Bethlehem Foundation

FAQS

Who are Bridge Builders?

The Bethlehem Bridge Builders is the group name for those who have promised gifts -- or who have already given them -- to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation (endowment). The group meets only once a year for a festive dinner and business meeting, to share the philanthropic activities of the endowment.

Who's eligible to be a Bridge Builder?

Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation is an endowment that provides opportunities for legacy gifts. Those who name the Foundation in their wills, or who give directly to the foundation, become Bridge Builders. This growing group of Bethlehem members and friends want to assure the continuity of the congregation's mission through legacy giving. Gifts become part of the Foundation's endowment, and only the interest earned on the principal is used to fund special projects and outside missions. Anyone who makes a gift to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation or who names the foundation as a beneficiary of wills or other investments is considered a Bridge Builder. When people formally indicate their intentions to leave gifts to the Foundation through a will, they are automatically considered Bridge Builders. To become a Bridge Builder, you must officially inform the Foundation of your gift plans.

How large is the Foundation's endowment?

The endowment currently has $1.25 Million in assets. Principal is never invaded, as only dividends or earnings are used to provide grants to worthy causes inside and outside the congregation. A volunteer committee of investment professionals manages it. While investment results vary from year to year, the foundation has given away from $50,000 to $60,000 each year over the past few years. The Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation was established in 1957.

How can I get more information?

For a Bridge Builder's brochure, please call the church office at 612-312-3400 and ask for one to be mailed to you. To have specific questions answered, please leave your question in our mailbox, and we will get back to you by phone or e-mail, whichever you prefer. Leave your questions at bridgebuilders@bethlehem-church.org.

Who’s on the Foundation Board of Directors?

Brent Anderson, Investment Advisory
Sandra Anderson
Barb Chapin
Bill Fredell
Katherine Friesz-Watt
David Grube
Paul Hauge
Barbara Kristiansson
Roy LaFayette
Barry Mason
Jeff Mogush
Christopher Nelson
Dan Nelson
Robert Peterson, Investment Advisory
Terry Sandven, Investment Advisory
Karen Roesler
Jeff Seidel
Paul Steen
Dorothea Tenney

Three-legged Stool Part One of Six

We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us - our selves, our time, and our possessions - signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We say this prayer together every week at worship. What does it mean? What does it mean to you? What does it mean for you?

Several years ago someone brought a small stool to a meeting of Bethlehem leaders. We were talking about stewardship. It sat on the table while we discussed the needs of the Bethlehem community and our challenges and responsibilities in this place. What could a three-legged stool possibly mean to you in your tithing to Bethlehem?

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth...

Deuteronomy 8:17 & 18.

I pray that I will never lose sight of this truth, Lord. All I have comes from You. Help me to hold all I have very lightly and may I always be ready to pass it along at Your request. Amen.

Three-legged Stool Part Two of Six

Recently we typed "three legged stool" into an internet search engine. You can imagine that we found stools of all sizes and shapes made out of a myriad of materials with a wide price range. What we didn't necessarily expect was the number of corporate references to this seemingly insignificant household item. From retirement plans to systems analysis to website design to McDonalds, folks are sharing a three-legged stool analogy in their work and life. We even found a young student asking the mathematical question why three legs are better than two or four (the answer isn't as technical as you might think!). And this was just on the first page of results from our search.

This lesson can be applied to our tithing. In our church-at Bethlehem-we have the opportunity to give a weekly offering. We have the challenge to give to an occasional capital campaign, like Share the Spirit. And we have the privilege to leave a legacy by giving to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation.

If you have any questions about the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation, please contact a board member: Bill Fredell, Paul Hauge, Kathleen Hokemeir-Seim, Roy LaFayette, Naomi Staruch, Paul Steen, Dorothea Tenney or Pastor Chris Nelson.

You may say to yourself, my power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me. But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth... Deuteronomy 8:17-18.

I pray that I will never lose sight of this truth, Lord. All I have comes from you. Help me to hold all I have very lightly and may I always be ready to pass it along at your request. Amen.

Three-Legged Stool Part Three of Six

In our church - at Bethlehem - we have the opportunity to give a weekly offering. We have the challenge to give to an occasional capital campaign, like Share the Spirit. And we have the privilege to leave a legacy by giving to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation. Three-legged giving. Wow!

Do you know about the third leg we mention here? The Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation was started in 1957 by some very forward thinking gentlemen. Today the assets exceed $1.5 million. The principal of the fund is invested and never spent. This will ensure this fund living into perpetuity ... forever!

The income has generally been about $50,000 for the past several years. Records indicate that since the first grant was made in 1963 through July 2006, $984,654 has been given to the glory of God for the following purposes: Bethlehem programmatic needs 20%; for BLC Staff enrichment 11%; for Bethlehem building and equipment needs 39%; for the tuition of seminary students 6%; and for general outreach to the community and the world 24%. [note:The total grants likely topped $1 million at the October meeting which was held after publication date.]

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth... Deuteronomy 8:17 & 18.

I pray that I will never lose sight of this truth, Lord. All I have comes from You. Help me to hold all I have very lightly and may I always be ready to pass it along at Your request. Amen.

Three--Legged Stool Part Four of Six

Foundation. Three-legged giving! WOW.

While the annual church budget and the Share the Spirit Campaign have been quite successful, recent gifts to the Bethlehem Foundation have been few. That means that there has been very slow growth in the financial base of the Foundation. Without a growing base of gifts, the Foundation will become stalled in its ability to grant income to church programs, seminarians and to outreach ministries connected to Bethlehem. Therefore, the Foundation's Board of Directors has begun an awareness-building campaign to explain to the Bethlehem community the value of giving to the Bethlehem Foundation. This six-part series is part of that effort.

Did you know that a memorial or commemorative gift to the Foundation can be made by anyone? You or a family member may give right now. We often receive memorials when someone dies. These contributions are very helpful to the Foundation and also very thoughtful to the family of the deceased. Consider honoring the special people in your life with a gift to the Foundation at births, baptisms, confirmations, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and holidays (or be creative). This is truly a gift that lasts forever.

What might seem small to you at the time will allow the fund to grow and prosper when added to the gifts of others. All you need to do is make your check payable to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation and get it to the office clearly marked for the Foundation. There are designated envelopes available at the church office. The Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization in the State of Minnesota and your contributions are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. There is no special membership required to make a contribution to the Bethlehem Foundation.

If you have any questions about the Foundation, please contact a board member: Bill Fredell, Paul Hauge, Kathleen Hokemeir-Seim, Roy LaFayette, Naomi Staruch, Paul Steen, Dorothea Tenney or Pastor Chris Nelson. Or you may contact Jean Westberg in the church office at 312.314.3402.

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth... Deuteronomy 8:17 & 18.

I pray that I will never lose sight of this truth, Lord. All I have comes from You. Help me to hold all I have very lightly and may I always be ready to pass it along at your request. Amen.

Three Legged Stool--Part Five of Six

The Bethlehem Foundation was begun in 1957...2007 is the 50^th Anniversary year! Please join us for a festive celebration on Sunday, January 14, 2007 to hear stories regarding the organization. There will be displays to peruse with information about the history and the future of the Bethlehem Foundation, Foundation Board members will be available to answer questions, there will be coffee and treats sponsored by the Foundation and we will praise God for the first 50 years by lifting up the Bethlehem Foundation in the worship services on that day. Please pay special attention to more events throughout the year.

If you would like to make a contribution to the Bethlehem Foundation, all you need to do is make your check payable to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Foundation and get it to the office clearly marked for the Foundation. You may also participate in the Bethlehem Foundation by making a designation in your will or trust, by gifting real estate or other assets, and/or making the Bethlehem Foundation a beneficiary of a life insurance policy. There is no membership required to make a contribution to the Bethlehem Foundation. If you need assistance or would simply like to talk to someone more about these options, please send an email to bridgebuilders@bethlehem-church.org or call Jean Westberg in the Bethlehem office or ask to leave a message for a Bethlehem Foundation director. Someone will get back to you to answer your questions or connect you with appropriate people to help you with your planning.

I pray that I will never lose sight of this truth, Lord. All I have comes from You. Help me to hold all I have very lightly and may I always be ready to pass it along at Your request. Amen.

Three Legged Stool--Part Six of Six

In the church-at Bethlehem-we have the opportunity to give a weekly offering. We have the challenge to give to an occasional capital campaign, like Share the Spirit. And we have the privilege to leave a legacy by giving to the Bethlehem Foundation. Any of these three "legs" of giving would be weaker without the other two.

Thank you for your commitment to the annual budget! Thank you for your pledge to the Share the Spirit three year campaign! To those who have given/do give to the Bethlehem Foundation ... thank you! Thank you for considering a gift to the Bethlehem Foundation!

While we may be on uneven, shifting ground due to life circumstances and economic conditions, in order to keep the seat of our giving stool level we must make adjustments to ensure the proper balance. God will give us the guidance as to what is appropriate.

If you have questions, please contact a board member: Bill Fredell, Paul Hauge, Kathleen Hokemeir-Seim, Roy LaFayette, Naomi Staruch, Paul Steen, Dorothea Tenney or Pastor Chris Nelson.

I pray that I will never lose sight of this truth, Lord. All I have comes from You. Help me to hold all I have very lightly and may I always be ready to pass it along at Your request. Amen.