Make a lasting difference to the work of your church.

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Make a lasting difference to the work of your church

A s a faithful Christian, and a member of your local church, you have been regularly

giving to the mission and ministry of your parish. That is an important response to God’s call to service and on behalf of the whole Church I thank you most warmly for it.

But you may be one of the many Christians who have not yet complemented their regular giving with a gift in their Will. That means the place of worship you have loved

dearly would miss having a gift in your memory.

Many of us avoid writing a Will; it can seem a bit depressing to do so! But it’s not. Having a valid Will spares our loved ones from extra stress, financial worries and potential legal issues at a time of great grief. Having a valid Will makes sure that the money from our estate is distributed as we would wish. It makes sure that those we love are provided for.

I know that a gift from you in your Will could make a significant difference to your church. This leaflet shows you how. It explains the difference that this type of gift has made to many churches in our Diocese. Making a Will is simple, and helpful; using it to give a gift to your church could make a lasting difference.

With every blessing, The Rt Revd Paul Bayes Bishop of Liverpool

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The difference your gift will make

No matter how small or large a gift in your Will makes a difference to your church.

The Church of England relies on the generosity of its congregations and communities. The church’s mission, ministry, outreach and social justice work all requires financial support. And while a church may be in a beautiful building that very building may be a drain on resources.

Your gift could help a church with the cost of its on-going work. Or it could enable them to achieve something they could not normally dream of affording – maintaining a part of the building, offering a youth project, supporting work in the community.

Your church may have a policy on how it will use legacies, Do ask to see it as it may help you see the difference your gift can make.

St Luke’s in Great Crosby used a legacy gift of £6,000 to significantly improve the welcome of the church and local community area by erecting a smart boundary railing around the churchyard. The new border now also provides a safer environment for their children’s gardening project and other outdoor community activities.

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St Peters Woolton in Liverpool has been the beneficiary of several legacy gifts over recent years. The church has put them all to good use including tarmacking a whole play area and restoring and repairing church buildings. They have been able to provide a better welcome with chairs in a couple of worship areas. Legacy income has also enabled them to be able to light up the whole church at night.

All Saints in Hindley received over £175,000 from a local benefactor who had divided the bulk of her estate between two local churches. The Grade II listed building received an extensive makeover as a result with windows cleaned and repaired, rot eradicated and internal and external brickwork repaired creating a more welcoming look to the parish church and secure the building for future generations.

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Your Will matters

T hinking about life after death is not difficult for Christians. Whatever age you are,

having a Will matters. It matters because it means you are prepared practically and spirituality. It matters because it can save your loved ones the stress, pain and often difficult legal issues over dividing your estate.

Leaving a gift to your church could matter to them as it will help in their mission, ministry and service to the community. It is an extension of the proportional giving exercised by many Christians in their lifetime. It is a way to thank God for the gifts of your lifetime. It is your legacy. It is part of the great inheritance that each generation passes to the next.

Your Will matters because the gift it contains is tax efficient. Gifts to charity are free from inheritance tax and if you leave 10% or more of your estate to a charity such as the church

then any inheritance tax on the rest of your estate is charged at a lower rate.

Your Will matters because your gift matters and you can make a difference.

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How you can make a Will

Making a Will is simple and inexpensive, but you must always seek the advice of an

independent solicitor.

It can be difficult to know how much or little to give from your Will. There are different types of gifts you can think about.

1. A specific gift which is a possession, item of jewellery, property or shares.

2. A pecuniary gift which is a fixed financial donation. This will depreciate during your lifetime because of inflation.

3. A residuary gift which is a gift of all or part of what remains of your estate once your other wishes have been carried out.

Your independent solicitor will be able to give you proper advice about writing or amending your Will.

If you want more information about the different ways you can leave a gift to your church through your will then visit:

www.churchlegacy.org.uk

or ring the Church’s Legacy and Wills Information Line on 08445 870875.