Building on Faith Update
Thank you! Thanks to you, the start of our “Building on Faith” capital campaign was a great success. On Sund
ay, March 21, we received 3-year commitments totaling $553,863. That’s an incredible show of support! The Building Committee will now move forward with conversations with architects and builders. Good things truly do happen at Minnehaha.
Current 3-Year Commitments
Right now we have commitments totaling: $568,991.40!
Opportunities for Giving
There are many ways to give to Minnehaha…some you may not have considered. (This is intended as general information only. Be sure to consult with your attorney, accountant, or other tax advisor before making an important gift.)
GIFTS OF CASH: Chairtable gifts of cash are fully deductible—up to a maximum of 50% of your adjusted gross income.
GIFTS OF STOCK: If you own stock, it can often be more "tax wise" to gift stock that has appreciated in value rather than gift cash. Gifting appreciated stock you've held for more than a year means you don't pay capital gains tax on the increase in value of the stock. Also, you receive an income tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock at the time of the gift. Gifts of appreciated sotck are fully deductible—up to a maximum of 30% of your adjusted gross income. Any excess can generally be caried forward and deducted over as many as five subsequent years. (Note: If the stock has declined in value, you're probably better off selling the shares and giving a cash gift. You'll have the benefit of the tax loss on the shares along with the charitable contribution deduction.)
GIFTS OF REAL ESTATE: A residence, vacation home, farm, acreage or vacant lot may have so appreciated in value through the years that its sale would mean a sizeable capital gains tax. By making a gift of this property instead, you would avoid the capital gains tax, and, at the same time, receive a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the property.
GIFTS OF LIFE INSURANCE: You could purchase a new policy or donate a policy you currently own but no longer need. To receive a deduction, designate the church as both the owner and beneficiary of the life insurance policy. (Check with your insurance agent for details.)
LIFE INCOME GIFTS: You could transfer stock to the church and establish a "charitable remainder unitrust" or "charitable remainder annuity trust" that would provide you with a 5% or greater annual return. This income would be paid to you and/or a loved one for life, after which the assets would be distributed outright to the church. Through such an arrangement, you would increase your income and make a meaningful—and tax-deductible—contribution to the church at the same time.
BEQUESTS: You can name the church as a beneficiary in your will in a number of simple ways. An outright gift in which you specify either a designated dollar amount or percentage of your estate. Or you could name the church as a remainder beneficiary to receive funds only after specific sums have been paid to individual beneficiaries.
Kids Draw Pictures of Church
A few Sundays ago, some of our kindergarten and preschool kids were asked to draw a picture of Minnehaha UMC. Here’s one to enjoy. (You can see others on the church’s new Facebook page.)
Prayer of Celebration
Mother, Father, Lover of us all, God, you have filled us with joy spilling over in celebration of our urgently needed campaign for renewal of this place we call your Holy House. Coming here, you graciously accept the offerings we bring; ourselves, our joys, our wounds, our hopes, our disappointments, our monies, our time and even our backing away, stirring, binding, anointing this body of Christ into an amazing, giving community called Minnehaha. Waving palms on this spring day, we reach again for your constant stream of mercy coming to us from your beloved Jesus. We, too, feel we are on a path from which we must not be shaken. Speak to us as we go along this Hosanna way. Thank you, thank you, most merciful God!
Recipe for "Building on Faith French Toast"
Many people have asked for the recipe for Peach French Toast from the Building on Faith brunch. Here you go. Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup loosely packed brown sugar
½ cup butter or margarine
2 tablespoons water
1 (29 ounce) can sliced peaches, drained
12 (1” thick) slices French bread
4 eggs
1-¼ cups milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Ground cinnamon
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a saucepan, bring brown sugar, butter and water to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour into a greased 13” x 9” x 2” baking dish; top with peaches.
2. In a bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and vanilla. Generously dip bread slices into egg mixture; arrange bread over peaches. Pour remaining egg mixture over bread. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
3. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 25-30 minutes longer or until bread is golden brown. Serve with a spoon.
Servings: 6 – 8
(Adapted from allrecipes.com Peach French Toast.)
