IRA Charitable Giving
July 20, 2023
Some Qualify to Give from an IRA
Did you know it is possible to make a gift to The Garden with an IRA distribution tax-free? We have several donors who do just that, as it’s a smart way to help satisfy their minimum distribution (RMD requirements) without paying income tax on that distribution.
There are some rules and limitations to consider. The donor needs to be at least 70 ½ years old and the donation must be made directly to a qualified charity from the IRA. The benefits include lowering one's adjusted gross income and fulfilling philanthropic goals, without taking money out one's day to day checking, savings, or credit card accounts.
Charitable giving from an IRA can be a smart and generous way of using retirement savings to make a positive impact in the world. However, it is important to consult with a tax professional and a financial planner before making any decisions, as each situation may vary.
If you qualify, we hope you consider The Garden if you elect to use your IRA distribution in this manner! To read more about the requirements, click here.
"Be you" is common advice. But what does it mean? The exhortation to "be you" is an invitation to relax into yourself and let go of worries that you don't measure up to someone else's idea of who you are or should be. "Be you" means be honest––to yourself first and then with the world––about your thoughts, feelings, insecurities, passions, interests, and inclinations. It means you're more than worthy. It means you are enough. It means you're worth knowing, seeing, and loving. Our resistance to be ourselves comes from fear, judgement, and insecurity. Fear tells us "hide." Judgment says, "you're not good enough, so you better pretend." Insecurity warns, "people won't like you if they really see you." But it can be easy to Be You. You don't have to do anything; you can just be. The only barrier is self-acceptance. Love can break through that. May this week give you space to breathe, to soften, and to trust that who you are is already held in love.
This Sunday, we continue our Lenten journey with the theme of belonging. The National Institutes of Health recognizes belonging as a fundamental human need that shapes our mental, physical, and social well-being. One of the insights from our Greenhouse Challenge was the recognition that many people in the U.S. are experiencing loneliness. In response, The Garden has been exploring what it means to belong—not just socially, but spiritually and communally. During worship, we’ll check in with Scott Semester to hear how our grant initiative may help us create spaces of sanctuary—places where people feel seen, safe, and truly at home. Our Scripture this week, Ecclesiastes 4:12, reminds us that “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Belonging is not just about individual strength—it’s about the resilience we find in connection. When we walk together, support one another, and share our lives, we become stronger than we ever could be alone. May we continue to weave lives of compassion, curiosity, and courage—threads that bind us to one another and to the sacred truth that we belong.
Paths to Belonging
Hogeye Navvy Takes Over The Garden
Discover the spiritual practice of labyrinth walking during Lent and join upcoming community walks that invite reflection, prayer, and renewed presence.
A rare overlap of Ramadan and Lent invites Muslims and Christians into shared prayer, hospitality, and community during this once‑in‑a‑generation season.
Is the "ripple effect" real? Explore how faith, Diana Ross, and peer-reviewed research prove that your smallest acts of kindness can change the world.
Living Waters
Join us this Sunday as we embark on a transformative journey during Lent—our season of reflection, repentance, and renewal. This year, our theme is "Be Here. Be You. Belong." Our world is filled with distractions pulling us in every direction, so we often miss the profound significance of simply being present. This week, we will explore what it means to Be Here Now, to pause and embrace the moment as we deepen our connection with God. Together, we will delve into the wisdom of Brother Lawrence, whose insights on practicing the presence of God turned everyday tasks into sacred experiences. Let’s rediscover the holiness in the mundane and learn how to cultivate a spirit of mindfulness in our lives. Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect, grow, and engage more deeply with your faith. Join us as we journey together towards Easter, finding our place in God’s presence. See you Sunday!
As we continue our journey through Paths to Belonging, David Wilcox’s "The Beautiful" offers a tender companion for times we feel overwhelmed and weary. David opens the song in a museum, an unexpected refuge where beauty offers a kind of shelter from a world that feels tragic and too heavy to hold. He names a truth many of us carry: that in the “ocean deep,” when the waves of sorrow or fear rise, our most dearly-held hopes and even our faith can feel thin. And he reminds us that beauty–quiet, ordinary, human beauty–can help steady us. A smile from a stranger, a moment of kindness, a glimpse of light and shadow can warm the heart enough to keep going. We invite you to listen and spend a few moments reflecting on the feelings, images, and memories the song evokes in you. Remember you are not alone and that belonging reveals itself in simple, grace-filled moments of human connection and Divine presence.
