Minute for Mission: Wills Emphasis Sunday

May 1, 2016

Inky and Harriet Inscoe were very involved with their church community at First Presbyterian Church of Morganton, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina. After his wife’s passing in 2004, Inky continued his commitment at the church until his death in 2013.

“At Inky’s funeral we recalled his wonderful sense of humor, his positive attitude and sense of adventure, his service to his country as a World War II pilot and his dedication to good works in our community,” said pastor Michael Bailey.

For Inky and Harriet, the church had been their life, pure and simple.

“They did everything here, held every position at this church—and even sang in the choir together,” Bailey said. Dedication to their faith and to their church had been a hallmark of their lives.

The Inscoes had not necessarily been thought of as “rich people,” but after Inky’s passing, the richness of their lives was made manifest.

After his death, the church’s clerk of session received a letter—along with a check for $92,000.

On that same day, Converse College also received a letter, along with a check for $5,500. The same thing happened at Salem College, Union Presbyterian Seminary, the Grandfather Home for Children, Habitat for Humanity, and Burke County Hospice and Palliative Care.

“We might not have thought of the Inscoes as rich people, but as we look back and reflect, it becomes all too apparent just how richly they lived,” said Bailey.

Theirs were lives of generosity and dedication, sharing and good works.

An emphasis on planned giving is a regular part of the worship life at First Presbyterian Church of Morganton. Every three to five years an emphasis is made on planned giving. The possibility and importance of planned giving are also communicated from the pulpit two to three times per year. When gifts such as the Inscoes’ are received, they are celebrated in the worship life of the congregation. In this way pastor Michael Bailey hopes to allow the gifts themselves to continue to generate momentum for giving.

Live Forward, Give Forward is a Presbyterian Foundation program designed to help pastors and church leaders talk to their congregations about future bequests. Resources for a wills program are available at http://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/willsprogram. A Presbyterian Foundation ministry relations officer is also available to discuss starting a wills program in your church or ministry.

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Stephen Picha, PMA
Cristina Pitts, PMA
Laura Polk, OGA

Let us pray

Lord, thank you for your blessings. Whether we have plenty or little, teach us to be cheerful givers and to give from a full heart that serves you and uses your gifts in ways that will bless others.