by Pamela Wesley
For me the essence of the ministry of planned giving is that it enables all of us to exercise our Christian witness at life's end. There is a range of simple to highly sophisticated ways to help us choose how to distribute our possessions. Though the details are important, they are merely the vehicles we use to summarize, in a tangible way, what has given love and meaning to our lives. It is our ultimate statement of gratitude for God's generosity.

Six years ago my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I learned more about him and his faith in eighteen months than in a lifetime as his child. He lovingly made sure that his will was in order, that the people and places that had given meaning in his life were provided for.

Living wills, durable power of attorney, organ donations and specific hopes for his funeral were all in place. I am convinced that by taking care of the business details at life's end, he gave us all the gift of being fully present during his intensely spiritual death.

Church leaders have the greatest opportunity and responsibility to enter into conversations which encourage everyone to explore the life giving questions at life's end. Seventy percent of Americans die without a will. I believe this is because too often we focus only on the property aspects, neglecting to provide a forum to raise the Christian aspects of dying. It is ironic that in recent years, many churches have become silent while the secular world has become highly focused on capturing the estimated 10.4 trillion dollars in anticipated intergenerational transfer of wealth.

If you do nothing else, create a regular, liturgically appropriate time to enter into conversations about the many lively issues at death. The Episcopal Church Foundation and the Diocesan Planned Giving Committee have resources to help you.

The church relies on money to fund future ministry. Our members rely on the church to help them make perhaps the most important faith statement of their lives.

Pamela Wesley is a field associate with the Planned Giving Office of the Episcopal Church Foundation.