Stewardship

Serving the Congregation

Stewardship is the process by which a congregation takes care of all that has
been entrusted to it, including:

CLERGY RESOURCES

CLERGY RESOURCES

HUMAN RESOURCES

MEMBER GIFTS & TALENTS

Stewardship Committee Members

  • Catherine Beemer, chair, (2025), St. George’s Church, Nashville
  • The Rev. Rob Lamborn (2024), The Parish of St. Mark & St. Paul, Sewanee
  • The Rev. Michael Whitnah (2024), St. Paul’s Church, Murfreesboro
  • The Rev. Robert Osborne (2025), St. Joseph of Arimathea, Hendersonville
  • Seawell Brandau (2025), St. George’s Church, Nashville
  • Mike Wesson (2025), St. Paul’s Church, Franklin

Get Involved

Planned Giving

Through planned giving, major gifts are made to a church or charity after careful consideration and prayer. They’re a form of stewardship, and they may be made now or planned for the future.

All major gifts should involve prayer and planning since they relate to one’s values, legacy, and other family members. Large gifts should only be made after clearly understanding one’s own financial circumstances and their lifetime goals.

Planned gifts generally benefit capital funds or an endowment. They can be designated to certain specific causes within the organization. They can be made in:

  • Cash
  • Stock
  • Personal property
  • Life insurance
  • Or through a variety of methods

Donors should be assured by their legal and financial advisors that the gift is in the best interest of all parties.

Gifts can be made in relatively small amounts called Charitable Gift Annuities. Larger gifts with income benefits generally become charitable trusts. We are supported in these efforts by the Episcopal Church Foundation, 800-697-2858.

Note: in these times of low interest rates, seniors may want to consider Charitable Gift Annuities to increase their living income.

The diocese recognizes all such gifts (but does not disclose the details) to any endowment throughout the diocese with an honorary membership in the Legacy Society of The Diocese of Tennessee. Thus far there are some 124 members representing 24 congregations.

Episcopal Endowment Corporation

The Episcopal Endowment Corporation (EEC) is, among other things, an attractive investment vehicle for congregations in the Diocese of Tennessee and the Diocese of East Tennessee. In the context of planned giving and good overall stewardship, having secure investment options that offer a good return for your congregation is important.  For more information, please contact Pete Stringer, Treasurer of the Diocese and Board Member of the EEC.

Background Information

The Episcopal Endowment Corporation was created by a gift from Mrs. Delia Baxter Robinson of Nashville upon her death on June 15, 1932. She was the wife of Augustus Hammond Robinson who was born on May 23, 1844 and died in 1919. The bequest from Mrs. Robinson is a permanently restricted gift and its legal title is “The Augustus Hammond Robinson Memorial Episcopate Endowment Fund.” For some eighty years, this fund has supported the Episcopate. Moreover, it paved the way for the Dioceses of Tennessee and East Tennessee as well as many congregations to invest and hold long term funds.

The EEC ended 2023 with a market value of $52.5 million. The Fund’s performance continues to be a most attractive long term investment vehicle for both dioceses and their individual congregations. The EEC Board voted to continue the 4% spending rate into 2024. The amount available for distribution is based on the average of the previous three years year-end market value.

Please see the Episcopal Endowment Corporation Financial Statements for more information or contact Pete Stringer.

Current Board Members:

  • Frank Puryear (2024), St. George’s Church, Nashville
  • Trey Talley (2024), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville
  • Miles Kirkland (2026), St. George’s Church, Nashville
  • Pete Stringer (2026), Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville