We are creating a church that is growing in numbers, in spirit, and in the ways people are connected to each other, our communities, and the world.

Diocesan Annual Fund: 

Click on the green "Donate Now" button above to make a gift.

A bulletin insert to assist congregations in extending the invitation to give generously and joyfully to the Diocesan Annual Fund is available here.

Our Current Funding Priorities

Life Together:  Young Adult Intern Program

Comprising the Relational Evangelism Pilot Project and the Micah Project, Life Together offers 11-month internships for young adults (18-30 years of age) in churches and mission-based organizations in the greater Boston area.  Interns develop leadership skills and spiritual formation through service, social justice work, community organizing, spiritual practices and intentional community.  Interns serve 30 hours a week in their site placements and eight hours a week in leadership training, spiritual formation and reflection. 

Learn more about the Life Together program here.

The Urban Residents Program

This ministry deploys newly ordained clergy in congregations committed to vital ministry and mission in the city.  The program seeks to address two urgent needs:

• The need to infuse creative energy and leadership into our city parishes
• The need to equip clergy to face the challenges and complexities of urban ministry

Learn more about the Urban Residents Program here. 

Green Grants Initiative

The Green Grants Initiative, launched in fall 2010, encourages, challenges and supports all congregations in the Diocese of Massachusetts in environmental stewardship.  The Green Grants Initiative has two components:  Simple Acts of Stewardship and Green Improvement Grants.  Congregations may participate in one or both.

Learn more about the Green Grants Initiative here.

Ministries establishing partnerships and connections across boundaries, including:

• St. Stephen’s After School and B-SAFE programs
• AIDS in Africa (Jubilee)

Stewardship

What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me.
Psalm 116:12

For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.
Luke 6:38

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:16

As Christians, each of is called to be a good steward of the gifts that God has entrusted to our care. Part of our call, our vocation, involves putting those gifts to work to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can do that through our stewardship and planned gifts to our parishes and to the Diocese.

While stewardship does indeed involve giving away money, it is more than philanthropy. Just as Christians are called to worship in community, participate in Eucharist, serve the poor and needy in the wider world, and share the Gospel with others, they are called to be good stewards, to thank God by giving back a portion of what God has given to us. Time, talent and treasure are the three ways we can display our gratitude.

Planned Giving

The planned giving ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts seeks to:

• Help individuals who wish to make a bequest or deferred gift to benefit their local parish, the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts or the Episcopal Church
• Assist congregations interested in developing programs to promote stewardship through bequests and deferred giving

For individuals

Did you know that you can make a gift to the church and receive income and enjoy tax benefits? By making a bequest or a life income gift, individuals can support the work of their parish, Diocese, or denomination while providing for the needs of loved ones.

Bequest

Perhaps the simplest form of planned gift, a bequest is a provision of one’s will whereby something is left upon that person’s death to another individual or organization. Any asset may be given by bequest – securities, cash, real estate, artwork.

Life income gift

Life income, or planned, gifts, often involve assets accumulated over a life-time and are often capital gifts; they can provide income to the donor during her/his lifetime and include annuities, pooled income funds, retained life estates, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts and life insurance.

For parishes

Developing a viable planned giving ministry requires not only strong and committed lay and ordained leadership, but also the broader perspective of people involved in outreach and pastoral care ministries to ensure that the planned giving effort is truly a ministry.

Success depends on preparation: the parish leadership must be ready to discuss sensitive topics and they must develop an endowment policy which specifies the types of gifts the parish will accept and under what conditions, as well as a management plan for the received assets.

Once a planned giving ministry has been launched, parishioners must be educated about stewardship, end-of-life issues and finance through both educational programming and from the pulpit. The importance of committed clergy cannot be overemphasized.

Contact Us

For more information, please contact Lynd Matt, Director of Development at lmatt [at] diomass [dot] org or 617-482-4826, ext. 515.  You may also find the following sites helpful:

• The Episcopal Church Foundation
• The Episcopal Stewardship Network
• The Planned Giving Design Center