St. John’s is happy to announce our new brokerage account which allows St. John’s to accept the gift of securities. Donating appreciated securities (stocks, bonds and mutual fund shares) to St. John’s can be done easily and may entitle you to tax advantages. You may be entitled to a charitable deduction on the fair market value of the securities on the date of the gift, and you may also avoid incurring capital gains tax on the appreciation. (Of course, you should consult with your tax advisor to understand how this deduction works.)  To make a donation, please call the St. John’s office, or contact your brokerage firm and let them know that they can deliver shares through DTC (Depository Trust Company) to Merrill Lynch, DTC #5198, referencing the St. John’s Episcopal Church account #5YF-02019. For questions, please contact Chris Hayden at (978) 921-6735.