First Things First
Endowment Program Update
Once again, we can all be thankful for the generosity demonstrated by past members who included the church in their planned giving. Those gifts continue year after year to fund programs, projects and missions that otherwise would not be possible or would put pressure on our annual operating budget. Here’s a short list of some of the things that endowment fund income accomplished in 2013:
• $10,000 to assist two members in their seminary educational pursuits.
• $11,000 to support the Center for Youth Ministry Training.
• $117,000 for construction of a handicap ramp, roof repairs and other facility improvements.
• $46,000 for landscape, irrigation and asphalt improvements to church campus.
• $100,000 to support New Creation Church, our New Church Development project in Hendersonville.
• $7,000 to purchase donuts and coffee for the enjoyment of worshipers on Sunday mornings.
• $3,000 for scholarships for needy children to be able to attend the Oak Hill Day Camp.
• Funded various projects and initiatives to improve the Biblical Garden, the music program and other church outreach.
We sincerely hope that you will prayerfully consider joining those who have already expressed their love of the church by including it in their planned giving. What stronger statement is there about what was important in life than a gift that extends beyond one’s life on this earth? The easiest way for many members to participate is by a simple bequest in their will: “After all my bills are paid, I want X% of my estate to go to First Presbyterian Church.” Another easy method is to designate the church as a beneficiary of a percentage of a retirement account, such as a 401(k) account. There are other ways too, and any planned gift qualifies you for membership in our Vance Society. In 2013, we had several new Vance Society members. In fact, we will be recognizing all Vance Society members at our annual thank you dinner in a few weeks. This year’s Vance Society dinner will be Sunday evening, September 28, so now is a wonderful time for you to become a member of the Vance Society. Should you have an interest in joining the Vance Society and attending the dinner, please contact the church office (383-1815). Once you have included the church in your planned giving, complete the enrollment form that you can download from the church website at: fpcnashville.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/VanceSocietyEnroll.pdf, and send it to Cindy Bozman in the church office. And as always, we encourage you to contact any member of the Endowment Committee listed below or the church’s Finance Office if you have questions or you can use fully accountable e-commerce accounting services for this purpose as well. Thank you for your prayerful consideration!
Endowment Committee
Todd Jones, Staff Liaison Sam Cooper, Staff Liaison
Skip Stevens, Chair Eric Lamb
Allen Kennedy, Vice Chair Benjamin Carswell
Lawson C. Allen Les Coble
Susan Kaestner Tom Stumb