Building a Legacy of Faith
Westminster Support and Endowment Fund To make a gift, click here.
... to equip the saints for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:12
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In 2015 Westminster celebrated the 20th anniversary of the our endowment by conducting a five-year anniversary campaign which grew our endowment's market value from $1.9 million to $8.1 million by 2020. See details below.
The aspiring goal was rooted in the firm belief that a larger principal will strengthen the mission of Westminster and address our ongoing capital and building needs in a planned and orderly manner. Additionally, this campaign provided members a meaningful way to express their Christian faith and to witness their love for Christ's church. Within the Endowment are three funds. The Mission and Benevolence Fund supports grants for mission efforts and finances our Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor mission outreach. The Special Church Support Fund supports our facilities and ministries. These two funds receive investment earnings from the General Endowment Fund. By increasing this fund's principal, we will assure we have the resources for creative, collaborative effort beyond our annual budget as we work together in building the body of Christ and a legacy of faith. Members and friends continue to be invited to make a donation or planned gift that would be above and beyond giving to the annual Stewardship Campaign. Those who invest in Westminster's Support and Endowment Fund became a part of the Albert Hale Circle. Reverend Hale, pastor from 1839-1866, is remembered as a friend to the poor and sorrowing, a preacher of the Lord Jesus Christ and a friend and counselor to the Martyr President. He laid the cornerstone for the legacy of faith we are building together. Please prayerfully consider this invitation to give generously. |
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Anniversary Campaign Goal Strategy
The Campaign Goal Strategy emphasized the importance of every member's participation. Every gift counts as we continue to build a legacy of faith together. We celebrate the commitments we have received in this campaign each year on Founders' Sunday in May. The Albert Hale Circle giving levels include: Cornerstone at $250,000, Foundation at $150,000, Tower at $100,000, Keystone at $50,000, Pillar at $25,000, Samaritan at $15,000, Advocate at $10,000, Counselor at $5,000, Companion at $2,500 and Friend up to $2,500.
Building a Legacy of Faith Twenty-Year Anniversary Campaign Update
We are very pleased to report that we exceeded our goal of growing our endowment to five million by 2020 earlier than anticipated due to the unwavering support of our congregation and the unexpected, generous gift from Betty Smith. On Sunday, January 27, 2019, Betty was recognized for her $2.4 million gift.
As of May 2025, 269 families have made gifts, pledges or included Westminster in their planned giving and are members of the Albert Hale Circle. We received $1.6 million in pledges from 101 families and additional gifts of $2.9 million were donated. We are grateful to the 269 families who are a part of the Albert Hale Circle of donors.
Since the completion of the campaign in 2020, we are grateful to Jo Ann Brown, Louise and Arthur Cragoe, Betty and Bill Denham, Renee Housel, A. Dale Huston, Evelyn Jensen, Dorothy Kessler, Robyn Newtson, Ruth Robert-Roland, Mary and Bill Schnirring, and Dorothea Thrasher for their testamentary gifts which total $794,341.
As of May 2025, 269 families have made gifts, pledges or included Westminster in their planned giving and are members of the Albert Hale Circle. We received $1.6 million in pledges from 101 families and additional gifts of $2.9 million were donated. We are grateful to the 269 families who are a part of the Albert Hale Circle of donors.
Since the completion of the campaign in 2020, we are grateful to Jo Ann Brown, Louise and Arthur Cragoe, Betty and Bill Denham, Renee Housel, A. Dale Huston, Evelyn Jensen, Dorothy Kessler, Robyn Newtson, Ruth Robert-Roland, Mary and Bill Schnirring, and Dorothea Thrasher for their testamentary gifts which total $794,341.
September 2025 Summary:
The market value of the Support and Endowment Fund is $10,245,606
Although the campaign culminated in December of 2020, we continue to welcome donations, memorial gifts, and planned gifts. Some Planned Giving Opportunities are listed below. To make a gift, click here.
The market value of the Support and Endowment Fund is $10,245,606
Although the campaign culminated in December of 2020, we continue to welcome donations, memorial gifts, and planned gifts. Some Planned Giving Opportunities are listed below. To make a gift, click here.
Planned Giving Opportunities
Members may want to consider a planned or deferred gift. Planned giving is a meaningful way to support Westminster's Endowment, and it offers the donor a wide range of giving options with differing tax benefits. Click here to see planned giving options.
The Support and Endowment Committee and Advisory Members:
Jeff Wilday, Chair; Jim Bryans, Secretary; Joe Fierstos, Randy Germeraad, Christy Pound, Dr. Diane Rutledge, Lucy Preckwinkle Stafford, Todd Wise, Treasurer
Jeff Wilday, Chair; Jim Bryans, Secretary; Joe Fierstos, Randy Germeraad, Christy Pound, Dr. Diane Rutledge, Lucy Preckwinkle Stafford, Todd Wise, Treasurer
A Word from the Pastor
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Dear Friends,
Westminster Presbyterian Church has been sustained over the last 190 years through the generosity and faithfulness of those who have pledged to the annual budget and capital campaigns and made legacy gifts to the endowment. Through an intentional effort from 2015 through 2020, the congregation and leadership built up the endowment to support both the building and mission. That foresight was an investment in the future of the ministry, allowing the needs of the building to be proactively maintained so that it retains its proper place as a home for our ministry without becoming the main focus of all we do. Endowment support for mission allows the congregation to continue to dream how to “Be the Neighbor” and share our blessings for the good of the wider community and world. In 2020, external renovations to the building and parking lot beautified our campus and made our home for ministry more inviting and functional. At the same time Westminster committed to the Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor, caring for our neighbors through a Little Pantry, matching grants to neighbors, annual service weeks, a Habitat for Humanity house, and Compass for Kids, a weekly neighborhood after-school program, all funded through our endowment. As many congregations today face uncertainty about the future, a strong endowment gives Westminster the resources to continue listening to the Spirit, dreaming boldly, and adapting our ministries so that new generations can experience the radical love and hospitality of Jesus Christ—just as they have since our founding. |
We thank those who have pledged, made donations, or included us in their estate planning, and we invite others to prayerfully consider investing in the ministry of Westminster for years to come through a gift to the endowment.
In Christ,
In Christ,
The Rev. Dr. Anne C.S. Marshall Pastor and Head of Staff