Testimonials

Barbara and Elijah Hubbard

Barbara and Elijah K. Hubbard were members of St. John's Church for many years, but they were at best irregular in their church attendance. When they died a few months apart from each other in 1992, one-quarter of their estate (a little over $2 million) came to St. John's; one-quarter went to Indian Hill Cemetery in Middletown; and the balance to the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

People who remember the Hubbards remember them as fun-loving, delightful people. They lived on Prospect Avenue and wintered at the Mill Reef Club in Antigua. Late in life they moved to Meadow Lakes, a New Jersey retirement community, but continued to maintain an apartment in West Hartford, which they used on visits back to West Hartford. The Hubbards had no children and were not known to be involved in any non-profit organizations in the community. When asked by their lawyer Robert Smith why they wanted to leave $2 million to St. John's, they said, "that is what one does for one's church."

Their unrestricted gift to St. John's arrived as plans were underway to rebuild the church buildings after a devastating fire the year before. Approximately one-half of their bequest was used in rebuilding and the balance was placed in the Endowment, where it continues to make possible many of the church's on-going programs. In thanksgiving for this generous gift the Vestry named the parish hall Hubbard Hall.

Robert and Alice Jones

Robert P. Jones, who was a church Warden for all of the 1980s, died in 2010 after a lengthy illness. His wife Alice died early in 2011. Bob, who understood the importance of a healthy endowment, left a bequest to St. John's in his will. He was a strong advocate for a Planned Giving program at St. John's.

Bob and Alice spent most of their 62 years of married life at St. John's where they both were active members. They were strong supporters of the church even after poor health prevented them from attending church. Bob, a Vice President at CIGNA, is remembered as a quiet, effective leader who encouraged all to be active in parish life. In addition to his service on the Vestry, Bob is remembered as a strong supporter of the church's music program. Alice served many years on the Altar Guild and as treasurer of the women's group. Bob and Alice's thoughtfulness in remembering St. John's in their Estate planning has helped insure a stronger financial foundation for St. John's Church.

Earl and Lilly Biscoe

Those were the days -- ah yes, those were the days! Earl and I were blessed with fifty-seven years of great experiences. True. We had some bumps in the road -- a change in jobs, cities, houses. But along the way we had two absolutely perfect children, Earl Biscoe III and Eloise Palmer Biscoe. We loved West Hartford. And oh yes, we loved our little summer house among Earl's Princeton classmates at Cape Cod.

As time passed, we sadly lost parents, relatives, young and old, and friends of many years. Then the worst tragedy of life came -- with the death of our beloved only son Earl, after many years of illness. He and his wife Mary were a real team. The fact is we were able to manage only with God's help. His presence, day in and day out, each moment, whether we were praying or not, brought us comfort and strength. We knew God was with us, and we did not hesitate to ask for His guidance. We were also thankful for the caring presence of St. John's.

St. John's is a place of cheer, comfort and peace -- joyful in celebrations, firm in belief, gifted in leadership, and exquisite in music and architecture. For all these reasons, it was wonderful to learn of the establishment of the 1841 Legacy Society of St. John's Church and to see the list of those who have died and remembered St. John's in their estate plan from 1901 to 2010. At this time the list is incomplete and will continue to expand. My late husband Earl is on the list. Earl died just six years after young Earl. And sooner or later, my wonderful daughter Eloise and I will come to join them, all four together again. For now, I am happy to add my name as a member of the St. John's 1841 Legacy Society. -- Lilly Biscoe Torrey

Christopher and Kimberley Byrd

Chris and I recently reached that time in our lives when it was necessary to update our wills. With Ned in college and Kent in high school, issues of who and how our children would be taken care of if something happened to us were no longer our only concern. Now we needed to focus on estate planning and how we wanted to distribute our assets when we are gone. This really involved a lot of introspection about what has been important to us and what has impacted our lives and the lives of our children. St. John's is certainly on the short list of organizations that we wanted to remember. St. John's has nurtured and fulfilled us in ways we could never have imagined when we joined the church two decades ago.

We have raised our two children in the church - they have been baptized here, participated in scores of Christmas pageants, attended church school, sung in the choir, been acolytes and both participated in life changing pilgrimages. St. John's has truly been one of the pivotal elements in their lives. Chris and I have become involved in so many ways at St. John's - serving on the vestry and many committees. We have had a wonderful place in which to worship, received spiritual guidance from Joe and others, and we have strengthened our faith which continues to sustain us. We feel blessed to have become part of a very special community. It is no coincidence that many of our closest friends are those we have met at St. John's.

In return for all that we have received as a part of the St. John's family, we want to make sure that this beautiful, wonderful place is here for the next 100 years to nurture and sustain others as it has us. We are happy that we are able to support St. John's through our planned giving. -- Kim Byrd

Greg and Lonnie Burt

When we first got married we wanted to find a church that was ours together and not a church that one of us belonged to and the other had to join. With that in mind, we set out to find "our" church. Each week we would pick a local church to attend on the upcoming Sunday. We went to several churches before visiting St. John's, but none seemed to fit. When we walked into St. John's for our first service we were immediately struck by the beauty surrounding us: the wooden doors, the striking stained glass windows, the inviting Altar. We worshiped, listened to Joe deliver one of his true-to-life sermons, and received Communion. At the end of the service we looked at each other and said, "This is the one." As we were leaving Joe Pace introduced himself and asked if we were new to the area. When we said we were looking for a church to join, he immediately asked us to sign the visitor's book and said someone would get in touch with us to talk to us about becoming members. We felt welcomed and we did not hesitate to become members.

Now, many years later, as we attend church we are still struck by the beauty of the church and continue to enjoy the sermons. We are comforted by the routine of the mass and prayers we say each week. We enjoy seeing the same parishioners in the pews around us, shaking their hands when offering Peace to them. The multitude of programs and activities offered at St. John's for all ages is magnificent; the outreach for the local and world-wide community is inspiring. There is a sense of community within the church and we love that. St. John's has become our church home and our hope is that it will be a church home for many generations to come. This is why we have joined the 1841 St. John's Legacy Society -- we want St. John's to go on forever. -- Greg and Lonnie Burt

Buffy Cech

As I see it, planned giving to the church is just that -- an intentional plan for giving to the church in the future. It is very different from a pledge which is more short term, meant for maintaining the day-to-day operation of the church. A planned gift is more for the future; to help sustain the life and longevity of the church.

The new opportunity for planned giving at St. John's is such a great addition to the ways we as parishioners can contribute to the church. St. John's is a wonderful place today, and I hope that continues long into the future. In considering where to donate now and down the road, many advisors suggest looking at what holds significant importance in life. In all honesty, church only follows family and friends in its primary importance to me for most of my life. So it stands to reason that after my children's needs are taken care of, my church would be in my estate plan. It has been an integral part of my entire life; the good and the bad times, as a child and as an adult. St. John's is my faith home: a place where I feel welcomed and comfortable, and when I leave, replenished and rejuvenated. Its spirit and inspiration go with me.

Because of its significance in my life and the lives of my children, St. John's is, by faithful decision and deliberate choice, a beneficiary in my will. I am proud to be a member of the St. John's 1841 Legacy Society and hope you will consider joining me.

-- Buffy Cech

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