The Endowment Committee is responsible to the Church Council for receiving donations and directing the investment activities of the Endowment Fund in accordance with the investment policy statement, established resolution guidelines, and the annual objectives.
The Bethel United Methodist Church Endowment Fund was established in November 2006. All principal amounts given to the Endowment Fund are retained and only the income generated from net earnings from the original gifts may be used. Therefore, the money given to this fund will be available for generations to come. Gifts may be given to the General Endowment Fund or specified to one of our designated areas of Capital Projects, Special Ministries, Missions, and/or Scholarships (Seminary). These funds are totally separate from the Building Fund and the annual church operating budget.
The Endowment Fund “Tree of Life”, which is mounted in our Social Hall, was anonymously donated in July 2007. This provides a permanent and beautiful way to remember and/or honor the lives of loved ones as well as to commemorate special occasions and events in our lives through monetary gifts. These gifts are recognized on the tree by a leaf ($1,000 gift), an acorn ($5,000 gift), a foundation stone ($10,000 gift), or a mini-tree ($25,000 gift). Donations may be made at any time in any amount by lump sum, monthly contributions in a specified amount, or end-of-life giving via a will, trust, etc. Friends/family may choose to work toward an engraved leaf for a loved one by making donations periodically (such as on anniversaries, birthday, etc.) until they have the entire amount. New leaves being added to the Tree of Life are dedicated on 5th Sundays throughout the year unless otherwise requested. If a family wishes to have donations given to the Endowment Fund in lieu of flowers upon the death of a loved one, checks should be made to Bethel UMC with a notation for Endowment Fund. When $1,000 is received, an engraved leaf will be added to the Tree.
A brochure explaining the fund and its administration is available online, in the social hall or from committee members whose names are listed on the information table in the social hall.