In 2018, the Diocese was delighted to receive a significant legacy of £166,000 from Deacon Gillian Morley. This gift provided the foundation stone to the Southwark Development Vision Fund.
Generous gifts and legacies have benefitted most of us in one way or another, funding our churches, our hospitals and more. Leaving a legacy is a beautiful way to give towards the church, securing the next generation of mission and ministry.
Our churches exist due to the faithful and generous legacies of Christians like Gillian, in their service and generosity.
No matter how large or small, gifts in wills create opportunities for mission.
Gillian’s godson, Francis, gave thanks at her funeral “for the positive impact that she had on so many lives, for her faithful service to Jesus and for the wonderful gift of eternal life she has now received.” Her gift to the new Southwark Vision Development Fund will ensure that her positive impact on the church in the Diocese of Southwark will continue for years to come.
Remembering Gillian Morley
Gillian is pictured on a parish visit to the Holy Land at the Mount of Beatitudes (on the right).
Gillian Morley began her training for work in the Church of England at the College of Greyladies in Lewisham in the 1940s. She was a Deaconess at St Saviour’s, Hither Green from 1970 to 1982, as well as being a Samaritan volunteer.
“Her smile and greetings were warm and heartfelt.”
The Revd Michael Goss, who was incumbent at St Swithun’s at this time, wrote “We worked together in ministering in a large local hospital which had been an old fever hospital”. At church, “Gillian helped with children’s work and services. She took funerals – once the detail for the undertaker said “Buddhist C/E”; Gillian was not amused. She got on with parish visiting. Her smile and greetings were warm and heartfelt. In 1985, I led a pilgrimage to the Holy Land which Gillian came on and thoroughly enjoyed – perhaps this ignited her interest in frequent cruises in retirement.”
How might your gift help meet the needs of future generations?
Many of us know it is good and sensible to make a will, and yet there is always a reason to put it off. Please do take the time to consider who you would like to give to, whether that is to loved ones, the work of your local church, or other charitable causes.
If you are considering leaving a legacy gift to the Diocese, or donating to the Southwark Vision Development Fund, you can find more information on our SVDF page.
