Leaving a bequest to your Church is a very private matter.  What you do with your estate is in your hands, this short passage being a simple explanation of what a bequest is and to explain how a bequest would be used in this Parish.

Over the years in this and in other Parishes, challenges of maintenance and growth arise all the time.  At present we have projects to:

• upgrade the hall kitchen
• redevelop the undercroft
• build a ramp to the office and link the office and church with a covered path
• install modern audio-visual IT equipment in the Church
• reseal the upper car park

In addition there are about two dozen other tasks that can be pursued for the maintenance and growth of our Parish, such as a full time youth and families minister.  These projects add up to several hundreds of thousands of dollars. We do what we can as good stewards.  In the past many developments have flourished here, such as our hall, building and extending the Church, and much more.  It has been my experience that a bequest left to a Parish can often be used to undertake such tasks as these, or at least help get things moving.

After death, naturally enough, financial support for the Church stops.  A bequest is one way of ensuring that, for a time, a contribution is made that helps your Parish.  My policy, and the attitude of every priest that I know, is to ensure that a bequest is used in such a way that the person(s) who left the bequest is remembered. 

A bequest in a will ensures that your wishes are followed and your support of your Parish is remembered in a tangible and useful way.

A bequest, once received by the Church is administered by the Wardens and the Priest.  It has always been my practice to consult carefully with the family with a range of options that the Church needs, so that agreement is reached and goodwill is fostered.  The Wardens and I then talk with Parish Council, so that everything is out in the open and done for the best interests of the Parish.

A difficulty with bequests is that people are sometimes too specific in their will about the use of a bequest, so that the funds are tied up and only able to be used to buy Altar Cloths, or flowers, of vestments, or whatever is specified in the will.  Appropriate wording, provided by the Diocese, is as follows:

I give and bequeath the sum of $....(or the rest and residue of my estate) to The Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane for the general charitable and religious purposes of the Parish of All Saints Chermside, and the receipt of the Diocesan Registrar shall be a sufficient discharge to my executor or trustee.

It is important that you obtain legal advice in making your will.

The Diocese sends the funds from the bequest to the Parish and a project is selected and completed for the future generations of the Parish and community to use and enjoy.  Each year, there are several pages in the Diocesan Annual Reports to Synod listing the dozens of bequests left to Parishes in wills from that year.  It is a common practice that may appeal to some Parishioners.  If I am able to be of any assistance in general enquiries, please feel welcome to contact me.

Yours in Christ

Fr Craig