Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
“Without a vision the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18
I would like to give a shout out this day to Steve Schrecengost, Terry Otey, a woman named Ruby, and Gert Tasche.
Twenty-eight years ago, Steve Schrecengost was an active member of our parish. He played drums in our Breaded Fish worship band, he served the church on the Finance Committee and worked as our Sexton. Steve was a character; he was known for coloring outside the lines and Steve had a vision. He dreamed of a day when Trinity would have an endowment fund. To jumpstart his vision, in 1999 Steve and Cris Schrecengost made the first gift. That $3,000 gift would necessitate the formation of the TLC Mission Endowment Fund.
Terry Otey was not a member of the church. Terry had worked hard in his life, he was a man of vision, he thought outside the box and was not afraid to take a chance. One day, he stopped by my office and shared a vision with me. It was his desire to make a difference in the lives of hardworking young students. He asked if I would be the executor of his estate. In addition, he wondered if I would help him to set up a scholarship fund through the TLC Endowment.
Ruby was a loving mother to Lydell and Ronnie Knudson, a hard-working woman who believed in the importance of a good education. She worked, saved and invested for her entire life. When she died, her son and daughter-in-law decided that the money that she had left to them would be better used to support the next generation. They invested Ruby’s money in the TLC Endowment. The Ruby Scholarship Fund would become a generous part of Ruby’s legacy.
Gert Tasche was born a stone’s throw away from Trinity Lutheran Church in the Austin district of Mutiny Bay. She was the sixth child born to Lena and Frank Driscoll. She married the love of her life Jim Tasche at the Langley Methodist Church on September 30, 1950. Jim and Gert would dance through life as husband and wife for the next 74 years. Gert managed her own finances; she paid attention to detail. When she died last year, her desires were made known in her final will. Gert and Jim had supported Trinity Lutheran Church for the past 34 years, her final statement in life was consistent with the values that guided her life. Gert left $102,000 to the Trinity Endowment to fund a scholarship. This fall two students will attend college on the Gertrude Tasche Scholarship.
Steve Schrecengost died very young, but the Endowment that began with a $3,000 gift has now grown to nearly $6,000,000. Terry Otey died unexpectedly, not long after setting up his estate plan. This Fall, there will be 27 students attending Colleges and Universities supported by his generosity and vision. Ruby’s legacy lives on as 6 TLC students will be the benefactors of Ruby Scholarships. Each student will be receiving $35,000 to $40,000 to assist them with a four-year college education.
“Without a vision, the people perish.” Because of the vision and generosity of Steve, Terry, Gert and Ruby, the next generation is being blessed and inspired.
How can we take part? For $25,000 or more you can set up a named fund that will benefit students or a charity of your choice. This gift can be a part of your estate plan. A few shares of Amazon stock that you bought years ago should offer you a generous tax break, or simply write a check to the TLC Endowment Fund. For as little as $25,000 the name of your loved one will be remembered every year.
Blessed to be a Blessing! To whom much if given, much is expected.
Tomorrow members of the Endowment Committee will be in the coffee hour to answer your questions. They will have simple one-page codicils that you can attach to your will. The codicils will allow you to make the last statement of your life consistent with the values that guided your life.
See you in church!
Love, Pastor Jim
