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
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Westminster Presbyterian Church Support and Endowment Fund, we introduced the Building a Legacy of Faith Twenty-Year Anniversary Endowment Campaign. Our goal to grow Westminster's Endowment to $5 million by 2020 has been met. 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. |
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 2024, 268 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 268 families who are a part of the Albert Hale Circle of donors.
We also are thankful to Jo Ann Brown, Betty and Bill Denham, Renee Housel, Evelyn Jensen, Dorothy Kessler, Mary and Bill Schnirring, and Dorothea Thrasher for their recent testamentary gifts which total $468,500.
As of May 2024, 268 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 268 families who are a part of the Albert Hale Circle of donors.
We also are thankful to Jo Ann Brown, Betty and Bill Denham, Renee Housel, Evelyn Jensen, Dorothy Kessler, Mary and Bill Schnirring, and Dorothea Thrasher for their recent testamentary gifts which total $468,500.
June 2024 Summary:
The market value of the Support and Endowment Fund is $9,005,564.
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 $9,005,564.
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:
Jeff Wilday, Chair; Jim Bryans, Secretary; Randy Germeraad, Christy Pound, Dale Smith, Lucy Preckwinkle Stafford; Advisory Council: Dr. Diane Rutledge, Todd Wise
Jeff Wilday, Chair; Jim Bryans, Secretary; Randy Germeraad, Christy Pound, Dale Smith, Lucy Preckwinkle Stafford; Advisory Council: Dr. Diane Rutledge, Todd Wise
A Word from the Pastor
Dear Friends,
What a privilege to serve as your pastor during the successful 20th anniversary endowment campaign from 2015 to 2020 which grew our endowment’s market value from $1.9 million to $8.1 million and to continue to collaborate in the Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor which the endowment made possible. When I became the 18th Senior Minister and Head of Staff in 2013, I was excited to learn Westminster had an endowment in place which was initiated with foresight and a solid legal and theological foundation in 1995. In addition to supporting several successful capital campaigns, the congregation had built the endowment’s market value to $1.9 million by 2015. When Peter and I first walked through the doors of Westminster, we were both taken aback by the noble beauty of this historic facility. Not only do the walls speak of the rich history of this congregation, they also echo the loving care given to generations of children and youth who walk through these doors, and they reverberate the energy of ongoing commitment to the community through mission outreach. |
One of the things I have learned over the years about others and myself is that people want to be a part of something larger than their individual lives. They want to give to something they believe in, something that changes lives, and something they have confidence will be done well and with integrity.
Building a Legacy of Faith and investing in Westminster’s Endowment Fund provides an opportunity for us to accomplish this together, or, as the Apostle Paul put it, “to participate in equipping the saints for ministry in the building up of the Body of Christ.” We thank those who 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.
I remain committed to lead this congregation with energy, intelligence, imagination, love, and attention to detail in the ministry to which you have called me. I am honored to partner with a competent staff and caring congregation as we hold ourselves and one another accountable in building the Body of Christ and a legacy of faith together.
Godspeed,
The Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham Kieffer
Pastor and Head of Staff
Building a Legacy of Faith and investing in Westminster’s Endowment Fund provides an opportunity for us to accomplish this together, or, as the Apostle Paul put it, “to participate in equipping the saints for ministry in the building up of the Body of Christ.” We thank those who 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.
I remain committed to lead this congregation with energy, intelligence, imagination, love, and attention to detail in the ministry to which you have called me. I am honored to partner with a competent staff and caring congregation as we hold ourselves and one another accountable in building the Body of Christ and a legacy of faith together.
Godspeed,
The Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham Kieffer
Pastor and Head of Staff