Legacies A publication of the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana
Inside This Issue
Will Your Will Be Known? Page 2
How to Recognize and Prevent Financial Scams Page 3
Roofs Up Louisiana! Page 4
WILLS & BEQUESTS:
It is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive Life was cut short unexpectedly for Bill, a member of Munholland UMC in Metairie, when a case of bronchitis turned into COVID-19 in early 2020. Within days of a snowskiing vacation, Bill succumbed to the virus. Life, or loss of it, can happen in the blink of an eye. Having your estate plan in place can mean the difference between having your wishes carried out after you’re gone, or letting state laws dictate what happens to your assets. Bill was a knowledgeable financial planner and executive with a large life insurance company. He knew the importance of a will, and also had a passion for the church and its youth ministry. With his wisdom and creativity, Bill bequeathed a life insurance policy via his will, to the church. He and his wife of more than 40 years, Kathy, were active members at Munholland for decades, and raised their daughter there. He served as a lay leader on many church committees, most recently on the Legacy Committee. His expertise in financial management served the church well. Bill was involved in many charitable organizations in his community, and he and Kathy were generous with their time and financial support. However, the youth ministry was especially important to them. Their daughter had benefited from the youth
“Where Faith and Money Come Together”
1st Quarter 2022
A member of Munholland UMC bequested an insurance policy through his will, which has now been turned into an endowment to support the church’s youth ministry, forever.
program, and they felt that the youth were the future of the church. Bill specifically requested that the life insurance benefit be used to support Munholland’s youth program. Kathy and the Legacy Committee decided to establish an endowment fund so that Bill’s legacy could continue into perpetuity. Kathy was hesitant about sharing their names publicly. She said, “Ours are gifts from the heart, and we don’t need to be recognized for them.” Donors like Bill and Kathy feel that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Their gifts are an example of donors who are not motivated by recognition, but simply want to make a difference. Life can happen quickly. We can all learn from Bill’s example: being prepared for the unexpected and making our wishes known by writing a will.
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35