Aloha i Akua,

    I am most proud of the increased activities of the diocesan Planned Giving Commission. I urge the people and congregations of the Diocese to call upon the Planned Giving Commission to develop plans to help make major gifts to the Church or to provide for the Church after death. The rubrics of The Book of Common Prayer (page 445) state: “The Minister of the Congregation is directed to instruct the people, from time to time, about the duty of Christian parents to make prudent provision for the well-being of their families, and of all persons to make wills, while they are in health, arranging for the disposal of their temporal goods, not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses.”

The Planned Giving Commission of the Diocese assists churches and Episcopal agencies in building their financial resources so future ministries will be assured. The Commission is available to help individual donors in their estate plans and in creating life-income gift plans where appropriate. The reciprocal gifts return benefits to you that can reduce taxes, increase retirement income and address your family's financial obligations, while they assist the ministry that has been meaningful to you during your lifetime. Members of the Commission are at your service. The Commission can help clergy and congregation’s lay leadership to develop a congregational Planned Giving Program – or help strengthen your existing program. These services are free to the congregations and members of the Diocese. There is an abundance of information for your use.

I suspect that most members of the Diocese have the resources and opportunity to make major gifts during the course of their lifetimes and/or a planned gift after death. Our congregations and clergy have to be prepared to ask for and properly receive major gifts to enhance the mission of the Church.

What are the opportunities for mission?

1.    Gifts of houses or major gifts can be used to provide clergy housing for every congregation. The houses can be used directly as vicarages, or the resources from the sale of the houses or the monetary gifts can be used as an equity share for housing.

2.    Gifts and bequests given directly for congregations can be used to support ministry and infrastructure of the local Church. Unrestricted gifts can help future leaders shape the ministry of the congregations in changing times.

3.    The Diocese has two subsidiary organizations that can greatly benefit from gifts and bequests to serve the community.