10/14/2015
Please allow me to introduce myself as the Episcopal Church in Vermont’s new coordinator for United Thank Offering. Hi! I’m Wendy Grace. I’m a parishioner at Trinity Episcopal Church in Rutland and I would like to help you connect with this incredible ministry of our Episcopal Church. Through United Thank Offering, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. Those who participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads to generosity. United Thank Offering is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and to distribute the UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout The Episcopal Church and in invited Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the developing world.
Here’s how it works—really, it’s very simple: each day, say a prayer for the little blessings in your life. For each blessing, drop a coin into your little blue box. When you have something big to celebrate and give thanks for, maybe slip in a bill or two. When your box is full, send in a check covering the amount you collected. When you do, your invigorating autumn walk with your beloved dogs will help pay for an English immersion program in Haiti. The joy and relief of your mother’s clear bill of health will help fund a grant supporting a senior community center in Louisiana. The UTO is offering a number of opportunities to learn more about the grant process including two webinars in December about the Young Adults Grants on December 9th at 8pm and December 10th at 7pm. There is also a webinar specifically for our province, Province 1 on November 10th at 8:30pm.
This fall, I urge you to give generously at your parish’s UTO ingathering. If your congregation has not scheduled an ingathering (perhaps you might take on this challenge), you can still contribute by contacting me directly at Trinity Church, Rutland. I can be reached at (802) 775-4368 or email.
~~Wendy Grace
The Episcopal Church in Vermont
United Thank Offering Coordinator