Embracing Trinity’s Future

I've known the D'Arcys for twenty-seven years and have observed more "holy hook-ups" in the lives of John and Marguerite (affectionately known as Jack and Meg) than can be described here. As a trustee emeritus for the seminary, Jack is well known and highly respected throughout the Trinity community. He is known for his humble spirit, his love of Christ, his relentless passion for the spread of the good news of the Gospel, his eagerness for jumping at God-given opportunities, his gift of leadership and his pursuit of educational equality for racial minorities in the United States. This devoted husband, father, grandfather and volunteer leader with his parish and community continues to be actively involved in the mission of Trinity.

Following retirement from the Quaker Oats Company as Vice Chairman, Jack became Chairman of the Chicago Sunday Evening Club, whose principal activity was broadcasting a weekly Christian program, "An Hour of Good News," on PBS-TV Chicago. He also served as President of Episcopal Charities and Services of the Diocese of Chicago and for a number of years as a director on the National Board of the United Negro College Fund.

Jack's heart for Christ and gift of leadership has blessed Trinity beyond measure already . . . yet Jack and Meg recently enlarged their gracious commitment to God's work at Trinity. Through a generous gift of appreciated securities, the D'Arcys increased the principle of an endowed scholarship fund they established more than a decade ago in tribute to Jack's parents, John and Julia. The fund's purpose is to help ensure that African Americans and other minority Americans have the opportunity to study at Trinity, a mission passed along by his parents.

Recently, I asked Jack to share the "story" about his and Meg's commitment to Trinity. Here's an edited version of our conversation:

"God has blessed me richly throughout my lifetime, and one of the pivotal parts in my life has been the opportunity to serve Trinity as a trustee and donor. I've been increasingly aware of how God has used countless 'holy hook-ups' to link my family, my parish and me with Trinity. My first 'h-h' with Trinity took place when my mother's 6th grade Sunday School class included a redheaded boy by the name of John Rodgers [Trinity's second Dean/President]. Some years later, through my volunteer work with the Chicago Sunday Evening Club, I had another 'h-h' with Trinity through one of our featured speakers, John Guest [a founder of Trinity]. John's love for our Lord and dynamic preaching more than captured my attention and we became fast friends. John encouraged me to attend a weekend retreat at his church in Sewickley, Pennsylvania. At that same time, he arranged for me to meet and visit with Bishop Stanway, who was just arriving from Australia to become the first Dean/President of Trinity, which at the time was without a student body. The experiences of that weekend were life changing, and I left for home as Trinity's newest trustee.

"God has provided 'an unbeatable' lineup of Trinity stars to serve our home parish, St. Mark's Church of Geneva, Illinois. Rick Lobs, a trustee during the formative years of the school, was our rector for 15 years. Then came Trinity graduates Mark Tusken (our rector) and his wife, Vicky, and most recently, Tony Welty (our assistant rector) and his wife, Cherie. This long-time small parish has experienced major expansions in Spirit, numbers and facilities because of the tremendous Christ-centered preaching, education, youth programs, world mission and prayer brought to us by these Trinity stars."

"Holy hook-ups" . . . we all experience them thanks to God's infinite love for us . . . especially when we keep our hearts and minds set on him. Please pray to see if God may be leading you to "hook up" with Trinity's future by establishing a planned gift that will impact the school and its students for years beyond your earthly life.

Visit our webpage at www.tesm.edu/ development for tips on how you can make gifts from appreciated stocks and securities, life insurance policies, retirement plan assets; and read about the various kinds of planned gifts that can provide tax savings and income for life. Also learn about The Thomas Cranmer Society and how to leave a bequest to Trinity.