ETHICAL WILL WORKSHOP

Preserve a Legacy of Your Values, Beliefs and Wisdon

Saturday, February 4, 2012

9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. in the Upper Room

lunch and childare provided

Ethical wills are written to identify what you value most, what you have learned in life and how you want to be remembered.  People of all ages and at various transitions in life write an ethical will. By recalling memories, articulating your life stories and sharing in small groups you will discover wonderful material to include in your ethical will.  The workshop will familiarize you with the history of ethical wills and work through a series of guided writing exercises so that you will come away with an outline for your ethical will. 

The Old Testament describes early ethical wills that were predominantly oral. Then ethical wills grew to be written and attached to legal wills of inheritance that were shared after death. Unlike wills of inheritance and living wills, an ethical will is dynamic and can evolve over time. An ethical will is not constrained by legal language, instead there are many unique and meaningful formats. Immanuel Church's annual "Advent Booklet" is a wonderful example of a collective ethical will. The language of your heart and life experiences is what creates your legacy that generations of your family, friends and community will cherish.

As Immanuel Presbyterian Church celebrates the legacy of 175 years of ministry, the Board of Deacons invites you to preserve your legacy of faith, values, beliefs and wisdom by writing an ethical will.  Join Kathy Brumder, a trained ethical will facilitator and Immanuel Deacon, on February 4 to learn about the history of ethical wills, hear about a wide range of contemporary ethical wills and begin to compose your legacy.  Lunch and childcare will be provided.  Sign up in the Parlor on Sunday mornings or call (414-276-4757) or e-mail the church office (ipc@immanuelwi.org).  A free will offering will be collected to help cover the cost of lunch and materials.