The Next 200

IS GOD’S WILL IN YOUR WILL?

First Church has a long and great history of members choosing to leave a bequest to the church in their wills. These gifts can either create new named funds or add to “Faith Fund” endowments which are permanently invested. Active members generally make annual giving to the church a priority while living. Few people, however, think about what their last gift will be, and no one knows when he or she will die. However, through leaving a bequest, one can make a “First Promise” for his or her “Last Gift.” And the last gift, if made to a permanently endowed fund, will assure a stream of income, an annual gift to First Church, in perpetuity.

A Guide for How to Give and What to Give:

As you prayerfully consider leaving a bequest or making a current gift to endowed Faith Funds at First Church, please consider the Biblical guide to tithe (10%) while we are living, and consider applying it to your giving after death. Here are some facts and information about planning your giving so that you take your financial support to another level.

•  Gifting assets outright – options include cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, insurance policies, and certain other assets to make a current gift to benefit any of the existing FUMC endowments. Or you may choose to create a new endowment fund in your name or that of a loved one, for the support of ministries and programs that fit the mission of FUMC.

•  Creating a life income gift to the church is a creative way to make a deferred gift while living, but benefit from additional annual income. This type of gift is in the form of a trust or gift annuity. Upon your death, the remainder of the property becomes a gift bequest to FUMC.

•  Making a bequest through simple changes to your will allows you to make a gift upon your death to an existing endowment, or to create a named endowment with a specific purpose. The bequest can be a specific dollar amount, a specific property or asset, a percentage of your estate, or by naming FUMC to receive the residue of your estate – the portion left after the expenses of administering your estate have been paid and all other bequests have been distributed.

Management and Oversight of Endowed Faith Funds:

The Trustees, the Perpetual Endowment Fund Steering Committee, the Senior Pastor, and the Director of Finance and Administration monitor the investment of these funds, which are entrusted to the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas for management.

Non-Endowed Faith Funds:

Members may choose to make gifts, either memorial or honoraria, to any of several Faith Funds which are not endowed. They are maintained separately from the annual budget and provide additional funds for specific purposes.

1.  Landscaping and Beautification Fund:  these funds underwrite a careful plan to create and maintain a vital and attractive campus environment for First Church as a point of pride for members as well as for the downtown Little Rock community.

2.  Stained Glass Windows Preservation Fund:  the magnificent, historic stained glass windows which grace the sanctuary and chapel of First Church are more than 100 years old. Recently the south windows of the sanctuary underwent a detailed and expensive restoration to preserve them for the future. Funds are needed so that the other windows can undergo similar a restoration process.

3.  College Scholarship Fund:   It is very helpful when members of First Church
can apply for scholarship support while in college, graduate school, or seminary. Currently there are very limited funds for this great need.

4.  John Woodruff Fellowship for Social Change: After the death of beloved
church member John Woodruff, an endowed fund was established in his name to support an internship program to foster social change.  The fund is not yet large enough to fund an intern each year, so this separate, non-endowed fund will allow this vital program to take place even as gifts to the endowment are requested.

5.  Annual Lecture Program:  Funds in the name of the late Dr. Aubrey Walton, that helped cover the costs of an annual lecture series. It is hoped that someday a bequest will create a new, named lecture fund. In the meantime, gifts can be directed to this non-endowed fund to launch a vita, informative, and inspiring annual lecture program.

FAITH FUNDS AS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO GIVE MEMORIALS OR HONORARIA, BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY, AND MOTHER’S AND FATHER’S DAY GIFTS:

As a way to simplify their lives and reduce consumerism, some members choose to let family members know that gifts to any of the Faith Funds are welcomed in their names, rather than purchased gifts. Notification of these gifts are sent as appropriate.

Recognition for those who leave bequests or make planned gifts: Through the First Promise Bequest Society, members allow their names to be recognized in order to serve as a witness to encourage others to consider making a bequest. Names of members, both living and dead, who have made such bequests or promised them, are listed elsewhere on the website, in the planned giving brochure, and are displayed in the church.

How to learn more about planned giving:

It is easy to schedule a meeting with our Finance Manager, Sonja Taylor-Larkowski. Just email her at stlarkowski@fumclr.org or call her at 501-372-2256. If appropriate, the resources and staff of the United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas (UMFA) are available at no charge to members wishing to discuss making a planned gift. In addition, a “Provide and Protect” seminar is offered by UMFA and FUMC periodically at the church, at which members receive a complimentary copy of the book by that title. The UMFA website offers a form to simplify the will-planning process. Click here to link to that website www.umfa.org.