The Albert Palmer Society
Albert Wentworth Palmer was Senior Minister of Central Union Church from 1917-1924.
His pastorate was distinguished by his keen social conscience and belief that "the church was the great force which ought to be aroused to social reform and betterment." And, that "the church had the charter of the social gospel."
One of Palmer's most memorable achievements was supervising the church's move in 1922 from downtown Honolulu to the corner of Punahou and Beretania Streets, and the subsequent building of the present sanctuary (completed in 1924). Reflecting Central Union's Congregational heritage, the New England style sanctuary remains a visual and spiritual landmark in Honolulu to this day.
When asked by the architect to suggest an inscription to be placed in the chancel above the cross, Palmer chose "Love Never Faileth" (1 Corinthians 13) because "It must have something to say to people in many moods, something not out of harmony with any of the great major experiences of human, life."
The Albert Palmer Society of Central Union Church was established to recognize those who make a planned gift commitment to Central Union by naming the church in their will, making a life income gift, a gift of life insurance, or other estate assets.
Source: Dabagh and Case,
Central Union Church (1887-1988)
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The Three Legs of Stewardship
Many of us have heard about the three "Ts" of community involvement, including involvement in our church. Time, Talent, and Treasure constitute the essential elements of bringing value to our community or our church. Focusing only on the church, time is an essential ingredient because there are virtually limitless things that must be done to keep the church going: from caring for the facilities to caring for the folks, and these things need us to spend our volunteer TIME. TALENT looks at the ability to organize oneself or a group to do the work that needs to be done. And, lastly, TREASURE is the ingredient that enables the church to enlist the time and talent of people to do much-needed spiritual or other professional work on a full time or part time basis. All of these ingredients are required to keep the church going.
TREASURE ALSO DIVIDED INTO THREE LEGS
Drawing a parallel to the three legs of stewardship, the three elements of Treasure might well be depicted as three "Ps":
Pledges are the means by which our church makes sure that it meets on-going daily needs, beginning with the outreach it performs, and including the people it pays, and the utilities and required maintenance tasks it faces. All of these are hopefully funded through pledges and offerings. We as members must insure that these are done on a regular and continuing basis if we expect our church to survive.
Projects, including long term capital improvements or even debt reduction are financial needs that are "once in awhile" experiences, experiences that may not need daily feeding, but for the long term heath and well being of the church must be met. These, too, like Pledges, require our immediate money support to get done.
Planned Giving, however, gives US the rare gift of requiring NO MONEY NOW. All we need do is promise to make a gift later on (can we call it a 'future' pledge?), when we no longer need to concern ourselves with worldly things. And, it is the gift that keeps on giving, because we know we are helping to provide for the church's tomorrows. The planned gift can be changed if family conditions change. The planned gift can be made anonymously if you prefer. Win/win.