"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." XCXXXMatthew 6:21 ...planting trees to bear fruit in due season What Is the St. Matthew Society? The St. Matthew Society is an honorary society established in the Diocese of Bethlehem in 2001 to acknowledge and thank those who choose to support the life and work of their parishes or a ministry of the diocesan community through bequests and planned gifts and to encourage, support, and celebrate gifts to God that ensure that our parishes remain vibrant and vital Christian communities for years to come. How Do I Enroll? The St. Matthew Society honors planned gifts to parishes and their endowment funds. Such gifts may be designated either for your congregation or for a ministry of the Diocese of Bethlehem. You are invited to become a member of the St. Matthew Society by printing and filling out the enrollment form (in .pdf format) and mailing it to Diocesan House. What Are the Benefits of Membership? With your permission, your name will be listed as a member of the St. Matthew Society. By adding your name to the roll of the society, you will have looked beyond this life to witness to the fact that all that we are, and all that we have, comes from God and will one day return to God. Click here to see a list of current members of the St. Matthew Society. What Is Planned Giving? A planned gift is usually made from assets accumulated during one’s lifetime rather than from current income. Although planned giving may involve financial or estate planning, it is not only for the wealthy. No gift is too small! Planned gifts help parishioners to provide for family members while also remembering the church. A planned gift often reduces taxes and produces a larger gift to family and parish than thought possible .Examples of Planned Gifts Bequest in a Will Sample language for including the church in your will: I give, devise and bequeath (% of estate, amount or asset) to my church, (name, address) to be used (describe use) or as the Vestry deems appropriate. Life Income Gifts While making a gift to the parish, you may receive income for life and tax advantages through: Charitable Remainder Trust ($100,000 and up) Charitable Gift Annuity ($5,000 and up) Pooled Income Fund ($2,500 and up) Life Insurance Your church can be named as the owner and beneficiary of a new or existing policy. Retirement Plan or IRA Your parish can be named as the beneficiary of any remaining plan assets. Appreciated Property Assets such as securities, objects of value and real estate may be transferred to the parish, often with significant tax advantages. A Life Estate allows a donor to give a house, farm or vacation home to the parish while retaining the use of it forlife.   PDF format Enrollment Form Back to St. Matthew Society