The Canons (laws) of the church say very few specifics about the job responsibilities of a rector (and even fewer about a Dean) beyond what you might expect: preach the gospel, celebrate the sacraments, and care for the people of God.
So it might surprise you that one of the few things we are required to do is to teach the people of our churches the importance and value of making a will. Our church understands wills and legacy planning as being deeply rooted in faith and our mutual care for one another: our planning is an extension of our Christianity, and carries with it the resonance of the eternal promise that is at the heart of our relationship with God.
A will is how we share and resource the things that we value. Whether that is supporting arts or justice organizations, or beloved universities, or churches that will share God’s story for generations to come, a will allows you to take the gifts you have been given and turn them into a legacy of generosity and faith.
A will is also how we care for our loved ones. How young or old do you need to be to make a will? The answer is: it’s always a good time to prepare a will. When my younger sister died she did not leave a will, which meant confusion around her desires and how to carry them out. Creating a will doesn’t simply provide material resources for those we love…it provides the gift of clarity that can help those we leave behind begin to heal.
August is Make-A-Will month at Trinity, and we are providing resources to help you get this started, and to begin the conversation with those in your life who might be a part of that. We’ll also offer an estate planning forum in the fall, which I hope you’ll join even if you’ve already done some of this planning.
Creating a will is about creating a legacy, not simply in material resources but in putting our faith into action.
Faithfully,
The Very Rev. Bernard J. Owens