Preparing to Write a Will
Can I witness to my faith in my estate planning?
Christian Preamble to your will provides a significant opportunity to share your faith with family and friends. Through this personal statement of your faith, an important message will be delivered to those who love and know you best. This message of faith comes at a time of grief and loss and serves as a reminder to them to place their trust in Jesus Christ as you have done. Remember this may be the last document they read about you, their loved one.
Together with your attorney as you prepare your Will/Estate Plan give prayerful consideration to adding a Christian Preamble such as:
I_______________________, of the City of ______________________,
County of_________________, and State of ______________________,
Being of sound mind and memory and being under no restraint, do make, declare and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all wills and codicils heretofore made by me.
In thanksgiving to God for the gifts of life given in baptism, and for the many blessings God has showered upon me; and in thanksgiving to God for the gifts of faith and hope through Jesus Christ; and in thanksgiving to God for the gifts of nurture and love through the Church where we have shared faith and fellowship; I now commend my loved ones to grow in this same faith, being true to their own baptisms, knowing that God will continue to provide for them in their lifetimes; I encourage them to place their faith and trust in our Lord and Savior.
I know, therefore…. [and then the particulars of the will would follow, leaving gifts to family and friends, but also an articulation of the gifts you leave to the various ministries of the Church].
For assistance with Wills/Estate Planning/Planned Giving seminars, call:
Episcopal Church Foundation in West Texas
PO Box 6885
111 Torcido
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210 or 888) 824-5387
Fax (210) 824-2164
Adapted with special thanks to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Sample Forms of Bequest
Specific Amount:
I, ________________________________________, hereby give, devise,
and bequeath to the Rector,Wardens, and Vestry of Your Episcopal
Church, 123 Main Street, Anywhere,MyState, 00000, the sum of $XX,XXX
to be used at their discretion to assist in the ministries of the Church.
Percentage Amount:
I, ________________________________________, hereby give, devise,
and bequeath to the Rector,Wardens, and Vestry of Your Episcopal
Church, 123 Main Street, Anywhere,MyState, 00000, XX% of the rest,
residue, and remainder of my estate, to be used at their discretion to assist
in the ministries of the Church.
Contingency Bequest:
In the event the beneficiaries of bequests and devises herein
predecease me, or, in the case of institutions, cease to be organizations
described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code,
I, _______________________________, hereby give, devise, and
bequeath to the Rector,Wardens, and Vestry of Your Episcopal Church,
123 Main Street, Anywhere, MyState, rest, residue and remainder of
my estate, to be used at their discretion to assist in the ministries of
the Church.
