President’s Message

We’ve a story to tell . . .

Stories or narratives have been shared in every culture as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation and instilling moral values. Stories, in the form of parables, were the key teaching tool of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We continue to tell stories today. In the following pages you will, of course, read the story of the Foundation’s activities in 2016. More importantly—and much more inspiring—you will read the stories of real people who are leaving a legacy.

Leaving a legacy is not optional. All of us do it. The question is, what kind of legacy will we leave? The good news is we can fashion those stories based on what we did, what we admired in others and what we wished we had done.

Planned giving allows us to pass on the values we hold dear, inspire and encourage others and to make a difference. We can be part of a conversation 100 years from now that will be prompted by something we did, said, taught or exemplified. All because we acted today to leave a legacy.

How will you impact the future? What legacy do you plan to leave?

Let us help you tell your story to future generations.

rob fairly president/ceo

John and julie Benton The Bentons established an Endowment to continue their support of the Art Enrichment Program and educational field trips for students of the Howard School after their lifetimes. The school is a state-licensed alternative school on the campus of Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home in Ruston, Louisiana.

donald Clayton Don grew up across the street from Lake Arthur UMC. He still remembers his boyhood pastor leaning over the pulpit and asking him and a couple of his buddies in the back pew about leaving a legacy in their community. He credits the church with instilling fundamental values in his life. His Endowment is to be used in matching fashion to make sure the church can have a full time pastor, money for youth activities and a “Rainy Day” fund for unforeseen repairs.

john and bye Evans The Evans had no heirs and left instructions that a significant portion of their estate be used to establish an Endowment to benefit a scholarship program and other designated ministries of their church, NorthPoint UMC.

Patricia habeeb Muehlemann Patty grew up in Old Metairie and has gone to Munholland UMC “forever.” She was even married there. After her husband Paul died, she wanted to help make sure the church would be there in the future to serve others as it had served her and Paul. The money from the Endowment is to take care of facility maintenance needs, in order to allow more of the members’ financial gifts to be used in ministry.

marvin and willa Roof Long time members of First UMC Baton Rouge, Marvin and Willa used a Charitable Gift Annuity to lock in annual income of 6.3% on the face value of their gift and ultimately establish a permanent fund to benefit their church.

How will you write your story?

Many United Methodists like to leave a gift to their church because they care about causes that are important in their lives.

LIFE INCOME gifts Life income gifts such as a Charitable Gift Annuity or a Charitable Remainder Trust or Unitrust, provide:

an income stream for your life (or a loved one’s)

an income tax deduction

and the joy of supporting your favorite ministry.

Charitable Remainder Unitrust

Marcus Wren gave timber cutting rights from his land to the Foundation. After a generous tax deduction, he is receiving income for the rest of his days and relishes the knowledge he will later support First UMC of Minden forever. Mary Frances Wier, a 90-year-old widow, was a tither. When she learned she could triple her income from CDs with a Gift Annuity, she tripled her pledge to University UMC in Baton Rouge. She has joined the church triumphant and now her gift loyally supports her church like she did. Charitable Gift Annuity

GIFTS OF REAL ESTATE Real estate can be used to fund a life income plan or to gift your residence while continuing to live there, receiving a tax deduction and providing for your church.

Dr. Ronald Pryer gave his office building to fund a trust after he retired. He avoided capital gains tax, received a tax deduction, income for life, and now his gift supports ministries at his church, First UMC of Pineville, forever.

RETIREMENT PLAN GIFTS Often our largest asset, qualified retirement plans (such as an IRA, 401(k), Keogh, etc.), are the most tax-efficient way to make a gift. While children or other heirs face taxes of up to 70%, your church will receive 100% of your gift.

Retirement plan gifts are simple. Just update your beneficiary clause to include your church. You control the assets as long as you need them. Leave the rest of your assets to your heirs who will receive a “step up” in tax basis.

Life Insurance is another asset controlled by a beneficiary clause. Just add your church as a beneficiary to your policy.

A GIFT IN YOUR WILL Weldon Bares, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Lake Charles, appreciates the blessings he’s received from each of the 5 churches he has served. His will provides for each of those 5 churches, his seminary, Asbury and the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana, where he currently serves as vice-chair of the board.

donor story

Bill and Kathy

Hunt charitable remainder unitrust

Bill and Kathy Hunt used shares of a closely held corporation to fund a CRT. This allowed new owners to buy in over time. The Hunts received income for life, a current income tax deduction and provided a gift for their church, First UMC of Monroe.