Magazine Articles

Magazine Articles

This Word file contains four longer magazine articles and three shorter

“snippets”. They are intended to be adapted to local churches. Possible

ways of doing this include :

i) Adding in examples of how legacies have benefited your church

ii) Putting in contact details of a Parish Giving Officer if you have one.

iii) Including information on how people can get more information -

whether, for example, there are leaflets available at the back of Church.

More information can be found on the web at

MAGAZINE ARTICLE 1 - Where there’s a Will, there’s a way to spread the Gospel.

This magazine article is based around personal testimony. Before using it you should :

i) Change the personal testimony in the second and last paragraphs.

ii) Check the current Inheritance Tax threshold for tax years later than 06/07

iii) Amend the last paragraph regarding leaflets available in church, and their location.

(673 Words)

Where there’s a Will there’s a way…to spread the Gospel

Believe it or not we all die one day! As Christians we recognise that something far

greater then awaits us as we meet with our Father God in Heaven. But what about the

loved ones we leave behind…

About thirteen years ago, just before John was born, Ruth and I decided that we should

make a Will. I think it was one of the most sensible decisions we‟ve ever made. Recently

we decided to review our Will. Again it was one of the most sensible decisions we‟ve ever

made. When we looked at our original Will we realised that so much of it was out of date!

The new Will was so simple to do. It took very little of our time and money and will make

a massive difference to those we leave behind. So… if you haven‟t made a Will, or

reviewed it recently, then you ask yourself a very serious question: “Why not!”

If you really love the people who you want to receive your estate then you should make a

Will. If you don‟t leave a Will then the hassle and mess you leave behind you is beyond

description – it is one of the cruellest legacies that you can leave to those closest to you.

This is one of the reasons that the Church of England has been encouraging people to

make a will ever since the first edition of the Book of Common Prayer in the 16th Century.

If you do make a Will then why not think a bit further than that…for example. Have you

ever thought about the word legacy, I wonder if it is something you have ever

considered to be evocative? After all it is not just about gifts you make in your will, it is

also relates to a lasting effect that a person leaves to influence this world.

As Christians we try to live our lives in a way that follows Jesus and Christian beliefs, we

also try to influence the world for better as we see it. Once we are dead, resources that

we gathered in this life don‟t go with us but are passed on and used by somebody or

something else.

For a lasting memorial some people may have a work of art created in their name, or a

bench placed under a tree in a park. There is nothing wrong with this. An alternative is

to help God‟s work in this world continue to move forward. Leaving a legacy to the

Church and/or one of its wider organisations is about as permanent an epitaph as you can

get. It allows us as Christians to make a final thank you to God for all that He has given

us during this life above all in Jesus Christ.

So if I leave a legacy what exactly should I leave it to?

Well that‟s entirely up to you. There are many areas of Christian Life that would benefit

from a gift in your will. If you decide to leave such a gift then it is important to consider

all aspects of Christian life, such as… support for the local Church here at Christ Church,

or more widely in this area through the Diocese of Winchester, or for mission through

one of many mission or development agencies, either national or international.

From a practical point of view, legacies mitigate inheritance tax. Currently any amount

you leave above £285,000,

(tax year 2006/07), has 40% deducted in tax, so for every

£100 you leave over this threshold the government gets £40. Money given to the Church

and other charities, however, is exempt from any inheritance tax.

To leave a legacy you must make a Will. It isn‟t difficult and it isn‟t expensive. Ruth and

I would be happy to share our own experience of making a Will. In addition a couple of

leaflets can be found on the table by the door. Remember, whoever has a will, has a way

to spread the Gospel!

For more information on wills and leaving a gift to the Church, visit

, or request a pack by e-mailing info@ or

ringing the Church's national legacy helpline on 08445 870875.

MAGAZINE ARTICLE 2 - Why every Christian needs a will.

This magazine article offers a short biblical background to why making a will is an important

part of our discipleship. (587 Words)

Why every Christian needs a will

Making a will, and keeping it reasonably up-to-date, makes good financial sense for your

family, friends and dependents as well as your own peace of mind. But it is also part of

our Christian discipleship.

As Christians, the Bible teaches us about God‟s overwhelming generosity to each one of

us, especially in the gift of Jesus. In his old age, King David organised a huge collection

to fund the building of the new temple by the next generation “Everything we have has

come from you, and we give you only what you have already given us! We are here for

only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our

days on earth are like a shadow, gone so soon without a trace. O Lord our God, even

these materials that we have gathered to build a temple to honour your holy name come

from you! It all belongs to you!”

1 Chron 29, 14-16

God provides all our wealth and possessions on loan, and expects us to enjoy them and be

generous to others, particularly our families and those more needy than ourselves. “Good

people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren”

Prov 13, 22

But Jesus warned his followers not to have money and possessions at the centre of their

lives. “Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much

we own” He then went on to tell the parable of the rich farmer who built bigger barns

"But God said to him, 'You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?' "Yes,

a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

Luke 12, 15-21.

Jesus also said, "Give to Caesar what belongs to him. But everything that belongs to God

must be given to God."

Matt 22, 21.

Paul said: “Yet true religion with contentment is great wealth. After all, we didn't bring

anything with us when we came into the world, and we certainly cannot carry anything

with us when we die.”

1 Tim 6, 6.

Paul also said that he looked forward to dying: “For to me, living is for Christ, and dying

is even better I'm torn between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I

long to go and be with Christ. That would be far better for me.”

Phil 1, 20-23

The writer to the Hebrews (5,14) said “For this world is not our home; we are looking

forward to our city in heaven, which is yet to come.”

Many of us regard Christian giving as important, as much our response to God‟s amazing

generosity to us, as giving to pay the bills of our local Church. It‟s part of our walk of

faith. Making decisions about what will happen to our money and possessions after our

deaths is also an important part of our discipleship - making appropriate provision for

our families and loved ones, choosing how to express our thanks to God, and expressing

generosity by supporting the causes and concerns that are important to us.

For more information on wills and leaving a gift to the Church, visit

, or request a pack by e-mailing info@ or

ringing the Church's national legacy helpline on 08445 870875.

Scripture quotations are taken from the New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by

permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc, Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

MAGAZINE ARTICLE 3 - Why Review Your Will.

This magazine article seeks to encourage people to make and review their will regularly. is

based around personal testimony. If length is a problem, the last paragraph can be omitted.

(627 Words)

Why review your will?

Ever since the first edition of the Book of Common Prayer nearly 500 years ago, the

Church of England has encouraged people to ensure their will is up to date. Why?

Well, if you don‟t leave an up-to-date will it can cause needless problems and expense for

your family and executors after your death – and possibly even family disagreements. It

will almost certainly cost more time, trouble and money to sort out than the time and

effort it will take you to make or revise a will in the first place.

o It gives you absolute peace of mind that your current wishes will be carried out

o It ensures that any young children or other dependants you care for will be looked

after as you wish (eg appointing guardians)

o It ensures your treasured mementos (eg jewellery) will be given to the particular

individuals you want to receive them

o You can specify the type of funeral service you want

o It reflects the latest circumstances of your family and friends

o It is the only way to ensure support for your favourite church and charities

Most people need to review their will at least every five years, to check that it is still

reasonably up-to-date. Why not make a mental note to do it at every birthday that ends

in “0” or “5”? Other events that may trigger a review are major life events in the family

– births, (re-)marriage or divorce, deaths, house moves, step- or grand-children etc.

You are advised to get independent professional advice when making or substantially

revising a will. Most solicitors charge under £50 to revise a will, and under £100 for

writing a fresh will, assuming you do not have a large or complex estate. Many lawyers

quote a fixed price for straightforward wills, and will offer a discount if your partner

needs a mirror will at the same time. If you have a low income, it may be possible to get

free or cheap legal advice – ask your Citizens Advice Bureau. Many solicitors are

prepared to visit you at home if necessary. Age Concern have a postal will-writing

service for straightforward wills.

Making a will is also an opportunity to make a gift to the church or charities that you

have supported in your lifetime. Rather than making pecuniary legacies - fixed amounts

of money like £750 – it is generally advisable to leave most legacies as shares of the

residue of your estate (after debts, taxes and expenses) – for example X% to person A

and Y% to charity B. Residuary legacies suffer less from the ravages of inflation, and

save you having to amend your will so frequently as your financial circumstances change.

If you don‟t write a will at all (the lawyers talk about dying intestate):

● Your possessions will be divided only among certain close relatives under a complex

legal formula. Partners and children do not necessarily automatically get all of the

estate, and unrelated friends get nothing.

● The Court will appoint someone from amongst your family and friends to act as

Administrator of your estate – not necessarily the most appropriate person, and they

get no recompense for this task they are assigned.

● There is no opportunity to try to minimise the amount of Inheritance Tax payable –

there are quite legitimate ways to reduce your eventual tax bill through a will.

● A surviving spouse may have to move to a smaller home to pay the various bills

● You cannot specify which relatives and friends should get your most treasured

mementos as they will need to be sold off, probably cheaply in a house clearance.

● The church and favourite charities you generously supported during your lifetime will

get nothing.

For more information on wills and leaving a gift to the Church, visit

, or request a pack by e-mailing info@ or

ringing the Church's national legacy helpline on 08445 870875.

MAGAZINE ARTICLE 4 - Children and Young People.

This magazine article seeks to encourage people to consider the potential impact of leaving a

legacy for work with children and young people, or some other form of mission work.

(727 Words)

Will you?

Have you ever thought about the word legacy? I wonder if it is something you have ever

considered to be evocative? After all it is not just about gifts we might make in our

wills after death, it is also relates to a lasting effect that a person leaves to influence

this world.

As Christians we try to live our lives in a way that follows Jesus and Christian beliefs, we

also try to influence the world for better as we see it. Once we are dead, resources that

we gathered in this life don‟t go with us but are passed on and used by somebody or

something else.

For a lasting memorial some people may have a work of art created in their name, or a

bench placed under a tree in a park. Naturally there is nothing wrong with this, however,

why not, instead, help God‟s work in this world continue to move forward. Leaving a

legacy to the Church and/or one of its wider organisations is about as permanent an

epitaph as you can get. It allows us as Christians to make a final thank you to God for all

that He has given us during this life above all in Jesus Christ.

So if I leave a legacy what exactly should I leave it to?

Well that‟s entirely up to you. There are many areas of Christian life that would benefit

through a legacy payment. If you decide to leave a legacy then it is important to

consider all aspects of church life, there are so many important areas. As an example, it

could be to help the development of children and young people‟s ministry.

Imagine…

We all hear about problems with young people, problems of crime, drug abuse, broken

young lives and lost dreams. We have all heard of children whose lives are scared by

abuse and difficult home circumstances. Perhaps even worse is the silent loss of hope

and meaning in many young lives.

But, just for a moment…Imagine….

Imagine a church that is full, a church where the different age ranges abundantly cover

all the generations including the under twenty-fives. Imagine young people who are

enthusiastic and committed in their Christian faith, committed to living out what they

believe and sharing it with the lost generation that they live amongst. Imagine a church

where young people come not just to receive but also to help run the church. A church

where every aspect of ministry is shared across a range of ages from the youngest to

the oldest. Imagine a church that meets in a school, where hundreds of children come

from a tough local estate – because they want to!

This isn‟t a dream. Youth ministry like this is happening across the diocese – but it could

happen more. Many mature folk long to see the church they love preserved for the next

generation. You can help do this even if you know nothing about youth and children‟s

ministry, simply by leaving some money, not for the building, but for what Jesus called

the „living stones‟! Make the best investment you could in the future of the church – its

next generation of believers, indeed many of whom are believers now! Within this

Diocese there are people who know

how to run youth and children‟s work well but it does

cost – both in terms of time and

money.

£1000 could send a group of young people to a life changing Christian

summer camp

£6,000 Could buy a young „Careforce‟ worker on a gap year project to

work with the parish‟s young people

£10,000 Could pay for a part time children‟s worker to really transform

your church and schools work

£50,000 Could pay for a fully professional, trained youth worker for a two

year period, making a real impact on the lives of many children

and your people.

Of course, that are other important initiatives that you may wish to consider, other

needs of your local church, or the many various mission and development agencies.

To leave a legacy you must make a Will, and that is something we should all do to ensure

our wishes are carried out, and to avoid leaving complications and complex issues for our

loved ones to sort out. Making a will is simpler and cheaper than you might think. If you

would like to know more please contact the Parish Giving Officer, …………., and/or take

one of the leaflets that can be found on ………

For more information on wills and leaving a gift to the Church, visit

, or request a pack by e-mailing info@ or

ringing the Church's national legacy helpline on 08445 870875.

MAGAZINE SNIPPET 1 - Trendsetter

This short snippet features the growth in gifts left in wills to charity over recent years.

Are you a trendsetter?

During recent years there has been a significant increase in charitable gifts left in wills.

In 1991 65,000 legacies were given to charities; by 2001 84,000 legacies were received.

Why not be part of this growing trend and leave a gift to the church and other charities

you support when you write or amend your will?

For more information on wills and leaving a gift to the Church, visit

, or request a pack by e-mailing info@ or

ringing the Church's national legacy helpline on 08445 870875.

MAGAZINE SNIPPET 2 - Famous Last Words

The last words of five famous people, with a challenge on how we will express our final

wishes.

Famous Last Words!

“Either that wallpaper goes, or I do.” Oscar Wilde

“Excuse my dust.” Dorothy Parker (epitaph)

“Goodbye, my friends, I go on to glory” Isodora Duncan

“I have spent a lot of time searching through the Bible for loopholes” WC Fields

“Die, my dear doctor, that’s the last thing I shall do.” Lord Palmerston

Planning your last words is a difficult thing to do, but you can, and should, express your

final wishes by making a will. This ensures you can make appropriate arrangements for

your family. You can also remember your church family, or other charities. Our final

words are not always spoken!

For more information on wills and leaving a gift to the Church, visit

, or request a pack by e-mailing info@ or

ringing the Church's national legacy helpline on 08445 870875.

MAGAZINE SNIPPET 3 - Islamic Wills and yours

Are we as Christians, prepared to be as generous in disposing of our assets as Muslims?

Islamic wills ... and yours?

In the Muslim faith, Shari‟a law requires every believer to provide for their immediate

family in their will, and to give a quarter of the estate to charity.

Once you‟ve remembered your loved ones in your will, please remember your church

family, and help them to develop their future ministry.

For more information on wills and leaving a gift to the Church, visit

, or request a pack by e-mailing info@ or

ringing the Church's national legacy helpline on 08457 101010.

MAGAZINE SNIPPET 4 - Dead Easy Quiz

Five questions on the deaths of others, and one less easy question on our own wills.

Dead Easy Quiz

1. What poet‟s last words were “I‟ve just drunk eighteen straight whiskies? I think

that‟s a record?

2. Who said “Old? Me? Nonsense. The hills are old, but evergreen.”

3. Who wrote the opera “Death in Venice”? **

4. Who wrote the novel “Death in Venice”? **

5. Who died with one eye, one arm and a kiss?

** Talking of Venice, did you know that land there is so precious no burials are allowed in

the city itself, but have to take place on the island of San Michele in the Lagoon. Space

is even at a premium on the island, and burials only last for a decade before the bones

are disinterred and taken to an ossuary, so that the graves can be re-used.

Less Easy Quiz

6. Are you sure that your will expresses your wishes as they currently stand?

Answers

1. Dylan Thomas

2. Chairman Mao

3. Benjamin Britten

4. Thomas Mann

5. Horatio Nelson

6. Most people need to review their wills regularly. Throughout our lives our situations

change - family circumstances change and we might change the causes we support.

Updating your will is relatively simple, and not as expensive as you might think.

For more information on wills and leaving a gift to the Church, visit

, or request a pack by e-mailing info@ or

ringing the Church's national legacy helpline on 08457 101010.