Orleans United Methodist Church

The Living Memory Endowment Fund is a repository for gifts or bequests by members and friends of the Church. The objective is to build the fund to a significant level from which income generated by its investments will be used to support the church's annual operations by helping to fill the gap between income from stewardship giving (pledges or loose plate) and expenditures for programs, staff and maintenance..

Why Give To Our Church?/Stewards of Accumulated Assets

As members and friends of the Orleans United Methodist Church we are called to be good stewards of the assets with which we have been blessed. This calls for faithful financial and estate planning for ourselves and familes to assure that future needs will be met. I t also means considering how we will be providing for the church that we have loved and served during our lifetime, in order to remain vital in the future. Our congregation can encourage this kind of planning and giving (("planned gift") by way of gifts and bequests to the living Memorial Fund.

What Is A Planned Gift?

Planned gifts are generally made from accumulated assets in a carefully considered manner and in an amount that expresses one's commitment but does not impair the family's financial well being. This means giving at an appropriate time, considering personal and family requirements, the church's needs, and tax considerations. Further, it involves deciding on the best asset to give whether it be in the form of securities, insurance, bonds, mutual funds, real estate or cash.

Your Gift

Gifts or bequests can be made of any amount. A member of the board of trustees (as well as your lawyer and financial advisor) can explain the many types of gifts and method of giving best suited to you.

Ways to Give

Outright Gifts

Gifts of cash , securities, real estate, other assets such as life insurance policies, IRA's or personal property (i.e. jewelry, works of art) are available to the church. Their value is tax deductible.

Giving Through Your Will Bequests

A Will is one of the most improtant documents you will ever have. A will is the most commonly used method of making charitable gifts at the death. It affords the individual the opportunity to:

• Specify the distribution of property
• Direct the timing of such distributions
• Choose the individual or institution to carry out your wishes
• Select a guardian for minor children
• Preserve as much of the estate as possible through tax-saving
• A will is the beest way to make a bequest to your church.

• Completing a valid will
• Caring for your loved ones
• Creating a legacy

Life Time Income Gifts

Life Time Income Gifts may take several forms:

• Charitable Remainder Trusts
• Pooled Income Funds
• Charitable Gift Annuites
• Charitable Lead Trusts

Memorial Gifts

One may also make a gift to the Endowment Fund in memory of a loved one or a devoted friend. This is an opportunity to honor the person's memory, and also enhance the ability of the Orleans United Methodist Church to meet its ministry needs.

In addition, Living Memory Endowment Fund gifts can be given to honor the living by recognizing special events in one's life, that of a loved one or devoted friend, such as: a birth, a birthday, an anniversary, a marraige, confirmation, baptism or any other special occasion.