Legacy Journey

O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your good gifts.

Stewardship – Legacy - Planned Giving – Q & A

Q: What is Planned Giving?
A: A planned gift is any gift made during lifetime or under a Will or other Trust from assets accumulated during one’s life. Saint Gabriel has adopted the “Legacy Journey” as its planned giving program together with the phrase: “honoring our past; embracing the future.”

Q: What is the Ministry of Planned Giving?
A: Planned Giving

  • is a ministry that encourages and assists church members to plan responsibly for their worldly belongings

  • Encourages church members to make suitable provisions for their family members while also remembering Saint Gabriel Church

  • Invites parishioners to witness their faith and their love of God and Saint Gabriel in a very special way: in gratitude for the heritage left to us by our predecessors and bearing a similar responsibility for future generations and God’s work in this place.

  • Strengthens the ministry of the church, the institution, or the program to which a parishioner may have a special commitment to support for generations to come

Q: Where does my gift go and how is it managed?
A: Saint Gabriel has established an Endowment Fund. This Fund and its operation are managed by the Saint Gabriel's Endowment Committee which is established by the Vestry and it’s By-Laws. The Endowment Fund is a permanent investment in professionally managed and diversified no-load Vanguard family of mutual funds. The “principal” of the endowment gifts are permanent and only a small fixed percentage can be used at the discretion of the vestry unless the original gift was restricted or designated to a specific purpose or memorial. The vestry adopted an annual distribution formula between 0% up to 5% of the Fund average balance over the previous 13 quarters. The vestry also approved 4 areas to which the annual distribution will be used: Outreach; Music; Youth education; and/or Campus Improvements. There are also other forms of “life estate” or “life income” or charitable trusts that can be structured and could be managed by either the Colorado Episcopal Foundation, other Foundations, or family members.

Q: What resources are available to a parish member to discuss a “Planned Gift”?
A: The Saint Gabriel Endowment or Stewardship Committee members; the Saint Gabriel vestry; your family and trusted family advisors (CPA; Attorney; Financial Planner; Insurance Agent); The Colorado Episcopal Foundation, Denver. These resources can help with general concepts and recommendations as to the most appropriate tool/strategy to use to accomplish your individual & legacy goals. It is important that you rely on your family’s trusted professional advisors for tax or legal advice.

Q: How do I notify St. Gabriel’s Church of my Legacy/Planned Gift?
A: You can pick up a hard copy of the Notification Form in the parish office, complete and place in sealed envelope marked “Confidential Gift” Attn: Endowment then mail to the Church at 6190 E. Quincy Ave., Cherry Hills Village, CO  80111. This notification will enroll you in the Saint Gabriel Legacy Journey Society and place your name on our Recognition Board.

Wisdom to ponder….
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop”…  Mother Teresa