Your Generosity Makes Ministry Possible
Every act of generosity helps St. James' Episcopal Church fulfill its mission. Your support of financial stewardship strengthens our worship, expands our outreach, nurtures faith formation, and enables us to serve Houston's Third Ward with compassion and purpose.
Why Your Support Matters
Your generosity helps us:
- Welcome people through meaningful worship and fellowship.
- Sustain the daily ministries and operations of the church.
- Support outreach programs that serve our community.
- Provide faith formation for children, youth, and adults.
- Care for and maintain our church facilities.
- Invest in the future of the church and our neighborhood.
Every gift—large or small—makes a lasting impact.
Ways to Give
Choose the giving option that works best for you.
Give Online
Support our ministry anytime through our secure online giving platform.
Online Giving Options
- One-time or recurring gifts
- Safe and secure donations
Give During Worship or by Mail
Offer your gift during our Sunday worship service as an act of gratitude and faith. If you prefer to give through mail, you can send it to the address given below.
St. James’ offers two unique worship experiences each Sunday:
9:00 a.m. | Traditional Worship
Experience a traditional Episcopal service featuring the Holy Eucharist and inspiring music from our Sanctuary Choir.
11:30 a.m. | Contemporary Worship
Join us for a vibrant and engaging worship experience that offers a more contemporary expression of Episcopal tradition, including the Holy Eucharist and music provided by an exceptional Jazz Ensemble featuring some of Houston’s finest musicians.
Location
St. James' Episcopal Church
3129 Southmore Boulevard
Houston, TX 77004
Planned Giving
Leave a Legacy of Faith for Generations to Come
“We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord and his might and the wonders that he has done.”
Psalm 78:3–4
A legacy is something meaningful that is handed down from one generation to the next. As people of faith, we are called to share our faith, care for those we love, and help ensure that the work of God continues for generations to come.
Planned Giving provides an opportunity to make a lasting gift to St. James’ Episcopal Church as part of your long-term financial or estate plans.
Through thoughtful planning, you can provide for your loved ones while also supporting the ministries and mission of St. James’ for years to come.
What Is Planned Giving?
Planned Giving is a gift arranged during your lifetime that will benefit St. James’ Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas, at a future time.
Also known as deferred giving or estate giving, planned gifts can be made through a variety of financial and estate planning tools, including:
- A will or bequest
- Retirement accounts
- Life insurance policies
- Beneficiary designations
- Appreciated assets
- Real estate
- Charitable giving arrangements
Planned Giving is an opportunity to express gratitude for God's blessings while creating a lasting legacy of faith and stewardship.
Ways to Leave a Legacy
Beneficiary Designations
You may name St. James’ Episcopal Church as a beneficiary of a retirement account, life insurance policy, or other financial account.
This can be a simple way to make a future gift without changing your current will.
Gifts of Real Estate and Appreciated Assets
You may choose to make a gift of assets such as:
- Stocks
- Bonds
- Real estate
- Other appreciated property
These gifts can provide meaningful support for the future ministry of St. James’.
Donor-Advised Funds
A Donor-Advised Fund allows you to make an irrevocable charitable gift and receive an immediate tax deduction while recommending grants to charitable organizations over time.
Charitable Gift Annuities
A Charitable Gift Annuity provides an opportunity to make a charitable gift while receiving fixed income payments for life.
Charitable Remainder Trusts
A Charitable Remainder Trust can provide income to you or your beneficiaries for life or for a specified period of time. At the end of that period, the remaining assets are directed to St. James’ Episcopal Church.
Begin Your Legacy
A planned gift is more than a financial decision. It is an opportunity to make a lasting statement of faith, gratitude, and commitment to future generations.
By including St. James’ Episcopal Church in your long-term plans, you can help ensure that the ministries, mission, and witness of this community continue for generations to come.
How to Begin
Taking the first step toward Planned Giving does not have to be complicated.
- Begin with Prayerful Reflection
- Consider the legacy you would like to leave and how your gifts can continue supporting God's work through St. James’.
- Review Your Financial Plans
- Review your current and long-term financial situation and consider how a future gift might fit into your overall plans.
- You may wish to consult with a financial advisor during this process.
- Provide for Your Loved Ones
- Consider what it means for you to make prudent provision for your family and loved ones while also considering a charitable gift to St. James’.
- Your planned gift may include cash or other assets.
- Consult Your Professional Advisors
- Before making a formal commitment, you may wish to consult with your attorney and/or financial advisor to ensure that your plans and documentation are appropriately structured.
- Share Your Intentions
- When you are ready, you may communicate your intentions to St. James’ Episcopal Church by obtaining a Letter of Intent Form from the Church Office.
- All information regarding your planned gift will be handled with appropriate confidentiality.
Ready to Learn More?
Contact the St. James’ Episcopal Church Office staff@stajameshouston.org to learn more about Planned Giving or to request a Letter of Intent Form.
Your Legacy. Your Faith. Their Future.
Planned Giving
Leave a Legacy of Faith for Generations to Come
“We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord and his might and the wonders that he has done.”
Psalm 78:3–4
A legacy is something meaningful that is handed down from one generation to the next. As people of faith, we are called to share our faith, care for those we love, and help ensure that the work of God continues for generations to come.
Planned Giving provides an opportunity to make a lasting gift to St. James’ Episcopal Church as part of your long-term financial or estate plans.
Through thoughtful planning, you can provide for your loved ones while also supporting the ministries and mission of St. James’ for years to come.
What Is Planned Giving?
Planned Giving is a gift arranged during your lifetime that will benefit St. James’ Episcopal Church, Houston, Texas, at a future time.
Also known as deferred giving or estate giving, planned gifts can be made through a variety of financial and estate planning tools, including:
- A will or bequest
- Retirement accounts
- Life insurance policies
- Beneficiary designations
- Appreciated assets
- Real estate
- Charitable giving arrangements
Planned Giving is an opportunity to express gratitude for God's blessings while creating a lasting legacy of faith and stewardship.
Ways to Leave a Legacy
Beneficiary Designations
You may name St. James’ Episcopal Church as a beneficiary of a retirement account, life insurance policy, or other financial account.
This can be a simple way to make a future gift without changing your current will.
Gifts of Real Estate and Appreciated Assets
You may choose to make a gift of assets such as:
- Stocks
- Bonds
- Real estate
- Other appreciated property
These gifts can provide meaningful support for the future ministry of St. James’.
Donor-Advised Funds
A Donor-Advised Fund allows you to make an irrevocable charitable gift and receive an immediate tax deduction while recommending grants to charitable organizations over time.
Charitable Gift Annuities
A Charitable Gift Annuity provides an opportunity to make a charitable gift while receiving fixed income payments for life.
Charitable Remainder Trusts
A Charitable Remainder Trust can provide income to you or your beneficiaries for life or for a specified period of time. At the end of that period, the remaining assets are directed to St. James’ Episcopal Church.
Begin Your Legacy
A planned gift is more than a financial decision. It is an opportunity to make a lasting statement of faith, gratitude, and commitment to future generations.
By including St. James’ Episcopal Church in your long-term plans, you can help ensure that the ministries, mission, and witness of this community continue for generations to come.
How to Begin
Taking the first step toward Planned Giving does not have to be complicated.
- Begin with Prayerful Reflection
- Consider the legacy you would like to leave and how your gifts can continue supporting God's work through St. James’.
- Review Your Financial Plans
- Review your current and long-term financial situation and consider how a future gift might fit into your overall plans.
- You may wish to consult with a financial advisor during this process.
- Provide for Your Loved Ones
- Consider what it means for you to make prudent provision for your family and loved ones while also considering a charitable gift to St. James’.
- Your planned gift may include cash or other assets.
- Consult Your Professional Advisors
- Before making a formal commitment, you may wish to consult with your attorney and/or financial advisor to ensure that your plans and documentation are appropriately structured.
- Share Your Intentions
- When you are ready, you may communicate your intentions to St. James’ Episcopal Church by obtaining a Letter of Intent Form from the Church Office.
- All information regarding your planned gift will be handled with appropriate confidentiality.
Ready to Learn More?
Contact the St. James’ Episcopal Church Office staff@stajameshouston.org to learn more about Planned Giving or to request a Letter of Intent Form.
Your Legacy. Your Faith. Their Future.
Planned Giving Frequently Asked Questions
A planned gift is an opportunity to:
- Express gratitude to God for a lifetime of blessings
- Support the mission and ministries of St. James’ beyond your lifetime
- Leave a legacy of faith for future generations
- No.
- Planned Giving is about faith, stewardship, and legacy—not wealth. Many planned gifts are modest in size but have a meaningful and lasting impact.
- There are still simple ways to make a planned gift.
- For example, you may be able to name St. James’ Episcopal Church as a beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy without creating or revising a will.
- The Church can also help provide information about possible next steps and available resources.
- The most important step is your desire to leave a lasting legacy.
- Absolutely.
You may choose to:
- Remain anonymous, or
- Be recognized as part of the St. James’ Legacy Society
- Your intentions and gift information will be treated with appropriate confidentiality.
- In many cases, yes.
- Planned gifts such as wills and beneficiary designations can generally be updated as your circumstances or wishes change.
- Planned gifts are typically directed to support the long-term mission and ministry of St. James’ Episcopal Church.
Gifts may be placed in the Church's endowment fund, where:
- The principal is preserved
- A portion of earnings may support ministry each year
- The gift can continue benefiting future generations
St. James’ has a designated committee and financial oversight process to help ensure:
- Faithful stewardship
- Transparency
- Responsible financial oversight
- Alignment with donor intent