Blog:FOREST LAKE TALKS

One of the things for which I am grateful every year is the foresight that the Session of FLPC had in 1997 when they created the first “Endowment Board.” The Session, with support and help from Rev. Dr. Eric Skidmore went to work to invite the congregation to make planned gifts through their estate planning to the Endowment Fund. The purpose of the fund was to “expand and enrich the mission of the Church,” by giving away a portion of the interest earned on the principal. The primary purposes for those funds are to support:

• Local programs, especially those of an outreach nature; such programs can be underwritten until their cost can be assumed by the budget or the need is otherwise fulfilled; and
• Unusual (unbudgeted) repairs and maintenance of Church property and equipment.
  When I arrived as your Senior Pastor in August of 2006, the balance of the Endowment Fund principal was approximately $71,500. Today the balance of that fund is $1,563,702! That balance represents the overwhelming generosity of FLPC members and guests who have made gifts large and small to the fund. Many members gave gifts to the Endowment Fund through their estate planning. I did not know until after my own Mother died, that she had included the FLPC Endowment Fund in her own will! That is planned gratitude.