Planned Giving: Our Stewardship Across Generations

A message from the Rev. Benjamin Twinamaani, UCUP Board Member and Rector, Grace Episcopal Church, Tampa, Florida.

A rector was questioned by one of his younger church staff thus: "One of our parishioners wishes to give my newly born baby a cash gift. Should I accept or not?" The rector advised the staff member to take the gift only as part of the gifts to the baby at his upcoming baptism. The baby duly received a substantial US government treasury bond for his education fund, set to mature 20 years from that same year.

This anecdote reminds us that planned giving is (should be) a natural part of our stewardship across generations. Even in our Baptismal Covenant, our pledge to support and uphold the newly baptized implies we plan for their material future, so they will have the means to effectively carry out the Great Commission of Jesus Christ in their day, a day we might not live to see ourselves.

Opportunities for planned giving to the future of Uganda Christian University are available through Uganda Christian Partners. Through planned giving, you will be taking part in fulfilling the Great Commission through a fut! ure generation of leaders in the African Church, a church that is now proving to be a sure depository of the Gospel for the whole world in the foreseeable future. Examples of planned giving include bequests (giving through your will), cash, securities, property, retirement plans, life insurance plans, commercial annuities, and many others, all of which carry some tax advantage to the giver. Think and pray about your impact in the Great Commission.