or your life insurance policy. You can leave real estate or other property to the church, whether through your will or other legal instruments. If you are interested in establishing a charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder trust, or charitable lead trust to benefit St. Paul’s, please call the church. We would love to work with you to help our church while honoring your wishes.
One of the canonical duties of the rector of a church is to remind the congregation of the importance of having a will and, when feasible, of remembering the church and other charitable institutions in that will. St. Paul’s has been the beneficiary of many, many generous people. We are all grateful for their faithfulness. I hope you will consider leaving a gift to St. Paul’s that will benefit our church and sustain our ministries in the years to come.
Yours faithfully,
Evan D. Garner