West Grove Presbyterian Church

Knowing Christ and Making Christ Known

Legacy Giving

West Grove Presbyterian Church Legacy Program – Frequently Asked Questions

1.       Who should make a Legacy gift?

a.       Any person of any age who wishes give to further God’s blessings.  The gift can be structured to meet any age and financial situation and can be changed throughout your life.  The best gift is one that fits your needs and your values.

2.       Is a Legacy gift only for wealthy people?

a.       No, not at all.  Any and all gifts will be invested and use to help WGPC and the surrounding community.

3.       How will my gift be used?

a.       That is really up to you.  You may designate it for the Memorial Fund, to the general operating budget, or for a special purpose.  Or, you may wish for the Session to decide upon the greatest need at that time.

4.       How will I be recognized for my Legacy gift?

a.       You will become a member of the West Grove Presbyterian Church Legacy Society and recognized on the Church website.  You will also be invited to an annual event as a way for WGPC to say thanks.

5.       If I prefer to keep my gift and/or plans confidential, may I do this?

a.       Yes.  West Grove Presbyterian Church respects a donor’s desire for confidentiality.  Amounts, regardless of whether you wish to be recognized are not, are NEVER made public.

6.       If I make a Legacy gift, should I still make my weekly/monthly tithes and offerings?

a.       Yes.  The Legacy gift is a one-time final gift to the Church.

7.       What if I have already remembered West Grove Presbyterian Church in my will?  Can I still be recognized as a member of the West Grove Presbyterian Church Legacy Society?

a.       Yes

8.       How might I learn more?

a.       Please see church leadership for additional information..

 

Bulletin Insert Week 1

 Welcome to the West Grove Presbyterian Church Legacy Program

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms – 1 Peter 4:10

We are only trustees for those that come after us. – William Morris

A gift to the church in your Will may be the most important gift you ever give. Ask how your gift today can bless future generations.

The West Grove Presbyterian Church Legacy Program is about making a choice to live and give

towards making a better future for those we care about - including our WGPC family. And one thing you can do right now to help ensure that better future is to make a Will that provides for your family and blesses your faith community’s work.

 

West Grove Presbyterian Church believes in being able to meet people’s needs through ministry in a few months, years, and even decades. Including a gift to the church in your Will can help do that - without affecting your finances now.

 

No matter how much you can give, with a bequest, you can strengthen your church family and make a difference for the future.

 

We are all concerned, in one way or another, about leaving behind a positive Legacy.  That is why we work hard on being the best parent, grandparent, friend, and community member that we can possibly be.  By including West Grove Presbyterian Church in our Will, we can also leave a positive Legacy for our Faith and our Church, all without impacting our current income. 

 

During the next few weeks, we will be communicating more about the WGPC Legacy Program, through our website, our Facebook page, mailings, and our weekly bulletin. 

 

Bulletin Insert Week 2

 Welcome to the West Grove Presbyterian Church Legacy Program

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8


Making a legacy gift is not just for those who have wealth or special financial expertise but for anyone with a generous spirit who wants to designate their gifts while they are living. As members West Grove Presbyterian Church, we all share a deep sense of gratitude for those who have gone before us. They gave gifts to fund the current needs and for the long-term benefit of those who would follow them in ministry.


What Is a Planned Gift?
A planned gift is a gift from your assets or estate that might include a bequest, life insurance, real estate, or personal property. There are a number of gifting options, including outright gifts of cash or assets, a charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder trust, and charitable lead trust. We strongly urge our donors to work closely with their financial advisors to determine the most advantageous estate plan for them.


Why Consider a Planned Gift?
Your legacy gift ensures the continued existence and growth of West Grove Presbyterian Church from one generation to the next. While a planned gift brings a sense of fulfillment to our own lives, it may also provide financial benefits to the donor, including tax savings, reduced capital gains and estate taxes, and release from financial management.


The West Grove Presbyterian Church West Grove Presbyterian Church Legacy Society
In order to recognize and celebrate your support, the West Grove Presbyterian Church Legacy Society has been established.

As a member of one of this society, you will receive invitations to special events, and be acknowledged in our annual report and on our Society webpage (you may remain anonymous if you wish).  To become a member, you only need to let the Church know that you have remembered West Grove Presbyterian Church in your will.

 

Bulletin Insert Week 3

Welcome to the West Grove Presbyterian Church Legacy Program

 

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Luke 6:38

 

Did you know that 61% of Americans don’t have a will (Harris Interactive survey, March 2013). Reasons include, “Haven’t gotten around to it,” “It’s not urgent,” and “I don’t have a lawyer.”

 

If you don’t have a Will, the distribution of your estate - no matter how small or large - is determined by the laws of your state. The state may not include all the people you would like to benefit, and it won’t include any charities or religious organizations you wish to support. Have you made a Will yet?

 

A Will is unique and must be structured to fit the needs and estate plans of each individual in accordance with the laws of the state in which we live. For this reason, you should consult a lawyer to assist you in drafting your will and estate plan.

 

There are many ways to gift to West Grove Presbyterian Church through your will:

 

It could be as easy as:

I give and bequeath the sum of $____ (or the % of) to be used for the general

program of West Grove Presbyterian Church, in West Grove, PA, USA.

 

BEQUEST: a gift of personal property, made in a Will. It can be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your net worth, a remainder amount (what’s left after family and other obligations are met), or specific assets to be given to WGPC

DIRECT CHARITABLE BEQUEST: a Willed gift that goes directly to WGPC. For example, “I bequeath to West Grove Presbyterian Church the amount of $10,000, and 5% of my remaining estate to West Grove Presbyterian Church.”

CONTINGENT BEQUEST: a Willed gift that is only given if one or more conditions are met. For example, “If [name] predeceases me, I give (describe gift) to West Grove Presbyterian Church.”

DEMONSTRATIVE BEQUEST: a gift of a certain amount of property from a specific source or particular fund. For example, “I bequeath ($________) to West Grove Presbyterian Church to be paid out of the proceeds from the sale of my stock in (name of company).”

RESTRICTED BEQUEST: a Willed gift that provides a sum of money for a specific project or program. For example, “I bequeath (amount or property) to West Grove Presbyterian Church to benefit the children’s education program.”

UNRESTRICTED BEQUEST: a Willed gift that can be used wherever the need is greatest. This allows the church to respond to the changing needs as they arise, and eliminates the problems that occur when a gift is given to a program that ceases to exist. For example, “...to be used for the benefit of West Grove Presbyterian Church as its Session sees fit.”

ENDOWMENT FUND: a Willed gift that is invested to provide income to the named beneficiary. Also called a memorial fund, endowments can be named to honor a loved one. For example, “...to West Grove Presbyterian Church, the sum of $________ to establish an endowment fund in memory of my parents, to be known as the John and Jane Doe Memorial Fund.

 

Bulletin Insert Week 4

Welcome to the West Grove Presbyterian Church Legacy Program

 

Did you know that the word “Give” appears 921 times in the bible - almost as many times as “Faith”, ”Hope” and “Love” combined?  Giving can be an expression of your faith in God, your hope for the future, and your love for others. Please consider expressing your faith, hope and love with a gift to the church in your Will.

 

What part of church life means the most to you? Is there a ministry or program that has made a difference in your life, or a family member’s life? A gift to the church in your Will can keep that vital aspect of our community growing so it can bless others in the future.

 

Please consider updating your Will to include a Legacy gift to West Grove Presbyterian Church.  If you don’t have a will, here is a list of lawyers in West Grove (this list is not meant as an endorsement by the church).

Thomas D Houghton Law Office

www.tomhoughtonlaw.com

113 E Evergreen St
West Grove, PA
(610) 345-0011

Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhill: Buckwalter Wayne C

www.cohenseglias.com

West Grove, PA
(610) 869-3600

Jones & Jones: Jones Larry E

118 W Evergreen St
West Grove, PA
(610) 869-2088

 

The West Grove Presbyterian Church Charlie Gross Legacy Society
In order to recognize and celebrate your support, the West Grove Presbyterian Church Legacy Society has been established.  The Society is comprised of West Grove members who have made plans for a Legacy gift.  These members are recognized for their foresight in helping to sustain West Grove Presbyterian Church for generations to come.

As a member of one of this society, you will receive invitations to special events, and be acknowledged in our annual report and on our Society webpage (you may remain anonymous if you wish).  To become a member, you only need to let the Church know that you have remembered West Grove Presbyterian Church in your will.

 

Thank you for everything you’re doing to make this church—this community—a better place for all of us. And thank you for considering making a gift that will make our little piece of the world better—and more beautiful—for the next generation.