My name is Victoria James and I am the Stewardship Advisor for the Diocese of Portsmouth. I have a legal background and worked as a Solicitor for almost a decade. I began my legal career specialising in Family Law as well as Wills and Probate. So what do I do now? My role is to assist parishes in all matters relating to Stewardship and Parish finances so I support with running parish accounts and the year end process, gift aid and promoting regular giving. It is a privilege, as well as extremely rewarding and uplifting, to work with parishes and individuals as they journey in faith and experience the joy which flows from committed sacrificial giving.
Why do you feel it is important to make a Will?
A Will can make all the difference to individuals and their families. Having written a Will, you can be reassured that your wishes are carried out after you have passed away but more importantly that you have provided for those who rely on you for support and where necessary appointed appropriate individuals to care for your minor children. For your loved ones it is simply one less thing to worry about when they are dealing with the loss of a loved one. To die, leaving no Will leaves uncertainty and potentially lengthens the process of dealing with your estate after you have passed away.
Why Will Aid?
Will Aid is a real opportunity to address these issues and support the connected charities in the process. Having worked in this area of legal practice for a time, I have experienced first hand the comfort and contentment people feel once they have made their will and also the joy experience by those who were able to make a charitable gift in their will; it is quite special to know that the God given resources you leave behind are continuing to be used to make a difference.
As Christians, striving to be good Disciples, we talk often about Christian Giving and Stewardship as a part of our everyday life. Therefore, a Will is part of that journey; by making a Will including a charitable gift, is a final act of Stewardship. It is a good and effective way, at the end of our earthly life, of giving thanks to God for many, rich and diverse blessings we have received during our life.
Why legacies?
We have so much to be thankful for every day and that remains true at the end of our lives. Your Parish Church is there for so many people at different points in their lives and plays a significant and important part in the community it serves.
We want that to continue and as Christians we look to be able to spread God’s Word and touch the lives of as many people as possible. Leaving a gift in your Will to your local church can make a huge difference and enable some fantastic mission and out reach projects to be launched and which can make a massive difference to a community. To enable such activity really is a something very special.