The Gift of a Lifetime

written by Julie Young | May 2, 2015

Because of a generous, forward-thinking couple, the Diocese of San Diego now has a secure source of funding for certain clergy pensions, and for the health and welfare of retired clergy and spouses. The Rev. Alan Miller, a clergy person from the Midwest and his wife, Juanita Miller, moved to San Diego for their retirement. Mrs. Miller created a trust in 1995 in her own name, and that of her husband, who had predeceased her. She named the diocese as its sole beneficiary. When she died in October 2013, the trust was valued at $1.26 million. The Alan and Juanita Miller Endowment Fund empowers the diocese to make the required pension contributions for diocesan clergy and the clergy of diocesan missions and small parishes. The trust also stipulates that the bishop of the diocese may use portions of the fund “for the health or welfare of particular retired clergy or clergy widows” as need arises.

The legacy of Alan and Juanita Miller will help sustain all congregations in the Diocese of San Diego because the trust provides budget-relieving funds, and frees up the diocesan operating budget. Bequests are the easiest way to share your life’s bounty with others. People who have made such provisions in their estate plans say that it feels good to know that their legacy will help others have opportunities that would not otherwise have been possible. If you are interested in learning more about bequests, please see the article below.

“I am deeply grateful for the wisdom, foresight and generosity of the Millers,” said the Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. “They have left a legacy that will benefit many Episcopalians far into the future. If every Episcopalian in this diocese left even one percent of his or her estate to the diocese, or their home church, this diocese would experience a security and abundance it has not yet known.”

Canon Julie Young, diocesan treasurer and canon for finance and administration, also expressed gratitude for the Millers, adding “may they rest in peace.”