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December 2004
Arthur and Sidney R. Barnes had a strong belief in the United Church of Christ in Massachusetts. Their faith in this organization prompted them to bequeath $243,000 to the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ.
Arthur and Sidney Barnes were long-time members of The Second Church in Newton, UCC. In 1982, they began long-term planning of the distribution of their assets upon their deaths. Through trusts, the couple documented their wishes to donate to various charities, and the MACUCC was named as one of the
beneficiaries.
Arthur Barnes died in May of 1994, and Sidney Barnes passed away in January of 2004. But their spirit will touch many future lives through their gift to the Massachusetts Conference. The terms of the trust state that the gift “income and principal is to be used to
support the work of said conference presently directed by the Council for Mission Outreach and Social Responsibility.”
“This leaves the Board of Directors wide latitude to use the gift to help fund existing staff and program costs in the area of Mission & Justice Ministries, or to consider support of new initiatives,” said Dawn Hammond, Associate Conference Minister for Policy and Finance.
Paul Nickerson, Associate Conference Minister for Evangelism, Mission & Justice Ministries, explains that this bequest will help attain the ministry’s goals of announcing, trusting, and bearing witness to the new life God offers. “It will help us to continue to convey and carry God’s Good News to those around us. Through various homelessness, peace, and justice programs, the MACUCC helps nurture the local church in developing a vision that is energetically focused on mission outreach, spreading the gospel, serving God's people, and striving for a just and peaceful world.”
Their pastor, Richard E. Malmberg, knew Sidney well but he never met Art. “Sid led mostly by example. She was a generous steward, rarely absent from Sunday worship. She gave of her time and talents as well as her treasure. She was respected for her wisdom, her convictions and moral leadership.” Sid was extremely active in the Women’s Fellowship of the Conference. Malmberg continues, “Her influence will be felt for years to come.”
For more information about legacy gifts, visit www.macucc.org/stewardship/ plannedgiving.htm or call (508) 875-5233.