The Episcopal Church's annual planned giving conference attracted 68 persons from 27 states and Canada to the Duncan Conference Center in Delray Beach, Fla., March 8-12.

The conference opened with a frank discussion about the long-term stability of planned giving in the Episcopal Church and the problems resulting from the announcement of possible misuse of funds in the national treasurer's office [TLC, March 5].

William Andersen, Jr., of the Episcopal Church Foundation, discussed the re-establishment of the planned giving office by the foundation after it was closed in the cutbacks at the Episcopal Church Center. Frederick Osborn III, who managed the planned giving office for the national church, has been retained by the foundation as director of development.

Participants were told the planning giving program was stable, donors' investments in the church were stable, and that during the next few months the foundation will be working with the church center in the transition of the planned giving program.

The balance of the conference focused on the theology of giving, stewardship, planned giving and capital campaigns for parishes and dioceses. The Rt. Rev. John MacNaughton, Bishop of West Texas, and the Ven. John Robertson of the Anglican Church of Canada presented two perspectives on the theology of giving.

The Rev. Hugh Magers of Dallas, a stewardship consultant for the national church, made a presentation on the stewardship of money in the church. Mixing humor and insight, he gave participants new perspectives on Episcopalians and the communities they create.

Programs followed on the technical nature of planned giving, including an overview of the various kinds of planned gifts.

Glenn and Barbara Holliman of Holliman Associates discussed the conducting of capital campaigns, and the Rt. Rev. Francis C. Gray, Bishop of Northern Indiana, told of his experience with a diocesan capital campaign.