Making Gifts of Lasting Impact

Vision

The United Methodist Church is a global denomination that opens hearts, opens minds and opens doors through active engagement with our world, by living as disciples of Jesus Christ.  In pursuit of those objectives, National United Methodist Church is committed to radical hospitality, transforming lives, and pursuing justice, sharing God’s love both in what we say and how we serve our neighbors.

National United Methodist Church is a multi-campus church forged through the merger of several neighboring churches – Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church, Eldbrooke United Methodist Church, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, and most recently Wesley United Methodist Church.  Through its long history, NUMC has grown in its outreach to and impact on local and international communities.

When we become professing members of NUMC, we vow to participate faithfully in the life and ministries of the church through our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness.  Our work here is testament to the congregation’s faithful commitment to the life and missions of the church, work that has been made possible – and sustained over time – in substantial part by financial gifts.

Financial Stewardship

It is often said that the Christian faith is always only one generation away from extinction.  Each of us stands on the shoulders of previous generations of Christian believers – those who nurtured our faith, who sacrificed to construct our church buildings, who sustained the institutions that extend our witness of Jesus Christ to others.

We, too, have a responsibility to ensure the vitality of our church’s mission for the sake of future generations. We recognize that all we have comes from God.  As Christian stewards, we are called to use the resources God has entrusted to us to serve God’s purposes across our lifetimes. That call begins with setting aside a portion of our income to make our regular tithes and offerings, which generally support the ongoing operations of the church, such as worship services, programs, pastoral care, community outreach and building and grounds maintenance.  Along the way, members of the church may find it appropriate to offer one-time gifts, in support of particular ministries and initiatives, or – as in the case of memorial gifts – in honor of specific people.  Beyond that, faithful stewardship also demands that we take stock of our accumulated assets and our lifetime assets and, where we are able, designate some portion of these assets to promote and ensure the long-term impact of the church’s ministries and missions.  This is legacy giving for lasting impact.  

All financial gifts – at all levels, both periodic and regular, during and at the ends of our lives – are necessary to maintain and extend the life and work of the church to serve others and glorify God. 

Whether you are a long-term member who has faithfully answered the call for support over the years, or someone who is now beginning to look for ways to secure the future of NUMC and its missions and ministries, we invite you to consider making a legacy gift and filling out the “Donor Declaration Form.”

The availability of these funding sources enabled NUMC to stay connected to the congregation and to serve its constituent communities during the closure necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic.  We were able to provide inspiring worship services, and educational and cultural programming, while continuing to provide congregational care and community outreach.  Thank you for all that you have done to make that possible.

Legacy or Estate Giving

While tithes and regular offerings provide financial support of near-term functions of the church, legacy giving – also called planned giving – is understood to be complementary to these ongoing gifts and responds to future needs and opportunities of the church as it evolves and grows.

Legacy giving is a means by which anyone at any level of personal wealth can determine the ultimate disposition of assets remaining at the end of life, and in certain instances, thereby provide support for the church and its ministries more generously than one could have done during his or her lifetime.

Generally, legacy giving is accomplished through a will – which is a document that assures that your property and assets are distributed in a responsible way in accordance with your expressed wishes.  A will is a means by which you can contribute to the financial security of your dependents and other loved ones, and, as a Christian, assure that a portion of lifetime assets – specified as a bequest in your will – will be used to sustain a legacy of faith through the church  that glorifies God.

Wills and trusts are the most common instruments for expressing your end-of-life wishes, but there are other means of directing assets for charitable purposes.  A simple, quick, and inexpensive alternative is to designate the church as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy, 401(k), IRA, or brokerage account.

Your legacy gift can and will support the lasting impact of NUMC’s missions and ministries whether it is a gift of cash, real estate, or appreciated securities; a lifetime income gift (such as a pooled income fund, charitable gift annuity, or charitable remainder trust); or a beneficiary designation in your retirement or insurance plan.

To assist your consideration of making a legacy gift to NUMC that meets your objectives for the gift, as well as your needs and life situation, the United Methodist Church provides a number of helpful resources for basic information about wills and estate planning.  The following guides and brochures are provided by umcdiscipleship.org:

PLEASE NOTE that this information is not intended to convey specific legal or tax advice.  For specific advice related to your situation, you should consult a competent legal, tax or financial professional.

We appreciate your consideration.  All gifts are welcome.

Memorial Gifts:  Remembering Friends and Loved Ones, Commemorating Special Events.

Another form of gift that will have lasting impact and preserve the legacy of faith is the memorial gift, which is made in memory of deceased persons, to honor living persons, or to commemorate special events in your life or the lives of people you love and respect.  While legacy gifts are a purposeful way of supporting the future ministries and missions of the church, memorial gifts can make a difference today and still have a long-lasting effect. National UMC’s gift acceptance policy can guide you in consider potential uses of memorial gifts.

Memorial gifts can be made by check payable to “National United Methodist Church” and mailed to the church at 3401 Nebraska Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20006.  Please indicate on the memo line of your check the name of the individual (or the event) that is being remembered.

Alternatively, you can make a gift by credit card online. 

Thank you for taking these special celebrations as opportunities to honor people who are special to you, and to expand the positive impact of their lives on the lives of others.

The Metropolitan Memorial Foundation

Gifts to National United Methodist Church are governed by its Policy on Gift Acceptance. This policy provides guidance to donors who wish to designate their gift for a particular purpose and it stipulates that undesignated bequests are to be administered by the Metropolitan Memorial Foundation.

The Foundation was established in 1969 to ensure the ongoing vitality of the church’s ministries, now and in future years.  A Board of Foundation Trustees, selected through the church’s nominating process and elected by the annual Charge Conference, oversees the Foundation Fund and ensures that it is properly invested.  The Foundation Trustees work in consultation with a professional investment firm that manages the investments.

Income from the Foundation is made available annually to the church to be used in conformance with donor intention, or as the Church Council deems appropriate for the payment of current expenses, property management and improvement.

The Foundation is critical to the vitality of National United Methodist Church, allowing the church to sustain a high level of mission and ministry that honors God and serves our broader community.  Through the generosity of those who have made gifts to the Foundation over the years, and the careful stewardship of those gifts, the witness of National United Methodist Church is strong and dynamic today, and will remain so for generations to come.

If you would like to make a Legacy Gift, we encourage you to complete and return a “Donor Declaration Form” that will guide the use of your Legacy Gift to the church or foundation.  All gifts are welcome.  All gifts have value and meaning in the lives and futures of the church and the people it serves.

The Legacy Circle

The Legacy Circle, previously known as the Reredos Society, is an honorary society established by National United Methodist Church.  It honors those members and friends who have chosen to support the mission of the church through bequests.  Members of the Legacy Circle have the satisfaction of knowing that their bequests and permanent gifts will be a lasting benefit to National United Methodist Church and its ministries.

The Legacy Circle is a community of legacy donors that meets at least annually, and receives periodic updates on ways in which donations and gifts are impacting the church’s missions and ministries. 

Please note that the “Donor Declaration Form” provides a space where you can indicate your preference for anonymous donation.

Ready to Take the Next Steps?  Need More Information?

We hope that this information has been useful to you as you consider your desire and ability to extend your commitment to the NUMC of the future by making a legacy gift.  It is a significant decision and we are here to discuss any questions or concerns that you or your advisors might have.

If we might be of assistance, please contact the Senior Pastor of National United Methodist Church at (202) 363-4900 or using our contact form.

Your attorney, accountant, financial planner or insurance professional may need the following information about the Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church Foundation:

Legal Name:

Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church Foundation
3401 Nebraska Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC  20016
202-363-4900
FEIN # 53-0225162

When you have finalized your plans, please notify the church by submitting the “Donor Declaration Form.” The Donor Declaration itself is not a binding commitment, but simply a way to make the church aware of your present intentions.  

We appreciate your support and look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.