Reasons to Build Your Legacy with Union UCC

Planned Giving is a way to support Union UCC in the future through arrangements you make today utilizing a planned gift. A planned gift to your church is an expression of you and your family’s values and commitment to Christian Stewardship. A gift from your estate to Union United Church of Christ strengthens and sustains God’s mission through the ministry of the Church – a lasting legacy and powerful response to God’s generosity. Planned gifts are planned for during the donor’s lifetime. Donors may choose to provide a planned gift while living, or have the gift not realized by the beneficiary until the donor’s death. This shows to donors that they may make large gifts while still living, and work with church members to designate the use of the funds. There are many other ways to plan a gift. When you are ready, you can use this site to reach out to us to share your plans, let us know what you are considering, or just to start a conversation about what’s possible.

Why Give?

A Message from Pastor Kris

What Matters Most?

Property

“A gift for our Property will be used to maintain the physical structure of Union UCC, and make improvements to our facilities. Donors like you have made gifts to this area to ensure we have a place in the community to call home and enable us to use our operating budget to support our missions and ministries. ”

Operating Budget

A gift to the operating budget will help to cover the costs necessary for our missions and ministries, including staff salaries, worship expenses, education, utilities, church events and programs.

Children and Youth Ministries

Our children are the present and the future of Union UCC and our community. Making children and youth a beneficiary of your gift to support education and other youth programs is an expression of your commitment to future generations of Union UCC.

Music and Worship

Music and worship is an essential part of our spiritual experience. Directing your gift to our music ministry will enable us to continue to put on inspirational musical and worship programs.

Mission and Outreach

Reaching out beyond the church to those in need in our community and around the world is an important part of our ministry. We work with local and global partners to build a mission program that addresses real need and respects human dignity.

Endowment

The Funds of Lasting Gifts endowment is professionally managed and invested in socially responsible funds. It allows us to put the gifts from our members – past and present – to work in perpetuity in alignment with their wishes. The income generated by the endowment allows us to make a positive impact on Union UCC, our community, and the world

How to give

As a donor, you have total discretion over your planned gift. You have options for how your planned gift will be used, what to give and how to give. There are planned gifts you can provide for in a Will or trust and planned gifts that provide income to you and/or a beneficiary for their lifetime.

Gifts from your will…

Bequests 

Through a provision in your written and executed will or living trust, you can make a planned gift (or an outright gift as well) to Union UCC in the form of cash, securities, real estate or personal property. There are many types of bequests. Consult with your attorney to choose the one that best fits your needs and intentions.

Charitable Gift Annuities 

You can turn underperforming or non-income producing assets (cash, stock, CDs, savings bonds, etc.) into a gift to Union UCC that provides income to you or you and a loved one. (One example of several available options is a Gift Annuity.) Your Charitable Gift Annuity will return fixed, quarterly payments for life and provide tax benefits, too.

Retirement Accounts and other Funds 

Naming Union UCC as the beneficiary or one of the beneficiaries of a qualified retirement plan asset such as an IRA, 401(k), or 403(b) will accomplish a charitable goal while realizing a significant tax savings.

Buy Low. Give High. 

When you donate appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares instead of cash, the benefit the church receives exceeds the cost of the original securities purchased. You’ll get a charitable deduction for the full amount of your gift and avoid the impact of the capital gains taxes on the appreciated securities.

Real Estate and Other Valuables 

Personal property, such as antiques, collectibles, musical instruments, works of art or vehicles, can be donated to us today or even after your lifetime through your estate. If the property is related to our mission, it’s usually fully tax deductible based on its fair market value. In some cases, your gift of personal property can be used to fund a life income gift, such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust.

Name Union UCC church as the beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy; donate an existing, paid-up life insurance policy you no longer need; or purchase a new life insurance policy and name Union UCC as the owner and beneficiary.

Testimonials

Three generations of our family have been life members of Union UCC, and lived in Neffs all of our lives.  In the mid 1970’s we volunteered to take care of the church grove.   As years passed, the life span of the buildings, old stage and trees were coming to an end.  
     In 2007, our family decided to provide funding over a period of years for major improvements to the church grove, including a new stage, parking lot, picnic pavilion, food stand, and new landscaping. We also set up a fund in the Funds of Lasting Gifts to provide funding for future care, upgrades, and repairs to the grove and/or church.
     We are proud to have provided these funds during our lifetime for these improvements to our church grove.   We are able to see the updated and beautiful grove area, enjoy seeing church members and the community utilizing and enjoying the grove, and know that people will enjoy this outdoor space for decades to come, just as our family has during our lifetime.
My wife and I have also included an estate gift to Union UCC in our wills.

The Wehr family

Lets talk

Planning your estate and legacy for future generations including your charitable interests takes careful evaluation. Discussing your charitable intentions with us can lead to a much better result than going it alone – and will ensure that your gift is used just as you wish. Act now to be a good steward of the resources you intend to leave behind. Contact us using the contact info below, or submit this form to get more information.