…to turn all the treasures we possess into the channel of universal love becomes the business of our lives.
— John Woolman, 1763
This past Sunday, February 4, PYM’s Director of Development, Merri Brown, joined Mimi Blackwell, Director of Philanthropic Services at Friends Fiduciary, Rob Vosburgh, Executive Director of Planned Giving for Penn Medicine and member of West Chester Friends Meeting at Swarthmore Friends Meeting to discuss estate planning matters important to Friends.
Andrea Knox, Clerk for Swarthmore’s Budget & Finance Committee organized the event. After worship and fellowship, Friends gathered. Swarthmore member Paul Joyce Collins Williams reminded Friends that Faith and Practice provides some guidance on such matters, including “A Checklist for the Settlement of All Outward Affairs”.
Rob suggested that Friends might consider a number of questions before meeting with advisors to fashion a will, healthcare directive/living will, and power of attorney. These questions included: “What is really important to me and my family?”, “What are our family’s true assets?”, “What is an appropriate or ‘rightly ordered’ inheritance?” and “Who is our community? What will it be?”
Mimi shared examples of Quaker philanthropy that continue to do good in the world today, including the generosity of Anna T. Jeanes. Not everyone has the means to establish their own endowments, but everyone can work with PYM to fulfill their philanthropic ambitions. Friends can steward their resources large or small in a manner consistent with our testimonies.
Everyone came away feeling more knowledgeable and many commented how “They now see wills and bequests from a whole different and positive perspective!” The guest presenters thank Swarthmore Friends Meeting for their generous hospitality.
For questions or more information, contact Merri Brown at mbrown@pym.org or call 215 241 7115.
